NBA Playoffs 2011: Chicago Bulls Game 2 Report Card vs. Atlanta Hawks
OK, grading the Bulls, based on my previous 10 key stats. With some exceptions, the Bulls capitalized and improved on the areas they needed to tighten up. It was an ugly win, but teams that are predicated on defense will often thrive in these types of games. Let us examine…
1. Carlos Boozer - Game 2 Mission: 16 points, 10 Rebounds
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"The Big Outburst" was vocal, as usual. He had some good opportunities on the block, but the Hawks shot blockers made it difficult for the bald-headed, megaphoned motor mouth to finish near the basket.
He was his normal solid presence on the boards (11), but eight points is only half of the 16 point plateau I would've loved to see him reach. The camera caught him showing his disgust towards Thibodeau for sitting him on a couple of occasions.
The Coach of the Year is losing his potential low post threat. He must ask himself, "do I need this guy operating with confidence to win a championship?" If the answer to that question is "yes", then he must show a little more patience with his 70 million dollar man and leave him on the floor.
GRADE: C-
2. Joakim Noah - Game 2 Mission: 3 Offensive Rebounds
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Mission nailed, Noah was huge. Joakim took up Boozer's low post scoring slack with 19 and 14, and get this, seven offensive boards. He outplayed and outworked the entire Atlanta Hawks front court.
Noah was the player of the game in my opinion.
GRADE: A+
3. Derrick Rose - Game 2 Mission: 8 Free Throw Attempts
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Derrick was obviously still a bit hobbled by the ankle issue, but he went to the hole as much as possible. The MVP managed six free throw attempts, two short of the eight free throw target.
This and the eight three-point attempts, lead to another rough shooting night, 10-27 from the field.
GRADE: B-
4. Luol Deng - Game 2 Mission: 16 points
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The second fiddle gladly played third fiddle to an unlikely second fiddle (Noah).
Deng still poured in 14 points, just two points shy of the goal. He mixed in some nice clean up baskets and a nice Tim Duncan-like bank shot from 15 feet.
The Bulls ask so much of LD on the defensive end, the scoring requirement is a tough accomplishment. That said, Deng answered the call and snatched down 12 boards as well.
GRADE: B+
5. Bulls Bench - Game 2 Mission: 25+ points off the bench
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The Bulls bench, especially Korver, shot like crap. Kyle was one-for-nine from the field and one-for-five from three-point range. The rest of the bench was a combined four-for-11, totaling 14 points from the reserves.
Luckily, the Bulls defense shut down Jamal Crawford and the rest of the Hawks scabs. They were three-for-13 from the field combined, and the Bulls outscored them 14-13 in this category.
GRADE: C
6. Bulls Defense: Game 2 Mission: Hold the Hawks Under 45 Percent from the Field
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The Bulls defense was active and energetic. This is the way they play when they are at their best.
The law of averages I spoke of yesterday did come to fruition. Joe Johnson, though harassed and doubled more effectively than in Game 1, didn't have nearly the same shooting eye.
Josh Smith continued to be the best thing that ever happened to the Bulls defense. He hoisted up ridiculous shot after shot, Al Horford couldn't make a shot.
Much could be said for the other Hawks, 34 percent from the field.
GRADE: A+
7. Bulls Defense: Game 2 Mission: Hold Joe Johnson under 25 points
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Joe undoubtedly could not take over and hit the tough shots that he made in Game 1.
Johnson saw a combined defensive effort from Bogans and Deng. This was a smart move on Thibs behalf.
This wrinkle allowed for there to be a fresh defender on Johnson more frequently. The Bulls also poked at the dribble of Johnson to disturb his rhythm.
The result: 16 points on seven-of-15 shooting, one-for-three from behind the arc.
GRADE: A-
8. Bulls Defense: Game 2 Mission: Hold The Hawks under 95 points
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The Bulls defense got after the Hawks. They gave shots to the members of the Hawks they felt most comfortable with and locked down on the biggest threats.
The "NBA Jam" "He's On Fire" moments were over and they came back down to earth. 73 points allowed will win you just about every NBA game.
Kudos does go out to Jeff Teague. This kid is the real deal, he's got heart and is accepting the challenge of the MVP. Still, if Teague beats the Bulls, they'll have to accept this gladly.
GRADE: A+
9. Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls: Game 2 Mission: No More Than 10 Turnovers
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Derrick was still very careless with the ball in the half court. Unfortunately, The MVP is almost entirely to blame for the Bulls 13 turnovers. Rose had eight giveaways alone.
True, much of this is due to Rose feeling the pressure to perform after receiving the MVP award, as well as having to carry most of the offensive load.
If the Bulls and Rose can diminish these miscues, expect to see larger margins of victory against these Hawks.
GRADE: D-
10. Chicago Bulls: Game 2 Mission: 2 to 1 Points in the paint advantage
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The advantage here was similar to Game 1. This was mostly due to continued good defense by the Bulls, sans a couple breakdowns that led to a few Hawk dunks.
The Bulls could've built on their point total with more Boozer and a more effective Rose.
The Bulls obviously, can still win this way, but can have success further in these playoffs with more production from Booz and Rose in the paint.
GRADE: C
