Anderson Varejao just killed the Chicago Bulls frontline.
Oct 20, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) shoots over defending Cleveland Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao (17) at Value City Arena. Cleveland won the game 107-98. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Man this was bad. Granted the Cleveland Cavaliers have a great offensive system that allows Varejao to have a good night, but really? Anderson Varejao had 22 points, eight rebounds (three offensive), two assists, two steals and two blocks. The Bulls made the dude look like an All-Star.
Many media outlets including Pippen Ain’t Easy have reported that Joakim Noah will have pain in his knee pretty much for the entire season. If that is the case, the Chicago Bulls defense will not be as good. No check that, the Bulls might have issues because there is so much pressure put on the Bulls defense to play well because the offense suffers. The Cleveland Cavaliers (especially Varejao) had no problems getting in the lane and making plays. Most of them were layups.
As for Pau Gasol, it looked like there was a “Gasoft” sighting. He didn’t look tough the entire time he was on the floor. When the Cavaliers was running he looked like he was 34 years old trying to keep up. Don’t let the 12 points and eight rebounds fool you Pippen Peoples. It was not a good night for Gasol. He was badly outplayed by Varejao and that is completely ridiculous. Call me a cynic if you want to, but I’m telling you. Let this fourth quarter minutes thing linger throughout the season. I guarantee you, Gasol will wish he was still in Los Angeles…or New York. With Amare Stoudemire soon to be chained to the bench, Gasol will start to wonder if he made the wrong decision. I may be wrong, but I doubt it.