The Bulls thrashed the Hornets 90-67 Wednesday night at the Hive.
It was over when: The Hornets didn’t score a point for the first four minutes.
Really it was over when: No, seriously. I titled and created this post less than six minutes into the game. It was clear that this wasn’t going to be a good night for the Hornets. I remember when I used to do this for wins…
MVP (Most Valuable Player): Joakim Noah did more than enough on both ends of the floor to ensure this one was a cake-walk for the Bulls, even with Rose clearly not even close to 100 percent.
LVP (Least Valuable Player): Jarrett Jack came back from an injury to provide the Hornets with a disgusting 2-11 performance from the floor and next to nothing as a distributor or defender.
Defining Moment: The Hornets always keep the crowd standing until they score their first points. After a timeout four minutes in, fans sat down even though the Hornets score was still zero.
That was… “Hilarious”: Will Ferrell did player introductions, claiming Carlos Boozer still lives with his mother, Luol Deng collects rare birds, Ronnie Brewer ate 20 hot dogs in an hour, and D-Rose’s favorite movie is The Notebook. For the Hornets he said Okafor minored in love in college, Bellinelli hates Italian food, and that Jack dreams of becoming a rodeo clown after basketball.
That Was… “Decisive”: The Bulls led by nine before the Hornets scored their first bucket. It was never that close again. Only Marco Belinelli’s three pointer at the buzzer kept the Hornets from setting an all-time franchise low for points (65).
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Trevor Ariza, SF 38 MIN | 3-10 FG | 0-0 FT | 6 REB | 4 AST | 6 PTS | -14Ariza had a tough matchup on both ends against Luol Deng, and although he didn’t get the better of Deng, he certainly held his own. Trevor was one of the brighter spots for the Hornets tonight, and considering he didn’t play very well, that’s saying something. |  |
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Gustavo Ayon, PF 19 MIN | 3-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 6 PTS | -12Gustavo was one of many Hornets struggling early on both ends. Monty yanked him a few minutes in as a result, but threw him back out in the second quarter where he had a nice drive and layup around Taj Gibson. He had a nice putback later in the quarter as well, but wasn’t really creating much. Defensively he drew Noah and did a decent job for the most part, but the results were less than stellar. |  |
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Emeka Okafor, C 34 MIN | 5-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 9 REB | 0 AST | 10 PTS | -22Was ineffective early on both ends and Monty yanked him quickly in favor of Kaman. When he came back in he brabbed a few boards, but wasn’t realy doing much to positively affect the team on either end. The Bulls continued to drive and get buckets inside, and on offense Okafor wasn’t able to get anything going. He did rebound well, giving the Hornets a few second opportunities on offense thanks to his bat-out’s.In the second half he continued to to struggle with Ayon on the floor. The two of them were simply overwhelmed on defense. It’s hard to fault them too much when the perimeter defense looks like swiss cheese, but they gave up ground to Boozer and Noah as well. | |
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Jarrett Jack, PG 28 MIN | 2-11 FG | 0-1 FT | 2 REB | 3 AST | 4 PTS | -14Jack started, but was ineffective. Monty pulled him early in favor of Vazquez. He came back in midway through the second quarter and seemed a bit more with it, but he wasn’t the guy he’s made us expect so far this year. His shot was off and he seemed a quarter of a step slower than usual. His defense was pretty poor also.In the second half his struggles continued. The Hornets scored just four points in the seven minutes he was on the floor in the third quarter. He played some in the fourth also, but continued to disappoint. |  |
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Marco Belinelli, SG 31 MIN | 4-9 FG | 4-8 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 13 PTS | -22After being fairly invisible for the majority of the first half, Marco had a strong drive that led to free throws, a nice layup, and then a sweet floater all in the closing three minutes. It’s too bad that aside from those three minutes, he was ineffective until garbage time. | |
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Chris Kaman, C 31 MIN | 6-17 FG | 5-5 FT | 9 REB | 2 AST | 17 PTS | -9Kaman led the way in the first quarter, scoring 10 (nearly 12) of the teams 14 first quarter points. Unfortunately, he also contributed 3 turnovers in that period. He was ice cold in the second and third quarters, and barely any better in the fourth. At least he grabbed boards… |  |
