PG: We survived 4-1

[Chanel Bomber]

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[Clyde_Style]

good win. but randle doesn't have it in him to be a 1st option at the end of games. we've seen it a bunch of times. some of you don't want to but we're gonna have to make a trade eventually.

Numerous times during the game it was like watching Randle's inner demons wrestle between looking for his teammates and playing hero ball. It is really obvious he is not making a smooth adjustment to having multiple scorers around him and that concerns me, because it means he will continue to revert to his instincts under pressure and we know his instincts can be pretty poor when he panics.

When he lets the game come to him and he sees the floor he's a really good player. He can make the right decision, but he has been one of the most ragged players early in the season so far. Even if RJ had some quiet games offensively, he stays in the game by focusing on multiple facets. But Julius just turns into Dubious Handles when he forces his shots and they aren't falling.

Randle is not a # 1 option unless he gets his mind right and deals with pressure better. A # 1 is meant to be a shot maker with the game on the line and sometimes that means passing under pressure with a few seconds left if your teammate has a significantly better shot. Julius would typically jack a bad shot rather than pass.

[3toheadmelo]

While Randle didn’t shoot well, he did pull down 16 rebounds and was just one assist shy of a triple-double, as Thibodeau pointed out how much he did to get his teammates involved in the big win.

“I love the fact that everyone is sacrificing and putting the team first. That’s how you win big in this league,” Thibodeau said.

“[Randle] made plays. We got wide-open threes, he read the defense really well. So that’s what gave us that initial cushion. They were coming hard from the baseline and he was reading and guys were getting to their space, and that’s what winning is all about. The game tells you the play to make.

“Julius can beat you with his scoring, he can beat you with his rebounding, he can beat you with his passing, he can beat you with his ability to get to the free-throw line – there’s so many different ways he can hurt you. He rebounded great, he was a great playmaker, and I just loved it. I loved the way he played. It wasn’t about scoring.”

Randle echoed what Thibodeau had to say, as well, noting that he doesn’t need to score 30 points every night with the talented group he has around him.

“That’s what it’s about. I don’t like to force anything. I know my guys will be in their spots or whatever it is, and I just make plays,” Randle said. “Really, that’s what it’s all about.

“I’m just going to drive, create and make the right plays, and when it’s time for me to be aggressive, I’ll be aggressive.”

Randle had a very good albeit discrete game until the last 3 minutes of the game.

He forces it a bit in crunch time. He should let Rose or Kemba initiate and play PNR more often down the stretch. Mix it up a little bit, some PNR, some ISO, some set plays, but not all ISO.

iso Randle

[Barcs]

I'm noticing a few big problems right now that need to be corrected if this team expects to complete for a top 3 seed.

1. Lack of focus in the clutch. This game & Boston should have been over with 3 minutes to go, but instead they did everything they could to choke it away in the last few minutes. Bad fouls, bad defense, sloppy play, terrible shot selection, turnovers out the wazoo. It would have been better if they just sat down with the ball and let the 24 second clock expire over and over.

2. Kemba has been solid, but in the clutch and when under pressure he melts like swiss cheese.

3. Perimeter defense. This is our boogey man right now. Other teams are getting too many open 3s. They aren't going to miss them forever. We can't rely on that. I get that we traded defense for offense by getting Fournier instead of Bullock, but it's been bad.

There is also NO EXCUSE for getting a layup and then immediately giving up a dunk in transition within seconds. That is lack of focus, not getting back on defense in time. If it was off a turnover, okay, but off a made basket? C'mon...

Hopefully these things will improve as the team builds chemistry, but watching the last 3 minutes of yesterday's game made me think there is zero chance of getting to the conference finals. I hope I'm wrong. It's weird how we are a top 5 offensive team all of a sudden but a 16th ranked defensive team based on points. I guess that is better than having a bottom 5 offense and top 3 defense. Hopefully the defensive side improves, especially in the clutch.

[Capn'O]

good win. but randle doesn't have it in him to be a 1st option at the end of games. we've seen it a bunch of times. some of you don't want to but we're gonna have to make a trade eventually.

Numerous times during the game it was like watching Randle's inner demons wrestle between looking for his teammates and playing hero ball. It is really obvious he is not making a smooth adjustment to having multiple scorers around him and that concerns me, because it means he will continue to revert to his instincts under pressure and we know his instincts can be pretty poor when he panics.

When he lets the game come to him and he sees the floor he's a really good player. He can make the right decision, but he has been one of the most ragged players early in the season so far. Even if RJ had some quiet games offensively, he stays in the game by focusing on multiple facets. But Julius just turns into Dubious Handles when he forces his shots and they aren't falling.

