Lets talk about the Bulls.

[Megatron]

So far Ive seen alot of hype about this team, depiste a 9-7 record, Charles Barkley believes they will make it to the Finals. Many of their fans think they are the best team in the east and think they can beat the C's.

Does the addition of Boozer, who is undersized, really make the Bulls a contender? Especially with so many blatantly better teams in the east?

Went over to sbnations' bulls blog earlier today, and saw this some trends. Many bulls fans think Rose will dominate rondo easily, and Noah will dominate our frontline easily, and that once Boozer gets healthy, he will dominate every other PF in the league.

Are you kidding me?

What kind of stuff are they smoking over there. I find it hard to believe that that team is a contender, I really do. Close to being a contender? Yes, but not just yet.

Orlando blew them out by 30 last night as well.

What do you guys think?

[Donoghus]

Top 4 team in the East, IMO.

Too early to tell how the Boozer addition is going to play out but I think this team has the ability to make some noise come April/May.

I wouldn't be shocked to see them give someone all they can handle in the 2nd round and perhaps sneak into the conference finals.

[birdwatcher]

I think Boozer will come along, especially if he'll play Tibb's defense. I also think they *could* be the second best team in the East,  just above Orlando and definitely above Miami. They have a deep enough team with guys who I think know and accept their roles. Noah to me is the second best player on that team behind Rose, but I think they are still too young to make it to the finals. I don't think they are mentally tough and I haven't seen that killer instinct in them that you see from really good teams like Boston and LA. Barkley basically will always bet against Boston, and although I enjoyed him as a player and now as an analyst, he hasn't said many smart things in his life, except for, "you can drink a woman pretty, but you can't drink her skinny"

[Fafnir]

I think they're clearly going to be a top 4 team if they stay healthy with the addition of Boozer.

[Lucky17]

On paper, they are a top 4 team in the East.

But there are question marks: the health/durability of Boozer, Rose, and Noah; and the SG position.

I would not be surprised if they advance to the ECF, or lost in the 1st round of the playoffs.

[Megatron]

I think they are definately a top 4 team, but I cant see them beating the C's, Magic, or Heat. They havent done anything to convince me otherwise either.

[Donoghus]

So far Ive seen alot of hype about this team, depiste a 9-7 record, Charles Barkley believes they will make it to the Finals. Many of their fans think they are the best team in the east and think they can beat the C's.

Does the addition of Boozer, who is undersized, really make the Bulls a contender? Especially with so many blatantly better teams in the east?
Went over to sbnations' bulls blog earlier today, and saw this some trends. Many bulls fans think Rose will dominate rondo easily, and Noah will dominate our frontline easily, and that once Boozer gets healthy, he will dominate every other PF in the league.

Are you kidding me?

What kind of stuff are they smoking over there. I find it hard to believe that that team is a contender, I really do. Close to being a contender? Yes, but not just yet.

Orlando blew them out by 30 last night as well.

What do you guys think?

"So many" as in who?

I think you can argue the Celtics and, perhaps, Orlando but other than that, I'm not seeing too many teams better equiped, when healthy, than the Bulls in the east.

[Megatron]

So far Ive seen alot of hype about this team, depiste a 9-7 record, Charles Barkley believes they will make it to the Finals. Many of their fans think they are the best team in the east and think they can beat the C's.

Does the addition of Boozer, who is undersized, really make the Bulls a contender? Especially with so many blatantly better teams in the east?
Went over to sbnations' bulls blog earlier today, and saw this some trends. Many bulls fans think Rose will dominate rondo easily, and Noah will dominate our frontline easily, and that once Boozer gets healthy, he will dominate every other PF in the league.

Are you kidding me?

What kind of stuff are they smoking over there. I find it hard to believe that that team is a contender, I really do. Close to being a contender? Yes, but not just yet.

Orlando blew them out by 30 last night as well.

What do you guys think?

"So many" as in who?

I think you can argue the Celtics and, perhaps, Orlando but other than that, I'm not seeing too many teams better equiped, when healthy, than the Bulls in the east.

Orlando blew out a fully healthy bulls squad by 30 last night, in my eyes that makes them better than the bulls. I cant see the Heat losing to the Bulls either.

