Chicago Bulls vs Philadelphia 76'ers 7:00 PM, CSN

For some reason, while watching the debacle that was the Bears game on Thursday, I found my self yelling at the TV about how poorly Derrick Rose has been playing. Apparently my anger at Cutler trickled over. So, I took a step back and decided to re-evaluate things.
I've decide I'm being a bit rough on Rose. So here's my new optimistic prediction come all-star break I see no reason why he won't be averaging 19 pt. and 8/9 assists.
Where did I get these thoughts from? Well, I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt that he still effected by his ankle. It may not be hurting, but I'm sure it's lessening his confidence and any time he feels a twinge he's probably being cautious. The reason I came to this decision is because something similar happened to me recently. I do quite a bit of Rock-Climbing and injured my wrist. As you can imaging the wrist is pretty important for climbing rocks. Well, my wrist is perfectly fine now, but any time I'm attempting a hard move it's in the back of my mind and if I feel a twinge I'm cautious. Obviously I'm not a world class athlete like Rose and my injury wasn't as serious so I if I'm experiencing such feelings it's only natural that he is. So hopefully with time he gets past this and he attacks the hoop with abandon.
Besides this injury his numbers are likely very hurt by his team mates. I was perusing some of the Bulls numbers and as we all know the shooting percentages for Hinrich, Salmons, and Miller are way off their career's. So, I'm thinking at some point they will regress to their averages and as a result young Rose's assist numbers will go up. I see no reason why he wouldn't get 2-3 more assists per game if 3 of the major players he's passing to start playing more like themselves. As well if they start playing better more lanes will open up and he should be able to get to the rim.
I am also hoping at some point he realizes he has to be more aggressive because he really needs to score for this team to succeed. Plus, the he really is shooting well with that jumper so if he can combine some drives and hopefully then some fouls a 4-5 pt increase seems reasonable.
So, my point I suppose it that I've decided to be a bit more optimistic and think things will improve for Dr. Rose.

Oh definitely Doug, I wasn't necessarily trying to say numbers are the ultimate goal, but I think they will be more a result. If he is more assertive and those players shoot better x and y will just happen themselves. He's at 14 and 6 with pretty average play, so it just follows that 19 and 9 would seem reasonable with a bit better play. It also seems to me that if Salmons, Hinrich, and Miller are hitting more shots it will open the lanes for Rose to make plays for Noah, Taj, and Tyrus (eventually). I suppose it follows that if everyone is playing well, than everything is easier for everyone, so I suppose it's circular logic. It's also possible those players aren't playing well because Rose doesn't really make players around him better, which we hope isn't the case. While I want to be realistic, I want to give Rose the benefit of the doubt, because when I've seen those flashes they are pretty special and I'm hoping they become a regular thing. Like I've mentioned before I share many of the worries you do, but I'm trying to be a bit sunny on this lovely Chicago morning.

I wish I lived in chicago....I have alot of family out there, and it has by far the nicest people of any big city I've been too.....Love the Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, and White Sox....and their deep dish pizza, I've been out there about 10 times in my life :)

Didn't Philly get dump-trucked by the Jazz last night, without Deron Williams? If the Bulls don't win this game tonight, going away, then they need to be ashamed of themselves. There is NO EXCUSE for the Bulls not to win this game by a big margin.

Go Bulls!!!

I know that because AI signed to the MLE he can't be traded, but hypothetically, AI and Stephen Hunter for John Salmons. Clears up cap space with salmons no longer able to opt in and gives us the possibility to break into the top 4 in the east (or top 4 of the lottery), got to at least think about it right?

Andre scores 30 points on his hometown team.

Not a great start to the game.

Bulls really struggling on offense. Derrick gets picked off, then he's obviously struggles to get past a single man defender.

Bulls get a TO on a 3 second, a sloppy possession by Gibson, a couple of missed long 2s.

On defense, the Bulls commit 3 shooting fouls in the first 2 and a half minutes of the game.

John Salmons beats his man off the dribble and has a lane to the basket, but opts to pull up and take 12 footer rather than force the action at the hoop after beating his man.

*shakes his head*

Luol Deng bails out the Bulls offense with a difficult shot at the shot clock expiration after another horrible offensive possession.

Derrick Rose has to have the ankle bothering him.

You look at him, and he can't even get past Lou Williams 1 on 1, and it's not even close. He's starting to back Williams down to protect the ball at the three point line.

Bulls down 20-6, and you have to be worried about their ability to come back with this offense. This team has such a terrible offense that you just can't trust them.

Derrick Rose starting to come alive, a couple drives now to the hoop. He needs to be a little more aggressive though. He's passing out of the offense so quickly initially and then operating off the ball which isn't his strength.

I think something's wrong with the ankle, or at least we're running the offense like there's something wrong with it.

Joakim just destroys a guy off the dribble and slams it down!

Bulls with a flurry of inside points have tied the game after a 12-0 run. Philly now looks absolutely atrocious on offense with horrible possessions.

Bulls defense is playing at a much higher level as soon as Kirk entered the game and Lou Williams left it. Kirk's pressuring the ball much harder.

Bulls took the lead on a late Kirk 2, but Iguodala hits the half court 3 to put Philly up by 1.

Still, given how dismal things looked at the 7 minute mark, to close the quarter down by 1 is a huge win.

James Johnson checks into the game. Let's see if he can provide something positive. He should get chances today with Gibson having 2 fouls already.

Johnson gets a chance immediately on a drive, makes a nice move to the basket, but the lay rolls out. On the rest of the possession he spent all his time four or five feet behind the three point line where he's no threat.

James Johnson looks lost on both ends of the floor. He's defending Kapono, whom he's left alone several times [fortunately not being made to pay]. On offense, he's had lanes to cut and hasn't taken them.

Johnson's managed to put up three shots on the floor so far, none of them were particularly bad shots [spot up 3, a drive, and mid range 2], but he missed all three, and he could have tried to drive on the two jumpers instead.

Johnson's confidence just seems down right now, he's not playing his game.

Missed most of the 2nd quarter, but looks like the Bulls defense reigned them in, but the offense again struggled.

Neil just dropped on dime on us: You know Stacy Philly shot selection has been really poor the last 4 possessions. Their taking all these 20 footers. The thing wrong with that is no one told Neil that 3 point line isn't 20 feet away, but 23 feet 9 inches

Kirk having a really strong night. I'd be scared of where we'd be without him tonight.

Joakim doing a great job running the court and showed outstanding balance on the finish.

Bulls defense is dominating the 76ers at this point. Their only points over the last few minutes have been on Bulls miscues.

Kind of amusing hearing Stacy talking about how "1 man can make any offense look bad. 1 man can make the triangle look bad". Any experience with that one Stacy?

Hinrich making a couple nice scores on Kapono but misses the three point play FT twice in a row.

Two points.

The Bulls need 6 or 7 players to score in double-figures in order to win. I don't think that type of style will win them a championship.

Also, there is a new PG in town or in the Central Division. That would be Brandon Jennings. Did anybody see the game he is having tonight. Right now, late in the fourth he has 41 points...WOW!!!