This next stretch in the schedule is ridiculously easy. If the Bulls don't win 10 or 11 of these games, I would consider it a failure. The only decent team out of the bunch is the Knicks on Xmas. Otherwise this is a giant pile of suck. They are already on a 5 game winning streak, and hopefully they can stretch it to 8-10 games and pull away from the pack in their division. A win tonight against the Pacers gives them a 4-game lead.

Mon 13 vs Indiana 7:00pm
Wed 15 @ Toronto 6:00pm
Sat 18 vs LA Clippers 7:00pm
Tue 21 vs Philadelphia 7:00pm
Wed 22 @ Washington 6:00pm
Sat 25 @ New York 11:00am
Sun 26 @ Detroit 5:00pm
Tue 28 vs Milwaukee 7:00pm
Fri 31 vs New Jersey 2:00pm

January
Sat 01 vs Cleveland 6:00pm
Tue 04 vs Toronto 7:00pm
Wed 05 @ New Jersey 6:00pm
Fri 07 @ Philadelphia 6:00pm

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They need this stretch. The Bulls have had the toughest schedule in the NBA so far. The next toughest SOS isn't even close.

So far the Bulls are 5-2 against the stretch of scrubs. Hopefully they can finish this out with only 1 loss. Right now they have a 5 1/2 game lead in the division, and I don't see Indiana or Milwaukee making a big run to overtake them. As long as they can hold this lead while Noah is out, the division is there's.

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Not sure if I would call the Bucks or Knicks scrubs. Considering the Bulls are missing Noah I think the expectations may be slightly different.

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When your feature player at the moment is Earl Boykins, you're a scrub. Bucks suck. Here is the Bucks next six games.

Mon, Dec 27 vsAtlanta 8:00 PM
Tue, Dec 28 @Chicago 8:00 PM
Sat, Jan 1 vsDallas 9:00 PM
Tue, Jan 4 @Miami 7:30 PM
Wed, Jan 5 @Orlando 7:00 PM
Fri, Jan 7 vsMiami 8:30 PM

They could easily lose all 6 of those games.

The Bulls haven't played very well lately, but if they can hold a 4-5 game lead until Noah gets back, they will coast to a division title. Indiana or Milwaukee are not going to catch them.

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Call me crazy but I think the Bulls could win the East if they stay healthy. Rose has taken his game to a level that I didn't think was possible. Watching him with the ball in his hands is like watching someone play a video game. I wasn't a fan of the Boozer signing but so far it is working. When healthy the Bulls have arguably the best 8-9 man rotation in the East. At worst it's 2nd to the Celtics.

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They still need a 2 guard IMO opinion to win the East. Boston's age and their injury factor is a concern for them as is the lack of depth for Miami, but Rose, although playing damn well overall, is still not a top 5 talent yet, so they still need someone else to pick up the slack besides him and Boozer. The Knick game proves that Rose still has some growing to do before he can be considered a top 5 player and he needs a 2 guard to round out their team and make them a possible Eastern Conference winner this season.

I think the Bulls should start Korver. They don't need a great shooting guard. I know they usually play him down the stretch but I really believe he would open things ups for Boozer and Rose. He's below average defensively but the Bulls seem to trust him enough to play him at the end of games.

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He's been struggling lately

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You never miss your wealth, till your well went dry
Seem like only yesterday, you were here smiling
Now you gone away, but I know you in a better place
No traces of you, what can I do?
Alone and confused

It's worth a look see.

The Ashton Kutcher-looking Kyle Korver doesn't play defense and he's supposed to be better suited off the bench. He's been struggling lately and Tom Thibodeau's very reluctant to start him. Why Keith Bogans continues to start is a mystery though.

That'd be rough having Korver guard a 2 for long stretches.

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I'm not sure there's much to deal, especially because Kurt Thomas & Omar Asik have been plagued with foul trouble in Joakim Noah's absence and Taj Gibson's minutes have declined since he suffered a concussion a week to 10 days ago vs. VDN's Clippers at United Center. Right now, Taj's is supposed to be the Bulls' lone bargaining chip...

[quote="Douchebag"]This next stretch in the schedule is ridiculously easy. If the Bulls don't win 10 or 11 of these games, I would consider it a failure. The only decent team out of the bunch is the Knicks on Xmas. Otherwise this is a giant pile of suck. [quote]
So true. They should win 10 at this point. What amazes me is the Bulls have not beaten an Eastern Conference team with a +.500 record. They play only 4 games against +.500 teams at the end of January, maybe 6 if Indiana gets Granger back and playing like he is capable.
Beginning March 1st, 8 of 12 are against +.500 teams. Noah should be back, but maybe not fully functional by then. Bottom line is we have a good team and if we can get all pieces to play together, we may have a great team going into the playoffs as a #5 seed. At the moment I don't know if we get much higher than that.

If they win the division, they are guaranteed at least a 4th seed or better. Right now they have a 5 1/2 game lead, with 6 more games in a row against the Eastern Conference bottom feeders. They really need to push this lead to a couple more games so they can pretty much wrap up the division early. I don't see Milwaukee making a big run at least right now because their next 6 games are very tough. They could easily lose all oftheir next 6. The Pacers have been playing ok so far this season, but I don't see them as a factor in the East. They could sneak in with the 7th or 8th seed, but I don't see them as being contenders in this division. The key to this next stretch for the Bulls is to just pad your lead as much as you can and get yourself ready for the playoffs once Noah is back.

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Aaaappp, correct sir. In terms of record, I don't believe they are capable of better than #5 in the conference. If we are lucky, no other big injury hits the team and they can be a formidable team heading into playoffs.

I here what you are saying about getting a cushion, but I don't worry about this team or Indiana. This team has proven to be a pretty good bum slayer. It isn't always pretty, but they get the job done so much better than previous VDN coached, and even Skiles coached teams. Personally, I think Rose and his experience/confidence is the main reason they don't lose to crap teams. He just won't let it happen.

It certainly is a mystery.

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To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The Coach should be looking at DRose's minutes. The last 2 games versus the Knicks & the Pistons,he has lost his legs in the final 5 minutes. His layups were off and he wasn't getting anything behind his jumpshots. Might be best to pull him whenever the Bulls get a decent lead in a game during the first 3 quarters. Rose is needed in the 4th when most NBA games are on the line. If DelNegro was still coaching,the media (B&B) would be all over his ass for burning out Rose.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

I would think the same thing but apparently Coach T trust him enough to play him in crunch time. The Paxson/Armstrong type is what the lineup needs. He is the only guy I see that can provide that unless you want to take a chance on J.R. Smith.

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Think he's only in there in crunch time for his free throw shooting.

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Not sure how many free throws he needs to shoot with 5 mins left in the game. He's in there to spread the court and knockdown the open 3 when Rose is doubled. With Bogans or Brewer in the games defenses don't seem to worry about the outside shot.

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Yeah I was gonna add his shooting ability as well, but he hasn't been a great shooter this year. I'm just not sure if Korver guarding an athletic 2 will work for long stretches.

But maybe try it and see.

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What about a PG with a decent outside shot/playoff experience and Rose plays the 2 a la Kobe/Jordan?

Bulls are now 8-2 during the stretch of scrubs. I think they can run the table on Toronto, New Jersey, and Philly to finish 11-2. Not a bad job, especially with the terrible front court play with Noah being out. Right now they have an 8 game lead in the division. This thing could be wrapped up by the all star break.

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