Going up against the defending champions will not be an easy task. Seeing how the Bucks swept us in the regular season, seeing how we’ve played against the top competition, seeing how we’ve been playing down the stretch, it’s easy to think this series will be a blowout, the wrong way. I get it. Yet, why do I have a feeling that this series will be a lot closer than people think? Why do I feel the Bulls have a chance here? Well, for starters, because I’m a die hard Bulls fan, I will always believe, until the clock is at triple zeros in our fourth loss of the series. Secondly, and more reasonably, I believe there IS a way for the Bulls to advance… outside of a Giannis injury of course. Take this journey with me…
I’m thinking of some things, basic or not, specific or general, that the Bulls need to do to win this series. This first item has been something that has bugged me all year; it is my single biggest pet peeve about this team. One thing that makes me groan every single game, is when Vooch takes a three point shot. I do NOT want Vooch taking three point shots; let me tell you why. It’s not that I’m trying to hold him back; it’s not that he can’t make this shot on occasion. Vooch is a very good offensive center. Yet, when it comes to taking those shots beyond the arc, he is not good. Go ahead and check the stats. Tell me the guy on the Bulls that is shooting the lowest percentage from out there, and don’t give me Dotson or Simonovic or Thompson either; Tristan Thompson shot a three pointer? He should be shot on the spot if he ever does that again; hoping that was a half court heave at the buzzer. Vooch is shooting 31.4%. In comparison, he’s shooting 53.7% from 2 point territory. Run all the fricking numbers you want, Vooch shooting anywhere but behind the arc is a MUCH better shot than the alternative; this is just my first, obvious point. Secondly, I don’t care if he’s wide open! You ever think there is a reason for that? If I’m doubling, rotating, etc, and I have to choose a guy to leave open, I’m choosing Vooch. Shit, there’s only 2 guys that shoot better than 40% out there, and that’s Patrick Williams who just came back, and Lonzo Ball who ain’t coming back; OK let’s stay on topic. Vooch hanging out behind the 3 point line is bad for our offense, period. Who is going to give us that inside presence if not for Vooch? It’s not like he doesn’t have any back to the basket moves; it’s not like he cannot consistently hit that short-mid range jumper if open. Furthermore, if he’s down in the post, he’s forcing the other team to play defense. Who will be guarding Vooch in this series? Who can we get into foul trouble? See the point? Get your ass down low; get physical. Make them play defense; draw some fouls. The only reason I want to see you have a single three point attempt is a shot-clock running down bail out, or an end of the quarter heave. That’s it. I don’t care if you have 5 seconds all to yourself out there; take a couple dribbles towards the hoop, and then shoot it. DO NOT SHOOT 3 POINTERS VOOCH!!!
OK, that dragged on a lot longer than I thought. I do have other thoughts… Let’s keep this going with the next post. Go Bulls!!!
Leave a Reply