| 15 January 2010
[/caption]
Well for the first time since this blog has begun, my prediction has turned out to be incorrect. The Bulls came out victorious against a tough Celtics team on the road. I want to make it clear that Bulls fans shouldn't get too excited. I mean we faced a team that was missing Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace, and Marquis Daniels due to injuries. Actually, without those three, it was the same exact team that we faced in the playoffs last season. But don't not get excited either. That team was considered very tough last year, and the Bulls were big underdogs. Similarly, the Bulls were certainly expected to lose this game on the road, in spite of the Celtics injuries. But they played a gutty defensive game and made some key plays in the fourth quarter just as the Celtics were making a run.
Kirk Hinrich played another solid game, with key contributions in the first quarter. He ended the quarter executing a 2 for 1 where on both possessions he slashed in for easy layups. Very aggressive basketball for what appears to be a rejuvenated Kirk. His good play also helps the Bulls as they continue to try and trade his contract away to make room for some free agents next season.
Luol Deng was unreal. He shot 8-13 from the field for 25 points, and went 9-10 from the line. He also added 2 blocks and 2 steals and played very solid defense on Paul Pierce. Deng has looked absolutely terrific the last few games and showed everyone just how much the Bulls missed him in the playoff series last year. He more than made up for what Ben Gordon would have provided tonight.
Tyrus Thomas, in my opinion, continues to look awful. Yes, he brought tremendous energy in the 2nd quarter, even flying into Kevin Harlan's seat as he dove for a loose ball out of bounds. But what did he really do? Yeah he got 4 steals...but what did they lead to? Nothing. He got a bunch of offensive rebounds that should have been easy dunks or layups, and couldn't put the ball in the basket. And on several of those attempts, he was covered by 4 Celtics. Why not pass the ball out and restart a possession? Why force it? Or maybe make the put-back when you're wide open the two times before that and you won't have to force it. He also continues to try and run fast breaks and he is ALWAYS out of control while doing it. He simply not a player you can teach. You can't teach him not to dribble. You can't teach him how not to force shots. And you can't teach him how to make a layup...or just dunk when you can. HE NEEDS TO GO. And for that reason, Vinny didn't play him and went with Taj essentially the entire second half. Taj Gibson displayed his solid jumpshot, and also provided a pretty good inside presence on offense, going 7-14 for 14 points. He also was effective on the glass, adding 6 rebounds. And best of all, he has become a very underrated shot blocker, adding 2 blocks to Tyrus's 0. He continues to earn his starting job and every other minute he gets.
Derrick Rose turned what seemed like it was going to be an off night into an impressive one. He was in foul trouble early, and didn't really play in the second quarter. He started to do most of his damage about a third of the way through the fourth quarter and ended the night on 8-16 from the field for 17 points. One state I didn't like...only 1-2 from the free throw line. He absolutely needs to make more than one trip to the free throw line. Derrick, of all people, needs to be making 5 or 6. That needs to improve immediately. But he did have an impressive 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. It looked like the Bulls' nemesis, Rondo, was going to outduel him early, but Derrick took over late in the 4th quarter, draining a jumper in Rondo's face and blowing by him and draining a layup with Pierce in his grill. He also had a replay worthy finger roll in Kendrick Perkins's face earlier in the 4th as well as a pretty dish to Taj under the rim. Rondo did finish with 15 points and 7 assists, but Derrick rallied and most likely won the battle between the two late in the game. This game should help Derrick's all-star odds over the annoying Rondo if it ends up being between the two.
Overall, the Bulls simply did a good job of holding Pierce, and especially Ray Allen in check, with Allen only scoring 8 points. I figured Perkins would get his against a smaller Bulls frontcourt, scoring 14 and 10, but Joakim got his as well, putting up another all-star caliber high energy performance with 15 and 11 of his own as well as 4 blocks. Joakim is turning into a tremendous shot-blocker as well.
Good strong effort by the Bulls. A game they had an opportunity to win on the road due to injuries, and they took advantage. And this team is still tough regardless of injuries, so I give credit where credit is due. Now they face a dejected Wizards team at home tomorrow, which certainly should be another W. Suddenly, after winning 4 straight, then losing 3 in a row...the Bulls have now won 3 in a row again, with a likely 4th tomorrow and now 7 of their last 10. Go home and take care of business tomorrow...can't afford to break your confidence against a horrible Wizards team before the tough road trip.
