By James Blackburn
Bulls Win 83-75
Game Recap/Thoughts
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* The Bucks are a very talented team from top to bottom – with depth at every position – but are underachieving this season. Very surprising from a Scott Skiles coached team. * The Bucks rely too much on 1 on 1 and isolations. They turn the ball over too much and shoot bad shots. * The Bucks should be going inside to Bogut a lot more than they are. * The Bulls pass the ball well and are capable of playing in the half court as well as getting up and down the floor in transition. |
 Keith Allison |
* The Bulls have all the ingredients to push deep into the playoffs: Defensive minded team and coach, MVP candidate/Go to player (Rose) shooters (Bogans, Korver), post scoring (Boozer), rebounding (Noah), Role players (Deng,Brewer), and hustle players (Gibson, Asik), and veteran leadership (Thomas, Scalabrine).
Scouting Reports
Bucks
Andrew Bogut (35 min, 2-10 FG, 16 reb, 2 assist, 6 TP)
Strengths- Good footwork in the post. Good rebounder. Has decent post moves. Had a big dunk on Asik in 2nd quarter. Good passer out of post.
Weaknesses- Does not run the floor well. Has zero lift on shot- midrange/ or post moves. Jerky release on FT’s. Flat shot. Looked tired and frustrated through out the game. Got double teamed a lot by the Bulls and did not react well to it.
Overall- Poor overall performance by Bogut tonight. Never really got into a rhythm- part of that is his fault and part of that is his teammates fault for not going to him enough inside. With his size and strength, I thought he settled for too many shots outside the paint and shied away from contact in the pain. Has proven through out his career to be an above average center in this league- solid rebounder and fundamental post guy.
Brandon Jennings (26 min, 2-6 FG, 2 assist, 3 TO’s, 4 TP)
Strengths- Can get into the lane easily with his speed and quickness. Has a nice left handed floater and scoop shot. Has the ability to create his own shot. Active and quick hands on defense.
Weaknesses- Needs to improve his shooting, mainly his consistency. Tends to fade when he shoots his jumper. Must get stronger- gets caught on screens easily- had a tough time defending the stronger Rose. Picked up his dribble out on the perimeter too early several times. Needs to improve his right hand- very reluctant to go to his right.
Overview- Not a very good performance at all from the 2nd year PG from Oak Hill Academy. Jennings did not look like he wanted to be on the floor most of the night- did not impact the game whatsoever- pulled a disappearing act. Jennings seems to have hit a sophomore slump as of late after having a remarkable Rookie season. Jennings took the unconventional route out of HS and went to play in Italy instead of playing college ball in the states. Skeptics thought this would hurt the highly touted guard, but he has performed well as the starting PG for the Bucks.
Larry Sanders (24 min, 3-7 FG, 3 rebounds, 6 TP)
Strengths- Good defensive player- has the ability to potential to defend on the perimeter. Long with wide wingspan. Active, runs the floor hard. Can shoot the midrange jumper- high release- nice stroke.
Weaknesses- Looked jittery at times with the ball, indecisive; too much in a hurry- needs to develop patience and slow down. Forced the issue at times- hurried some shots, took some poor shots- needs to improve decision making. Made several rookie mistakes. Needs to continue to improve overall rebounding- didn’t block out man several times.
Overview- Solid outing for the rookie out of VCU. Very raw and filled with potential- reminds me of DeAndre Jordan for the LA Clippers. He was drafted by Milwaukee with the 15th overall pick. Solid pick up for the Bucks. Plays hard and hustles- could become solid player in this league, especially under the tutorage of Andrew Bogut.
Bulls
Carlos Boozer (33 min, 5-9 FG, 3-7 FT, 6 rebounds, 13 TP)
Strengths- Good hands, very strong, good P/R player, has the ability to face up man and shoot the midrange or put the ball on the floor and go to the basket. Draws fouls well. Fundamental and hard working player. Has a well-rounded offensive game.
Weaknesses- Struggles from the FT line. Plays under the rim- not athletic- has a tough time defending the perimeter. Has an unusual shooting form- but hits the midrange with consistency.
Overview- Boozer is fitting in nicely with the Bulls, since signing this summer after leaving Utah. I believe Boozer is the piece that can take this franchise to the next level. He brings scoring, veteran leadership, and a winning attitude. Good overall game from Boozer tonight helping the Bulls get a road victory.
Joakim Noah (33 min, 4-8 FG, 17 rebounds, 3 blocks, 8 TP)
Strengths- Excellent rebounder-very active on the glass- boxes out on both ends- rebounds the ball with 2 hands- puts his body on the line- best offensive rebounder in basketball and second best overall rebounder in the NBA in my opinion behind Kevin Love. Had 13 rebounds in the 1st half alone. Very strong and physical – good defender. Sets solid screens.
Weaknesses- Needs to improve overall offensive game- does not have a jumper at all. The Bucks left Noah open for the 15’ all night – he was reluctant to shoot it – did shoot it once – very bad miss as a result. Goes up strong- but needs to finish better around the rim.
Overview- Noah is a player who knows what his role is and he does not try to do things outside of his limits. Knows his strengths and weaknesses and maximizes his strengths (rebounding) and minimizes his weaknesses (offense). Competes and hustles on every play. The Bulls are very glad to have Noah back after he missed 30 games with injury.
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