The Bulls are 5-4 in the first nine games of my charting, and their record will likely stay right around 0.500 for the entire season.  More importantly the Bulls defense has been, well, quite average, but I guess that is even more subjective than my method since I am not charting any other teams besides the Bulls and no comparisons exist.  What we can do though is look at the individual players themselves and see who is better at what.  Here is some analysis:

Derrick Rose – Opposing teams view him as a force on the offensive end, but a weakness on the defensive end.  Rose has been attacked 81 times in on-on-one situations, much more than any other Bulls player.  He has faired ok, but I expect better with his athleticism.  The help defense from Rose is great, 15 positives to two negatives is fantastic.  One aspect which really disappoints me is the rebounds, with Rose’s ups he should be more involved on the defensive glass.

Ben Gordon – Not as bad as I assumed, still more negatives just about everywhere than positives, but at least he is in the building.  His help defense scares me, especially looking at everyone else on the teams high ratings in that category.  I may need to pay more attention to help defense because I think the ratings seem too high there.  Another terrible aspect of Gordon’s defense is leaving his man open and not getting back.

Larry Hughes – Defensive stopper of the Bulls.  He is forcing turnovers, playing good one-on-one defense, fights through screens, and is getting on the boards a little bit.  Keep in mind he isn’t playing as many minutes as Gordon and Rose.

Andres Nocioni – Great help defender who gives the effort on defense.  With that said, here is a message that I really hope gets to Vinny Del Negro: STOP PLAYING NOCH AT SMALL FORWARD!!! He can’t guard Caron Butler, Corey Maggette, or Andre Iguodala.  When playing power forward, he has been much better one-on-one.

Tyrus Thomas – Good help defender and active on the boards, although the eight negatives there are probably just Tyrus forgetting to box out.  If he gets his head on straight he can be quite a good defender.

Drew Gooden – Can’t play defense at all, really.  A terrible pick-and-roll and help defender, Gooden has really hurt the Bulls’ defense. When Gordon or Rose get beat, he rarely makes a good play.  Must play smarter, because he has athletic ability.

Joakim Noah – Good defender all the way around.  Could use some more bulk though.  I really wish Del Negro would play him more, but Noah has been in Del Negro’s doghouse since he was hired.

Aaron Gray – Very smart player.  Too bad he can’t move.  The numbers average out, making him a serviceable defender.  If you gave Aaron Gray Drew Gooden’s body the Bulls would be in business.
Lindsey Hunter – Can’t play one-on-one defense anymore.  Consistently got burned when he was put in.  Still a theft artist.

Thabo Sefolosha – He has only played in two of the nine games I viewed, and it doesn’t look like he will be getting back in the rotation any time soon.  Great length, but Sefolosha has no defensive quickness and is easily blown by.

Luol Deng – Needs to get on the glass a little bit more, but Deng, after struggling his first few games back from injury, has really stepped it up.  He is always aware of what is going on, helping and making plays. 

If Rose can get better at keeping the opposing point guard out of the lane and Thomas can get a brain the Bulls could have a dominant defensive unit in Rose, Hughes, Deng, Noicioni/Thomas, and Noah.  I can only hope, but for now the charting continues. 

Here are the 9 game totals: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pD2-oP8oJwJIsmiwaiJNMQg&hl=en

Schuyler Davis

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