Chicago Bulls To Ride That 'D' In 2009

Part of the reason the Chicago Bulls brought in Vinny Del Negro to coach this team was to instill the kind of offensive firepower he oversaw during his time as a front office member of the Phoenix Suns.

So, why all the talk about defense?

It could be because the team sincerely wants to get back to its championship roots. 

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen carried much of the offensive load during the golden era of Bulls basketball, but it was their defense that was overlooked because of it.  Jordan is known as the greatest player ever because he could defend like a damn doberman after soaring to the hoop.  Like His Airness, Pippen's could guard four different positions on the court if you asked him to.  His build and athletic ability, not to mention his instincts carried him to anchoring the Bulls' defense.

Or it could be because the team sorely lacks the offensive weapons to outscore teams.

When the Bulls have their scoring droughts, losing Ben Gordon's offensive output will likely be the main reason.  Sure, Luol Deng returns ... but the Bulls need to find out which one will show up to the court.  And fast.  Will it be the player that averaged 18.8 points per game in 2006 or the oft-injured star who had to see more doctors than pregnant Maury Show guest in 2008?

John Salmons averaged 18.3 points per game after joining the Bulls at the trade deadline, but did most of his damage when Deng was out of the line-up.  Salmons will be a small forward lining up at the shooting guard position, which will be good on the defensive side of the ball.  However, it has yet to be seen how a pair of wing forwards will play on the offensive side of the ball when they're on the court at the same time.

Kirk Hinirch is the team's sixth man ... and a damn good (but expensive) one at that.

Here's hoping Joakim Noah spent as much time refining his offensive game as he did refining his game spitting.  I expect nothing more offensively from Tyrus Thomas than a few tip-dunks, fast-break slams and an 18-footer once in every 10 attempts.

Then there's Derrick Rose.  No Bulls player will be met with higher expectations than the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year.  If he takes the kind of leaps Deron Williams and Chris Paul took after their respective rookie seasons, then the Bulls will be fine.  If he doesn't, then the Bulls might be sending extra scouts to see Ed Davis, Derrick Favors or Cole Aldrich.

Don't get it twisted, Bulls fans.  The 2009-10 Bulls will go only as far as Derrick Rose will take them.

Daily Dosage: Happy 100!

Welcome to the 100th post in TBDS history. I'd like to thank my mom, Jesus, Matt, Jon, I Am Legend and the four of you currently reading this site. Helping us celebrate this momentous occasion is Ms. Eliza Dushku, whose appearance as the eye candy opposite Kirsten Dunst in the horrifically wonderful 'Bring It On' made it the best movie ever to watch with the sound off.

On with the Dosage.

Awe Sheets! Cubs Take Game Two. The pitching duel between the Brewers' Ben Sheets and the Cubs' Carlos Zambrano lived up to its billing through five innings Tuesday night. After the sixth, you wouldn't have known it ever existed.

The Cubs beat the Brewers 7-1 behind RBI hits by Kosuke Fukudome, Mark DeRosa and Zambrano helped chase Sheets in the sixth to extend the lead to 6-0. Alfonso Soriano's sacrifice fly to center capped the Cubs scoring.

As for Big Z's performance on the mound: 8 innings 5 hits 2 walks 9 strikeouts were good enough to move his record to 12-4.

Piranhas Nipping At The Sox's Heels. Gone are the days of Johan Santana and Torii Hunter torturing the Sox. Unfortunately for the Good Guys in Black, Justin Morneau is still around.

The Home Run Derby champ's bases clearing double capped a five-run fifth inning as the Twinkies overcame a 4-0 deficit to top the Sox, 6-5. The Sox's lead is down to 1/2 game.

Nick Swisher's broken bat homer in the ninth off Twins closer Joe Nathan brought the Pale Hose within a run, but it wasn't enough as Carlos Quentin grounded out to end the game.

Deng, That's A Lotta Money! Bulls forward Luol Deng, who was the latest NBA free agent to flirt with the Euro, has reportedly agreed to a six-year $71 million dollar contract extension to stay in Chicago.

Deng's 15.6 points per game and 48 percent shooting from the field might get a boost with the addition of No. 1 overall pick Derrick Rose and the Phoenix Suns-like offense Vinny Del Negro wants to implement with the Bulls.

Quality Linkage:

• Welcome to the blogosphere, Colt Brennan (Redskins.com)
• The Gators party hard (MSNBC) Illinois (16) Indiana (14) SIU (NR)
  
• DeShawn Stevenson wins his beard bet with Drew Gooden (D.C. Sports Blog)