Where's Ben Gordon?
By tknup on Dec 19, 2007 in NBA
Ben Gordon was awful for the Bulls again, going 3-of-9 for eight points. He’s having a terrible December to go along with his terrible year, so I am benching him in all my fantasy leagues until something changes. He’s scored 13 or less in six of his last eight games as the nightmare continues. A spot off the bench could be just what the doctor ordered.
As if that’s not enough to think about, fantasy refugee Tyrus Thomas is back in the Bulls’ rotation again. He had 10 points, six boards, four assists, two steals and three blocks last night, which is exactly the type of line that had me so excited a month ago. But the kid’s minutes have been all over the place this season. He bottomed out after a pair of benchings on Dec. 7 & 8, but has gotten 20-plus minutes in two straight, which would have been three straight had he not gotten into a fight with Troy Murphy (which led to an ejection, followed by a suspension). Even after the suspension, Scott Skiles went back to him last night for 23 minutes. Really, that’s all we’re asking for here, is 20-plus minutes per game. Many owners will be gun shy about picking Thomas up again, but the numbers don’t lie.
The Bulls travel to Boston on Friday, then return home with Houston on Saturday.
This is bad news for the Bulls (8-13). So far this season, they are 0-5 when playing the second leg of back-to-back nights.
The first four times it happened, they averaged 77.3 points and never shot better than 38 percent from the field.
During their fifth loss in a back-to-back, the Bulls scored 102 points at Indiana, but allowed the Pacers to score 97 in the final three quarters.
The Bulls have put a lot of stock in Gordon. I still think they shoulda got Kobe! Gonna be a long year.
PSO | Dec 19, 2007 | Reply
The Bulls are bad. They are dead last in the league in FG%. They are undersized at every position, and have no go-to guy. Skiles’ style does not work in the NBA. Big changes need to be made in order to be serious contenders. They have a lot of assets and ammunition to make moves. Some of their players continue to get exposed, however. This team is not going in the right direction.
mgresh | Dec 20, 2007 | Reply
Whats the difference from last years team? isn’t it pretty much the same roster? i’m confused at their lack of success.
PSO | Dec 20, 2007 | Reply
I was actually surprised at their success last year. I have never thought of this group as contenders or potential contenders. In the play-offs, better teams make them look terrible and outmatched everywhere on the floor. Their youth, hard work, and shooting got them regular season wins last year. This year it is back to reality. The majority of your scoring coming from marginal to good jump shooters is not a formula for long term success in the best basketball league in the world.
They had big opportunities in this off season to fill some much needed holes. They drafted players they already have, and couldn’t make a move/trade. I have no clue how anyone sees Joakim Noah as a legit forward in the NBA. They already have two athletic forwards that can’t score.
I’m afraid they will not get past mediocrity. They may get too desperate and make a bad deal.
mgresh | Dec 20, 2007 | Reply