Bulls Final Report Card All in all, not one reason to be testy Sunday, May 15, 2005 By Paul Ladewski Staff writer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 2004-05 Bulls weren't your sister's or brother's Bulls of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. They were more like your mother's and father's Bulls, the ones of Bob Love and Jerry Sloan and Norm Van Lier. Only now the names are Tyson Chandler and Chris Duhon and Kirk Hinrich. Like the blood-and-guts teams of three decades ago, the Baby Bulls proved that if a team plays hard and plays together and plays with discipline — especially at the defensive end — it can steal enough victories to be competitive even with fairly average talent. "It was fantastic," said head coach Scott Skiles, not one for glitzy adjectives. "This was the year for us to get back in the game. That was the goal — to become a competitive team." Consider it done. As one of the surprise stories of the NBA season, the Bulls overcame the worst start in franchise history (0-9) to post 47 victories, 24 more than the previous campaign. They also made their first trip to the postseason in seven years, an experience that likely will serve them well in the near future. "It's a good thing that the season went this long," Chandler said. "Unfortunately, we didn't win (a series), but we got some playoff experience. Our young guys like myself got a chance to see what this is all about. Next time, we'll be more prepared." At least locally, the Bulls were a pleasure to watch, too. They ranked second in home attendance in the league and had 19 sellouts, 11 in a row to close the regular season. "We had a bunch of rookies and young guys who started 0-9 and turned it around," Duhon said. "To finish the season with the third-best record in the Eastern Conference is an amazing accomplishment. "We did it as a team. Everybody knew their role and stepped up. It was a lot of fun to play with this group." Tyson Chandler Points/game: 8.0 Rebounds/game: 9.7 Final grade: B Comment: Team leader in rebounds and blocked shots. Primary reason the team ranked No. 1 in opponent field-goal percentage. Still needs to improve physical strength, post-up game and on-court maturity, but his heart is in right place. Eddy Curry Points/game: 16.1 Rebounds/game: 5.4 Final grade: B Comment: Showed improvement in first half, but heart problem cut short his season. Most effective post-up threat on team, especially early in games. Lack of instincts and stamina remain concern. Heart exams will determine value in free-agent market. Antonio Davis Points/game: 7.0 Rebounds/game: 5.9 Final grade: B- Comment: At 36, veteran made contributions in areas of leadership, rebounding and team defense. Forced to play heavy minutes in playoffs, but he held his own. Could still be effective in lesser role off bench next season. Luol Deng Points/game: 11.7 Rebounds/game: 5.3 Final grade: B- Comment: Had solid rookie season before wrist surgery. Midrange game was pleasant surprise, but 3-point shot remained work in progress. Needs to improve upper-body strength and get to free-throw line more often. Chris Duhon Points/game: 5.9 Assists/game: 4.9 Final grade: B- Comment: Excelled as defender and ball distributor. Assists-to-turnovers ratio was best on team. Not known for offense, but rookie improved as distance shooter as season progressed. Showed grit in playoffs, when he played with bulging disc. Lawrence Funderburke Points/game: 4.5 Rebounds/game: 1.5 Final grade: incomplete Comment: Late-season addition played in just seven games. Despite considerable rust after two-year layoff, veteran provided size and experience to front line. Dedicated summer regimen could make him candidate for 15-man roster next season. Ben Gordon Points/game: 15.1 Rebounds/game: 2.0 Final grade: B Comment: NBA Sixth Man of Year Award winner made more big shots than any other player on team. Lack of focus often led to lapses at defensive end and reduced time. Has potential to become dominant scorer. Will get hard look as lead guard next season. Adrian Griffin Points/game: 2.2 Rebounds/game: 2.1 Final grade: C Comment: Despite limited role, veteran was among most respected players on team. His leadership hastened development of younger teammates. Knee problem limited his offensive production. Underrated defender and "O" rebounder. Othella Harrington Points/game: 8.0 Rebounds/game: 4.2 Final grade: C+ Comment: Bailed out team as emergency starter several times. Did best work at offensive end. Displayed excellent touch for big man, but wasn't featured in offense. Could defend and rebound better for someone his size. Kirk Hinrich Points/game: 15.7 Assists/game: 6.4 Final grade: B+ Comment: Most dependable all-around player on squad. Led team in seven key statistical categories. Smarts and instincts negate lack of athleticism. Needs to improve as penetrator and distance shooter, but he brings it every night. Andres Nocioni Points/game: 8.4 Rebounds/game: 4.8 Final grade: B- Comment: Hyperaggressive defender-rebounder whose no-autopsy-no-foul approach annoyed opponents to no end. "O" game was more consistent as season progressed . Settled into comfort zone as starter late in season. Jannero Pargo Points/game: 6.4 Assists/game: 2.4 Final grade: C Comment: Possesses talent of off guard, size of point guard. Could shoot team into a game — or out of it. Defensive liability who had to score to be effective. Free agent figures to get offers this summer. Have gun, will travel . Eric Piatkowski Points/game: 4.8 Assists/game: 0.8 Final grade: C Comment: Accomplished 3-point specialist who didn't get enough opportunities to do his thing. Provided much-needed size to backcourt, but his lack of athleticism precluded any extended time there. Team guy who was plus in locker room. Jared Reiner Points/game: 1.1 Rebounds/game: 2.0 Final grade: incomplete Comment: Pulled off rare trifecta for undrafted free agent: regular-season roster spot, postseason roster spot and playoff share. Still raw, but has size and smarts to reclaim place on 15-man squad next season. Frank Williams Points/game: 0.7 Assists/game: 1.2 Final grade: F Comment: Throw-in in Jamal Crawford deal played in just nine games. Was very available prior to trade deadline, but there were no takers. Former Illinois star may have made his last NBA stop. Scott Skiles Wins: 47 Losses: 35 Final grade: A Comment: Tough-love approach was made to order for predominantly young team that bought into his "D"-minded (as in defense and discipline) concepts. The question is, will it still work a few years from now? Upper management will have to answer soon. John Paxson Draft picks: Gordon, Duhon. Acquisitions: Deng, Funderburke, Griffin, Harrington, Nocioni, Piatkowski , Reiner, Williams. Final grade: A- Comment: In two short years, he built perennial loser into Eastern Conference contender. Except for aborted Scottie Pippen deal and failure to add size to backcourt, he made virtually all right moves. --

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