Welcome Pippen Peoples to an edition of Chicago Bulls News! Chicago Bulls news is everything related to the team’s preparation to the upcoming season that some think might lead to a deep run into the playoffs, if the chips fall correctly. This edition sheds light on three teams that need to be watched this year in the Eastern Conference.
A whole bunch of basketball pundits think the Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers are odds on favorites to meet in the conference finals. Fortunately for the Pippen Peoples, they don’t come here for fantasy, they come for knowledge. Pippen Ain’t Easy talks basketball with opinions based on in-depth analysis. We know there are a lot of issues that have to be ironed out before we talk about NBA Finals. That’s why Pippen Ain’t Easy is your best choice for Chicago Bulls news, previews and reviews.
Let’s get to it shall we Pippen Peoples?
Aug 20, 2014; New York, NY, USA; United States guard DeMar DeRozan (9) controls the ball against the Dominican Republic during the first quarter of a game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Raptors:
After finishing the regular season 3rd in the conference with a 48 and 34 record the Raptors came within one play of defeating the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Don’t get me wrong, the eastern conference was not the most competitive but still serves as an ample proving ground for the Raptors who have progressed steadily over the last three years.
General manager Masai Ujiri has established himself with successful stints in Denver and Toronto as one of the leagues brightest general managers. With moves like bringing in Grievis Vazquez, Patrick Patterson and now Lou Williams ( via the Atlanta Hawks), the Raptors have developed a deep bench to support budding all-stars Terence Ross and DeMar DeRozan.
DeRozan, who deserves the lion share of the impetus for this posting recently returned from a stint with the U.S. World Cup team and believe it, he will benefit from the experience…big time.
At 22.7 ppg DeMar is a relentless attacker of the rim and improved outside shooter.
If not for an ill-advised last shot attempted by guard Kyle Lowry looking off a wide open DeRozan in the deciding game vs the Nets, there is a pretty good chance the Raptors would have advanced to the second round of the playoffs. There are other solid teams in the East, like Washington, Miami, a healthy Brooklyn and the Knicks but Toronto is closer to the Bulls and Cavs than any of the others.
Toronto already has stability at the two hardest to fill positions on the floor, point guard and center. Jonas Valancuinas is a young, raw boned and improving center who also benefited from the World Cup experience. Kyle Lowry showcased himself as a tough and aggressive player albeit a bit too aggressive on offense in most 4th quarters. However with more time seasoning with his new teammates we could invariably witness better decision making from Kyle moving forward.
This team is relatively young, athletic and deep. Look for a long playoff run from them.
Feb 15, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Team Shaq guard Kemba Walker (15) of the Charlotte Bobcats brings the ball up court against Team Chuck forward Anthony Davis (23) of the New Orleans Hornets during the second half of the rising stars challenge during the 2013 NBA All-Star weekend at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Charlotte Hornets:
Well Charles Barkley, a phone call to your boy M.J. might not be such a bad idea. Especially now that he’s gone and put together a real basketball team.
I picked Charlotte as one of the teams to watch for reasons similar to those for the Raptors. Charlotte is set at least for now at the point guard (Kemba Walker) and center (Big Al Jefferson) positions.
New additions Lance Stephenson, Marvin Williams, Brian Roberts and PJ Hairston will by default establish a deep bench for this team that made the playoffs last season for the first time in Micheal Jordan’s brief tenure as owner.
Somehow the NBA ended up as a league of forwards, stretch and otherwise. Enter Big Al Jefferson, a true center with legit back to the basket skills and that rare ability to condense most defenses by himself.
The pairing of Kemba Walker and Lance Stevenson should produce one of the most watched and entertaining combos in the league.
This is not a team that will make you forget the 2013-14 Spurs but what they will bring is an entertaining balls to the wall style ( the NBA version of the Cincinnati Bengals) and a group of mercenaries that may transform the new hive into one of the most feared locations in the NBA.
Mar 26, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) shoots and draws a foul from Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Pelicans:
Lets see, The team remained in New Orleans-check.
The team retained head coach Monty Williams-check
The team adopted the name Pelicans-check-double check.
The Pelicans, ( the name evokes the old ABA) through some timely moves and luck have managed to leapfrog the process that catapults a team from perennial lottery dweller to perennial playoff participant. Seriously, I am not kidding.
Monty Williams is a young defense-oriented coach with a great pedigree. One of the early reviews of Monty was that his teams will always play defense and they will always play hard. One would have difficult time giving a greater compliment to a coach.
The Pelicans retained Eric Gordon, who is probably not in such a hurry to jump ship now that he can run with the likes of Drew Holiday ( why didn’t someone nick name him Doc), Tyreke (he should retire a Pelican) Evans and Ryan Anderson 40.9-3pts.
I would be remiss in not acknowledging the man Grantland’s Zach Lowe refers to as the “Destroyer of All Worlds”. That of course would be Anthony Davis 20.8 ppg, 10rpg.
Most experts have given Mr. Davis two to three years before he takes over the whole house. To relegate Anthony to the post only would prove a disservice to him given that he has three point range, is an above average passer and can patrol the entire area inside the 3pt line defensively.
And just to make sure that Mr. Davis is free to roam the prairie the Pelicans went out and signed center Omer Asik who just happens to be (schooled by Tom Thibodeau) one of the top three defensive centers in the world.
Omer is strong, fearless and the owner of nearly flawless defensive foot work.
No city in America deserves a winner more than the Big Easy and looking down the road I can only say…. Let the good times roll.
Well Pippen Peoples, the good times are back! THANK GOD! The staff of Pippen Ain’t Easy is ready for a long season of in depth analysis and opinions on not only the Chicago Bulls, but the teams that stand in the way of success. Keep it locked to Pippen Ain’t Easy, your best choice for Chicago Bulls news, previews and reviews. Leave your comment below and let your voices be heard. We can’t stress this enough! Your comments count! Make Pippen Ain’t Easy your co-pilot through this season.
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