The Bulls were definitely in the right thinking they could afford to rest Derrick Rose for Tuesday night's game with two off-days coming up, but it turned out especially well for them in that even a Rose-less team can obliterate whatever attempt at defense the Phoenix Suns put out there. The Bulls set a season high for quarter (39), half (67) and total (118) in what turned out to be a complete laugher.
Looking at the Suns roster it's easy to see the defensive holes, especially in the frontcourt. And while Steve Nash had himself a very nice game, the way he licks his hands before retrieving the inbounds pass made it look like he was literally just waiting for the defensive possession to be over so he could go to (half) work. Even when they set the pace and created some mismatches early, the non-Nash Suns are just good enough to attempt good looks as a byproduct of their point guard, but not nearly good enough to make enough of those attempts to mask their D.
So there's probably not much we can take long-term for this game, but it was a fantastic night at the United Center with a lot of standout performances:
This was just a perfect night for the Bulls. Through aggression and ball-movement they were able to shoot open jumpers or cut unobstructed to the rim all night. You could even say this was the first of 3 off nights.
0 recs | 173 comments
Best stat of the night....
Fukudometer - January 17, 2012
I’m stunned!
Belize - January 18, 2012 via mobile
If we get up by 40 in the 2nd quarter, can we get him down to 23 minutes?
cubbybear - January 18, 2012
Bulls and Heat both put up 39 pts in a quarter tonight
Bulls in a blowout, Heat in a massive comeback from down 17.
Fukudometer - January 17, 2012
Sorry, typo
Instead of “Miami Heat” it should say: “6th place Miami Heat”
Fukudometer - January 17, 2012
rip has laways been a good passer
he moves well off the ball and continues to be a strong facilitator and scorer. I just love seeing Rip shoot that mid range jumper and I hope he continues his strong play against the cavs.
Btw, i would keep rose out till next week. Seems like the swelling on Rose’s toe has gotten worse and Watson should be able to play well against the next up and coming weak opponents.
Geo4MVP - January 17, 2012
After tonight, Bulls have played more games than any other team in the NBA: 16
Clippers have only played 11. WTF.
Fukudometer - January 17, 2012
I think okc is second to us
Feels like they threw the hard schedule at us young teams thinking we’d be more okay with it
sin - January 17, 2012
That makes too much sense, sin! This is David Stern and his band of lackeys we are talking about!
Brigade17 - January 17, 2012
early in the season is betetr for us regardless
the older teams are fucked esp when their schedule is condensed.
Geo4MVP - January 17, 2012
forgot to add when their schedule is condensed later in the season
Geo4MVP - January 17, 2012
It will definitely help later on. It also saves the "do you sit them to rest for the playoffs" questions
Brigade17 - January 17, 2012
Also remember that the NBA is doing a lot to market the Bulls and OKC
D. Rose and Kevin Durant are the next big superstars who are easy to advertise, so Stern probably wanted them on TV more often early, in case there was any lingering effects to the lockout and viewers.
Hopefully thats just the cynic in me though.
The Voiss - January 18, 2012
sin makes sense
2012
T.Moore - January 18, 2012
im only going to make sense until i get to say "i told you so"
sin - January 18, 2012
wow
you’ll make sense forever? I don’t believe this
Prevenge - January 18, 2012
I think the Blackhawks don't help us in that regard
We have to sched around them….
Though really I’d much rather play more games early in the season, and less late in the season to keep us somewhat more rested for the playoffs (I know it’s slight, but any slight adv may help)
majoyenrac - January 18, 2012
Also Disney on Ice.
Tim S. - January 18, 2012
I feel like boozer is only confident against small tweeners and not real power forwards
He just seems to become passive against length and size when he should be using his own size and quickness against them
sin - January 17, 2012
he has shown flashes of doing just that. I think he will figure something out; he went to Duke so that means he's kinda sorta smart, right?
Brigade17 - January 17, 2012
it probably just means someone took his ACT too.
And for the record I don’t care if they did.
MRubio52 - January 17, 2012
well, the coming from Coach K thing explains his inability to hedge on a screen or rush towards his shooter on D.
dantheman3k - January 18, 2012
i feel like Boozer dominates a game by scoring 30 and you find a way to criticize him
kpd - January 18, 2012
let it go, the booz haters are gonna try to get a shot at him whenever they have a chance.
