Bulls Depth and Lineup Versatility

This topic contains 30 replies, has 13 voices, and was last updated by ditotay 11 years, 11 months ago.

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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 12:39pm #57458

druneave3
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Sitting here with a huge amount of Bulls Koolaid, can I get you a glass?
With the reported signing of Aaron Brooks the Chicago Bulls have had an incredible off season despite not landing Carmelo Anthony. The basketball genius that is Tom Thibodeau has a loaded roster with a multitude of lineup possibilities. The front office did an amazing job of addressing the team’s number one need, shooting. With the added offensive weapons, and a healthy Derrick Rose, this team is extremely deep, versatile, and full of interchangeable parts that all could play well together. It will difficult to find minutes for all these guys.
Sure they could use another shot creator, but Brooks will help that, and I believe people are vastly underestemating McDermott’s ability in that area. With a release like his, combined with his size, footwork, and craftiness, he should be able to successfully isolate in critical situations when you need a basket. Keep in mind he is also capable of pulling up comfortably from 30 feet and hitting. A very difficult cover. McDermott and the other additions will give Thibs many options, should he choose to use this depth, is another story. I am hoping this depth will force his hand a bit into changing his philsophy of treating all 82 games like a game 7.
If history repeats itself the Bulls and Thibodeau will have a veteran heavy starting lineup of Rose, Butler, Dunleavy, Gasol, Noah with Gibson and Hinrich getting big minutes off the bench. Inexperienced yet talented players have had difficulty cracking the rotation under Thibs in the past. McDermott and Mirotic are both highly touted players who you think would have to get more minutes than other rookies given their need for outside shooting. Whatever Thibs chooses to do, the Bulls talent, depth, and versatility makes them one of the top teams in the league and a real contender given much uncertainty in the evolving East.
My early ideas on the lineup are as follows.
PG- Derrick Rose
SG- Jimmy Butler
SF- Doug McDermott
PF- Taj Gibson
C- Joakim Noah
Starting Doug McDermott because he is already one of the league’s elite shooters. Watching him getting open off of a curl or down screen is a thing of beauty. His passing ability and decision making when doubled off of those screens is top notch. He is just the offensive weapon this Bulls offense has been so drastically missing the past few years, or decade. I think you can hide him on D more easily with Jimmy Butler’s ability to defend either wing spot/bigger players. Taj and Noah would also help defensively with their versatility, foot speed, and awareness. Starting Gibson will set the defensive tone to start games, but also preserve the career of Pau Gasol. Gasol has also shown that he doesn’t really have the ability to defend 4’s anymore in a changing league. His defensive metrics are much better from the center position. He and Noah definitely have the ability to play together, especially should teams choose to play bigger. Then you have the best passing big man duo on the court together.
Hinrich, Snell, MDJ, Mirotic, and Gasol could do a lot of damage against other team’s second units. Three solid veteran players along side two young players who if nothing else, can shoot the ball. Tony Snell has looked great in summer leauge with a much improved stroke and confidence. He gained 20 lbs. this off season and was at the Berto Center constantly, and it really shows with his performance of late. Dunleavy gives that unit another ball handler and playmaker with passing ability in addition to Kirk Hinrich. Tony Snell has shown flashes of his playmaking ability with his ability to make passes over the top of the defense with his size and length, but he won’t be asked to do that much. Gasol’s offensive prowess and passing ability would allow him to run circles around lesser talented players of team’s second units despite his age. Given the hype of Mirotic (unless you are Euroballer) he should be getting big minutes in the not too distant future. For now, he can play alongside and be mentored by an all-time great and international trailblazer in Gasol. They would form a nice inside-outside big man duo. With so many teams playing smaller guards together, the Bulls could play a combination of Rose and Hirnich, Rose and Brooks, Hinrich and Brooks together. Throw in Cameron Bairstow (Chris Webber’s draft sleeper) with his physicality and 6 fouls and the Bulls have a real team with lineup verstality and multiple options.
Thanks to a great saving attempt by the much maligned Bulls front office, this koolaid (and an admitted bias) has led me to believe the Bulls have the second best chance to win it all behind the defending champion Spurs. I only like their chances better than OKC because they are in the East. Adding several offensive weapons to the league’s best defense (even with Boozer) will help dramatically and help them be less reliant on Derrick Rose.
This is a good problem to have. How would you handle the Bulls lineup situations?

