Should we be more worried about the Bulls than we currently are?

[thirstyboots18]

I agree with FL.  I have said all season that the Bulls could be our worst matchup.  They have a good young energy guy at Center, in Noah,  a tough point guard to match up with Rondo and a coach who is acquainted with all our strengths and weaknesses.  They are a good young team and seem to be coming together at the right time.

 Today Paul Pierce, when asked who would be the toughest team for the Celtics to play in the East said the Chicago Bulls.

[Bahku]

I don't think the Celtics underestimate the Bulls at all ... take it one game at a time, one team at a time, and take each team as seriously as we need to. I think our boys and coaches are well aware of the match-up problems with Chicago, and will be prepared when the time comes. Once again, much depends on how healthy we are.

[thirstyboots18]

   We won't lose to the Bulls, but I think they will be our toughest matchup in the East, if we end up playing them.  We are going to win it all this year!  (That is not a threat, not a jinx...just a statement of preordained fact.)  This year I WILL double my Tommy Points!

[Kiorrik]

Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiffffffffffffffffffff...

...we are healthy in about two months, no team will stop us. No team.

I'm going to take the bait:

That's a *big* "if"!

I see what you guys mean about the Bulls though. Especially how they play Rondo, and play off him on D. Their pick & roll is something Rondo has to find an answer for, or we'll be killed with it.

[Mike-Dub]

I don't think the Celtics underestimate the Bulls at all ... take it one game at a time, one team at a time, and take each team as seriously as we need to. I think our boys and coaches are well aware of the match-up problems with Chicago, and will be prepared when the time comes. Once again, much depends on how healthy we are.

I think I should just quote what you say for now on Bahku because you seem to always take the words out of my mind before I can post them lol.

[Bahku]

I don't think the Celtics underestimate the Bulls at all ... take it one game at a time, one team at a time, and take each team as seriously as we need to. I think our boys and coaches are well aware of the match-up problems with Chicago, and will be prepared when the time comes. Once again, much depends on how healthy we are.

I think I should just quote what you say for now on Bahku because you seem to always take the words out of my mind before I can post them lol.

Great minds think alike, haha!

[footey]

yes i think the bulls are our biggest obstacle to getting to the finals. I think our toughest opponents in order of sequence based on match ups and experience:

lakers
mavs
spurs
bulls

[Junkyard Dawg]

so I've seen posters go either way as far as matchups vs. the Bulls.. some people say we match up well, others say we don't.

My own feeling...

Rose vs. Rondo - huge matchup, I think the key is rondo's defense and getting buckets in the paint
?? vs Ray - maybe the Bulls pick someone up, but realistically their best bet is to put Bogans on him who is a black hole offensively
Deng vs. Pierce - Deng is a good defender but so is Pierce and PP wins this matchup in a 7 game series
Boozer vs KG - Boozer's good, but c'mon
Noah vs Perk - Noah is the type of guy, offensively, who can give Perk fits.  Stretch the floor and can board and block, he is a very tough guy to defend.

Bench - 'Quis going down is big, we need a wing guy, but even without one our bench is without question better.

On paper C's have a distinct advantage, but I think the Noah matchup could be key for them, and that Thibs knows us so well.  Still think this is the biggest question mark for the C's on the road back to the finals.

[Eja117]

I think Bulls make for good hamburger

[GranTur]

Bulls are too small down low and too poor in perimeter scoring.

Our best defense is played in the paint where Perk and KG will neutralize Boozer and Noah.

PP and Ray will have no problem against Deng and <enter below average SG here>.

The only tough match-up will be Rose; however, even if the Bulls pull out a slight edge, this won't make up for the other Celtics advantages.

[Fan from VT]

From a thread a while ago:

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=42867.msg877502#msg877502
Not enough time to update it, but:

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.

[Greenbean]

Bulls are too small down low and too poor in perimeter scoring.

Our best defense is played in the paint where Perk and KG will neutralize Boozer and Noah.

PP and Ray will have no problem against Deng and <enter below average SG here>.

The only tough match-up will be Rose; however, even if the Bulls pull out a slight edge, this won't make up for the other Celtics advantages.

Too small? Isnt Noah a 7 footer? I think we have more depth when it comes to size but the Bulls certainly can match up defensively with our bigs.

Also, doesnt D. Rose score 26 ppg from the perimeter?

The Bulls only weakness is lack of experience. They are a very well balanced team. If they get someone like Rip Hamilton from Detroit, I could see them beating the Celtics.

[CelticG1]

Bulls are too small down low and too poor in perimeter scoring.

Our best defense is played in the paint where Perk and KG will neutralize Boozer and Noah.

PP and Ray will have no problem against Deng and <enter below average SG here>.

The only tough match-up will be Rose; however, even if the Bulls pull out a slight edge, this won't make up for the other Celtics advantages.

Too small? Isnt Noah a 7 footer? I think we have more depth when it comes to size but the Bulls certainly can match up defensively with our bigs.

Also, doesnt D. Rose score 26 ppg from the perimeter?

The Bulls only weakness is lack of experience. They are a very well balanced team. If they get someone like Rip Hamilton from Detroit, I could see them beating the Celtics.

Boozer was pathetic matching up with the Lakers size is last years playoffs and Noah got destroyed by Shaq in their series last year. Between KG, Shaq, Perk and JO I think we have a huge advantage

[Megatron]

Boozer is a jump shooting big, KG has a huge height advantage over him, did you not see how the Lakers crushed Utah every year in the playoffs?

Boozer vs any team with length is a liability, Rose is going to have to score 40+ a night and they have to play perfect defense to be able to win games against us.

Rose is their only scoring option with Boozer having trouble vs big teams.

C's in 5 or 6.

Rose is a weaker version of LeBron, and Bulls dont have the length or complimentary pieces that LeBron had with the Cavs.

Noah is a 14 ppg scorer, hes not someone who goes off for big games, specially against Shaq and Perkins.

[Roy H.]

Boozer is a jump shooting big . . .

Boozer is a complete offensive power forward.  He's got good range on his jumpshot, but he also takes 45% of his shots from close.  He shoots 69.5% on those shots.