Road Warriors: Wizards vs. Bulls Game Two Thread

[TGW]

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_______AT________


Where: United Center, Chicago, IL

When: Friday, April 25, 8:00 PM on ESPN, CSNB, CSNC
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Line-Ups


________________________________________
____________PG John Wall___________________________________PG Kirk Hinrich
_____19.4 ppg (43% fg, 35% 3pt, 81% ft)__________________9.1 ppg (39% fg, 35% 3pt, 76% ft)
_____8.8 apg, 4.1 rpg, 1.8 spg, 0.5 bpg_______.___________3.9 apg, 2.7 rpg, 1.1 spg, 0.4 bpg



________________________________________
____________SG Bradley Beal_________________________________SG Jimmy Butler
_____17.0 ppg (42% fg, 40% 3pt, 78% ft)__________________13.1 ppg (40% fg, 29% 3pt, 77% ft)
_____3.3 apg, 3.7 rpg, 1.0 spg, 0.3 bpg__________________2.6 apg, 4.9 rpg, 1.8 spg, 0.5 bpg



________________________________________
____________SF Trevor Ariza__________________________________SF Mike Dunleavy Jr.
_____14.4 ppg (46% fg, 41% 3pt, 77% ft)_________________11.3 ppg (43% fg, 38% 3pt, 86% ft)
_____2.5 apg, 6.2 rpg, 1.7 spg, 0.3 bpg_________________2.3 apg, 4.2 rpg, 0.8 spg, 0.5 bpg



________________________________________
____________PF Nene_______________________________PF Carlos Boozer
______14.2 ppg (50% fg, 0% 3pt, 58% ft)__________-________13.7 ppg (45% fg, 0% 3pt, 77% ft)
_____5.2 rpg, 2.9 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.9 bpg__________________8.3 rpg, 1.6 apg, 0.7 spg, 0.3 bpg



________________________________________
___________C Marcin Gortat__________________________________C Joakim Noah
_____13.2 ppg (54% fg, 100% 3pt, 69% ft)________________12.6 ppg (47% fg, 0% 3pt, 74% ft)
___-__9.5 rpg, 1.7 apg, 0.5 spg, 1.5 bpg_________________11.2 rpg, 5.4 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.5 bpg


---------------------------------------

Nuposse summed up game 1 perfectly:



Led by Nene, the boys showed courage in the face of adversity, and showed that they can come back against a battle tested playoff team. It was a great TEAM win, with several players pitching in, and Wittman coached a near flawless game. Props to the home team.

Let's get greedy and steal game two!

[milellie111]

Why does it show Booker in the starting lineup when Nene is starting?

[nuposse04]

Nene, fornicator of opposing bovine.

[Hypnotizer]

________________________________________
____________PF Trevor Booker_______________________________PF Carlos Boozer
______6.6 ppg (55% fg, 0% 3pt, 62% ft)__________-________13.7 ppg (45% fg, 0% 3pt, 77% ft)
_____5.3 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.6 spg, 0.6 bpg__________________8.3 rpg, 1.6 apg, 0.7 spg, 0.3 bpg

Booker in the starting lineup?

[miller31time]

We can win this.

As I said in the game-1 thread, regular season Chicago isn't really any different than playoff Chicago. Thibs and Noah keep the intensity level at a maximum all 82 games. So when the playoffs roll around, I don't think they have anything extra to give their opponents. It's very "what you see is what you get".

But with the Wizards, we know what this team can do when we're focused and intense. Unfortunately, during the regular season, we simply aren't focused on intense on a consistent basis. But the playoffs are a different beast and we'll keep that level of focus and intensity sky-high for as long as we're in the show.

That's why I think we can win this series. The Bulls are a more consistent team but we have a higher ceiling depending on how much we give a crap.

[nuposse04]

I have a feeling..that Nene may draw a considerable amount of more looks for the perimeter guys...I'm also calling a big game from 3 pt land for Wall, I suppose the Bulls will dare him to shoot it, and Wall is good enough now from distance where he can make it. Confidence is everything, getting a W under their belt, will help Beal and Wall have a sense of "belonging" at this stage.

[TGW]

Thanks guys...will update.

Im also reading that Noah won dpoy and Gibson won 6th man? If so, the league is in the tank for the bulls....sheesh.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using RealGM Forums mobile app

[Hypnotizer]

This season all personal awards should go to WC.

