It has become quite clear how badly the loss of Gordon has affected Chicago’s offense. It’s not even Gordon’s 20 PPG the Bulls miss, per se. It’s the threat of him. I mentioned last week that NBA basketball is a game of split-seconds. Gordon provided everybody on the Bulls extra split seconds they can’t get on their own. When he was running around helter-skelter trying to get open, players on the opposing team knew it. Sometimes they only glanced, sometimes they were forced to turn their heads or jump out to show a little help. Gordon never racked up gaudy assist numbers, which led many people to conclude he didn’t create for his teammates. But, as it turns out, he did. Just not in a way that is measured by box scores.
via Sometimes the truth hurts… » By The Horns.
McHale does a great job of outlining how messed up the Bulls are, joining the “This team sucks” wagon that’s so full it’s like a refugee caravan at this point. It’s like Grapes of Wrath only I hope no one’s doing it under a blanket with Grandma nearby.
I agree with what McHale thinks, as there’s no way for you to look at the Bulls and not say “Wow, they could really use Ben Gordon.” So when I say this, understand that it’s not a counter. I’m not arguing that Ben’s not needed on the Bulls.
…you know there’s a BUT coming, right?
BUT (there it is)…
Here’s Gordon, per 36: Field goal percentage, down by .08%. 3point % (where the Bulls really need him), down by nearly 6%. Free throw shooting, down by 5%. Down in rebounds by a board. Down by assists by .1. Down in blocks by .2. Down in turnovers, so that’s nice, by .5. Up in fouls by .5, down in points by .4. Up in usage by .4. Up in PER, mostly because of the usage thing. So, yeah, his impact on the Bulls is missed in things that aren’t covered on the Box Score. But in Detroit, he’s missed in things actually ON the boxscore. Also, in games where Gordon plays more than 26 minutes for the Pistons, they are 4-9.They’re 1 and 4 when he scores more than 25 points.
But the Bulls’ offense sucks, too, so what are you going to do?
(Post-note: I’ve got no problem with anyone saying “It’s early! Ben will recover!” That’s entirely possible. I actually think his contract was reasonable and he’s a great scorer. But if you say that, you also need to accept the possibility that Hinrich and Salmons will come out of their slumps and the Bulls will improve. Odds aren’t even, but they’re not way out of whack, either.)
