Chicago Bulls News: Three Winners From Week One!
By Ronald Agers
Well Pippen Peoples, let the debates begin. The Chicago Bulls are two games into the preseason. As of this writing, the Bulls are 0-2 going into a game against Jabari Parker and the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night. This preseason in my opinion is a little bit different, considering the Bulls have a myriad of issues to figure out from Derrick Rose’s knees to the implementation of the rookies. Pippen Ain’t Easy will take a look at the winners of week one.
Apr 29, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) shoots the ball as Washington Wizards guard Garrett Temple (17) defends during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at United Center. The Wizards won 75-69 and won the series 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
1) Jimmy Butler
Going into a contract year, Jimmy Butler has plenty of excuses why he wouldn’t be playing well right now. Well he’s not playing well, he playing great. Butler had made an impact on both preseason games for the Bulls. Granted he did not shoot well against Washington, but he didn’t park himself behind the three-point line and become Jimmy “Bricks” either. Bradley Beal probably woke up in cold sweats on Monday night because Butler shut him down and showed his weakness. Jimmy showed that playing physical and disciplined defense can bother Beal and take him out of the game.
Speaking of discipline…
Look we all had fun clowning Paul Pierce and how he tried to bait the Bulls into a confrontation. Notice Jimmy Butler did not go for it. When Wizards center, Kevin Seraphin set that hard pick on Butler at half court, Jimmy could have tried to retaliate, but he took the offensive foul and the possession. That shows growth Pippen Peoples.
Against the Detroit Pistons, Butler brought his jump shot. He led the Chicago Bulls with 18 points while still playing solid defense. A couple of times, Butler showed his post moves that he worked on over the summer. Last year, the amount of three pointers Butler threw up would drive a basketball fan up the wall. In this game he attempted only one. This shows us that he saw an advantage with his matchup and exploited it. He didn’t bail the Pistons out with three pointers. Let me tell you something and the Chicago Bulls might want to listen. With the NBA getting their TV deal done, the Bulls might want to lock this dude up before the month is out…quick. You saw what Phoenix did with Eric Bledsoe and what Denver did with Kenneth Faried. The Chicago Bulls need to follow suit.
Oct 6, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Aaron Brooks (0) shoots the ball against Washington Wizards center Kevin Seraphin (13) during the second half at the United Center. The Washington Wizards defeat the Chicago Bulls 85-81. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
2) Aaron Brooks
Pippen Ain’t Easy’s King Steeno did a piece this week comparing Aaron Brooks to Nate Robinson, who was a part of the Chicago Bulls career rehabilitation program a couple of years back. I know one thing these two have in common, they aren’t afraid to shoot. Aaron Brooks, outside of a couple of last second free throws from Tony Snell, single-handedly lifted the Bulls into overtime against the Detroit Pistons. Brooks shared the scoring lead with Jimmy Butler with 18 points against the Pistons, but the majority of these points brought the Bulls from behind in the fourth quarter. Brooks, at least in this game showed that he can create some offense with the shot clock running down, which is something the Bulls need from someone not named Derrick Rose.
It is widely known that Kirk Hinrich is not one my favorite players on the Bulls squad. But I know he will stay the primary back up to Rose. The reason why is Brooks has issues getting the Bulls into the offensive sets. This was evident in the fourth quarter of both games. In my opinion, I would love to see Brooks first off the bench. Sadly for me, for that to happen, he has to be able to run the offensive sets (provided the Bulls even have any at this point).
Oct 7, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) shoots in the first half against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
3) Taj Gibson
Like Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson had his own excuses for coming out and not playing well. These ridiculous trade rumors that constantly swirl around him could be a distraction to Gibson. Good news Chicago Bulls fans, it’s not.
Since coming out a little nervous and rushing things against Washington, Taj Gibson has had a great week. Gibson has been the Bulls only low post threat in the first two games of the preseason.
Against the Pistons, Gibson couldn’t be stopped down low and on the baseline. He dropped 17 points on 8-10 shooting. He added seven rebounds and three assists. On the other end, he just shut down Josh Smith. We’ll give him the benefit of the doubt even though Josh Smith is a self check with that broke jumper of his.
Taj Gibson is also moving up the leadership ladder as well. During the Washington game, Gibson was right there ushering Jimmy Butler out-of-the-way when the Wizards wanted to show how “tough” they were. Gibson knew that getting Butler tossed from the game was not what the Bulls needed and he was there to make sure it didn’t happen.
If Taj Gibson continues to be this effective and improves, it will be very interesting to watch how the minutes are tallied up for the front line this season. Taj Gibson is staking his claim for important minutes in crunch time. Just like last year.
Well Pippen Peoples, you’re up. What Chicago Bulls player stood out to you this week? Leave your opinions in the comments section below. Now’s the time for your voices to be heard. Only a couple of weeks left. Keep it locked to Pippen Ain’t Easy for all the information and analysis leading into the regular season. Pippen Ain’t Easy is ready to be your best source for Chicago Bulls news, previews and reviews.
Like us on Facebook: Pippen Ain’t Easy and follow us on Twitter: @BullsBeatBlog.