Nov
3
by Chris Maynard, chris@hoops4thesoul.com
What the buck is wrong with the Chicago Bulls? A team that many have has a contender in the Eastern Conference has looked dead in the first two games of the regular season.
While at least some of the malaise in the New Jersey game on Wednesday night could be attributed to the swirling Kobe Bryant trade speculation surrounding the team, last night’s performance at home against an inferior Philadelphia 76ers team was unacceptable by Chicago (0-2).
Sixty percent of Chicago’s starters were nonexistent last night. Luol Deng simply had one of those nights where nothing went right. As for Kirk Hinrich and Ben Wallace, some disturbing themes continued to develop.
Hinrich was passive on offense, failing to get Chicago to play with any urgency on this end. As the point guard, this is the major responsibility of Hinrich. At the other end of the floor, Hinrich really struggled against Andre Miller and was once again in foul trouble. It’s hard to understand why the Bulls view this guy as an untouchable? Hinrich still works hard on defense, but his leadership skills have not been there early this season.
As for Wallace, he looked disinterested once again, doing nothing in his time on the court. Wallace was dominated on the boards by 76ers big men Samuel Dalembert and Reggie Evans. It was as if Wallace wasn’t even jumping for rebounds. For a guy with no offensive game, Wallace has had no defensive intensity. His lack of effort has been a disgrace thus far, especially for a guy making $15 million per season, money that could certainly be better spread to the coffers for Deng and Gordon.
Chicago needs Hinrich and Wallace to be the tone setters on offense and defense, respectively. So far they haven’t even been close.
With the Milwaukee Bucks (0-2) also without a win but at home for the first time this season, Chicago better be ready to play. This is going to be tough game, even with the Bulls playing with an intense and honest effort. Failing to come out with any urgency could very well result in a loss tonight and an 0-3 start.
Head Coach Scott Skiles certainly grasps this. Do Hinrich and Wallace? And does Wallace even care anymore? Tonight’s game will provide some answers!
Chicago and Milwaukee met twice in the preseason, with both teams splitting. Here’s hoping that Chicago’s familiarity with the Bucks does not breed even more lethargy.
Share and Enjoy
These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
Related Posts
Comments
by Chris Maynard, chris@hoops4thesoul.com
Good defense by the Chicago Bulls drama boys, if only we could patch up the difference, this will be a Chicago good season. They are running, switching in defense, rebounding see those efforts. We don’t have yet the Bulls team down.
I which I could see some Bulls games live. I was looking for tickets all the good seats on ticketmaster were taken I had to check broker. And man you don’t want to do that especially for the Chicago Bulls. Thanks god there sites like Ticketwood which work as comparators here is the site
Bulls Tickets
http://www.ticketwood.com/nba/Chicago-Bulls-Tickets.php.
I like slam dunks that take me to the hoop my favorite play is the ally-hoop,
I like the pic n roll,i like the given goal its basketball yo, yo lets go!
Go Bulls Go!!!