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2010-2011 Chicago Bulls Review and Analysis |
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Written by Steve Schreck
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Wednesday, 20 July 2011 13:09 |
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“If anything, we can learn from it and try to work on it in the future,” said Derrick Rose following a 96-94 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 27, 2010 that eliminated them from the playoffs.
2009-2010 made it two years in a row where the Bulls limped into the playoffs with a .500 record, and subsequently lost in the first round. It was clear that point guard Derrick Rose was headed to do great things, winning Rookie of the Year his first year and getting selected as an NBA All-Star in his second year. But where were the Chicago Bulls headed?
Looking back, it seemed that Chicago was at a standstill with their progress, so in order to start competing at the next level, changes had to be made. The front office took the first step by firing coach Vinny Del Negro on May 4th. Del Negro, who had coached the Bulls for just two years, lacked the coaching experience that the young Chicago squad needed. In fact, he had no prior coaching experience at any level, other than playing in the NBA for thirteen years which proved insufficient.
Then, on June 5th, the Bulls organization agreed to a three-year deal with Tom Thiobdeau, a former assistant coach for the Boston Celtics.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 20 July 2011 14:17 |
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Butler Finds Home in Chicago |
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Written by steveschreck
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Thursday, 23 June 2011 23:51 |
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 “I’m gonna do anything that my teammates want me to do,” said Jimmy Butler, the Chicago Bulls 30th pick in the NBA draft. The former Marquette power forward is a versatile player, who at 6’8’’ can guard multiple positions, “He could guard 2’s, he could guard 3’s, he could guard 4’s. There were even games where they would assign him to guard the point guard,” said General Manager Gar Forman about his versatility during his career at Marquette. Chicago had their eye on Butler for a while, and was pleasantly surprised that he was still available late in the first round, “There’s been no question in our minds for quite a while that Jimmy was a real, real fit for this team, for this organization. We’ve known about Jimmy for a number of years”, “We didn’t think he would be there. So when he was, there wasn’t any discussion tonight as far as what we were doing at thirty,” Gar Forman said.
There has been a lot of chatter about the Bulls’ two guard spot, and possibly improving that position. Gar Forman, however, believes that in the draft it is important to pick the best available player, not necessarily filling a certain position, “It really is our philosophy, that were going to draft the best player on the board.”
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Last Updated on Friday, 24 June 2011 09:07 |
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Bulls re-group heading into game five |
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Written by Steve Schreck
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Wednesday, 25 May 2011 18:58 |
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Following another disappointing loss in game four, the Chicago Bulls psyche, many think, is in disarray. With the competitiveness of the last three games and how close they were, Chicago could have won all three games. At the very least, with the amount of opportunities to win in late game situations, the Bulls wanted and somewhat deserved a split in Miami, but they got nothing.
Going into game five at the United Center, coach Tom Thibodeau addresses the concerns about the team’s mindset, “We’re fine. We’re fine. Just going to make the necessary corrections and get ready for the next game.” One correction that coach made clear Tuesday afternoon was the issue of turnovers, as the Bulls coughed the ball up twenty two times in game four, “We turned the ball over yesterday, so that hurt us. Prior to yesterday we had done a very good job at taking care of the ball.” Even if they’re “fine” the last three games have been back and forth, down to the wire games, that they have lost, coach Thibodeau notices a pattern, “Every game that we’ve played against them has been virtually the same. Hard fought, comes down to the end, a team that can make a run and some hustle plays usually wins.” The Bulls are hoping to make these key plays in game five to put them over the hump and back in the series.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 May 2011 21:00 |
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Bulls Defense Talk of the Town |
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Written by steveschreck
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Tuesday, 17 May 2011 10:17 |
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 “It just works.” That’s what power forward Carlos Boozer had to say Monday about Tom Thibodeau’s defensive philosophy, following a dominating defensive display put on by the Bulls Sunday against the Heat. There’s no question it worked. Limiting Wade and James to just eighteen and fifteen points respectively, it had to have been working.
Following Sunday’s impressive performance, the Chicago Bulls defense is the main topic of discussion in preparation for game two Wednesday.
“They have a lot of athleticism. You have to be patient” said Wade about the stifling Bulls defense. With all the talk about Wade and James and their superior talents, the Bulls seem just fine taking the less noticeable, team first identity on both the offensive and defensive ends if it means making a trip back to the NBA finals for the first time since 1998. There’s no question that this team first, defensive mentality is something that every player agrees with and has bought into.
“Help defense mentality, where everyone helps. Our job is to help on the weak side and do a good job of guarding the man we’re guarding. And we help, we help each other” said Boozer.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 10:19 |
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Derrick Rose thinks the current roster of Bulls players has what it takes. When asked about year's season ending loss to Miami in the East finals. He places the blame squarely on his shoulders. "It was on me," says. "It was the only reason why we lost the games. Little mistakes, turnovers, me not making the extra pass to the open guy. Not having the confidence in my teammates."