|
|
 
 
Dan Peters
Sports Editor
Oak Park
Journal
|
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
File Photo by Mark Rotor
Bulls
Stumble Spoiling Boozers Debut...Bulls Smoked By Magic 107-78
By
Mark Rotor
December 1st, 2010
The Long Awaited Debut
Electricity filled the air at the United Center with anticipation of
the debut of Free Agent Carlos Boozer. Carlos has been on injured
reserve since suffering
a fractured of the fifth metacarpal on his right hand during the
pre-season.
With the 13-4 Orlando Magic in town leading the Atlantic Division and
Chicago 9-6 leading the Central Division, the 21,435 fans were poised
to watch a possible preview to
an Eastern Conference playoff match-up.
Will The Real Carlos Boozer Please Stand Up?
With all eyes focus on Boozer the pre-game player introductions
began. But just as they started something went awry as the P.A.
announcer Tommy
Edwards began to introduce “A 6'9" forwards from Duke”. But which Duke
Alumni did he mean? Before he could finish, Luol Deng leaped from the
bench and trotted into the spot light only to hear Carlos
Boozers name announced. Oops, embarrassing, yes but both Deng and
Boozer are 6’9
and both played for Duke University, an honest mistake. However, in
retrospect it
was foreshadowing of the difficult evening to come for the Bulls.
Unfortunately, Boozer’s debut was spoiled by an inspired performance by
Orlando’s
Jameer Nelson and Vince Carter combining 46 points to help dismantled
Chicago. The Bulls disappointing defensive effort, plus an outstanding
Orlando
defense helped facilitate a 33-15 2nd quarter. In the end,
Orlando ran-away cruising to 107-78 blow-out victory .
The Bulls Were Consistent - Tough Night For The Defense
“They beat us in every facet of the game,” said coach Thibodeau. “We
were not
good in the low post defense, pick and roll defense, and rebounding.
Our lack of rebounding in the 1st quarter gave them second shots many
of them
coming from their dribble penetration."
The
Other 6'9" Forward From Duke, Carlos Boozer High-Fives Deng
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
File photo by Mark Rotor
So This Was Preview of the Playoffs?
The Bulls lost by 29 points, out rebounded by 23 (44-21) and were
out scored 30-16 from 3-point range. For a team who usually averages
102 points
and 46 rebounds per game the Bulls uncharacteristically lacked
aggressive play both end of the court. It's ironic that most NBA
experts and fans alike expected a battle for
Eastern Conference dominance not a one-sided game that was virtually
over by
half-time. So What Happened? There were a few theories why Chicago came
out so flat.
The "Dwight Howard factor"
Some believe that there was a "Dwight Howard factor". The presents of
6’10”,
230 pound Howard with an outstanding ability to block shots and
intimidate likely
had an impact on the Bulls offense. After all, Derrick
Rose had two brutal encounters with Howard last year as Rose collided
with the big man and learned the hard way that the lane is patrolled by
the big man. "Howard was great at protecting the rim said,"
Thibodeau.
Team Chemistry Issue?
Others believe the Bulls as a team were not ready to add Carlos Boozer
into the
mix without further practice time to work him into the offense. True,
Boozer only had two
day of practice prior to the game to attempt to get into game shape and
mesh with his
teammates. "It feels great to have Carlos back said," Noah. "He hasn’t
played
in a while but it not about one player, it never has been." "I wish we
would have played
better and won this game but the 1st game back is over and we will
practice
tomorrow and get ready for Boston said," Boozer.
Home Sweet Home?
Finally, some suspect the Bulls didn't readjust to the routine of
playing at home
after returning from their 7 game road trip . It's likely it was a
combination
of all three but regardless, the Bulls were simply not ready to play.
"We didn’t come and play. We were tentative said, Taj Gibson. "They
just hit us in the
mouth right away putting us on our heels and we couldn’t adjust. They
out
rebounded us and played excellent defense."
Vince
Carter Takes Bull's Invitation To The Rim
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
File Photo by Mark Rotor
Orlando's 1st Half Berage - Carter & Nelson
Early, Chicago keep pace with Orlando even though Nelson
and Carter had there way with Chicago’s back court taking advantage of
brutally solid
picks set by Dwight Howard yielding open jumpers, three-pointers and
layups. Orlando’s back court combined for 12 point, lead by Vince
Carter with
8-points. “Both guy played extremely well,” said Thibodeau.
