Time to Revise Expectations

[A Chosen Bullet]

You can hide a tough interior guy who is a solid defender, yet lacks scoring ability. It’s tough, though, to compete for a championship when you’re trying to hide “shooting” guards who can’t get their own shot. Korver is a decent role player – emphasis on the words decent and role.

To me, last night is when the 2010-11 Bulls officially jumped the shark. I still expect them to get past the Hawks but honestly don’t see them winning two games in the next round – not unless Rose goes for 40+ every game. And maybe that’s OK? Maybe a trip to the ECF should be celebrated and used as a stepping stone?

Right now as this team is put together, too much is being asked of Rose. They keep getting exposed by teams with the luxury of gearing up solely for them. Like with Lebron’s Cavs, you can accumulate a lot of regular season wins in today’s NBA when you catch other teams on a 10-day roadie, back to back, three games in four nights and guys routinely take nights off. That all changes in the playoffs when teams prepare for you every day for up to two weeks.

Count me among the disappointed that the front office didn’t pull the trigger on Asik for Mayo. They could sure use a shooting guard capable of getting his own shot with the potential of scoring 16-20 a night. When you ask Kyle Korver to come in and provide instant offense, you’re asking a lot. It’s not totally fair – but high expectations of a 62-win season is going to lead to an evitable letdown for the fan base. Chicago sports radio should be fun today…

 

[FirstTimer]

Very good post.

 

[WindyCity7]

i agree with most of your post but i wouldnt give up asik then & i wouldnt now you give up asik & he comes back next yr & kicks us in the nuts hes gonna be a beast im sure of it

 

[A Chosen Bullet]

I just turned the post into a blog:

2010-11 Bulls Jump The Shark

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

The way the Bulls are set up isn't exactly death for them yet. Any time that a team can play defense and rebound as well as the Bulls do, they always will have a chance to win on ant given night. I think if Boozer and Brewer continue to recover, this team can definitely win a championship. I don't know about their chances in a series vs. OKC, BOS, or MIA... but I know they can beat those teams.

And correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure that the Grizzlies were demanding Taj for O.J. Mayo. Not Asik. And there's no way that would have been a good trade for the Bulls considering the Boozer injury this season. I'm pretty sure it was Houston who was demanding Asik if the Bulls wanted to get Lee.

 

[A Chosen Bullet]

And correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure that the Grizzlies were demanding Taj for O.J. Mayo. Not Asik. And there's no way that would have been a good trade for the Bulls considering the Boozer injury this season. I'm pretty sure it was Houston who was demanding Asik if the Bulls wanted to get Lee.

I thought it was Asik for Mayo, but could be wrong. Either way, the two-guard screamed for an upgrade and it seemed like there was one to be had...this organization has a recent history of getting tight sphincters when it comes to block buster trades. As I wrote in the blog, there's no shame in bowing out in the conference finals which, in my opinion, is the ceiling for this team...

 

[houheffna]

Basically Heisley hates Reinsdorf and doesn't want to do deals with him. Plan and simple...the deal that actually went through to Indiana was for less than the Bulls offered I believe...

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

I thought it was Asik for Mayo, but could be wrong. Either way, the two-guard screamed for an upgrade and it seemed like there was one to be had...this organization has a history of getting tight sphincters when it comes to block buster trades. As I wrote in the blog, there's no shame in bowing out in the conference finals which, in my opinion, is the ceiling for this team...

I strongly disagree that is the ceiling for the Bulls. I think that if anybody picked the Bulls to win the Finals before the playoffs started that they were a little misguided... They do have clear flaws offensively, but other than that... they are nearly unmatched. That's why it's hard to say that the Bulls can't beat a team like BOS/MIA/OKC. BOS doesn't have a scorer like Rose- nor do they have their rebounding. OKC doesn't have the Bulls' rebounding and they are more turnover prone. And MIA isn't exactly a great half court offensive team either. They don't have nearly the rebounding of the Bulls. And I know for a fact that the Bulls can beat Dallas and Memphis in a series.

It's hard for me to blame them for not going through with Taj for Mayo. Without Taj, the Bulls would be completely screwed this post season with the way Boozer has played. And at the time, they had no way of knowing that Ronnie Brewer would have a very debilitating hand injury. He used to provide the Bulls with a viable scoring option along the baseline before the injury.

 

[A Chosen Bullet]

It's hard for me to blame them for not going through with Taj for Mayo.

From the Trib on Feb 25 - "But it was a deal for scoring wingman O.J. Mayo that most tempted Forman...One of the players Forman refused to part with, Omer Asik...." In another article, it was reported the Bulls offered Bogans for Mayo straight up. I'm thus assuming the trade fell apart when the Grizzles requested Asik...

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

From the Trib on Feb 25 - "But it was a deal for scoring wingman O.J. Mayo that most tempted Forman...One of the players Forman refused to part with, Omer Asik...." In another article, it was reported the Bulls offered Bogans for Mayo straight up. I'm thus assuming the trade fell apart when the Grizzles requested Asik...

