[UPDATE: You can find my post-game comments here. -Matt]

[Thanks to joemoses for tonight's game thread. -Matt]

Finally, we can play against Jason Kidd with a little height.  Thabo and Hughes hopefully will chase Kidd all night.  That only leaves us the problem of Josh Howard. Noah should give Dirk a lot of trouble (which should be the matchup, but probably won't.  He'll probably be on the larger Dampier).  Tyrus has been playing great lately, lets see him get up to 30 minutes.  The more Gooden and Hughes play with the team, the better they should blend in. Everybody's healthy enough to play.  

Bulls have lost 17 of 19 to the Mavs.  They are 23-3 at home this year.  

Blogging with the enemy:
Mavs Moneyball
The Dallas Morning News (usually liveblogs -Matt)

Assuming you agree that Kirk is having a much better January than November or December, I looked at his percentage of free throw attempts.  In December, he had one free throw attempt every 18.5 minutes.  In January he had a free throw attempt every 10.25 mintues.  In his best season, 06-07 he shot a free throw every 9.9 minutes he was on the court.  In december he also had more three point attempts per minute compared to January.  

Looking at Kirk's line last night, he had 27 points on a poor shooting night.  He got to the line 11 times in just short of 44 min.  That means he was shooting one free throw every 4 min. on the court.

To bring this to where every diary needs to go, why is this the Corpse' and Boylan's fault.  It is because if Noah started instead of the Corp's and got all of his minutes and TT played more, Kirk would get better picks, have more options for penetration and layups or alley oops.  

If we brought him back right now.

Would he have the balls and new perspective to sit Due and the Corpse.  What happens when we play Thabo and Noah 38 minutes a game.  Have TT and Grey get more time, but against favorable matchups.  When the injuries heal, we are actually a very good team.  Deep, Talented, Hard working.

We are only 7 games behind last years pace.  This includes a half of season with a very bad injury bug.  It includes several overtime losses.  It includes a horrible month of November by Kirk.  It includes a significant decline by Wallace.  It includes a change of coaches.

Bring him back.  Beg him.  We are still on the upswing.  I feel positive.  I feel good (until we lose to MN and I do something rash)

[Thanks to joemoses for tonight's game thread. -Matt]

Its hard to believe we lost to this team in November.  To see how ###'d up this team is, you have to listen to this song.

The Knicks are 1-13 on the road and have lost 6 straight away from home.  

Watch out for David Lee who had double-doubles in five out his last seven games.  However, for reasons only Isiah knows, he chose to play him only 15 minutes against the Rockets the last time out.  Also Nate Robinson has been averaging over 17 ppg the last eight games.

Deng is still listed as day to day.  He didn't practice on Monday and had an MRI on Friday confirming that he has tendonitis.

I would love to see Sefo get some time guarding Crawford or Richardson, even a few minutes giving Robinson some length. Also, lets use Gray's bulk on Curry for a few turns.  I fear this is one of those games that Wallace will wander and let Curry eat him up underneath.

A very good night for a win!!

blogging with the enemy:
Knickerblogger.net
Posting and Toasting

[Thanks to JoeMoses for tonight's game preview. Noah's been (reportedly, from WSCR) activated for tonight, and may be taking some of Wallace's minutes. -Matt]

Win number 1? Not so fast, unless Skiles has found the cure already to our lackluster start. These are the generic Clippers (no Brand). Check out the enemy in a Blog-A-Bull look alike, at ClipsNation.

Imho, I think this game (7:30pm CST, ComcastSportsNet, AM1000) is going to be further trouble for the Bulls.  Who has been the biggest dissapointment in the three games: Deng? No. Kirk? No. I say with that without a doubt it is Big Ben. Then along comes the possible breakout player of the year in this young season. Chris Kaman has started hot. He is averaging 18 ppg and 16.5 rpg along with 2 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal per game. I only hope that the fact that he did this against very bad defensive teams (Seattle and Golden State) means he will not continue at this torrid pace. I also hope that the reports that he is questionable for the game prove to have merit.

I worry about the Kaman-Wallace matchup because Wallace often has trouble with offensive minded centers who can move and have legit 7 foot size. This would be a much better matchup for the Noah-Gray combo as I don't think Kaman would hurt them as much.

To add doubt to a Bull victory, Quinton Ross shut down Ben Gordon last year (BG was a combined 7 for 25 in two games against the Clippers).

