Rookie Of the Year candidate Brandon Jennings has led his Milwaukee Bucks (yes, his Milwaukee Bucks) to an 8-7 record through the first fifteen games of the season. That even includes a current four game slide in which Jennings has faced much adjusted defenses.
Current Rookie Of the Year holder, and Bulls point guard, Derrick Rose, has also experienced first hand how opposing teams play him this year as opposed to last. Often the lanes are closed off, and with no true three-point shooters on the current Bulls roster, Rose is forced to dive into the lane against a wall of players. Against Milwaukee, Rose will face a defensive unit who is coached by one of the best defensive coaches in basketball; former Bulls head coach Scott Skiles.
Chicago Bulls @ Milwaukee Bucks, 7:00 PM CSN-Chicago
Skiles often has his players foul opponents a lot. This way, it throws team off their game and disrupts whatever offensive flow they may have. Against the Bulls however, this might not prove necessary. On the year, the Bulls are shooting just 43.3% from the field, and 30.7% from behind the arc.
Guard/forward John Salmons has scored below double-digits in five of the Bulls first 14 games, and is in the process of shooting a career-low 36.1%. If the Bulls can get Salmons going off penetration, it could open up the floor further for Rose, and their current leading scorer, Luol Deng. The 6th year forward is averaging 18.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and has shot 13 more free throws than any other Bull this season.
Chicago could be without seven-year man Kirk Hinrich for the second straight game. The team captain has an injured thumb, and missed the Jazz game in Utah on Thursday. Should Hinrich not be cleared, combo guard Jannero Pargo will fill in off the bench.
Power forward Taj Gibson has grown comfortable in the Bulls system, as he's averaging 7.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks as a starter this year. Gibson will start his 12th game tonight for the injured Tyrus Thomas.
The Bucks' Andrew Bogut has been out with a left leg injury since November 18th, which gives Bulls center Joakim Noah a clear advantage going into tonight. Noah, the leagues third leading rebounder, averages a double-double and put on a show on the Bucks in pre-season.
Guard/forward John Salmons has scored below double-digits in five of the Bulls first 14 games, and is in the process of shooting a career-low 36.1%. If the Bulls can get Salmons going off penetration, it could open up the floor further for Rose, and their current leading scorer, Luol Deng. The 6th year forward is averaging 18.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and has shot 13 more free throws than any other Bull this season.
Chicago could be without seven-year man Kirk Hinrich for the second straight game. The team captain has an injured thumb, and missed the Jazz game in Utah on Thursday. Should Hinrich not be cleared, combo guard Jannero Pargo will fill in off the bench.
Power forward Taj Gibson has grown comfortable in the Bulls system, as he's averaging 7.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks as a starter this year. Gibson will start his 12th game tonight for the injured Tyrus Thomas.
The Bucks' Andrew Bogut has been out with a left leg injury since November 18th, which gives Bulls center Joakim Noah a clear advantage going into tonight. Noah, the leagues third leading rebounder, averages a double-double and put on a show on the Bucks in pre-season.
23 Comments
Doug Thonus said:
The Bulls desperately need someone from the deep bench to step up.
The Bulls only have three guys who are healthy and playing well enough to deserve more than 20 minutes of playing time a night right now.
MrHappy said:
The Bulls will be without Tyrus Thomas and Kirk Hinrich, but the Bucks will be without Andrew Bogut, Michael Redd and Mbah a Moute.
There is no reason for the Bulls to come out flat and uninspired. Milwaukee has lost 4 games in a row just like the Bulls. So, this game is there for the taking. Rose, especially, needs to be aggressive and attack the basket. They can't just settle for jumpshots and expect to win.
Doug Thonus said:
I had thought Redd was back. I didn't know Mbah A Moute was out as well, the Bulls should stand a good chance if those three are out for them.
PJ Brown said:
At full strength, this would be a Bulls win. Now, I'm doubtful. At least the Bucks are reeling too. It'll take a big game from Salmons or perhaps a bi-monthly Pargo miracle.
MrHappy said:
Those three guys were listed as out on the Bucks Audio Preview from their website.
Newskoolbulls said:
Redd came back Doug for 2 games and then had knee soreness, similar to Eddy Curry. I see both eventually getting arthroscopic knee surgery. Bucks have injury issues as well however they have depth something bulls mgt doesnt believe in.
RPK said:
Looks like Bogut is playing tonight.
Kevie Cullnan said:
(directly from the espn nba scoreboard - Brandon Jennings vs. Eric Gordon? Yes, please. Simulate Bulls vs. Bucks) does espn know something we dont know. and why would bulls trade for an injured 2nd year guard. also must be a severe typo for the casual nba fan on espn's web staff, thinking we still have a gordon on the team.
MrHappy said:
RPK,
Looks like Bogut is playing now. I saw two different reports on the Bucks website. The video says YES, but the audio said NO.
http://www.nba.com/bucks/gameday/gameday_MILCHI_091130.html
Newskoolbulls said:
10-4 bucks already. hmmm draft pick i wonder who will be coming out early.
Newskoolbulls said:
shocked James Johnson got no time in the 1st quarter.
MrHappy said:
Did he get anytime in the 2nd quarter? With 4 points off the bench at halftime (Miller with all 4 points), I would think VDN might want to play James Johnson. Afterall, it's not like they have Derrick Byars to turn too...haha.
Newskoolbulls said:
This team will struggle to win 30 games, this team is pathetic. Everyone outside Noah and Deng is pathetic.
MrHappy said:
Rose is pretty good. Or did you forget that?
Newskoolbulls said:
sadly the higlight of the game was the block by Lindsey Hunter. How many times did our guys blow dunks tonight? 2-3?
Newskoolbulls said:
God i hate Brad Miller, what a ******* clown he is.
Simeon2UC said:
James Johnson is the most talented on the squad but doesn't know the NBA sets yet. I wouldn't waste my time on probing that situation. Hopefully Tyrus Thomas come back and do his thang.
Newskoolbulls said:
oh brother.
MrHappy said:
James Johnson is NOT the most talented on the squad, sorry. Make no mistake about it, the most talented player on the Bulls is Derrick Rose.
This loss tonight is COMPLETELY on VDN. Once again, he failed to have a timeout at the end of the game. Not too mention, he sat Brad Miller for 12 minutes before having him come in to take the last shot. What?
Is that the best they could have done with Rose, Salmons, Deng and Noah having very good games? I don't think so. This was a BAD LOSS and I blame VDN for it.
Newskoolbulls said:
i still cant believe we stayed in the game with Lindsey Hunter playing most of the 4th quarter or was that Mo Vaughn?
MrHappy said:
Doesn't anybody but me feel that VDN lost this game for the Bulls? Wake up people!!!
Dpauley23 said:
I think thats only you
DJ Phillie said:
why did derrick pass it off to miller??!? :(
i watched immediately thinking "noooo!!" derrick should have taken that shot.
damn...hard to watch the 5th L in A row. this one at least was interesting and at the end a nail biter.
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