Bulls playoff predictions

[Axl Rose]

for the ppl taking about Cavs defense: lets not act like the Bulls have been all that on defense either

offense vs offense they beat us....we have improved on offense by allot but at the same time im not seeing a cohesive enough offense...especially to make up for the dip in defense

 

[knoxville7]

Yep, but the good relationship between FO and coach isn't there... Results really matter in those cases, so thats what's going to happen in all likelihood.

Sloan and Utah had a great relationship and were always on the same page..despite the Jazz not making a Finals for the first 9 years, and then making the Finals twice, and never winning until he stepped down in 2011.

But every long term relationship usually sours after years of night winning, Sloan is probably the exception... The Bulls and Thibs just have feuded a lot sooner.

all the more reason I hope the bulls get over the LeBron hump this year

 

[Scoot26]

for the ppl taking about Cavs defense: lets not act like the Bulls have been all that on that side either

offense vs offense they beat us....we have improved on offense by allot but at the same time im not seeing a cohesive enough offense...especially to make up for the dip in defense

The Bulls defense is still better than the Cavs..But its not the Bulls defense of the past.

Beating them will simply be matching their offense and limiting guys like Irving and Love from doing much. Not exactly the easiest task, but itcould ​be done.

The numbers don't support the Bulls beating the Cavs...in any factors.

Of course we can all use the injury excuse... as to why our ranks have fallen, but the defense was never really there. Though they've played a lot better over the last 5 out of 6 games.

 

[Axl Rose]

The Bulls defense is still better than the Cavs..But its not the Bulls defense of the past.

Beating them will simply be matching their offense and limiting guys like Irving and Love from doing much. Not exactly the easiest task, but itcould ​be done.

The numbers don't support the Bulls beating the Cavs...in any factors.

Of course we can all use the injury excuse... as to why our ranks have fallen, but the defense was never really there. Though they've played a lot better over the last 5 out of 6 games.

i read they are 7th in defense since all-star...so they have improved on d

 

[knoxville7]

The Bulls defense is still better than the Cavs..But its not the Bulls defense of the past.

Beating them will simply be matching their offense and limiting guys like Irving and Love from doing much. Not exactly the easiest task, but itcould ​be done.

The numbers don't support the Bulls beating the Cavs...in any factors.

Of course we can all use the injury excuse... as to why our ranks have fallen, but the defense was never really there. Though they've played a lot better over the last 5 out of 6 games.

all we can hope is that the bulls players have another gear they can turn the defense up to for the playoffs and that the new additions have formed a chemistry now after the regular season, since thibs defense is a team oriented defense where you have to trust guys to be in certain spots that you funnel the ball handler to. IMO the bulls have been waiting for this time of year. they know the regular season doesn't matter for a whole lot, its all about how you play in the playoffs

 

[Scoot26]

i read they are 7th in defense since all-star...so they have improved on d

This says 11th.

http://stats.nba.com/league/team/#!/advanced/?SeasonSegment=Post All-Star&sort=DEF_RATING&dir=

This says 17th during month of March:

http://stats.nba.com/league/team/#!...=Post All-Star&sort=DEF_RATING&dir=-1&Month=6

They have improved since the AS Break. I'm not disputing that. Overall for the season though they're still at 19th. And they are NOT a top 10 defense (though neither are we).


And I'll add I will not be entirely surprised what so ever if the Cavs make the Finals this year. I give them zero chance of winning it though unless someone from the West upsets and makes the Finals.

 

[The Hawk]

all we can hope is that the bulls players have another gear they can turn the defense up to for the playoffs and that the new additions have formed a chemistry now after the regular season, since thibs defense is a team oriented defense where you have to trust guys to be in certain spots that you funnel the ball handler to. IMO the bulls have been waiting for this time of year. they know the regular season doesn't matter for a whole lot, its all about how you play in the playoffs

The biggest challenge will be if the Bulls can successfully integrate Rose into the play-offs. Right now, with Butler and Gibson coming back and getting back into play-off shape, the Bulls team is as healthy as they have been in a long time. And with Noah rounding back to where he was the DPOY, Gasol playing well, Brooks showing massive stones in his play and Mirotic making seasoned NBA wags stand up and take notice, the Bulls team is clicking well.

So, what happens when Rose comes back? How does Thibs blend this together?

I think that Rose coming back is going to be one of the biggest challenges Thibs has ever faced in his coaching career. It will be interesting what happens because this is not going to be easy. How does he handle Rose and his teammates toward an end objective of winning a championship?

 

[Axl Rose]

This says 11th.

http://stats.nba.com/league/team/#!/advanced/?SeasonSegment=Post All-Star&sort=DEF_RATING&dir=

This says 17th during month of March:

http://stats.nba.com/league/team/#!...=Post All-Star&sort=DEF_RATING&dir=-1&Month=6

They have improved since the AS Break. I'm not disputing that. Overall for the season though they're still at 19th. And they are NOT a top 10 defense (though neither are we).


And I'll add I will not be entirely surprised what so ever if the Cavs make the Finals this year. I give them zero chance of winning it though unless someone from the West upsets and makes the Finals.

oh ok

this is where i got 7th

In short: the Cavs got better players, and got a lot better at defense. Before the All-Star Break, the cavs gave up 105.1 points per 100 possessions. Since the All-Star Break, that number is down to 98.0 . That's a jump from 22nd in the league to seventh. It's a testament to David Blatt for implementing new pieces and for the players (particularly LeBron) for stepping up to get things under control.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on...bad-news-about-the-cavaliers-improved-defense

 

[Scoot26]

oh ok

this is where i got 7th



http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on...bad-news-about-the-cavaliers-improved-defense

Dated March 12th...

The Cavs were really good defensively in February..They took a dive in March while upping their offense.

The Bulls were also good at D in February.