I just don't buy the hype with these reports. If the Memphis offer was somewhere along the lines of Asik+Bogans+1st round pick for Mayo then, I'll grant you that would have been a tough trade to decline (as much as that pick will help the Bulls) and I for one would have done it. I just don't see why Memphis would do that though. I know for a fact that Memphis wanted Taj to replace Zach Randolph (this was when they were bracing to lose him in free agency). But I don't know why they would hold Asik and Bogans in such high regard when they already have Marc Gasol and Tony Allen.

 

[clonetrooper264]

In another article, it was reported the Bulls offered Bogans for Mayo straight up.

Goodness that would've been the best trade ever...xD

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

The offer I specifically remember the Bulls making to MEM was Brewer and 2 picks for Mayo. And MEM declined. I can't be 100% proof positive about the other ones but no one else can be either.

 

[TopekaRoy]

I'm not revising anything.

Before the season started, most people expected the Bulls to be about the fourth best team in the Eastern conference, behind Boston, Miami and possibly Orlando and Atlanta. Most thought they would win the first round of the playoffs and, depending on seeding, probably lose in the 2nd round. That's exactly where they are now.

The Bulls have already exceeded preseason expectations and as a result some people have revised their current expectations upward. I have always thought the Bulls could make it the the ECF and I still think they will. I still think they have about a 50/50 chance to beat the Heat (or Celtics) and if they do, they have at least an even chance of winning an NBA championship.

If they make it to the next round, they will have met my expectations and, regardless of the outcome, I will consider it a successful season.

 

[A Chosen Bullet]

The offer I specifically remember the Bulls making to MEM was Brewer and 2 picks for Mayo. And MEM declined. I can't be 100% proof positive about the other ones but no one else can be either.

So you're discounting the Trib's reporting? Either way, the point of the blog and post is that it's difficult to advance deep into the playoffs with only one guy that can consistantly get his own shot. It's also a lot to ask to hide your weak offensive link when it's your "shooting" guard. I'm sure the last point is something we can all agree on

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

So you're discounting the Trib's reporting? Either way, the point of the blog and post is that it's difficult to advance deep into the playoffs with only one guy that can consistantly get his own shot. It's also a lot to ask to hide your weak offensive link when it's your "shooting" guard. I'm sure the last point is something we can all agree on

Well, I'm not really trying to bash anything. I'm just saying that there was nothing conclusive reported that said MEM was willing to give up Mayo for Asik (& small pieces). And yeah... Keith Bogans is an extremely one dimensional SG offensively and Korver is a million times the shooter and can hit shots off screens but is also not very dimensional.

I agree with you in principle that the Bulls need more out of their supporting players offensively. They are already being labeled as LeBron-Cavaliers-esque because of that.

Boozer in the post spreads the floor just as well as Korver from outside does.

They need either Watson or Brewer to step up and make shots in a variety of ways. And they need Deng to consistently get 15 points per game with at least a solid share of FG and FT attempts. And they need Boozer to get better in the low post... or else these are no better than last year's Bulls it terms of offense.

Boozer's presence in the low-post helps spread the floor from the inside just as Korver along the perimeter helps spread the floor from the outside.

 

[B18]

If the bulls get past the hawks I hope to god we get MIA, I just seem to have a niche that we would take them out in 5. I feel absolutely insane myself but thats the vibe im getting.

 

[A Chosen Bullet]

And they need Boozer to get better in the low post... or else these are no better than last year's Bulls it terms of offense.

Boozer's presence in the low-post helps spread the floor from the inside just as Korver along the perimeter helps spread the floor from the outside.

Agreed - Boozer some how, some way HAS to be the low post threat and the 20/10 guy they signed him to be...Celts need to win tonight as well to extend that series to 6 or 7 so Miami doesn't have a chance to sit back and rest...

 

[thedude33]

I think you're throwing in the towel too early.

 

[Lex L.]

If the bulls get past the hawks I hope to god we get MIA, I just seem to have a niche that we would take them out in 5. I feel absolutely insane myself but thats the vibe im getting.

Its not insane. As amazing as Wade and James are, they're just two players. Every team that the Bulls have faced so far, has forced the Bulls to defend 1-5. Miami isnt so much like that. With Miami, its 2-4, but really 2-3. Thibs defense has a good history of success when it comes to facing teams where few do a lot. This series vs the Hawks has me nervous. Everytime one of their players goes off, its like we're screwed unless Rose goes off. And the scary thing is, Horford hasnt really had a big game yet. He's probably their 2nd best player. But back to Miami, if Wade and James have an off night, Miami is cooked.

 

[bleacherbum54]

If the bulls get past the hawks I hope to god we get MIA, I just seem to have a niche that we would take them out in 5. I feel absolutely insane myself but thats the vibe im getting.

lol that does sound insane to me. Miami is playing their best ball all season playing at a different level then the regular season which was to be expected.