[Nivek]

Over at basketball-reference, the Wizards odds of winning the series have jumped to 60% after their game one win. Nice.

[hands11]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/23 ... f-The-Year

Good fuel for game two motivation.

[Rafael122]

So I noticed most of the Bulls players are doing leg warmers or whatever it is? Is that a playoff thing?

[doclinkin]

We can win this.

As I said in the game-1 thread, regular season Chicago isn't really any different than playoff Chicago. Thibs and Noah keep the intensity level at a maximum all 82 games. So when the playoffs roll around, I don't think they have anything extra to give their opponents. It's very "what you see is what you get".

But with the Wizards, we know what this team can do when we're focused and intense. Unfortunately, during the regular season, we simply aren't focused on intense on a consistent basis. But the playoffs are a different beast and we'll keep that level of focus and intensity sky-high for as long as we're in the show.

That's why I think we can win this series. The Bulls are a more consistent team but we have a higher ceiling depending on how much we give a crap.

Pretty much what I said on the Bulls board:

The playoffs are about adjustments. Teams have time to gameplan and practice and drill sets and defenses between games. The Bull's scheme was pretty good, trying to induce John to drive to his right for a pull-up after screen-rolls, many times Kirk not even faceguarding him but standing to his left entirely.

Thibbs didn't prep as well for Nene since it had been a while since Nene and John shared the floor much. The Big Brazilian had been coming off the bench for us and we were running the 2nd unit offense through him. Really though what fueled the comeback was the Wizards perimeter Defense, allowing the team to get loose for open shots after open court outbreaks, and then Andre Miller abusing DJ with his postgame mismatch.

But I can already see and predict some tweaks to the plan. There are counters, and counters to the counters and in that respect I still give the edge to evil genius "The Penguin" Tommy Thibbs. In that respect the Wiz are still best off hoping the players themselves know how to adjust to the counters-- instead of relying on Wittman to do it.

That and: take the Bulls example and keep up the defensive pressure. That's the piece that had me willing to be hopeful about the series, that when it came down to it the Wizards had shown with effort they _could_ raise their game on defense, while their offense was occasionally really good -- whereas the Bulls were operating at about max efficiency on defense already, and for them the real struggle was figuring out where the offense might come from if they hit a cold stretch.

The answer is probably: offensive rebounding. Though that can be dangerous since if you commit to crashing but don't collect it you may be out of position for transition D. And give credit to the Wiz Bigs, they played pretty well underneath, beating their season averages against one of the best rebounding front lines in the league. And they were supplemented by 2nd line rebounders as well, for all that Wall & Beal's game was stunted by the defense they both found ways to contribute on both ends regardless, great defense on teh outside, efficient passing, a few steals, timely blocks etc all from the perimeter players.

And that's what this series will probably come down to: perimeter defense and rebounding. Which is what makes me still anxious since when it comes to all-out hustle and will to 'go-get-it' the Bulls are more consistently channelling more power and effort. Wiz can get too cool, less passionate, and fail to rise to the occasion. Or being young may not have quite the same desperation to win. This is where the fossils on the bench help the wiz team out the most. This is the last best chance for the AARP crew of former stars and possible HOFers (like #3 all time assist leader Andre Miller).

Basically if the Wiz give a shxt and work hard they will win.
And to counter Witt's lack of experience at this level we hope for a surprise off the bench every game one way or the other in all that veteran savvy marinating over there.

[TGW]

So I noticed most of the Bulls players are doing leg warmers or whatever it is? Is that a playoff thing?

Not sure, but Kirk Hinrich has apparently become the accessories king of the NBA:



He looks like one of those guys who comes to the court looking like he spent a fortune on his look, but can't play for ****.

[MikeTheKid]

I just want to note 2 things going into Game 2:

-Last season BK beat Chicago by 17 and everyone screamed to the world that the series was over after Gm1 and what happened

-Though the Bulls won last season after a bad Gm1, they don't have the shot creators that they had last season (Belinelli, Nate) which really goes to our favor

And a Bonus Point:

-If we win Game 2 THIS SERIES IS OVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[milellie111]

This team will win convincingly tommorrow night. I can feel it and it will be an easy one. The momentum is with Washington and the team has shown Chicago that they are to be taken seriously. Superb coaching all throughout the game and great offensive and defensive schemes. Get the ball to Nene again early. Wall has to be more aggressive along with Beal. Play Gooden more solely to "rough" up Noah and throw in Harrington whose main goal will be to rattle Boozer. This team will blow out Chicago tomorrow and come back to Washington with at 2-0 lead for the possible sweep of the series. The atmosphere at Verizon Center will be magnificent with all of the pre-game festiveness planned. I can see a Wall playoff coming out party and him going for 30+ points at home Friday.

