Of the Bulls and the Playoffs
Alright, I did not think this was in the best interest of the team, but I am willing to drop that debate since we cannot undo what has been done - the Bulls have clinched a playoff birth. Quite impressively, actually. They beat the Heat, the #2 seed in the East, by 24 points. So what if Shaq only played 20 minutes (partly as a result of fouls), this game has to give the Bulls confidence that they can make a series against the Heat if they end up as the #7 seed. Heck, the Bulls match up well with both the Heat and the Nets (#3) based on recent results. In fact, the two teams who have given the Bulls the most trouble are the Pistons (#1) and Cavs (#4). As it stands now, the Bulls are in a 3 way tie for the 6th seed (Indy & Milw) and are one game removed from the 5 seed (Wash). I am not sure who holds the tie breakers, but the Bulls have a pretty good chance, based on their remaining schedule, to remain as high as #6. Just pray they do not end up the 8th seed, since that would almost certainly doom this team to a short playoff ride and very little to learn from for next year.
Looking towards next year (the Bulls aren't going to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy anyway), I will give me 2 cents towards the biggest debate surrounding the Bulls: to trade Ben Gordon or not. For me, I am against it. Yes, he is undersized. Yes, he is seemingly unable to put 3 20-point games in a row. However, if the Bulls do what everyone expects and get a strong post presence either through free agency or the draft, Gordons size will be less an issue. A team with a strong post defender and which plays good team defense can sacrifice size on the perimeter. Gordon is improving his footwork on defense and shows the potential to at least be competitive on this end of the floor. A strong post offensive threat will also take some of the pressure off the Bulls backcourt and create more open shots. Right now, every team plays tight perimeter defense against the Bulls since they know the Bulls have no one to provide a consistent inside threat. If Gordon continues to display the work ethic he has demonstrated and is the beneficiary of an A-list post player, I think he can be very valuable to this team.
Draft Clock: 13 days!!! I will post my preferences for the Bears' selections in a forthcoming article later this week.
And now, for Random Thoughts fans, this weeks gratuitous photo of Jessica Alba:
Looking towards next year (the Bulls aren't going to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy anyway), I will give me 2 cents towards the biggest debate surrounding the Bulls: to trade Ben Gordon or not. For me, I am against it. Yes, he is undersized. Yes, he is seemingly unable to put 3 20-point games in a row. However, if the Bulls do what everyone expects and get a strong post presence either through free agency or the draft, Gordons size will be less an issue. A team with a strong post defender and which plays good team defense can sacrifice size on the perimeter. Gordon is improving his footwork on defense and shows the potential to at least be competitive on this end of the floor. A strong post offensive threat will also take some of the pressure off the Bulls backcourt and create more open shots. Right now, every team plays tight perimeter defense against the Bulls since they know the Bulls have no one to provide a consistent inside threat. If Gordon continues to display the work ethic he has demonstrated and is the beneficiary of an A-list post player, I think he can be very valuable to this team.
Draft Clock: 13 days!!! I will post my preferences for the Bears' selections in a forthcoming article later this week.
And now, for Random Thoughts fans, this weeks gratuitous photo of Jessica Alba:
posted by Bearister at 8:31 PM
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