With the playoffs coming I think Tibbs needs to play this kid an average of 20- 30 mins a game down the stretch to rest Deng with that wrist injury. It allows Butler to get more experience on the floor.

I know the bench depth gets thinner but you have to start thinking about "what ifs"...what if Deng gets fouls trouble, or Boozer, or Gibson?

Just my thinking right now.

Not making more of it. It is what it was. You even make my point in pointing out the Warriors did the same thing to the Bulls last year. The only thing I'm pointing out is the Bulls are not a running team and they need to play true to themselves. Other than Rose...they just don't have the speed but they definitely can play defense.

Very true...except, when he's stationary. As with most big men they're slow afoot and easily taken off the dribble. The Bulls defensive rotation was terrible and it got them beat.

I'm sure the next time they face Golden State...THEY'LL BE READY and they will remember.

Last night the Bulls lost because the Warriors were simply the faster team! The Bulls didn't play to their strength which was their size. They were a step behind the Warriors until they figured them out in the 4th quarter. Perhaps beating the Lakers at home caused a letdown but we know in each game Rose didn't start well and Thibodeau sat him down to give him the message

The moral of the story last night was "PLAY BULLS BASKETBALL"...defend and rebound FIRST!!! While the Bulls have great front line size, teams with a quicker front line are gonna be trouble if the Bulls don't play to their strength. Noah, Boozer and Deng are formidable when they play to their strengths. Last night that didn't happen and Golden State came out shooting HOT...when they've got you chasing them their game is to simply out score you. The Warriors game planned well because they sent guard help to their big men a lot...and it resulted in about 10 steals from the Bulls frontline...most were a result of the help defender stealing the ball.

The rookie (Butler) hasn't played yet and I'm guessing that's because the Bulls have played a team where Thibodeau could afford to have him on the floor...can't wait to see how he blends in.

Bulls are low energy sleepwalking right now

I say bring back Captain Kirk...he never should have been traded. If they don't do that then I say see if you can get OJ Mayo from the Grizzlies.

I think the thing to do is start CJ Watson at the 2 instead of Bogans to spark the offense. CJ can create his own shot better than Bogans. Use Bogans to guard Crawford when he come in off the bench.

Also...things *should* be alot better now that Boozer is coming to life offensively. I think Deng will be much better today. Even if CJ doesn't start I think its a blowout tonite!

This really kinda jeopardizes the Bulls when it comes to playoffs unless Miller, Taj, and Johnson REALLY show up BIG!!!

Look at the next 6 games...Utah...then at Orlando, Miami, Memphis, Dallas, and back home for Cleveland. The Bulls can EASILY end up 31-37 after that stretch!

Look JERK...I created the thread! My time is mine so I'll ignore your inquiry on my time. Obviously you don't have much to do!

This thread was created because Taj has played well...nothings overhyped but your allusion to him being marginal...GET A LIFE!!!

Probably not but he's shown he's a player in the race. Great defense too. Future all defense teamer!

Tyrus cut his on throat! Too bad...I liked him, he had alot of potential but if he doesn't get the work ethic he won't last long in Charlotte either. I hope he does.

As for Hinrich, for the life of me I don't see why the Bull want to move him. With he and Rose you have a SOLID offensive and defensive guard tandem...
even if the get Wade with his injuries you still need a player like Hinrich *if* the money allows you to keep him.

My thinking is if you wanna move someone it might be Miller after the season ends.

I think it may be about more playing time. I like Tyrus Thomas...he has GREAT potential. But he's has to grow up and "put in the work". Nobody's gonna give you anything...

YOU GOTTA EARN IT TYRUS!!!

Really to early to say how good Taj can be. This I do know...the kid came in able to play defense and rebound and that is a plus for any rookie. His offense is waking up too. With Tyrus back he may return to coming off the bench soon but I don't regret Taj as the Bulls pick at all.

Hind sight is 20-20!!!

Both Noah and Rose make the squad or it's a travesty.

The Return of Tyrus Thomas has really help the Bulls defensively. At the end of the season alot of people were talking trading him. Tyrus Thomas is a bargain right now if you look at his pay vs what he brings to the team on both sides of the ball. He did take more time too develope but now he's a force!

The Bulls have won 3 straight with Tyrus. When he got injured they obviously missed his defense. They now have front line depth again, Noah can get some much needed rest and Gibson can come off the bench now.

It seems to me that the Bulls need to lock Tyrus Thomas up for at least 3 years, he's a great asset...TRADING HIM SHOULDN"T EVEN BE A CONSIDERATION!

Not as I saw things. Miller isn't what he used to be and if you ask me he cost the Bulls the series in game five.l I won't argue though because you can make an argument for keeping Miller.

Salmons is only 6' 6" Deng is 6' 8" and a better rebounder you can use Salmons at guard as well so to me that makes him more valuable from the bench. Of course there could be times when you wanna start Salmons over Deng and you'll have that flexibility.

Look at the money folks! You don't wanna break the bank here!

*Tyrus Thomas is a S*T*E*A*L at $4.75 mil and only has an upside. Miller is the expendable one if you wanna talk money at $12.2 mil. Miller may be hard to move though, He made around 22 turnovers in the series and he's slow.

As I've thought about things, I'm not sure the Bulls can sign Gordon. If that holds true you keep Hinrich who's also a steal at $9.5 mil next year and he's a better defender than Gordon.

I don't see moving Luol Deng. I believe these guys are most likely gone: Tim Thomas, Gordon, and Aaron Gray. I'm not sure what happens after that.