Randle is not a # 1 option unless he gets his mind right and deals with pressure better. A # 1 is meant to be a shot maker with the game on the line and sometimes that means passing under pressure with a few seconds left if your teammate has a significantly better shot. Julius would typically jack a bad shot rather than pass.

Then we ultimately put the ball in Kemba, Rose, or RJs hands more down the stretch.

The concerning thing for me is that we can't get him cooking when teams play to his weaknesses. We have more options around him this year but ultimately we need to figure that out. Smaller, long defenders and, of course, doubles really flummox him on the perimeter. Can we get him in the post, where his vision is a little better or figure out some off ball screen action to get him space before he starts his move?

I mean, sham's right about the end game but until the right move presents itself we need to work with what we have better.

[Clyde_Style]

What’s up Knick fans. Congrats on the win. Heaven knows you guys deserved it a heck of a lot more than we did. In fact, by the time we got to the 4th quarter, I was actually preferring that we (Bulls) took the L because we simply didn’t do anything to suggest that we deserved to win. I think the Bulls will be able to take a lot more from this loss than they would’ve had they pulled it out in the end. The Knicks are a strong team and our guys need to know that you can’t half-a** it against good teams and expect to win consistently. So I actually think we will be better off for this one and I expect some real dog fights this season between the two teams.

I was trying to be nice to the guys on your board who were trying to find a way to basically say the Bulls are better. As of now, I'd say we're better and we were the better team for the majority of the game. We stunk it up at the end and that's no excuse, but I think we're going to be a lot better than most people or the pundits realize. We're not just deep. We have some good players.

Bulls will be good too. Your schedule will sort out a lot this next month and then you'll know what you need to work on. If I were a Bulls fan I'd probably be riding on Lonzo to develop some killer instinct. The guy coasts too much and could be much better with a mental shift.

[Jeff Van Gully]

bulls not so bad when it's not the depleted pistons i guess?

[Clyde_Style]

So glad knicks didn't sign Ball

He's a cream puff for the most part. Solid defender, but name garners more hype than the game.

I'm now satisfied to go with our PG by committee than having signed Lonzo. If he had been a Knick we'd be chewing our typing fingers off out of frustration watching him be nonchalant half the time.

[Oscirus]

would the correct way to refer to lonzo be as ben simmons with a better shot and worst defense?

[Clyde_Style]

good win. but randle doesn't have it in him to be a 1st option at the end of games. we've seen it a bunch of times. some of you don't want to but we're gonna have to make a trade eventually.

Numerous times during the game it was like watching Randle's inner demons wrestle between looking for his teammates and playing hero ball. It is really obvious he is not making a smooth adjustment to having multiple scorers around him and that concerns me, because it means he will continue to revert to his instincts under pressure and we know his instincts can be pretty poor when he panics.

When he lets the game come to him and he sees the floor he's a really good player. He can make the right decision, but he has been one of the most ragged players early in the season so far. Even if RJ had some quiet games offensively, he stays in the game by focusing on multiple facets. But Julius just turns into Dubious Handles when he forces his shots and they aren't falling.

Randle is not a # 1 option unless he gets his mind right and deals with pressure better. A # 1 is meant to be a shot maker with the game on the line and sometimes that means passing under pressure with a few seconds left if your teammate has a significantly better shot. Julius would typically jack a bad shot rather than pass.

Then we ultimately put the ball in Kemba, Rose, or RJs hands more down the stretch.

The concerning thing for me is that we can't get him cooking when teams play to his weaknesses. We have more options around him this year but ultimately we need to figure that out. Smaller, long defenders and, of course, doubles really flummox him on the perimeter. Can we get him in the post, where his vision is a little better or figure out some off ball screen action to get him space before he starts his move?

I mean, sham's right about the end game but until the right move presents itself we need to work with what we have better.

I've had a sneaking feeling that at times Randle is stat padding and if I'm right that bothers me because he doesn't need to having just gotten paid.

I'd add Fournier to your list of possible closers. You draw up a play for one of them, but with the option to pass since all of them can shoot. Thibs really has to move away from treating Randle like he's King Julius and make him one of the cogs again. Because that's how we will contend this season. If we become the most selfless team in the NBA this year we'll beat everyone. If not, we'll stumble and play much worse. And how Randle responds to pressure is key to unlocking that.

Other thing I'm feeling is RJ is going to be a much bigger deal this season which is good for everyone. Again, I hope Randle understands he's one of the guys now, not THE guy. I know RJ gets that. Kemba gets it. Rose gets it. Taj gets it. Evan does too. So Randle needs to adjust now.

[robillionaire]

So glad knicks didn't sign Ball

He's a cream puff for the most part. Solid defender, but name garners more hype than the game.

I'm now satisfied to go with our PG by committee than having signed Lonzo. If he had been a Knick we'd be chewing our typing fingers off out of frustration watching him be nonchalant half the time.

