Hoops4theSoul

Oct

31

Chicago Bulls vs New Jersey Nets: Game One, Post-Game Analysis

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Tyrus Thomas and the Bulls Should Have Beaten the New Jersey Nets and the Refs TonightNew Jersey Nets 112, Chicago Bulls 103 OT

If this game tonight wasn’t a microcosm of the Chicago Bulls’ recent struggles against the New Jersey Nets in East Rutherford and the team’s overall problems in closing games with this core, then what is?

by Chris Maynard, chris@hoops4thesoul.com



Oct

12

NBA Rookie Showdown: Nick Fazekas versus Aaron Gray

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Aaron Gray Has Looked Good Thus Far for the Chicago BullsHe entered late in the first quarter, making the collective stomach of Bulls fans drop upon sight. Back in the 2001 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls selected current Dallas Maverick Trenton Hassell with the first pick of the second round and Gilbert Arenas still available. The Golden State Warriors would naturally pick Arenas immediately after the Bulls, with then-ESPN commentator and current Louisville Head Basketball Coach Rick Pitino saying that Arenas had the chance to be one of those real special players drafted in the second round.

Pitino would prove to be a profit as Arenas would go on to be one of the most dynamic scorers and personalities in the league after tearing it up in two seasons at the University of Arizona. Hassell would essentially become a journeyman, bouncing from Chicago to the Minnesota Timberwolves to now the Mavericks in his seventh NBA season. Once again, Chicago General Manager Jerry Krause tried to find a diamond in the rough; in trying to be smarter than he was, Krause passed up on one of the best players in the game.

And then there was tonight’s game.

by Chris Maynard, chris@hoops4thesoul.com



Oct

9

NBA Rookie Showdown: Joakim Noah versus Yi Jianlian

Filed Under Analysis, Previews & Reviews, NBA, Chicago Bulls | Leave a Comment

Joakim Noah and Yi Jianlian Made Their Pro Debuts for the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks While the Milwaukee Bucks may have beaten the Chicago Bulls 93-88 tonight largely on a fourth quarter effort by second-stringers playing against mostly guys who won’t be in the league in a month, the game was very revealing in terms of both teams’ top draft choices. Chicago rookie Joakim Noah played a solid game, scoring six points in 23 minutes, while Bucks rookie Yi Jianlian notched three points and six fouls in 15 ineffective minutes.

For Yi, the adjustment to the NBA may take a full season, perhaps like the player he has been compared to, Dirk Nowitzki, who struggled in his first season in the league.

All in all, Noah was very energetic and heady, his trademarks at the University of Florida. While Noah is not going to be a big-time scorer, he does all the little things that Chicago fans will come to appreciate.

by Chris Maynard, chris@hoops4thesoul.com



Jul

4

2007 NBA Free Agency Sputters into Gear

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Rashard Lewis is Heading to the Orlando Magic/NBAE via Getty Images
Two of the bigger names in this weak free agent class have signed. Talented forward Rashard Lewis is leaving the Seattle SuperSonics to head to the Orlando Magic while point guard Chauncey Billups will remain with the Detroit Pistons. In other news, the Toronto Raptors have reached a verbal agreement with three-point shooter Jason Kapono in what’s rumored to be a 4-year deal worth $24 million (Yikes! Kapono is going to make six million dollars next year; talk about overpaying for a one-dimensional player). P.J. Carlesimo is also expected to be named the new head coach of the young and exciting SuperSonics. Carlesimo has been an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs and last coached in the NBA at Golden State, where he was infamously choked by Latrell Sprewell.



Jul

3

2007 NBA DRAFT GRADES: PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS GET AN A+

Filed Under Draft Dodgers, Analysis, NBA | Leave a Comment

IN ADDITION TO THE SMART PICK IN GREG ODEN, THE BLAZERS LOADED UP IN THE SECOND ROUND
I know this is a couple of days late, grading the NBA draft and all, but I wanted to let it digest before I made any rash comments. Some 96 hours later, I’ve got […]



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