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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 12:57pm #938029

caray12
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PG: Derrick Rose, Kirk Hinrich, Aaron Brooks
SG: Jimmy Butler, Tony Snell
SF: Mike Dunlevy, Doug McDermott
PF: Pau Gasol, Taj Gibson, Cameron Barstow
C: Jokim Noah, Nazr Muhammad
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- Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 1:42pm #938055
  
  caray12
  Participant
  He’s PF/SF
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- Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 1:42pm #938185
  
  caray12
  Participant
  He’s PF/SF
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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 12:57pm #938159

caray12
Participant
PG: Derrick Rose, Kirk Hinrich, Aaron Brooks
SG: Jimmy Butler, Tony Snell
SF: Mike Dunlevy, Doug McDermott
PF: Pau Gasol, Taj Gibson, Cameron Barstow
C: Jokim Noah, Nazr Muhammad
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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 1:03pm #938035

Wavy Bagels
Participant
Rose/Hinrich/Brooks
Snell/Dunleavy/Hinrich
Butler/Dunleavy/McDermott
Gasol/Gibson
Noah/Mohammed/Gibson
As much as I like the idea of Pau Gasol coming off the bench, it won’t happen. His low-post scoring gives the starting lineup flexibility and takes pressure off of D-Rose. I’m not sold on McDermott as a starting SF, especially in the Central division. I’d like to see what Snell could do with a year under his belt as a starter and see how he plays off the ball and behind the arc.
The Bulls have to be the deepest team in the East and on paper, look like the early favorites to win it. Let’s see.

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- Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 1:10pm #938041
  
  TRC1991
  Participant
  I’m hurt by you putting McDermott at 3rd string. He’s better than Mike Dunleavy ever dreamt of being
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  - Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 1:13pm #938043
    
    Wavy Bagels
    Participant
    The rookie’s gotta prove it in training camp. Ask Coach Tibbs.
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  - Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 1:13pm #938173
    
    Wavy Bagels
    Participant
    The rookie’s gotta prove it in training camp. Ask Coach Tibbs.
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  - Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 1:20pm #938047
    
    caray12
    Participant
    He didn’t even play a NBA game yet
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  - Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 1:20pm #938177
    
    caray12
    Participant
    He didn’t even play a NBA game yet
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- Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 1:10pm #938171
  
  TRC1991
  Participant
  I’m hurt by you putting McDermott at 3rd string. He’s better than Mike Dunleavy ever dreamt of being
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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 1:03pm #938165

Wavy Bagels
Participant
Rose/Hinrich/Brooks
Snell/Dunleavy/Hinrich
Butler/Dunleavy/McDermott
Gasol/Gibson
Noah/Mohammed/Gibson
As much as I like the idea of Pau Gasol coming off the bench, it won’t happen. His low-post scoring gives the starting lineup flexibility and takes pressure off of D-Rose. I’m not sold on McDermott as a starting SF, especially in the Central division. I’d like to see what Snell could do with a year under his belt as a starter and see how he plays off the ball and behind the arc.
The Bulls have to be the deepest team in the East and on paper, look like the early favorites to win it. Let’s see.

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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 1:36pm #938051

Memphis Madness
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Mirotic is coming over too, right?
The Bulls have a lot of options.
They can even go with a really small lineup of Aaron Brooks, Rose, Butler, McDermott, and Taj Gibson for spread and scoring.
With Rose healthy, Mirotic coming over, Doug McDermott, and Pau taking his post game and passing to the Windy City the Bulls look like Spurs East.
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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 1:36pm #938181

Memphis Madness
Participant
Mirotic is coming over too, right?
The Bulls have a lot of options.
They can even go with a really small lineup of Aaron Brooks, Rose, Butler, McDermott, and Taj Gibson for spread and scoring.
With Rose healthy, Mirotic coming over, Doug McDermott, and Pau taking his post game and passing to the Windy City the Bulls look like Spurs East.
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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 3:03pm #938091

Hitster
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They will have serious depth and the bench will have more scoring options than before with McDermott recently drafted. They might add another veteran or maybe a young unfulfilled talent to round off the roster, I’m not sure if they can offer anything above minimum now.
I noticed that Andreas Nocioni was on one sites’ FA list, could someone like him make a return to the Bulls to give another SF option. Evan Turner still hasn’t been snapped up also and would Ray Allen consider the Bulls if he didn’t go to Cleveland with LBJ.
Of course the main factor for the Bulls will be D-Rose staying sound and playing 70 plus games getting back to his 2008-2011 form.