Well this was far and away his worst game of the season. He didn’t play well against the Knicks last year too. I think Thibs has him well scouted. But he’s not as bad as he looked last night. But I would be starting to question if he’s worth 4 years 85 million if he keeps passing up wide open layups

[BugginOut]

Read on Twitter

[Capn'O]

What’s up Knick fans. Congrats on the win. Heaven knows you guys deserved it a heck of a lot more than we did. In fact, by the time we got to the 4th quarter, I was actually preferring that we (Bulls) took the L because we simply didn’t do anything to suggest that we deserved to win. I think the Bulls will be able to take a lot more from this loss than they would’ve had they pulled it out in the end. The Knicks are a strong team and our guys need to know that you can’t half-a** it against good teams and expect to win consistently. So I actually think we will be better off for this one and I expect some real dog fights this season between the two teams.

I was trying to be nice to the guys on your board who were trying to find a way to basically say the Bulls are better. As of now, I'd say we're better and we were the better team for the majority of the game. We stunk it up at the end and that's no excuse, but I think we're going to be a lot better than most people or the pundits realize. We're not just deep. We have some good players.

Bulls will be good too. Your schedule will sort out a lot this next month and then you'll know what you need to work on. If I were a Bulls fan I'd probably be riding on Lonzo to develop some killer instinct. The guy coasts too much and could be much better with a mental shift.

Reality is both teams' defense made the other look worse than they normally are. Lonzo and Caruso were very disruptive in our passing lanes and we were able to basically neutralize their perimeter offense and force isos. Bulls finally found some holes at the end but too late. Knicks/Bulls dogfights are back.

[Mirotek]

You guys have a great team. Wanted to see your rookies Grimes and Mcbride but good game.

[Capn'O]

Numerous times during the game it was like watching Randle's inner demons wrestle between looking for his teammates and playing hero ball. It is really obvious he is not making a smooth adjustment to having multiple scorers around him and that concerns me, because it means he will continue to revert to his instincts under pressure and we know his instincts can be pretty poor when he panics.

When he lets the game come to him and he sees the floor he's a really good player. He can make the right decision, but he has been one of the most ragged players early in the season so far. Even if RJ had some quiet games offensively, he stays in the game by focusing on multiple facets. But Julius just turns into Dubious Handles when he forces his shots and they aren't falling.

Randle is not a # 1 option unless he gets his mind right and deals with pressure better. A # 1 is meant to be a shot maker with the game on the line and sometimes that means passing under pressure with a few seconds left if your teammate has a significantly better shot. Julius would typically jack a bad shot rather than pass.

Then we ultimately put the ball in Kemba, Rose, or RJs hands more down the stretch.

The concerning thing for me is that we can't get him cooking when teams play to his weaknesses. We have more options around him this year but ultimately we need to figure that out. Smaller, long defenders and, of course, doubles really flummox him on the perimeter. Can we get him in the post, where his vision is a little better or figure out some off ball screen action to get him space before he starts his move?

I mean, sham's right about the end game but until the right move presents itself we need to work with what we have better.

I've had a sneaking feeling that at times Randle is stat padding and if I'm right that bothers me because he doesn't need to having just gotten paid.

I'd add Fournier to your list of possible closers. You draw up a play for one of them, but with the option to pass since all of them can shoot. Thibs really has to move away from treating Randle like he's King Julius and make him one of the cogs again. Because that's how we will contend this season. If we become the most selfless team in the NBA this year we'll beat everyone. If not, we'll stumble and play much worse. And how Randle responds to pressure is key to unlocking that.

Other thing I'm feeling is RJ is going to be a much bigger deal this season which is good for everyone. Again, I hope Randle understands he's one of the guys now, not THE guy. I know RJ gets that. Kemba gets it. Rose gets it. Taj gets it. Evan does too. So Randle needs to adjust now.

I'm talking more about who starts with the ball on a given play. Plays where Randle initiates bringing the ball up may have to subside. Fournier is more of an end user as well though his vision is very good too. I wouldn't start with him though.

[robillionaire]

Numerous times during the game it was like watching Randle's inner demons wrestle between looking for his teammates and playing hero ball. It is really obvious he is not making a smooth adjustment to having multiple scorers around him and that concerns me, because it means he will continue to revert to his instincts under pressure and we know his instincts can be pretty poor when he panics.

When he lets the game come to him and he sees the floor he's a really good player. He can make the right decision, but he has been one of the most ragged players early in the season so far. Even if RJ had some quiet games offensively, he stays in the game by focusing on multiple facets. But Julius just turns into Dubious Handles when he forces his shots and they aren't falling.

Randle is not a # 1 option unless he gets his mind right and deals with pressure better. A # 1 is meant to be a shot maker with the game on the line and sometimes that means passing under pressure with a few seconds left if your teammate has a significantly better shot. Julius would typically jack a bad shot rather than pass.

