Game 77 | Bulls (46-30) @ Cavs (49-27) | April 5, 2015 | 3:30pm EST

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50 WINS BABY, LET'S KEEP IT UP.

Rob said:

JVG speaking the truth, as he always does. Shitting on his own people, good. Maybe that will get them to change.

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What was JVG saying?

Lebron posterizing Noah for your viewing pleasure.

CavsHomer said:

Oh and **** the entire knicks organization for handing lebron two solid role players for nothing. Joke of a team you are and will continue to be.

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I actually don't disagree with this statement. That deal looks horrible for the Knicks. JR was up after next season, and they still would have a good chunk of cap space even if he picked up his option (and they could've stretched him if the somehow needed cap space this offseason). Shump was restricted, so they could have kept him or let him walk. All they got was a 2nd round pick and cap space this offseason they won't need or use.

col63onel said:

I actually don't disagree with this statement. That deal looks horrible for the Knicks. JR was up after next season, and they still would have a good chunk of cap space even if he picked up his option (and they could've stretched him if the somehow needed cap space this offseason). Shump was restricted, so they could have kept him or let him walk. All they got was a 2nd round pick and cap space this offseason they won't need or use.

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I don`t disagree either. I just love how mad they are.

JR would have likely exercised his option to be a useless piece there, Shumpert was going to command some money, so we were just right place right time. The Knicks did get cap space, and remember, the main benefit was getting rid of JR, who has turned into a damn good starter for us. Now they'll have the cap space to recruit... um, Rondo? Dragic? Dramond Green? to pair with Carmelo and run the triangle. I dont really see the top guys going anywhere - Lebron, Love, Millsap, Gasol, Butler, DeAndre Jordan, Aldridge, Kawhi - and if they do go somewhere, I just dont see New York as being all that attractive to someone who legitimately wants a shot at a ring. And outside of Carmelo, there just arent any pieces there nor any assets. The smart thing would be to unload Anthony, get a bunch of draft picks, and use the cap space to collect assets and facilitate trades. What I think Phil is going to do is overpay a bunch of B listers that havent gotten that fat contract yet who are young enough that they dont mind wasting 3-4 years in New York, and maybe they'll compete for the 8th seed. They're just so far off that I cant see them doing any better than that.

Let's be a little fair here to the Knicks. They basically just have Melo on the books next year, and positioned themselves for the #1 pick (unless they have already traded it).

On top of being in NY, they have a solid second option, and with some lottery luck a blue chip prospect. It's not exactly a terrible situation to be in. And if they don't strike FA gold this year, next years FA class is headlined by a pretty amazing player, and likely another lottery pick to the team next season.

Edit: Looks like they traded their 2016 pick.

Full game highlights are up for those that want to enjoy the game once again.

Good win, but not so fun to watch. Not enough team play, and too much 3pt shooting. The defense was great, But it's just not that entertaining.

Evgeni said:

Good win, but not so fun to watch. Not enough team play, and too much 3pt shooting. The defense was great, But it's just not that entertaining.

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Not that entertaining? We beat a hated divisional rival with Kyrie and JR both hitting some RIDICULOUS quarter-ending shots while LeBron got his first trouble-double of the season. Appreciate games like today, these are the ones you should enjoy.

I didn't look through the thread...so I apologize if its already in here but..where is a gif of Kyrie's half court shot? Dayum!

Just watched this on tape delay. Was a good effort from us, not great. Some mental lapses, got a little ISO happy on offense. I don't think we ever really felt threatened by the Bulls to be honest.

They just can't score enough without D. Rose and even with him, their strengths are somewhat redundant. You noticed late when Thibs played Gasol he had to bench Noah. If he goes with Mirotic their D suffers.

So basically their best players where they could hurt us overlap. Their only chance against us would be if Rose severely outplays Kyrie.

Evgeni said:

Good win, but not so fun to watch. Not enough team play, and too much 3pt shooting. The defense was great, But it's just not that entertaining.

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If the defense gives your shooters open looks from three, you take them. It's no different than your big man having established himself deep in the paint to receive the ball. Let him go to work every time.

At least 25 of our total 37 three pointer attempts were open looks. Chicago just could not defend the perimeter nor contest shots sufficiently. Cleveland feasted on it. Only one or two of them were truly circus shots.. and even then, that circus shot from Kyrie at half-court wasn't contested by Aaron Brooks. He just let Kyrie shoot it. Well, guess what? It went in. That's on Chicago's defense.

That's what good teams do.