Get Deng the Ball

Part of the problem in Detroit was that Luol Deng didn’t get enough touches. He was clearly the Bulls best player in the first round, as Miami had no answer for him, averaging over 34 points per game during the four game sweep. In Detroit, his scoring averaged has slipped to 17 points a game. Of course a lot of that is because Tayshaun Prince is defending him now, not Jason Kapono or a hobbled D Wade, but regardless, the Bull have to give Deng the rock. It’s not like he’s been as bad as Hinrich or Nocioni in the first two games of this series, but he could do more. The Bulls have to find a way to get the ball in his hands if they start struggling. When the Bulls got down in the first two games, they started launching treys. Instead of doing that in Chicago, the Bulls should slow things down and get Deng, their most versatile scorer, the ball. He can create opportunities for other players by slashing into the lane or can pull up and drain a mid ranger jumper. If the Bulls are going to survive in this series, Deng definitely needs to be a bigger part of the team.

Play Tyrus 35 minutes

I’m not saying he should start, but if the Bulls run into trouble again in game 3, Tyrus Thomas has to come in. It’s hard to trust young player in big games, and game 3 is the most important of the season, but Thomas’ performance in game 2 warrants big minutes on Thursday. He frustrated Richard Hamilton earlier this season; maybe he could do the same thing now against Weber and Rasheed. If nothing else, he’ll help Ben Wallace grab some rebounds, a category the Bulls have been crushed in during the first two games.

Bring Gordon off the bench

After playing great against Miami in the first round, Gordon got off to a horrible start in Detroit. Part of the problem was that he had trouble staying on the court, getting into early foul trouble in both games. So why not switch things up a bit and send Gordon off the bench? He was lights out coming off the bench during the first half of the season and bringing him in the game could immediately jump start the offense if they start struggling early in game 3. Just because he’s not starting the game doesn’t mean he isn’t finishing it, and starting a better defensive player would keep the Pistons from getting off to a hot start.

Get Griffin in the rotation

If Gordon is coming off the bench, the Bulls could either start Thabo or Griffin. I’d vote for Griffin, but even if Scott Skiles doesn’t, Grif should still see some playing time. The Bulls young players have looked rattled during this series; bringing in a veteran with playoff experience could help make sure the Bulls don’t go into another big hole in game 3. Griffin is a good defensive player who would give the Bulls a bigger guard to matchup on Richard Hamilton, and he started in the Finals for the Mavericks last season so you know he’s accustomed to big game pressure.

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