Chicago Bulls News: Three Winners From Week Two
By Ronald Agers
Well Pippen Peoples we are almost one week away from the Chicago Bulls first loss to the New York Knicks on Wednesday October 29th. After last night’s game against Cleveland, the Bulls have only one game left in the preseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Let’s all stop for a second to give thanks to the good Lord above and thank him for the chance to watch 82 games of NBA basketball…Amen! The Chicago Bulls won four straight preseason games before falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers 107-98. As we get closer to the start of the regular season, let’s talk about the winners of week two.
Oct 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) reacts after he shot a last second three-point basket to beat the Atlanta Hawks 85-84 during the second half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
1) Jimmy Butler.
Boy, I wish I was a part of Jimmy Butler’s circle. If Jimmy Butler was stock right now, if you bought into it before he exploded in this preseason you’d be investigated by the Feds and the IRS for insider trading.
After reports floating around that the Chicago Bulls would be nice to even give Butler $10 million dollars a year, Jimmy Butler has put on a display that hasn’t been seen since Derrick Rose at the peak of his powers. It’s just four games and it’s just the preseason, but who cares.
After going 1-7 against the Wizards in the first game, Butler has been as Stacey King would say…maybe Jordanesque? Hey man, that’s Stacey’s words not mine, but after Butler dropped 29 points against the Hawks including the game winner to bring the Bulls back from 21 points down, I have one thing to say to the Chicago Bulls front office. You have until October 31, 2014 to sign this man to an extension. After that, you may be looking at paying close to the max to keep him if he becomes a restricted free agent.
Think I’m kidding? Look at Chandler Parsons and Gordon Hayward. Do you think they are worth max deals? No. But a NBA team was willing to pay max dollars. Hence these players who are not as good as Butler, got their money. Eric Bledsoe squeezed the Phoenix Suns until he got his money. Look Pippen Peoples, I read what the other FanSided writers put down saying the Bulls should pay the man. I’m not that polite. If the Chicago Bulls, after the show Jimmy Butler has put on for the NBA to see don’t give him his contract that doesn’t insult him, he’s going to walk. I know New York overpays players all the time.
Let’s look at the numbers. In a four game stretch, Jimmy Butler averaged 21.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and two steals. This is on the strength of hitting 28-41 shots. After the Bulls fell behind by 21 points against Denver and Atlanta, Butler went to work leading the Bulls back to win.
Now after injuring his thumb in the Charlotte game, the Bulls had to go without him against Cleveland. His presence was sorely missed on both sides of the floor. Pay attention to last night’s game everyone, if that check is not cut, that’s how life without Jimmy Butler will be.
Oct 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) drives to the basket between Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) and forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
2) Derrick Rose.
Pippen Ain’t Easy has documented enough about Derrick Rose’s struggles during the FIBA World Cup. Going 15-59 for the tournament while hitting one three-point shot in 19 attempts brings a certain stench that obvious to any basketball fan.
We are going to forego the health thing because I’m sick of talking about it. It is what it is with that. But he has shown progress over the preseason. He’s had up and downs during the preseason. But there is one thing perfectly clear…Derrick Rose is going in the right direction and that’s upward and forward.
This week Derrick Rose rebounded from a clunker six point, no field goal performance against the Detroit Pistons to score 15 points against the Milwaukee Bucks. Then he followed that up with a 16 point performance against the Denver Nuggets. Against the Hawks, Rose took a dip in scoring with ten. These numbers are tempered by the fact that his minutes have been limited.
Let’s talk about his performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He gave the Cavs the business scoring 30 points to lead everyone in the building on an impressive 12-18 shooting with four from the land of the extra point. He also added five rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes. 20 of these points were in the first half. He was aggressive and he looked to make a point out there. That alone means something. He’s getting his mental and emotional game aligned with the physical work he’s done in rehab.
Oct 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Doug McDermott (3) drives around a screen set by forward Taj Gibson (22) against Charlotte Hornets guard P.J. Hairston during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
3) Doug McDermott.
The mere fact that this man is in the starting lineup as a rookie and not leaving clunkers makes him a winner in my book. He is one of the team leaders in minutes played this preseason. If anyone don’t think McDermott has gained Thibodeau’s confidence, this will sum it all up for you. Mike Dunleavy sat out a preseason game for slipping on a wet spot. Doug McDermott is on the fast track to a rotation spot in the regular season. That makes him a winner no matter what he does for the rest of the preseason.
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. We have about one week before the season. Get excited about the season and your Chicago Bulls! 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.
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