ISH's FIVE QUESTIONS: Chicago Bulls Edition

[QUOTE=bagelred]
[B]1. TRUE or FALSE: Joakim Noah is more important to the Bulls success than Derrick Rose.

2. TRUE or FALSE: Jimmy Butler is THAT good.

3. TRUE or FALSE: Despite Thibodeau's defensive genius, Bulls need to improve their offensive creativity.

4. AGREE or DISAGREE: More Taj Gibson, Less Carlos Boozer.

5. The one "X Factor" that can catapult the Bulls over the top East competitors is:

[/B]

You can elaborate on your answers. :D

Next up: [COLOR="DarkRed"]Cleveland Cavaliers[/COLOR]. Have a Five Question suggestion for the Cavaliers? Send me a PM with ideas.

:banana:[/QUOTE]



1) I'm going to say yes, Noah is more valuable than Rose, but only because of the layout of the depth, and the way the team plays. It's by no means a case that Noah is a better player than Rose in a vacuum. The front line depth on this team is a problem. The Tony Snell pick I understand, because he fits the mold of a Thibs player. He's basically another swing at Jimmy Butler. But when I wrote my mock draft, I had them choosing between Olynek and Dieng (of which I believe I wrote I'd take Olynek for the variation, and thought they'd go Dieng because he so fit their culture). Now I don't recollect off the top of my head how the draft fell, but I know there were lots of bigs, and I thought they'd be chasing one. Injuries or not, this is a team that played Nazr Mohammad significant minutes in the playoffs.
The offense is limited, and they Neeeed Rose more than most good teams need their star to get easy buckets for them, because they don't get them out of scheme. But defensively this team stays in almost every game, giving them a consistent punchers chance, and I think Noah is the keystone to that.

2) Jimmy Butler is THAT good. But I guess it depends on what THAT good means to you. My gut feeling is that these types of players have gone from being underrated, to being a little overrated because a nickname is being bestowed upon them. The 3-D player. Meaning shoot threes and defend. They're not the wings of 10-15 years ago when everyone was looking for extra ballhandling. As PG play has improved in the league, guys who on a playground would be "better players", guys with wider skillsets, have started to slip backwards to guys with more focused skillsets. Just D up, knock down open looks, and run with my guys. Why pay for more than that if you're not going to use it. Snell is certainly being groomed the same way. While Deng, a much more complete player, is almost certainly on his way out the door (albeit mainly for money reasons).

3) I absolutely agree that this team has to become more pliable offensively, and I actually think they will. Part is because they didn't have Rose so long last year, we saw some other options. Butler obviously broke out. Deng had a monster first half of the season. Boozer is limited, but he is a good option offensively on the block. I also am curious to see what they do with Dunleavy, who's not what he was, but does provide some ball handling that may let Rose play without the ball some.

4) I'd love to say yes to more Taj, but unfortunately due to the lack of offensive options on this team, Boozer's post game and mid range jumper are simply too hard to take off the floor. Now he doesn't fit this teams identity, and Taj does, but Taj to me fits better behind both guys. Meaning Less Nazr Mohommad. Which is good.

5) I'm gonna say Deng. It's a contract year, and the guy is almost never 100% by the end of the year. He blew his game out some without Rose around first half last year, and if he can maintain that with Rose around, this team becomes a lot better offensively.

1. false

2. true

3. false

4. true

5. no injuries

1. TRUE or FALSE: Joakim Noah is more important to the Bulls success than Derrick Rose.

Tralse. They both need each other.

2. TRUE or FALSE: Jimmy Butler is THAT good.

False. Just another case of a player getting overhyped because he played good against Lebron.

3. TRUE or FALSE: Despite Thibodeau's defensive genius, Bulls need to improve their offensive creativity.

True.

4. AGREE or DISAGREE: More Taj Gibson, Less Carlos Boozer.

Disagree. The Bulls are already lacking in offensive firepower. They can afford to feature Boozer for the extra offense. They can't afford to feature Gibson for the extra defense he provides.

5. The one "X Factor" that can catapult the Bulls over the top East competitors is:

another CONSISTENT scoring option aside from Derrick Rose. Boozer is too inconsistent.

[QUOTE=MTing]1. TRUE or FALSE: Joakim Noah is more important to the Bulls success than Derrick Rose.
False. D-Rose is their MVP. While Joakim is a pretty important part of their team, D-Rose is the guy thats going to have the ball in his hands in the 4th quarter and making all the plays.

