PG: Rebounding MIA

[Stratmaster]

You mean we "had" 3 guys ahead of Niko. Barring some type of regression I don't see any possible way Taj is still ahead of Niko on that depth chart, particularly in the 4th quarter.

I suggest you look at Thibs' comments about Niko last night. Niko doesn't follow the schemes on defense. Thibs will not play him ahead of Taj. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he's completely out of the rotation in the playoffs.

Exactly which quote? the one where he acknowledged that when you play a stretch 4 you give up some rebounding naturally, and that is problematic?

If Thibs continues to whine about minute limits, and if he is stupid enough to sit a guy already playing at near all-star level in every category except defense, just to protect Taj Gibson's minutes, then he probably needs to go. To watch Noah hobble up the court all season long and then complain that you can't use him more than 32 minutes when you have 4 quality bigs on the roster, is probably a fire-able offense. I have no issue at all with thibs minutes when players are reasonably healthy. A few minutes one way or another means nothing. But he's got to know that Noah can't take the heavy minutes on a bum knee. As soon as he started playing Noah those heavy minutes Noah ended up back on the bench resting a "sore knee".

The more Thibs whines, the more the players whine, and the worse things get. Follow the leader, ya' know?

[vxmike]

Niko has done an outstanding job on the boards all year (far better than Gibson, in fact), and on a day when he doesn't but keeps the Bulls in the game with his offense, Thibs chooses to call him out. But Thibs' guys can play like garbage night in, night out and never get anything but a kind word. That's just the way it is, and it will be for as long as he's the coach.

Anyone who thinks Mirotic is going to be in the playoff rotation if everyone is back is kidding themelves. It's going to be 8 veterans, with Kirk, Gibson and Brooks being the bench. If there's foul trouble up front he'll go to Nazr, and Snell may see spot minutes when Kirk is especially putrid. He'd do it anyway because that's how Thibs coaches, but I think he'd play it that way just to thumb management's eye if he had to.

If Thibs won't play Niko in the playoffs and the Bulls aren't winning the FO should fire him during the series. It doesn't matter how good of a coach he is if he's too stubborn the play the guys who offer the best chance to win. It's one thing during the regular season but quite another in the postseason.

Niko has arguably been the Bulls 3rd most valuable player this season behind Butler and Gasol. In addition to the obvious scoring ability and mismatches he brings on offense, he's durable, plays hard, rebounds, and brings energy and activity to the defense even if he's not 100% in the right place every play. He's absolutely been more valuable this season than Noah, Taj and even Rose in my opinion.

[WIN]

Niko has done an outstanding job on the boards all year (far better than Gibson, in fact), and on a day when he doesn't but keeps the Bulls in the game with his offense, Thibs chooses to call him out. But Thibs' guys can play like garbage night in, night out and never get anything but a kind word. That's just the way it is, and it will be for as long as he's the coach.

Anyone who thinks Mirotic is going to be in the playoff rotation if everyone is back is kidding themelves. It's going to be 8 veterans, with Kirk, Gibson and Brooks being the bench. If there's foul trouble up front he'll go to Nazr, and Snell may see spot minutes when Kirk is especially putrid. He'd do it anyway because that's how Thibs coaches, but I think he'd play it that way just to thumb management's eye if he had to.

If Thibs won't play Niko in the playoffs and the Bulls aren't winning the FO should fire him during the series. It doesn't matter how good of a coach he is if he's too stubborn the play the guys who offer the best chance to win. It's one thing during the regular season but quite another in the postseason.

Niko has arguably been the Bulls 3rd most valuable player this season behind Butler and Gasol. In addition to the obvious scoring ability and mismatches he brings on offense, he's durable, plays hard, rebounds, and brings energy and activity to the defense even if he's not 100% in the right place every play. He's absolutely been more valuable this season than Noah, Taj and even Rose in my opinion.

Yeah, fire everyone while you're at it. So, let me ask a question....why wouldn't Thibs play Niko, do you not think he wants to win? Every game is different, matchups and how players are doing (hot/cold) affects a coaches decision on playing time. Thibs will do what's best for the team and play Niko as he sees fit. Niko has been getting more minutes recently based on team need. When Taj gets back, that's only a good thing for this team as it'll give Thibs more options. Sure there's times where I questioned players minutes, but I'll take Thibs' minute allocation philosophy over anyones on this board 10/10 times.

