Hey! How About My Baby Bulls?!?!?

[ProfessorGAC]

Now at the 13 - 2 point for 2005, and 22 - 10 in their last 32. They're still not good enough for the big boys yet, but at least i can come out the Bulls' fan closet now.

They play hard, they play smart, they play defense, and there are three guys who are unafraid to have the ball in the last seconds.

After the abyss in which we were mired due to Jerry Krause, ("Organizations win championships.. Players and coaches don't win champsionships."), i can watch whole games, and i can admit to being a fan of the team again.

Nice going Johnny Pax, and Skiles.
The Professor

[RubyDuby in GA]

1. I'm happy for you

We don't even have a professional team here in Atlanta (I know we technically do, but I simply refuse to claim them. They suck out loud).

[RPM]

2. why are they called the baby bulls?

Keep hearing Wilbon use that name on PTI, but I don't understand its origins. Can you enlighten me, please?

[ProfessorGAC]

11. Very Young Team. Learning To Walk Before Run

It's fairly common here in Chicago. After what we had in the 90's, the break up years were pretty pathetic. Now, we've got a team of rookies and 2nd year players (i think it's 4 rookies, 3 2nd year players and 2 guys who are in their 4th year, but came right out of high school). They are VERY young overall. I think the average age is about 23.

So, they're still "kids" and learning the game, but doing well while learning.
The Professor

[RPM]

17. thanks!

wow - i didn't realize what a young team they are. I figgered the baby thing had to do with the age, but thought maybe it had something to do with the style of play.... of course, i know squat about the NBA. Thanks again

[madrchsod]

3. we shall wait and see...

feb. games on the road and the last few games of the season will show what the bulls and skiles are made of. maybe it will make some of my bulls stuff from this year worth something....

[XNASA]

4. It's credibull, ain't it?

I tried to watch over the last few years, but it was worse than watching well, it was worse than trying to watch a Western Conference game. No defense, bad passing, etc.

Now......it's fun again. Setting picks, blocking shots, hitting the open man, diving for steals, blocking out on the defensive end, taking a charge. Again, some of you Western Conference fans my be unfamiliar with those terms but it's the way the Jordan-led Bulls won 6 Championships in 8 years.

:evilgrin:

[ProfessorGAC]

12. Role Playing, Too

Chandler has figured out that he doesn't need to be an offensive force. Defense, shot blocking, rebounding, and screening is just as important as a dunk or jump shot. Nocioni isn't pouting about not being a starter. Just comes in to spark the team. That's his role.

Accepting one's role on the team is a critical thing, and they all seem to be doing it. It's cool.
The Professor

[Grown2Hate]

5. Hell yeah, we're doing GREAT!

And I for one have been proudly proclaiming to be a HUGE Bulls fan all throughout our winning drought of the last few years... hell, I was a Bulls fan before Jordan, I'll be a Bulls fan LONG after.

Also, we call them "The Baby Bulls" because we have FOUR rookies logging major minutes, as well as a second year guy, and then Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler, who are barely 21 (I believe?) each. So we're a YOUNG squad, and FINALLY playing well together. I'm freaking LOVING it. :)

[Grown2Hate]

8. And in reply to the first poster...

Actually, we ARE ready for the "big boys"... we've got some SOLID wins under our belts already: Utah (when they were still a top team in the West), Minnesota (who is admittedly doing far worse than they SHOULD be), the Lakers (with Kobe), a GOOD Cleveland team (and we won by 28!), Detroit (same team that won the championship last year). Also, we've hung tough against some of the western powerhouses (that Mavericks game, where if it wasn't for a HORRIBLE call giving the Mavs possession with 10 seconds left, we would have won that game too... classic example).

Anyhow, simply illustrating that I trust this team against just about ANYONE right now... and I can't WAIT for this upcoming road trip, where we play Miami, Minne again, Houston, Dallas... can't wait to see what kind of damage we can do. GO BULLS!

[ProfessorGAC]

14. The Big Boys I'm Talking About. . .

. . .are San Antonio, Sacramento, Dallas, Phoenix, and MAYBE the Heat. Right now, i'm not impressed that we can beat anyone in the East. Any good team should be able to win against almost every team in the East on any night.

I don't think we're ready for the real championship contenders yet, but there's plenty of room to grow.
The Professor

[lazarus]

18. well

Detroit got beat twice by the expansion Bobcats, Minnesota likely won't make the playoffs, the Lakers are on the bubble to make the playoffs.

So far, you've lost big to the Spurs once. The real test will come March 4. If you can hang with us in our building, it's for real.

Great job so far, though. Nice to see some new teams in the mix.

[ProfessorGAC]

13. You May Be One Of Us Who Remember, . . .

. . .Boerwinkle, Love, Walker, VanLier and Sloan. Bobby Weiss first of the bench! That's how far back i go with the Bulls.
The Professor

[Grown2Hate]

16. I don't go back QUITE that far :)

However, I was raised a Bulls fan by my best friend's dad, starting from when I was about 4 or 5 (my dad wasn't into basketball at all... his thing was NFL). So, I believe it was 1983 when I first remember watching the Bulls. Great to see a Bulls fan from a little bit further back to add more perspective though!

[atre]

6. No NBA team that starts Duhon is a good team

With Ben Gordon on the bench and Hinrich more than capable of handling PG duties, what the hell is that coach thinking starting the sucking vortex of doom and giving him significant minutes? Duhon is the worst starting player in the pros, and it's not even close.

[Grown2Hate]

9. Duhon's conditioning is better that Gordon's right now.

I'd rather him run Duhon into the ground (who's playing big minutes and becoming a NICE defensive stopper), and pace Gordon so he can keep coming into the fourth quarter of games FRESH and pulling off the heroics, like he has been doing... VERY consistently. He's a great player (Gordon), but he's only one year removed from college, and he WILL get fatigued pretty soon if Skiles isn't careful with him (which he has been, perfectly). BRILLIANT coaching. Hell, it's been working GREAT so far!

[ProfessorGAC]

15. You're Right About Duhon

Duhon is pretty darned good defender. That frees up the wings to cut off the passing lanes, because he can hold down most guys one on one.

Like i said in another post, Duhon is filling a role. Good teams need that.
The Professor

[11 Bravo]

7. I'm a Wizards fan, and we're a lot of fun to watch this year, but...

I've got to admit, the Bulls are also entertaining. With Curry, Chandler, Hinrich, Gordon, and Deng, you have a young nucleus that can be competitive for years to come.

[Grown2Hate]

10. Yeah, the Wizards are also very fun to watch...

I'm also a huge UConn fan (grew up in CT) and a huge U of Arizona fan (did a lot of growing up in Tucson, AZ too), so it's fun as HELL to see my guys moving on to the NBA and becoming big time players (Arenas is my MAN over there, and Gordon ain't doin' too shabby for my Bulls either). See you guys in the playoffs! :)

[NeoTraitors]

19. Hey WGN

please put the Bulls on the national channel once in a while. I get all excited that they will be on tv and instead its 'In the Heat of the Night' again.

[Scout1071]

20. Hinrich has been playing his arse off

I could never understand why the Bulls fans booed when he was selected in the draft. Being a KU season ticket holder, I watched that kid give his all for 4 years. He was and is incredible. Just wait Bulls fans....he's going to keep getting better. Aside from that he is a great kid and you will be proud to have him representing your city - just as we are that he represented KU. A little corny, but it's the truth.