EIGHT QUESTIONS FOR THE BULLS STRETCH RUN
By Sam Smith ddrose译
The All-Star game is over, the one-week break is done, Cabo San
Lucas hotels’ extra long beds are available again, the TRADING
deadline is past. It’s the stretch run in the NBA, the approximately
30 game race to seeding and the playoffs. It began Thursday with
the TNT doubleheader, and the rest of the NBA gets to the center
jump Friday with the Bulls in Auburn Hills to play the Pistons.
明星赛已经结束，各队准备下半季的冲刺
The Bulls open the unofficial—and unmathematical—second half
probably in as good overall physical state as they have been all season
with no significant injuries and everyone available.
在球员没有重大伤病情况下，公牛状态处于本季最好的状况
They figure to have their starting lineup in tact for just the 17th time all
season, 13-3 thus far with Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler,Mike Dunleavy,
Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol. The Bulls are 34-20, third in the Eastern
Conference behind Atlanta and Toronto and leading the Central Division.
Their current first round playoff opponent would be Milwaukee. They’ve
won four straight, though they shouldn’t be fooled as one was after
Anthony Davis was hurt and another when Orlando coughed up a game
that seemed impossible to lose in the last 30 seconds. But the Bulls,
primarily Rose and Noah, seem as healthy as they’ve been all season
with Rose playing at his highest level, averaging a team high 21.5 per
game the last 10 games. Gasol and Butler are coming off playing in the
All-Star game, and Tony Snell is coming off a week of his best play as a
pro.
本季公牛只有17次完整先发，他们战绩是13胜3败，目前东区第三的公牛，季后赛预计对
上公鹿，本季对公鹿4-0横扫，但公牛别高兴太早，最近对上鹈鹕是AD受伤，对上魔术是
他们太菜，最后30狂失误，公牛才赢得比赛。Rose近十场场均21.5分Gasol Jb入选明星赛
，Tony Snell也打出生涯最棒的一周。
The Bulls have, at least according to win/loss, one of the easiest
schedules to close the season, ranking in the top five least taxing against
top opponents. And even with a first 54 games of some confusion and
indecision and rumors of even a coaching change and a decline in play,
the Bulls are 10th in overall point differential, third in the East. That’s a
reliable indicator of team strength.
公牛下半季赛程算是前几轻松的，即使上半季队内充满矛盾，以球员交易谣言满天飞，甚
至换掉总教练风波，但是公牛依旧是联盟前十，东区前三球队，这证明了球队的韧性。
The Bulls, also according to NBA statistics, are eighth in field goal
defense, sixth in three-point defense and third in rebounding, all
numbers which suggest title contending and not the much concerning
defensive slippage. The Bulls, however, don’t do as well in advanced
statistics at 17th in pace—we know they often play too slowly—13th
in points per 100 possessions on defense, and 14th in true shooting
percentage to account for all shooting.
根据联盟统计，在FG防守上公牛在联盟排名第八，三分防守排第六，篮板排第三，比上季
退步不少，在进阶数据方面，进攻节奏是第17名，我们都知道公牛进攻节奏缓慢，100次进
攻位子防守排第13，真实投篮命中率排第14。
It suggests an overall mixture of a team with numerous injuries in its
first 54 games that with 28 to go can have a strong finish. But there
still are questions the Bulls face in these last two months. Here’s a look
at the major ones:
以上是这支球队在充满伤兵的前54场比赛表现，他们大有机会在最后28场比赛强力收尾，
但这支球队依旧有几个问题。
Will they change the starting lineup?
Of course not. Coach Tom Thibodeau doesn’t do such things as he
won’t get into a media discussion on so called demotions. But changes
have been made subtly. Joakim Noah is a center. Noah’s sacrificed a lot
accepting a power forward role when he was the league’s best center
last season. So coming off surgery and working his way back he
accepted a role to accommodate Gasol, and more than anyone Noah
is about team. But it’s time he played his best position and the best
position for the team. Thibodeau has quietly been going that way with
Noah after starting with Gasol playing often with a second group that
includes Taj Gibson. Thibodeau will have to make some tough decisions
sometimes finishing with them and not Gasol. Noah and Gasol can start,
though perhaps an earlier substitution for Noah is in order to have him
play longer with a defensive second group, and also with Rose. Noah and
Gasol are fine together, but they have to be used better. The Bulls used
to do more a double high post set, their so called “horns” look, with two
big men at the elbows in what you might also see in the triangle pinch
post. Then you can operate off that with two of the best passing big men
in the game. The Bulls need to use those sets more.
公牛会调整先发阵容吗？
当然不会，老席不会如此作，但是已经产生些微变化，像是中锋Noah牺牲自己改打大前锋
，只为了能跟Gasol配合，他是一位团队至上的球员，老席已经悄悄的更早换下Noah，让他
能够跟Taj配合打第二队，提供防守，还有搭配Rose，Noah跟Gasol配合没有问题，只是错
开他们能够将两人各自效益极大化，公牛以前常打双高位战术，两名大个站在腰位，形成
三角，接着你可以运用两名皆善于传球的大个发动，公牛应该多打这战术。
Will Tony Snell play more?
