[情報] Bulls Final Report Card
Bulls Final Report Card
All in all, not one reason to be testy
Sunday, May 15, 2005
By Paul Ladewski
Staff writer
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The 2004-05 Bulls weren't your sister's or brother's Bulls of Michael Jordan
and Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman.
They were more like your mother's and father's Bulls, the ones of Bob Love
and Jerry Sloan and Norm Van Lier. Only now the names are Tyson Chandler and
Chris Duhon and Kirk Hinrich.
Like the blood-and-guts teams of three decades ago, the Baby Bulls proved
that if a team plays hard and plays together and plays with discipline —
especially at the defensive end — it can steal enough victories to be
competitive even with fairly average talent.
"It was fantastic," said head coach Scott Skiles, not one for glitzy
adjectives. "This was the year for us to get back in the game. That was the
goal — to become a competitive team."
Consider it done.
As one of the surprise stories of the NBA season, the Bulls overcame the
worst start in franchise history (0-9) to post 47 victories, 24 more than the
previous campaign. They also made their first trip to the postseason in seven
years, an experience that likely will serve them well in the near future.
"It's a good thing that the season went this long," Chandler said.
"Unfortunately, we didn't win (a series), but we got some playoff experience.
Our young guys like myself got a chance to see what this is all about. Next
time, we'll be more prepared."
At least locally, the Bulls were a pleasure to watch, too.
They ranked second in home attendance in the league and had 19 sellouts, 11
in a row to close the regular season.
"We had a bunch of rookies and young guys who started 0-9 and turned it
around," Duhon said. "To finish the season with the third-best record in the
Eastern Conference is an amazing accomplishment.
"We did it as a team. Everybody knew their role and stepped up. It was a
lot of fun to play with this group."
Tyson Chandler
Points/game: 8.0
Rebounds/game: 9.7
Final grade: B
Comment: Team leader in rebounds and blocked shots. Primary reason the team
ranked No. 1 in opponent field-goal percentage. Still needs to improve
physical strength, post-up game and on-court maturity, but his heart is in
right place.
Eddy Curry
Points/game: 16.1
Rebounds/game: 5.4
Final grade: B
Comment: Showed improvement in first half, but heart problem cut short his
season. Most effective post-up threat on team, especially early in games.
Lack of instincts and stamina remain concern. Heart exams will determine
value in free-agent market.
Antonio Davis
Points/game: 7.0
Rebounds/game: 5.9
Final grade: B-
Comment: At 36, veteran made contributions in areas of leadership, rebounding
and team defense. Forced to play heavy minutes in playoffs, but he held his
own. Could still be effective in lesser role off bench next season.
Luol Deng
Points/game: 11.7
Rebounds/game: 5.3
Final grade: B-
Comment: Had solid rookie season before wrist surgery. Midrange game was
pleasant surprise, but 3-point shot remained work in progress. Needs to
improve upper-body strength and get to free-throw line more often.
Chris Duhon
Points/game: 5.9
Assists/game: 4.9
Final grade: B-
Comment: Excelled as defender and ball distributor. Assists-to-turnovers
ratio was best on team. Not known for offense, but rookie improved as
distance shooter as season progressed. Showed grit in playoffs, when he
played with bulging disc.
Lawrence Funderburke
Points/game: 4.5
Rebounds/game: 1.5
Final grade: incomplete
Comment: Late-season addition played in just seven games. Despite considerable
rust after two-year layoff, veteran provided size and experience to front
line. Dedicated summer regimen could make him candidate for 15-man roster
next season.
Ben Gordon
Points/game: 15.1
Rebounds/game: 2.0
Final grade: B
Comment: NBA Sixth Man of Year Award winner made more big shots than any
other player on team. Lack of focus often led to lapses at defensive end and
reduced time. Has potential to become dominant scorer. Will get hard look as
lead guard next season.
Adrian Griffin
Points/game: 2.2
Rebounds/game: 2.1
Final grade: C
Comment: Despite limited role, veteran was among most respected players on
team. His leadership hastened development of younger teammates. Knee problem
limited his offensive production. Underrated defender and "O" rebounder.
Othella Harrington
Points/game: 8.0
Rebounds/game: 4.2
Final grade: C+
Comment: Bailed out team as emergency starter several times. Did best work at
offensive end. Displayed excellent touch for big man, but wasn't featured in
offense. Could defend and rebound better for someone his size.
Kirk Hinrich
Points/game: 15.7
Assists/game: 6.4
Final grade: B+
Comment: Most dependable all-around player on squad. Led team in seven key
statistical categories. Smarts and instincts negate lack of athleticism.
Needs to improve as penetrator and distance shooter, but he brings it every
night.
Andres Nocioni
Points/game: 8.4
Rebounds/game: 4.8
Final grade: B-
Comment: Hyperaggressive defender-rebounder whose no-autopsy-no-foul approach
annoyed opponents to no end. "O" game was more consistent as season progressed
. Settled into comfort zone as starter late in season.
Jannero Pargo
Points/game: 6.4
Assists/game: 2.4
Final grade: C
Comment: Possesses talent of off guard, size of point guard. Could shoot team
into a game — or out of it. Defensive liability who had to score to be
effective. Free agent figures to get offers this summer. Have gun, will travel
.
Eric Piatkowski
Points/game: 4.8
Assists/game: 0.8
Final grade: C
Comment: Accomplished 3-point specialist who didn't get enough opportunities
to do his thing. Provided much-needed size to backcourt, but his lack of
athleticism precluded any extended time there. Team guy who was plus in
locker room.
Jared Reiner
Points/game: 1.1
Rebounds/game: 2.0
Final grade: incomplete
Comment: Pulled off rare trifecta for undrafted free agent: regular-season
roster spot, postseason roster spot and playoff share. Still raw, but has
size and smarts to reclaim place on 15-man squad next season.
Frank Williams
Points/game: 0.7
Assists/game: 1.2
Final grade: F
Comment: Throw-in in Jamal Crawford deal played in just nine games. Was very
available prior to trade deadline, but there were no takers. Former Illinois
star may have made his last NBA stop.
Scott Skiles
Wins: 47
Losses: 35
Final grade: A
Comment: Tough-love approach was made to order for predominantly young team
that bought into his "D"-minded (as in defense and discipline) concepts. The
question is, will it still work a few years from now? Upper management will
have to answer soon.
John Paxson
Draft picks: Gordon, Duhon.
Acquisitions: Deng, Funderburke, Griffin, Harrington, Nocioni, Piatkowski
, Reiner, Williams.
Final grade: A-
Comment: In two short years, he built perennial loser into Eastern Conference
contender. Except for aborted Scottie Pippen deal and failure to add size to
backcourt, he made virtually all right moves.
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