Geo4MVP - January 18, 2012
anyone can get hot and shoot jumpers all day to score 30
is he going to do that for 4 games in the playoffs against the heat? im not counting on it.
id rather see him post up and destroy people in the paint where he can score at a more efficient rate and get to the line as well and rack up fouls on the other team
sin - January 18, 2012
10 of his 21 shots were in the paint
Poloplaya14 - January 18, 2012
Oh and for comparison, Bosh also put up 30 tonight, and only 6 of his 22 shots were in the paint.
Poloplaya14 - January 18, 2012
reminds me of that one game against us where he couldn't miss..
Jaina - January 18, 2012
Yeah, but Bosh is a very, very good shooting big man.
I won’t hate on Booz too much about last night. His offense made up for his bad D, so he was a + overall. I still don’t like his game but he had it going on last night.
dakoose - January 18, 2012
Bosh isn't that much better a shooter than Boozer
This season, Bosh is actually really struggling from range, hitting only 31% from 16-23 feet. Historically, both guys are generally in the low 40%’s on those shots.
Poloplaya14 - January 18, 2012
come on now....half of them are jumpshots from like 15 ft-ish. thats not really posting up a guy and destroying in the paint
sin - January 18, 2012
Now you're just nitpicking
A 10-ft jumper may still be a jumper, but it’s still a much higher-% shot than a 17-footer. If Boozer continues to use his skills and strength to get shots closer to the basket like he did this game, he’ll be a lot more likely to “get hot”.
Poloplaya14 - January 18, 2012
you think he's going to do this the rest of the season or the playoffs when it matters?
I want him to do what he was paid and brought here to do which is being our low post threat that will punish teams in the paint and rack up fouls
sin - January 18, 2012
I do agree with this aspect...
I see no reason why he should shoot weak-assed little flip shots right around the rim. Go up strong with two hands and either dunk it or get fouled.
Paul Warfield - January 18, 2012
It seems like 6 out of 10 times he goes for the aggresive move he gets called for an offensive foul
tuluse - January 18, 2012
Because he doesn't have a quick first step.
Smart defenders can slide over.
Ozzie Montana - January 18, 2012
also...
because he almost always clears out with his odd hand/arm, and the refs pick that up easily.
Paul Warfield - January 18, 2012
oops...
“off”, not “odd”
Paul Warfield - January 18, 2012
It's pretty odd, too.
jpx7 - January 18, 2012
I think he's definitely capable of doing that
Whether he will or not is anyone’s guess.
Poloplaya14 - January 18, 2012
Yeah that's all imsaying
sin - January 18, 2012
those shots within the paint are still not bad shot
he did well and took smart shows that fit within his strengths. Give credt when credit is due.
Geo4MVP - January 18, 2012
This chart shows that
Booz was hitting from everywhere
JustAnotherFan - January 18, 2012
how much more effecient do you want him to be? 31 points on 21 shots (10 of which came in the paint as Poloplaya14 pointed out) is pretty damn good
kpd - January 18, 2012
look at my picture. theyre all fucking jumpshots
he got hot. great. thats ONE game so far out of like 16. against a team with no real power forwards.
you really expect this for at least 4 games in a series against miami? cause i sure as hell dont.
sin - January 18, 2012
He's been shooting well the whole season...
and clearly has more confidence in his shot than last year. It’s one thing to criticize him for not being more effective around the rim, but he’s shooting 53% for the season while relying on the jump shots that you hate so much.
Rebounding well, improved defensively (though admittedly not a great deal), shooting 53% from the field, and he’s a major concern? I just don’t see it.
Paul Warfield - January 18, 2012
haters gonna hate
Geo4MVP - January 18, 2012
I'm thinking of a kid in a suit walking on sand...
cubbybear - January 18, 2012
While I would like him to post up more
The guy is doing what he is here to do, be the second/third option and rebound. If he is shooting 53% on jumpshots this year and putting up good numbers, then keep doing what you’re doing, Booz
blackgallagher - January 18, 2012
I don't think Boozer's shooting is the problem...
He defense is, but that’s not really the discussion here. I think what Boozer’s problem is two things: matchups and performance/mental issues in “big” games. Really, it’s probably all a mental thing with him.
