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By Sam Smith | 4.24.2015 | 10:15 a.m. CT
It is obvious that some turnovers are caused by aggressive passes that perhaps shouldn't have been made. That's basketball. But, it also appears that the Bulls are a little too cavalier with their handling of the ball, especially in the first quarter. Thibs isn't happy. Do you agree?
William Kochneff
Sam: Thibodeau obviously would be unhappy with your cavalier reference as that suggests looking ahead. The Bulls players do make some shake-your-head turnovers, more so Pau and Noah with those lob or bounce passes inside. Teams have adjusted to Noah not wanting to shoot and lay off him more than they did last season, making his interior passing more difficult. And as Pau isnt a classic power/post player because of his weaker lower body, h**l be outside more and try the high/low. But one reason they are great passers is they try to pass. Here are some of your season leaders in turnovers: Magic Johnson, John Stockton, Isiah Thomas, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash. Like in life, you dont make mistakes unless you try. The best make more mistakes because they try the most. It was one of Jordans most famous comments, that he succeeded because he failed so much. This is what many coaches dont understand, and not just Thibodeau. Most of them have never been high level players or taken the risks to try. The last time Thibodeau or Stan Van Gundy or Erik Spoelstra or Steve Clifford or Mike Budenholzer completed a good pass was probably never. Guys like Noah do. So theyll make bad ones. Theres obviously a balance. Its not that the players dont care. Great talent involves risk; caution often leads to coaching.
For me, this Bulls team is difficult to get a handle on. I cant figure out their identity yet but I guess thats what playoffs are for. Injuries yada yada. In some ways its been the most perplexing team in the last 5 years with more power but seemingly somewhat mismatched (Pau/Jo). I imagine the Cav crucible will go a long way to stamping this team, one way or the other. Yes, jumping ahead but if they lose to the Bucks well thats a different kind of stamp.
Greg Young
Sam: Ive only seen about 90 games thus far and I never have any idea how they will play or who they are. Game 2 was a great example; they get a big win, a relief of sorts to get that first one, a matchup against an obviously less talented opponent. Come out, jump on them and make your statement. Right? And they come out as listless and ineffective as can be. It is the box of chocolates team, to quote myself and Forrest Gump. Thats why you see and hear the Bulls depicted as they are, basically no one saying they can win the title but everyone saying watch out for them because they could. They have all the appropriate component pieces, star scorers, star big men, passing, rebounding, size, speed, top coaching. But there are flaws other than the injuries. Some guys (like Noah) are out of position a lot, the emphasis is on inside/outside when Gasol isnt the classic post scoring threat, the shooting guard isnt an elite shooter and the point guard is less so but trying. The small forward probably is a more ideal sixth man, which he was for several years before coming to the Bulls. Not exactly square pegs and round holes, but pieces that dont quite always lock into place; basically like whenever I try to put together a kids toy or have a pliers in my hand. Theres always a piece that doesnt fit or left over.
The coach isnt as dedicated to pushing the ball as is the potential of the players, though coaches tend to be more controlling and conservative, especially in this sports era. After all, how many quarterbacks call plays, which once was routine? They actually appear to have wires growing out of their heads to communicate with Mars in the NFL. Sports have become much too scientifically programmedIm off topic hereand taken away from the athletes in too many cases when the athletes know the game so much better. Ive always preferred the John Wooden/Phil Jackson model. Phil would often be criticized for not calling time outs. Hed say he wasnt bailing them out, that there would be times theyd have to figure out how to get through tough times so they should learn. Coaching today is like having your kid home until theyre 40. You show them the way and if you did that correctly theyll be good citizens. You cant protect them from everything. You cant run their lives. The same with coaching in pro sports. Teach them so they can do it for themselves. I feel the Bulls, like NFL games and NBA teams, are too programmed to start, resulting in slow beginnings, and then as the game progresses the players assert more control and you see better play toward the end. Not always, but often. So what was that question? Its a good, but imperfect Bulls team also without a clear identify. Its not as strong defensively with Gasol playing center instead of Noah, but better offensively with Gasol and Rose back. And Rose again working his way back, which has been twice this season. But with more continuity now than perhaps any time this season, maybe they will become a team you can understand. And what better time than now?
I remember how analysts/commentators used to say the Thibs' Bulls weren't good in the playoffs because teams would match how hard they would play, something that wouldn't happen during the regular season because the Bulls always dominated through hard work and effort. They claimed that the Bulls simply didn't have that extra gear come playoff time. Well this year it seems different to me. We lost a lot of games to non-playoff teams and I believe it was because we didn't have our foot on the pedal all year. We would see it occasionally, we did beat all of the elite teams this year. Basically, I can see we have another gear we can get to in the playoffs especially defensively. I'm ready for Butler, Noah and Gibson to pick up their D and hopefully a healthy D Rose will offset what we lose offensively with Butler using a lot of his energy on the defensive end.