[Fan from VT]

Roster changes since C's and Bulls were essentially equal in '08-'09:
Bulls:
Lost:
Vinny Del Negro
Ben Gordon
John Salmons
Brad Miller
Ty Thomas
Alvin Roberson
Lindsay Hunter
Linton Johnson
Aaron Gray

Gained:
Tom Thibideau
CJ Watson
Luol Deng (was injured for our playoff matchup)
Taj Gibson
Omer Asik
Keith Bogans
Ronnie Brewer
James Johnson
Kyle Korver
John Lucas
Carlos Boozer
Kurt Thomas
Brian Scalabrine

Boston:
Lost:
Tony Allen
Giddens
House
Powe
Pruitt
Powe
Walker
Marbury
Moore
O'bryant


Gained:
KG
Bradley
Shaq
JO
Erden
Harangody
Wafer
Robinson
West


So...
I did that before realizing just how much turnover there has been since then. Let's do this another way:

[Fan from VT]

Bulls:
PG Rose-----Rose: Much better now;yr. 3 v. Rookie= major jump
SG Gordon---Bogans: Bogans better on D; Gordon better O. I think Gordon is still a major net positive over Bogans, but Celticsblog loves to rag on Gordon and loves D, so who knows?
SF Salmons--Deng: Major upgrade
PF Thomas---Boozer: Major upgrade. Finally legit post presence.
C Noah------Noah: Significant upgrade. Yr. 2 to yr. 4.

PG2 Hunter----Watson: Downgrade (hunter had a proven playoff skill)
SG2 Hinrich---Korver:
SF2 ----------Brewer: I'd say overall upgrade at the bench 2/3; Better size for a true sf backup and Brewer/Korver provide specialized versatility
PF2-----------Taj Gibson:
C2 Miller-----Kurt Thomas: and including James Johnson, I'd say overall upgrade at the 4/5. Boozer and Noah can handle the 5 so it doesn't matter much what Thomas gives; Gibson is a very very good bench guy.

Celtics:
PG Rondo-----Rondo: Better now, but not as much better than Rose is compared to Rose as rookie
SG Ray---Ray: About the same, not much drop so far
SF Pierce--Pierce: About the same; drawing fewer fouls but shooting better (because of redistribution of roles to Rondo)
PF Davis---KG: Despite some green-glasses wearers, this is a major major upgrade
C Perk------Shaq: small but noticeable upgrade, but contingent upon Shaq looking like he does now in the playoffs

PG2 Marbury----Robinson: Significant upgrade, if he's used
SG2 House---Delonte: Should be an upgrade, if healthy
SF2 ----------Daniels: Should be an upgrade, if healthy
PF2 Scal------Davis:Major upgrade
C2 Moore-----Perk/JO: Major Upgrade


So both teams are drastically different, Chicago moreso.

In conclusion, I would be worried. The way the two teams are playing now, the C's look to be obvious favorites. A lot depends on Boozer's integration. Looking at the starter matchups, which, of course, is more relevant in the playoffs, I'd have to say Chicago has maybe improved more that the Celtics at the major key positions.

Scary team, we'll see.

[xmuscularghandix]

Bulls:
PG Rose-----Rose: Much better now;yr. 3 v. Rookie= major jump
SG Gordon---Bogans: Bogans better on D; Gordon better O. I think Gordon is still a major net positive over Bogans, but Celticsblog loves to rag on Gordon and loves D, so who knows?
SF Salmons--Deng: Major upgrade
PF Thomas---Boozer: Major upgrade. Finally legit post presence.
C Noah------Noah: Significant upgrade. Yr. 2 to yr. 4.

PG2 Hunter----Watson: Downgrade (hunter had a proven playoff skill)
SG2 Hinrich---Korver:
SF2 ----------Brewer: I'd say overall upgrade at the bench 2/3; Better size for a true sf backup and Brewer/Korver provide specialized versatility
PF2-----------Taj Gibson:
C2 Miller-----Kurt Thomas: and including James Johnson, I'd say overall upgrade at the 4/5. Boozer and Noah can handle the 5 so it doesn't matter much what Thomas gives; Gibson is a very very good bench guy.

Celtics:
PG Rondo-----Rondo: Better now, but not as much better than Rose is compared to Rose as rookie
SG Ray---Ray: About the same, not much drop so far
SF Pierce--Pierce: About the same; drawing fewer fouls but shooting better (because of redistribution of roles to Rondo)
PF Davis---KG: Despite some green-glasses wearers, this is a major major upgrade
C Perk------Shaq: small but noticeable upgrade, but contingent upon Shaq looking like he does now in the playoffs

PG2 Marbury----Robinson: Significant upgrade, if he's used
SG2 House---Delonte: Should be an upgrade, if healthy
SF2 ----------Daniels: Should be an upgrade, if healthy
PF2 Scal------Davis:Major upgrade
C2 Moore-----Perk/JO: Major Upgrade


So both teams are drastically different, Chicago moreso.

