C Blizzy

Now that Robinson has become a valuable contributor, it's only logical to wonder if he could add another dimension to his game. The question is where Robinson would end up if he tried attacking the basket 10 times a game - the free throw line or the injured list?

"Injured list," Robinson said with a laugh. "I catch-and-shoot so good, there's really no need for me to attack the basket. Only on fastbreaks, 2-on-1s, things like that."

Scott Skiles seems to be satisfied with ERob's approach to the game as well: "When you can shoot on anyone and they can never block your shot and make 50 percent of them, I guess that's probably what I would do," Skiles said. "I don't even know how that feels, but it must feel great to know that you can just take a dribble, jump up over everybody and put it in. If he started going to the hole, that would be great. But I don't envision that for him. He's a one- or two-dribble guy who, if he gets going too much, that could be trouble."

Right now Robinson's the only offense the Bulls have coming off the bench. Fizer finally had a productive game offensively, but its just one game. And the Bulls still don't have a decent backup for either Hinrich or Crawford.

At least this season has seen a number of roles defined which should make it easier for management to take more of a rifle shot apprach to adding players over the summer. Reports are that Paxson took the names of Hinrich, Curry and Chandler off the trade table this month. And Robinson seems to be doing a nice job of providing a spark off the bench. Are these the guys management will build around? While no one should be considered untouchable on a 16-40 team, it seems those four names are as good a place as any to start if you're going to reconstruct a team. For now, I'm just glad Robinson's finally making a positive contribution.

InPaxWeTrust

I certainly like the progress ERob has made. I do want him to stay here now and I think he will. As for Tyson and Eddy I still will be real shocked if both are still here by opening day in the 04-05 season. I think one of them will be moved along with our draft pick for a stud SG/SF. Chandler is my guess as to the one that will be traded.

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Krazy!!!

Robinson's had TOO many forgettable moments during his (almost) 3 years with the Bulls for me to once again get back on the bandwagon.

While it's good that Robinson's playing better (it's about freakin' TIME I might add)....because he lacks the physical durability to take it more to the hole (memo to Eddie: Lift some freakin' weights so that you CAN take more punishment as well as minimize the injuries) he, to me is more of a complimentary player (provided that Eddy Curry's lightbulb ever flashes in blinding fashion as opposed to the "off and on but mostly a flicker" lightbulb that goes on in Eddy's head) and therefore SHOULD have his contract restructured (but I doubt that will ever happen).

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ace20004u

E-Rob is playing very well right now and I think it is time the Bulls went ahead and tried him in a starters role. Maybe it is just me but I cannot STAND having JYD starting at the sf spot. I was one of the people who was really excited about the E-Rob signing. He looked great in Charlotte, especially during the playoffs and he has the 5th highest vertical leap in the NBA as well as being an atheletic freak. The sky really was the limit for him when he came to the Bulls. Unfortunately, I have cooled on Robinson because he simply doesn't work hard enough or have the mental toughness required to step his game up to the next level. Still, he IS the teams only small forward and he is playing well enough to beat JYD out for the starting sf spot easily.

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Fletch

truebluefan

Looks like Skiles and his staff has Eddie pointed in the right direction! About time!!

MikeDC

I don't want ERob starting because then who scores off the bench?

JYD would be tolerable at the 3 if our guy at the 4 was someone like Toni Kukoc like skills that allowed him to pass and shoot like a 3.

The best guy I've seen to pair up JYD with would seem to be Fizer. OK, actually I'd prefer Donyell Marshall, but let's not get into that. . Fizer's a black hole, but at least he's got some range on his shot and can do some things on offense. For our second team, I'd actually like to see how a lineup of Chandler, Fizer, JYD, ERob, and Crawford or Hinrich would do in the late 1st and early second quarters. You've only got one guy out there that can reliably hit the 3, but you're at least getting a couple weapons in ERob and Fizer.

Curry and Davis, Gill/JYD (matchup dependent), Crawford, and Hinrich are your starters.

Second team is Chandler, Fizer, Gill/JYD (again, depending on the starting matchup), ERob, and Crawford/Hinrich (whoever looks less tired at the moment... eventually you need to give one a break and play Brunson though ).