[WindyCityBorn]

Niko has done an outstanding job on the boards all year (far better than Gibson, in fact), and on a day when he doesn't but keeps the Bulls in the game with his offense, Thibs chooses to call him out. But Thibs' guys can play like garbage night in, night out and never get anything but a kind word. That's just the way it is, and it will be for as long as he's the coach.

Anyone who thinks Mirotic is going to be in the playoff rotation if everyone is back is kidding themelves. It's going to be 8 veterans, with Kirk, Gibson and Brooks being the bench. If there's foul trouble up front he'll go to Nazr, and Snell may see spot minutes when Kirk is especially putrid. He'd do it anyway because that's how Thibs coaches, but I think he'd play it that way just to thumb management's eye if he had to.

If Thibs won't play Niko in the playoffs and the Bulls aren't winning the FO should fire him during the series. It doesn't matter how good of a coach he is if he's too stubborn the play the guys who offer the best chance to win. It's one thing during the regular season but quite another in the postseason.

Niko has arguably been the Bulls 3rd most valuable player this season behind Butler and Gasol. In addition to the obvious scoring ability and mismatches he brings on offense, he's durable, plays hard, rebounds, and brings energy and activity to the defense even if he's not 100% in the right place every play. He's absolutely been more valuable this season than Noah, Taj and even Rose in my opinion.

Yeah, fire everyone while you're at it. So, let me ask a question....why wouldn't Thibs play Niko, do you not think he wants to win? Every game is different, matchups and how players are doing (hot/cold) affects a coaches decision on playing time. Thibs will do what's best for the team and play Niko as he sees fit. Niko has been getting more minutes recently based on team need. When Taj gets back, that's only a good thing for this team as it'll give Thibs more options. Sure there's times where I questioned players minutes, but I'll take Thibs' minute allocation philosophy over anyones on this board 10/10 times.

If Niko get benched again Thibs needs to go. It's that simple. A great coach will find a way to use him.

[WIN]

If Niko get benched again Thibs needs to go. It's that simple. A great coach will find a way to use him.

Yeah...no, not really. Niko won't get benched just for no reason. He'll get minutes he deserves, not worried about it personally. Don't get why people just assume he'll get benched for no reason.

[vxmike]

Niko has done an outstanding job on the boards all year (far better than Gibson, in fact), and on a day when he doesn't but keeps the Bulls in the game with his offense, Thibs chooses to call him out. But Thibs' guys can play like garbage night in, night out and never get anything but a kind word. That's just the way it is, and it will be for as long as he's the coach.

Anyone who thinks Mirotic is going to be in the playoff rotation if everyone is back is kidding themelves. It's going to be 8 veterans, with Kirk, Gibson and Brooks being the bench. If there's foul trouble up front he'll go to Nazr, and Snell may see spot minutes when Kirk is especially putrid. He'd do it anyway because that's how Thibs coaches, but I think he'd play it that way just to thumb management's eye if he had to.

If Thibs won't play Niko in the playoffs and the Bulls aren't winning the FO should fire him during the series. It doesn't matter how good of a coach he is if he's too stubborn the play the guys who offer the best chance to win. It's one thing during the regular season but quite another in the postseason.

Niko has arguably been the Bulls 3rd most valuable player this season behind Butler and Gasol. In addition to the obvious scoring ability and mismatches he brings on offense, he's durable, plays hard, rebounds, and brings energy and activity to the defense even if he's not 100% in the right place every play. He's absolutely been more valuable this season than Noah, Taj and even Rose in my opinion.

Yeah, fire everyone while you're at it. So, let me ask a question....why wouldn't Thibs play Niko, do you not think he wants to win? Every game is different, matchups and how players are doing (hot/cold) affects a coaches decision on playing time. Thibs will do what's best for the team and play Niko as he sees fit. Niko has been getting more minutes recently based on team need. When Taj gets back, that's only a good thing for this team as it'll give Thibs more options. Sure there's times where I questioned players minutes, but I'll take Thibs' minute allocation philosophy over anyones on this board 10/10 times.

Thibs has demonstrated time and time again he will not adjust rotations on the fly depending on matchups or performance. The rotation is set, period. The only adjustments he makes if everyone is healthy is either piling on ridiculous minutes for his favored veterans after he pulls a young player for a minor mistake or refuses to play the youngsters in the first place.

Example: why does Gasol never play less than 12 minutes in the first quarter? Certainly there are matchups where this doesn't make sense, but Thibs always plays him 12 and never brings in Niko or Taj earlier when Gasol and Noah are stinking it up.

