Two years later...

[Lex L.]

in what ways are the Bulls better off? Dont get me wrong. We have better players and a coach who is light years better than the one in 2009 but in 2009 Ben Gordon could go off for 40 points in a play off game. We have no one like that now. In 2009, Salmons could get you 30+ in a playoff game. We dont have that now. Im not sure what Dengs high output this year is but his ceiling seems to be around 25 in the playoffs (though Id like it to be more).

I was just re-visiting the 2009 playoff series with the Celtics and looking at how we fought to a game 7. Rose is leaps and bounds better now than then, though he was still quite dangerous even then. That series started off with him going for 36. He's better and more reliable now. Noah is still Noah, which means he's a guy who rebounds and plays big in the playoffs. But beyond that, do you think our team should be further along considering the improved defense?

 

[nwfisch]

Better: Coaching PG SF PF C Bench The only thing "lost" was Ben Gordon, but he has been replaced by Korver Brewer and Bogans.

 

[Lex L.]

Better: Coaching PG SF PF C Bench The only thing "lost" was Ben Gordon, but he has been replaced by Korver Brewer and Bogans.

Was Gordon really "replaced" by Korver? I agree that Korver is a great shooter but he's not going to get you 30+ points the way Gordon could. And whenever Bogans hits a couple of threes now, it always feels like a bonus.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

um that team was @ .500 and had mediocre coaching....there definitely was some talent on that team...but this bulls team is definitely better because they have the MVP in Rose, a healthy Deng, and Boozer and Noah in the frontcourt

may not have 3 guys than can go off for 30..but they work better as a team imo...and dont disappear in other games....

dont forget defense too

 

[Scoot26]

So a 62 win team is no better than a 41 win team simply because we lack a stand out shooting guard who can score at will?

Salmons played lights out in that playoffs series and then disappeared the following season resulting in his trade. He once again picked it up for Milwaukee once he ended up there...but see again..this season..he disappeared. Thats simply how his career has gone.

Gordon may get you 30+ but he can give up 30+ too.

Also, against the Celtics, they were missing Kevin Garnett. Now Glen Davis played well in his absense, but Davis doesnt have the length that KG has. The Bulls were able to expose that in the series.

Now we have better coaching, which has improved our defense greatly. We have better defensive guys in Brewer, Bogans. Noah played well in that playoff series, but his minutes weren't what they are now. He has also improved in my opinion. While Boozer sucks right now, he's better than what Tyrus Thomas gave us. Brad Miller shot the ball well in that series and played quite well, but we have better players than him now.

The only real gaping hole in this team is the shooting guard position. However I think we make up for it in defense. Of course to make it through the rest of these playoffs we will need Deng and Boozer to be able to score. We especially need Boozer to get us points in the paint.

 

[X]

So a 62 win team is no better than a 41 win team simply because we lack a stand out shooting guard who can score at will?

Salmons played lights out in that playoffs series and then disappeared the following season resulting in his trade. He once again picked it up for Milwaukee once he ended up there...but see again..this season..he disappeared. Thats simply how his career has gone.

Gordon may get you 30+ but he can give up 30+ too.

Also, against the Celtics, they were missing Kevin Garnett. Now Glen Davis played well in his absense, but Davis doesnt have the length that KG has. The Bulls were able to expose that in the series.

Now we have better coaching, which has improved our defense greatly. We have better defensive guys in Brewer, Bogans. Noah played well in that playoff series, but his minutes weren't what they are now. He has also improved in my opinion. While Boozer sucks right now, he's better than what Tyrus Thomas gave us. Brad Miller shot the ball well in that series and played quite well, but we have better players than him now.

The only real gaping hole in this team is the shooting guard position. However I think we make up for it in defense. Of course to make it through the rest of these playoffs we will need Deng and Boozer to be able to score. We especially need Boozer to get us points in the paint.

Gordon needed his shots too, don't forget. Dude would hoist up a shitload of them.