11/5/09--Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers--7PM CST (TNT)

[anorexorcism]

Since we got the win last game I am taking the initiative and making this next one for tomorrow's contest. Will make this a little spiffier later.

Bulls (2-2):

Coach - VDN

PG - Rose
SG - Salmons
SF - Deng
PF - Gibson (?)
C - Noah

Cavs (2-2):

PG - Mo Williams
SG - Anthony Parker
SF - LeBron James
PF - Andy Varejao
C - Shaquille O'Neal

Prediction: 102-84 Cavs. Deng will do a great job on LeBron as always but I see Mo Williams heating up and causing problems for Derrick who is still recovering. The Cavs big men are going to eat us alive w/o Tyrus in there to outrun them. I would love to see Johnson get some PT but I doubt that's happening.

In the meantime to get a nice scouting report, check out this podcast today from nationally renowned Cavs beat writer Brian Windhorst - one of the best in the business:

http://www.cleveland.com/podcast_files/ ... 110409.mp3

LeBron looking forward to the contest:

"They're a very talented team, young team but very talented. We are looking forward to the challenge; it is still early, but we are looking forward to the challenge. With it being a TNT game, it is going to make it fun but at the same time, we are going to try to get better. We approach every game like it's our last but continue to get better and do the things we do in practice and try to implement them into a game situation so it is going to be a good one."

http://www.fearthesword.com/2009/11/4/1 ... #storyjump

[kyrv]

Drinking game: Every time Doug Collins says "Kevin", take a swig.

Warning: Only do this for one quarter, as a full game would likely result in injury or death.

Note: There are no players or coaches named Kevin that he is talking about.

[kulaz3000]

Spiffy game threads are over-rated. Where happened to the simple wholesome game threads, without all the excess fat?

[AirP.]

Awesome, another blackout for League Pass!

[AKfanatic]

This could be a good statement game for the Bulls. After the lackluster showing since the opener vs the Duncans Chicago players really need to step up and show they know how to play with each other and aggressively for a full game. Derrick needs to really get up for this one for the Bulls to have a chance. Should see big minutes from Miller vs the Cleveland big guys.

Hoping for another solid game from Deng, and hoping Spawn Salmons wakes up....if he doesn't Vinny really needs to reach for the net and pull that fish to bench.

[The Force.]

*sighs* it would be nice to have the real Derrick Rose show up. Any day now rose.

[#1TKfan]

curious, do you give deng a pass cause he is matching up with Lebron?

[AKfanatic]

curious, do you give deng a pass cause he is matching up with Lebron?

No pass. I could live with his offense not being great IF he defends Lebron and actually does a good job of it. I still expect at least 8 boards from Deng though. When he's playing aggressively he almost always has a good rebound game.

[#1TKfan]

curious, do you give deng a pass cause he is matching up with Lebron?

No pass. I could live with his offense not being great IF he defends Lebron and actually does a good job of it. I still expect at least 8 boards from Deng though. When he's playing aggressively he almost always has a good rebound game.

good. then i assume their was no pass against pierce. this will be a good test for the denger. if he fails we cant start to see a pattern.

[anorexorcism]

Regardless of the year, Deng has historically done an excellent job on LeBron. I don't see why it would be any different now. I wouldn't give him a pass in this case.

[Bullsfan87]

Deng has contained Lebron well in the past.. you cant stop him but you can slow him down slightly. He will have at least one huge dunk against us though.

I think we can have a chance in this game, we've beaten then a good number of times over the last few years.

They have been playing Shaq and Z together quite a bit.. its possibly the slowest frontcourt of all time so we need to take advantage. Have Deng at the 4 when they do this to draw them out, they wont be able to keep up. Noah should be able to run the legs off Shaq too..

Rose needs to have a big game, I'm hopeful he's turned the corner. It would be nice too if Hinrich and Salmons could hit a jumpshot.

[Grand Champ]

Oh please like anyone can guard lebron and the 3 zebras

this game will be like the celtics game of last week.

A blowout.

[#1TKfan]

Regardless of the year, Deng has historically done an excellent job on LeBron. I don't see why it would be any different now. I wouldn't give him a pass in this case.

you give him a pass because he uses up his energy trying to contain james leaving nothing in the tank for offense?

[Bullsfan87]

I dont think it will.. we are so much faster than them even without Tyrus. We just have to run all game long and take their big men out of the game. I'd like to see us start Miller over Taj though.. he can draw out the defence and would be able to man up on Shaq a lot better. Any time they go to a Shaq/Z frontline just put Deng at the 4 and run them off the court.

[HINrichPolice]

Just thought this highlight video from last year's great Bulls OT win against the Cavs would be appropriate for the game thread. Tyrus and Derrick were monsters in this game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlLs4B4feSg

[AKfanatic]

Just thought this highlight video from last year's great Bulls OT win against the Cavs would be appropriate for the game thread. Tyrus and Derrick were monsters in this game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwh2YAe-VCs

Tyrus did one of the best jobs i've seen on Lebron that game, when he gets up for a game he really does look special....when he doesn't he often looks...well ummm "special".

[DASMACKDOWN]

Tyrus will be missed bigtime this game. Tyrus has always been a thorn in the Cavs side over the years with his quickness, athletism and shotblocking.

There are just too many matchup issues.

Shaq on Noah - he will need help
Deng on Lebron - will need help and it was always Tyrus and Thabo

Taj may foul out in 10 mins of action.

I am putting money on that JJ will see his second game of the season this game.

Not because Vinny decides to give him a real shot, but because he wont have any other choice.

[sdeezy]

We need a huge Dose of Miller in this game. If he can knock down a couple of threes, we could really give Shaq problems and open up some lanes for Derrick

[cool007]

I smell a 20+ point Blowout. Bulls lose big.

We will again have only 2 of 4 of these guys show up (Deng/Rose/Salmons/Hinrich) as usual.

[Ctownbulls]

I smell a 20+ point Blowout. Bulls lose big.

We will again have only 2 of 4 of these guys show up (Deng/Rose/Salmons/Hinrich) as usual.

Which 2 showed up against the Bucks?