SB Nation User Blog: Orange Juice

Game Preview #20 - Bulls at Atlanta Hawks

Orange Juice — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:52:21 -0000

[Note by your friendly BullsBlogger, 12/09/09 3:20 PM CST: Hinrich may play tonight. ]

[Thanks to 'Orange Juice' for today's game preview -ed.]

I bought tickets to the game tonight when they went on sale in September, and now I'm trying to convince myself to still go. I also did not envision doing this game preview after a loss to the Nets. But it is what it is, and we're only one game out of the playoffs - not sure if this is a positive or a negative, I mean all we need are a few ping-pong balls..

Meanwhile, the Hawks have separated themselves from the rest of the East and are hanging out with the top three in the standings. They're coming off a three-day layoff after beating the Mavs in Dallas, so maybe they will be rusty and disinterested to start the game. And they know we lost to the Nets last night, so maybe that helps too?

That's all I got guys. Unless we follow the Knicks formula last week (get Josh Smith ejected, shoot 58%), I don't see the Bulls having any chance tonight. I think the question is whether or not we will get blown out.

We're gonna miss Tyrus and Hinrich even more this game ... "J-Smoove" is gonna dominate whoever matches up with him (Tyrus would've at least matched his athleticism) and Jamal Crawford is gonna score on anyone who matches up with him (Hinrich would've at least been able to play some defense). I think those two guys are the reasons why the Hawks have improved this year. Josh is playing smarter (he's only taken 3 three-point attempts this season) and is leading the league in blocks. The place just erupts every time he blocks or dunks it. And Jamal is providing that second scoring option (16 ppg off the bench) behind Joe Johnson.

Intriguing matchup between the two guys from Florida, Horford and Noah. Anything else worth looking forward to?

NBA Video Rule Book - funny Bulls example

Orange Juice — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:20:58 -0000

NBA Video Rule Book - funny Bulls example

HAHAHA ... someone very familiar among this Bulls community was chosen to illustrate a "legal timeout request".

not a surprise the bulls were mentioned ...

Orange Juice — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:55:58 -0000

not a surprise the bulls were mentioned ...

Jordan, Red among 16 HOF Finalists

Orange Juice — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:45:46 -0000

Jordan, Red among 16 HOF Finalists

Go Johnny!

Dee Brown signed by Suns

Orange Juice — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 20:15:03 -0000

Dee Brown signed by Suns

just keeping up with the Illini

Derrick Rose is in the house. Henry Abbott: My first question. Do you take seriously the concerns...

Orange Juice — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:52:20 -0000

Derrick Rose is in the house.

Henry Abbott: My first question. Do you take seriously the concerns about being in Chicago? The pressures of playing in your home city?

Derrick Rose: No, it's not a problem. I have been playing there for 13 years or so. I kind of stay to myself. I'm used to just playing there. I have my brother and my family to worry about tickets and all that. That's their job. My job is just to play basketball.

Derrick Rose: I won't get nervous until tomorrow or something. Now I just can't wait until all the media stuff dies down.

Scott (Vail): other than MJ, who was your favorite Chicago Bull and why?

Derrick Rose: Scottie Pippen. He did all the little things, and played defense.

Alex (Florida): Derrick would you be disappointed if Chicago took Beasley and you landed in Miami

Derrick Rose: No, I think I'd be a great fit there too.

Henry Abbott: What about being MVP this year?

Derrick Rose: I said that was a goal. You want your goals to be from outer space, almost, so that one day you can achieve it. I just think about playing the game, against NBA opponents.

Jose (Anaheim CA): What are your thoughts of running the fast break for the Bulls (with Thomas, Noah, Deng, Gordon)? P.S. please Derrick, never get a motorcycle.

Derrick Rose: It's really scary. It would be a scary fast break. Just know that. And I don't like motorcycles.

Jason (Tennessee): Derrick, you seem to have a quiet demeanor, but the PG position is about leadership. Do you feel you can be a vocal leader when required?

Derrick Rose: I have been working on that ever since the NCAA finals, and in drills. I yell, tell people what to do, talking throughout the drills. It feels comfortable.

Ryan (Troy,IL): What would you think about playing with Aaron Gray?

Derrick Rose: I would love to throw that guy some alley-oops, or feed it to him in the post.

Henry Abbott: Obama or McCain?

Derrick Rose: Obama is from Chicago, of course I have got to pick him. I don't follow politics much, but I follow him.

Rahul (Chicago): Who was the prototypical pg in your eyes growing up? What did you take from his game?

Derrick Rose: I never studied one point guard. But in the last couple of years, I watch Deron Williams. I watch him a lot. His creativity, leadership, aggressiveness. We're both strong. And he's a big PG.

Henry Abbott: Who'd win a sprint between all the draft prospects?

Derrick Rose: I think I'd get them by an inch.

chris (d.c.): what is your second favorite sport after basketball?

Derrick Rose: Ping pong. That's my second sport. Hopefully one day I'll be in the Olympics playing ping pong.

Henry Abbott: White Sox or Cubs?

Derrick Rose: White Sox! South Side! Yes, the Cubs just swept them.

Justin (Glassboro, NJ): If you go to Chicago...what number would you want (23 is obviously out of the question)?

Derrick Rose: Doesn't matter. They can give me 93 as long as it's the NBA.

Henry Abbott: Let me tell you, right now Kevin Love and Derrick Rose are talking about how great Dennis Rodman was.

ESPN Chat

POLL: Do you have more basketball coaching experience than Vinny?

Orange Juice — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:12:29 -0000

A friend of mine changed his job in mid-March and moved, so I took over his Under 15 basketball team for the next 2.5 months. This was my first time coaching basketball. I "coached" the kids for two hours each Sunday leading up to a tournament in May.

I have to say, having to actually coach during a game and think about rotations, fouls, timeouts, plays, etc. made me realize it's not that easy being a basketball coach. Of course it wasn't a big deal in my case, but it's definitely easier to sit in the stands and scrutinize someone else coaching.

How quickly will Vinny pick up in-game coaching? That's the one thing that has a direct correlation with experience. I don't worry as much about his philosophy or his ability to teach / connect with the players because coaching experience is not a requirement to be able to do that (trying to stay optimistic here!)

We've seen the bad (Jim Boylan). We've seen the good (Phil Jackson). Here's to hoping Vinny doesn't start too low on the scale and will continue improve with experience.

Poll

Do you have more basketball coaching experience than Vinny Del Negro?

Yes, as a head coach

14 votes

Yes, as an assistant coach

6 votes

No

35 votes

55 votes | Poll has closed

vinny is "on the rise" ... stuffs italians too

Orange Juice — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:09:08 -0000

vinny is "on the rise" ... stuffs italians too

for the 30% of you out there

Orange Juice — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:55:33 -0000

for the 30% of you out there

NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM ... guess who got one vote?

Orange Juice — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:10:09 -0000

NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM ... guess who got one vote?

Andres "I wonder which NBA coach gave me a 2nd-team vote because I play hard and he did not notice my late closeouts and lack of lateral movement" Nocioni

Kirk Hinrich follows his 2nd-team appearance last year with a one 1st-team vote and one 2nd-team vote this year.