SB Nation User Blog: joemoses

Open Game Thread #56 Bulls at Dallas Mavericks

joemoses — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:11:36 -0000

[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)

Some insight into Kirk's poor season so far

joemoses — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:23:43 -0000

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.

WWSD (What would Skiles Do?)

joemoses — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:14:17 -0000

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)

Open Game Thread #33: Bulls vs. New York Knicks

joemoses — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:07:54 -0000

[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

Open Game Thread #4: Bulls vs. Los Angeles Clippers

joemoses — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 22:55:02 -0000

[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".

Open Game Thread #1: Bulls at New Jersey Nets

joemoses — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 21:38:17 -0000

[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

Its time to talk about Tyson

joemoses — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 05:27:34 -0000

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.

Pau is pretty good afterall

joemoses — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 16:50:02 -0000

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.

Mmm Mmm good

joemoses — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 05:04:29 -0000

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.

Bulls #7 in playoff seeding (Chandler or Wallace?)

joemoses — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 16:14:59 -0000

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.