Bulls-Hawks Series Coverage Needs More Perspective, Less “Non-Stories”

May 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I know, I know, it’s the NBA playoffs, so everything is magnified 1000 x every game, but observers of the Chicago Bulls-Atlanta Hawks series need to regain some perspective. It seems that every game, “the momentum” shifts 180 degrees to whoever just won the last game, and whether the media actually says it or not, people keep crowning the NBA champion, and then dethroning, and then re-crowning, and then dethroning, and then crowning another after each game.

I’m here to make things grounded again, put them in perspective. With some help from Luol Deng and Tom Thibodeau soundbites.

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Chicago Bulls Biggest Issue: Balanced Offense through Drive & Kick

May 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

derrick rose bulls

Knowing that the primary strength in NBA MVP Derrick Rose’s game is penetrating the lane, you the Bulls fan may watch game five yelling at the tv, telling Rose to echo Rihanna’s famous 2007 hit song:  “Shut up and Drive.”

You might point to the fact that his three point game has only really been on once (game three Friday night) in the entire playoffs so far as further proof he should just play “fast don’t lie” to the hole as much as possible.

But that’s not the answer. The key is for Rose is to lead the drive-and-kick came whenever he can, and be the greatest distributor possible.

“I want him to read the defense, so if they’re sagging into the paint, and he’s open I want him to shoot,” Bulls Coach Tom Thibodeau said.

“We want to attack better in transition, play with more pace, and in those situations, when the floor’s open he has the opportunity to drive more. He has to score a number of different ways and run the team,” Coach Thibs continued.

By Paul M. Banks

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Bulls vs. Hawks: NBA Eastern Conference Semis, Let’s Get it On!

May 2, 2011 By 1 Comment

luvabulls

Are you excited for the NBA Playoffs? Are you enthused to see your #1 seeded Chicago Bulls advance past the Indiana Pacers and meet the Atlanta Hawks in the next round? This is crunch time, the big time!

Of course, this Monday, most of us are buzzing about something else.

There was a news story of note released Sunday night. You might have seen a little blurb, a tiny snippet here and there in the media about it. And it’s much bigger and more important than basketball.

But moving back to the United Center. A series with a truly fascinating storyline: point guard battle between original mentor (Kirk Hinrich) and mentee (Derrick Rose) isn’t actually going to happen after all. And the result could prove disastrous for Atlanta.

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Atlanta Hawks Bringing Momentum into Series with Bulls

May 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

NBA Cheerleaders

The Atlanta Hawks have a lot to feel good about as they upset the Orlando Magic in the first round of the NBA playoffs and reprise their role as the underdog in a round two showdown with the Chicago Bulls.

The Hawks have to be happy with the production they got from their two shooting guards, Joe Johnson and Jamal Crawford. Crawford looked unstoppable at times as he averaged 20.5 points per game in the series—6.3 points more than his regular season average. Although he was held to just eight points in Game 5, Crawford scored 23 points or more in the first four games of the series and finished with a 19 point effort on Thursday.

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Bulls Thibodeau Named NBA Coach of the Year

May 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

tom-thibodeau

The Chicago Bulls’  Tom Thibodeau will be named the NBA’s Coach of the Year on Sunday, sources told the Chicago Tribune. A news conference with the Bulls and the NBA is set for 3:30 p.m. CT today at the Berto Center.

He’s well deserving of the award, as the Bulls had the biggest improvement in record of any team in the league. If any NBA team surpassed expectations more than the Bulls this season, it would be difficult to name that team. They added pieces this past summer, but no had them penciled in as the Eastern Conference’s #1 seed.

By Paul M. Banks

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For Chicago Bulls, what a Difference a Thibodeau Makes

April 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

tom-thibodeau

People like Chicago Bulls Coach Tom Thibodeau are a rare breed. Have you ever met anyone who literally made their trade their ENTIRE life? Without exaggeration, their life is actually 100% all vocation; and they choose to have zero personal life.

Thibodeau is one of the people. Basketball is his work/life, he has no distractions of a family, dating etc. (Consumer advocate Ralph Nader is the only other celebrity I can think of also fitting this bill, but I’m sure there are plenty of others).

Bulls players talk about how Coach Thibs doesn’t even go out and have social meals with people on the road. He’s all business, all the time, and last night (and in the series overall) that dedication made all the difference. Just like in game one, also with a narrow margin of victory, the added time in game prep has paid off.

By Paul M. Banks

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Hornets’ Williams, Bulls Thibodeau Named Coach of the Month

February 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

hornets dancers

The Chicago Bulls’ Tom Thibodeau and the New Orleans Hornets’ Monty Williams today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in January.

Thibodeau led the Bulls to a 12-4 record on the month, including a 90-79 win over the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics on Jan. 8. The Bulls have gone 11-0 against Central Division opponents, and are the only team in the NBA without a division loss. Chicago’s 44.5 rebounds per game rank second in the NBA, and its 92.0 points allowed per game rank third.

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Tom Thibodeau: New, Strong Leader for the Chicago Bulls

October 25, 2010 By 2 Comments

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It’s expected that the Chicago Bulls will improve a lot this year. Not just because of all the pieces they’ve added in free agency, but because the front office also made a huge upgrade at Coach with Tom Thibodeau replacing Vinny Del Negro. I asked power forward Taj Gibson about the difference in coaching styles from last year to this year.

“One coach is more of a laid back player coach and not so aggressive. And Thibodeau, he’s more aggressive, more hands-on, he’s like a drill sergeant. Not saying Vinny didn’t, but he expects you to do things on a higher level. The way their coaching styles are- it’s just totally different,” he answered.

And that hard line, tough love approach could be exactly what the Bulls need when they open up their season Wednesday night in Oklahoma City.

By Paul M. Banks

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