We’ve been taking a look at the Bulls this week, reviewing what I think needs to happen for the Bulls to pull off the upset and beat the Bucks. But, don’t you also have to know your opponent? Yes. Certainly, we shouldn’t stray from OUR game, and try to play to our strengths, but understanding the opposition is an important component. So, what about these Bucks???
Defending champions is the first thing that comes to mind; I wasn’t mad at that. Honestly, in general, I like their team. I like Giannis, the superstar who stood home and lead his team, a franchise that hadn’t won in forever, to a title. The only downside of it all was that this probably made a bunch of Packer fans happy, but oh well. However, once the matchup had been decided, there is no more liking this team; now, I must dislike them. Nothing personal, but if you are standing in our way of advancing in the playoffs, I will instantly have dislike for you; this dislike will grow as the series continues… it may even turn into hate if you’re lucky; one of their players already is working on that emotion. OK, so besides the whole defending champion thing…
The Greek Freak; do people still call him that? He is an amazing player. Although this team has other good players, there is no dispute who the head of this thing is. Cut off the head, and… Stopping Giannis may not be 100% possible, but we can certainly contain him. What is his weakness? 3 point shooting. Kind of like the opposite of when I said I don’t want Vooch shooting any treys, I DO want Giannis shooting as many as possible. 29.3% from behind the line. Let him shoot from out there. Don’t foul him; don’t fall for a pump fake. It’s like one of the most basic things; something I would teach kids playing basketball. Stay between your man and the basket; critical to trying to defend Giannis. We have to have a plan defensively. Do we let Giannis go nuts and cover everybody else, OR do we focus full force on Giannis and let somebody else beat us? I don’t think there’s one right answer; I think the answer needs to change throughout the series; we should be mixing this strategy up throughout each game. First principle is easy; let him shoot three pointers. If he’s going to beat us with the trey, then so be it. Don’t let him beat us inside. Anywhere in the paint, we need to double team him, but then who do we leave open? This is the tough part.
Middleton should not be left open for starters; he’s a nice complement to Ant. (I’m not looking up his last name, and I’m sick of typing Giannis) The dude can shoot; he can get his own shot. We need to be concerned about him. Then there’s Holliday; what a season he’s had… he seems to do especially well against us. Then there’s Bobby “Sweet Pea” Portis. I liked his energy with the Bulls, other than the whole punching your own teammate thing, but man… he’s really turned into a solid player with the Bucks, and seems to love to rub our face in it. Tristan Thompson… calling Tristan Thompson. Slow this dude down a bit; maybe, you know, accidently elbow him or something. Turn his emotions against him. Where was I going with all of this? Yeah, forgot about the other Lopez brother too, and of course, Grayson the dickhead. See, I’m starting to build up that dislike as we speak. Why are the Bucks so good again?
The Bucks like to shoot treys, about 10 more than us per game, but… we have a better percentage… go figure. The Bucks also are good at rebounding, very good… one thing we’re not so great at. They’re especially good on the defensive boards, preventing second chance opportunities, long rebound/kick out to an open shooter type stuff… kind of ties into my whole 50-50 ball conversation. I’m all over the place. Why am I thinking Tristan Thompson again? Because of the whole rebounding thing… shit, if we’re relying that much on TT, we’re in trouble… maybe an offseason need for this team… but remember, we’re still IN season, we’re IN the playoffs, so I ain’t worrying about that shit now. I’m getting fired up…
OK, let’s wrap this up. Let Giannis shoot treys, check. Double team him in the paint, rotate fantastically on defense, and choose the lesser of 4 evils to leave that trey attempt to, OK. Rough up Bobby Portis and turn his emotion against him, got it. Team rebound, grab some offensive boards, and get some 2nd chance points, OK. Any questions? Go Bulls!!!
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