Limping into Noah's Return

Overall, the Bulls did an excellent job of keeping up their record during Noah's absence. There were a few bad loses in there, but some nice overall play as well. First up for props has got to be "Big & Sexy" Kurt Thomas. Who would have thought the old guy had so much left in the tank? I just hope we haven't used it all up and rendered him a cripple for the playoffs.

Speaking of cripples, Rose has stomach ulcers, back problems, and seems to grimace after every drive to the basket. He clearly needs some down time. We'll have to see if that will mean missed games or reduced minutes. Watson has been doing a pretty decent job as backup lately. Thibs even plays him at the two spot with Rose sometimes, when we can get away with such a small back court. Watson will clearly see more time at point guard in the near future.

Deng has been playing insane minutes. I don't say that just because I think any time Deng is on the court is a bit insane but because he is among the league leaders in minutes played. And while he still does his usual bonehead, wimpy stuff, I'm going to twist my own arm behind my back until I admit that he's playing his best ball in years. He gets so many minutes because we're short in the front court with Noah out and Thibs has shown absolutely no confidence in James Johnson, so much so that they've actually sent him down to the D-league Iowa Energy. There are teams in the league who make good use of their D-league team to give young players extra minutes, but the Bulls almost never use it. So it is quite a bad sign, and a blow to the Bulls who were so high on him when he was drafted at 16. However, this may also be a sign that Thibs likes using the D-league more than the Bulls have historically.

Our threesome of disappointing free agent shooting guards are all playing a bit better, although none has really broken out. Taj shook off a concussion and has been solid since. Boozer was hurt again for a short stretch with a bad ankle. The Bulls brought him back with reduced minutes and that seems to be wise.

Big priority now for the Bulls is to find a backup 3-4 to fill the roster spot that Johnson leaves open. Then Deng and Thomas can get some much needed bench time. Noah is supposed to be on schedule to return in a few weeks and they really need that to work out.