With matchups, on paper he looks good against most anyone that comes against him, but in games it seems like if a larger defender or big name player is on him he doesn’t perform. I think he’s one of those big guys that is afraid to use his size. I feel like he plays like a guy 6 inches shorter and 40 pounds lighter than he is.
On the other point, it seems like he shows up when he starts making baskets, which is a problem against good teams. It seems like as soon as he gets some pressure and can’t get a good look or move he caves in.
It’s all mental with him, and if he’s not established by the end of the first quarter is probably better to bench him.
Dorfineer - January 18, 2012
I understand your point...
but would argue that:
a) he is gaining confidence as his shooting improves
b) having Rip on the court will help both because of the added threat, and because Rip is a good passer
c) therefore the book is still out on how he will perform under pressure in the playoffs.
I do see reason for some optimism.
Paul Warfield - January 18, 2012
oh god 5 foot jumpshots
what awful shots
Prevenge - January 18, 2012
For Blake Griffin, they're dunks.
cubbybear - January 18, 2012
I really wish I could rec JUST your sig.
dantheman3k - January 18, 2012
I think often we don't run plays with him....
majoyenrac - January 18, 2012
I want to see more Rip.
Seems like the offense moved really well through him at the 2. Anyone else think that this team with Rip and Rose healthy and the intact bench mob has a ridiculously high ceiling? i know – phoenix – but still…
DisCUBbobulated - January 17, 2012
yes, it does have a high ceiling
look what they did to the clippers with rip healthy. He makes alot of difference for this team. Brewer did a good job holding the fort till rip came back, but brewer jsut cant do what rip does on offense. IBrewer is the man on defense, but overall Rip has a bigger impact than Brewer.
Geo4MVP - January 17, 2012
No Boozer and Noah in the 4th quarter...
Second night in a row with the game out of reach, yet no one is bitching about it tonight. Winning cures all.
Dionysus2.0 - January 17, 2012
yeah but when the fans bitch wheneevr the team loses, it shows how much they care about the team
However, i agree, if you gotta bitch, make sure you make a logical point about your case.
Geo4MVP - January 17, 2012
So does getting solid production from Booze & Noah.
pooriejay - January 17, 2012
Had to make some playing time for the White Mamba...
Dorfineer - January 18, 2012
Happy Birthday Thibs!!
Happy Birthday to my new mother! And Happy Wedding to me!!
Oh, and nice win for the Bulls. Hope Rose is ready by next game.
Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. - January 17, 2012
CONGRATS! Here's to your new life and hopefully...
a BULLS CHAMPIONSHIP!
Geo4MVP - January 17, 2012
And hopefully, in that particular order!!!
Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. - January 17, 2012
Congrats, sir.
Juiceboxjerry - January 17, 2012
In honor of the Bulls you should've yelled your vows like Boozer
“I DO!!!”
“GIMME THAT RING!!!!!”
Juiceboxjerry - January 17, 2012
I would do that at the actual ceremony
but I’m certain that, at a Chinese wedding, awful things would befall me.
Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. - January 17, 2012
恭喜你們!
Just stay away from the chicken feet and pig intestines and you’ll be fine. Hopefully you married the one Chinese girl who isn’t a closet psycho.
MrBungle - January 18, 2012
jesus youre charming.
TheMoon - January 18, 2012
to be fair, chicken feet are really bad.
obnoxious american - January 18, 2012
Yeah. Don't eat Chicken Feet. Ugh.
Prevenge - January 18, 2012
For serious, if you haven't had any, go to the Phoenix, then don't order the Chicken Feet because they suck.
but their other food is pretty delicious.
Prevenge - January 18, 2012
yeah, well, don't mention your wedding then.
your friendly BullsBlogger - January 19, 2012
GRAB IT WIFE!
blackgallagher - January 18, 2012
congrats to you and your lovely new bride
Sandberg's evil twin - January 18, 2012
Thank you.
And thanks for assuming that she is lovely and not some dogfaced gremlin.
Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. - January 18, 2012
Dogfaced gremlin
so you’ve met my mother in law eh?
ThorCo - January 18, 2012
Really? Just one rec?
I bet if I said ‘fuck rondo’ you’d all be patting me on the back!