[Rerisen]

If Niko get benched again Thibs needs to go. It's that simple. A great coach will find a way to use him.

Maybe the FO should have got a good SF then instead of another big.

Sure, Niko is valuable and should play, but Taj almost won 6th man of the year last season, he's no chopped liver.

The problem isn't really who he picks at PF, both will do a good job, neither is amazingly better than the other. The problem is the other hole positions and then health.

[WIN]

Thibs has demonstrated time and time again he will not adjust rotations on the fly depending on matchups or performance. The rotation is set, period. The only adjustments he makes if everyone is healthy is either piling on ridiculous minutes for his favored veterans after he pulls a young player for a minor mistake or refuses to play the youngsters in the first place.

Example: why does Gasol never play less than 12 minutes in the first quarter? Certainly there are matchups where this doesn't make sense, but Thibs always plays him 12 and never brings in Niko or Taj earlier when Gasol and Noah are stinking it up.

Nope, not true, just your perception. And the Gasol question answers itself if you watch any of the games, like the one yesterday where nobody could make a bucket in the first quarter to save their life, except Gasol.

[GuardianEnzo]

You mean we "had" 3 guys ahead of Niko. Barring some type of regression I don't see any possible way Taj is still ahead of Niko on that depth chart, particularly in the 4th quarter.

Thanks for that - I needed a good laugh.

[WindyCityBorn]

If Niko get benched again Thibs needs to go. It's that simple. A great coach will find a way to use him.

Maybe the FO should have got a good SF then instead of another big.

Sure, Niko is valuable and should play, but Taj almost won 6th man of the year last season, he's no chopped liver.

The problem isn't really who he picks at PF, both will do a good job, neither is amazingly better than the other. The problem is the other hole positions and then health.

Yeah Taj should have been traded for a SF. Pau is better than Taj now and Niko will be very soon if not already.

[Payt10]

If Niko get benched again Thibs needs to go. It's that simple. A great coach will find a way to use him.

Maybe the FO should have got a good SF then instead of another big.

Sure, Niko is valuable and should play, but Taj almost won 6th man of the year last season, he's no chopped liver.

The problem isn't really who he picks at PF, both will do a good job, neither is amazingly better than the other. The problem is the other hole positions and then health.

Yeah Taj should have been traded for a SF. Pau is better than Taj now and Niko will be very soon if not already.

In my world, Niko is already better than Taj and Jo. He's the Bulls 2nd best big man behind Pau. Both Noah and Taj's games have regressed this season, likely due to health, but Niko is only going to get better where as those two guy's best days are probably behind them at age 30.

[WindyCityBorn]

Maybe the FO should have got a good SF then instead of another big.

Sure, Niko is valuable and should play, but Taj almost won 6th man of the year last season, he's no chopped liver.

The problem isn't really who he picks at PF, both will do a good job, neither is amazingly better than the other. The problem is the other hole positions and then health.

Yeah Taj should have been traded for a SF. Pau is better than Taj now and Niko will be very soon if not already.

Niko is already better than Taj. He's the Bulls 2nd best big man behind Pau. Both Noah and Taj's games have regressed this season likely due to health, but Niko is only going to get better where as those two guy's best days are probably behind them at age 30.

I agree that he is already better than Taj. I just didn't want to get into a discussion of who was currently better. No one can really dispute that he will be better in the future.

[vxmike]

Maybe the FO should have got a good SF then instead of another big.

Sure, Niko is valuable and should play, but Taj almost won 6th man of the year last season, he's no chopped liver.

The problem isn't really who he picks at PF, both will do a good job, neither is amazingly better than the other. The problem is the other hole positions and then health.

Yeah Taj should have been traded for a SF. Pau is better than Taj now and Niko will be very soon if not already.

In my world, Niko is already better than Taj and Jo. He's the Bulls 2nd best big man behind Pau. Both Noah and Taj's games have regressed this season, likely due to health, but Niko is only going to get better where as those two guy's best days are probably behind them at age 30.

I agree with Niko being the #2 big and it might not be longer until he rises to #1 as he improves (get in that weight room!) and Gasol ages further. Basically as Taj and Noah continue to age and regress the identity of the Bulls as a defensive team goes away. I really think Niko is 15 pounds of lean muscle away from being an all star within two years.

The only argument for playing Noah or Taj big minutes in the playoffs right now hoping they can showcase well for a trade this summer. Noah is too old/hurt to have as a major piece and Taj will be behind Niko forever since they can't start together.