PG: Raptors, Jimmy Butler is your FATHER!!!

[Stratmaster]

That lineup took the floor when Jimmy entered the game with 7:54 left in the 4th quarter and the Bulls down 96-83.

Over that final 12:54, they outscored Toronto 40-22.

I guess we have vastly different definitions of "almost lost the game".

So you'll willfully ignore the bad defense by Mirotic and Felicio including Felicio's foul on Lowry OK

LOL, I'm just not completely unrealistic, expecting 100% perfection.

The Wade/Jimmy/Doug/Niko/Felicio lineup gave up 16 points on 21 possessions over the final 12:54, that's beyond outstanding efficiency overall.

DeRozan (6th in PPG, 12th in PER) and Lowry (19th in PPG, 18th in PER) are two of the absolute best scorers in the NBA, I expect them to score some points in the 4th quarter and OT.

Agreed. The Raptors are the highest scoring team in the East and 3rd highest in the NBA. Sometimes you have to acknowledge the skills (or lack of skills) of the opposition as you evaluate how your team performed in the game.

[Stratmaster]

Rondo was definitely holding Jimmy back. Props to Fred for making the move. So bizarre how a guy can go from starting to being out completely. Done. Just like that. Decision made.

Normally it wouldn't happen like that, I think its unique to Rondo, Fred/FO felt he would be a continuing problem if just demoted being asked to come off the bench.

And...there may have been more going on behind the scenes that we aren't privy to. Rondo was saying the right things to the press as he was struggling but who knows what the internal team dialogue was.

[Bulls03]

We need Millsap!

[MC3]

We need Millsap!

We need Ibaka.

[jc23]

We need Millsap!

We need Ibaka.

We need Boogie

[RedBulls23]

It's a damn shame Jimmy doesn't have more fan votes for the all-star game.

Jimmy will make the ASG, but I wish he wouldn't. With the load he is carrying I would love to see him chilling and resting during the all-star break. Not to mention that the chip it would put on Jimmy's shoulders if he was shunned would likely cause him to explode to yet another level lol

I'd like the rest, but I also want him to have all the accolades.

Plus, allstar break is extended now, so he'll get to rest anyways.

[Stratmaster]

Fred needs to make some adjustments...

1. Start Niko. We need his spacing. Wade needs his spacing.

And Felicio needs Taj's defensive help. Yeah, it's time to make the switch.

Taj has not had as much of an impact lately, so it would seem you could make that move now. However, Niko has not stepped up and taken the opportunity to earn a starting spot and it has made it more difficult.

Still though, bottom line, the fit is better with Niko starting and it is what is best for the team. Poor Taj...

[RakimAbdulJabar]

Can't believe people think Wade played well, I bet if we lose it's a different story...I thought he was terrible

[Bulls03]

Can't believe people think Wade played well, I bet if we lose it's a different story...I thought he was terrible

Based On his shooting percentage? He had 20-4-7 and played great defense. The only knock was his shooting percentage.

[Ice Man]

Still though, bottom line, the fit is better with Niko starting and it is what is best for the team. Poor Taj...

He'll be fine. This stuff doesn't seem to bother him, and he's in for a big damn paycheck this summer. Not bad for a kid from the wrong side of Brooklyn -- and Taj, to his credit, has never forgotten that.

[Bulls03]

We need Millsap!

We need Ibaka.

How has he been this year? I saw a tweet earlier saying to watch the Magic play then ask yourself if you would really want Ibaka on your team.

[Bulls03]

We need Millsap!

We need Ibaka.

We need Boogie

He's about to get a contract extension unfortunately. He isn't going anywhere.

[Stratmaster]

Read on Twitter

Very odd as it seems like most of the time both Wade and Butler are on the court McD just stands in the corner, last night being the exception.

[MC3]

We need Millsap!

We need Ibaka.

We need Boogie

Sure. But Ibaka makes more sense. He is PF. Similar age as Jimmy meaning you "technically" gets his prime. He is player in his prime. Unlike Booz, Pau or Wade. He is obtainable from assets sense this deadline. Unlike Boogie. Boogie is player in his prime, but we dont have assets to get him. He also makes sense from position perspective. If you get Ibaka you get best from Taj and Mirotic. Meaning you can are willing include both of them in trade for him.