Anyhow, this team is monstrously deep right now. I mean goodness, everyone not named Scalabrine (and I Butler for now) should get some burn every game. As long as they keep playing defense and Rose is healthy (and still killing it in the 4th quarter), there’s no reason this team can’t in a title this year.
Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. - January 18, 2012
Begging for rec's should negate any rec's already there
Option27 - January 18, 2012 via mobile
Who's begging?
I’m DEMANDING!!!!
Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. - January 18, 2012
Congrats Doc
Poloplaya14 - January 18, 2012
Thanks!
I have nothing witty to add this time…
Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. - January 18, 2012
I just got married too.
She looked pretty in the catalog. Not so much in real life.
MrBungle - January 18, 2012
Yeah well screw you :)
majoyenrac - January 18, 2012
stop youre making yfbb jealous in his basement
sin - January 18, 2012
Nah, but I'm sure he's 'tuning up the banned'
Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. - January 18, 2012
Congrats, for sure. :D
Prevenge - January 18, 2012
Congrats.
chicity773 - January 18, 2012
Married on Thibs Birthday?
You might be destined to hold her to a sub-40% AWP (argument win percentage) with that kind of defensive provenance.
cubbybear - January 18, 2012
Last comment on this...
since this is China, the wedding date will not always be January 18th. We go by Lunar calendar for important dates, so the anniversary will be different each year on our Solar calendar. :-P
Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. - January 18, 2012
you're lucky I'm in a good mood, SO OT
your friendly BullsBlogger - January 18, 2012
arent u always in a good mood?
Geo4MVP - January 18, 2012
big up sir
Lemme get an e- vite to your open bar lol
Belize - January 18, 2012 via mobile
people are still clamoring for a Jamal Crawford, but that player is already on the roster
it’s in the form of CJ Watson. seriously, he seems fully capable of being that type of scorer while still trying to facilitate offense and actually plays D. really need to find him some minutes with Rose, even in crunch time. have him instead of Korver out there.
BULLieving in Miami - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app
Thibs already expiermented with "big shot" Lucas and Rose and it worked like a fuckin charm against the raptors
CJ and Rose can break down the zone D with alot more ease once Thibs implementing this new strategy. I remember people were laughing at the idea of CJ as the SG, but hey, Im sure he can do a decent job with Rose being the pg.
Geo4MVP - January 17, 2012
it feels like SG is more his natural role
BULLieving in Miami - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app
i believe he always have been
i have seen him play the SG with the warriors a couple of times and he does quite well (with curry leading the way obviously).
Sigh…damn, if only thibs implemented this strategy last yr against the heat. Who knows…we might have won :(
Geo4MVP - January 17, 2012
I was clamouring for this all last season
but the few times Thibs did try it, it never seemed to work (and he tried it a few times). Therefore, if he doesn’t attempt this I’m fine with it.
chowder - January 18, 2012
yeah, but to experiment, you gotta try it multiple times...not few!
Geo4MVP - January 18, 2012
Well CJ's a better facilitator and defender than Crawford....
majoyenrac - January 18, 2012
Definitely a better defender
I don’t know that one’s clearly better as a facilitator.
runningman - January 18, 2012
Crawford's a black hole
majoyenrac - January 18, 2012
He has bad shot selection but he's not a ballhog.
Ozzie Montana - January 18, 2012
He has an assist % of 23.6 so far this year
That number is pretty high for someone who’s primarily a SG. He’s far from a black hole. That’s only slightly behind a PG like Jeff Teague who is at 27.6%.
Yes, he has bad shot selection and doesn’t necessarily work within an offense, but he is willing to give the ball up.
runningman - January 18, 2012
Rip is so perfect for this team
I don’t even care that he takes a lot of mid range jumpers. They look so much better with him on the floor. And I had no idea he was such a good passer. He even ran the pnr with Booz a few times and was fantastic
Juiceboxjerry - January 17, 2012
He's having fun playing with unselfish players
In chicago, you can give up the ball knowing if you get open, you’ll get the ball back.
In Detroit, if you pass the ball, it ain’t coming back
trig - January 18, 2012
Completely agree.
