Chicago Bulls: 7 Reasons Why They and Derrick Rose Lost Game 1 to the Hawks
This is what Bulls fan feared most after a long lay off after dispatching the Pacers in 5. A bit of rust, a fired up team opposing them and even worse, another Derrick Rose injury.
Hopefully, the leagues youngest MVP will be able to bounce back from this injury, much the same as he did from the rolled ankle against Indiana.
That was last series, here are the seven major reasons the Bulls dropped Game 1 to the Hawks.
Jeff Teague
1 of 7
Many thought the absence of the solid and steady Kirk Hinrich would mean Rose would run wilder than usual all over the Hawks.
Not me, the only type of point guard that gives Rose the least amount of trouble are the ones who are nearly as athletic, (see DJ Augustin).
As amazing a player as Rose is, at this point in his career, he still primarily plays at one speed, 1000 mph. Smaller quicker guards can generally match his speed, or at least stay in the vicinity.
The edge Rose still has is his strength and size, only problem, he still hasn't learned how to use those gifts against smaller guards, ie Chauncey Billups.
So not only does Teague put pressure on Rose on the offensive end, he is more adept at ushering Rose into help defenders.
Josh Smith's Defensive Presence
2 of 7
Josh Smith is one of the three best shot blockers in the league (along with Dwight Howard & Serge Ibaka), every time Rose beat his man off the dribble, J.Smoove was there to create the most athletic obstacle Rose has had to negotiate in the playoffs thus far.
The floater and the jump shot will need to be his friend this series.
Inconsistent Carlos Boozer
3 of 7
The two things that are consistent with Boozer's presence on the floor is his rebounding and his yelling.
Boozer yells more than any other player I've ever watched. The Bulls payed him to become the low post threat that demands a double team, to create more spacing for their young star to drive and dominate.
When Boozer does get the ball on the block, he is reluctant to pass out of the double-team, often resulting in turnovers or poor shot selection.
He must trust his teammates, they are looking for him and understand his importance to the offense.
When the double comes, he must kick it out and attempt to re-establish position. He is pressing, feeling the pressure to perform for his massive contract.
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Hawks Shoot over 51% from the Field.
4 of 7
The Bulls hang their hat on defense, almost as much, if not more than the offensive production of Derrick Rose. Allowing a team 51 percent shooting from the field will almost always lead to a loss.
When a team shoots that well for an entire game, you know its not just the stars shooting well, but their getting easy shots for the role players.
The Bulls gave up 40 points in the paint, though they scored 48, they must win this category by a larger margin, thereby decreasing the Hawks FG%.
Another Slow Start for the Bulls
5 of 7
The Bulls will not continuosly be able to overcome these slow starts, as evidenced by Game 1's loss. It puts a tremendous amount of pressure on a young team to have to constantly dig out of holes. The playoffs are a long second season and the energy required to constantly comeback will catch up to them as the playoffs and hopefully they advance through them.
No Free Throw Attempts for Derrick Rose
6 of 7
So much of his game and the Bulls offensive potency depends on Rose's ability to drive, create, finish or get to the line.
Zero free throw attempts lead to a laborious 24 points on 27 field goal attempts.
That is not efficient and the Bulls are not effectively able to take other teams out of the rhythm, without this aspect of their game.
Joe Johnson & Jamal Crawford
7 of 7
Not one, but two Atlanta Hawks players making tough shots, down the stretch is almost an insurmountable obstacle.Many of the shots that were made, were not open.
They were made under duress, this played a big part in the high field goal percentage. Needless to say, the Hawks will not shoot this well from the field for the bulk of this series.
Expect Thibs to run some different looks at Atlanta, much like the trap past half court and other double team options to take the Hawks out of their comfort zone. Crawford had 22 points to match the entire output of the Bulls bench.
Johnson had 34 points with an array of touch jump shots, I'm thinking they won't fall at the regularity they did in Game 1 for the rest of the series.
With a few defensive tweaks and a more concerted effort to close down the lane, Game 2 should look more like what many Bulls fan expected.
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