The Chicago Bulls take on the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas tonight at 7:30 PM.
The Bulls enter the game 1-4 in preseason play after splitting a back to back set with the Utah Jazz. The Bulls won the first game against the Jazz as a result of Ben Gordon’s clutch play. That was the only game Gordon has played in, and so far is the Bulls’ only win.
The Mavericks enter this game at 4-2, and they are looking strong. They are coming off of a 124-109 victory over the Sacramento Kings in which Gerald Green scored 29 points.
The Mavericks beat the Bulls 110-102 in the Bulls’ first game of this year’s preseason. Gerald Green, again had a strong game, scoring 18 points. Aaron Gray had 14 points and 9 rebounds.
The Bulls are expected to have their full roster for the first time of the preseason. It will be the first chance that fans get to see how Del Negro will handle the guard logjam.
Statistically, Larry Hughes, Thabo Sefolosha, and Kirk Hinrich have performed so poorly in preseason thus far in preseason that they should not be getting a single minute on an NBA court. Larry Hughes’ and Thabo Sefolosha’s struggles are just following trends regarding the players from the past few years, but Kirk Hinrich’s continuing struggles is surprising. It looks like Hinrich just isn’t cut out to be an NBA shooting guard.
So statistically speaking, Derrick Rose and Ben Gordon should be the starting back court. The Bulls will only be wasting Derrick Rose’s great passing talent by surrounding him with poor offensive talent who cannot convert on his passes.
Ben Gordon definitely wants a starting spot, but he vows that he will do whatever it takes to help the team. It is unclear to Gordon how Del Negro will use him, as the great communicator hasn’t quite communicated well with Gordon.
”I haven’t spoken with him about it,” Gordon said. ”Whatever it is, my role is pretty much always going to be the same: come in, make plays, score the ball. I’m not worried about any of that. I’ve pretty much seen every look: starting, coming off the bench, whatever. I’m going to come out, play and try to help us win games.”
Vinny Del Negro, who promised to come in with no predeceived notions, seems to be coming in with some predeceived notions in regards to Gordon coming off the bench.
”I wouldn’t sit here and say I’m never going to start Ben,” Del Negro said. ”But really, he hasn’t played, so I have to go with the guys who are healthy. I haven’t seen him enough with the starting group to figure out where he can best be used. I know he can score the ball and do things. I like his ability to score off the bench and give us a boost, but I’m not sure yet either way.”
It would be a real shame is Del Negro didn’t at least test out a starting Rose-Gordon backcourt in preseason play, which he seems hesitant to try.
The game is at 7:30 PM and will be on CSN - Chicago and NBA TV.