Sizing up Bulls' playoff chances

Vinny Del Negro began calling his team unpredictable as far back as training camp, so give the Bulls rookie coach credit for prescience.

[Wilt]

During the Lakers run in the second half, they repeatedly ran the same play over and over - which was a basic screen beyond the three point line. The Bulls defense never adjusted, and allowed the Lakers at least three or four easy three point shots that changes the game. And on the offensive end, Derrick Rose, and other Bulls guards, walk the ball up more often than not, which allows the defense to set up. The Bulls should be running the ball with the talent they have, playing a half court game will get them nowhere.

The Bulls aren't a playoff caliber team

[Chris Carr]

The only real threat the the Bulls not making the playoffs is the Bulls. They have an ideal schedule to end the season, especially in comparison to the other teams bidding to sneak into the postseason. I believe the Bulls will be in the playoffs when the season concludes.

[BULL4EVER]

Well Chicago will get that eighth playoff spot, but will likely get knocked out of round one of the postseason by Cleveland, but this young bulls team will just get better years and years down the road so this postseason appearance is a start and a momentum carrier heading into 09,10.GO BULLS

[Stephen]

Wilt wrote:

During the Lakers run in the second half, they repeatedly ran the same play over and over - which was a basic screen beyond the three point line. The Bulls defense never adjusted, and allowed the Lakers at least three or four easy three point shots that changes the game. And on the offensive end, Derrick Rose, and other Bulls guards, walk the ball up more often than not, which allows the defense to set up. The Bulls should be running the ball with the talent they have, playing a half court game will get them nowhere.
The Bulls aren't a playoff caliber team

I disagree entirely. Derrick Rose, and none of the other guards for that matter, almost never walks the ball up the court. The Bulls are an up tempo team now. They are all offense and no defense. Check their PPG, for and against.

If the Bulls win the 8th seed, then they are playoff caliber. Would you say the 9th or 10th seed would be more playoff caliber than the Bulls? That would be stupid.

[Mgray]

This team stinks..........why would anyone want 2 watch this mess in the spotlight of the playoffs?

[mack the knife]

Important game in Washington. Win that and we are basically there. Kills me that defense is a dirty word, it seems. We will not go far in the play offs for basically that reason..

[Wooly Bully]

Stephen wrote:

<quoted text>
I disagree entirely. Derrick Rose, and none of the other guards for that matter, almost never walks the ball up the court. The Bulls are an up tempo team now. They are all offense and no defense. Check their PPG, for and against.
If the Bulls win the 8th seed, then they are playoff caliber. Would you say the 9th or 10th seed would be more playoff caliber than the Bulls? That would be stupid.

Call it what you want - but the Bulls are 6 games under .500 right now. They are inconsistent as can be.

While they may MAKE the playoffs, they are certainly nowhere near being a playoff caliber team that is actually a contender. It's laughable to consider them in the same breath as Cleveland, Boston, L.A., San Antonio, etc.

This Bulls team is a long way off from contending for much of anything, except maybe a lottery draft pick.

[Rod from Tennessee]

There's absolutely no way to predict how the Bulls will play, so squeaking in for the right to face LeBron is certainly no guarantee. The Bulls have seemed to be more competitive with the western conf. teams, and there's no more games against those opponents, so it's anybody's guess about what we'll get.

[Seattle Mike]

Watching the Pistons move the ball on offense vs. the Heat was a 'thing of beauty', which the Bulls could benefit by watching some replay. Often five/six passes were made before a shot was taken & it looked like high quality NBA basketball. Playoffs yes, but I don't see the Bulls catching the Pistons in the standings.

[Stephen]

Seattle Mike wrote:

Watching the Pistons move the ball on offense vs. the Heat was a 'thing of beauty', which the Bulls could benefit by watching some replay. Often five/six passes were made before a shot was taken & it looked like high quality NBA basketball. Playoffs yes, but I don't see the Bulls catching the Pistons in the standings.

