http://www.sportsnipe.com Chicago Bulls, Team News, Updates, and Stats from all sports sources, updated continually. http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1047304/phil-jackson-knows-all-about-circus.html Before the Bulls tangled with the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night at Staples Center, someone in the L.A. media asked Lakers coach Phil Jackson if the so-called circus trip was around when he was the coach of the Bulls. ‘‘Oh, yeah, there was the ice-skating trip and the circus trip,'' Jackson said. ‘‘Two weeks around Thanksgiving the circus comes in, and then the ice-skating show comes in the spring.'' Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1046575/lakers-welcome-bulls-to-staples-center.html The former Galu tribe members try not to let Russell out of their sights so he can't find another hidden immunity idol. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045402/suicide-lines-strong-return-for-gasol-bogut-ginobili-sidelined-yahoo-sports.html Each weekday morning, BDL serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your poached pears in honey,... Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1043912/kobe-passes-kareem-on-lakers-points-list-in-win.html Pau Gasol had 24 points and 13 rebounds in his season debut, and Kobe Bryant scored 21 points while passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the Lakers' career scoring chart in Los Angeles' 108-93 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night. Ron Artest added 15 points for the Lakers, who finally had their full starting lineup intact for their ninth victory in 12 games to start the season. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1043911/lakers-108-bulls-93.html Until Thursday night, Pau Gasol had made more appearances this fall on "CSI: Miami" than in the Los Angeles Lakers' starting lineup. The Spanish 7-footer finally got back to his day job in a dynamic season debut that suggested just how good the defending NBA champions can be when they're whole. Gasol had 24 points and 13 rebounds, and Kobe Bryant scored 21 points while passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the Lakers' career scoring chart in Los Angeles' 108-93 victory over the Chicago Bulls. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1043910/quick-return-to-reality.html In the final days of last season, there were quite a few who believed the Bulls would have been better off missing the playoffs and gaining a lottery spot. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1043909/gasol-scores-24-in-debut-lakers-top-bulls-10893-ap.html Until Thursday night, Pau Gasol had made more appearances this fall on "CSI: Miami" than in the Los Angeles Lakers' starting lineup. The Spanish 7-footer finally got back to his day job in a dynamic season debut that suggested just how good the defending NBA champions can be when they're whole. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042966/rose-struggling-to-recover-rookie-magic.html If Derrick Rose looks like Dr. J circa 1976 in a few weeks, the Bulls will be in trouble. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042965/pulse-as-bulls-hit-road-clowns-stay-home.html The Chicago Bulls? record on their annual ?circus trip? in the 10 seasons since Michael Jordan retired was 10-56 before their game Thursday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042964/passive-rose-has-to-get-aggressive.html Point guard Derrick Rose is so disgusted with his play, he could pull his hair out. Check that. He apparently will take the opposite approach. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042963/open-game-thread-11-bulls-at-la-lakers.html TNT! New thread at 10:45. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042962/open-game-thread-11-overflow-bulls-at-la-lakers.html Likely no recap 'til the mornin' Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042233/pippen-kobe-phil-lakers-team-to-beat.html At the beginning of the season, Bulls legend Scottie Pippen went on record to say Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers have a chance at winning 72 or more games this year. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1041413/game-to-pay-attention-bulls-vs-lakers-yahoo-sports.html Chicago at Los Angeles Lakers I can't believe Utah against San Antonio is the passed over, third game for... Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1041412/ankle-injury-continues-to-slow-rose-yahoo-sports.html Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has yet to show off last season's explosiveness as his sprained ankle heals. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1040848/game-preview-10-chicago-bulls-vs-los-angeles-lakers.html [Thanks to Prevenge for today's game preview. -ed.] Or, as it is otherwise known, "The Return of Crazy Pills". You may have heard of the Los Angeles Lakers. They're a pretty good basketball team. Have one or two good players. Well, then they have Crazy Pills, or [as he is otherwise known] Ron Artest, the man who is changing his number to 37 because that's the number of weeks Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' was number 1. Apparently, the Lakers thought that Trevor Ariza wasn't worth the same amount of money as Artest, despite Ariza proving in the playoffs that he was a very good role-player and defender who could hit the open 3 and dunk [and also come up with key steals]. This is both good and bad for us. It's good because Ariza is playing pretty well in Houston, and Artest is both regressing and in the first year of a 5-year deal. Think of Ron Artest as the Lakers' answer to Andres Nocioni, bad-signing-wise: only they could've had a cheaper and better version of him for the same price. Maybe, when we're peaking in two years with Joe Johnson and Rose in our 4th-seed-at-best lineup monstrosity, the Lakers will be weaker. Of course, when we had Artest as a young player, we traded him and Brad Miller to the Pacers for a second-round pick and Jalen Rose. So we basically did the same thing the Lakers did. But at least we had a semi-plausible reason to get rid of Ron Artest, which is that he's crazy. [Brad Miller, well, that's another story.] Did I mention this yet?  Ron. Artest. Is. Crazy. Here's his Wikipedia Page. Some bullet points: -In his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls, he was criticized for applying for a job at Circuit City in order to get an employee discount. -He was suspended for two games in the early 2004–05 season by Pacers coach Rick Carlisle after he allegedly asked for a month off because he was tired from promoting an R&B album for the group Allure on his production label. Oh, yeah, and he was kind of involved in this. [That's the brawl, in case you were wondering.] The last time the Bulls played the Lakers was in March of last year. We lost by 8 after building a lead. However, that game was at home, with Tyrus Thomas and Ben Gordon both contributing [Salmons, too].  Pau Gasol is back for this game after his CSI-induced vacation. Hopefully he's gotten cehmically addicted to something, because otherwise ... let's just say that Taj Gibson has big problems against Jason Thompson, and while Thompson's good, he's not Pau Gasol. [Sidenote: Gasol wasn't as good on the Grizzlies as he is on the Lakers. He's hyper-efficient, and even a bit strong.] Matchups to watch There's a bunch. - How will Noah do against either Bynum or Gasol [or both]? Noah's the leading rebounder in the NBA, so we at least have a chance down low. -How will Taj do against either Bynum or Gasol? Or Odom? Uh, I'm just gonna file this under 'problems the Bulls are going to have'. -Oh hey, we have this great shooting guard who will match Kobe Bryant shot for shot! ... Problem #2. At least Salmons' crappy help D [I've heard but haven't really seen] won't be exposed, because Kobe likes to iso. -If Derrick Rose doesn't explode against Derek Fisher, it's the ankle. I mean ... look at Derek. He can't guard anybody, and he can't shoot! He's basically like our own Derrick, only if you had him sprain BOTH ankles, and maybe kicked him in the crotch a couple times to slow him down. Wait, that didn't work for the Warriors. Hmm. Maybe he just needs to get revved up. I've heard that Shannon Brown can jump pretty high, and I'm sure he can kick. [Sidenote: Whoever does the next Bulls-Warriors game has to use that video.] -How will Luol Deng respond knowing that the man across from him on the court may be criminally insane? Win? Lose? Go crazy? Both? Neither? - WWRD? [Or, 'What Will Ron Do?' This can also be used for Ron Paul.] We know he's crazy. He's kind of mellowed out, except for the times where he's crazy. So what's Artest going to do?!? If we had more crazy people on our team, this game could get really fun. I don't think anything's going to happen, though. Our only enforcer [a pseudo-enforcer at that: I'm talking about Brad Miller] has played with him for a long while. And yes, this means the SF matchup is two matchups. One is Luol Deng vs. Ron Artest. The other one is Ron Artest vs. Ron Artest. Maybe Joakim will bother him with all the yelling. So. A prediction. I don't think we're going to win. Rose is still battling an ankle injury, and the Lakers are the Lakers. But more surprising things have happened [who thought Milwalkee'd have a record over .500?]