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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 3:03pm #938221

Hitster
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They will have serious depth and the bench will have more scoring options than before with McDermott recently drafted. They might add another veteran or maybe a young unfulfilled talent to round off the roster, I’m not sure if they can offer anything above minimum now.
I noticed that Andreas Nocioni was on one sites’ FA list, could someone like him make a return to the Bulls to give another SF option. Evan Turner still hasn’t been snapped up also and would Ray Allen consider the Bulls if he didn’t go to Cleveland with LBJ.
Of course the main factor for the Bulls will be D-Rose staying sound and playing 70 plus games getting back to his 2008-2011 form.

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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 3:42pm #938095

Kinguy11
Participant
This is the lineup I’d like to see the Bulls use.
PG: Rose – Hinrich – Brooks
SG: Butler – Snell
SF: McDermott – Dunleavy Jr.
PF: Gibson – Mirotic – Bairstow
C: Noah – Gasol

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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 3:42pm #938225

Kinguy11
Participant
This is the lineup I’d like to see the Bulls use.
PG: Rose – Hinrich – Brooks
SG: Butler – Snell
SF: McDermott – Dunleavy Jr.
PF: Gibson – Mirotic – Bairstow
C: Noah – Gasol

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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 3:54pm #938099

220
Participant
This is great for Chicago since Coach Thibodeau in the past had a habit of overplaying his players in the regular season. Having the ability to go 12 deep with quality players makes the Bulls dangerous and I imagine Coach Thibbs is a good enough to use his depth well.
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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 3:54pm #938229

220
Participant
This is great for Chicago since Coach Thibodeau in the past had a habit of overplaying his players in the regular season. Having the ability to go 12 deep with quality players makes the Bulls dangerous and I imagine Coach Thibbs is a good enough to use his depth well.
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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 4:45pm #938255

Flameres15
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If Rose, by some horrible means, gets injured again, then I imagine the Bulls go with a position-less line up. It would allow them to play without a point guard, but with ball handlers at most all positions. I could see them working with a: Joakim Noah Pau Gasol Doug McDermott Jimmy Butler Nikola Mirotic. Obviously they have Kirk Hinrich and Aaron Brooks as the other point guards on the bench, but neither should start. Everyone wants Brooks to turn into his 2009-2010 form, but that is unrealistic, and Hinrich is too old to play 35 minutes a game. He makes too many mistakes when that happens. Gasol gets the nod over Taj Gibson because Gasol is a better facilitator, and he stretches the floor better. Mike Dunleavy Jr. is a better passer than McDermott and Jimmy Butler, but I have a feeling McDermott impresses enough to be given a shot. Butler won’t be replaced, as he is the best perimeter defender and will keep coach happy. Mirotic rounds out the lineup as he is a do it all player. If he can prove to play well against faster players, then he is worth it.
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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 4:45pm #938124

Flameres15
Participant
If Rose, by some horrible means, gets injured again, then I imagine the Bulls go with a position-less line up. It would allow them to play without a point guard, but with ball handlers at most all positions. I could see them working with a: Joakim Noah Pau Gasol Doug McDermott Jimmy Butler Nikola Mirotic. Obviously they have Kirk Hinrich and Aaron Brooks as the other point guards on the bench, but neither should start. Everyone wants Brooks to turn into his 2009-2010 form, but that is unrealistic, and Hinrich is too old to play 35 minutes a game. He makes too many mistakes when that happens. Gasol gets the nod over Taj Gibson because Gasol is a better facilitator, and he stretches the floor better. Mike Dunleavy Jr. is a better passer than McDermott and Jimmy Butler, but I have a feeling McDermott impresses enough to be given a shot. Butler won’t be replaced, as he is the best perimeter defender and will keep coach happy. Mirotic rounds out the lineup as he is a do it all player. If he can prove to play well against faster players, then he is worth it.
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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 9:06pm #938275

