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Bulls prepare for circus trip
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Vinny Del Negro speaks with Derrick rose during the Bulls 94-88 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
After Saturday nights 94-88 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, the Bulls (5-4), no doubt, were glad to erase the thoughts of the previous two games, (losses at home against the Nuggets and on the road to the Raptors), now the thoughts turn to annual circus trip.
The Bulls go on a 6-game road trip and won't see the United Center again until Dec. 2, when former Bull, Ben Gordon brings his 24.5 ppg average along with the uptempo Detroit Pistons.
In the next two weeks, The Bulls will only play one team with a losing record and that's the Utah Jazz, who still play well at home. They did beat them there last season, thanks to a game-winning shot courtesy of Mr. Larry Hughes.
Somethings I've learned about the Bulls so far have been;
While a lot of people ask me what's going on with Derrick Rose, in terms of his averages (13.8 ppg, 5.3 apg.), most of those people haven't taken into thought that he's being trapped a lot more this season, the lanes are consistently crowded and he doesn't have the luxury of having too many one-on-one situations like he did last season.
I expect Rose averages to rise as the season goes along.
Rose's situation can helped by John Salmons, Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng consistently knocking down jumpers, which hasn't been the case so far this season. Teams can now double Rose and dare the trio to take jumpshots.
Hinrich is shooting .375 from the field and .267 from three-point range, Salmons is shooting .317 and .267. Not the percentages you would want from your starting two guard and sixth man.
Joakim Noah has to be the favorite to win the Most Improved Player award.
The third-year center is averaging 11.8 ppg and 12.2 rpg (tops in league) and 2 bpg. His activity around the boards and improved offensive game hasn't gone unnoticed and he's playing with an energy you want from all of your players.
As a team, they are shooting .42 percent from the field and .26 from the field. This was one of my most pressing concerns when Gordon left this summer, who was going to make threes, both when open and when pulling up. Jannero Pargo (.273) would help, but he's been slowed by a back injury.
The Bulls have been able to win games by their improved play on the defensive end and they've been crashing the boards really well. Deng is averaging a career-high 9.2 rpg.
If the Bulls are to have any success during these next six games, they have to start knocking down their shots to avoid playing from behind.
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