With Rose returning off injury and the way this team plays physical and fast I do see a good chance at competing for a title as we did in 2011. Like anyone else that loves and studies the game I do see that it is not going to be easy for any team in the east this year to be run away favorites. But after listening at some of our critiques for the past few years repeatedly expressing the fact that we need that one piece or more help to get over the hump because we just don't have enough scoring in a player(s) that can creative for himself and others besides Rose, I'm starting to realize the same things after watching opening night vs. the Heat. If the Bulls where to pursue any trades this year, who do you see us going after to bring more help to Rose and how do you feel trading for Arron Afflalo or someone like a Klay Thompson/Jamal Crawford?
Jarrel Gibson
I'm sure you're getting a lot of letters from people assuming the Bulls season is already over because they lost to the Heat opening night. I'd like to remind them of a game less than a year ago. The Heat had a 27-game active win streak coming into Chicago, who was without Derrick Rose and nursing various injuries. Aside from a playoff game, it was probably safe to say the Heat really wanted to win that game to keep the streak going. And the depleted Bulls beat them. At that time, no one said the Heat couldn't win the title because they lost to a deleted Bulls team. Yet somehow, according to several national media types, the fact that a Bulls team whose emotional leader played only 20 minutes in the preseason because of a groin injury that clearly hampered him, a Bulls team who had its two best wing defenders on the bench with three fouls each for the second quarter, a Bulls team that had a rookie picked at #22 called upon to guard LeBron James in his first game, and a Bulls team whose superstar was playing his first real game in over a year lost to the world champions means they can't get past the Heat and win a title.
Chris Feldman
I'm not hitting the panic button here after 2 games, but one thing that concerns me about this Bulls team compared to the last few Bulls' teams is the lack of depth. Our second units were usually a major strength and we often went 10 deep with guys you could legitimately put in most team's rotations. I'm looking at the bench this year and seeing Taj, Dunleavy, Hinrich... and that’s it. And Capt. Kirk always seems one play away from missing the next 2 weeks. In my opinion our starting five is the best we've had since the Jordan era, but it seems one of the strengths that took us to the NBA's best record in 2 of the last 3 seasons is now a weakness. Am I wrong? Please set me straight.
Dan Michler
Klay Thompson (shooter) for Jimmy Butler (driver). Thompson & Rose. Curry & Butler. It benefits both teams.
Atif Hassan
Having watched the Bulls' first two games, I've been pretty disappointed with our offense. I realize that it will take a while for the Bulls to adjust to playing with Rose and for Rose to shake his rust off, but it's been a pain to watch our half-court offense consist of just slow ball movement at the top of the key or getting trapped on the baseline and then someone having to go one-on-one at the end of the shot clock to force something up. Which brings me to my question: why don't the Bulls go to Boozer more?? Even dating back to last season, I still don't understand why we don't try to force the ball inside to him to get spacing for cutting and threes or just use him in pick-and-rolls a lot more, which we know he's good at running. Against Miami he scored 31 points going 13-18 from the field and against the Knicks he was doing really well but for some reason only ended up with 7 shots (of which he made 5). I just feel like he's one of the few players on our roster who can be a consistent scoring threat, and it's a shame he's being under-utilized.
Vinay Nagaraj
I wrote you in the preseason saying that Boozer looked better than ever, well at least while with the Bulls. Against Miami he went off, but that's not what I’m talking about. His positioning, foot work and keeping his head on swivel. I don't know what he did differently in the off season but he seems more aware, ready and focused on the small things that put you into position for success. And I believe that when Noah gets his legs and timing back he and Boozer will be very dangerous in the paint.
Dusty Kaster
Very revealing Miami game. As a homer, though all the naysayers pointed out the lack of a second option, I remained confident. The last playoff series against the Heat showed us what to do: Rose just needed to get a jumper or a floater that would neutralize the big men waiting for Rose to try and score. Well, that will still work. We can still win a championship. The only things that needs to happen is for Rose to hit all those shots. Like all those shots. That’s the problem; we don’t control our destiny. I remember when Popovich was being interviewed after the Heat won the championship last year. I didn’t catch what he meant then but now I do. He said that when Shane Battier started hitting 3s, it was too much for his team. I get it now. If we’re going to win, we need extraordinary performances from people to win. Dunleavy needs to get hot like Danny Green did for them last year. Jimmy Butler needs to take over 2 games and give us 26 and 10. Noah needs to have an offensive performance like he did during Game 7 against Brooklyn last year. All that is possible. It’s just not in our control. We’d have to hope they get hot; that they find a telephone booth and be their best selves in that game on that day. It’s all possible. It’s just not likely. No matter what happens this season, I know we need another scorer to win a championship. Short of an acquisition/trade, we’re just wishing and praying. This time, the league’s best record won’t fool me. Beating Miami in 3 straight games won’t mean jack. The only way we win is for Rose to be Rose and Noah, Jimmy, Taj, Lu, etc. be someone else. Because if they’re their regular selves, it’s over.
