49 points in the 4th quarter...Is this the Bulls?

[poido123]

Crazy game.


Kind of game that should strike fear into James and the Cavs.



Are the Bulls still a poor offensive team of the past? Or do they have enough now.



Thoughts.

[Dengness9]

It all comes down to health.

Nights like tonight are great and show the scary talent level of the Bulls, but it means nothing if Chicago doesn't make it to the postseason intact.

Jimmy Butler playing at MVPesque levels for the Bulls certainly is becoming a big problem for the rest of the East.

[poido123]

It all comes down to health.

Nights like tonight are great and show the scary talent level of the Bulls, but it means nothing if Chicago doesn't make it to the postseason intact.

Jimmy Butler playing at MVPesque levels for the Bulls certainly is becoming a big problem for the rest of the East.


I'm still amazed at Jimmy's incredible jump offensively.

when we look back on the year, it could come down to this one major improvement.

[bdreason]

Bulls + Jimmy Jordaaa err I mean Jimmy Butler.

[J Shuttlesworth]

Cavs have been pretty good offensively all season long, and they're just getting started. Not really too concerned about Bulls offensive improvement considering it's come a the expense of their defense declining. Coincidentally, Cavs and Bulls are giving up approximately the same PPG on defense. I don't really see the Bulls as a bigger threat to the Cavs than the Raptors, or Hawks. Bulls, Wiz, Raptors and Hawks all have about an equal shot to beat the Cavs, and it's a pretty good shot unless Cavs can pick their D up

[Clocian-IGN]

We are 7th in offense so far. We have a lot of weapons this year in rose, butler, Pau, mirotic, brooks, and taj who can all go off.

[poido123]

Cavs have been pretty good offensively all season long, and they're just getting started. Not really too concerned about Bulls offensive improvement considering it's come a the expense of their defense declining. Coincidentally, Cavs and Bulls are giving up approximately the same PPG on defense. I don't really see the Bulls as a bigger threat to the Cavs than the Raptors, or Hawks. Bulls, Wiz, Raptors and Hawks all have about an equal shot to beat the Cavs, and it's a pretty good shot unless Cavs can pick their D up



Defense declining?

Sure, if we are talking about regular season stats and inconsistency. The Bulls have good to very good defensive players who can turn it up in the playoffs.

Cavs? LOL They have no interior defense and two above average defenders.

The Bulls inconsistency can be attributed to players in out of the lineup with injury and may be a little out of sync with the team defensive schemes. Noah is starting to come on defensively, Gasol has been inconsistent but better than Boozer was.


I'm guessing you haven't watched many Bulls games this year.

[chazzy]

Coincidentally, Cavs and Bulls are giving up approximately the same PPG on defense.
That ESPN color commentary analysis. 10th vs 21st defense

[Legends66NBA7]

Striking fear off a December game is some huge exaggeration.

[poido123]

Striking fear off a December game is some huge exaggeration.


What, you don't believe that Lebron isn't looking at his competition over his shoulder?

You better believe he does.

[poido123]

Cavs have been pretty good offensively all season long, and they're just getting started. Not really too concerned about Bulls offensive improvement considering it's come a the expense of their defense declining. Coincidentally, Cavs and Bulls are giving up approximately the same PPG on defense. I don't really see the Bulls as a bigger threat to the Cavs than the Raptors, or Hawks. Bulls, Wiz, Raptors and Hawks all have about an equal shot to beat the Cavs, and it's a pretty good shot unless Cavs can pick their D up



Cavs upside is so overstated.

Unless they are adding a rim protector, they aren't going anywhere this year or as long as it takes them to get one.


People just assume the Bulls are what they are now. Butler and Rose haven't played all that much together and rookie Mirotic needs time but the group as a whole is getting better and better offensively, better passing etc.

Not worried about defense with this team. Our defense is anchored by the reigning defensive player of the year, and a top 3 perimeter defender in the game.

[RRR3]

What, you don't believe that Lebron isn't looking at his competition over his shoulder?

You better believe he does.
LeBron is probably more worried about his own team underachieving and being inconsistent than anything else. He won't be "looking over his shoulder" at teams who are doing better than his team. This might change if Cavs start to click but right now he should concern himself with his team alone. Like j shuttlesworth said, a lot of east teams look like they could take out the cavs atm

[Mr Feeny]

Crazy game.


