How will the Bulls do this year?, im thinking finals Options

[ChicagoBullsMadi...]

How far do you think the bulls will go this year? depending on how much deng has improved and tyrus, im thinkin finals. deng can play post and im positive he has developed it. he practices all summer harder than anyone in the nba. i know he's got it. im predicting a 56 win team. thoughts?

[sport1016]

Our low post scoring has improved yes, and that will bump up our win total.

But in terms of size in the backcourt we still have an isssue. Not that I dont trust thabo and griffin to guard bigger Gs, but until duhon is no longer on the roster thabo wont be backing the backup Pg mins, and therefore limiting his time to guard the other teams bigger Gs.

Its not like i mind duhon being on the team, and if kirk had any type of extended injury we'll be lucky to have him bc he really did run the offense well. But when kirk comes out, Skiles always brings in duhon. Duhon and gordon is too small in the backcourt.

If thabo can get decent minutes at both guard spots, that will also increase kirk's effectiveness.

56-26 --lose finals in 6

it would also help if we didnt always start slow and have to make up ground after the all star break

here's another question to just add in this thread along with record HOW MANY ALL-STARS THIS YEAR? WHO?

I think just 1. Deng. But gordon, wallace, and hinrich have shots as well. And you never know what TT will do.

[eddog2]

HOW MANY ALL-STARS THIS YEAR? WHO?

I think just 1. Deng. But gordon, wallace, and hinrich have shots as well. And you never know what TT will do.

I would have said Deng prior to the Rashard Lewis signing but after that, unless there are a couple of injuries I just don't see how Deng makes it at SF. Lebron, Paul Pierce, & Lewis without an injury will probably make the all-star team. Then you also have Caron Butler, Rip who can go as either the SG or SF and Teyshaun Prince. Not to mention up and comers like Andre Iguodala who also is a 2/3.

However, with that said, I think the Bulls will have a 57-25 record next year. That is assuming that Noah doesn't need to go under the knife. If he does and has to miss half or the entire season I think that number will be more like 50-32. They'll be either 1 or 2 at the break and that means they'll have to have at least 1 all-star. That could be Deng but I think it's more likely to be Wallace, Gordon or Kirk. Not that Kirk will deserve it but he might have an easier road than Gordon who has a lot of people in front of him. I really think next year they'll have 2 all-stars. I would love for those 2 to be Gordon & Deng.

As for Tyrus, he'll be playing on all-star weekend. In the Rookie/Soph game. Not the all-star game.

I agree with all of you who said lose in game 6 of the finals. I hope they win it but I really think the Rockets will win it this year. Just more star power and unless they have major injuries, I just don't see how the Bulls could match up well with them. Yao would be to tall for Wallace (I think) & Tmac to tall for Gordon. Sefolosha would also have problems on him. Plus the Bulls tend to give up too many open 3's. Hopefully, that changes next season. \

Yao
Scola
Battier
Tmac
James

vs

Wallace
Smith
Deng
Gordon
Kirk

I hate to say it but I think the only position that hands down goes to the Bulls is probably Kirk. Although James could very well outplay him. As for not saying Deng, it's b/c Battier is a damn good defender and would give Deng problems all series long. Yao gets the advantage and I'm assuming Scola will be better than Smith. As for Gordon I'm sorry buddy but Tmac's better. As far as the bench the Bulls and Rockets are pretty close. However, maybe the slightest advantage to the Bulls depending on how much Tyrus improves and if Nocioni is healthy. However, a healthy, confident Wells is probably more dangerous than Nocioni.

Tyrus/Nocioni/Noah (assuming plays this year)/Sefolosha/Curry vs Alston (who won't be there)/Francis/Head/Wells/Mutumbo/Brooks/Snyder

[dasox24]

Yao
Scola
Battier
Tmac
James

vs

Wallace
Smith
Deng
Gordon
Kirk


Tyrus/Nocioni/Noah (assuming plays this year)/Sefolosha/Curry vs Alston (who won't be there)/Francis/Head/Wells/Mutumbo/Brooks/Snyder

Well, I think you overestimate Battier's defensive abilities to shut down Deng. And yes, I say "shut down" b/c that's what he'd have to do for him to be considered the better of the match-up. I guarantee Deng would put up 18-20 on Battier. I'm not saying Battier is a bad player, I just think Deng is really good offensively too.

Anyway, I don't think Scola, who's never done a thing in the Association, should be considered better than Smith - a proven vet - right now. So, by my count that 3-2 Bulls. The Rockets do certainly have the edge with Yao and Tmac, but Kirk is much, much better than Mike James. I don't even see how you can make an argument for James. As for the benches, I'd rather have ours, but I am biased.

EDIT: Okay, so I just looked up how Deng did against the Rockets last year, and he averaged 17.5 pts. Battier averaged 8. I understand Battier is more of a role player, but we're not looking at that. I think when comparing match-ups, you look solely at Player A v. Player B. That's why games always play out differently than they would on paper, so I'm not even sure this discussion should have too much merit.