Ghost01
Participant
As a Bulls supporter, I HOPE McDermott starts over Dunleavy. Not saying he will, or that he is ready, but that is clearly the one odd spot of their team. If McD can prove that he is a 22-23 year old who is already seasoned, has a polished game, and can be a 30 minute a game starter right away, that would be perfect.
The odds of this are low, but I wouldn’t underestimate how developed his game already is.
I think Gasol starts over Gibson, just because he’s probably the Bulls 2nd best offensive player, and brings a totally different dynamic down low.
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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 9:06pm #938144

Ghost01
Participant
As a Bulls supporter, I HOPE McDermott starts over Dunleavy. Not saying he will, or that he is ready, but that is clearly the one odd spot of their team. If McD can prove that he is a 22-23 year old who is already seasoned, has a polished game, and can be a 30 minute a game starter right away, that would be perfect.
The odds of this are low, but I wouldn’t underestimate how developed his game already is.
I think Gasol starts over Gibson, just because he’s probably the Bulls 2nd best offensive player, and brings a totally different dynamic down low.
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- Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 10:58pm #938277
  
  Grandmama
  Participant
  He probably won’t start right away, but I wouldn’t be surprised half way through the year he’s the starter. Dunleavy was pretty inefficient last year. It will take a little time though, both getting acclimated to the speed of the game, and learning Thib’s defensive rotations.
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- Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 10:58pm #938146
  
  Grandmama
  Participant
  He probably won’t start right away, but I wouldn’t be surprised half way through the year he’s the starter. Dunleavy was pretty inefficient last year. It will take a little time though, both getting acclimated to the speed of the game, and learning Thib’s defensive rotations.
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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 11:49pm #938285

marcusfizer21
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I want some of that Bulls Kool Aid please… I am so excited I can’t wait for the season to start… Byfar my happiest off-season as an NBA junkie…
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Posted on: Sat, 07/19/2014 - 11:49pm #938154

marcusfizer21
Participant
I want some of that Bulls Kool Aid please… I am so excited I can’t wait for the season to start… Byfar my happiest off-season as an NBA junkie…
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Posted on: Sun, 07/20/2014 - 12:51pm #938270

ditotay
Participant
Rose/Brooks/Hinrich (I would use him with a specific defensive assigment) Butler/Snell/Dunleavy (I hope Thibs gives Snell more minutes in his sophomore season. I could also see both of them playing together in some situations) McDermott/Mirotic/Dunleavy (I think McDermott played above average defense to convince Thibs that he could start. But he will have to play very hard in trainning camp to finish the job. Mirotic will slowly eat minutes of both Dunleavy and McDermott because of his basketball IQ and offensive touch) Gasol/Gibson/Mirotic (Gasol is going to start, but late in the games I see Gibson playing the most minutes. They could also play together) Noah/Gasol/Bairstow (Man I love the young guy Bairstow. He plays hard, he shots the ball well, boxes out like a well seasoned pro and sets hard screens. If he plays signficant minutes -10 to 15- he would become a fan favorite player)
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Posted on: Sun, 07/20/2014 - 12:51pm #938401

ditotay
Participant
Rose/Brooks/Hinrich (I would use him with a specific defensive assigment) Butler/Snell/Dunleavy (I hope Thibs gives Snell more minutes in his sophomore season. I could also see both of them playing together in some situations) McDermott/Mirotic/Dunleavy (I think McDermott played above average defense to convince Thibs that he could start. But he will have to play very hard in trainning camp to finish the job. Mirotic will slowly eat minutes of both Dunleavy and McDermott because of his basketball IQ and offensive touch) Gasol/Gibson/Mirotic (Gasol is going to start, but late in the games I see Gibson playing the most minutes. They could also play together) Noah/Gasol/Bairstow (Man I love the young guy Bairstow. He plays hard, he shots the ball well, boxes out like a well seasoned pro and sets hard screens. If he plays signficant minutes -10 to 15- he would become a fan favorite player)
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