Doc doesn't only need to play zone D on the bulls the man must!!

[Chris]

Two reasons we should be playing zone, especially against certain teams----first, rebounding. Players aren't running around switching on every pick and trying to pick up for missed assignments by others. Also, with better rebounding you greatly enhance chances in the running game. Can't run without the ball!
Second, it's a lot less tiring defense to play, which would definitely help our senior citizens! 

zone defense actually hurts defensive rebounding. rather than being right next to your assignment as is the case for man-to-man, you must search for someone to block out. this leads to giving up more offensive rebounds and second chance points.

While this is true in general, the C's defensive system isn't really man to man.  It involves so much switching, it pulls guys far from their men anyways, and when they are at all late on the rotations (which they have been all year), then it is the rebounding that really suffers.

I think in the C's situation, the zone would actually improve their rebounding, because it will keep their big men closer to the basket than their standard defense, which will help them more than being close to their man would. 

Not to mention, because of the defensive 3 second, the zone in the NBA is different than a regular zone (which is where the theory you are talking about comes from).  In the NBA, they are rarely far away from a man, because they need to stay within an arms reach anyways, so it helps.

My question about the zone against the Bulls is whether they have the passing and shooting to beat it a lot more than the Heat.  The Bulls have a lot more guys who can spread the floor, and a guy like Deng is perfect for breaking the zone by finding the soft spot in the middle. 

I think if Rose starts gashing them, then they will need to go to it, but I just am not convinced it will be anywhere near as effective as it was against the Heat.

touche. as atrocious as our rebounding and man-to-man defense have been at times, i wouldnt mind seeing more zone. i dont think we need to come out with the mindset "we are GOING to play zone tonight" but rather use it as an adjustment during the game. its up to doc to make the adjustment soon enough.

I agree to a point.  I do think that the zone shouldn't be a default.  However, I do think that this team would benefit from using it a lot more often, much like the Mavs did last year.

The zone will help them save their older legs, allow them to be more creative with lineups to get more offense on the floor, and will help them hide some of the guys who are struggling with the defensive rotations in their regular system (which is very complicated and needs near perfect execution).

It is not going to work in every game, but if they take advantage of it more often, I think it could really help them a lot this year, and it might also make their regular system more effective when the switch to it late in games to smother offenses down the stretch.