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Lance Thomas, F 12 MIN | 1-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 0 AST | 2 PTS | -3I judge Thomas pretty much entirely on effort (lacking tonight), rebounding (pretty solid), and aboiding mistakes (great). He wasn’t too bad tonight relative to everyone else. | |
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Greivis Vasquez, PG 20 MIN | 2-7 FG | 1-2 FT | 3 REB | 4 AST | 5 PTS | -9Greivis had a little more success getting the Hornets offense in a rhythm than Jack. That said, he was awful tonight both as a distributor and as a scorer. Oh, his defense was crap also. |  |
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Al-Farouq Aminu, SF 8 MIN | 0-1 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 0 PTS | -13Aminu failed to locate his man for what should have been an easy box-out early in the second quarter, and Monty pulled him immediately after. Monty put him back in a few minutes later, and Aminu returned the favor by botching what should have been a transition bucket. He has a ways to go before he’ll even be able to give decent minutes as a backup. | |
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Xavier Henry, SG 19 MIN | 2-4 FG | 0-1 FT | 0 REB | 3 AST | 4 PTS | +3Xavier had an impressive drive early in the second, initiating contact and drawing an and-one, which he bricked. He repeated the feat late in the fourth, but didn’t get the call. He was one of only a few Hornets who was really active all game long, and I came away feeling a bit better about his future. I still think the jumper is worse than advertised, but his passing and ball handling are a bit better. |  |
Five Things We Saw
- In the first six minutes of the first and third quarters, with mostly their starters on the floor, the Hornets scored a total of 6 points.
- The Hornets had just 41 points with just under a minute to go in the third. They managed to get up to 46 by the end. Yay?
- Monty had way too many starters in the game after it was WAY over late in the fourth. Considering they have 14 games in the next 29 days, many of those on the road, he could have probably given Ayon, Jack, and Ariza more rest.
- The Bulls had 58 points in the paint. The Hornets had 67 points total. Speaking of low numbers, it was only because of that Marco Belinelli three pointer at the buzzer that the Hornets avoided their lowest scoring regular season game ever (65).
- Even though this was a brutal loss, it’s still left me with a better taste in my mouth than the loss to the Kings.
26 responses to “Bulls Crush the Hornets”
lol. This game is brutal.
I would honestly have rather watched Will Ferrell do lineup introductions for 2 and 1/2 hours. Just bring back every former Hornet ever and trot them out there. COuld have forfeited the game, let Bulls get some rest with their W. Everyone wins!
I see plenty of Fs on the report card for this game. Fitting?
First time I’ve truly been embarrassed to be a Hornets fan this season.
At least we held them to 81.
What? Glass half full?
Anyone?
Monty’s probably thrilled.
I can’t believe I actually stayed for that entire game. The Hornets should pay me for that kind of loyalty, not the other way around.
Also, let it be known that I remained standing throughout the entire timeout. Props to anyone else who did.
I stayed through the entire 58 point game. Spread out. Lounged. Took great pleasure in yelling, “Nobody drops 60 on us in our house” a few times.
With this team, constructed as is… Vazquez should be starting…
Joe just thought I’d point out it was Ronnie Brewer not Corey
Apologies! Good catch, both of you. I appreciate it more than you know.
just testing us i assume of course
Ronnie Brewer, not Corey Brewer. Corey is on the Nuggets.
Aminu with 8 minutes. Ariza with 40.
I don’t care what Aminu did to get yanked out of the game. There was nothing the Hornets could do by halftime to get back into it. Playing Aminu 8 minutes isn’t going to teach him SH*T, nor will it do SH*T for us long term.
When it’s a blowout (and the season is a blowout too), you need to throw those players out there and make them play hard regardless of the score for long minutes. Why/how does Monty think he can save face by playing the starters so long?
Ridiculous.
I wish we had the luxury of sending Aminu to the d-league. Those games are played at such a fast pace that Aminu would get the opportunity to put the ball on the floor in transition, figure out some go-to moves, and better define his game. I think it’d actually do more for his confidence than putting him on the floor in half court sets for extended minutes with the Hornets. His biggest assets are his speed and athleticism, both are rendered largely useless because of the pace the Hornets play at.
I agree hands down with #3 in the 5 things we saw above. This game was over in the second quarter. You’ve got a starting point guard who’s not 100% and had been playing nearly 40 minutes/game. You’ve got a SF you routinely overplay for his D.
