If you look at half the box score of the Bulls' 113-108 loss to the suddenly high-flying Atlanta Hawks you’d think the Bulls would have handed the young Atlanta team its first loss of the year.
Derrick Rose led the way with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Ben Gordon and Lou Deng both put in 19 points and Andres Nocioni chipped in 20 off the bench.
Even demoted starter Thabo Sefolosha managed to break through the lid that has generally been on the basket when he shoots and scored 13 points on 5-9 shooting.
That is just the type of all around effort that this Bulls team needs to win. Sure they may not yet have a dominating scorer, but that type of production should produce a win.
Unfortunately there are some other players whose names—and not much more—show up in the box score. Starting big men Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah combined for five points on 2-11 shooting. Both of them were out-rebounded by their rookie point guard and Thomas threw in three turnovers for good measure.
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These are pathetic numbers for any NBA players, but what makes it worse for the Bulls is that Thomas and Noah are both top 10 picks. They aren’t rookies anymore, either. Their paltry offensive display doesn’t even tell the whole story.
The Atlanta Hawks' second-year pro Al Horford, a real NBA big man, dominated Thomas and Noah to the tune of 27 points and 17 rebounds. The Atlanta big man made it look easy. A lot of his baskets came when he simply beat the lazy Bulls big men down the court.
Thomas can leap out of the gym, but he is no basketball player. As for Noah I don’t really see what he can do for you on a basketball court. He can’t score, he can’t pass, he is too skinny to defend bigger players, and all he really seems good at is whining to the refs. Noah is like Ben Wallace without any of the talent.
It’s unfortunate because the back court of Rose and Gordon looks pretty smooth. Deng and Nocioni both play hard out of the three spot. The Bulls' big men are killing them and something needs to change quickly or it’s going to be a long road trip next week. Drew Gooden's return should help a little, but only a little.
Sure the Bulls haven't had a true big man, well, for a very long time. But at least the likes of Antonio Davis, Tyson Chandler, Othello Harrington, and PJ Brown did the little things on the court. They could all defend, they could all rebound, and they didn't turn the ball over. I would take any of those guys on the court over the pathetic Thomas and Noah.
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about 1 month ago
There is rumor going around that Chris Kaman is on the block. I dont know what the Clips would want in return, but I would give alot for him. Preferably I would throw the barn at Carlos Boozer btu i doubt hell be as available this year or next and Kaman is a good player (exactly the interior presence we need so KG, DHoward, AHorford stop smiling at the schedule) thats young and has a middle of the way contract for a person with his skillset.
about 1 month ago
bulls need to do something about their frontcourt its awful rite now, i love noah's energy off the bench but hes not a scorer, and thomas has been a big bust, he just cant seem to put it all together. he has the skills and is a perfect NBA type player, but it just hasnt come, i love both guys but something needs to change
about 1 month ago
I agree with you both. I keep hearing people saying Carlos Boozers name and I would LOVE for him to come to Chicago.
Noah and Thomas are NOT cutting it. It is sad. They do have great energy and great power, but they are not the dominant players that we need them to be to be a successful team.
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