[Upper Decker]

Over at basketball-reference, the Wizards odds of winning the series have jumped to 60% after their game one win. Nice.

This decreases 1% for every mintue Drew Gooden plays.

[Dat2U]

I just want to note 2 things going into Game 2:

-Last season BK beat Chicago by 17 and everyone screamed to the world that the series was over after Gm1 and what happened

-Though the Bulls won last season after a bad Gm1, they don't have the shot creators that they had last season (Belinelli, Nate) which really goes to our favor

And a Bonus Point:

-If we win Game 2 THIS SERIES IS OVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big point there. Going from Nate Robinson & Marco Belinelli to D.J. Augustin is a huge difference. Especially come playoff time. I don't think D.J. has the same ability Nate had to play bigger in the biggest moments.

[closg00]

The playoffs are about depth (especially the front court), endurance, and coaching.

Nonsense.

Depth and endurance matters a lot less in the playoffs because there are no back-to-backs and aging players don't have to think about staying healthy for the entire season. All your 33-36 minute players will play 38-40 minutes. Wall will probably play 42 minutes a game, for instance.

I think coaching matters less too. Coaching isn't some deep arcane science. Most coaches apply the same basic strategies. The good ones are the ones who recognize game conditions and adapt quickly to get the jump on bad coaches. For that reason, good coaching can often be the difference in a standard regular season game against an unfamiliar opponent. But in a playoff series, after the first game or two, everyone pretty much knows every play the other team is going to run and what the appropriate strategic counter should be. At that point, it boils down to talent, NOT coaching.

Nate I have to ping you on this ^

CHICAGO -- John Wall knew he was in the playoffs when he suddenly got gassed in Game 1, seemingly for no reason. He wasn't tired, but all of the games he has watched on TV and in person didn't prepare him for this reality. Playoff games are a different beast than the regular season.

"It's very intense. I watched it and went to a couple of games. But it's a lot different when you're on the court," said Wall, who shot 4-for-14 but scored 16 points in Sunday's 102-93 comeback victory against the Chicago Bulls at United Center. "It was one segment where I couldn't breathe when I was going up and down the court."

http://bleacherreport.com/tb/dcWyn?utm_ ... on-wizards

In-game coaching & endurance are key factors as-well as the talent

[pancakes3]

I just want to note 2 things going into Game 2:

-Last season BK beat Chicago by 17 and everyone screamed to the world that the series was over after Gm1 and what happened

-Though the Bulls won last season after a bad Gm1, they don't have the shot creators that they had last season (Belinelli, Nate) which really goes to our favor

And a Bonus Point:

-If we win Game 2 THIS SERIES IS OVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big point there. Going from Nate Robinson & Marco Belinelli to D.J. Augustin is a huge difference. Especially come playoff time. I don't think D.J. has the same ability Nate had to play bigger in the biggest moments.

Also, quietly, Boozer's production's really fallen off this season. Scoring volume, percentages, per-minute, raw, assists, PER, everything.

[MikeTheKid]

I just want to note 2 things going into Game 2:

-Last season BK beat Chicago by 17 and everyone screamed to the world that the series was over after Gm1 and what happened

-Though the Bulls won last season after a bad Gm1, they don't have the shot creators that they had last season (Belinelli, Nate) which really goes to our favor

And a Bonus Point:

-If we win Game 2 THIS SERIES IS OVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big point there. Going from Nate Robinson & Marco Belinelli to D.J. Augustin is a huge difference. Especially come playoff time. I don't think D.J. has the same ability Nate had to play bigger in the biggest moments.

Also, quietly, Boozer's production's really fallen off this season. Scoring volume, percentages, per-minute, raw, assists, PER, everything.

It seems like Boozer only plays around 24mpg, the entire 1st and 3rd quarters and that's it because Thibs likes Taj in the 4th quarter