Then we ultimately put the ball in Kemba, Rose, or RJs hands more down the stretch.

The concerning thing for me is that we can't get him cooking when teams play to his weaknesses. We have more options around him this year but ultimately we need to figure that out. Smaller, long defenders and, of course, doubles really flummox him on the perimeter. Can we get him in the post, where his vision is a little better or figure out some off ball screen action to get him space before he starts his move?

I mean, sham's right about the end game but until the right move presents itself we need to work with what we have better.

I've had a sneaking feeling that at times Randle is stat padding and if I'm right that bothers me because he doesn't need to having just gotten paid.

I'd add Fournier to your list of possible closers. You draw up a play for one of them, but with the option to pass since all of them can shoot. Thibs really has to move away from treating Randle like he's King Julius and make him one of the cogs again. Because that's how we will contend this season. If we become the most selfless team in the NBA this year we'll beat everyone. If not, we'll stumble and play much worse. And how Randle responds to pressure is key to unlocking that.

Other thing I'm feeling is RJ is going to be a much bigger deal this season which is good for everyone. Again, I hope Randle understands he's one of the guys now, not THE guy. I know RJ gets that. Kemba gets it. Rose gets it. Taj gets it. Evan does too. So Randle needs to adjust now.

Randle’s still the guy. And the winning record doesn’t demonstrate any need to adjust that. If they start losing they can talk about it. But he’s still the guy. He also had 9 assists, nobody else had more than 1 besides Kemba who had 2. I think he knows how to pass the ball

[robillionaire]

What’s up Knick fans. Congrats on the win. Heaven knows you guys deserved it a heck of a lot more than we did. In fact, by the time we got to the 4th quarter, I was actually preferring that we (Bulls) took the L because we simply didn’t do anything to suggest that we deserved to win. I think the Bulls will be able to take a lot more from this loss than they would’ve had they pulled it out in the end. The Knicks are a strong team and our guys need to know that you can’t half-a** it against good teams and expect to win consistently. So I actually think we will be better off for this one and I expect some real dog fights this season between the two teams.

I was trying to be nice to the guys on your board who were trying to find a way to basically say the Bulls are better. As of now, I'd say we're better and we were the better team for the majority of the game. We stunk it up at the end and that's no excuse, but I think we're going to be a lot better than most people or the pundits realize. We're not just deep. We have some good players.

Bulls will be good too. Your schedule will sort out a lot this next month and then you'll know what you need to work on. If I were a Bulls fan I'd probably be riding on Lonzo to develop some killer instinct. The guy coasts too much and could be much better with a mental shift.

Reality is both teams' defense made the other look worse than they normally are. Lonzo and Caruso were very disruptive in our passing lanes and we were able to basically neutralize their perimeter offense and force isos. Bulls finally found some holes at the end but too late. Knicks/Bulls dogfights are back.

Agreed, the bulls are as advertised on defense, they were playing with a lot of energy

[Oscirus]

You guys have a great team. Wanted to see your rookies Grimes and Mcbride but good game.

Thanks, likewise. You know thibs, short of a blowout or being forced to play them, those cats are glued to the bench.

[Clyde_Style]

What’s up Knick fans. Congrats on the win. Heaven knows you guys deserved it a heck of a lot more than we did. In fact, by the time we got to the 4th quarter, I was actually preferring that we (Bulls) took the L because we simply didn’t do anything to suggest that we deserved to win. I think the Bulls will be able to take a lot more from this loss than they would’ve had they pulled it out in the end. The Knicks are a strong team and our guys need to know that you can’t half-a** it against good teams and expect to win consistently. So I actually think we will be better off for this one and I expect some real dog fights this season between the two teams.

I was trying to be nice to the guys on your board who were trying to find a way to basically say the Bulls are better. As of now, I'd say we're better and we were the better team for the majority of the game. We stunk it up at the end and that's no excuse, but I think we're going to be a lot better than most people or the pundits realize. We're not just deep. We have some good players.

Bulls will be good too. Your schedule will sort out a lot this next month and then you'll know what you need to work on. If I were a Bulls fan I'd probably be riding on Lonzo to develop some killer instinct. The guy coasts too much and could be much better with a mental shift.

Reality is both teams' defense made the other look worse than they normally are. Lonzo and Caruso were very disruptive in our passing lanes and we were able to basically neutralize their perimeter offense and force isos. Bulls finally found some holes at the end but too late. Knicks/Bulls dogfights are back.

Indeed

Fck the Bulls!

[NYKnickerbocker]

You guys have a great team. Wanted to see your rookies Grimes and Mcbride but good game.

Hopefully next game when we’re up 20 thibs can put them in

Great game tho, see a lot a tough battles ahead between us