. The Lakers have looked pretty bad in the stretch before the Pistons game, and should've lost to the Thunder [the only game this year I've followed]. Not that we've really looked any better. And they are 8-3, while we're ... 6-4. Pretty meaningless game against a team that's better than us, and it's on the dreaded circus trip [so named because the Ringling Bros. circus moves into the Bulls' players' favorite riverfront casino, forcing them to travel the road in search of other ways to gamble. This is why everyone dreads those away games at Utah].  Lakers by 10, but I'm crossing my fingers for Bulls by 3. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1036147/byron-scott-fired-replaced-by-gm.html After a 3-6 start, the New Orleans Hornets have fired Head Coach Byron Scott, and will replace him with General Manager Jeff Bower. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034987/bullslakers-preview.html Kobe Bryant took it upon himself to help lift the Los Angeles Lakers out of their offensive funk in their latest game, scoring 40 for the 100th time in his storied career. The return of Pau Gasol should make Los Angeles even more formidable. Gasol is expected to make his season debut Thursday night as the Lakers continue their five-game homestand against the Chicago Bulls, who opened their lengthy circus road trip with an impressive win. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034986/passive-rose-has-to-get-aggressive.html Point guard Derrick Rose is so disgusted with his play, he could pull his hair out. Check that. He apparently will take the opposite approach. ''I probably won't get a haircut,'' he said Wednesday after practice at USC's Galen Center. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034985/gar-formans-team-on-floor.html It seems to be that point in the NBA season where teams are figuring out what they have and don't like, and as a result the rumor mill has been re-charged, buoyed especially this season by more prominent out-of-work NBA vets than usual. But the Bulls will do nothing. Not because of their usual impotence and lack of foresight, but because they very publicly backed themselves into a corner this past offseason, and it's actually best for their goals that they do nothing. They do not want to go into the luxury tax this season. At about $1m under currently, they haven't so far even used that room for short-term fixes while some injuries added up, and they can't deal away long-term money for a shorter (yet more expensive) contract. They also do not want to take on 2010 salary, to maximize possible cap room in the upcoming offseason. So they can't deal away an expiring contract for a long-term deal. What they could do is strive for a deal that brings long-term savings while being cap-neutral for this season, but the catch there is that they can't have much of a talent downgrade, since they want to make the playoffs this season. And one of the plusses of this current roster is their continuity and much-exalted team chemistry. It'd be very hard to find such a deal to satisfy what the Bulls are trying to do this season (tread. water.), at least for now. By the trade deadline, it's possible that a player of high caliber is available and the Bulls cash in their 2010 chips early through dealing expiring contracts (and likely incurring the luxury tax this season, ha!). Or that the Bulls playoff chances are cemented (hopefully on the 'good' side) to where they can risk a slight talent shakeup in order to get some long-term money off their books. But for now, it'll be very quiet, and I can't really blame the Bulls for that. Well except the not paying the luxury tax for one season thing, that's pretty aggravating. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1032341/video-gold-chicago-bulls-sing-80s-yahoo-sports.html This made the Twitter rounds about a week ago, so maybe you've seen it, but it's well worth a second... Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1030298/bullscom-pippen-bulls-are-contenders.html Bulls legend Scottie Pippen won six world championships during his 12 seasons in Chicago and was named one of the NBA's 50 greatest players in 1996. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1030297/bulls-101-kings-87-shamefully-break-100-points-on-road-no-free-big-macs.html More photos » by Rich Pedroncelli - AP Dilbert tie? (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) Browse more photos » Pace Eff eFG FT/FG OREB% TOr Chicago 94.0 107.4 51.2% 19.3 30.0 16.0 Sacramento 92.6 45.7% 16.0 31.0 22.3 I don't have much this morning, but it was nice to see the Bulls turn in a competent offensive performance as a team, and for John Salmons individually. He still does not look like the same player as last year, and gets his shot blocked way too often, but Salmons did hit a couple big 3-pointers (and Deng with a couple 21-footers) to keep the Kings at a manageable distance in the second half. As usual, the most pleasant aspect of watching the Bulls was Joakim Noah, who again played heavy minutes and kept his production up accordingly with 15 points and 14 rebounds. He dominated and frustrated Jason Thompson, a rising young frontcourt player in his own right who'd strung together some solid rebounding efforts. But Noah has been past 'rising' this season, and is already here. He outmuscled Thompson throwing him off his game leading to my favorite sequence of the night, when he blatantly pushed Noah going for a dunk, and reacting flabbergasted that he got called for a foul. With not only the production but seeing him act like an buffoon every time he's on the bench, Noah is worth watching on this team. Another positive was the Bulls getting their good Jannero Pargo half of basketball for the week. But there was some bad as well, most worrisome being Derrick Rose getting completely outshone by Tyreke Evans. I'm avoiding Rose's struggles for now, just hoping it's the ankle. Please let it be the ankle. Also, Taj Gibson fouled out in 11 minutes and Hinrich continues to shoot poorly. But this was a must-win for the trip, and it was a fairly comfortable victory at that. Amazing how easy not-league-worst on offense for a night will make things. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1028131/watch-columnist-literally-eat-his-own-words-after-doubting-former-gator-joakim-noah.html We all write things that turn out to be wrong. That's simply an understood and accepted occupational hazard whenyou write opinions and predictions for a living, When Steve Spurrier was coaching the Gators, he once mockingly told me, "Bianchi, you don't have to be right; you just have to be loud." I'm not going to lie to you,I've written my share of ... Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1028130/bulls-get-show-on-road.html Bigger challenges await them down the road, but the Bulls began their five-game Western trip with an impressive (and mostly comfortable) 101-87 victory over the Sacramento Kings Tuesday night in ARCO Arena. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1027285/salmons-leads-bulls-past-kings-ap.html John Salmons scored 23 points and the Chicago Bulls beat the Sacramento Kings 101-87 on Tuesday night. It was the first game with more than 100 points for Chicago, which was held under 90 in five of its previous seven games and entered with the NBA's third-worst shooting percentage. The Bulls shot 47 percent and made seven of 12 3-point shots. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1027284/open-game-thread-10-overflow-bulls-at-sacramento-kings.html Likely no recap tonight... Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1026891/open-game-thread-10-bulls-at-sacramento-kings.html One of the few winnables on the road trip. Though this team seems to have no real difference given their degree of opponent: they can stink out a good team just as well as a bad one. (not that the Kings have proven to be bad so far) Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1025587/kings-blog-chicago-bulls.html News, observations and reader questions about the Sacramento Kings and the NBA. November 17, 2009 Gameday: Kings vs. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1023488/game-preview-10-bulls-at-sacramento-kings.html [Thanks to enemy combatant pookeyguru for today's game preview. I'm not sure yet how the 9pm CST start times will throw off my recappin' game, but it likely will somewhat. -ed.] Tonight is a battle of 2 teams at different paths in their journey. The Kings started out 1-3 before Kevin Martin was sidelined with a fractured left wrist, and subsequently had surgery, before winning the last 4 games to end up at 5-4. (None of this mentions that Francisco Garcia fractured his shooting wrist lifting weights on a physioball.) The Bulls have had their own fun share with injuries (Tyrus Thomas) so far, but have managed their own 5-4 start. I was told I could not make fun of Brad Miller writing this preview. (Boo!) However, it's clear Miller is happier in Chicago than he was in Sacramento at the end of his stay, and the early returns of Andres Nocioni in Sacramento have worked out pretty well all told. The stars of the Kings team are Tyreke Evans and Jason Thompson (especially since Kevin Martin went down), which makes this matchup more intriguing.   