Right now is a big spot for Jimmy. With old man Hamilton going down, and Belinelli playing like garbage, he's finally in a spot to get some big minutes and show what he can do. The Bulls have 4 games in 5 nights counting last night's game against Indiana, where Jimmy played 31 minutes, which was 3rd most on the team. He played pretty much the entire 4th too.
He gave up a easy basket on a back door late. Bottom line if he is not going to look to score more he cannot give up a easy bucket late in the game. Big Fan and think he could do more on O but it was a bad play on his part. In close games like this every play is Huge.
Yeah I cringed a little at that play. He had some big ones too though, like the 20 ft jumper, the passing lane steal that led to the open court dunk, and saving a turnover that Deng through high and was going out of bounds by jumping and getting a hand on it and getting the foul call.
I agree that he needs to look to score more. He is generally positioned opposite the ball and when he does get chances with the ball in his hands he doesn't take advantage of them. It doesn't help that he's regularly on the floor with Nate Robinson.
Jimmy is going to get his minutes in with this Bulls team, I agree he has an excellent opportunity ahead of himself... what he does with that opportunity is the important part. He's really in the best situation I could think of in Chicago... with a defensive minded coach like Thibidoeu combined with Bulls injuries, the bench having been cleared from last year, and a bunch of old guys who won't be able play full games for a full season, he's got a great opportunity this year to solidify himself as a player and hopefully cash in like Wes was able to.
After the way Bellinelli played last night he should get more minutes, though I think Tibs will keep him on the "bench bunch" because he brings energy and is beginning to mesh with that group (it was the bench last night that played the best). The more he plays, the more he'll relax and then his scoriing will come up a little, which the Bulls need. Impressive 9 rebounds. I thought it was interesting he played in Deng's place a little too. Fun to watch he and Jae the other night.
Quote from: RushmoreAcademy on December 05, 2012, 09:43:11 AM
I agree that he needs to look to score more. He is generally positioned opposite the ball and when he does get chances with the ball in his hands he doesn't take advantage of them. It doesn't help that he's regularly on the floor with Nate Robinson.
+1, playing with Nate Robinson is going to kill anyone's chances of scoring. Currently, Jimmy has the 3rd highest PER on the Bulls and is shooting a robust 52% from the field. He needs to be worked into the offense more.