In conclusion, I would be worried. The way the two teams are playing now, the C's look to be obvious favorites. A lot depends on Boozer's integration. Looking at the starter matchups, which, of course, is more relevant in the playoffs, I'd have to say Chicago has maybe improved more that the Celtics at the major key positions.

Scary team, we'll see.

Your underestimating Kirk Hinrich. Kyle Korver isn’t even close to being an adequate replacement.

[Fan from VT]

Bulls:
PG Rose-----Rose: Much better now;yr. 3 v. Rookie= major jump
SG Gordon---Bogans: Bogans better on D; Gordon better O. I think Gordon is still a major net positive over Bogans, but Celticsblog loves to rag on Gordon and loves D, so who knows?
SF Salmons--Deng: Major upgrade
PF Thomas---Boozer: Major upgrade. Finally legit post presence.
C Noah------Noah: Significant upgrade. Yr. 2 to yr. 4.

PG2 Hunter----Watson: Downgrade (hunter had a proven playoff skill)
SG2 Hinrich---Korver:
SF2 ----------Brewer: I'd say overall upgrade at the bench 2/3; Better size for a true sf backup and Brewer/Korver provide specialized versatility
PF2-----------Taj Gibson:
C2 Miller-----Kurt Thomas: and including James Johnson, I'd say overall upgrade at the 4/5. Boozer and Noah can handle the 5 so it doesn't matter much what Thomas gives; Gibson is a very very good bench guy.

Celtics:
PG Rondo-----Rondo: Better now, but not as much better than Rose is compared to Rose as rookie
SG Ray---Ray: About the same, not much drop so far
SF Pierce--Pierce: About the same; drawing fewer fouls but shooting better (because of redistribution of roles to Rondo)
PF Davis---KG: Despite some green-glasses wearers, this is a major major upgrade
C Perk------Shaq: small but noticeable upgrade, but contingent upon Shaq looking like he does now in the playoffs

PG2 Marbury----Robinson: Significant upgrade, if he's used
SG2 House---Delonte: Should be an upgrade, if healthy
SF2 ----------Daniels: Should be an upgrade, if healthy
PF2 Scal------Davis:Major upgrade
C2 Moore-----Perk/JO: Major Upgrade


So both teams are drastically different, Chicago moreso.

In conclusion, I would be worried. The way the two teams are playing now, the C's look to be obvious favorites. A lot depends on Boozer's integration. Looking at the starter matchups, which, of course, is more relevant in the playoffs, I'd have to say Chicago has maybe improved more that the Celtics at the major key positions.

Scary team, we'll see.

Your underestimating Kirk Hinrich. Kyle Korver isn’t even close to being an adequate replacement.

Hinrich's decent, but he's gotten steadily worse the last 5 years ago; he was, even for a young guy, on the way down in '08-'09. In 30 minutes he gave them a 12.6/2.7/2.9.  Not irreplaceable.

Also notice I'm talking about the 2/3 combined. when we faced them in the playoffs, their bench was Hunter, Hinrich, Miller, forcing Salmons to play 44 minutes per game and requiring someone else to play quite out of position for the rest (more than 4 mpg because there were so many OT's)

[Celtics4ever]

They are young and have young legs which could hurt us.  We have to beat them down hard and make them think they don't have a chance to win.  If they do, they will play us tight and close.   Younger teams give us trouble because of the effort level.   Have to cut their throats out and not let up on teams like ATL and CHI. 

They have some nice shooters and could give us trouble on the perimter.  Boozer is tough but a tad undersized but definitely decent.  I think KG can give him trouble.

http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketball/fantasy/nba/utah-jazz/players/carlos-boozer/matchups/10/29/405/12-18

I think we can own them in post up game.  Noah is an energy guy so don't let them make plays and keep a body on him.   I would lean on him, every chance we have as he lacks a strong frame and could be tired out by say a Shaq very easy if one put a lot of beef on him.   Bogans is another weak link I would attack him hard.   PP should own Salmons.

They are a balanced dangerous team.   But one we can beat if we don't play their game. 

[housecall]

If they have any holes or weaknesses it is at the 2g spot at this time.Come playoff time styles of play are much different from the regular season and thats where it will show if they can play with the big dogs of the east.
They look as good as any team ive seen so far this season...there being a decent team over the road this early in the season is probably the most surprising thing ive seen.They will be scary by seasons' end if all the pieces stay healthy and keep developing.

[Celtics4ever]

They are weak at SG.  But to be honest we owned them in the post often last often.   Undersized PF and willowly center and any team with big bigs that run run will them will expose them.