The Pistons lost against the Heat. One of the reasons they lost was because they couldn't score in the last few minutes. The struggled even to get a shot off.

The Bulls don't have trouble scoring. They average 101 pts per game, compared to Detroit at 94. The Bulls biggest problems are that they don't play defense and they can't close out games.

[Stephen]

Seattle Mike wrote:

Watching the Pistons move the ball on offense vs. the Heat was a 'thing of beauty', which the Bulls could benefit by watching some replay. Often five/six passes were made before a shot was taken & it looked like high quality NBA basketball. Playoffs yes, but I don't see the Bulls catching the Pistons in the standings.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the Pistons are 1 game under .500 If they don't start playing better, they will miss the playoffs. They might get passed by the Bulls, Bucks, Nets...

[TRUBullsFaN]

When Deng comes back...

the lineup should be:
Derrick Rose
John Salmons
Luol Deng
Tyrus THomas
JoakimNoah

Ben gordan hurts the team more than he helps it

[meatman]

Wooly Bully wrote:

<quoted text>
Call it what you want - but the Bulls are 6 games under .500 right now. They are inconsistent as can be.
While they may MAKE the playoffs, they are certainly nowhere near being a playoff caliber team that is actually a contender. It's laughable to consider them in the same breath as Cleveland, Boston, L.A., San Antonio, etc.
This Bulls team is a long way off from contending for much of anything, except maybe a lottery draft pick.

Dude he didnt mention the Bulls in the same breath as Cavs,Celts,L.A or SA.He just stated that they are a playoff team.If they make the playoffs then thats what they are.Nobody is saying they are gonna win it all but this is could be a good thing this time around.Rose gets a taste of the playoff atmosphere in his first year.Thats good expeirience for the outstanding Rokk that is full of potential.We may not win a trophy or even get out of the first round but if we make the right moves this off season we could be set up for a long time my freind.Things change my freind stop using the past as a reference.

[meatman]

Rokk=Rookie Sorry guys

[Ehlo Eats Foot]

Man, the first round matchup could be awesome between the Bulls and the Cavs. This is 1989 all over again when Jordan elevated across the lane and knocked down that shot on Ehlo. Man, I am excited to see those two go at it again!

[Seattle Mike]

Stephen wrote:

<quoted text>
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the Pistons are 1 game under .500 If they don't start playing better, they will miss the playoffs. They might get passed by the Bulls, Bucks, Nets...

You are assuming that AI, Wallace and Hamilton don't return to the lineup- I'm assuming they will. AI might play vs the Bulls tomorrow. Yes, I agree, Detroit is in trouble if they don't return from the DL pretty soon.

[Steve B]

When a rookie is not only your best player, but the only good player, then your team sucks.

Gordon, Deng, Heinrich, Noah are all bad, and need to be traded asap to any sucker(s) that will take them.

[tee]

Stephen wrote:

<quoted text>
I disagree entirely. Derrick Rose, and none of the other guards for that matter, almost never walks the ball up the court. The Bulls are an up tempo team now. They are all offense and no defense. Check their PPG, for and against.
If the Bulls win the 8th seed, then they are playoff caliber. Would you say the 9th or 10th seed would be more playoff caliber than the Bulls? That would be stupid.

Yes, you make a great point - 8 teams make the playoffs. The point is that the team has a below .500 wining percentage in an awful conference, and cannot buy a road win. They would have, at best, 25 wins if playing in the Western Conference.

Very frustrating season in terms of high draft picks not developing; clearly not a 'playoff caliber' team.

[Charlie Rangels Maid]

I hope the Bulls don't make it; that super-Jew Reinsdork makes waaaay too much money already; money he won't put into the White Sox. Screw him.

Go White Sox.

[Jody]

Oh! And if Luol Deng wants his starting spot back, do it the Ben Gordon way. Quit whining, man up, and for God's sake, BRING IT!!! Bulls can do it IF Rose, Gordon, Salmons, and Deng play the way they're capable of. No matter who's starting.