Kind of game that should strike fear into James and the Cavs.



Are the Bulls still a poor offensive team of the past? Or do they have enough now.



Thoughts.

Great quarter, buy I'm not sure what you're trying to do bringing Lebron into this. I doubt that James fears a team who's leader he held to 10%fg on isolations, in his best year.

[ThatCoolKid]

Bulls are auditioning to be King James's rival again. Cute.

[Mr Feeny]

Bulls are auditioning to be King James's rival again. Cute.

Encore coming up. King James vs Derrick Rose:applause:

[nba_55]

It's unbelievable how scared you are of the Cavs and Lebron, they are 5th seed, calm down, INSECURE GONNA INSECURE!

[wally_world]

I think Pau's presence is massively underrated. The attention he gets and playmaking in the low and high post has opened up so much for the Bull's offense. Kinda like Noah's playmaking, but being a threat to score as well.

[All Net]

I

[Dengness9]

Cavs have been pretty good offensively all season long, and they're just getting started. Not really too concerned about Bulls offensive improvement considering it's come a the expense of their defense declining. Coincidentally, Cavs and Bulls are giving up approximately the same PPG on defense. I don't really see the Bulls as a bigger threat to the Cavs than the Raptors, or Hawks. Bulls, Wiz, Raptors and Hawks all have about an equal shot to beat the Cavs, and it's a pretty good shot unless Cavs can pick their D up


Don't see them as a bigger threat than the Hawks or Raps?

You are such a fanboy/shitty poster. Go choke on a D on Xmas day and fall asleep in a pile of snow forever please.

Go Heat right? Errrrr Cavs? Bandwagoner, i remember now.

[J Shuttlesworth]

Defense declining?

Sure, if we are talking about regular season stats and inconsistency. The Bulls have good to very good defensive players who can turn it up in the playoffs.

Cavs? LOL They have no interior defense and two above average defenders.

The Bulls inconsistency can be attributed to players in out of the lineup with injury and may be a little out of sync with the team defensive schemes. Noah is starting to come on defensively, Gasol has been inconsistent but better than Boozer was.


I'm guessing you haven't watched many Bulls games this year.
Yeah I'm just surprised to see Bulls giving up so many points. They consistently have been near the top of the league in defense, but it doesn't seem to be the case this year. I'm not saying they can't pick it up, but potentially, Hawks, Raps, and Wiz could all beat the Bulls if their defense isn't top notch, and so could the Cavs.

And meh, the Bulls pretty much always have players in and out of the lineup due to injury. It's ****ing Thibs. Most likely there will be players unhealthy come playoff time.

[J Shuttlesworth]

Cavs upside is so overstated.

Unless they are adding a rim protector, they aren't going anywhere this year or as long as it takes them to get one.


People just assume the Bulls are what they are now. Butler and Rose haven't played all that much together and rookie Mirotic needs time but the group as a whole is getting better and better offensively, better passing etc.

Not worried about defense with this team. Our defense is anchored by the reigning defensive player of the year, and a top 3 perimeter defender in the game.
To be fair, nobody in the east is going anywhere this year but the finals at best. The West contender is going to spank the East because the East doesn't have a single team that's super polished.

Sure the Bulls might not be playing up to potential because of chemistry issues, but the Cavs team is also working on serious chemistry issues, especially defensively. We've seen them be able to have stretches where they look average defensively, and that's all they'd need if their offense is clicking. I've seen Cavs win numerous games even with one of the big 3 playing poorly. It's because they have that much offensive firepower, and it should only get better come playoff time. I'm not sure if they are making moves before the trade deadline to try and seal a rim protector, but it could be the difference from them being actual contenders vs. an ECF or finals team at best.

[nba_55]

To be fair, nobody in the east is going anywhere this year but the finals at best. The West contender is going to spank the East because the East doesn't have a single team that's super polished.