His value will be tremendous in the playoffs when things slow down in the half court.
bleigh82 - January 18, 2012
Open mid-range jumpers aren't a problem
The silly shots are those long 2s that are a step or two inside the 3 point line. You have all of the risk of a low percentage shot, without the reward of getting 3 points if it goes in.
runningman - January 18, 2012
MichaelClutchtree - January 17, 2012
He already has an old man game (and I mean that in the best possible way)
He’s just so chill out there, and always seems to make the right decision. I’d like to see him take more shots, so we can get a better feel for where his jumper is at, but in the little time he’s been out there, he’s looked very impressive
Juiceboxjerry - January 17, 2012
I was hoping he would get some more minutes in the game tonight.
Really like what I’ve seen so far, though it hasn’t been a lot.
SRQman - January 17, 2012
I was watching him closely as there wasn't much else to do at the end of the game
And I don’t care for his defense. He got hung up on screens easily, and generally seemed nervous about where to be.
tuluse - January 18, 2012
as the last pick in the draft
and a rookie who only gets a couple of minutes every third game playing with a future HOF’er in Scalabrine, I’d be nervous too
ThorCo - January 18, 2012
last pick in the first round, you mean.
dantheman3k - January 18, 2012
damn I am off today
thanks for the catch
ThorCo - January 18, 2012
You, like success in the NBA, have forgotten the second round. It's really just your brain pruning back the useless garbage.
cubbybear - January 18, 2012
Hey now
Boozer and Omer Asik would like to have a word with you
ThorCo - January 18, 2012
Korver too
your friendly BullsBlogger - January 18, 2012
oh ya
And Bogans :P
ThorCo - January 18, 2012
Asik's a bit of a special case due the the overseas stuff. He easily could have been a lottery pick.
cubbybear - January 18, 2012
I'm old enough to remember
multiple round drafts, though I don’t remember exactly how many. At least six.
El Toro de Goro - January 18, 2012
Where would all the players go? The NBADL would love that.
If the NBA Draft went to 3 rounds, Ridiculous Upside would explode.
cubbybear - January 19, 2012
I'm not really concerned
I would be nervous as hell trying to fit in with the best defense in the league, but the fact remains I don’t think he can get big minutes until he better understands Thibs defense and does a better job fighting through screens.
tuluse - January 18, 2012
i still wanna see Scal's 360 between the legs Dunk...
but i can only dream.
RED_BULL - January 18, 2012
the ONE thing i didn't like about tonight...
Why did Thibs play Hamilton in Bogans’ minutes? Hamilton started both halves, and never checked in again when he came out. I’m hoping that this is just Thibs letting Hamilton a light load on his first game back, especially in a blowout, but I do have the concern that for some reason Thibs thinks Hamilton is the new Bogans.
kpd - January 18, 2012
err, its def a light load dude coming off a groin injury
hell avg 25-30 mins a game…
Geo4MVP - January 18, 2012
he was averaging for than 30 mins a game before tonight...
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3330/gamelog;_ylt=AhMvdjJfuJon6HB2TGipt5daPKB4
Geo4MVP - January 18, 2012
i def think
that yes it’s just giving rip a light load in a blowout. guy wasn’t needed more than he was on the floor, was a nice game to try to work himself back in.
Jaina - January 18, 2012
I guess everyone needs something to worry about
If you’re worrying that your just-returned-from-a-groin-injury SG didn’t get a bunch of minutes during a 30 point blowout, and this somehow means he’s going to play 15 minutes a game for all time, you’re really stretching.
runningman - January 18, 2012
no kidding
I was worried he was gonna play too much, considering the context of the game.
your friendly BullsBlogger - January 18, 2012
Great assist/turnover ratio from the Bulls
Their 31 assist, 6 turnover game was only the third time in the last 27 years that they have had 30+ assists and six or fewer turnovers in a game.
It was also the third game of C.J. Watson’s career where he has scored at least 20 points in a game on better than 60% FG shooting and 60% three point shooting.
Mike from Illinois - January 18, 2012
Dude, are you angling for a job at Stats, Inc or something?
Keep up the good work, though.
runningman - January 18, 2012
Thanks... I appreciate it
I love basketball-reference.com; it’s great for researching stuff like that.
Mike from Illinois - January 18, 2012
The Man.The Myth.The Legend. The Highlights.