2. TRUE or FALSE: Jimmy Butler is THAT good.
False, I don't think he'll be an allstar or anything but he's the perfect role player. He stepped up big last season and hurt my Nets pretty bad in the playoffs. He'll be even better when Rose comes back and all the defense focuses on him.

3. TRUE or FALSE: Despite Thibodeau's defensive genius, Bulls need to improve their offensive creativity.
True, I think if they want to take the next step and beat Miami, they have to improve their offense.


4. AGREE or DISAGREE: More Taj Gibson, Less Carlos Boozer.
Disagree, unless Taj develops a consistent jumpshot like Boozer has, Boozer should stay starting and Taj should come off the bench for defensive matchups.

5. The one "X Factor" that can catapult the Bulls over the top East competitors is:
If Derrick Rose can find a way to score against LeBron James, the Bulls have a shot at the finals. Easier said then done though.[/QUOTE]


1. False. No way to really quantify, but I'm more confident in their chances with if they had Rose instead of Noah instead of vice-versa. They don't win a championship without either of them though.

2. True. Assuming THAT GOOD means starter on a championship team that can give the elite players fits defensively and is capable of having a 20-25 point game and hitting big shots. If its all-star then that remains to be seen.

3. True. Obvious.

4. Agree. With Rose back, I think Gibson is more valuable. Boozer usually is a letdown in the playoffs anyway.

5. Taj Gibson. If he can improve his offense and handle more minutes, and make Boozer more expendable in the process, it would be huge. We already know what we will get from Rose, Noah, Deng, and Boozer.

[B]1. TRUE or FALSE: Joakim Noah is more important to the Bulls success than Derrick Rose.
FALSE
2. TRUE or FALSE: Jimmy Butler is THAT good.
FALSE:lol
3. TRUE or FALSE: Despite Thibodeau's defensive genius, Bulls need to improve their offensive creativity.
TRUE
4. AGREE or DISAGREE: More Taj Gibson, Less Carlos Boozer.
less boozer.
5. The one "X Factor" that can catapult the Bulls over the top East competitors is:
maybe hinrich but it wont happen:oldlol:
[/B]

[B]1. TRUE or FALSE: Joakim Noah is more important to the Bulls success than Derrick Rose.[/B]

I think it depends on how you define success for the Bulls. As we saw, Noah can lead them to a top 4ish spot in the east and some success through defense and rebounding but they flat out can't contend without Rose. The Bulls have a big advantage in the regular season with their tight defense and focused effort thanks to Thib but that advantage shrinks in the playoffs. They need a guy like Rose who can create easy shots in the playoffs. The Bulls were basically just a good defensive team who shot a lot of jumpers last year.

[B]2. TRUE or FALSE: Jimmy Butler is THAT good.[/B]

I'm a big fan of his mostly because of his history of self improvemnt. As an underclassman at Marquette I like him much but he really recreated himself as a player by his senior year. That improvement has continued in the NBA. I think he will be an important piece for winning games but never an all-star.

[B]3. TRUE or FALSE: Despite Thibodeau's defensive genius, Bulls need to improve their offensive creativity.[/B]

I think this is true. Rose will boost their offensive versatility by simply playing but they could certainly benefit from a more creative mindset. I would look to involve Noah more offensive because he is such a good passer out of the post.

[B]4. AGREE or DISAGREE: More Taj Gibson, Less Carlos Boozer.[/B]

Disagree. I think Gibson should play more based on time and situation but the Bulls need Boozer's more gifted offensive skill set on the court. Gibson is in the role that he is best fit for already.

[B]5. The one "X Factor" that can catapult the Bulls over the top East competitors is:[/B]

I think it is probably Marquis Teague simply because he is an unknown quantity. If he takes a leap in his development and becomes a back-up PG that can play aggressive enough to pressure the defense, then I think the Bulls are a much more dangerous team. The Bulls need to be able to score without Rose on the court.

[QUOTE=bagelred]
Today's team?

[COLOR="Red"]THE CHICAGO BULLS

PG - Rose/Hinrich/Teague
SG - Butler/Dunleavy
SF - Deng/Snell/Thomas
PF - Boozer/Gibson/Murphy
C - Noah/Mohammed

Head Coach - Tom Thibodeau
General Manager - Gar Forman[/COLOR]




[B]1. TRUE or FALSE: Joakim Noah is more important to the Bulls success than Derrick Rose.[/quote]
The Bulls won their most games when Noah missed a lot of games and had his worse year in recent memory. They went their farthest in the playoffs when he had his worse playoffs. He was 8 and 10 and getting benched in the 4th quarters for bad play. I love him but he isn't a franchise player yet - he is consistently a very good player. which is critical for a lot wins. Rose, when healthy broke down more defenses than any player playing. Right now there might be only three or four players that do that consistently in the league, but none at the level of Rose.