Another couple notes: I fear that the foul line issues will continue as Maggette and Cassell get the line often against anyone, including the Bulls. Further, a Cassell and Mobley backcourt is another big backcourt that often has given us problems. Mobley has started the season shooting 53% from the field, averaging 19 ppg and 5.5 rpg. Ruben Patterson seems to always play over his head against the Bulls and is fitting in nicely with the Clips at 12 ppg, 3 spg (lookout BG and Noch before you throw the ball), and 1.5 bpg while shooting 61% from the field.  Finally, Tim Thomas, who usually has a rare bout of motivation when going against the Bulls is averaging 20 ppg on 53% from the 3 point line.

After the game, lets just hope our Bulls are singing "I was lost, but now I'm found".

[Thanks to user joemoses for tonight's game thread. -Matt]

Well everyone here we go, not only is this the start of a season that some predict will end with our Bulls in the NBA Finals, but I am the first guest host of the Open Game Threads.  I like to call myself "mini-Matt".

Since I get to have the first word, here goes:

Kobe:  I don't give a ......

I sure hope that Skiles implements Sefo for defense today.  I watched him last year against Carter, Redd, Kobe and loved what he brought defensively.  The Nets and the problems with size that the big three bring are a perfect test.

I would also like to see Ben G. get somewhat lower minutes tonight and see Sefo, Deng and Kirk on the big three for most of the night. Du cannot guard Kidd and he better not be on the court at the same time as Kidd. Save him for guarding the backup PG (who I guess is Darrell Armstrong and not Marcus Williams [injured].)

I predict a win tonight.  Kirk 18-6-5, TT 12-8-3 blocks, Smith 12-7, Deng 22-9, Ben G 16-3

Blogging with the Enemy: NetsDaily

I was the first one on the Wallace bandwagon. But in retrospect I thiink I do not value the age issues properly. I did not appreciate that Ben's stats showed a downward cycle.  It is apparent to me that he can do it now only once every 5 games or so. Also, he has an attitude problem. He woudn't stand for a diminished role.  He woudn't stand for ...god forbid...coaching.  Like stop passing so much and making stupid turnovers.  Stop fronting your guy all the time, stop failing to box out, and stop laying up and actually dunk.

Now on to Tyson.  In February he is averaging 16.3 RPG and 12.8 PPG.  He is also averaging a double-double since the beginning of the year. That's two months worth of games.  I still can't imagine it.  I think we gave up on the guy too young. He is becoming a major force in the league.   And remember, he still will naturally put on weight.  He is hear now.  He is better than Ben today.  He even can be in the same discussion right now with Elton, with a larger upside.  We had him, we gave him for not even close enough.  I'm sad.

I just watched a youtube compilation of Pau and he is unbelievable.  This is one skilled player.  In term so skill I think he is unmatched today.  Even Garnett and Duncan don't match this guys post offense.  He goes right, left, shoots, drives, baby hooks left and right, sky hooks, runs the break, scores on the offensive glass.  All this and they didn't show one pass.  Remember he averages something like 4 assist a game from the center position.

I have heard he doesn't have heart or play defense.  I am curious if anyone knows how he performed for his Spanish national team.  Did he play with heart, was he a complainer or a leader?  Playing for Memphis would bring almost anyone down.  It is worse than Garnett or Brand faced.  Lets not let that guide our view of his attitude.

Finally, after thinking about it, I would trade his lowpost skills and passing ability for Gordon every day of the week.

They are starting to gel aren't they.  I watched only sparingly but I did notice some things.

First, Noc, Ben Gordon, Hinrich and Deng all represent legitimate offensive options.  Earlier this year, we couldn't get anything going because of a lack of scoring options.  I also don't care what you all say, Duhon, while not a "scoring option" is a reasonable point per minute scorer and is now an effective enough shooter to worry about if your the other team.  Sweets is a nice change of pace as is Malik when healthy.

Most significantly, I am VERY impressed with Thabo.  He can definately handle the ball enough to bring it up.  He is a great passer, now can hit his shot and has great defensive instiincts.  I remember him guarding Redd earlier this year and staying with him.  A backcourt of Hinrich and Thabo would be a great defensive one.  Finally, lets give some props to Deng for his D on Pierce.  I'll be at the Philly game, lets make it 6 in a row.

So I guess all is not bad after all.

 On a seperate note, I was so into giving up Tyson and getting Wallace, however, even I am starting to question that wisdom.

 When tyson can stay on the floor he is one of those guys who can walk into double figure rebounds consitently.  Neither can shoot free-throws or play offense.  I also am seeing that Tyson is actually a more mature team player than Wallace.  Wallace seems to be a baby who can only motivate himself when he has a "chip on his shoulder" or is loved by his basketball "family".  Tyson is also apparently a better locker room presence as he actually talks to his teamates, unlike Ben.  

If only Tyson could work out in the off season like Ben does and work on his body like ben does.  Finally, what if Tyson just shot from the elbow 1000 times per day.  By the time he is 26 or 27 he could be a monster.