Boogie is a dream wish which isnt happening. Ibaka is closer to reality. If Bulls can make trade for Ibaka this deadline we are in good place.

MCW (defense)
Wade (good 2nd option)
Butler (best player)
Ibaka (rim protector + shot blocker + 3pt threat and 3rd option)
Lopez (rim protector)

[Ctownbulls]

I thought it was interesting that Fred went with a no-PG lineup in crunch time. Especially since MCW has been playing so well for us, esp. on the defensive end.

It's been the obvious line up move since preseason. Wade and Jimmy need to have the ball in their hands as much as possible. Surrounding them with shooters is obvious.

[Stratmaster]

How is everyone liking the Butler/Doug high screen?

Fred used it repeatedly down the stretch. He's been experimenting a lot this year with what guys are setting the picks up top, but McDermott offers obvious strengths to doing it, if he sets a good one, really forces the opponent into a tough situation. Either Jimmy gets a mismatch, or they have to leave a great shooter wide open.

I do think Doug has to do better in getting his feet and form set for a quick shot, he still sometimes isn't in the best rhythm to shoot, but he's growing.

I like the fact that it forces the ball to be in one of those two players hands. I do believe that Mcd is the Bulls 2nd best offensive talent (obviously factoring in wade's age and inability to play heavy minutes) but you have to get him the ball in spots where he can do more than just stand in the corner waiting for a pass. I think it could result in Doug getting more aggressive drives to the hoop, and once that happens he will find himself open for 3's a bit more often.

I didn;t notice it causing a lot of switches last night. I think Mcd also needs to work on his skills in setting picks...when to slip the pick and when to knock the defender on his rear

[MC3]

We need Millsap!

We need Ibaka.

How has he been this year? I saw a tweet earlier saying to watch the Magic play then ask yourself if you would really want Ibaka on your team.

Ibaka is more than solid. He is their best player or top 2. He not only can stretch floor, but he can also post up. He get touches there. And that's part of the game which he couldnt show with OKC. Didnt watch Magic too much, but when I watched him he was good.

I know Taj owned him couple times this season. But didnt see anybody really own him beside Taj.

Career and stat wise he is having best season in career
30 min, 15.5 pts, 7.1 rbs, 1.1 assists, 49% FG (best since 2014), 38% 3pt (at 3.7 career high attempts and percentage).

[Stratmaster]

Fred shut it down about as quickly as he could after the proof of concept failed.

Fred shut it down really fast. His bosses spent money, gave him a well-publicized FA who has a ring and had been an All Star, and 30 games into the season the coach all but said, "You guys totally blew it, I can't use him at all."

Rondo would be playing 82 game this year with Thibs. Probably most NBA coaches.

I'm not sure he would. He doesn't play defense anymore and he offers little to nothing on offense because you don't have to guard a player who can't shoot on the perimeter.

but the guy they replaced him with can't shoot on the perimeter either...

[Stratmaster]

How is everyone liking the Butler/Doug high screen?

Fred used it repeatedly down the stretch. He's been experimenting a lot this year with what guys are setting the picks up top, but McDermott offers obvious strengths to doing it, if he sets a good one, really forces the opponent into a tough situation. Either Jimmy gets a mismatch, or they have to leave a great shooter wide open.

I do think Doug has to do better in getting his feet and form set for a quick shot, he still sometimes isn't in the best rhythm to shoot, but he's growing.

I like to see some Niko and Jimmy screen and roll with Jimmy screening. Niko is way more confident in his decisions even if it's bad compared to Doug. Doug is too unsure.

I agree Doug needs a lot of work on his screens out top. However, it is likely the first time he has been asked to do it in more than one-off situations. Doug seems like the kind of guy who needs to build his confidence in a skill set (to your comment of him being unsure). I think it should or at least could be a focus for him going forward.

[Stratmaster]

It's a damn shame Jimmy doesn't have more fan votes for the all-star game.

Jimmy will make the ASG, but I wish he wouldn't. With the load he is carrying I would love to see him chilling and resting during the all-star break. Not to mention that the chip it would put on Jimmy's shoulders if he was shunned would likely cause him to explode to yet another level lol

I'd like the rest, but I also want him to have all the accolades.

Plus, allstar break is extended now, so he'll get to rest anyways.

That's right, it is longer now, isn't it?

I still think the slight would just be another motivator for Butler to become even more ferocious though!