This is why I love this job here at Pippen Ain’t Easy. Every time I start to wonder if these articles are in vain, something happens to make me laugh or some other website quotes information from us. The latest example happened last night after the Chicago Bulls defeated the Charlotte Hornets 101-96 in their final preseason home game.
Normally I can find an angle and get in where I fit in so to speak, but Ashley Wijangco was all over the coverage like a wet cheap suit. For complete coverage, check out her recap piece. As always it is an informative read.
It was the comment below that intrigued me. It was from Patty O’Furniture.
"I hope Ronald Agers watched the game and read this article. Hinrich with 26 points on shooting 11-14 from the field and shooting 50% from 3.I’m tired of Ron always taking jabs at The Captain…I know it’s the preseason, and I know Hinrich isn’t going to be dropping 20+ point games left and right…But you have to admit, he’s a really good player."
First off Patty, I want to thank you for checking us out on Pippen Ain’t Easy. I have always said that none of you Chicago Bulls fans are taken for granted. You could go anywhere for Chicago Bulls coverage, but you choose to hang out with us. Like I say from time to time, Pippen Ain’t Easy is about debate. We all bring our opinions to the table and talk about different ways the Bulls can improve their team for a championship run. That’s why comments like yours are the lifeline of this website.
Now to answer your question.
Yes, I did catch the game. I didn’t get to see it live but, thanks to the magic of the DVR, yes I did catch the game and Hinrich played well.
But this is only one game and yes, it’s the preseason.
Patty O’Furniture is not the only one whose jaw gets tight as I state my strong opinions about a guy who can’t stay in front of quick guards if he was issued a moped and has been a HORRID shooter pretty much from last year up to last night. Staff writer and Social Media guru Ashley Wijangco and I did debate articles during the playoffs last year when I thought that Hinrich should have been benched in favor of D.J. Augustin. There’s something about Kirk that just doesn’t sit right with me and I’m not alone in this assessment. That’s why I have a new fan group called…
The Hall of Hin’Bricks’!
The Hall of Hin’Bricks’ will be a collection of people who are on a mission to figure out why in the world does a player that shot less than 40% from the field last year while showing the defensive ability of Michael Jordan’s statue outside of the United Center, get a two-year deal with a PLAYER OPTION for the second year. Well no time like the present. Let’s go over why the Hall of Hin’Bricks’ was created.
1) Kirk Hinrich is too old.
I want all the Pippen Peoples to think a second. Hinrich is going to start his 13th year in the NBA in about a week and a half. His physical decline was about as evident as LeBron James weekly changing hairline (If anyone knows what that is about, comment section please!). The Washington Wizards devised a plan to let Hinrich dribble the shot clock out and lock down D.J. Augustin. Why, because the entire NBA knows that Kirk Hin’Bricks’ has career shooting percentages in the low forties.
Let’s break that down.
Kirk Hinrich in his NBA career has four NBA seasons where he has shot less than 40% for his career. His first two campaigns below the Mendoza line was his first two years in the league.
I can hear it now…that was years ago! Yep it was, but the other two seasons just happen to be his LAST two years. In the 2012-13 season he shot 37.7%. Then he followed it up last year shooting 39.3%.
What does that mean Pippen Peoples? That means every NBA scouting report is going to include renting a limo to make sure Kirk Hinrich gets to the game just so he can throw up bricks. On Sunday, yes Kirk was hot as firecrackers. I can’t take that from him, but he seemed to be open. There’s a reason why he was open. The Hornets will let that man shoot those same shots in the regular season because they don’t believe that man can shoot any more than I do.
I keep hearing that the Chicago Bulls are title contenders. If that is the case, now we are talking Eastern Conference finals and later, do you really think that Hinrich can stay with the point guards of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City, the Miami Heat or the San Antonio Spurs? No I’m not talking about the starters, I mean the backups.
Oct 29, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls shooting guard Kirk Hinrich (12) is pressured by Miami Heat point guard Norris Cole (30) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Miami won 107-95. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Heat have Norris Cole and Shabazz Napier as their backups. Norris Cole has NBA Finals experience and Napier is having a good preseason so far. Both of these guards will expose Hinrich.
May 3, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Reggie Jackson (15) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee (5) during the fourth quarter in game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The Oklahoma City Thunder have Reggie Jackson as their backup. Jackson could be a starter in the NBA who did an outstanding job while Russell Westbrook was out with an injury. Hinrich would be useless against the Thunder. Reggie Jackson has speed and quickness along with a jumper. Hinrich will be getting used to the word Carlos Boozer made famous in Chicago Bulls circles…HELP!
Apr 2, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters (3) as the Cavaliers beat the Orlando Magic 119-98 at Amway Center. Waiters had a game-high 26 points. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Cavaliers have Dion Waiters as their back up. Trust me, Waiters is so good, he thinks he’s better than Kyrie Irving. Remember all that drama in the locker room last year? I’m willing to bet his opinion on how good he is had something to do with it. After Waiters smokes Hinrich one time, Kirk will be in the Cavs locker room talking for Dion Waiters.
Jun 12, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills (8) goes up for a shot while defended by Miami Heat forward Shane Battier (31) during the first quarter of game four of the 2014 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The San Antonio Spurs have Patty Mills on their squad. He’s out now, but you have to assume he’ll be back by playoff time. He has NBA Finals experience that help destroy the Miami Heat defense, dropping bombs from the outside. Plus he’s lightning quick too.
I want everyone to know that this fan club is not personal. The Hall of Hin’Bricks’ is here to help the Chicago Bulls fan that gets so frustrated watching Kirk Hinrich throw up brick after brick during the regular season while other guards such as Nate Robinson, D.J. Augustin, Marco Bellinelli and C.J. Watson get shown the door after strong seasons. We are here to help the passionate Chicago Bulls fan who throws bottles at the TV when Hinrich gets blown by on defense. We are here for you.
Well Pippen Peoples, what do you think? Was Kirk Hinrich performance legit or was it a case of a blind squirrel finding a nut some days? Patty O’Furniture, the new first lady of the Pippen Peoples has shown all of you the blueprint of how to do this. This website is to create dialogue on all Chicago Bulls subjects. Leave your comment below and let your voices be heard. Keep it locked to Pippen Ain’t Easy to get in-depth information and analysis on all things Chicago Bulls. Pippen Ain’t Easy is your best source for Chicago Bulls news, previews and reviews.
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