A lot of people have commented about the help defense used by the bulls and on the difficulty they have on offense.  I agree, it does seem as though all of their opponents get easy shots, are in the right place for offensive and defensive rebounds, have a clear path to the basket and completely stop our offense, except for those times we are in a streak and someone is very hot (Heinrich or Gordon)

Regarding the offense.  I have noticed that the offensive sets have the ball at the point and the wing players running away from the basket, parallel to the foul-line catching the ball in the worst possible position for an effective offensive move.  Contrast this to the triangle where the post player slashes up to receive the ball but then three players move and slice off of this pass each in effective scoring positions.  I just simply think that this offense as it starts leads to stagnation when they are not shooting well.  There is nothing easy out of it.  The secondary options off of the first cut are pretty good, but often cut off and the result is a missed outside shot.  This is how they fall behind, come back and then lose.  It is merely a result of how they are shooting.  We need easy baskets, free throws and offensive rebounding opportunities.

As for defense, I totally agree with those who say we have to help less.  We give in too easy to the switch on the pick and roll.  I think this is one of the transition problems Wallace is having.  He is trying to jump out and help and as a result giving up easy baskets and rebounds.

[Thanks to joemoses starting off the thread. I added a little extra below. -Matt]

Tonight is at least a possibility of breaking through on the long road trip.  Unfortunately they are playing a game against two superstars both at positions where the Bulls lack height: two-guard and center.  Now we have to play against a 6'8" two guard and a 7'6" center.  I for one am concerned.

Here is my plan for victory.  Starting lineup of Kirk and Deng in the backcourt, Noch and Ben Wallace at the forwards and PJ at the center.  My reason for Deng is he can give some length to bother t-mac.  Noch can hustle with Battier, Wallace can leave Howard to help on Ming and PJ is the only one with any height to work on Ming.  Hold T-Mac to under 18 on a poor shooting night, hold Ming to 24 and 7 with 1 block and you've got a chance.  

Oh, by the way: run. Eliminate the half court battle.

Matt:
Blogging with the Enemy: Rockets Blast | Globetrotter

Also, this note from Houston's beat writer (that sportsspyder feed on the left really works!) is intriguing:

For all of Yao Ming's offensive success this season, the Rockets have struggled with quick, swarming defenses that best challenge passes to him. The Bulls could be as well-suited to defending Yao as any other team. Yao averaged 20 points per game against Wallace and the Pistons last season, but just 13 in each of the previous two seasons and 12 as a rookie.

I can't recall a player with hall of fame level ability combined with high school level awareness, intensity and consistency.  Ben's game against milwaukee was like Isiah in his prime.  Size or not, he simply was way better than anyone on the court.  I didn't see any of the Cleveland 1-10 performance, but it goes way beyond the shooting.  He simply is out in another world mentally.  I saw him against orlando when his man cut backdoor on him along the baseline and he was so clueless as to where his man was that he actually turned toward the corner to look for the guy who was at that moment about to take a layup.  Even high school players are more in tune to the game than he.  The difference in his good and bad games can be shown in the first few minutes by noticing if he starts his arsenel by going to the hoop, or by shooting.  In Miami, he was agressive to the hoop right from the start.  Orlando not so.  Milwaukee, totally agressive.  As I said, I did not see Cleveland, but I bet the one for 10 began outside.  If only we coule merge Skiles and Gordon into one.

[From the diaries. I completely missed this game, was too busy halloweening. Apparently Sweetney had quite the night. -Matt]

I'm excited.  This is the first game of the preseason I got to watch.  I like the way skiles used his roster.  I think each player played the right amount of time from top to bottom.  Some comments about individuals.

1.  Obviously Gordon had a great game.  But what I liked is it wasn't just from getting super hot on 3's.  He attacked the basket, got his teardrops (which he always makes) and got to the line.  THEN he went outside.  If he follows this formula he will be the guy who gets to the line 8-10 times per game and everything else will follow on good nights or bad.  I do have to ad though that he still falls asleep.  I saw one time he let a guy go behind him to the basket while his hands were still on his knees.  He actually turned to the corner looking for the guy, not knowing that he left quite a while before.
2.  I still want to see Tyrus go all out all the time like the worm did.  I see him jogging way too much rather than sprinting.  Watch the clip of his block and dunk from a few games ago that everyone loves, he only got the dunk because he came up the court so slowly.
3.  Krappy is here to stay.  He is a great passer and a great energy guy.  As an energy guy he is like a second Nocioni.  Even when he doesn't hit his threes, he plays very productive minutes.
4. Sweetney does have value on this team, even with his limitations.  It is not great value but along with Griffin they are very useful for 10 minutes a game.  Griffin will get a couple rebounds, a couple steels and add some toughness in 10 minutes.  Sweetney will get us going to the post.  He'll put up a quick 6 points, 4-5 boards and a block in his 10 minutes a night.
5. Noch and Deng can both play enough to get 15 points, 8 boards each.  They also both bring such great intangables.

