Well it looks like the Chicago Bulls have turned some things around this preseason. After losing their first two preseason games, the Bulls have come back with a two game winning streak defeating the Denver Nuggets 110-90 on Monday night.
Jimmy Butler scored a game high 21 points in 22 minutes. Derrick Rose finished with 15 points, five rebounds and five assists in 21 minutes. Doug McDermott showed the Nuggets what they traded away on draft night scoring 16 points off the bench.
Sure the Chicago Bulls took this game in the end, but if Tom Thibodeau wasn’t happy after the Milwaukee win on Saturday night, he was probably close to spitting teeth in the first half. The Bulls were sloppy and was getting a beatdown digging themselves into a 21 point deficit. For a total recap of this game, please check out Ashley Wijangco’s recap. As always it is an informative read. Here’s the three lessons I got from the game.
1) Jimmy Butler is in a zone, Pippen Peoples. Jimmy Butler is in a zone.
I need everyone to realize something here. Jimmy Butler missed one shot last night. Let me say that one more time, Jimmy Butler missed ONE SHOT! Jimmy Butler is playing out of his mind at the perfect time now that contract negotiations are going on.
Check out the line on Butler on Monday night.
In 22 minutes Jimmy Butler scored 21 points on 7-8 shooting and he hit all seven of his free throws. He also added six rebounds, two assists, two steals and a blocked shot. I ask all of you, how beautiful is it to watch how easy the game is for Butler right now. His confidence is so off the charts right now you can see the disdain on the face when he walks around the court because he knows no one can guard him on the court. The game is coming to him so easy now. I can see the growth in Jimmy’s game by one statistic. The amount of three pointers that he took. If you look at the stat sheet, he took none. What does that tell us Pippen Peoples? It tells us he is attacking the basket and letting his man off the hook.
If I was the Chicago Bulls front office, I would sign this man right now. If this keeps up, they won’t have to worry about paying him $10 million dollars a year. At this rate, his asking price could go up to $15 million.
2) The Chicago Bulls still haven’t put together a complete 48 minutes.
At least the Bulls didn’t collapse in the fourth quarter. After being tied at 13 apiece, the Bulls fell asleep at the wheel falling behind 30-19 after the one period. The vaunted Bulls defense allowed the Nuggets to shoot 60 percent from the field while shooting an anemic 35 percent themselves.
Things got worse to the point that the Bulls fell down by 21 points before Tom Thibodeau blew a gasket and got a technical foul. A couple of McDermott threes sparked a 10-0 run and then the Bulls took it from there.
Obviously, this Denver squad is outclassed by the Bulls. But Tom Thibodeau is right to be concerned and upset. I do get on his case for running his players into the ground but we do agree that the team should give out full effort for 48 minutes. That has not happened yet this preseason.
3) Derrick Rose was dynamic!
I’ve always said that all of our lives (mine too) are made easier when Derrick Rose plays well. Last night, you can see that Derrick Rose is getting his gears back. During the FIBA World Cup he rushed things a little bit, just going at one speed. Now you can see the change of speeds in his offensive game. When he gets that under control, it’s going to be ugly for the competition. One thing though, he can’t start falling in love with the threes. He’s bailing his man out shooting 1-5 from three-point land. I know he shot in well on Saturday going 3-4, but he needs to stay with the bread and butter and attack the lane. They pay Doug McDermott to shoot, let him shoot!
The Chicago Bulls continue their preseason on Thursday night against the Atlanta Hawks.
Keep it locked to Pippen Ain’t Easy for all of your complete analysis and in-depth coverage of the Chicago Bulls. Pippen Ain’t Easy is your best choice for all your Chicago Bulls news, previews and reviews.
Like us on Facebook: Pippen Ain’t Easy and follow us on Twitter:@BullsBeatBlog.