So I'm not trying to be the turd in the punchbowl here, I know everyone wants to enjoy their 40 point beatdown that wasn't even that close (the starters +/- tonight: Deng, Boozer, Noah all +35, Derrick +43, TBN +48), but there's something bugging me about this game. Why, in a game without Rip Hamilton, and with the Bulls in complete control...why is Jimmy Butler not seeing any minutes? Please tell me he's not going to go JJ on Butler. James Johnson, who I still think has the chance to be a good pro, never got the chance to contribute at all, even in situations like tonight's when there was no way it could affect the outcome in any way. And JJ had (has) the talent, what he needed was more basketball IQ. Which could have come with more playing time. And then Deng wouldn't have to play 39.1 minutes per game last year.
This year it's going to be even more important to not wear key players down, what with the condensed schedule and all. The Bulls were supposed to be helped this year by their depth, but it's not helping if you don't use it. Deng's minutes through the first 4 games are up to 40.5. Meanwhile everyone on the Bench Mob's numbers are down so far. Taj 21 last year, 16 this year. TBN 22 last year, 16.5 this year. Korver is down from 20 to 11, but that one is probably deserved. My point is the whole reason to have depth is to use it, and if you won't use depth this year, TT, it's going to be a problem later.
Free Jimmy Butler.
couldnt have said it better myself, and was saying the same thing with about 8 mins left in the third. i didn't even watch the game for what it's worth (not on tv out here...), but gamecast had me pissed with that empty butler stat line.
ReplyDeletebut yeah, great win, go bulls