You say you want to give the young guys minutes to see what they can do, but you barely play Aminu. Monty, you’ve got to work on your rotations and game awareness. We’ve got something like 14 games in 29 days. Yank what starters we do have, and let the young guys play and get minutes.
I’ll repeat: Jarrett Jack should be traded. As a starting PG, he is a true disaster and is still hindering the Vasquez’ development. JJ is a guy to be Sixth Man of some team. He is a combo guard, a player who comes off the bench to provide scoring punch. He doesn’t know how to organize the team, can not be starting PG. And I see no reason to invest in this player. First, we must remember that he only came to New Orleans for being a Chris Paul’ good friend. This was the only criterion used for the hiring of JJ. Secondly, to be a good Sixth Man, he has a market value. We can trade him and get something interesting in return. And thirdly, he is stealing minutes that could serve to develop better Vasquez, who is a player who has a future. I’m not even a little happy to see JJ scoring and our team losing, with no organization in the offense. And against the Bulls, he still got worse numbers than Vasquez. And he played eight minutes more. I think the moment is to develop the potential of young players. And I don’t see how JJ fit into this process. What do you think?
Jarret Jack came on board because he was one of CP3’s multitude of “friends” (and not even on Facebook). He sticks around because he knows the sets and because Monty apparently has fallen for his rah-rah routine. He’s a “veteran” of what?
Finally the board is figuring him out. Vasquez deserves to start, and while he was really off tonight (like almost everybody), he’s still a better option than Jack. I have never been able to stand Jacks’ game for reasons that should be clear to everyone by now.
As for Marco’s play tonight, he got ONE look at a three and drained it, saving the Hornets from their all-time poorest score total. The vast majority of Marco’s threes this year have been under intense pressure, often just a desperation heave at the end of quarters or 24 second clocks. The ball has to move around the perimeter to get three-point shooters a clean look, and that has almost NEVER happened this entire year.
You say he disappears, Joe. What he does is follow Monty’s game plan.
Monty: your offense doesn’t work. Shake it up. Move the ball up the court at every opportunity and settle in only when you lose the advantage. Then get your players moving in those sets.
You send Marco into the corner almost like a child being punished. Let the Italian Beast roam!
Really? Why does everyone want Jack off the team, right when he gets injured, and grevis isnt as good as chris paul i think he is a solid backup(NOT STARTER) he has had a few good games, Jack’s stats have been really great and he is really helping this team and leading it, He is so far looked awesome, he goes out for 3 games and when he comes back to soon and has a bad game everyone hates him, whats the deal, get mad at Monty for putting in a injured player.
We do not have a guard on the roster who “deserves to start” for an NBA team, unless you count Mr. Knee Bruise. I think I saw Gordon play once, so maybe he is on our roster…..
Whatever trades we make need to net us a defending point guard for next year. None of our bigs can handle speed in the lane, and CP3 kept that from being a killing liability when he was on the floor. Hopefully Gordon will eventually play for us, and stay on the floor, and take that role. Color me skeptical. Even if he does we would need a backup that can also defend speed.
have no problem trading anybody on this current roster. None of my shirts match a current Hornet and I’m sure not buying any new ones this year unless the name is attached with Velcro….
I’m lovesick of Hornets.. Jarret Jack yesterday is not in good condition, but no possible for the ex Raptors play in PG, is a disaster… We need a owner, good trade now and a new Micheal Jordan at the draft. Stern such a shame…
I agree with alot of what I am seeing on here today!!! Like why does Monty not pull the starters and let the young guys play against a team like the bulls??? You know after quarter 1 that you had no chance of winning!!! But when you playing a team like the Kings or Detriot(games you can win) then you decide to let the young guys??? I know this team is bad but we cant even win against the worst teams!!! I bet we cant beat Washington or the Bobcats!!! Monty is pissin me off too with all the line-up changes, why is Jack starting over Vasquez??? And why the hell does Ariza name not come up in trade talks??? He can help a contender he cant do much for the Hornets!!!
Ariza is the ideal player for a top contender team, with stars to score for him.
They’ll be the Hornets next season but they’re the Hornaints for this season.We need to get rid of some players and get expired contracts and draft picks in return so they can really be under the cap.Free agents love teams with a whole lot of money to spend.
Other than Dwight Howard and what’s his name in NJ, who are the big free agents this coming summer?