Playoffs? Ya Kiddin me? Wizards vs. Bulls Game 1 Thread

[Dat2U]

The one caveat to Wall not playing in attack mode and just coasting is that Rondo had a tendency to do this during the regular season. However, when he was in a nationally televised game he'd flat out ball. Is it possible that being on National television juices Wall up and he’s in attack mode 24/7? Remains to be seen. All I know is Wall is so physically superior to Hinrich and Augustine that he should dominate, flat out dominate in this series. If he doesn’t it’s squarely on his shoulders and he should get roasted for it. This series should absolutely be the “John Wall has arrived party.”

Yep its possible. Wall has the talent to do so, I just don't know what's upstairs mentally. Not saying he's an idiot or stupid, just not sure he's got the confidence or mental toughness to take the bull by the horns and excel. Also Rondo had a much better coach in Rivers that encouraged him to be aggressive. Our coach seems more interested in tamping down Wall's aggression rather than encouraging him to be aggressive yet smart.

[tontoz]

I expect the Bulls to focus heavily on running guys off the 3 point line. They want to force the Wizards to beat them inside the arc. Ariza is ineffective if he can't shoot spot up 3s.

From what I understand, and correct me if I'm wrong, but the Bulls achilles heel in terms of defense is the three.

I don't know but i do know they are 2nd in the league in defensive efficiency.

[Upper Decker]

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/story/_/id/10795867/2014-nba-playoffs-washington-wizards-ideal-matchup-chicago-bulls

Hmmm...after this article, Washington is a lock

Oh wilbon is predicting the bulls? scratch everything I said above. I'm predicting Washington. Wilbon is the worst, he eats **** when it comes to knowing anything about sports. How is he even employed?

[Dark Faze]

I'm laughing my ass off at how overrated this Bulls team has become.

They beat a bad Nets team last year in 7 games, took 1 game from Miami before losing 4 straight after that, and in the last two years (post Rose injury), they've lost the season series against us 4-2.

Look, I get it. Thibs is great. And they've done a valiant job of being an extremely scrappy, against all odds club, but they are officially overrated.

And as much as I have zero belief in this team, we're fully healthy and spent a huge chunk of our season without Nene and with Maynor/Temple as our PG's.

You'd think we were playing Miami the way we're being discredited right now.

[pancakes3]

There must be something magical about the PTI water cooler because just about everyone on that show fails upwards in a spectacular fashion. Yes, FAILS upwards... and I LIKE Reali.

[mohammed10]

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/story/_/id/10795867/2014-nba-playoffs-washington-wizards-ideal-matchup-chicago-bulls

Hmmm...after this article, Washington is a lock

Oh wilbon is predicting the bulls? scratch everything I said above. I'm predicting Washington. Wilbon is the worst, he eats **** when it comes to knowing anything about sports. How is he even employed?

Also found this counter-Wilbon piece...

http://deadspin.com/5949239/michael-wil ... baby-troll

Wow, what a spectacular ass he is...I wonder if winning this first round series will be worth it just to see Wilb*tch attempt to recant this pathetic excuse for sports punditry.

[pancakes3]

I'm looking at tickets on stubhub. Do I get unlimited hot dogs if I buy acela tickets second hand? Looking to get in on game 4.

[Rafael122]

I'm looking at tickets on stubhub. Do I get unlimited hot dogs if I buy acela tickets second hand? Looking to get in on game 4.

I think whatever tickets you get, you get the same benefits as if it were the original owner of the seat. I can get a suite ticket and get all the unlimited beer and wine that comes with the suite ticket.

[DCZards]

And if Ariza didn't have a lot of length and athleticism he wouldn't be getting so many steals. Ditto Wall.

tontoz, I said I was going to get off of this back-and-forth with you. But I absolutely have to respond to this comment. Have you not watched Ariza play D? He's a brillant defensive player. Yeah, his length helps, but there are a lot of guys with length and athleticism who suck at playing D. Ariza is a smart player, especially on the defensive end of the court...time to stop the silly hating in order to try to prove a point

[TGW]

And if Ariza didn't have a lot of length and athleticism he wouldn't be getting so many steals. Ditto Wall.

tontoz, I said I was going to get off of this back-and-forth with you. But I absolutely have to respond to this comment. Have you not watched Ariza play D? He's a brillant defensive player. Yeah, his length helps, but there are a lot of guys with length and athleticism who suck at playing D. Ariza is a smart player, especially on the defensive end of the court...time to stop the silly hating in order to try to prove a point

I agree with you...this team does have savvy veteran players and a good overal team b-ball IQ. I think the bad decisions on offense have more to do with the coach's system and the rotations more than anything else. I don't know if this is necessarily backed by numbers, but I think this team is much better offensively when they can spread the court with their bigs. Usually the bad shots come when the opposing defense clogs the lane.

[pineappleheadindc]

I'm looking at tickets on stubhub. Do I get unlimited hot dogs if I buy acela tickets second hand? Looking to get in on game 4.