Rose Sparkled Early But No Match For The Magic
Derrick Rose it close in the first quarter by contributed
9-points and responding with a jumper or “three” each time Orlando
attempted
to extend the lead. By the end of the quarter Chicago was only down by
6 points (28-22). Rose played only 32 minutes in the game
partially due to early foul trouble. He scored 15 points and was the
2nd leading scorer behind Joakim Noah with 16-points.
"Our offense was low energy and we played without pace, so we didn’t
get any
easy scoring opportunities,” said Thibodeau. "You need to have great
ball
movement, great spacing and make quick decisions. We held the ball to
long and it help there defense get set."
Chicago started the following quarter with the “2nd group” including
C.J. Watson,
Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver, Omer Asik and Taj Gibson to attempt to
provide a spark
and to rest the starters. The group struggled to match-up with
Orlando’s remaining starters: Carter scoring 8 points and
Nelson 4 points.
In the 2nd quarter, Orlando grabbed their biggest lead of 25-points at
halftime (61-37). Chicago was out rebounded 11-6 and out scored 8-4 in
the
paint. In the 2nd half Orlando named the final score as the reserves
for
both teams played the major minutes. Rose returned to the line-up for a
brief
period of time but was recalled to the bench with 3 minutes remaining
with Chicago
down by 22 points. “You can’t give a team like this two chance
Thibodeau said.
“You are making it hard on your self and then they get there confidence
going.
Carlos
Boozer's First Basket As A Chicago Bull
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
File Photo by Mark Rotor
Has "Vince-Sanity" Returned To Vince Carter?
The back court of Orlando, Vince Carter and Jameer Lewis came out of
the
starting block shooting. In the first half alone the pair accounted for
34 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assist. Carter was a man possessed running
Bulls starter
Keith Bogans through Dwight Howard's jaw shattering picks and driving
to
the basket like the Vince Carter of old scoring 20-points in 1st half.
"I wanted to come out to set the tone for the team," Carter said. "So
people look
at it as me scoring all the time but I look at as being aggressive and
that’s what I wanted to do."
Teammate Jameer Nelson scored 24 points in the game, 14 points in the
1st quarter
and 10 points in the 2nd half. Nelson also was free to drive the lane
pickup
5 points in free-throws and shooting a flawless 3-3 from 3-point range.
For a many reasons I thought this was our best game of the year," said
Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy. "One of them was to take the team that's
leading
in rebound margin and dominate on the glass. We're a good rebounding
team."
The Unsung Hero - Dwight Howard
"When Dwight go to block that when they make there living or when the
other
"bigs" go to block," Carter said. "So, that why it was important to put
a body
on some of those guys and help out tonight." Howard scored only 13
points
but his presences was felt by the Bulls on the boards as he grabbed 12
rebounds
and two "official" block shots
Dwight
Howard Taking Joakim To Task In The 1st Quarter
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
File Photo by Mark Rotor
Howard 12 & Noah 0
Chicago did break one team record for fewest rebounds in a
game with at 21 After the game, most of the comments were about putting
this game
behind them and an improving.
"It’s frustrating to lose the way we did said," Joakim Noah. "We were
out
rebounded by a lot and it shows we still have a long way to go." On
Joakim Noah
bobble head doll give away night he also had the unfortunate
distinction of grabbing
zero rebounds for the game.
"I know that’s my job to rebound the basketball and I wasn’t
able to do that tonight. I’ve got to do a better job of that tomorrow.
We got work
hard and get ready for the next one." Ironically, Noah was the 2nd
leading
rebounder in the league averaging 13.2 per game.
Howard's Impact On The Game
Noah spent a great deal of his energy and focus attempting to contain
"Howard.
He obviously a load to handle but there is no excuse in this league. He
one
of the best for a reason but I have to control what I can control and
do a better job rebounding the basketball."
Rose
Trades Baskets With Nelson In 1st Half.
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago
File Photo by Mark Rotor
Bulls Notes - Other Note A Bulls
"You can control blocking-out for a rebound said," Thibodeau. "You
can’t give a
team like this two chance. You are making it hard on your self and then
they get there confidence going. They are a heck of a team. They are
well balance team"
Boozers Progress
When Thibodeau was asked about Boozer progress he responded, "The
normal
progression in practice tomorrow he get more comfortable settle down
and
as his conditioning and timing come around he get better and better.
Bulls will have multiple opportunities to redeem them selves playing
some of the best
teams in the NBA during the next two weeks including Boston Celtics,
Oklahoma City
Thunder and LA Lakers a week from Friday at the U.C.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
File Photo by Mark Rotor
Past Sports News
Local
Sports and
Teams
|
o0
|
