Chicago Bulls Players Making the Strongest Case for More Minutes

 Chicago  No Responses »
Dec 072012
 

The 2012-13 Chicago Bulls have different chemistry than the past couple seasons, and as a result, it’s taking time to evaluate which members should carry the bulk of the minutes.

In recent games, certain players have been specifically making their case to log more minutes. They’ve done this through through eye-opening performances as well as showing increased comfort with their teammates.

The rotation for the Bulls is always subject to change on a given night. Coach Tom Thibodeau is not afraid to bench his starters if the bench players are in a groove.

Bulls fans have witnessed this plenty of times when it comes to Taj Gibson and Carlos Boozer. Gibson, a bench player, often plays the majority of the fourth quarter while Boozer cheers from the sidelines.

With this in view, which players should steadily begin to receive more playing time? Which players are impressing Coach Thibs and will likely become integral members of this Bulls squad?

Here we unpack these players and how they have much to be eager about as the season progresses.

*Stats used in this slideshow were as of December 6, 2012.

Begin Slideshow

Go to Source

5 Reasons Chicago Bulls Are Struggling Without Derrick Rose

 Chicago  No Responses »
Dec 072012
 

The start to the 2012-2013 NBA season continues to drag on for the Chicago Bulls, who are trying to remain relevant and patient as their star guard, Derrick Rose, continues on his road to recovery.

Without Rose, the Bulls have fallen from an Eastern Conference powerhouse to a middle-of-the-pack team, desperately trying to maintain its reputation. 

At times, Chicago has looked about as good ever, playing tough defense and winning games. More often, however, we have seen a team that is struggling without its star and being left only to wait for his body to heal.

Let’s take an in-depth look at what exactly the Bulls are struggling with during Derrick Rose’s absence.

Begin Slideshow

Go to Source

Ranking the Chicago Bulls’ 10 Best Highlights of the 2012-13 Season to Date

 Chicago  No Responses »
Dec 062012
 

Even though the exciting Derrick Rose hasn’t played a game yet this season (ACL injury), the Chicago Bulls have still come up with a ton of “can’t-miss” highlights thus far. 

Chicago’s roster consists of several players who possess the ability to bring the United Center to their feet.

Whether it’s a tip-in dunk, an alley-oop or a skillful post move, the Bulls know how to get it done.

Here are the team’s top 10 highlights of the young 2012-13 campaign.

Begin Slideshow

Go to Source

5 Things NBA Fans Can’t Wait to See When Derrick Rose Returns

 Chicago  No Responses »
Dec 062012
 

The return of former MVP Derrick Rose to the Chicago Bulls lineup for the regular season continues to inch its way closer.

Although still lacking a time frame, the star point guard could be “weeks away” from a return to the NBA hardwood (according to what an NBA source told Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times). And the impact of his impending return will stretch well beyond Chicago’s city limits. 

Rose is a gift to basketball fans around the globe. He plays the game with one goal in mind: putting his team in the best position to win. No matter the physical toll it takes on his body. Or the mental and emotional fatigue that comes with leading an NBA franchise.

Basketball means the world to Rose. It’s not an avenue to fame or fortunes for the former Memphis star. Those are simply the game’s recognition for his nightly contributions.

It’s rare to find a player with his combination of skill and athleticism. It’s nearly impossible to find a player who combines those talents with the desire to win at all costs.

All statistics used in this article are accurate as of 12/4/2012.

Begin Slideshow

Go to Source

Who Is Most to Blame for Toronto Raptors’ Slow Start?

 Toronto  No Responses »
Dec 052012
 

The Toronto Raptors have begun the NBA season with a very familiar 4-14 start, and it is time to start the blame game. The Raptors at the start of this season were talking about contending for a playoff spot. They look more like a contender to win the NBA lottery at this point.

In order to have a draft pick at all, that is what they will have to do because if they do not land in the top three, their pick now belongs to the Oklahoma City Thunder. This is a result of the Kyle Lowry trade and Houston using that pick as part of the package to acquire James Harden.

The Raptors could also make the playoffs and retain their first-round pick, but that is rapidly looking like an unrealistic goal.

Fans face another season where while not mathematically eliminated, Toronto seems destined to be virtually eliminated by the end of the calendar year. This is when the idea of who to blame becomes the focus. So why wait? Let’s get a jump on things and break down who is most to blame for the Raptors’ woes.

Some obvious candidates are Bryan Colangelo, Andrea Bargnani and maybe even Dwane Casey. We will try to make the case for reasons to blame them and maybe a few others along the way. 