White Mamba highlights
trig - January 18, 2012
that video has convinced me that while Asik is in
all jumpshots should instead be ally oops
SidM - January 18, 2012
Brewer, you have to dunk that
JustAnotherFan - January 18, 2012
they didn't have his block from last night!
WindisBlowingOut! - January 18, 2012
rest of the internet going on strike?
hellooooooo BaB
sin - January 18, 2012
Prolly isn't likely but maybe teams look at Booz games like tonight and think he just doesn't mesh well with Rose?
Maybe a team like New Jersey takes a flyer on him to make Williams happy (happier)?
Just maybe he has value to other teams?
Maybe I’m losing my mind?
Option27 - January 18, 2012
boozer for monta
id be happy with taj starting if we had another scorer like monta
sin - January 18, 2012
oh god, please stop
this is worse than melo.
Jaina - January 18, 2012
Actually I'd prefer Monta over Melo.
Ellis has proven he can and will create for others. Melo as a point forward is a miserable failure.
Ozzie Montana - January 18, 2012
I would actually go the other way
I agree that Melo’s no point forward, but I think he’s a better passer than Monta when you consider how much more time Monta has the ball.
Poloplaya14 - January 18, 2012
please stop ur trollin sin
im really sick hearing bout monta.
Geo4MVP - January 18, 2012
Man Steve Nash is just awesome
He’s a total joy to watch.
I know he’s not strong enough to be a great defender, but then again he’s a PG and all he really should do is funnel the other team’s into the post….
But the Suns post D is pretty horrendous. Actually their team is pretty horrendous. They have 2 players, Nash is a stud, and Gortat is a solid big, the rest, eh. Maybe Morris will be solid in time (he has some ability) but the rest of that team would be our Scalabrine’s….
I think CJ again proved my theory that he’s a top 3 backup PG right now. He’s a good defender, he can put up some points, he can distribute a bit. He’s good for our team. I htink there’s a chance (though I didn’t watch that game because I was stuck at work) that the Memphis game may have turned out better if CJ started and didn’t come in after they were way ahead (granted I don’t blame THibs for not starting him because of that injury, I’m just saying I think CJ is solid for us), he’s one of the better defensive points too, which is a surprise judging from the limited time I saw him in golden state.
Richard Hamilton proved he’ll be quite the fit for us if he can stay healthy. He has something like 8-6 in the first quarter, and then Thibs didn’t really use him too much since he’s still not quite 100%. I think Hamilton being out there opened up Boozer even more.
I am not quite the Boozer alarmist. He is what he is, not much of a defender (Though he has decent hands, he just doesn’t move and stay in front of his man enough or really play the physical D that you’d think given his size he’s capable of). Conversely though he’s fairly electric offensively and I think the lapse in scoring figures is more from under utilization than him being bad. I mean he’s shooting 53% (mostly jumpers); giving us 18-10 per 36 minutes. His scoring is down to 14.6 this year, but he’s also taking about 2 less FG attempts per game and is having a career low in minutes. Maybe THibs is trying to keep our team more healthy for the playoffs since the injuries to Boozer and Noah kind of killed us in the playoffs…..his PER is now at 19.6, granted after a big game yesterday, but still it’s solid….
I’m still more worried about Joakim than Boozer….but in the last week Joakim’s starting to show some life.
majoyenrac - January 18, 2012
Steve Nash is awesome
Some team like the Mavericks should try to grab him to make a push for the finals.
tuluse - January 18, 2012
Man if hte Mavs took him back, they'd be totally awesome
No dig on Kidd (who’s still a decent pg, even if old and broken down—he’s still smart), but Nash is better and was better (yes I said it) esp on O and is still very friendly with Nowitzki…
majoyenrac - January 18, 2012
i think people overrated kidd a bit
eso when they say hes better than nash.
Geo4MVP - January 18, 2012
overrate*
Geo4MVP - January 18, 2012
Kidd is a better rebounder, as I recall.
And he has turned himself into a decent three-point shooter. But he was never the scorer Nash is.
Nash is just so hard to defend on the pick and roll because he is equally likely to shoot and make it, drive and make it, or dish to a wide open teammate. There’s just no way to predict what he will do — except that he won’t dunk. And what’s really crazy is how he has retained his skills as he ages, probably because he never really depended on speed or hops. It’s more about skills and smarts with him.
