Q-is-here wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 10:29 pm
I continue to be in awe of Jokic, BUT he can be pretty soft defensively as we saw against the Wolves. Tonight he made his first 11 shots against Chicago and ended up with a slash line of 33/12/14. But they gave up 129 to Chicago and lost.
Funny side note...Chicago's leading scorer was Zach LaVine with 21 points. He also had the worst plus/minus with a -10 despite an 8 point win for the Bulls. Classic LaVine - his team loses during the time he's on the floor even in a game they ultimately win and he leads in scoring!
To be fair...
Zach Lavine has a positive +/- for the season. The next 5 Bulls players in minutes:
Q-is-here wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 10:29 pm
I continue to be in awe of Jokic, BUT he can be pretty soft defensively as we saw against the Wolves. Tonight he made his first 11 shots against Chicago and ended up with a slash line of 33/12/14. But they gave up 129 to Chicago and lost.
Funny side note...Chicago's leading scorer was Zach LaVine with 21 points. He also had the worst plus/minus with a -10 despite an 8 point win for the Bulls. Classic LaVine - his team loses during the time he's on the floor even in a game they ultimately win and he leads in scoring!
To be fair...
Zach Lavine has a positive +/- for the season. The next 5 Bulls players in minutes:
I've been a Lavine detractor going way back to watching him live several games at UCLA. And my dislike for his overall game has continued through his Wolves and Bulls years. But I have to admit he is having a terrific season statistically. I haven't watched any Bulls games this year, so I doubt that the lightbulb has finally gone on for him defensively, but his offense has been at such an elite level this season, he finally is having an overall positive presence on his team. His TS% is 64%, incredible for a guard! The Lakers are actively trying to find a way to get him.
On another note, the Lakers had a bad loss at the 76ers last night, and lost AD to an abdominal strain early in the game. He had an MRI today and will be re-evaluated in one week. I imagine they could slip in the standings, ala Dallas.
On another note, a Wolves win and Clipper loss tonight would move the Wolves out of the play-in and into the playoffs at #6. And with the Lakers dropping fast...
60WinTim wrote: ↑Wed Jan 29, 2025 10:24 am
On another note, the Lakers had a bad loss at the 76ers last night, and lost AD to an abdominal strain early in the game. He had an MRI today and will be re-evaluated in one week. I imagine they could slip in the standings, ala Dallas.
On another note, a Wolves win and Clipper loss tonight would move the Wolves out of the play-in and into the playoffs at #6. And with the Lakers dropping fast...
Feels like the Lakers have been living a bit of a charmed existence this season. They actually have a negative point differential, yet are well above .500, which suggests they are worse than their record indicates and the close game gods will frown upon them at some point (just like they started smiling upon the Kings more recently after they lost a ton of close ones to start the season).
Additionally, AD and LeBron have largely been pictures of good health dating back to last season. We all know AD especially had a bad rap for being hurt a ton in his career, then suddenly he plays the most games in his career last season! And up until last night, he had played in 42 out of 45 Laker games this year. Perhaps he was due for an injury??
Let's hope the charmed existence is now coming to an end! Would love to see them drop a bunch of games here.
Q-is-here wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 10:29 pm
I continue to be in awe of Jokic, BUT he can be pretty soft defensively as we saw against the Wolves. Tonight he made his first 11 shots against Chicago and ended up with a slash line of 33/12/14. But they gave up 129 to Chicago and lost.
Funny side note...Chicago's leading scorer was Zach LaVine with 21 points. He also had the worst plus/minus with a -10 despite an 8 point win for the Bulls. Classic LaVine - his team loses during the time he's on the floor even in a game they ultimately win and he leads in scoring!
To be fair...
Zach Lavine has a positive +/- for the season. The next 5 Bulls players in minutes:
I've been a Lavine detractor going way back to watching him live several games at UCLA. And my dislike for his overall game has continued through his Wolves and Bulls years. But I have to admit he is having a terrific season statistically. I haven't watched any Bulls games this year, so I doubt that the lightbulb has finally gone on for him defensively, but his offense has been at such an elite level this season, he finally is having an overall positive presence on his team. His TS% is 64%, incredible for a guard! The Lakers are actively trying to find a way to get him.
