The Chicago Bulls are the Boston Bruins of the NBA.

[JSD]

The Bulls are having serious offensive problems since Bed Gordon's departure.

According to Bulls.com, the Bulls scored 102.2 PPG, Shot 45.7% from the field and 38.1% from 3-point line with four players averaging over 16 PPG in the 2008-2009 season. So far this season, those numbers are down dramatically. Through eleven games the Bulls are scoring 90.6 PPG, shooting 43.1% from the field and 29.9% from 3-point land with only one player averaging over 16 points a game.

Do you expect this trend to continue or do you believe the Bulls are in an adjustment period? Are you surprised that Ben Gordon's departure has had such a negative impact on there offense? Most importantly, what do you envision Chicago doing (if anything) to correct their offensive woes?


http://www.nba.com/bulls/stats/

[Chris]

I thought you were going to say they had a dirt-bag owner who has no desire to put a real winner on the floor, as long as he gets enough butts in the seats to turn a profit.

But your comparison works as well.

Although they didn't get 2 first round picks, and a second rounder (including one that is looking like a top 3 pick next year), when they lost Ben Gordon.  So the B's have that going for them.

[Who]

I'm disappointed in John Salmons so far. He's struggling with his shot. Hopefully that will come back to him as the season continues.

Derrick Rose has been playing through an injury. He will improve the Bulls offense as he gets healthier.

If Salmons gets back to his best, and as Rose gets healthier, the Bulls offense will improve by a good margin. They don't look like they have enough offensive talent to be an above average crew offensively but they should be capable of being slightly below average.

Edit: Just clicked on that link to the Bulls stats page. Surprised to see Hinrich's shooting numbers. I didn't know he was performing that poorly. Another area that should improve given time though.

[JSD]

I'm disappointed in John Salmons so far. He's struggling with his shot. Hopefully that will come back to him as the season continues.

Derrick Rose has been playing through an injury. He will improve the Bulls offense as he gets healthier.

If Salmons gets back to his best, and as Rose gets healthier, the Bulls offense will improve by a good margin. They don't look like they have enough offensive talent to be an above average crew offensively but they should be capable of being slightly below average.

Edit: Just clicked on that link to the Bulls stats page. Surprised to see Hinrich's shooting numbers. I didn't know he was performing that poorly. Another area that should improve given time though.

Yeah, Salmons has been having a terrible season so far shooting the ball and scoring. Last season he shot 47% from the field and averaged 18 PPG. This season he's down to 37% and 14 PPG.

Could it be that not having that Ben Gordon/Kevin Martin scoring type to play with limits his offensive ability?

[Fan from VT]

I think they fall into a bit of overrating their own guys syndrome. They always have expiring deals, potential cap space, young guys with potential, and draft picks, and never really get anything of value for them. Of course, a couple years ago they essentially dumped Chandler to sign Ben Wallace, so maybe they're scared of trades, too. Didn't help that they gave JR smith away after that, only the perfect (and cheaper) ben gordon replacement.

But anyway, back to the point. They've got a great foundation and, but need the cajones and brains to ditch some of their talent for a great player.


They're one of the few teams that could really put together a great package for Wade, Lebron, or Bosh in the offseason in a s&t or for Bosh if it's clear he's bolting next year. They could make a play for boozer. They should be listening for who will be dumped from G.S. next. They could offer N.O. salary relief and tyrus thomas for david west. Amare, either as a free agent or if things go south so Sarvar can save more money.

They've got options.

[jackson_34]

The bulls are very well set to contend next year. Deng's playing really well, Noah is getting up there as a center. Rose just needs to show a bit of assertivness which will come with experience, You add a player like Wade to chicago with there cap space next year and that teams is an instant contender. 

[scoop]

The Bulls have the same problem of the 76ers last season: no reliable outside shooters (besides Hinrich). A healthy Rose will make them better, but they'll always struggle to create spacing to score.

[nickagneta]

Does it really matter how well they play this year offensively? We all know that the master plan is to be playoff competitive and lure Dwayne Wade back home to team with Rose, Noah, Thomas, Deng, Hinrich, Gibson, Johnson and Salmons. As long as they get deng playing like Deng, Rose healthy and growing his game, Noah, Thomas, Gibson and Johnson getting experience, that's all that matters this year.

[JSD]

Does it really matter how well they play this year offensively? We all know that the master plan is to be playoff competitive and lure Dwayne Wade back home to team with Rose, Noah, Thomas, Deng, Hinrich, Gibson, Johnson and Salmons. As long as they get deng playing like Deng, Rose healthy and growing his game, Noah, Thomas, Gibson and Johnson getting experience, that's all that matters this year.

Well, if it's Wade or bust I'm a disappointed Bulls fan because I doubt he's leaving Miami.