Keep an eye on this guy... AP: Rookie Hinrich passes Bulls past Celtics By RICK GANO, AP Sports Writer February 12, 2004 http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap;_...k1ODYxOTQ4BHNlYwN0aA--?gid=2004021204&prov=ap CHICAGO (AP) -- Kirk Hinrich either got a wide open shot or found someone with a better one, and often it was Jamal Crawford. Chicago's young backcourt clicked as well as it has all season Thursday night and the Bulls routed the Boston Celtics 107-87 in the teams' final game before the All-Star break. ``We fed off each other,'' Crawford said after scoring 27 points and playing stellar defense on All-Star Paul Pierce, helping hold him to four points, matching a season low. ``Kirk had it going. I just tried to play off him. We had it going together. I think it opened up stuff for everybody else.'' Hinrich set a season high with 14 assists and matched a best with 23 points as the Bulls rolled to their most lopsided win of the season, hours after Jerome Williams criticized some teammates for not knowing the plays or where to go on the floor. But wherever the Bulls went Thursday night, they seemed to be open. Hinrich made six 3s, Crawford had four, and Chicago finished 11-of-23 from long range. ``I wanted to have a good game, I wasn't happy with the way I played last game,'' said Hinrich, who had two points Tuesday night against the Pacers. ``Everyone took it upon themselves to do their jobs.'' Pierce shot just 1-of-6 as Boston fell to 1-7 under interim coach John Carroll. Chris Mihm led the Celtics with 14 points. ``The had a great game plan against me. They limited my touches,'' Pierce said. ``It wasn't my shooting. I just didn't touch the ball a lot. They did a good job and we didn't adjust.'' The Bulls had lost 13 of their previous 15 games, including seven of their previous eight, but for one night the Celtics made them well. ``We just didn't play the defense, man,'' Pierce said. Hinrich had 18 points in the first two quarters to spark Chicago's highest-scoring half of the season. The Bulls took a 61-46 lead behind Hinrich's 3-point shooting -- he hit five of six -- and his 11 assists. Chicago shot 55 percent in the opening half and played tough defense on Pierce, allowing him just three points on 1-of-5 shooting. Hinrich had three of his 3-pointers in the second quarter when the Bulls used a 19-6 run to build up a lead as large as 19 points and finished the pivotal period making 12 of 19 shots. After the Celtics cut the lead back to 11 early in the third, Crawford got wide open for a pair of 3-pointers and Hinrich punctuated a 23-7 run with hissixth 3-pointer, giving Chicago a 92-65 lead.
I really thought this guy was going to be another Roy Williams player with an average career. Looks like I might be wrong.
I wasn't sure what to think when he was drafted. I definitely though he was better than Dickau, but wasn't sure if he'd be better than T.J. He's surprising me. I like Crawford a lot as well. If he can play D and Hinrich can take care of PG duties, that's a fun, young backcourt to watch..
Even his shot was off the other night against Indiana, he dished out 11 assists. I have watched this guy for 5 years (4 in college) and knew he is a baller when he outplayed Jason Williams in the NCAA tourney as a frosh. He has a beautiful outside shot, plays tough D, has a sick cross-over dribble, and knows how to distribute the ball. There was a reason that he was considered by many NBA scouts as the 2rd best guard after Jay Who(?) two years ago, and Larry Brown also said about two years ago that Kirk would have the best NBA career among the great jayhawk class of 98 (Gooden and Collison as the other two). Roy Williams's focus on the inside really was not able to showcase all his skills during college (according to an interview he did with LJW) and NBA teams were surprised at his overall skills and athletism in the workout. BTW, Roy Williams did coach a star NBA player in PP.
BTW, I have said again and again that he reminds me of a more athletic Nash. I would not mind trading SF for him + Eddy Curry. There are only a few guys that I will trade SF for. Harry Porter is one of them. No Tyson Chandler for me. That guy sucks.
good thing i picked him up for my fantasy team about a month ago before he really took off. making the loss of arenas less painful.
As a Bulls fan, I can say that I wish we drafted Francis instead of Elton Brand in 1999. Although I guess he could've forced a trade from Chicago as well. But now....would I trade one of the baby bulls for Francis? We're so desperate for star power I guess i'd consider it. I think Hinrich and Francis would be a pretty good backcourt, with Francis scoring and Hinrich doing the ballhandling and defending. The first player I'd give up for Francis is probably Crawford, I'd have to think about the 2 7-footers. I wouldn't imagine the rockets wanting Eddy to play alongside Yao, Tyson would be a better fit. So tyson, jamal and a one of our bad contracts(e-rob?) for stevie? hmm...as good as francis is its hard to think of parting with a 20 year old 7-footer for him. Anyway, I just stumbled upon ClutchFans and i'm totally impressed. If any of you want to check out my Bulls site, its at http://bulls.blogspot.com (i apologize in advance if cheap plugs are looked down upon).
Welcome aboard bulls blogger. IIRC Francis forced the trade because he *wants* to play point. Not that he knows how.
Did it have anything to do with Canada? He said he wouldn't play for Vancouver (because he wanted to play point) and told them not to draft him because he would not play there. Oddly enough it seems the Grizzlies felt the same way...
