Bulls Review: Week 1: Nov. 1st

Well, the first week is over for the Chicago Bulls. They have played the Bucks and the Celtics with two very different outcomes. As a Bulls fan I was very excited after the Bulls held their own against the Bucks on Tuesday, and made a strong push at the end of the game to put a nail in the coffin. Then last night the Bulls had to face the NBA champions and were exposed for what they are. They are a average team that has a lot of talent and a lot to learn. Lets breakdown the ups and downs of the past week.

Rose looked better to me in the first game with the Bucks. Sure he scored 18 last night against the Celtics, but he had only 1 assist. The Bulls will not win games with Rose only making 1 assist. Against the Bucks rose had 9 assists and caused a lot of havoc whenever he was on the floor. Overall, Rose has been a breath of fresh air for the Bulls, and I expect to watch him only get better day by day and week by week.

Tyrus Thomas also had a strong game on Tuesday and looked as if he really was starting to figure things out. His shot selection was great and he was a beast down low, disrupting the Bucks the entire game. Then last night the Celtics got into his head and he just started jacking up crazy shots one after another.

Here are the ups and downs on Tyrus this week

• Ups- Tyrus leads the fast break against the Bucks and not only controls the ball like a Pro, but makes a timely pass for an open layup.
• Downs- Tyrus tries to back down his old friend Glen Davis then fakes one way and then turns the other for a ridiculous turn around fade-away. A miss of course.
  

Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich coming off the bench seemed to work nice against the Bucks, but with the savvy Celtics I think that Kirk should have been on the floor in the beginning. The Bulls had way to many turnovers at the beginning of both games, but with the Bucks you can always come back if you fall behind, but if you go down 10+ to the Celtics it become near impossible to regain a lead.

Luol Deng is a wizard. He is here one game and gone another. He was a leader and a machine in the game with the Bucks, but was nowhere to be found last night. He needs to take charge and demand the ball. Also, Vinny needs to run a lot more plays that give Deng an open look. He is our best shooter and needs to be taking at least 15 or more shots a night.
I think we have learned that the bulls depth will keep them in most games and they should be able to pile up victories against lesser opponents, but when facing elite teams like the Celtics we will get overwhelmed. Without a true leader, until Rose fully develops, the Bulls will struggle to stay .500.

Player of the Week

Derrick Rose- Looked good in both outings and appears to be the Bulls leader already. He will be a real asset if he can manage to keep his assist to turnover ratio in check. Overall, he has been the one real bright spot thus far.

The Week Ahead

Tonight the Bulls face the Grizzlies. This is a young team that has a good upside, but the Bulls should win this game at home. Next they face the Magic in Orlando. The Magic have lost 2 games already to weaker teams, the Hawks and Grizzlies. They should come out swinging. This will be a good test for the Bulls. Then the Bulls face the Cavaliers in Cleveland. I do not like the Bulls chances against this team. It could be a repeat of the Celtics game. Let's hope not. And finally, the Bulls play the Suns at home. The Bulls have a slight chance to steal a victory here, but it will not come easy. The Suns look good, but the Bulls seem to play much better at home then on the road.

Predictions

I would like to see the Bulls win 2 of the 4 games this next week. I think they could beat the Grizzlies and the Magic, but something tells me the Bulls will only win one and that game will be tonight against Memphis. Look for more of the same. Moments were the Bulls look lights out and others were you are forced to turn off the T.V. altogether and go to sleep in disgust.

Written By ChiTownCliff
CBS Spoortsline community member