Perhaps. The latest big Thibodeau test is whether he’ll go back to
playing Kirk Hinrich more after Hinrich was out pre-All Star with turf toe
and Snell had his best games as a pro and a highlight game defending
LeBron James. Snell’s play is what the Bulls have been waiting for, to
finally show aggression and being unafraid to shoot, make mistakes and
be yanked. He’s done so and it’s apparent with he and Mike Dunleavy
playing, the floor is so much more open for Rose. With Rose having that
sort of space he can get to the basket easier. But it also enabled him to
pass. There was much talk of Rose with a pair of seven-assist games
and few turnovers and now looking to pass. But that’s all due to the
spacing. He’s always looking to pass. With the defense collapsed the
way it had with Dunleavy out and a poor shooting Hinrich playing, Rose
had few passing or driving lanes, the lack of which was often blamed on
him. Hinrich always figured to be a below 20-minute per game reserve,
but stepped in with teammates injured. He isn’t the sort to complain, but
he’s thus more likely to break down. It would be a disservice to the team
not to at least see if Snell can maintain his improvement.
Tony Snell会打更多时间吗？
也许吧，最近在Kirk的缺阵下，Tony打得棒极了，包括防守LBJ，很明显，当他或者
Dunleavy在场上时，能够提供Rose更多切入空间，Rose一直都是以传球为优先的球员，因
为球员受伤，而让投射不佳的Kirk在场上时，空间拉不开，Rose找不到人可以传，伴随着
低助攻，高失误，Rose只能自己扛批评。因此如果Tony能保持好表现，至少可以分担帮倒
忙的Kirk上场时间。
Will Doug McDermott play?
Probably not, though it’s been a mistake. You can’t play everyone, of
course. And he did need knee surgery, which set him back. But when
you have a relatively average three-point shooting team (16th in attempts)
, you need to take a look at one of the best ever three-point shooters in
college and a four-year player. I would have started McDermott over
Dunleavy this season to enable Dunleavy, who is an excellent shooter,
passer and floor spacer, to give balance to a second unit with little ball
movement because of Gibson and Aaron Brooks. It’s still not too late to
get a look at McDermott. If a guy can make shots he can win a playoff
game for you no matter his age or experience.
McD会上场吗？
应该不会，虽然这是错误决定。虽然开季的受伤让他挫折，且你不可能让每个人都有时间
打，但是当球队三分出手数是联盟16名, 你应该让大学史上最棒射手McD上场，我会让McD
先发取代Dunleavy，以平衡第二队实力，让Dun搭配Taj 小AB，现在用McD还不会太晚。
What’s the role for Nikola Mirotic?
It’s been in decline, but here’s another guy who can make shots and
spread the floor. It’s tough giving minutes to four big men. I agree with
that. But the way the NBA is now you are going to see stretch fours,
and especially from your conference rivals with Kevin Love in Cleveland,
Chris Bosh in Miami and basically everyone shooting in Atlanta. The
way teams have zoned up the Bulls at times the Bulls have not been able
to take advantage with their size. As good as Gasol is, he’s not a classic
power post up player. In the latter part of the first half as he’s played a
lot of minutes, he’s been pushed off the low block and had to play outside
face up more. He’s excellent at that, which negates being moved outside.
Gasol has thrived in two-man play with Rose because of Gasol’s ability
to shoot. But if you had someone like Mirotic opposite, it could open the
lane more and enable him to have more deep post opportunities. One of
the reasons for the Bulls’ stagnant play on offense has been spending
time watching Gasol trying to get post position, then pushed outside
and either trying to repost or getting a quick shot. The Bulls need to
move into that post action more quickly and then rotate the ball instead
of standing around watching to see if it can happen.
Mirotic的角色是什么？
我知道分配时间给四个大个子不容易，但是联盟趋势就是大后锋来拉开空间，包括Love
Bosh甚至老鹰队，Mirotic不是传统的PF，他的风格跟Gasol比较相似，Gasol跟Rose的两人
配合很棒，因为Gasol有中长距离投射能力，但如果你再放上Mirotic可以拉开空间，让
Gasol可以在更深更佳的位子拿到球，公牛大部分时间都是看Gasol在低位拿球，由他发动
，他会选择打掉，外传，或是外传完再回传Gasol打低位，常常在过程中进攻时间到点而仓
促出手，这让公牛进攻有点停滞，公牛应该让球塞到低位更快速。
Can Rose and Jimmy Butler coexist?
Of course. There was some notion of rivalry, which I haven’t seen. The
Rose/Butler issue is that Butler isn’t the classic shooting guard to
space the floor. He eventually will be given you see the work he does
in the summer. He’ll need another summer to expand that range, and
he’ll get there. But he’s not there yet. So some of those three-guard
rotations with Hinrich have not worked because you can’t have the
defense back off two guys. Jimmy does so many things with getting to
the line and rebounding it’s important he play a lot, though perhaps not
as much as he has. Snell could fit in with his shooting and perhaps
Brooks as Thibodeau has gone some long stretches with Rose and
Brooks. Remember, Thibodeau makes a point of insisting in the stretch
run he prefers to cut the rotation. The Bulls are as healthy now as they
have been all season. So perhaps this is a good time to stretch out the
rotation so the Bulls can come into the playoffs just as healthy.