This is what I anticipate to be the roster now if I'm Pax:

- Noah, Deng, Tyrus Thomas, Rose, and Hinrich. Those are your starters with Salmons as sixth man. You have2 first round picks so you don't need to go crazy.

Looking at salariesIf you can get Bosh at $15.8 mil in 2010 that's good,. Stoudamire is due $16.3 mil and with his injuries that's not good so I change my mind and go with Bosh *if* the Raptor wanna deal.

Anyway you gotta watch the money.

The Bulls overall salaries are here:

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/chicago.htm

As I see it Tyrus Thomas has made excellent strides and will stay. He will either start or be 6th man but for the Bulls to trade him now would be a mistake.

I hate to see Hinrich go but it appears that may gonna happen. He can start at PG or SG for too many teams. If Gordon stays the Bulls are looking good

I'm not so sure you go for Bosch with 2 first round picks. With Noah and Miller in the middle the Bulls are set.

Aaron Gray can play but doesn't fit with the Bulls up tempo so he's gone as is Tim Thomas and Lindsey Hunter.

I think your starting 5 will be what it is now next year: Rose, Gordon, Thomas, Noah, and Deng. Salmons is the 6th man

If Hinrich goes you need another guard and you need another PF. As I see it, you don't mess too much with the chemistry. If you can get Amare I favor him over Bosch.

Gotta watch the cap too folks....these are some salaries for those who will/may be here next year:

* Brad Miller - $12,250,000

*Kirk Hinrich - $9,500,000

*Luol Deng - $10,370,425

*John Salmons - $5,456,000

* Derrick Rose - $5,184,480

*Tyrus Thomas - $4,743,598

*Joakim Noah - $2,455,680

I like the Bulls chances! No doubt you have youth vs experience but with 7 OT's in 6 games the Bulls youth gives them an excellent chance to take game 7:

1. Age: Pierce 32, Allen 33...after 7 OTs in 6 games these two are the backbone of the Celtics but they're tired. Pierce couldn't catch Noah on that tremendous stea...and he was trying HARD. Allen hit 51 pts but can he do it in game 7? Hmmm...you can't count on it but it's definitely a factor!

2. Ben Gordon shot 4- 14. He'll not do it in game 7...I look for Gordon to be HOT!!! Hinrich also shot 4- 11 AND THE BULLS STILL WON. Salmons pulled up the slack!


3. Bench play: The Bulls bench has outplayed the Celtics bench...Hinrich and Miller are much better than Scalabrine, Marbury, and T. Allen.


What to worry about is the Bulls...at Boston...in a game 7...with that crowd!!! The Bulls cannot let the Celtics jump out to a big lead and they must play deliberately and within themselves early Will Vinny have them MENTALLY READY! Will Rose...who seems to NOT wanna dribble drive much, go hard to the hole to get Celtic fouls, and will Salmons play like he did last night? The Bulls are definitely younger and stronger...They're gonna have to dig deep and be DETERMINED!

- The BIG two of the Celtics have been in a grueling series and I believe they're tired. The Bulls MUST make them work HARD for every shot.

- Tyrus Thomas recovered nicely after getting ahead of himself traveling a couple of times, he's gotta play within himself! He and Noah MUST be ready defensively!!!

I think the Bulls win by 3...97-94...AT THE GARDEN!!!!

GO BULLS!!!!

I think the game would have been won in regulation had Vinny had Tyrus Thomas on the floor. The Celtics didn't have to worry about shot blocking and the middle opened up.

Oh well...you live and learn.

I hope Vinny has them mentally ready tomorrow. Not like the first game at the UC when they had 15 turnovers at halftime. This is a young team and he has to help them control their emotions.

If you ask me who's MVP so far...it's a toss up between Noah and Gordon.

I'm sure he will. When he hit that big 3 to force the 2nd OT you could tell he twitched that hamstring. He should play...but with with Ray Allen guarding him he'll have to work hard to get open. I hope Hinrich is up to the challenge because he's gonna have to step up for added scoring. Anyway...the Bulls are much better when they have 5-6 guys in double figures.

Vinny has to have them mentally ready this time. Not like game 3 when they were forcing the action and had 15 turnovers in the first half! He has to help them channel their adrenaline into god decisions on the floor. Rose cannot get lost in the flow, he has to take it to the hole whenever he can! GO BULLS!!!


THIS TEAM CAN BEAT THE CELTICS!!!

I think not. You let Gray handle the middle he doesn't have to go high on screen roll. You simply switch up. Besides, no ones saying start the guy I'm saying use him. He can pass better than anyone starting at center on the team and I bet if he would have been out there say 6-7 minutes during Monday's game the Celtics wouldn't have gotten all those offensive rebounds.

Obviously you haven't seen Aaron Gray play! As for rotations...it's a nice way to approach a game but you adjust to what you need at the time. TO HECK WITH ROTATIONS WHEN YOU NEED TO WIN!!! You mentioned Lindsey going into the game...BUT...you don't mention the fact that his defense helped the Bulls get back in the game. Vinny realized that and played him more in the game. Same thing with Gray...use what he brings you and that's smart play, good passing, and rebounds.

Gray doesn't play much because Vinny wants to play an up tempo game but when you bring the guy in you play a half court game knowing what you have out there. Gray can definitely pass and score. Like you said, he's a big body but he 's also an excellent free throw shooter. Miller made some terrible turnovers in that game which cost the Bulls. Gray would have done better!!!

I think you play the guy for 3-4 minute stretches in the game as you need him. He's smart on the floor!!!

I know he's slow but he's a big body and an EXCELLENT passer! The Bulls need to use him for 3-4 minute stretches. Vinny's come along nicely coaching but he's missing the boat not playing Gray at all!!!

Anybody hear me?