Joseph Hollis
It seems every time Stern's beloved cash cow the Heat needs a big win, Joey Crawford is the head official. Opening night he showed once again how the officiating can completely take over a game and dismantle all hopes of a fair contest for the victimized team. Yes, the Bulls were outplayed, but not until Deng and Butler had to hit the bench on phantom foul calls, while the Heat mauled and hacked at Rose and Boozer. I'm losing interest in the NBA and sports in general with the manipulated outcomes, closed door draft lotteries, performance enhancing drugs, glamorizing, collusion, etc. What the hell ever happened to the joy of competition?
Bill Marzano
Could you get the word to acquire Shannon Brown, we need a bench, get these kind of caliber players while they are available… we need a another big body player, or this ship gone sink when the playoffs come, because the starting 5 will be beyond wore out.
Ashley Griff
Dunleavy clearly couldn’t contain James/Wade. Marco seemed to do a better job against the big 2. Or is my memory fuzzy from too many Margaritas at AA Arena? Was that signing a mistake as its easier to get into foul trouble against the Heat?
Jeff Lichtenstein
I know it is only the first game but it only showed the Bulls need a second superstar. My question to you is are the Bulls all in this year, if they are do you think they would make a trade to get a second superstar, using pieces of deng and the 2016 bobcats draft pick or maybe boozer and the bobcat draft pick, and our first this year for love. They get a power forward and 2 picks for a superstar to pair with rose?
Dan Crohns
Did you notice in the first quarter the refs called Miami for a couple travels that were really not that bad? This really irritated me. It was sterns pathetic attempt to make up for Game 6 of the finals. The Allen 3 in Game 6 was so obvious and blatant. The NBA is a complete joke now. We will never beat the Heat because of this. Wade and James and even Allen are allowed 1 or 2 more steps by the officials, and given more calls.
Charles Armstrong
What happened to Rose’s hang nail. I mean neck? Man I love Rose to death but his style of play hasn't changed. It will cause his body to continually break down. That play when he went to the basket against 3 heat players and ended up on the floor that's the plays he needs to stop. He will end up making Kirk look like Cal Ripken.
Mike Sutera
There are two ways to look at the opening loss to Miami with regards to Rose's sitting out last season. Maybe Rose was right, and practice is different than playoff games just like preseason is different than regular season games. If Rose came back last year, even though he looked good physically, he would not have been effective. The other way to look at it is that any one sitting out for months will need time, mentally and physically, to get back. If Rose came back last year, he would have shaken at least some of that rust off. Which do you think is a more accurate way of looking at it?
Joe Rulf
With so many teams looking to tank to get that No.1 for next year’s strong draft class. Can or has the league ever stepped in to do anything about this? Why can't the NBA step in and fine the organization for obvious tanking in games? Sure a team can flush out their roster in the chance of giving them no chance in winning but if we see games when the 76sers are up 10 against the Bulls with 2 minutes to play and then bench their starters then I'll be very very disappointed. Even faking injuries or shutting down players from playing should be judged by the NBA if they smell foul play.
Andrew Brown
With the new collective bargaining agreement, which has punitive restrictions for going over the cap, the era of big threes and big spending seem over. The Thunder traded Harden, Bosh likely leaves after the year, even the Lakers excess is being reeled in. There seems like there are two ways to go with new collective bargaining, one star with good solid pieces (Dallas, Pacers, Knicks, Golden State) or two superstars with complementary pieces (Thunder, Clippers, Brooklyn before they broke the bank). Which would you prefer if we can't keep Deng? Go with Rose, Jimmy, Snell?, Taj, Noah or leverage the assets and go for an unhappy star, Aldridge, Love, Horford? I have no idea.
Jantzen Suan
Since the Bulls don't have great offensive weapons, has the team ever considered hiring an offensive guru as a bench coach? If Miami continues to double team Derrick we could use someone who could design some plays to free him up.
Anthony Leggett
Marcus Camby was waived by the Houston Rockets, do you think the Bulls would try to pick him up? He would be a good back up behind Noah and Nazr?
Bruce dela cruz
I know you get millions of these, so I'll cut to the chase: hypothetically, if the Bulls were to move Lu after the season, would a sign-and-trade to a team be a feasible option?
Ed Duckworth
Most tend to think that with Derrick winning MVP, he should have a fairly good chance on getting into the HOF. My question is, if our team can get a ring or two, what about Noah? With 2 NCAA rings, a NBA ring and a possible DPOY in the future, could he nudge himself in there?
Julian Hayes