Yup. The Bulls are the new Cavs IMO. They have a better supporting cast but I don't think Rose is close to LeBron's level. I rate Rose as the 3rd or 4th best player in the league (its close between him and DHoward IMO), but Kobe and LeBron are on another level if you ask me. They played harder than anyone else this season, I do not trust Deng in the playoffs, he's a classic underachiever.

 

I give the nod to Rose as 3rd best because Howard should be the best and most dominant player in the NBA since Shaq(Bill Simmons theory)but he isn't and that is disappointing. My question is can Rose get even better?

I give the nod to Rose as 3rd best because Howard should be the best and most dominant player in the NBA since Shaq(Bill Simmons theory)but he isn't and that is disappointing. My question is can Rose get even better?

The only thing holding Rose back is his shooting.

The only thing holding Rose back is his shooting.

 

But, this year indicates that he will fix that. His shooting has improved dramatically this season. And, it is a perfect example of stats not giving an accurate picture. In reality, his FG% is a career low 44.5% (3% lower than his rookie season). Ironically, that points to his improved jump shot and his willingness to take more jumpers. I'm guessing he shot a much higher percentage of jump shots this season versus his first two seasons.

 

In his first two seasons he was 32 of 132 (24.2%) from behind the arc. This season he was 128 for 385 (33.2%). That is almost 3 times as many attempts as his first two seasons combined and 4 times as many makes. Also, his FT% improved by 8.2% over his career average through 2 seasons.

 

There's no reason to believe that he won't continue to improve his shooting making him that much more dangerous. If he can get near the 40% mark from long range as a shooter, look out.

If the Bulls make it to the Finals they better hope it's not vs the Lakers. They will get abused inside. Gasol owns Boozer and even if they put Noah on him Bynum will score at will on Boozer.

The only thing holding Rose back is his shooting.

 

His shooting is much improved. Let's compare him to Kobe, who many would regard as pretty good shooter for a guy that isn't a spot-up specialist. Rose is less than a half percentage behind in the overall FG category, and he shoots a better FT% and 3PFG% this season. And it's not like he's only shooting a few 3s either. He has shot 385 ofo them this year.

 

Not really holding him back if you ask me.

I say Denver beats the Thunder, and I think the Spurs blow past the Grizz.

 

No upsets in the East either.

 

I think Denver is really scary for OKC. I could see Denver winning that series, I think they're a tougher matchup for OKC than the Spurs would be.

I'll take a stab at some predictions...

 

Bulls def. Pacers (4 games)

Magic def. Hawks (6 games)

Celtics def. Knicks (5 games)

Heat def. 76ers (5 games)

 

Bulls def. Magic (6 games)

Celtics def. Heat (6 games)

 

Celtics def. Bulls (7 games)

 

 

Spurs def. Grizzlies (6 games)

Nuggets def. Thunder (6 games)

Mavericks def. Blazers (7 games)

Lakers def. Hornets (4 games)

 

Spurs def. Nuggets (6 games)

Lakers def. Mavericks (6 games)

 

Lakers def. Spurs (6 games)

 

 

Lakers def. Celtics (6 games)

 

 

 

I'm torn between picking the Celtics or the Bulls, so I'll stick with the pre-season pick of Boston.

His shooting is much improved. Let's compare him to Kobe, who many would regard as pretty good shooter for a guy that isn't a spot-up specialist. Rose is less than a half percentage behind in the overall FG category, and he shoots a better FT% and 3PFG% this season. And it's not like he's only shooting a few 3s either. He has shot 385 ofo them this year.

 

Not really holding him back if you ask me.

Has he improved shooting? Sure. But Rose is a driver of the ball and gets a lot of easy hoops. His perimeter games still needs improvement. Similar to LBJ. I do not care what the %'s say.

Has he improved shooting? Sure. But Rose is a driver of the ball and gets a lot of easy hoops. His perimeter games still needs improvement. Similar to LBJ. I do not care what the %'s say.

 

Agreed I was just going to point that out. He has improved his 3 point shooting I will give him that but his mind range game still needs a bit of work.

It is crazy to think Rose is this good in year 3. Man....

It is crazy to think Rose is this good in year 3. Man....

I was interested to see how he compared to John Wall. Both are very similar. Explosive, quick, not great shooters, etc...

 

Here are both rookie year stats.

 

Rose: 16.8 ppg, 6.3 ast, 3.9 reb

Wall: 16.4 ppg, 8.3 ast., 4.6 reb

Has he improved shooting? Sure. But Rose is a driver of the ball and gets a lot of easy hoops. His perimeter games still needs improvement. Similar to LBJ. I do not care what the %'s say.

 

I disagree. His game is getting to the basket but he is a very good shooter right now. He's streaky, but most scorers are with range. You acted like he couldn't shoot by saying it was holding him back. He's at least average in that department compared to the other scorers in the league. JMO

I disagree. His game is getting to the basket but he is a very good shooter right now. He's streaky, but most scorers are with range. You acted like he couldn't shoot by saying it was holding him back. He's at least average in that department compared to the other scorers in the league. JMO

OK.

I disagree. His game is getting to the basket but he is a very good shooter right now. He's streaky, but most scorers are with range. You acted like he couldn't shoot by saying it was holding him back. He's at least average in that department compared to the other scorers in the league. JMO

 

Rondo is a better mid range shooter than him.

 

 

 

From 16-23 ft Rose shoots 38%

 

From 16-23 ft Rondo shoots 41%

Rondo is a better mid range shooter than him.

 

 

 

From 16-23 ft Rose shoots 38%

 

From 16-23 ft Rondo shoots 41%

 

Rondo also shoots way few attempts than Rose from there and is wide open when he does it because no one guards him. Poor comparison.