Chicago Bulls News: Three Losers From Week One!
By Ronald Agers
For the Chicago Bulls, the first week of preseason games have been full and very busy. Going into Saturday’s preseason game against the Milwaukee Bucks led by rookie phenom, Jabari Parker, the Chicago Bulls are 0-2 this preseason. Losses to the Washington Wizards and the Detroit Pistons have given the coaching staff, front office and fans to take a look at a reconstructed team full of free agent signings, draft picks and one celebrated player from overseas. Oh did I forget about the franchise player who has been out for almost two years?
Pippen Ain’t Easy, your best choice for Chicago Bulls news, previews and reviews will be right there with our opinions on the team moves going through the preseason going into the start of the regular season at the end of the month.
When evaluating talent throughout training camp, you have players that did very well and you have players that might be getting the practice jerseys as a parting gift. Pippen Ain’t Easy shined the light on players that played extremely well in the first week. For full details, check out Pippen Ain’t Easy to see who got the “Gold Star” this week. But for now let’s take a look at the losers of week one.
Oct 7, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich (12) is defended by Detroit Pistons guard D.J. Augustin (14) in the third quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Detroit won 111-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
1) Kirk Hinrich.
Take a look at this picture. Symbolic isn’t it. Kirk Hinrich being guarded by the man who should have his spot D.J. Augustin. Augustin, who basically saved the season for the Chicago Bulls last year wasn’t worth a few hundred thousand dollars for 15 points and five assists off the bench. But the three points Hinrich is averaging in the preseason is fine in the Chicago Bulls organization.
This dude is starting to get so polarizing, I’m going to have to come up with a get rid of Kirk Hinrich club (How about the Hinrich Haters?). I’m starting to understand the frustrations of one of the Pippen Peoples, Leroy Boyd on his feelings for Carlos Boozer. I still think he’s wrong, but I understand nonetheless. How long is Tom Thibodeau going to be loyal to this bum? I hope Derrick Rose stays healthy just so I don’t have to watch this guy play over 30 minutes a night. Ugh!
Oh you think I’m playing? In the first preseason game against the Washington Wizards, Hinrich scored the same amount of points as I did. None. That’s zero, zip, zilch, nada, squat, no mas, null and void. All of that on 0-5 shooting. Sure he had six assists, but don’t you think if you are in a NBA backcourt you can show the ability to score a basket? I’m not sure, but did anyone hear REBOUND every time Hinrich shot the ball?
I know somebody reading this is saying…Hinrich is out there for his defense! Okay, let’s take a look at that. Bradley Beal shot 4-12 against the Chicago Bulls. Jimmy Butler defended him and put him out in the street. Butler locked him down…cold! Guess who Beal was scoring on? TARGET PRACTICE!
Against the Detroit Pistons, Hinrich scored six points on 33 percent shooting. Guh! One of the shots that Hinrich hit was a lay up when the Pistons blew their defensive coverage.
If Hinrich is going to play with the second unit, he needs to know jump shot doesn’t start with a “G”. His jump shot is so bad, he can’t even spell it right now. He is a bad liability on the court if he can’t score the basketball. His ineffectiveness will affect Taj Gibson because teams will double him without a care in the world. The shooters like Nikola Mirotic and Doug McDermott will lose their spacing because the NBA knows Hinrich can’t shoot. Let me get this campaign started now…Let Aaron Brooks be the backup!
Oct 7, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Solomon Jones (25) dunks in the first half against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The last three players the Chicago Bulls signed.
Pippen Ain’t Easy did a backstory on Ben Hansbrough, Kim English and Solomon Jones. To the Pippen Peoples that actually took time to read these articles, I thank you. You are Chicago Bulls fans and I will always respect you. It’s difficult to write about players that have no chance of playing on this team and maybe the NBA in general. The research on this guys took longer than the writing. Sadly for these guys the same can be said for their time on the court as well.
Solomon Jones is the only player out of these three that has seen the court and did something productive. That was against the Detroit Pistons. He played the pick and roll very well for a dunk. But he fouled out in eleven minutes. The others have perfected their high fives during timeouts.
Oct 6, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) dribbles the ball against Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (4) during the second half at the United Center. The Washington Wizards defeat the Chicago Bulls 85-81. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
3) The Chicago Bulls offensive sets.
If anyone thinks that Tom Thibodeau can depend on rolling the ball to Derrick Rose and think that everything is going to be okay, you’ll believe I can sell you the Michael Jordan statue in front of the United Center. I’ll take a million dollars in cash. Meet me at 1060 West Addison so we can make the deal.
Why sign Pau Gasol just to have him in the high post. If you gave the man $22 million dollars to put him on the block then…
PUT HIM ON THE BLOCK MAN!
There is no excuse for Gasol to score only five points against Detroit. He can do that brushing his teeth in the morning. The Bulls have no issues getting Taj Gibson on the block when he’s in the game, why not Gasol? Put Gasol in the post to start the game, give him the ball and let him set the tempo of the game early. Derrick Rose can get any shot he wants. You don’t have to worry about him. Mark my words, if this keeps up Gasol will get lost if the offense is going to be run like this. Eventually he’s going to get frustrated and he WILL disconnect. Ask the Lakers. If you think this strategy won’t work, think back to the dynasty years. Jordan made sure the ball was dumped inside to Bill Cartwright to get him engaged in the early 90’s. Last I heard, Gasol has more skills. Why not use them?
Let me tell you Pippen Peoples, the Chicago Bulls could and should have won both games this week. They lost them the same way they did in the playoffs last year. The Bulls couldn’t score in the halfcourt set. Against the Wizards, when I saw Andre Miller on the floor, I knew it was over. I know he’s going to run the offense. Aaron Brooks struggled in this aspect. That is the only thing that is keeping Hinrich on the floor right now. You might not see it now, but you will in the regular season. If the offensive sets are established, you will see some sense of order no matter WHO is in the game. When the second unit is in the game, the Bulls are exposed. If Tom Thibodeau gave even half the effort on the offensive side of the ball as the defensive side, the Chicago Bulls would walk into the NBA Finals.
Well Pippen Peoples, it’s your time to speak out. What Chicago Bulls player stunk it up for you this week? Leave your opinions in the comments section below. Now’s the time for your voices to be heard.. We only have so many preseason games left. Soon your Chicago Bulls will taking on my New York Knicks (I’ve got the pizza and soda ready!). Until then, keep it locked to Pippen Ain’t Easy for all of your information and analysis throughout the season. Pippen Ain’t Easy is primed to be your best source for Chicago Bulls news, previews and reviews.
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