If I haven't lost you by now, see you after the jump. Also, I apologize for the length of this in advance. Starting lineup's for the Bulls:              Derrick Rose John Salmons Luol Deng Joakim Noah Taj Gibson Starting lineup's for the Kings: Tyreke Evans  Beno Udrih  Ime Udoka            (subject to change if Noc plays) Jason Thompson Spencer Hawes Andres Nocioni has been the starter at SF for Sacramento the last 5 games, but he suffered a hip pointer and is not expected to go tonight. By the numbers In terms of Pace the Bulls are currently 18th, while the Kings are 12th. The Kings rank 24th in defensive efficiency, and the Bulls rank 8th. In Offensive efficiency, the Bulls rank 27th and the Kings rank 6th.(As such, I won't display the offensive and defensive 4 factors. If you wish, check them out here for both clubs.) Rebounding, though, may surprise Bulls fans who expect the Kings to get killed on the boards tonight. The Kings are currently 2nd in offensive board%; 8th in defensive board%. Meanwhile the Bulls are 5th in ORB% and 14th in DRB%. If the Bulls are to win tonight, they will most likely need to control the backboards to secure a victory. So why have the Kings won 4 in a row without Kevin Martin? Several reasons. One is the improvement of Jason Thompson from last season. Yesterday, TZ had a good article on the very area's of where Jason had improved. Basically, he's a better offensive rebounder (by the numbers he's 3rd in the NBA), and an average defensive rebounder (still). He's turned the ball over less, racked up the assists, and the coaching staff will let him play through foul trouble. He gets to the foul line at a high rate too. For the last 4 games: Tyreke Evans has averaged 23.8 points, 4.8 assists and 6.3 rebounds since Martin has went down. Jason Thompson has averaged  19.8 points, 2.3 assists and 11.5 boards. WaBeno Udrih has averaged 17.3 points, 4.3 assists and 3.3 boards. On the year Evans has averaged: 16.6 points, 4.3 assists and 4.4 boards. Thompson has averaged 14.1 points, 2.9 assists and 10.1 boards. Udrih has averaged 13.5 points, 3.6 assists and 2.4 boards. Also, Ime Udoka has been part of the rotation (Desmond Mason was waived to make room for Udoka) from the beginning of the 4 game win streak (10 days ago in Utah). In short, it's been an instance of better fit with role players (Udoka, Kenny Thomas instead of Sean May and Mason), and the other starters have played well so far in Martin's absence. What are the marquee matchup's? Well, in my mind, there are two. The first matchup is Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans. (Sort of.) In the past several games, Paul Westphal has generally asked Beno Udrih to guard Russell Westbrook and Aaron Brooks. (Westbrook was 3-13 from the floor. Brooks was 4-13 from the floor.) While I won't be deluded enough to tell you that Udrih is a great defensive guard, he has been better during this 4 game win streak than he his past would indicate. If that continues it could be a difficult night for the Bulls to score if Derrick Rose doesn't have it going. Then again, I'm not sure we'll watch the  Rose and Evans head to head matchup transpire tonight. It's more likely VDN will ask Rose to defend Udrih (as most teams have with their PG's) and has Salmons guard Evans defensively. Whichever team exploits these matchup's offensively could dictate a possible outcome. The other matchup I'm looking forward to is Jason Thompson vs Joakim Noah. Noah at the moment is the current NBA's top rebounder (as I'm sure every Bulls fan knows) at 12.2 a game. Noah is 4th in offensive rebounds per game, and Thompson is 2nd. The difference between the two is that Noah grabs the 9th most defensive boards a game, while Thompson grabs the 44th. Whoever wins this battle of offense vs defense boards will win the game I suspect. More importantly, from a Kings POV, Thompson is going to be greatly tested with Noah's defensive abilities. Noah also blocks a couple of shots a game, and Hawes & Thompson get their shots swatted often enough to give Noah ample opportunity to do so. If Taj Gibson chooses to get his block a game, he will receive ample opportunities to do so. Since fouls are a big part of the problem Thompson has faced in the past, it's possible that foul trouble could limit either Noah or Thompson and swing the matchup into the team that exploits said foul trouble. (Since Noah doesn't have very high foul rates, I think this is definitely a bigger concern for Thompson.)   