I think whatever tickets you get, you get the same benefits as if it were the original owner of the seat. I can get a suite ticket and get all the unlimited beer and wine that comes with the suite ticket.

I'm geographical single parent for a month. What I wouldn't give to be able to catch a game live.

Oh well, the Wizards are just going to have to make it into the ECFs for me to go.



Pancakes, enjoy the all-u-can eat hot dogs.

[tontoz]

And if Ariza didn't have a lot of length and athleticism he wouldn't be getting so many steals. Ditto Wall.

tontoz, I said I was going to get off of this back-and-forth with you. But I absolutely have to respond to this comment. Have you not watched Ariza play D? He's a brillant defensive player. Yeah, his length helps, but there are a lot of guys with length and athleticism who suck at playing D. Ariza is a smart player, especially on the defensive end of the court...time to stop the silly hating in order to try to prove a point

Yes i would say Ariza has good defensive instincts but using steals as a BBall IQ metric is dubious at best. A lot of guys gamble for steals but aren't even good defenders.

Wall lets his man blow past him for layups far more often than he gets a steal. Wall can play defense when his tries but he frequently doesn't try.

If Matt Bonner had Ariza's defensive IQ how many steals do you think he would get?

[Kanyewest]

I think we have more talent than Chicago but they are better coached with a deeper bench.

But...F it. Wizards in 7.

On paper we have more talent, we're probably better at every position with the exception of center. Talent often wins out, but yanno...we've got Wittman as coach.

I would also say the Bulls have the slight edge at the power forward position especially since Nene isn't 100%. Boozer is still solid even if he is overpaid and Gibson is essentially their close out power forward in the 4th quarter.

The Bulls as a unit may simply be a better team if they can shut down the Wizards offense. Still, it will be interesting to see if the Wizards can do the same thing to the Bulls offense. The Wizards have shown that they can be a lockdown defensive team at times but they often lack the sense of urgency- but perhaps they will maintain their focus against the Bulls.

[jeffsays]

I'm looking at tickets on stubhub. Do I get unlimited hot dogs if I buy acela tickets second hand? Looking to get in on game 4.

I think whatever tickets you get, you get the same benefits as if it were the original owner of the seat. I can get a suite ticket and get all the unlimited beer and wine that comes with the suite ticket.

Are you sure about that? Last time I bought a suite ticket I didn't get anything for free. It really wasn't worth it.

[Rafael122]

I'm looking at tickets on stubhub. Do I get unlimited hot dogs if I buy acela tickets second hand? Looking to get in on game 4.

I think whatever tickets you get, you get the same benefits as if it were the original owner of the seat. I can get a suite ticket and get all the unlimited beer and wine that comes with the suite ticket.

Are you sure about that? Last time I bought a suite ticket I didn't get anything for free. It really wasn't worth it.

That's weird then...if you have a suite ticket, you should get everything that comes with it.

[jeffsays]

I think whatever tickets you get, you get the same benefits as if it were the original owner of the seat. I can get a suite ticket and get all the unlimited beer and wine that comes with the suite ticket.

Are you sure about that? Last time I bought a suite ticket I didn't get anything for free. It really wasn't worth it.

That's weird then...if you have a suite ticket, you should get everything that comes with it.

Yeah, to be honest I was pretty disappointed. The ticket was cheap enough and the seats we comfortable, but that's all. I'd rather pay the extra for a VIP seat with free food and unlimited beer.

[Kanyewest]

Joakim Noah has averaged 12.6 ppg, 13.3 rebs & 3 asts a game against us.

D.J. Augustin has destroyed us in two games averaging 20.5 in only 25 minutes!

Thibodeau has figured it out with Augustin coming off the bench- he has an opportunity to get it going against backup guards. Plus Augustine is less exposed to guys like Wall exploiting him on the defensive end. The Wizards have to a better job of taking away the 3 point shot- he's shot close to 60% from 3 against the Wizards in those 2 games. I would try to maximize the amount of time Wall is out there against Augustine as much as possible.

[Kanyewest]

In my post I mentioned long 2s, lack of foul shot attempts and late game execution as reasons why they aren't a smart team. RIF

And those players you listed score more points with better efficiency than Wall. They don't settle for long 2s nearly as often. Obviously players aren't going to turn it over too much when they shoot long 2s, the exact shots the defense wants them to take.

Yup, the Zards rank near the bottom of the league in terms of FTAs. But they're ahead of San Antonio. That Spurs team must have a lousy coach and a bunch of dummies, huh.

And the Zards rank 8th in the league in assists...ahead of that brillant Bulls team...imagine that.

I am more concerned about the Wizards making their free throws than getting to the line. If I'm not mistaken, they are one of the worst free throw shooting teams in the league.

[truwizfan4evr]

PG's shouldn't ever be first options, so calling Wall a great second bananna isn't a knock against him.

Great, so in terms of this series Washington doesn't have a chance, because there is no one resembling a go to guy on this team, so by default Wall has to be that guy, but he's not.

The Bulls don't have a go to guy either.

[tontoz]

Nene's 58% from the foul line hurts, especially since they go to him a lot at the end of games.