A Look at the Chicago Bulls 2009……….The Bench

I have just looked at most of the Chicago Bulls players. When I looked at each player I talked about their role on the team. Now I am going to talk about the Bench, and more specifically the back-up for each position. I will not be going into every bench player. When I talk about the second unit I am referencing: Kirk Hinrich, Brad Miller, Jannero Pargo, James Johnson, and Taj Gibson. These are the five back-up’s and their respective positions. Players are interchangeable to play other positions if someone else is not performing, injured, or in foul trouble.

Kirk Hinrich and Brad Miller are the only two dependable consistent players the Bulls have off the bench. They are both veterans who know how to play the game and the Bulls will be relying on them to come off the bench and provide a spark. For Kirk Hinrich that will mean to come in and knock down some shots while playing with Derrick Rose, or handling the ball and giving Derrick Rose a break. He will be the primary back-up for both guard spots. Brad Miller will be backing up Power Forward and Center. He will need to come in and shoot. The staring Power Forward and Center are not shooter’s or proven yet in the case of the streaky Tryus Thomas. Thus it will be crucial that Miller can provide some offense at these two sports, because most of the Bulls big men are defensive oriented players. Hinrich and Miller will have to carry the Bulls second unit while the regulars get a rest.

The Bulls have veteran journeyman in Jannero Pargo. Pargo is a proven shooter and can score in a hurry, but as we learned in his first tour of duty with the Bulls he is very streaky. Some night he will come off the bench and look like Ben Gordon, but the other half he may have trouble getting in rhythm. He will give the Bulls an offensive option off the bench, but is not a proven or dependable player. I like Pargo and think he is a good pick up for the Bulls for his price tag, but it will be interesting to see how he fits in and is used.

The last two players who will be relied heavily on are the rookies James Johnson and Taj Gibson. James Johnson is supposed to be a good offensive player who can run the floor and knock down shots. From the tape I have seen on him he seems to run the floor well, but I think it will take him some time to develop his shot and become the important six men we need from him offensively off the bench. Taj Gibson is a defensive player which may provide some defensive energy off the bench, but the Bulls roster seems to be stacked with those types of players. I don’t see him getting much playing time and doing much as a Bull this season. Thus, it will be up to Hinrich and Miller to keep the game close when the starters are resting and James Johnson and Pargo will need to step it up and define their role with the team.

James Johnson Hazing Period

The Chicago Bulls training camp just started a few days ago. I did a post on James Johnson who is one of the Bulls rookie. This article in the
Chicago Tribune talks about how our top draft pick is doing. It also talks about the veteran leadership the Bulls have in Brad Miller and Lindsey Hunter. Both of them are helping Johnson learn the plays and what to do. Brad Miller who is more of a jokester is the one who is making Johnson do the typical rookie stuff like get doughnuts and stepping on Johnson's back during pushups. I didn't like the Hunter signing at first, but maybe it is a good thing.

Here is a video on Johnson's experience in training camp so far.

Look at the Chicago Bulls 2009……….Brad Miller

Brad Miller is a savvy 11 year veteran the Bulls acquired in a trade from the Sacramento Kings last year before the trade deadline. This is Miller’s second tour of duty in Chicago. He played in Chicago from 2000 to 2002. Miller is a 7-0 center who is 33 years old and he showed his age last year while the Bulls were making their playoff run. So the Bulls will have him come off the bench and provide an offensive boost off the bench. Brad Miller has always been more of an offensive minded player, which is a good fit because he is the only big man we have that is. Tryus Thomas could be a good offensive player, but still has a lot to prove. Brad Miller alongside Kirk Hinrich will be filling one of the biggest question’s this Bulls team has coming into the season, the bench. When I am done looking at the players I will be analyzing the team as a whole. I think Miller will have a good season and look to see him playing down the stretch at the end of games even though he is coming off the bench.

Look at the Chicago Bulls 2009……….Center

The Bulls starting center looks to be Joakim Noah. Noah will be entering his third season in the NBA and with the Bulls. Noah is known more as a defensive player only averaging 6.7 PPG so far in his two year career. He does average 1.1 BPG, 0.8 SPG, and 6.6 RPG. He will be backed up by veteran Brad Miller who is in his second stint with the Bulls entering his 12th season in the NBA. Brad Miller is a good shooter and scorer. Miller will be a big part of the Bulls success coming off the bench with the second team. Kirk Hinrich and Brad Miller are the only two veterans coming off the bench and they will need to carry the Bulls offensively while the starters are resting. The third string center is Aaron Gray whom the Bulls just re-signed to a one year deal. He will be entering his third season with the Bulls. Gray is the only true center the Bulls have and has the big body to go against other true centers in the league. He needs to improve a lot to be a factor though.