Sure the Bulls might not be playing up to potential because of chemistry issues, but the Cavs team is also working on serious chemistry issues, especially defensively. We've seen them be able to have stretches where they look average defensively, and that's all they'd need if their offense is clicking. I've seen Cavs win numerous games even with one of the big 3 playing poorly. It's because they have that much offensive firepower, and it should only get better come playoff time. I'm not sure if they are making moves before the trade deadline to try and seal a rim protector, but it could be the difference from them being actual contenders vs. an ECF or finals team at best.

I could see the Bulls winning the championship if they are healthy, they have all the pieces, many are underrating the EC teams. It's like 2012 again when everyone was saying the real finals was the WCF.

[kshutts1]

To be fair, nobody in the east is going anywhere this year but the finals at best. The West contender is going to spank the East because the East doesn't have a single team that's super polished.

Sure the Bulls might not be playing up to potential because of chemistry issues, but the Cavs team is also working on serious chemistry issues, especially defensively. We've seen them be able to have stretches where they look average defensively, and that's all they'd need if their offense is clicking. I've seen Cavs win numerous games even with one of the big 3 playing poorly. It's because they have that much offensive firepower, and it should only get better come playoff time. I'm not sure if they are making moves before the trade deadline to try and seal a rim protector, but it could be the difference from them being actual contenders vs. an ECF or finals team at best.
Who are the super polished Western teams?

The top teams in the East can play with whoever comes out of the West. IMO, the West is not stronger up top, but rather just ridiculously deep. 10th seed out west might be a 4-5 seed in the East, but the top teams in both conferences are pretty similar.

[Pointguard]

Defense declining?

Sure, if we are talking about regular season stats and inconsistency. The Bulls have good to very good defensive players who can turn it up in the playoffs.

Cavs? LOL They have no interior defense and two above average defenders.

The Bulls inconsistency can be attributed to players in out of the lineup with injury and may be a little out of sync with the team defensive schemes. Noah is starting to come on defensively, Gasol has been inconsistent but better than Boozer was.


I'm guessing you haven't watched many Bulls games this year.

Mirotic and Gasol's passing games will be much better come March. They really are learning what they can do with their teammates. It takes about a 100 games and practices to get that down with Noah, Butler and Rose's game. If you include benches, and both sides of the ball play, the Bulls are in the argument for the best frontcourt and the best backcourt if they get what they can out of a working offensive system.

For the first time the offense can come at opposing teams in waves. Brooks stays in attack mode as does Gibson. Teams don't know how Mirotic is going to attack - as his game uses the entire court. Mcdermott will have some games where he is going to get hot from outside. Snell is also capable of that. We never had a whole second unit capable of scoring double digits frequently.

[Legends66NBA7]

What, you don't believe that Lebron isn't looking at his competition over his shoulder?

You better believe he does.

I'm sure he is. Doesn't mean he's struck in fear.

He's isn't as accomplished as he is if that were the case.

[MavsSuperFan]

Mirotic and Gasol's passing games will be much better come March. They really are learning what they can do with their teammates. It takes about a 100 games and practices to get that down with Noah, Butler and Rose's game. If you include benches, and both sides of the ball play, the Bulls are in the argument for the best frontcourt and the best backcourt if they get what they can out of a working offensive system.

For the first time the offense can come at opposing teams in waves. Brooks stays in attack mode as does Gibson. Teams don't know how Mirotic is going to attack - as his game uses the entire court. Mcdermott will have some games where he is going to get hot from outside. Snell is also capable of that. We never had a whole second unit capable of scoring double digits frequently.
Werent you a knicks fan?

[poido123]

I'm sure he is. Doesn't mean he's struck in fear.

He's isn't as accomplished as he is if that were the case.



Normally I'd agree with this, a guy like Bird, Magic, shaq, Kobe etc would be fearless in a similar scenario, but this is Lebron we are talking about here.

Maybe he's totally over his mental breakdowns and ghost games, but I'm not convinced either.

Raptors, Bulls, Wiz, Hawks and maybe the Heat will put pressure on him to lead. If he doesn't that inexperienced Cavs team will fall in a heap.

[JohnFreeman]

Regular season champs

[poido123]

Regular season champs


What is Sacramento? :lol


JK. We need to win a title this year, so many people will eat crow that's for sure.

[TheBigVeto]

Not surprising. They got NBA FMVPau.