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Squirrel

Erob is finally playing well, so you just know he's going to get injured any day now.

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ace20004u

My solution would simply be to leave 2 out of the three shooting scorers (Hinrich, Crawford, & E-Rob) in the game at all times and work out a rotation that allows them to be rested one at a time. Just because we don't have any "scoring off of the benc" it doesn't mean we can't play a smart game and keep scorers on the floor at all times.

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Fletch

truebluefan

http://www.suntimes.com/output/bulls...t-bull252.html

"He's comfortable with his game right now,'' Skiles said.

Robinson credits Skiles' system, which reminds him of the way he was utilized in Charlotte.

"We set a lot of screens, so I'm able to come off and look for my shot,'' Robinson said.

Robinson is one of the best mid-range shooters in the league, and one of the reasons is his ability to elevate.

Eddie Robinson has been turning up his game recently. Here are his averages this month and in his last 15 games:
Min. Pts. FG%
February (8 games) 29.4 11.4 .562
Last 15 games 26.9 10.8 .521

Benny the Bull

ERob has been good lately, but lets see if it can continue. I have fallen into the trap before believing ERob would give us something productive, then he suddenly disappears.

The one thing Skiles can have some credit for is realising ERob's strengths, and taking advantage of the them. He is contributing more because of this.

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superdave

Yeah eRob has been playing well. Skiles assessment of him however is spot on. He will always be a catch-n-shoot or 1/2 dribble guy. He is only as productive as the quality of passes to him or screens around him.

I like him as a backup 2/3 for the next two seasons provided he can stay healthy. His length and fast recovery on defense make him a good role guy off the bench.

Eddie just hit a trey the other night. Can he become a 3 point shooter somehow?

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Re: Preseason summary
Nice to see superdave! is still lurking around these parts, if only occasionally. Could PCLoadLetter or transplant be next??
yodurk <10/28/09>

TomBoerwinkle#1

Same quotes, but here's a link to Roman's article today in the Sun-Times

Right Under Bulls' Noses

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Showtyme

By the way, his lack of desire to drive to the basket is fine by me. He has some of the ugliest handles for a guy with such long arms.

I'm glad his jumper has snuck out of Berto and onto the court. A lot of people on this board were complaining about the disgusting form on his shot and how they were all bricking... maybe that actually had to do with the fact that he WAS really injured those times he was on the IR, and maybe we're getting a look at an ERob who gets consistent PT and is fully healthy. It IS great to have strong mid-range game; can he do it next season, when (hopefully) it will matter?

If he can, I'm okay with him starting and drafting Deng or Iguodala to be the scoring punch on the bench.

By the way, JYD isn't a horrible scorer himself. He gets scrappy baskets, and takes a decent jump shot once in a while. 46% from the field and 7.5 ppg confirms that. He's good enough to offer some degree of bench scoring.

In general, we need more bench scoring, and I'd like to see Dupree step up more into that role. His FG% is down because he's playing a lot of garbage minutes, like when he took 8 shots in 7 minutes played in Seattle earlier this month. He's a very decent, athletic guy that can hold down the fort defensively and has good basketball skills.

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dsouljah9

I'll say this now: If E-Rob works on his handles, puts on weight and drives to the hole once in a while, he could easily score 15-20 points a night.

spongyfungy

I think so. He still has room to improve his game. It's come to a point, everytime he stops and pops, I expect it to go in, exact opposite feeling when Dupree shoots. *shudders*

I know we get on him about his love of technology and Best Buy shopping sprees but come on he can shoot!I really like Erob and Skiles has commented how well he has improved on D. I wince every time he dives for a ball since he's so fragile. Erob, even though Vince lost the ball, still played good D on him in that win. Just shows Skiles thinks highly enough of him on D to put him in the closing seconds and defend their go-to guy in a close game. Erob, I can tell, is very happy here now. He has said that he was lost in the triangle offense, where he would just stand there in a stagnant offense. Finally an offense is implemented where a team can use a player's strength. He is nothing but a plus and a good component to this Bulls team.

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