Bulls (24-17) at Celtics (22-21) Game #44 1/22/16

[greece66]

Sean Grande ‏@SeanGrandePBP
Amir Johnson (personal reasons) out tonight.  Kelly Olynyk will start in his place.

Yeesh, I'm not liking the idea of Sully and KO defensively against Chicago's frontcourt.

No Amir? 

[jpotter33]

Sean Grande ‏@SeanGrandePBP
Amir Johnson (personal reasons) out tonight.  Kelly Olynyk will start in his place.

Yeesh, I'm not liking the idea of Sully and KO defensively against Chicago's frontcourt.

Not sure what you're worried about. On an Amir-Sully starting unit, Sullinger has usually been paired up with Gasol, which is a huge mistake.

So this particular change is not much of a change, only that hopefully Stevens puts Olynyk on Gasol who's not a bad match-up overall, and Sullinger should be able to compete with Gibson just fine as well.

Not really worried about this as much as I'm worried of who Stevens assigns to whom.

It's the matchups that I'm worried about. I like Kelly down low on post players, too, because for some ironic reason that makes absolutely no sense, Kelly cannot seem to grasp the concept of a stretch four to guard them appropriately. He constantly forgets about them on the perimeter, and he'll help too far off in his help defense. That's why I'm worried, because haven't they been starting Mirotic and Gasol down low?

[The Oracle]

Sean Grande ‏@SeanGrandePBP
Amir Johnson (personal reasons) out tonight.  Kelly Olynyk will start in his place.

Yeesh, I'm not liking the idea of Sully and KO defensively against Chicago's frontcourt.

Not sure what you're worried about. On an Amir-Sully starting unit, Sullinger has usually been paired up with Gasol, which is a huge mistake.

So this particular change is not much of a change, only that hopefully Stevens puts Olynyk on Gasol who's not a bad match-up overall, and Sullinger should be able to compete with Gibson just fine as well.

Not really worried about this as much as I'm worried of who Stevens assigns to whom.

It's the matchups that I'm worried about. I like Kelly down low on post players, too, because for some ironic reason that makes absolutely no sense, Kelly cannot seem to grasp the concept of a stretch four to guard them appropriately. He constantly forgets about them on the perimeter, and he'll help too far off in his help defense. That's why I'm worried, because haven't they been starting Mirotic and Gasol down low?

^^That couldn't be more wrong.  K.O. has been very good defending the perimeter.  The statistics for him defending shots outside 15 ft. are very good and few bigs in the NBA are better at it.  His closeouts are top notch.

[jpotter33]

Sean Grande ‏@SeanGrandePBP
Amir Johnson (personal reasons) out tonight.  Kelly Olynyk will start in his place.

Yeesh, I'm not liking the idea of Sully and KO defensively against Chicago's frontcourt.

Not sure what you're worried about. On an Amir-Sully starting unit, Sullinger has usually been paired up with Gasol, which is a huge mistake.

So this particular change is not much of a change, only that hopefully Stevens puts Olynyk on Gasol who's not a bad match-up overall, and Sullinger should be able to compete with Gibson just fine as well.

Not really worried about this as much as I'm worried of who Stevens assigns to whom.

It's the matchups that I'm worried about. I like Kelly down low on post players, too, because for some ironic reason that makes absolutely no sense, Kelly cannot seem to grasp the concept of a stretch four to guard them appropriately. He constantly forgets about them on the perimeter, and he'll help too far off in his help defense. That's why I'm worried, because haven't they been starting Mirotic and Gasol down low?

^^That couldn't be more wrong.  K.O. has been very good defending the perimeter.  The statistics for him defending shots outside 15 ft. are very good and few bigs in the NBA are better at it.  His closeouts are top notch.

Sure seems like every time he's matched up with a Patterson or Mirotic-type he's regularly getting lost on defense and giving up open threes.

[Chief]

Sully the clown.

[Chief]

Is Mickey here with Amir out?

[Quetzalcoatl]

So glad that Hinrich is out.  That dude is an annoying little expletive

[jpotter33]

I like that they're letting them play. I mean, that of course will change in a couple of minutes, but it's good to see to start off the game.

[PhoSita]

Celts doing a good job dictating the style of play so far.  Up and down, quick shots, disrupting passing lanes.  Plays to their advantage.

[jpotter33]

I hate those shots by IT...

[PhoSita]

Not a good shot from IT.

[greece66]

sully started well tonight.

[PhoSita]

Yikes Kelly.  Nice score by Crowder though.

[Quetzalcoatl]

Man I really think Kelly is here to stay

[PhoSita]

Kelly has gained so much confidence in his outside shot.  Huge weapon for him now.