Before the start of the ga, broadcasters from all the major networks were analyzing the situation of the two teams.
In front of their TVs, basketball fans who had so understanding of the Bobcats but didn’t follow their news daily were quite surprised to see the Bobcats’ record since December—this month, the Bobcats played 10 gas and lost only once to the Magic, winning the other 9!
Yet, in the impressions of these fans, the news they saw about the Bobcats often involved narrow wins and cobacks, making it seem like winning gas was very difficult for them. Thus, they were led to believe that the Bobcats must be having an unremarkable record among the top teams like they did in the first month.
Now, being told that the Bobcats had a 90% win rate since December? About to charge to the top of the league?
However, Bobcats fans usually saw news of the team struggling to win, and prega predictions that they might lose, so they weren’t surprised—it was indeed the case.
In the last 10 gas, apart from seeking revenge on the Magic and vengefully crushing the Pistons, all the other gas had close scores: winning by 7 points against the league-leading Cavaliers, only a 6-point win over the eighth-seeded Miami Heat in the East, and a 9-point win over the ninth-seeded Celtics in the East after a coback... It seed like it was 50-50 against everyone, only they ended up winning.
For this situation, the happiest were likely the Jewish guys, as all the major networks loved broadcasting Bobcats gas, ensuring high ratings.
On the Bulls’ side, as defending champions, their attention and exposure were even higher, analyzed thoroughly by the dia, just like the Bobcats’ last season, with all situations being transparent.
28-year-old Yao Ming in his pri, averaging 23.5 points, 9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2 blocks per ga;
27-year-old Hinrich entering his pri, averaging 16.3 points, 7 assists, and 1.6 steals;
23-and-a-half-year-old Luol Deng with exceptional talent and strength, averaging 19 points, 7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1 block,
The Bulls’ core trio is strong, well-coordinated in their play, and performing excellently; seeing only these three, they’re even stronger than last season.
But Ben Wallace so far this season is averaging 3.8 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks. Although still a starter, his playing ti has dropped to 20 minutes.
33-year-old forr top pick Joe Smith was playing and found himself moved to the center position by Bulls head coach Scott Skiles to cope with a speed decline from aging another year. He mainly plays as a center substitute, averaging 22 minutes per ga and scoring 10.2 points, which is relatively surprising, but his rebound protection is extrely poor, averaging only 4.2 rebounds.
The departure of backup point guard Chris Duhon also had a big impact. Bulls sifted through the market during the offseason, only picking up veteran Lynch Hunter from the Pistons’ disbandnt on a minimum salary contract, averaging 3.8 points and 2.1 assists, with poor shooting accuracy, ineffective in organizing attacks, and not doing well in defense—’veteran champion’ remained only old.
When they traded for Yao Ming, sending off several future first-round picks, the Bulls were affected, as this year many outstanding point guards were drafted, like Chalrs from the Miami Heat and Dragic from the Phoenix Suns, both selected in the second round; especially Chalrs, if the Bulls had the 30th pick, they’d certainly choose this NCAA runner-up point guard... But this minor issue is hardly noticed, as winning the championship in Yao Ming’s first year was enough to cover everything.
The Bulls did not match the Knicks’ offer for Duhon and signed Lynch Hunter, leading so experts to analyze that their managent foresaw Ben Wallace’s potential collapse in form, thus shifting the focus to cultivating Luol Deng, waiting out the contracts of players like Ben Wallace and Joe Smith until their expiration. By then, the 25-year-old Luol Deng would be in his peak, 29-year-old Hinrich and 30-year-old Yao Ming would still be at their pri, enabling a championship-contending roster rebuilt around the trio.
The Bulls also have highlights this year—third-year players Sefolosha and Tyrus Thomas, both have shown significant improvent.
Sefolosha this season is averaging 7.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals, along with second-team defense-level Hinrich, known as one of the best defensive backcourt duos in the league.
Although Tyrus Thomas is Ben Wallace’s backup, his playing ti surpasses Ben Wallace’s, averaging 23 minutes per ga and recording 7.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks. Although there’s a huge gap in impact compared to last season’s Ben Wallace, he’s just turned 22 in August and has a bright future.
Sixth man Nocioni is averaging 13.7 points, with a 44% shooting rate, hitting 2.1 three-pointers per ga, supporting the second unit’s scoring.
Though the regular season so far has not been great, most people still think that the Bulls are very competitive when playoffs co, at that ti they can fully utilize Hinrich and Yao Ming.
At 9 p.m. Eastern ti, Okafor beat Yao Ming to win the tip-off, and the ga began, with the Bobcats attacking first.
The Bobcats’ starting lineup remained unchanged, as did the Bulls: Hinrich, Sefolosha, Luol Deng, Ben Wallace, and Yao Ming.
Zhang Yang executed the first attack, under the double team of Sefolosha and Ben Wallace, missed a jumper from one step inside the free-throw line.
Ben Wallace’s declining stats and overall performance have been heavily criticized, yet he remains a starter, not because Bulls head coach Scott Skiles gives special favoritism due to his past superstar status. Skiles, known for being ’profit-driven and unsentintal,’ isn’t that kind of coach; when he was coaching the Phoenix Suns, he directly abandoned 30-year-old Gugliotta as he regressed despite being only in the second year of his 6-year $55 million contract.
Fans watching the Bulls live broadcasts could see that while Ben Wallace’s court ti was about 10 minutes in the first half, his defense remained outstanding.
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