Adam Garcia
Sam: I never fully agreed with that since last year they looked tired against Washington, but when they won 62 games in 2010-11 they didnt so much in going three tough rounds with less talent. Its been part of the genesis of what you have heard about management and Thibodeau this season, which I view and have written about as more philosophy. Thibs prefers extended minutes for his veterans; management said we tried that and while its not your fault guys got hurt, now were trying this. There are justifications for both sides; both believe they are right. The boss has the final word, as we all know from our jobs. Though we dont hear that Other teams elevate and Bulls cannot narrative as much any more. National analysts need shorthand answers because you cant study every team. So that became one for the Bulls. Though when they lost it generally was because they had less talent. Anyway, its not an excuse this time even though the Bulls never used it as one. Regulars like Butler and Gibson missed extended time with injuries. Rose obviously with his surgery. Noah took time off to rest and recover longer than usual. Mirotic and Snell were in and out of the rotation. Hinrich was out as well. And, no, injuries dont replace fatigue from alleged overplay. It should be about talent, and I think the Bulls are satisfied to test theirs.
What's with this guy Popovich? I get some of his grouchiness. I don't believe that coaches should have to make themselves available between quarters for sideline reporters -- that's a bit much. But for a post-game press conference? Come on. I really think that he handles questions as badly as Russell Westbrook and other curmudgeons. I watched him berate a female reporter for asking him what improvements could be made to help the Spurs in their playoff series. She writes about the game, so she may know what improvements should be made, but some of her readers don't; getting it from the horse's mouth, i.e., quotes, is a lot more credible than coming from herself for a lot of said readers. He showed her up and basically acted like she was an idiot. What's worse, Dennis Scott, Brian Shaw, and Rick Kamla all applauded him on NBATV. Shaw said that's how you have to deal with media. Really? Didn't seem to help him out in Denver. Scott said better questions need to be asked; so basically kissing up to the league, because I've never seen him ask an in-depth question when given the opportunity. And I didn't know he majored in journalism, so that's a new one. Popovich may be a great coach and good human being, but he can also a colossal jerk.
Terrell Bryant
Sam: Youre right. Sometimes Popovich takes the cranky old man act a bit too far. He wasnt always like that, and this whole thing began with his personal protests about coaches having to do sideline interviews and other league mandated actions. Despite a military background in the active Air Force, Popovich is mostly a liberal, help-the-unfortunate, share the wealth sort of guy, which is not too popular in Texas. So he doesnt get into that much. Hes come to enjoy his little cranky reputation and really plays it more for fun than to embarrass or hurt anyone. If he felt he did, he would be the first to apologize and is famous for behind-the-scenes acts of kindness. Ive known him a long time and find him one of my favorite people in basketball. He likes to banter, but does have a suffer-no-fools side. He does like to challenge media, which I enjoy. After all, everyone should be challenged from time to time on their knowledge of their job. You should welcome that. And you are right, the next strong response from some of those TV guys about a coach would be the first. Jeff Van Gundy has sort of become a cartoon figure with his annual 30-way tie for first for coach of the year. But a lot of people dont do their homework and are lazy and Popovich likes to keep them attentive. Asking, So what happened? after the game is not doing your job. An occasional embarrassment is good because if you care about your work and your job youll be more prepared next time, which helps the reader or viewer. Veteran media who have been around awhile will joke with Popovich and hes fun with the back and forth. One time at a press conference I was questioning something with a wry view (unusual for me) and Popovich, feigning anger, swiped at my tape recorder. He accidently hit it, knocking it across the room and into a wall and shattering it. Everyone laughed and it was no big deal. But he privately was devastated. A few days later, I got in the mail a half dozen replacement tape recorders with a years worth of batteries and a bunch of note pads and pens and a plea to forgive. I was just never to tell anyone. Sorry. And by the way, Popovich is the only NBA coach to have a female on his staff.
There is definitely something wrong with NBA journalists. From the "how much one or two games missed by Mirotic could hurt Bulls' title hopes" to the dramatic "is Butler more important than Rose for the Bulls" (seriously?), you just have to admire how graciously Pau Gasol is answering questions. That being said I have to say that I love the Bulls' chances this year. They seem to be more calm, more solid, the wins are more "convincing". The team has both matured in its core and changed in its dynamic (they got firepower). And, yes, Derrick's play is amazingly strong. Should they pass the Bucks, the Cleveland series could be something to watch.
Hamza Cherief
Sam: Media is often about urgency more than perspective. Its nothing new. That saying about doing things or being provocative to sell newspapers obviously dates back a long time since theres not much to do now to sell newspapers. Theres always been that circus barker demand to try to get people to experience your product. Like newspaper people always said, Hey, I didnt write the headline! Which if it occurs may be one of the best headlines of these playoffs: Bulls and Cavs. The Cavs have been the wagering favorite from the professional bettors coming into these playoffs because of LeBron, which is no surprise. The Bulls have the elements, as its said, on paper to produce the upset. And though with a little bit of Mirotic and Hinrich here and there, the Bulls primary players appear healthier than they have been together all season. The consensus for the Bulls was, if healthy So bring it on, eh? It should be fun.
A few nights ago, the Warriors were up 30 points late in the third quarter. Basically every starter (Curry, etc) were all playing. The Warriors were also up 11 games in the Western Conference. It's a shame Thibs is blamed for what many successful coaches already do.
Matt Adler
Sam: I see Thibs is using a different nom de plume for the playoffs. Nice touch.
Source: http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/ask-sam-sam-smith-opens-his-mailbag-4.24.2015
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