Rose跟JB能够共存合作吗？
当然可以，传统存在的敌对竞争，我在他们身上没有看到，JB不是传统上擅于三分的SG，
我相信给他一个暑假这点他可以长出来，和Kirk的三位轮替在防守上不佳。然而JB在场上
可以做很多事，可以要犯，抓板，Snell的投射可以替代JB，或是我们常看到的，让小AB跟
Rose配合，老席有自己用人的坚持，但是现在全员健康，应该要好好研究一下各种可能阵
容，来面对季后赛。
Can the Bulls be a better three-point team?
Yes. The big element is health, which is good now. The way the game
is played in much of the NBA now, players run to the three-point line in
transition. The Bulls rarely do that because they don’t shoot threes as
well—or often—and too often have post play calls. Rose needs to push
the ball even after made baskets and basically ignore a lot of the play
calls. These are smart guys who know how to play. You could see that
against the Cavs the way Rose kept Snell high on the weak side to
occupy LeBron and thus keep him out of the passing and driving lanes
for steals. The Bulls in transition are a thing of beauty. And while I
believe you take your best shot no matter the shot, some more going to
the three-point line on drive and kick should open the court and provide
for more flow, ball movement and transition game.
公牛可能变成一只更好的三分球队吗？
只要健康，当然可能，现在联盟在转换快攻时，常常投三分，Rose应该忽视一些战术下达
，而更快速地推入球，骑士对公牛时，Snell在弱边高位，就成功让LBJ必须对位，而无法
帮忙禁区以及断球，别忘了，公牛的快攻可是很华丽的，而要达成，你需要良好的流动球
以及转换快攻
Is Derrick Rose back?
Enough. This narrative of Rose having to be the MVP player he was
seems off base and inappropriate. His game is under a microscope like
few in the NBA. He’s had a marvelous season the way he should,
basically in stages to show, especially to himself, he can be healthy and
then taking on a little more and a little more. He’s done that seemingly in
quarters and it’s worked well as he prepares for his stretch run and last
20 games. He’s shown, especially lately, he can produce against top
opponents and the best point guards. He cannot do it every game and
every time because that would put too much stress on his body. It
wouldn’t be smart. Similarly, it’s why Rose, appropriately, doesn’t throw
himself at the basket constantly or try to dunk much. The team wants
him best for the playoffs and he does as well. His arc remains upward,
which seems the best way to handle the season.
MVP Rose回来了吗？
足够了，Rose现阶段必须成为MVP的论述，都是不适当且不公平的，他的一举一动都被拿着
显微镜检视，他本季的表现已经很棒了，只要保持健康，他可以循序渐进地再次把球队一
点一滴放到自己肩膀上，至少他证明了，对上联盟其他控卫，他是不居下风的，当然他不
可能每次都赢，或表现良好，显然，本季不常见到他双手爆扣，或是不顾一切飞向篮框，
球队希望到季后赛时他再拿出他的MVP身手，而他也知道。
Does the rest of the regular season matter?
In a big way. If you want to be a champion you can’t worry about avoiding
anyone. If you are the best you need to beat the best. But winning the Central
Division would be vital for the Bulls. That presumably would keep Cleveland at
a distance and likely have the Bulls in the third spot in the Eastern
Conference. Getting in the 2-3/6-7 playoff spot avoid the Atlanta Hawks, who
surely will get the No. 1 seed. The Bulls dream scenario presumably would be
to hold off the Cavs and have them open the playoffs with the Wizards and the
winner playing Atlanta. But that probably requires winning the Central Division.
The Cavs will be tough to hold off the way they won 14 of 15 before the Bulls
beat them to go into the All-Star break.
...Thundering down the stretch!
剩下的比赛重要吗？
如果想成为冠军，你必须击败任何人，不能闪躲，赢下中央组冠军对公牛很重要，最好是
拉开跟骑士的差距，拿下第二或第三种子是最佳状况，因为第一种子大概确定是老鹰，对
公牛的最佳剧本是让骑士巫师老鹰，在同边撕杀，赢得球队东冠再对上公牛，而要达到这
剧本，必须能够确保中央组宝座。别忘了，骑士在被公牛击败前可是赢了14 15场球，
公牛冲阿！
心得:
McD现阶段能够做的Mirotic也能够做到，希望McD别气馁，看好McD Mirotic JB Rose成为
公牛未来的主要阵容。而Kirk在全员健康下，应该把他放回他习惯的替补PG。才能发挥他
的最大效益，公牛熬过上半季艰苦赛程，下半季看似轻松，但公牛擅长输给五成以下球队
，且骑士也追很紧。另外公牛本季对上西区季后赛球队皆赢过，只差雷霆(还没打过)。另
外公牛联盟目前只有两队没赢过，老鹰(还有一场没打)和雷霆(本季还没打过)。

不用吧 前面内文讲了 双高位策应也是个不错的战术rose今年的外线 还蛮惨的

zsh在男女版被桶不EY