Nov
2
by Chris Maynard, chris@hoops4thesoul.com
The Kobe Bryant trade speculation has thankfully been put to rest for the meantime. The contracts of Ben Gordon and Luol Deng can’t be addressed until after this season. It’s time for the Chicago Bulls to focus on what matters most, playing and producing on the floor.
Chicago makes it home opener against the Philadelphia 76ers in about 30 minutes. Philadelphia visits the United Center as arguably the worst team in the Eastern Conference on paper, despite a gutty loss against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.
Tonight’s game is about the Bulls getting some better rhythm, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Chicago was a step slow in the first half of its overtime loss to New Jersey on Wednesday night and needs to come out with urgency from the opening tip.
Other key areas to look out for early in tonight’s game include:
Foul trouble – the Bulls have been in foul trouble since the preseason and need to have Kirk Hinrich on the floor;
Down-low activity – Ben Wallace only had five rebounds in 37 minutes against the Nets while Tyrus Thomas was playing way too soft when getting the ball deep in the paint. Whether affected by his alleged involvement in rumored trades for Bryant or his sore ankle, Wallace needs to pick up the pace and ignite a fire under this Bulls team. Thomas needs to look to finish strong when in the lane. In other words, stop being a finesse player and rather play like a beast;
Consistency – The Bulls played a very uneven game against New Jersey, having a rough first half, responding with a gritty third quarter and stagnating in the fourth quarter and overtime. Chicago needs to come out from the opening tip-off and look to bury the Sixers. The Bulls also need more steadiness from Andres Nocioni, Ben Gordon and Thabo Sefolosha, who all had too many mental lapses in the opener;
Rookie production – Joakim Noah was out of the opener with an ankle injury and is not playing tonight. Head Coach Scott Skiles still needs to use big man Aaron Gray, who did not see the court on Wednesday after being a pleasant surprise in the preseason. With Philadelphia having a very suspect and thin front line, Gray can be a big factor tonight; and
Joe Smith – The Bulls new big man was just one player the 76ers received from the Denver Nuggets during its trade of Allen Iverson last year. Despite being a solid player for the 76ers and coveted by the team, Smith chose to sign with a contender in Chicago.
Synopsis: If Chicago comes out with energy early and is looking to gets its home schedule off to a strong start, this game could be a blowout, despite the fact that the Bulls have lost seven of their last nine home openers.
Prediction: Chicago 97, Philadelphia 79.
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by Chris Maynard, chris@hoops4thesoul.com