Keys to the game   1) Chicago must keep this game in the high 80's/low 90's to win; on the year the Kings are averaging 112 points in victories and 95 points in defeats. 2) Again, rebounding. 3) Offensively the Bulls must move the ball. The Kings have 2 very good defenders in Udoka and  Kenny Thomas, and a bunch of below average to good defenders elsewhere. (Tyreke Evans and Spencer Hawes are the other 2 quality defenders the Kings have at the moment not named Udoka or Thomas. Everyone else ranges in quality.) The Kings can be both exposed, and scored on, by moving the ball, getting to the FT line and hitting shots from the perimeter. But, as every Bulls fan knows that's easier said than done. By the same token the Kings do not boast a very high TS% or eFG% themselves. The Kings are efficient offensively because they have not turned the ball over 20 times a night (mostly), and they grab a lot of offensive rebounds. 4)  Forcing turnover's may be an important key to victory to the Bulls. Transition defense is not the Kings strong suit and getting easy buckets this way (as many as possible) could help the Bulls slow the pace down and play a half court game. When the Kings turn the ball over (and they have turned it over to any team that can force TO's--the Bulls are 10th in forced TOV%), they are far easier to beat. (Shocking, I know.) I don't think I'm going out on much of a limb when I say whichever team gets more easy hoops will probably win. 5) The X Factors for tonight's game are the 2 headed monster of Brad Miller/Taj Gibson and Spencer Hawes. Hawes first. While it's easy for anyone to assume Hawes has struggled (and he has shooting the ball), it's also true that Hawes defense and defensive rebounding have been critical for the Kings during their 4 game win streak. If Taj Gibson, or Brad Miller I would guess, are able to exploit Hawes defensively (on the interior with athleticism/finishing strong for Gibson; on the perimeter with shooting/passing/ball movement for Miller), this will be important to helping Chicago pull out a victory. 6) Ime Udoka and Omri Casspi are vital in terms of energy and disruption in fueling Sacramento's defensive attack. If Luol Deng can neutralize them by scoring the ball, particularly from the perimeter where  Deng is likely to have many open looks if the Bulls can take advantage, this could be a major strength the Bulls can exploit all night. The Bulls best 3 offensive options (Rose, Deng and Miller) must score the ball well to help Chicago keep pace offensively in a game where offense vs defense is so critical. 7) I'm nearly 104% positive the Bulls don't want to run up & down with the Kings. (Or with anyone actually.) The Bulls play at a slow grind it out pace that generally dictates low shooting percentages, and scores to go along with it. If the Bulls are able to dictate that tempo and take advantage of opportunities, they will win. Conversely, the Kings play far more efficiently at a faster pace. If the Kings  win the rebounding battle, and are able to run their offense efficiently, I think prevailing is a large possibility. (I take nothing for granted when the Kings starting lineup is less than 25 years of age on average.) Given that the Bulls are starting their Carnival trip tonight, and will be on the road for tne next 13 weeks (actually days--but I wonder if it feels like that to the players), it's a golden opportunity for both clubs. With a win the Bulls can get a win to start that 6 game trip away from the UC. If the Kings win tonight they can continue their win streak and complete a perfect homestand. (I personally care about the perfect homestand. That hasn't happened, since, crap I can't remember the last time that happened. After checking, it was when Eric Musselman was still coaching. Yikes!) Oh, I recognize that VDN is not beloved in any Bulls fan circle, but I'll be willing to stack up Eric Musselman against any terrible coaching hire this decade. For an opponent (or completely Kings centric) point of view hit up the 916 circus better known as Sactown Royalty. Thanks for reading, and good luck tonight.   Game will tip off at 9pm CST on WGN. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1021266/jennings-bucks-welcome-mavs-to-bradley-center.html Brandon Jennings #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks to pass against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on November 3, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1020361/deng-hinrich-score-19-apiece-as-chicago-beats-philadelphia-9488.html Luol Deng and the slumping Kirk Hinrich each scored 19 points, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Philadelphia 76ers 94-88 on Saturday night. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1019176/bullskings-preview.html Arco Arena used to be one of the loudest and most feared places in the league for visiting teams. It could regain that status if the Sacramento Kings continue to pile up wins at their current pace. Closing out its four-game homestand Tuesday night, Sacramento goes for its first five-game winning streak in three seasons when it faces a Chicago Bulls team opening an extended road trip. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1017607/nba-likely-wont-retire-jordans-23.html It might have been a nice gesture by LeBron James, but the likelihood of the NBA retiring Michael Jordan's No. 23 is almost nil. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1017606/bulls-off-to-best-start-since-199798-season.html In the hard-to-believe category, the Bulls at 5-4 are actually off to their best start since the 1997-98 season (also 5-4). And, they have done it against the second-toughest schedule in the league to-date. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1016539/how-you-like-noah-part-459.html Mike McGraw: The Bulls haven’t done a very good job of explaining some of the lingo to players. Joakim Noah had no idea why the Bulls’ annual November road swing is called the circus trip. Answer: Because the Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey Circus moves into the United Center for about two weeks, forcing the Bulls and Blackhawks to hit the road. "That’s why they call it the circus trip?" Noah said. "I was like, ‘Why do they always call it the circus trip? What’s so circus about it?’ I didn’t even know that." Though to be fair, one could've made an alternate definition of the Bulls' circus trip as to mean they usually put on a clown show. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1015554/deng-holds-charity-thanksgiving-dinner.html An early Thanksgiving celebration was held Sunday night, courtesy of the Chicago Bulls. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1015553/dennis-rodman-temporarily-detained-in-germany.html BERLIN -- Former basketball star Dennis Rodman was temporarily detained in Germany for allegedly skipping out on a euro3,400 ($5,100) hotel bill for a post-game party, a prosecution official said Monday. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1014426/for-hornets-to-move-forward-paul-needs-go.html According to Sam Smith, The New Orleans Hornets are prepared to begin breaking up their team. And they should. The main move should be to trade Chris Paul. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1014425/deng-shares-fifth-annual-thanksgiving-dinner-700-visitors.html The Chicago Bulls and Luol Deng provided Thanksgiving dinner for more than 700 visitors to the Pacific Garden Mission on Sunday. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1013666/sixers-speights-to-miss-6-8-weeks-knee-injury.html Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1013665/handle-care-laker-injury-bug-strikes-kobe-yahoo-sports.html If the Lakers can't convince Kobe Bryant to rest his ailing groin, they should at least provide him more support. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1012195/preroad-trip-victory-bulls-94-76ers-88.html It was an offensive explosion last night in Chicago, as the Bulls scored a season-high 94 points on a season-best 45 percent shooting! Okay, okay, enough with the sarcasm. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1012194/bulls-salmons-big-fan-ex-games.html At first glance, there's seemingly nothing connecting the Bulls' games Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers at home and Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings on the road that kicks off the so-called circus trip. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1011043/sixers-notes-jordan-searching-for-rotation.html 76ers Notes Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1011042/sixers-show-fight-but-fall-to-bulls.html Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1004718/misfiring-bulls-still-winning.html The Bulls are off to a good start this season, but they still have plenty of issues to address. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1004717/on-balance-good-win.html BULLS 94, 76ERS 88 Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1004716/open-game-thread-9-overflow-bulls-vs-philadelphia-76ers.html Last thread of the day, hope I timed it well. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1003945/open-game-thread-9-bulls-vs-philadelphia-76ers.html Last one before the clown show. Interpret that as you will. Chicago Bulls - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates