So, we're now 33 games into the regular season and this is my first post for the year. But I have been watching and reading and following our beloved Bulls and have some thoughts to share.
First, the obvious one- Jimmy Butler = WOW! He is certainly playing like an MVP. If he doesn't go to the All-Star game, then enough people are not paying attention. He is playing very hard and has a great attitude. He has become my favorite Bull.
My former favorite, Derrick, has fallen to #4. He really needs a PR person. He is not just a player, he is a brand and he is hurting his brand. He tells people that he is not overly concerned with basketball and is more worried about how comfortable he will be in retirement. Then they gave him three days to think about what he wanted to say and gave him an extended interview to rectify the situation. He doubled down and asserted that he doesn't care what the fans think. WTF? Without the fans, you have no job. You used to be the media darling, and you've really effed that up. Now whenever I see him having a bad game, I wonder if he's working more to protect his body in retirement than he is to win the game. I hope all the attention that Jimmy is getting will fuel some competitive fire in him.
And another thing, Derrick, you are not a three-point shooter. You are a slasher and a mid-range floater. After you hit some of those, you'll have your radar honed on the basked and will have a better chance of making the threes. Also, the defense will be playing off of you a little more. I still expect great things from you, Derrick. So don't let us down. And last night, you played better defense than I think I've ever seen from you. Keep working on the D.
Joakim is my #2 fav. He was fantastic last year and I liked how we were able to run the offense through him. It seems he was a little hobbled at the start of this year. I don't know what the injury was, but he didn't (and still doesn't) have the same fire consistently that he used to have. I'm surprised we have Pao jumping the jump ball and not Joakim. They are the same height, but I'd expect Joa could get more lift out of his younger legs. Once he gets fully back, I'd like to see us run the offense through him sometimes.
Pao is my #3. I'm sorry I used to hate you, but that just comes with being associated with Kobe. I was not excited when I learned that you were coming to our Bulls, but I am excited now! You are a block-machine, a great passer, and a level-headed veteran. I know it's colder here than in LA, but Bulls fans are much warmer. I'm sure you noticed that we sell out every game, and people are in their seats and cheering from the opening tip- not like Laker's fans.
I expect a high basketball IQ from Mike Dunleavy. He plays appropriately, but his shot hasn't been dropping. He is kind on in the background, but he's playing solid D, so he can stay.
Kirk sat our a few games with a hamstring injury. I didn't know about the hammie and just thought he wasn't being played because he hasn't been playing well. I've never been too impressed with Kirk's game. He's a shoot-first point guard who's best defensive move is fouling the man that is driving past him. Kirk, you're not a great shooter or defender. You're a good ball-handler and a decent passer. Keep the rest of the team involved.
Taj is great on both ends of the floor. If he could just get great from the free throw line, he'd be the entire package. Aaron Brooks thus far seems to be every bit as good as Derrick. I never heard of you before, Aaron, but you've gotten my attention. I really like the lineup with you and D-Rose attacking from both wings.
Nikola, also called 3-kola is starting to get some respect. It looked like the refs were refusing to call any of the times he got fouled, but now he's getting the calls. I think he could use a little more playing time, but he's going to be solid.
E'twaun Moore shows promise. I don't know why he didn't play yesterday. McDermott does not look ready for the big leagues. I hope I am wrong, but his defense is too poor and his shooting too scared. We'll see how these months on the bench help him mature while his injury heals. Nazr is getting a lot of rest this season. I liked him last year and hope to see a little more of him.