Yes, he has a positive (barely) net rating, but more surprising for him is his very positive net on/off rating, meaning how much worse the Bulls play when he sits.
In Lavine's 11 seasons, including this one, only twice has he had a positive net rating, and both times it was miniscule. Only three times has his team played worse when he's on the bench, including this season.
I think to your point FNG, when you are THAT efficient with your offense (career highs in FG%, 3pt%, and TS%) it can cover up a lot of your other flaws and he's ultimately a positive presence for the Bulls.....but not against Denver!
I've been a Lavine detractor going way back to watching him live several games at UCLA. And my dislike for his overall game has continued through his Wolves and Bulls years. But I have to admit he is having a terrific season statistically. I haven't watched any Bulls games this year, so I doubt that the lightbulb has finally gone on for him defensively, but his offense has been at such an elite level this season, he finally is having an overall positive presence on his team. His TS% is 64%, incredible for a guard! The Lakers are actively trying to find a way to get him.
Yes, he has a positive (barely) net rating, but more surprising for him is his very positive net on/off rating, meaning how much worse the Bulls play when he sits.
In Lavine's 11 seasons, including this one, only twice has he had a positive net rating, and both times it was miniscule. Only three times has his team played worse when he's on the bench, including this season.
I think to your point FNG, when you are THAT efficient with your offense (career highs in FG%, 3pt%, and TS%) it can cover up a lot of your other flaws and he's ultimately a positive presence for the Bulls.....but not against Denver!
Ha, yeah...his Denver box score is much more representative of his career results. He's just never had a positive impact on his team. As I've mentioned before, I was living in LA a decade ago and watched a lot of UCLA games...I thought they had a chance to challenge for a national championship with a roster stacked with Zach, SloMo, Norman Powell, Tony Parker and Travis Wear, all who played in the NBA! (plus a couple of Steve Alford's kids). But they lost in the Sweet 16 to eventual runner up Florida. I really enjoyed that team (especially SloMo!), but my least favorite player was Zach. He only started one game all season, and he was just awful in the tournament. It was clear he had no interest in or aptitude for defense, so I was stunned when Flip drafted and him and said he was going to be a great 2-way player. Zach famously was seen saying "f*** me" after his name was called, and I have to admit I had the same reaction!
I've been a Lavine detractor going way back to watching him live several games at UCLA. And my dislike for his overall game has continued through his Wolves and Bulls years. But I have to admit he is having a terrific season statistically. I haven't watched any Bulls games this year, so I doubt that the lightbulb has finally gone on for him defensively, but his offense has been at such an elite level this season, he finally is having an overall positive presence on his team. His TS% is 64%, incredible for a guard! The Lakers are actively trying to find a way to get him.
Yes, he has a positive (barely) net rating, but more surprising for him is his very positive net on/off rating, meaning how much worse the Bulls play when he sits.
In Lavine's 11 seasons, including this one, only twice has he had a positive net rating, and both times it was miniscule. Only three times has his team played worse when he's on the bench, including this season.
I think to your point FNG, when you are THAT efficient with your offense (career highs in FG%, 3pt%, and TS%) it can cover up a lot of your other flaws and he's ultimately a positive presence for the Bulls.....but not against Denver!
11 seasons, that doesn't seem possible. I remember the night he was drafted like it was yesterday.
I've been a Lavine detractor going way back to watching him live several games at UCLA. And my dislike for his overall game has continued through his Wolves and Bulls years. But I have to admit he is having a terrific season statistically. I haven't watched any Bulls games this year, so I doubt that the lightbulb has finally gone on for him defensively, but his offense has been at such an elite level this season, he finally is having an overall positive presence on his team. His TS% is 64%, incredible for a guard! The Lakers are actively trying to find a way to get him.
Yes, he has a positive (barely) net rating, but more surprising for him is his very positive net on/off rating, meaning how much worse the Bulls play when he sits.
In Lavine's 11 seasons, including this one, only twice has he had a positive net rating, and both times it was miniscule. Only three times has his team played worse when he's on the bench, including this season.
I think to your point FNG, when you are THAT efficient with your offense (career highs in FG%, 3pt%, and TS%) it can cover up a lot of your other flaws and he's ultimately a positive presence for the Bulls.....but not against Denver!
11 seasons, that doesn't seem possible. I remember the night he was drafted like it was yesterday.