Tim S. - January 18, 2012
Balance.
Nash has impeccable balance.
Prevenge - January 18, 2012
Whatever it is, he hasn't lost it.
Or else he has compensated superbly for whatever he lost. His career trajectory is very unusual. He didn’t reach his peak until 32, and at 37 he’s still playing better than he did at 25.
Tim S. - January 18, 2012
roids :p
SidM - January 19, 2012
Yeah Kidd was great at one time
And is still good when not broken down (mostly because of how smart he is at running the game)
But Nash is ridiculous, he’s one of the best shooters of all time, and is a wizard at the passing lanes.
It’s really a shame Nash is looking less likely to win it all…..
majoyenrac - January 18, 2012
hmmm, for some reason, i feel like the magic r gonna get nash...
jus so they can convince dwight to stay.
Geo4MVP - January 18, 2012
kidd is better than nash because kidd plays defense
He guarded Kobe and Kevin Durant very well
MartyMondays - January 18, 2012 via mobile
Then I guess the Mavericks didn't need Jason Terry or JJ Berea
tuluse - January 18, 2012
Nash is a wizard offensively, just a joy offensively
That SUns team with the talent they have should be 0-12 or whatever, should be far worse than the much more talented Wizards (I know that Grant HIll is a natural talent, but he hasn’t been that all star superstar since before his injuries—his post injury all star fan voted nod was more because fans loved him before he showed he’d dump Orlando who spent a billion dollars and 7 years waiting to get decent because of his injuries, just to try to ring chase for less money when he finally got healthy)
Nash tries defensively and while he’s not at all a good defender, if his post defenders were better, his effor would slow them down.
I mean Dirk gets killed for being _irk (or more or less used to), but he’d look like hte DPOY compared to Frye/Morris/Amar’e, etc.
PG’s can only really do so much defending as is (guys are so quick and without the hand checking that’s tough to stay in front of them), some can do what Thibs is teaching Rose (the albeit quicker, stronger, taller, more physical, and faster) Rose to do in staying in front of them and driving them to the generally good post defenders….
I think the rag on Nash’s D is a bit much. He’s not a good defender, true, but his team’s haven’t ever really had good post defense, which is more important than point defense. Nash also always gives that effort.
And regardless, Kidd was never the all out O weapon of Nash offensively. He can hit a shot from anywhere and is just ridiculous at seeing the open holes in other teams defenses.
It sucks that it took Nash really 5 years to be a starter, beause you have to wonder if he’d be closer to that #2 in all time assists when he was done (he wouldn’t touch Stockton).
majoyenrac - January 18, 2012
Stats won't show but Noah and Boozington had great passes too
JustAnotherFan - January 18, 2012
I didn't see it live, only the highlights on ESPN
but there was one sequence where we had 3-4 passes in the paint within 2 seconds total. Boozer passes to Noah to Brewer back to Boozer who shoots it open and close. Shit like that is impressive.
dantheman3k - January 18, 2012
happy bday thibs...heres hoping you get laid
..in the film room
Belize - January 18, 2012 via mobile
From Belize as well?
Lindo. - January 18, 2012
yessir
Representin backadia to the fullest ;)
Belize - January 18, 2012 via mobile
His favorite position...
Can we make a Thibs meme?
Starts sexy, ends with a defensive stop.
cubbybear - January 18, 2012
bad day to do it
with all those websites down or limited today
ThorCo - January 18, 2012
Right, today would be a great day. The faces of Thibs would be a good place to start...
cubbybear - January 19, 2012
as long as there is no backcourt violation...
Belize - January 18, 2012 via mobile
Birthday magic?
Rip and Noah have Feb birthdays as well =)
Lindo. - January 18, 2012
http://www.theheckler.com/2012/01/18/boozer-scores-31-in-debut-with-bulls/
lcohn89 - January 18, 2012
why
obnoxious american - January 18, 2012
NBA pecking order
MJ, Kobe, Scalabrine……
Trey23 - January 18, 2012
Scalabrine: Becoming an assist machine
jrobulls - January 18, 2012
But he's no Julyan Stone.
Tim S. - January 18, 2012
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