Last night's game was a roller coaster ride.
A few things.
Gibson got tossed. Jericho had some sort of bug, as did RJ. Nerlens gimpy as per usual.
The Bulls Big Three was just too much for us, though we came storming back in the second half, but DeMar DeRozan is an assassin of the Old School.
[Worth noting that Scott Perry wanted to pursue DeRozan in free agency but was outvoted]
Big 4 if you count Caruso, who has been playing lights out on D and from 3.
So Thibs went with a short rotation.
Knox got a look, but looked lost [that 3 Knicks and one Bull, and the Bull, was it Caruso] on a rebound opportunity.
Grimes got a cameo.
Bulls lacking size, but good D.
Burks, Fournier and IQ were a combined 15-41.
2021 21st Century Schizoid Man
I love Julius, and have been impressed by how he has gotten away from launching treys and returned to the low post attacking mode.
He carried us for stretches of the game. 30 points on 14-21, 12 boards, 6 assists and 2 blocks.
I mean, Burks-Fournier-Quickley were a combined 15-41
However, JR was 2-5 from the FT line, and had 7 turnovers.
SEVEN TURNOVERS.
What exactly is the reasoning behind Julius being a Point Forward. When he gets to ponding and pivoting, pounding and pivoting, there is a 50/50 chance he makes a great pass as the help defenders collapse, or he stubbornly keeps juking until the double/triple knocks the ball out of his hand or he coughs it up.
Much has been made about Julius not being a leader.
Well, he is our best player, and is our leader by default, and some of that fault rests on Thibs, although--AND I WAS TOTALLY ON BOARD WITH ALL OF LEON ROSE'S MOVES--really, other than Derrick, who else fills the role of leader?
When the season started, RJ looked as if he were ready to step into that role. But he has struggled after a hot start.
And filling the role of leader, what about getting a Laurel to complement Julius Randle's Hardy?
Lavine-Vucevic-DeRozan
Bulls basically traded Wendell Carter and a 2021 and 2023 #1 pick for Nikola Vucevic.
And to complement their bona fide superstar, Lavine, they got DeRozan, who has been looking
very superstarry, and Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso, who give them size and defensive tenacity, and the odd three ball.
Noels has been gimpy.
Fournier has been up and down.
Burks has been solid as a role player, but as a starter, as a point?
Walker has not been a good fit.
Rose has been solid.
IQ and Obi and Jericho have had their ups and downs, but have brought a lot of energy.
Neither Grimes not McBride have gotten a sustained look.
Julius has been our bell cow, and has been getting his game together, but his help as not been consistent, and he tries to do--OR PERHAPS IS TASKED TO DO--too much.
December 15 beckons. What might the front office do?
PS: Meanwhile, as has been duly noted, McBride, Samanic and Simms have been playing well in the G League. McBride sure looks like a PG, and Burks sure looks a like a 6th man, but hey, who is Thibs going to give the keys to the car?
Poll
