It is not a good thing. They had a chance to wreck Cleveland tonight. Hell, they were fortunate to win that first game. Against a team down two of their top six players. Now they get Smith back and if Thibs sticks with his stupid defensive match-ups, Cleveland is going to win this series because they have the top two players on the court in 90% OF THE GAME and our defense plays passively against them. WHY are they not beating up their stars? Why? Where is Mirotic and Snell and Gibson, and Noah beating the crap out of Lebron? Where?
Man if you think Butler is getting man handled by Lebron...I can't even imagine what Lebron would do on a regular basis to the guys you just listed.
It's not even Butler alone that is defending him. No one man can defend Lebron. The whole team needs to collapse, fill the paint and turn him into a jump shooter. Make him pass, rotate and get a hand up on the shooter.
The Bulls didn't bring help quick enough inside to Butler which led to easy penetration. When Lebron did kick out, shooters hit their shots and the Bulls were slow to get a hand up.
There isn't much you can do about that. Bulls need to bring more effort defensively though. I thought it was lacking this game. Delly, Jones and Shumpert won't combine for 11-21 from 3 again this series either.
Take away the 1st quarter and the Bulls won this game.