Bulls Go Big, Win Big

[Fred]

In the loss at Miami and the win against the Redd-less Bucks, we went small down the stretch with Deng at the 4, Salmons at the 3, and Hinrich at the 2. But in the victory over the Cavs, we finally went big, and we won in a big way.

Vinny basically employed a 6 man rotation down the stretch in the 4th against the Cavs. That rotation included Miller, Noah, Gibson, Deng, Salmons, and Rose. With that lineup, we defeated it to one of the better teams in the league. Now, our bigs match up well against the Cavs, but I really would like to see Vinny go with the following lineup more often, especially down the stretch:

Miller – C
Noah – PF
Deng – SF
Salmons – SG
Rose – P

Miller is extremely important right now for Rose. With Salmons and Hinrich in a 3-point funk, Miller’s ability to hit an outside j, and even an occasional 3, opens up the lane for Derrick. Brad’s playing fantastic basketball right now. He’s been one of our best passers and 3-point shooters so far this young season.

 

[houheffna]

I think one key was ballhandling against a good defensive team. Rose did very well and Hinrich was hot and cold. In game 2 of last year's playoffs I felt that one of the main reason that game was close and not an easy Bulls win was Miller's indecisiveness off of the pick and roll. He didn't know whether to shoot or drive. Hopefully he is more decisive with it. I would like to see Tyrus do a little bit of that too but I don't think he has the basketball IQ right now to be successful.

 

[JimmyBulls]

If the Bulls are trying to protect a lead, I think VDN should go big without hesitation. If they are trying to make a comeback, I would like to see the lineup where Deng plays the four and Miller or Noah platoons at the five depending on match ups. Normally, I would like to see Kirk in that small lineup, but if Pargo is hot, he should get those minutes.

 

[Fred]

Tyrus sat yesterday because he never got within 15 feet of the basket when others were shooting. He's the anti-Deng right now. Luol is attacking the offensive glass...Tyrus is not.

I believe Miller led the team in the playoffs in +- against the Celtics. I don't believe in that stat, but over the course of a few games, sometimes it can tell you a trend. Miller does all of the little things that help a team win. He is a fantastic fundamental defensive rebounder. He a very good low post defender. We saw that last night on Shaq. He passes extremely well for a big man, and the mere threat of his jumper is enough to help Rose find a lane.

 

[Shakes]

I think the key thing is getting Miller and Noah out there together. They've been two of our best three players so far this year, and it's just silly to not put them on the court together more. There's no excuse for Gibson to be playing more minutes than Noah.

 

[pinkizdead]

this brings me to my question. When asik comes over, what are we going to do with miller? i really like him. despite his age, he seems capable of contributing. he's a great shooter who knows the game very well. he's never been athletic, so i'm comfortable with letting him play as a role player next year. i hope we resign him.

 

[Fred]

pinkizdead wrote:

this brings me to my question. When asik comes over, what are we going to do with miller? i really like him. despite his age, he seems capable of contributing. he's a great shooter who knows the game very well. he's never been athletic, so i'm comfortable with letting him play as a role player next year. i hope we resign him.

I was just talking about this very subject with Doug Thonus today. He said that some contender will give him enough that we won't be able to compete. This is of course assuming that we sign one free agent for the max.

 

[Diddy1122]

Fred wrote:

pinkizdead wrote:

this brings me to my question. When asik comes over, what are we going to do with miller? i really like him. despite his age, he seems capable of contributing. he's a great shooter who knows the game very well. he's never been athletic, so i'm comfortable with letting him play as a role player next year. i hope we resign him.

I was just talking about this very subject with Doug Thonus today. He said that some contender will give him enough that we won't be able to compete. This is of course assuming that we sign one free agent for the max.

I sorta agree, sorta disagree here. I think a contender would definitely want his services, but I also feel that Miller is truly happy here. He likes this team, likes his role on this team, & is a midwest guy. It's not going to be about money with him. He wants to win. I could see him finishing out his career here but if the right team comes calling I can see him moving on as well. Think it's 50-50 at this point.

 

[Diddy1122]

And when is Asik coming over? 2 years? I don't like getting high on Euro Big Men taken in the 2nd round, especially with the Bulls track record with such players.

 

[TheStig]

Fred wrote:

pinkizdead wrote:

this brings me to my question. When asik comes over, what are we going to do with miller? i really like him. despite his age, he seems capable of contributing. he's a great shooter who knows the game very well. he's never been athletic, so i'm comfortable with letting him play as a role player next year. i hope we resign him.

I was just talking about this very subject with Doug Thonus today. He said that some contender will give him enough that we won't be able to compete. This is of course assuming that we sign one free agent for the max.

I can't see someone giving him over the bi annual exception. Miller isn't worth more than 2 mill per year now. I don't think a contender would take a big part of their mle and give it to him.

 

[pinkizdead]

miller does like the cubs. just saying..

 

[clonetrooper264]

I'd really like to see Miller stay here for the rest of his career. He's been a wonderful influence on Joakim plus that midrange shot probably won't go anywhere while he still plays, so he could still actually contribute. However if we do get a max FA and get outbid for him, I can't say I'll be crushed because we got the max FA, however max FA AND Miller I think would be great.