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Starts Saturday. On paper the Bucks shouldn't beat them. But this is not your Bulls team of the last few years. They're not as solid mentally and they have been inconsistent.

Key matchup is Gasol versus Henson/Pachulia/Plumlee/Whoever. In the 3 losses this year, Gasol has torched them. In the Bucks win a couple weeks ago? Not so much.

Can MCW play Rose even? Can Middlton/Mayo hit shots? Will Giannis elevate his game?

Great litmus test for this team. A veteran playoff team will definitely challenge them. And if  Chicagoland is so high in Mirotic (and the are), how is Kaminsky suddenly not that good as a pro? Are they not similar (Kaminsky bigger, of course)?
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No reason for the media not to like the Bulls here, hopefully they're feeling a little over confident.  Love what the Bucks have done this year, but I don't see this going any more than 5 games against the Bulls with the boys taking one at home.  Everybody comes back hungry, healthy, and ready to go in the fall.  We'll see a top 4 seed next year.

 

Still, a series win would be good payback from the basketball gods after that second half in Indianapolis.  Nobody I'd rather beat in the east than the Bulls

 

 

The big issue is they seem to rely too much on Bayless being something he isn't-a playmaker down the stretch. Ilyasova for his usual tease- make a few shots then miss everything at the most important time. The Bulls shot out of their minds in the first half- leaning bank-job 3s, fall away contested 20 footers at the shot clock buzzer... But they also allowed Rose and Butler in the lane too much and gave up WAY too many offensive rebounds.

Where was Butlers game at Marquette ? Not even close. Best player on the floor tonight. 

 

Giannis, not impressed. Soft. It's the playoffs kid. 

 

Middleton, and occasionally Mayo, are the only offensive Go-to's. When Giannis, MCW, and Henson are in the lineup, the Bulls don't need to defend the perimeter. Clank

   

Could've used a motivated, non crazy, Larry Sanders in a brawl like tonight's game.  

Last edited by Packdog

I've followed the team passively during the season, and then have watched all 48 minutes of the two playoff games. Maybe others that saw him play more can comment, but Jabari Parker would seem to be exactly the type of guy they are missing. Except for maybe Middleton (who is more of a complimentary type player), they don't have anyone that can get a decent shot off at the end of the shot clock. They end up with Henson, Pachulia, etc. throwing up a low percentage shot. Parker would make a huge difference.

 

And I'm shocked at how exposed Giannis has been in this series. I've mainly seen highlights of him, but unless he develops at least a mediocre jumpshot, he's essentially a taller version of Paul Pressey - a great defensive player and glue guy, but not a star.

Oh, it's no secret. Antetokoumpo has a lot of work to do. He's a tough matchup for some teams, but the Bulls have the philosophy and personnel to defend him. It's ok, though- he's 20. So much more to grow. His growth from year to year has been excellent- the ceiling is incredibly high.

And that lack of shooting team wide effects his ability to penetrate, which is when he's most dangerous.

As much as I'd like to punch Jimmy Butler in the mouth, he sure would be what the doctor ordered for this Bucks team, wouldn't he? Big SG who is an excellent defender and can shoot? That go with Giannis, Parker, and MCW? They have the room to outbid the Bulls for him. The Bulls don't have much room. Just sayin'...
Last edited by Music City
I like that Kidd never changed the lineup in OT. These young guys, 24 and under, must learn. They had some moments. They fall apart with they need shot making. MCW getting a taste. Giannis stepped up, but he's a jumper away from being as good as he could be. Middleton impressed me. He went on a personal 10-1 run to get to OT.

Lots of positives. Sign s SG, a C, draft bpa, and this is a contender in 2017-2018.

This is potential top 3 team in the East next year. They are missing a couple of pieces. Ironically, they had both of those pieces at the beginning of the year. They need another big guy to protect the rim (although Henson has looked good) which they thought they had in Sanders. And they need a SF/PF that can get his own shot one on one which is what Jabari Parker is. They get Parker back, but they need another big guy.

 

Of course, if Giannis improves his jump shot, that may be sufficient to get them into the top tier of the Eastern conference. He's 10 days older than Nigel Hayes, so he definitely has some time. Hopefully, his potential emergence as a superstar doesn't happen in NY or LA in 3-4 years.

The conference power hierarchy is why I'd love to see them steal Butler. Weaken a rival, strengthen a position of need, and then watch not only his contributions but also those of the long list of young improving players.

Butler's no max player and to me would eventually be a 3rd or even 4th option, but he's exactly what they need. And weakening Chicago is an ancillary benefit.
Chicago is a team that us built to win now and Butler is really their only younger guy that can still get better.

I agree with the idea that you add him and if really weakens that Bulls team.  Plus he fits the Kidd mold.  He's rangy and plays really good D.

Derrick Rose is such a difference maker for that team.  No way they beat the Bucks without him.

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