Chicago Bulls Lose Home Opener…Three Lessons
By Ronald Agers
Boy Pippen Peoples, this was an instant classic. To quote an old NBA slogan…NBA action is FANTASTIC! On Halloween night where children all over was out getting candy stuffing their buckets and bellies, the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers put on a show that ranks as the game of the year in this early part of the season. The Cleveland Cavaliers after losing their home opener to the New York Knicks 95-90, defeated the Bulls 114-108 in overtime.
Before I get started, I got a comment from the Pippen Peoples on a article I wrote after the Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the New York Knicks…
"“Ronald, this is a Knicks Cavs article, not a Bulls Cavs preview!!! Come on man, who are you writing for???”"
Actually it’s very simple. The Cleveland Cavaliers came in after getting embarrassed at home the night before. LeBron James was horrible and you knew that he was coming in to get save face and get a win. The same way Carmelo Anthony was embarrassed by the Chicago Bulls.
Remember how that article ended?
"“…but I will say this. The Chicago Bulls had better not rest on their laurels playing at home against the Cavaliers, they could suffer the same fate that Cleveland suffered last night and what New York got on Wednesday.”"
You had to know that LeBron James was going to put up numbers in this game. He came out aggressive and ended up with 36 points including eight points in overtime. it’s something that some NBA fans get annoyed with but stars tend to take the night off. The Cleveland Cavaliers had a let down at home, the Chicago Bulls were in danger of having a motivated Cavaliers team come in and beat them out.
Well it happened.
Here are my three lessons.
Oct 31, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the first quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
1) The Chicago Bulls are actually fun to watch these days…for real.
The first game against the New York Knicks, I could not get a barometer on how far this team could go. Carmelo Anthony was on a flight to Cleveland, Taj Gibson beat everyone down in a Knick uniform, the Knicks didn’t compete. But this game was the exact opposite. Both teams lived up to the hype. Look when Kirk Hinrich has a flashback (more on him later) which blows up my phone, you know that there is excitement in the air.
It’s refreshing that the Chicago Bulls can actually score the basketball. You can see that Tom Thibodeau is changing with the times. Now it’s going to take some time for him to get it all together because that call at the end of the game to Kirk Hinrich made no type of sense when the play could been run for a quicker Aaron Brooks. But at this point, if things keep going in this direction, the Chicago Bulls can be a little more hope than hype.
Even though Derrick Rose went down with an ankle injury and did not return, the Bulls did not fold on the offensive end. Kirk Hinrich drops 20 points on 7-11 shooting including 3-5 from the land of three. Mike Dunleavy takes time out from chasing LeBron James all over the court to mess around and almost get a triple double with 14 points. nine boards and eight assists. Pau Gasol rings up a line of 15 points, nine boards and six blocks. This can be far and way the deepest team in the NBA barring injury and Tom Thibodeau getting a rotation together that is conducive to making a deep playoff run.
Oct 31, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson (13) scores past Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) during the second half at the United Center. Cleveland won 114-108 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
2) Tristan Thompson destroyed the Chicago Bulls on the boards.
Pau Gasol had better start taking notice. In overtime, Gasol was getting manhandled on the boards in overtime and got a warm spot on the bench for not getting important rebounds in overtime. This could be a bad omen if this continues. Granted the Chicago Bulls are scoring more points but to use an old quote from Pat Riley, “Rebounds gets you rings”. The Cavaliers led by Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson outrebounded the Bulls 52-42. It does not matter that Cleveland shot 39.4% from the field and 20% in threes for the game. If Tristan Thompson can corral 12 offensive rebounds, that means the Cavaliers offense gets 12 more opportunities to score the basketball. Remember Pippen Peoples, defensive possessions does not end until the rebound is secured.
Oct 31, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) being guarded by Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich (12) during the second half at the United Center. Cleveland won 114-108 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
3) Kirk Hinrich was BALLIN!
I would like to give a special shout out to Ashley Wijangco, staff writer/social media guru and Patty O’Furniture, one of the Pippen Peoples. For one night, I have to give it up to Kirk Hinrich. The man was killing Cleveland in the fourth quarter! I give him more props than the Fresh Prince of Cleveland LeBron James because if you paid attention in the last three minutes, James wouldn’t even shoot the ball. I have clowned Kirk Hinrich in the past (and probably will continue) but look at this picture and how he is up close and personal shows the heart and confidence Hinrich had in this game. I’ll take my hat off to Kirk Hinrich for once.
Here’s my three lessons…now learn from this!
I for one as a NBA fan breathed a sigh of relief when Derrick Rose only suffered a sprained ankle. The Chicago Bulls were very smart to keep him out for the rest of the game. It’s only the second game of the season, the Bulls have a long journey ahead. To the people out there screaming “I told you so” needs to stop. Seriously. The fact of the matter is this, the Chicago Bulls need Derrick Rose…period. The city of Chicago needs Derrick Rose…period. The NBA needs Derrick Rose…period. This guy is the greatest dynamic to Chicago Bulls basketball since Michael Jordan. Derrick Rose brings star power to the Windy City and the fact that he’s from Chicago can bring potentially bring joy that has not been around since the dynasty years of the 90’s. Joakim Noah may be the leader and the heart and soul of the Chicago Bulls, but Rose is what’s causing all of this. What happened last night is what ALL basketball players, professional or pickup suffer from time to time. The man landed on Kyrie Irving’s foot.
I will always be a fan first, and real basketball fans want every player to be healthy so we can all enjoy the best product the NBA can offer. I say this because if Chicago Bulls fans are complaining over Rose’s ankle, I’m sure there are fans in Oklahoma City that will be very glad to trade situations with you.
Minnesota is next up. Pippen Ain’t Easy will be covering the game with analysis and in-depth coverage of the game. Keep it locked to Pippen Ain’t Easy, your best choice for Chicago Bulls, news, previews and reviews.
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