The fans at the UC were treated to a tense game even if it wasn't all that scoring. They got to seem some excitement out of our frontcourt which is a relative rarity, and Brandon Jennings put on a show for the Bucks. Here's my report card for the night:
Joakim Noah - A++, Noah was just tremendous in this game. It got to the point where we were running the offense through him every play. He only had three assists, but he had three other passes that should have led to open shots less than 6 feet from the hoop that turned into misses. He flashed some post scoring moves creating his own shot in the post. He took his man off the dribble from the perimeter.
He beasted the Bucks on the boards all night getting several tip ins and killing the Bucks on the offensive glass. The Bulls played him in the high post a lot, something they didn't do all that much last year, and he did a great job passing the ball and driving out of that position. About the only negative were the two long jumpers he missed and a poor performance from the free throw line.
Taj Gibson - For the most part see Joakim Noah's description except remove the passing ability and add a mid range jumper. He was also great on the boards, great with tips, and did a nice job scoring in the post. He played great defense and made excellent defensive rotations. Quite frankly, Gibson looks like a player. He's definitely shutting people up, and Gibson seems to know he has to shut them up listening to his post game speech.
James Johnson - Johnson was on his way to a quiet night, and then scored seven points in about two or three minutes hitting a three, followed by a two, followed by a put back dunk. He missed two clutch free throws that could have given the Bulls a three point lead with 13 seconds left rather than a one point one. I thought Johnson was decent defensively for the most part.
He still looks prone to moments of disappearing on the court though as he was relatively quiet for 25 of his 28 minutes on the floor.
Luol Deng - He had one play that made me feel he looked a little more explosive today, but he struggled with his jumper again. In four games, he's now only had one game where he shot a good percentage from the field. He did generate enough free throws to still have a positive impact in the other games, but the trend is disturbing.
He had one play where he was open on the three point line and drove into a more difficult shot. It doesn't appear he has improved his three point range based on the way he's played so far which is a shame.
He's playing well outside of his shooting touch, and I'm willing to give him some time before worrying overly much.
John Salmons - Salmons had another rough night, and he's now also had two poor performances vs one good performance. Nothing to worry too much about yet either, but clearly the Bulls need Salmons to play well going forward.
Kirk Hinrich - He didn't shoot particularly well, nor did he set up teammates particularly well. All in all, a pretty mediocre game from the captain tonight. He had a few moments, but he also forced the action a bit at times over dribbling and then taking a bad shot.
Jannero Pargo - He had the full chucker mode on at times just throwing up bad shot after bad shot while turning the ball over like crazy. One nice thing about Pargo tonight was that he displayed more PG instincts than I remember seeing in the past. He also attacked the basket off the dribble a bit more than he typically does even if it didn't ultimately bring him that much success.
Derrick Byars - He didn't fair well tonight, and had a key foul at the end of the game putting the Bucks at the line on an over the back call while the Bulls were trying to close it out. He didn't shoot well, and if he needed to be flawless to make this roster then he certainly wasn't so tonight.
Chris Richard - He hangs out for another day due to injuries on the roster, but he fouled out in 18 minutes and scored no points.
Brad Miller - He must have came into the game during hte five minutes I missed putting my kids to bed, but he did get a 2 million. 2 minutes and 0s in every other stat column on the UC jumbotron. Brad had the flu (or some type of illness), so it's surprising they let him go at all. -- edit, the resaon I didn't see him play is because he didn't, not because he snuck in during the five minutes I missed playing dad. Sorry Brad, you didn't get a 2 million afterall --
For the Bucks, I'll say two things stood out to me:
First, Brandon Jennings has a chance to be really good. He looked like crap when I watched him in Europe, but he looked outstanding the past two games against the Bulls.
Second, if Hakim Warrick's jumper is that good then he's going to be the best FA signing this summer.
Filed under: Game Threads
Tags: chicago bulls, milwaukee bucks, nba, preseason game four, report card
Good stuff Doug. Thanks for the updates during the game. Question for you, who do you think will have a better career Tyrus or Hakim? Both are very similar though i do think Warrick is a bit smarter/maturer.
Doug go check out Sam Smiths new article, he lists guys who will break out and guys who will be going down hill. Noah is on the break out list to no ones surprise.
Brad Miller played?
I didnt see the game since LP doesnt show preseason so I went by Dougs account. On the bulls website it said before the game that Brad was out.
I did see the Knicks game though and they shot 40 3s tonight lmao
Nope Brad Miller did not play according to Sam Smiths blog on the game.
nope....http://www.nba.com/games/20091013/MILCHI/boxscore.html
I'm not going to lie, Hinrich had some solid setups for Gibson off the pick-and-roll. I'm feeling Hinrich at the second rotation behind Rose.
Doug,
I'm not too concerned with Derrick Byars fouling. As you said, he had that one bad foul towards the end of the game, but overall he hasn't done much fouling this pre-season. It would have been nice to see him make those two baseline jumpshots (a 3-point shot and a mid-range 2). A 5 and 5 nite would of been a 10 and 5 night.
He definitely needs to step up his shooting vs. Minnesota, if he has any chance of grabbing that last roster spot. I love his hustle and fundamentals, but at this point it's all about buckets.
Hey Doug, it is great that Noah had a good game.
It was a preseason game, the Bucks second string undersized forward at center was playing out of position and he scored 25 points on No-Shot Noah. The Bucks scored 34 in the paint and the Bulls got 30. Bucks got 17 fast break points and the Bulls 8. Rebounds 48 to 49 in the favor of the Bucks.
Just in case you forgot, No-Shot Noah manning the middle for
the Bull's in the last deciding playoff game against the Celts minus Kevin Garnett was out scored 46 to 18 in the paint!!!!
Stacey King has repeatedly said that Noah feasts on poor competition. Actually that is not quite true, the competition can score at will on Joakim
Doug, you don't have any shame do you? Do you have your cheer leading costume on when you type?
Do you think No-Shot Noah will have a good game tonight or will he be tired, winded and weak from playing good last night.
Doug, your PR doesn't sell if fans really look at the game and the stats.
Doug, we can "not" trust you to be honest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Doug, you just can not stop the Bull's Noah PR can you?
Why do you have such a hard time dealing with reality?
You look so goofy! Why did you inflate Joakim's performance!
Why didn't you mention that Joakim needed electrolytes? Is he weak and winded? Just slipped your mind? Why didn't you mention that Bogut the starter didn't play, he would give Joakim a real challenge and the fans would have had a real comparison!
Is it the money Pax gives you or are you and Noah going steady?
Doug, you act like a 12 year old and you are not trustworthy!