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By Sam Smith | 4.24.2015 | 10:15 a.m. CT
It is obvious that some turnovers are caused by aggressive passes that perhaps shouldn't have been made. That's basketball. But, it also appears that the Bulls are a little too cavalier with their handling of the ball, especially in the first quarter. Thibs isn't happy. Do you agree?
William Kochneff
For me, this Bulls team is difficult to get a handle on. I can’t figure out their identity yet but I guess that’s what playoffs are for. Injuries yada yada. In some ways it’s been the most perplexing team in the last 5 years with more power but seemingly somewhat mismatched (Pau/Jo). I imagine the Cav crucible will go a long way to stamping this team, one way or the other. Yes, jumping ahead but if they lose to the Bucks well that’s a different kind of stamp.
Greg Young
I remember how analysts/commentators used to say the Thibs' Bulls weren't good in the playoffs because teams would match how hard they would play, something that wouldn't happen during the regular season because the Bulls always dominated through hard work and effort. They claimed that the Bulls simply didn't have that extra gear come playoff time. Well this year it seems different to me. We lost a lot of games to non-playoff teams and I believe it was because we didn't have our foot on the pedal all year. We would see it occasionally, we did beat all of the elite teams this year. Basically, I can see we have another gear we can get to in the playoffs especially defensively. I'm ready for Butler, Noah and Gibson to pick up their D and hopefully a healthy D Rose will offset what we lose offensively with Butler using a lot of his energy on the defensive end.
Adam Garcia
What's with this guy Popovich? I get some of his grouchiness. I don't believe that coaches should have to make themselves available between quarters for sideline reporters -- that's a bit much. But for a post-game press conference? Come on. I really think that he handles questions as badly as Russell Westbrook and other curmudgeons. I watched him berate a female reporter for asking him what improvements could be made to help the Spurs in their playoff series. She writes about the game, so she may know what improvements should be made, but some of her readers don't; getting it from the horse's mouth, i.e., quotes, is a lot more credible than coming from herself for a lot of said readers. He showed her up and basically acted like she was an idiot. What's worse, Dennis Scott, Brian Shaw, and Rick Kamla all applauded him on NBATV. Shaw said that's how you have to deal with media. Really? Didn't seem to help him out in Denver. Scott said better questions need to be asked; so basically kissing up to the league, because I've never seen him ask an in-depth question when given the opportunity. And I didn't know he majored in journalism, so that's a new one. Popovich may be a great coach and good human being, but he can also a colossal jerk.
Terrell Bryant
There is definitely something wrong with NBA journalists. From the "how much one or two games missed by Mirotic could hurt Bulls' title hopes" to the dramatic "is Butler more important than Rose for the Bulls" (seriously?), you just have to admire how graciously Pau Gasol is answering questions. That being said I have to say that I love the Bulls' chances this year. They seem to be more calm, more solid, the wins are more "convincing". The team has both matured in its core and changed in its dynamic (they got firepower). And, yes, Derrick's play is amazingly strong. Should they pass the Bucks, the Cleveland series could be something to watch.
Hamza Cherief
A few nights ago, the Warriors were up 30 points late in the third quarter. Basically every starter (Curry, etc) were all playing. The Warriors were also up 11 games in the Western Conference. It's a shame Thibs is blamed for what many successful coaches already do.
Matt Adler