The Bulls have lost five straight games, and will be on the road against the defending Eastern Conference Champions, the Orlando Magic. Without forward Luol Deng and center Joakim Noah I might add. There's absolutely no doubt that this will game will be a huge test to see eactly how good All-Star point guard Derrick Rose is. Can the second-year man overcome the stacked odds against him and lead his gutted Bulls team to victory over Orlando?
Rookie forward James Johnson started against Atlanta some games ago when Luol Deng was out. He could possibly start again tonight and face the much thinner Matt Barnes. If used properly, Johnson has the skills to create something on the low block, and could see an increased offensive role.
The Magic is a team not to be taken lightly. All-Star center Dwight Howard is a prime candidate to win his second straight Defensive Player Of the Year award, as he's averaging 13.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks on the year. The 24-year old also throws in 18.6 points for good measure.
Around Howard we find players such as Jameer Nelson, Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis. Orlando can stretch the floor better than any team in the league, and can even go long stretches without their starters due to their incredible depth. Lurking in the shadows are Jason Williams, Mickael Pietrus, Brandon Bass and Marcin Gortat. The three latter players can arguably start on a handful of NBA teams.
Brad Miller will start at center again, and his 261-pound frame might the best weapon to shot Dwight Howard. Miller isn't athletic nor quick defensively, but he knows how to play physical and can be sneaky offensively. If Miller can suceed in getting Howard in foul trouble early, it could be an interesting game.
Rookie forward Taj Gibson is having problems with plantar fasciitis, just like Joakim Noah. This condition means he's questionable for tonight, which could see the Bulls alter their starting unit significally. Hakim Warrick will start in the place of Gibson, should he not be ready to play.
Filed under: Game Threads
Tags: chicago bulls, derrick rose, dwight howard, orlando magic
Any thoughts on possible rotations?
The Bulls need to rest up and heal up for their games vs. Miami and Memphis.
Those are the TWO BIGGEST GAMES OF THE SEASON. Hopefully, they can show some HEART and LEADERSHIP and win both of them. I still think and believe the Bulls have another run at the playoffs left in them.
I think the two biggest games of the season are going to be the two against Charlotte.
HEART and LEADERSHIP don't win you basketball games.
FYI:
Taj Gibson is supposedly playing tonight.
wow doug you were right on with this. 33-65 at the half
damn Derrick, time to shut you down for the season.
First Noah, then Deng, and now Rose......I'll see you guys in the offseason.
This Bulls team is made up of a bunch of WIMPS and KITTENS.
How someone on the Bulls roster hasn't taken out Dwight Howard by now is beyond me? What a joke. That A-HOLE needs to be fouled hard to the point where he misses some games.
TWICE he takes out Derrick Rose and TWICE his teammates do nothing about it.
RIDICULOUS!!!
1. Howard didnt do it on purpose
2. What did you want one of our guys to sucker punch or tackle Dwight?
3. Dwight is not a dirty player, he plays solid defense and plays like that will happen.
A HARD FOUL would be nice. I'm frustrated, but Rose's teammates should stick up for him.
(Once is an accident. Twice is uncalled for.)
I'm upset Rose got hurt as well, but Howard didn't do anything wrong this time or last time. MAN UP and ACCEPT IT.
I'm upset Rose got hurt as well, but Howard didn't do anything wrong this time or last time. MAN UP and ACCEPT IT! (see how stupid it looks when you use unnecessary capitalization and exclamation marks all the time?)
Lets go pargo lol
In Derrick Rose's own words:
As a Chicago native, his popularity continues to soar. He became Chicago's first All-Star since Michael Jordan left the team. He also became the youngest All-Star (21 years, 133 days) in franchise history. Just the thought of teaming Wade (also from Chicago) in the Bulls backcourt next season has the franchise frothing.
It easily would be the best backcourt in the league. Yet James at small forward or Bosh at power forward/center also could be a seamless fit.
Rose now is trying to will the Bulls back to the playoffs for the second consecutive year. They are battling Charlotte and Miami for one of the last two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
Rose also knows that if the Bulls replace the Heat in the playoff picture (the two teams play Friday night), it might help tip the balance in Chicago's favor this summer.
"I've never really hung out with [Wade]. He's older than me, but I'd love to play with him,'' Rose said. "It's important how we finish [this season]. It would help us. He might say, 'If they made the playoffs without me, how good would they be if they had me?'''
* He must read my stuff, because I said the exact same thing on my own blog postings.
dont waste your time with Wade Rose the guy is staying in lovily south beach not crappy cold Chicago.
a joe alexander sighting
Acie Law playing ok.
finally Vinny gives up and puts Devin Brown in, we could have used his defense earlier.
If anything, this game has confirmed to me the following: Joe Alexander is a terrible player, Acie Law is decent, it seemed like the more time he plays the better he gets. Hakim Warrick first few games after the trade were a mirage. He is no way near Tyrus Thomas.
I agree on all 3 Clayton. I would love to give Law a camp invite for next season. Joe looks clueless.
I agree on all 3 of those statements Clayton.
where is Doug hiding?
I agree on all 3 statements Clayton.
co-players of the game for the Bulls: Pargo and Law. God that was a ruff game to watch.
Stop it. Nobody reads your stuff. It's gone from sad to depressing.
It's starting to look like we might not have to swap that pick with Milwaukee.
Acie Law is preety decent, Joe Alexander is one of the worst players I've ever seen on the bulls roster in the last couple years...and having all 3 of those guys hurt sucks. Hopefully Roses' injury isn't too bad and Deng get's back in the lineup soon or else we're probably not gonna make the playoffs, although I wouldn't mind a lottery pick, I would mind that being the deciding factor for a free agent to come to Chicago or not though. I miss Noah :( and MR Happy, there not being wimps, they're injured....
Mr happy has a blog?
hes entries would be:
The WIMP CHICAGO BULLs really SUCKED i hate doug 'mancrush on james johnson' thonus and i want NICK YOUNG and Terrence WILLIAMS
I read that Derrick Rose was mad and upset last night.
It wouldn't surprise me if he wasn't mad at his teammates for not coming to his defense. In fact, I don't think it's a coincidence that he didn't come back to the bench at all.
For him to get taken out TWICE by Dwight Howard and have NONE of his teammates STEP-UP and do or say anything about it is just SOFT and EMBARASSING!!!
Why should DROSE bust his ass for a bunch of KITTENS? I'm being nice.
I bet Derrick Rose was mad and upset at his teammates last night for not STEPPING-UP and coming to his defense after Dwight Howard injured him for the second time.
I don't think it was a coincidence that Derrick Rose didn't make his way back to the bench.
Why should he bust his ass for a bunch of KITTENS? I'm being nice.
Mr happy has a blog. lemme gues he's entries:
ROSe is a WIMP and HE SUCKS I hate the man crush DOUG THOUNUS has on james JOHNSON becasye he is a WIMP