Just watched the video of Rodman from the last diary.  That took me to watch some mixes of him on youtube.  Although he was completly nuts and nobody should be that reckless, Rodman was always going at hyper speed.  I'd like to see Tyrus do the same.  It entergizes the team and its something he can do.  I watched the end of the Minn. game the other night and he is jogging through the plays.  Watch others like rip hammilton, he is at high speed the whole time.  I wish Tyrus would play that way.  By the way, although he looks skinny, he does not look weak.  I think he is NBA ready now and as he grows he will be moreso.

Why do NBA players lie about their height?  Does everyone do it or just certain players?  If everyone does it, it makes no sense because the relative sizes are the same and all it does is make the fans think they are giants.  I can name a couple who lied about their size that everyone knows

Ben Wallace
Charles Barkely
Dennis Rodman

Can you name others.  I always heard all three of those guys weren't even close to their listed height.

On the other side of the coin.  I always heard that Kareem was closer to 7'4" than 7'2".  I have heard that KG is closer to 7'1" rather than 6'11" (he grew since he came out of high school)  Anybody know of others.  By the way I heard Bill Walton was at least 7' and not the 6'11" he was listed as.

The matadors:  c: Wallace
               pg: Hinrich
               sf: Tyrus
               sg: Thabo
               PF: Chapu
               (Du in reserve)

3 point:       pg: Hinrich
               sg: Ben
               Sf: Chapu
               Pf: Krappy
               C:  Deng

give me more.

Remeber in the old days, Pippen and Jordan would go after each other in practice.  How would you set up the teams if you wanted the best battle in a practice scrimage.  I would put

Hinrich and Griffin in backcourt against Thabo and Gordon.

Deng, PJ and Tyrus against   Nocioni, Wallace and that guy they got from Portland that I can't think of his name.

There were three major problems with Tyson last year, each solved by Wallace.

1.  He simply coudn't stay on the floor.  The bulls winning percentage in games where Tyson played over 30 minutes was substantially higher last year.  Also the year before, when they went on the stretch run, it seamed like every game, Gordon would get off and go on a tear and Tyson would get every rebound and at the end either make a key block or rebound.  Last year during most of the year, he was simply non-existent and therefore taken out by Skiles or in foul trouble and therefore sitting.  Just being in the game for more minutes would have put him among league leaders in rebounds and blocks.
2.  He was more than just not a threat on offense.  He would put himself in a pick and roll or standing wide open at the elbow.  This stagnates the entire offense.  Wallace as bad he is on offense, is more of an offensive threat than chandler.  Last year he averaged 2.0 more points, almost an entire assist more and 1/2 turnover less.  As importantly on a team with MUCH better offensive options, Wallace managed to get up over two more shots a game more than Chandler.  We all know about the blocks, steals, rebounds, but believe it or not te assists, shot attempts and scoring will be an actuall upgrade with Big Ben.  In the motion offense of skiles, look for these statitistics to go up this season for Wallace.
3.  Tyson was unable to deal with any of the physical centers/power forwards in the league.  Granted Wallace failed against Shaq in the playoffs last year, but against garnett, duncan and others, we will be able to go head to head.

Yeah Pax

Note a couple things about A. Griffin.

1.  He was voted team captain two years ago when he didn't even have a roster spot.

2.  He earned significant playing time in the playoffs for Avery Johnson, this is not very easy.  Especially for an NBA finals team.

3.  If you watch when he is in the game, he is a steal and rebounding machine. You'll note he does not get the statistical credit for a lot of the balls he gets his hands on.

With the right mix on the floor (i.e. scorers) he is worth a few steals and significant rebounds along with a big body at the 2 position.  He only has problems when he is forced to be the bail-out scorer.

Last year Deng was coming off of the injury year.  Could he be a Richard Jefferson, T. Prince.  Could he be Shawn Marion?, What is he capable of.  I say 17 ppg, 8,5 rbg.  

As for Gordon, last offseason, he was said to have worked as hard as anybody.  If you really look at his season, as bad as he is at turnovers and defense, he moved from below the minimum necessary in the league to adequate.  What will we see this year.  Will we see the same amount of improvement.  If so, he can stay on the floor, and he will average arount 19 ppg and continue his clutch play, and be our only unstopable scorer.

In sum, this season if we see the necessary improvement of Deng and Gordon, it is like picking up a new player who adds about 12 ppg to the team.