While the Chicago Bulls were expected to take a leap and potentially compete for a middle seed in this year’s playoffs, they’ve spent this fall wilting like autumn foliage. The Bulls’ 101-87 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers revealed their three biggest reasons why they haven’t reared their horns this season.
Let’s examine them one by one.
Derrick Rose
Despite heaps of praise lavished on Derrick Rose’s natural athletic gifts and abilities, he hasn’t been able to refine those skills and become a next-level player. He had a very difficult time putting the ball in the hoop against Cleveland, as his stat line will show—5-16 FG, 3-3 FT, 7 AST, 1 TO, 13 PTS.
The main culprit for Rose’s offensive struggles is his jump shot. He was only 2-8 on shots outside of 15 feet against the Cavaliers. Rose’s jump shot is a line drive with little arc and no backspin, and it’s clear that his mechanics haven’t improved after last season.
Rose also missed two of his three layups and two of his four floaters, and tended to look to avoid contact rather than explode through defenders.
Because Rose’s jump shot is so spotty, t ...
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Article written by Erick Blasco
Chicago Bulls Breakdown: Wilted Rose Means Ugly Offense
December 5th, 2009 by Erick Blasco Leave a reply »
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