Ben 21 Free Throw Attempts

Let's hope they all learn if you take it to the basket, you'll get to the free throw line and make the rest of your game better.

I saw it when NBA Coast-to-Coast peeked in. He tried to go up and dunk it against Krstic, getting blocked, but running back on D.

It's not normally a play that anyone would be proud of, but I was really feeling good about it. Gordon stayed really aggressive, had the opening, and if he had a bit more athleticism, could have really thrown down on Nenad. Of course, Krstic was having a very strong game on both ends of the floor at that point, it seemed, but 6-2 Gordon going up against 7-0 Krstic for a dunk... one of these days, one of those tries will go down.

I was glad to see it. Gordon getting aggressive, trying to dunk, and boldly when the game was not yet decided... it was a ballsy move and although I'd like to have seen him go up with more confidence and athleticism to actually throw down, it's good to know that he's got it in him to try.

If you play like that, the FT's are bound to come.

I'm glad to see 21 FTA's, but how many were from intentional fouls?

FanOfAll8472 said:

I'm glad to see 21 FTA's, but how many were from intentional fouls?

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8. but he made them :tongue: also another struggle.

i guess the main point is that he kept driving to the basket and didn't just settle for jumpers.

Showtyme, they showed that dunk live on ESPN? ouch.

Well its about time!!! Ben finally decided it was a good idea to drive the ball to the basket and shoot free throws! I'm sooooooooo happy he did.He"should of BEN could of BEN"doing that along time ago.I always thought that was part of his game he just got so far away from it and relied on jumpers all season." KNOW YOUR ROOTS " :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

Hopefully it's a sign of things to come.
When his jumper isn't there, resort to the foul line to get the groove going.

step said:

Hopefully it's a sign of things to come.
When his jumper isn't there, resort to the foul line to get the groove going.

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This might not be the most important game of the year (that would probably be the last two Philly games), but every game from here on out is extremely important. What a huge win, and what a great performance by Kirk, Ben, and Nocioni.

Now, will he do it in the playoffs when he's getting knocked on his arse?

The FTs were awesome, but what we should really be talking about is his bank-shot three! :biggrin:

I think Gordon has been pretty agressive all season long. Just most of his drives end in "blocked shots" with him thrown to the floor in the process (e.g. he gets fouled but no calls a lot). The latter ends up being turnovers, so if he can't get the calls, he's forced to play more outside (where he's also terrific)

DaBullz said:

I think Gordon has been pretty agressive all season long. Just most of his drives end in "blocked shots" with him thrown to the floor in the process (e.g. he gets fouled but no calls a lot). The latter ends up being turnovers, so if he can't get the calls, he's forced to play more outside (where he's also terrific)

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That's unfortunate, I think Ben may have finally seen some justice served last night because Krstic isn't Shaq or one of the other big guys in the league who can get away with those "blocks."

Krstic's block on his dunk attempt was clean, but like Showtyme said, Ben didn't beg for no whistle, got up, and stuck with the ensuing defensive play. He also never stopped driving after this despite a couple of hard falls.

I am really, really happy with the way he played.

But I'll only stay happy if he keeps doing it. He doesn't need to be that successful every night, and he won't be. But the mindset and the aggression was correct, and the execution wasn't half bad neither despite a couple of early missed runners.

ShamBulls said:

execution

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Funny you used that word, this is what Norm van Lier was harping on about last night after the game. No one ever questions the team's effort, but he said that was just the bare minimum, to give the best effort. It's the execution that seems to never be there (and thus pisses us off), and last night was a rare exception.

Skiles put it best--"Played a good game from start to finish."

I think if the Bulls shift their focus to driving inside more often, they would be surprised with the results, and they might also be surprised to see a little spike in their FTA. We don't have a true big man? So what, Ben showed last night that it can be done without, and against one of the best teams in the NBA too.

Good times, good times. Let's hope they don't decide that today is the day they need to relax.