Niko only bright spot for Bulls as of late

Despite losing the last two games the Bulls have one positive that they can take away and that is the play of Nikola Mirotic. Nikola was shooting lights out against the Knicks on March 23rd making 9-13 shots from three point range. He finished that game with a total of 35 points. I have always loved Nikola's ability to shoot the basketball. The fact that he is a big man who could shoot threes at will is such a valuable asset in the NBA that not all teams have. The only criticism that I have for Nikola is that he can sometimes be a streaky player. He could have great games like he had the other night and then there are nights where you don't even notice that he is out on the floor. He needs to provide a spark for the Bulls during this last stretch of the season.

Nikola Mirotic

As for the rest of the Bulls team there needs to be a sense of urgency moving forward. They are still fighting for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The top players need to step up. (I'm talking about you Derrick Rose!!!!!!!!) It sucks that they are even in this position, but IT IS WHAT IT IS. They need to accept it and come ready to play each game.



Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Bullsssssssssss

Ryan

Bulls with a much needed win on St. Patty's Day

The Bulls came up  with a big win Thursday night while sporting their St. Patty's day green uniforms. The team was lead by Doug McDermott and Jimmy Butler who both had big nights for the Bulls. Doug Mcdermott continued to stay hot as he scored 25 points coming off the bench. Doug's ability to stretch the floor while knocking down threes was huge Thursday night. After some of those threes you hear Bulls tv announcer Stacy King yell, "Give me the hot sauce Dougie!"  Jimmy Butler scored 22 points shooting a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line. Jimmy also had an alley-oop dunk that came off of a nice cut. It seems like Jimmy gets at least one of those a game. (I say to this to myself every time it happens lol)

Doug McDermott goes up for a contested layup
against the Nets. 

Now the Nets are not the most talented team in the NBA by any stretch, however the way the Bulls won this game should give the Bulls some momentum. The Bulls moved the ball great offensively and this lead to some great looks. Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, and Doug McDermott all need to play well as the Bulls try to get back into playoff contention. By far the most important of these players is Jimmy Butler. Jimmy is the straw that stirs the drink for this team. The Bulls will only go as far as Jimmy takes them. Keep hope alive Bulls fans! These next few weeks could make or break the Bulls season. My heart tells me that the Bulls will make the playoffs. My brain is telling me that they have no shot. I'm gonna go with my heart on this one. Go Bulls!!!!!!!!!


Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Bullssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Ryan  

The Chicago Bulls Continue to Struggle

Man oh man have the Bulls been hard to watch these last few games. The Bulls have lost four straight and their record is now 30-30. No that is not a misprint....... I would have laughed in your face if you told me before the season started that the Bulls would be a .500 team. If the playoffs started today the Bulls would not be in it. This was a talented team entering the season but unfortunately they have been plagued by injuries. Joakim Noah was lost with a season ending injury in January. Nikola Mirotic and Jimmy Butler have been out these last few weeks as well. And of course Derrick Rose has missed a handful of games over these last few weeks. Every other day it seems like Derrick Rose is hurt............ (But that is another story for another day)

Pau Gasol looking to pass against the Magic (Photo Courtesy of chicagosuntimes.com) 

The Chicago Bulls looked horrible the last two games against the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic. The Heat's shooting percentage against the Bulls was 67.5%. That set the franchise all-time record for shooting percentage in a game for the Miami Heat. When I saw this stat my jaw dropped. Give some credit to Miami, but over sixty percent?! This tells me two things 1) The Heat shot the ball extremely well & 2) A lot of that also had to do with how poorly the Bulls defense has been playing. The Heat scored 129 points and 74 of those points were in the paint! That is ridiculous!  Against the Orlando Magic it was no different. The Magic kept getting WIDE OPEN shots! That can't happen! I noticed guys from the Bulls not getting back on defense and not making the proper rotations on defense. These are two fundamental concepts that need to be executed at all times. And a lot of it just has to do with effort. Besides Jimmy Butler and Joakim Noah there are not really any other good defensive players on this team. But what you lack in talent you need to make up with effort and right now the Bulls are not doing that. I don't see that same fire/passion this year that I have seen from previous Bulls teams.

Derrick Rose looking to drive against the Heat 

The good news Bulls fans is that Jimmy Butler should be returning in the next week or so.  And when he is back the Bulls should be able to string a few wins together and hopefully that will get them going. But getting Jimmy Butler back does not fix everything. Other guys on this team need to step up as well. As the old saying goes, "There is no "I" in team!" The Bulls need to WAKE UP FAST!!! Because if they don't they willing be sitting on their couches come playoff time instead of playing.



Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Bullsssssssssssssssssssss

Ryan


Game highlights: Bulls vs Heat  Bulls vs Magic

Great article about the Bulls recent struggles: Have the Bulls hit rock bottom?