[quote]
2. TRUE or FALSE: Jimmy Butler is THAT good. [/quote]
One year is never good enough to evaluate a player (see Lin). You don't know until the scouting report goes gung ho at a player. With that said, yeah he's a player.
[quote]
3. TRUE or FALSE: Despite Thibodeau's defensive genius, Bulls need to improve their offensive creativity. [/quote]
They ran plays last year but only excelled when Nate Robinson dropped the play book in the playoffs. So they still need to develop offensively.
[quote]
4. AGREE or DISAGREE: More Taj Gibson, Less Carlos Boozer. [/quote]
Yes. Taj is more versatile and uses his height better. Better defender and just as creative offensively as Booze. Not as skilled yet but can attain that level.
[quote]
5. The one "X Factor" that can catapult the Bulls over the top East competitors is:
[/QUOTE]
If Jimmy Butler improves and becomes a legit second option the Bulls can win it all with a healthy Rose.

[QUOTE=Jailblazers7][B]1. TRUE or FALSE: Joakim Noah is more important to the Bulls success than Derrick Rose.[/B]

I think it depends on how you define success for the Bulls. As we saw, Noah can lead them to a top 4ish spot in the east and some success through defense and rebounding but they flat out can't contend without Rose. The Bulls have a big advantage in the regular season with their tight defense and focused effort thanks to Thib but that advantage shrinks in the playoffs. They need a guy like Rose who can create easy shots in the playoffs. The Bulls were basically just a good defensive team who shot a lot of jumpers last year.

[B]2. TRUE or FALSE: Jimmy Butler is THAT good.[/B]

I'm a big fan of his mostly because of his history of self improvemnt. As an underclassman at Marquette I like him much but he really recreated himself as a player by his senior year. That improvement has continued in the NBA. I think he will be an important piece for winning games but never an all-star.

[B]3. TRUE or FALSE: Despite Thibodeau's defensive genius, Bulls need to improve their offensive creativity.[/B]

I think this is true. Rose will boost their offensive versatility by simply playing but they could certainly benefit from a more creative mindset. I would look to involve Noah more offensive because he is such a good passer out of the post.

[B]4. AGREE or DISAGREE: More Taj Gibson, Less Carlos Boozer.[/B]

Disagree. I think Gibson should play more based on time and situation but the Bulls need Boozer's more gifted offensive skill set on the court. Gibson is in the role that he is best fit for already.

[B]5. The one "X Factor" that can catapult the Bulls over the top East competitors is:[/B]

I think it is probably Marquis Teague simply because he is an unknown quantity. If he takes a leap in his development and becomes a back-up PG that can play aggressive enough to pressure the defense, then I think the Bulls are a much more dangerous team. The Bulls need to be able to score without Rose on the court.[/QUOTE]


Couldn't have said it better myself.

[B]1. TRUE or FALSE: Joakim Noah is more important to the Bulls success than Derrick Rose.[/B]

False. As someone that has argued they should've kept Osik and moved Noah, I can't not say Rose. To have any chance at beating Indy or Miami, Derrick Rose has to be a top 3-5 player in the league. They won't win without Noah either, but if Rose isn't the missing piece, nothing is.

[B]2. TRUE or FALSE: Jimmy Butler is THAT good.[/B]

False. He did a remarkable job on LeBron in the playoffs, but Jimmy Butler also averaged just under 9 points a game last year. He upped that to 13 during the playoffs, but I still need to see a little more until I go THAT far.

[B]3. TRUE or FALSE: Despite Thibodeau's defensive genius, Bulls need to improve their offensive creativity.[/B]

True. Miami has had their number for that very reason. For as great of a defense as Chicago plays, it always seems like it's Miami's defense that is the story when the two teams meet in the playoffs. Always feel a little too easy to stop.

[B]4. AGREE or DISAGREE: More Taj Gibson, Less Carlos Boozer.[/B]

Disagree. Gibson already plays about 20-25 minutes a night. That's about right. Honestly, the Bulls need to upgrade the position all together, but that's another question.

[B]5. The one "X Factor" that can catapult the Bulls over the top East competitors is:[/B]

Jimmy Butler. If Butler can make threes and guard LeBron as well as he did last year, Chicago will have a great shot. You need five guys that can hurt you to beat Miami. For the first time, the Bulls might have a shot at that with Butler.