Bulls (36-21) vs. Hornets (22-32) game thread

[Roundball_Rock]

This game should be interesting. I expect the Bulls to come out aggressive and with heart to show they will not roll over and play dead.

[navy]

Not hating Rose, but the Bulls have shown that they are not reliant on him to do what they do.

[buddha]

bulls will not miss a beat, Rose hasn't even been a top 10 pg this year.

[Roundball_Rock]

Good point that Rose was not dominant this year but there clearly will be a psychological blow. The Bulls needed Rose to be close to form by the playoffs to have a legitimate shot at going all the way. Beyond the psychological impact, while Brooks actually will be able to mimic Rose's production nonetheless this means the loss of a starter. Instead of Brooks coming in as a quality player with the second unit we likely will be stuck with Hinrich taking those minutes. That is a clear downgrade.

[poido123]

We have a Game?


From what I've been hearing, our season is over


Interesting to see what minutes and lineups we have now that rose is out.

Will Thibs look to be more Flexible? Hopefully see more etwaan and snell

[Angel Face]

We have a Game?


From what I've been hearing, our season is over


Interesting to see what minutes and lineups we have now that rose is out.

Will Thibs look to be more Flexible? Hopefully see more etwaan and snell

Dude, it's only Rose who's gone, Bulls can still make a deep playoff run with that lineup. The team had improve from last year that even without Derrick they can still be a threat.

[Roundball_Rock]

Dude, it's only Rose who's gone, Bulls can still make a deep playoff run with that lineup. The team had improve from last year that even without Derrick they can still be a threat.

Yes. The problem is we can't win it all without Rose. We likely will finish with the #4 or #5 seed and face Washington or Milwaukee. The Bulls can beat either team. Then we would be huge underdogs to Atlanta in the ECSF. It is possibly, though unlikely, for the Bulls to beat Atlanta. The ECF is an outside shot and the ECSF still fairly likely but with Rose we had potential to win the championship. That is what the heartbreak of losing Rose again is imo.

Poido, agreed. I hope those guys get more minutes and Hinrich less. I hope Brooks becomes the starter, not Hinrich. Hinrich used to be a solid player but he is a shell now.

[Kblaze8855]

With Butler scoring about as much as Rose used to(2011 aside) and with Pau...and Brooks...and Niko...and Taj beasting in the post the way hes been....the Bulls could still end up a top 3 seed. But the main problem is that with Butler having to go all out on offense he cant hold down the defensive side as well as he did.

He spoke on that himself. Feeling he didnt so much get better...as focus his effort on offense at the cost of his defense.

Which wins regular season games....but you want to be able to know hes gonna slow the stars in the playoffs. And thats asking a lot.

Rose being out hurts more in that it asks an already underperforming group of defenders to use that much more effort on the offensive end....than it hurts because we miss his scoring.

We could score with or without him. Im not sure the guys who pick up the slack off his scoring will be able to get us back where we need to be on defense.

[poido123]

With Butler scoring about as much as Rose used to(2011 aside) and with Pau...and Brooks...and Niko...and Taj beasting in the post the way hes been....the Bulls could still end up a top 3 seed. But the main problem is that with Butler having to go all out on offense he cant hold down the defensive side as well as he did.

He spoke on that himself. Feeling he didnt so much get better...as focus his effort on offense at the cost of his defense.

Which wins regular season games....but you want to be able to know hes gonna slow the stars in the playoffs. And thats asking a lot.

Rose being out hurts more in that it asks an already underperforming group of defenders to use that much more effort on the offensive end....than it hurts because we miss his scoring.

We could score with or without him. Im not sure the guys who pick up the slack off his scoring will be able to get us back where we need to be on defense.

This is where snell could be really pivotal against a team like the Cavs.

If we can assign snell go full time defensive duties on lebron, it will allow butler to concentrate on the offensive end.

It's a big task, but I thin k snell is capable.

We are always a shot, when we have a disciplined team who has somewhat played together and playoff experience.

Atlanta and cavs will need to prove themselves, which they will likely do so.

[Roundball_Rock]

With Butler scoring about as much as Rose used to(2011 aside) and with Pau...and Brooks...and Niko...and Taj beasting in the post the way hes been....the Bulls could still end up a top 3 seed. But the main problem is that with Butler having to go all out on offense he cant hold down the defensive side as well as he did.

He spoke on that himself. Feeling he didnt so much get better...as focus his effort on offense at the cost of his defense.

Which wins regular season games....but you want to be able to know hes gonna slow the stars in the playoffs. And thats asking a lot.

Rose being out hurts more in that it asks an already underperforming group of defenders to use that much more effort on the offensive end....than it hurts because we miss his scoring.

We could score with or without him. Im not sure the guys who pick up the slack off his scoring will be able to get us back where we need to be on defense.

Great points. Another concern is with Brooks starting how much of a hit does the second unit take? With Rose/Brooks we did not skip a beat offensively between the two units.

[poido123]

I'm already amazed. Thibs started Brooks

[beastee]

Nice start. If PAU and Butler become more aggressive and brooks stays in control bulls can still compete...but not for an NBA title. Lets hope they stay tough and butler becomes their go to.

[Roundball_Rock]

Stacey King essentially sexually harassing the sideline reporter on the air again.

[beastee]

Hinrich in and bulls start falling apart. No surprise.

[Roundball_Rock]

Hinrich in and bulls start falling apart. No surprise.

And Hinrich is still in the game. This should be a 2:1 split in favor of Brooks, not a time share.