Who we won’t blame is the Raptors fans that once again have been promised more than they are getting from their basketball team. On some level, long-time fans of this franchise have become far too accustomed to these broken promises over the years.

Begin Slideshow

Go to Source

7 Reasons Philadelphia 76ers Defense Is so Tough to Crack

 Philadelphia  No Responses »
Dec 052012
 

Getting defensive stops and holding opponents to low shooting numbers must be high on the priority list for the 76ers” target=”_blank”>Philadelphia 76ers, because their defense is tough to crack.

Do they have their games where they give up a lot of points?

Of course they do, but every team will have some of those on their schedule. The important part is for that to not become a regular trend.

Philly currently allows 93.9 points per game, good enough for seventh in the NBA. That number is higher than last year’s unbelievable 89.4 points per game, but there is still a lot of basketball to be played.

They might not be doing as well as last season, but they are still a dominant defense when playing how they should.

Here’s a look at seven reasons for why the Sixers defense is so tough to crack.

All statistics in this article are accurate as of games played through Dec. 3.

Begin Slideshow

Go to Source

Philadelphia 76ers Stock Watch: Rising and Falling Players After First Month

 Philadelphia  No Responses »
Dec 052012
 

As the Philadelphia 76ers‘ have opened the season on their own high and lows collectively, each player has gone through their own trends as well. Through the first month of the season, some players have raised and some players have lowered their stock value.

However, understand that not everyone can be classified as rising or falling because most players have been doing as expected. It is the ones that either under or overachieve that can be considered as such.

Basically, if a player’s stock value has changed, then they make the list. If the player’s value has not changed, then he will not be on the list. Simple as that.

While the Sixers always look to develop chemistry and complement one another, each player individually maintains their own agenda. Let’s get started…

Begin Slideshow

Go to Source

Preaching Panic or Patience with Aging Boston Celtics

 Boston  No Responses »
Dec 042012
 

The Boston Celtics‘ sluggish start has resulted in a 9-8 start, but the coaching staff does not appear concerned. In a report by Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com, assistant coach Armond Hill declares that the team is “looking good” after performing well in two games without star point guard Rajon Rondo, and the team’s seemingly bright future is discussed.

Even though the season is just a month old, the Celtics can do anything but coast and expect to make the playoffs as they have in years past. The Eastern Conference landscape has changed, and aging Boston is far from the championship-winning squad they were in 2008. Still, the coaching staff remains patient even as the team prepares to play most of December on the road.

Boston can agree to be patient in certain regards, particularly the slow start of star scorer Paul Pierce, but must show more urgency in addressing the team’s weak interior defense. No matter how optimistic the coaching staff is, there are some issues that are not going to go away simply because team management wishes it so. The fact is that the Boston Celtics have real flaws this year, and they must be addressed one by one.

Begin Slideshow

Go to Source

Chicago Bulls Stock Watch: Rising and Falling Players After the First Month

 Chicago  No Responses »
Dec 042012
 

Although the Chicago Bulls have played just 15 games, it’s not too early to look at whose stock is falling and whose is rising.

While some members of the Bulls have looked great this season, others have looked, well, not so great.

Luol Deng has been “The Man” in the Windy City so far, while Nazr Mohammed is yet to impress anyone.

This slideshow will cover three players whose stock is rising as well as three players whose stock is falling after the first month of the season.

 

Statistics used in this article are accurate as of 12/3/12 .

Begin Slideshow

Go to Source

Not-so-Obvious Lessons Rajon Rondo Must Take Away from Suspension

 Boston  No Responses »
Dec 042012
 

Rajon Rondo returns from his two-game suspension tomorrow, when his Boston Celtics face the Minnesota Timberwolves at home. Boston went 1-1 in the dynamic point guard’s absence, and his unselfish play will be a welcome return to the lineup.

However, the last thing Rondo can do is come back and have the hothead attitude that got him in trouble to begin with.

If anything, Rondo’s time away from the team should have served as an eye-opener for him. The Celtics played fairly well without him, but their flaws were also exposed.

The fact is that Rondo’s suspension should have served as a wake-up call for him. These were not just two games in which he did not play, but ones that could have hurt the already-struggling Celtics.

If the star point guard can take away a few pointers from his suspension and use them to become a better player, going forward, then he’ll be able to further increase his value, and not make team management worry about his attitude getting him in more trouble.

Begin Slideshow

Go to Source

 Older Entries