Bulls Review: Week 5: Nov 30th

As the weeks start to pile up here for the Chicago Bulls one word is starting to ring out loud in my mind. Average. They are good enough to keep close to most teams in just about every game, but do not have the talent or the passion to close out close games. They should have won their game against the Spurs last Wednasday, but when the tide started to turn in the fourth the Bulls looked confused and unable to adjust. I sense that this will be the trend this season and we are sometimes just going to have to get lucky to win games like we did against the Jazz. Lets take a look at the Bulls thus far and take some guesses at what the future may hold.

One thing that needs to be said right up front is that the Bulls need to keep the ball in Derrick Rose's hands at all times when he is on the floor. He just makes things happen and it has been a very long time since the Bulls have had a player that gives me peace of mind when they have the ball in their hands. About ten years to be exact.

The real problem seems to be two fold. One, the players seem to not all be on the same page and lack fire. One has to start pointing fingers in the direction of coach Vinny. The season is young and I expect that Vinny Del Negro will continue to be our coach for the next two seasons at least. The players also have to take some of the blame. They need to act like professionals. Highly paid professionals. Ben Gordon might be a good example of how to be a professional. I might not always like his shot selections but he does conduct himself like a Pro on and off the floor. I think Larry Hughes could learn a lesson from him. There seems to be a few attitude issues surfacing lately and on a team that appears to have some chemistry problems that could equate to a very long and hard to watch season.

I really hope that Luol Deng can get healthy pretty soon hear. So far this season one could say that he was a waste of a big contract or that he looks like he has lost all his passion. I have a real problem with convicting him of these charges until he is healthy. I think it is safe to say that he is not a number one option, but I still think he can be very effective. A few seasons ago he was averaging 18.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting over 51% from the field. I would be happy if he could just return to those kind of numbers. He does not have to be the leading scorer. Ben Gordon can have that role this season and if Gordon leaves this summer then Rose can step into that spot. If Deng can get healthy and return to his old self then the bulls might be able to win a few more of those close games.

All in all a Bulls fan can not be to unhappy right now. We are 7-9 going into tonights game against the 76ers and that is not all that bad. Most of are losses have been fairly close and if we do win tonight that will mean that we went 3-4 on the Circus Trip and that is pretty solid. The last time the Bulls won three games on the Circus Trip was two seasons ago and we ended up with 49 wins. I think there is still some hope for are team. I think we should expore a few trades for a bigman, but I would not be to unhappy to just sit back and watch the Bulls play as is. I think if we can get healthy and start playing with a bit more consistency then things could turn around for us. If Paxson can land a player like Chris Kaman or Andrew Bogut then that would be great, but if not I will be content watching Derrick Rose bloom.

I know there has been a lot of talk about the free agent class of 2010, but I think Bulls fans need to focus on the present a bit more and enjoy Derrick Roses rookie season. He has the makings of a superstar. 2010 will be here before you know it and the Bulls will have cap space to go after a superstar and I think they will land someone then. Maybe Chris Bosh or Amar'e Stoudemire but I am sure with a core of Derrick Rose and Luol Deng that we will be able to attract a big name. I think we could still make a trade in the near future to tweek our roster a bit, but I am not holding my breath.

Now for the Ups and Downs of the last week:

• Up- Larry Hughes hits a buzzer beater to give the Bulls a much needed victory on the road in Utah.



• Down- Bulls lose control of their lead against the Spurs and end up losing a game they should have won.



• Up- Derrick Rose and Drew Gooden show signs of being an effective pick and roll matchup.



• Down- Tyrus Thomas averaged 2.6 points per game in the three game he played in this week.



• Up- Drew Gooden averaged 19.6 points and 8.3 rebounds in those same three games.



• Down- Larry Hughes has attempted 52 three pointers thus far this season and has only made 8. He is only shooting 15.4% from beyond the arc. He needs to stay within 17 feet when he shoots.



• Up- Ben Gordon continues to score at will averaging 23.6 points for the week.
  
  

Player of the Week

I have to hand the award to Drew Gooden for a very solid week were he has stepped up and been the bigman that the Bulls seem to really need. He is playing with fire on both ends and looks like a very nice fit with Derrick Rose. Kind of a poor man's Williams/Boozer combo. I can only hope that coach Vinny sees this and starts exploring using the pick and roll with these two a lot more often.

Predictions

Bulls 96 76ers 99. As much as I would like to see the Bulls win 3 games on the Circus Trip I do not think it will happen. I think the 76ers match up well against us and it will be hard to win on their floor.

Bulls 103 76ers 97. Bulls rebound and win at home against the 76ers. Home sweet home.

Bulls 99 Bucks 91. I think the Bulls match up well against the Bucks and I see Derrick Rose having a big night.

Bulls 98 Wizards 94. This game could go either way, but I think the Bulls will take this one.

If all goes as I think it will then the Bulls will go 3-1 for the week and be at 10-10 by weeks end. The bulls have no real strong teams on the radar this week so they need to step up and win some games. They could conceivably win all four games or just as well lose two of them, but if they lose more then two game of the four then it will be a bad week in my eyes.

Written By ChiTownCliff
CBS Spoortsline community member