Tuesday, April 12th, 2011 at 9:00 am  |  225 responses

Danny Granger: Bulls Easier to Beat Than Celtics


by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

The Playoff picture in the Eastern Conference was firmed up last night, and now teams can start slinging verbal arrows at one another before the real battles begin.

Danny Granger’s Pacers will face Chicago in the first round, the conference’s best team, led by the League MVP. According to Granger, though, the Bulls aren’t the toughest opponent for the upstart Pacers to face.

ESPN has the bulletin-board material:

For those of you who may have missed it, asked if he’d rather face the Celtics or the Bulls in the first round, Granger chose the Bulls. “Boston’s a different monster,” he said. “They don’t have the best record in the East, but they won championships; they know how to do it. They have four, five guys you have to worry about.

“Chicago, they go as Derrick Rose goes. If you make a concerted effort to stop Derrick Rose, you have a better chance of beating them.”

To be fair to Danny Granger, a lot of people feel the same way he does. Boston has been there plenty of times, and they are former champs. All Chicago’s done so far is have an extraordinary regular season.

Of course, the Bulls probably don’t need the added fuel to beat Indiana, but you can be sure that Granger’s quotes will be on their minds once the series begins.

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  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    bull22 i know this is useless because your 92% Troll (no offense, just facts) but you know everytime when you say back to basketball well how bout that instead of just laughing on your keyboard all the time while telling people to “Shatdup”?<

  • bull22

    @enigmatic no subliminals, you knew it was meant for you because i was specific as to who it was… i knew you had good memory retention.. i guess cursing makes you feel good, don’t it… lol, you guys are a work of art… hahahahaha anyways go back to your little groups afternoon jockstrap holding session.. hahahahahahahha peace out..

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    bull’s gotten his ADHD attention for the day lets leave him alone now..

  • http://www.slamonline.com nbk

    Lakeshow, I think Westbrook would be a better SG then Rose. As I think that’s his more natural position, and if he could shoot consistently, would be more effective at. Because of his speed and length, he can guard the 2, while being a huge unguardable mismatch on the other end because of his speed and quickness. I just can’t see him developing the kind of game that makes a truly great PG….which is what I think Rose is going to be. but I respect where your comin from.

  • http://slamonline.com AllBall

    Jtaylor, off topic, what was that YouTube channel that shows classic games? I am looking through Wiltatkansas now, but I want to watch others too.

  • http://nobulljive.com Enigmatic

    LOL I ain’t never been called a “work of art” before.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    I think to play the point guard position really well you have to develop a feel for teh game and your team that goes beyond skill development.
    It’s why it’s so hard to become an offensively dominant big man late in life. Sure, you can get a jump shot, or even a jump hook, but it’s all the little nuances of how to move and react that make players really great.
    If Westbrook and Rose continue to develop at the same pace, Westbrook would never catch Rose because would always have a built in headstart from playing the position longer.
    However, if Westbrook jumps ahead by developing his mental game faster, with his already great defense, he could surpass Rose.
    Basically, Rose and Westbrook have equal raw talent. Rose has a head start on developing it, and he’s still working super hard to get even better. Westbrook is working hard too, but he has a head start to overcome.

  • bull22

    @lakeshow, not offended in the slightest.. just making sure other users know not to be intimidated by any of you clowns… especially one like you who apparently likes telling others when to put their drawers on….. hahahahahahahhahahhahahhahahhahahha

  • JTaylor21

    AllBall, try tjhunt76.
    NBK maybe you’re right but for someone that claims to have played the position for 20 yrs to criticize a player that never played PG in college and just started playing point in the pros makes no sense at all. Of course Rose is the better PG because he had the benefit of playing the position longer, so can we at least wait until Westbrook’s 6th or 7th season before label his attempt to master the position a failure?

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Why would somebody be intimidated about sharing their opinion?
    It’s a random internet board. Nobody can stop you from posting. Anybody who would be intimidated about posting has some confidence issues.
    But, I do wish people would post more things of substance instead of random rants and taunts. I don’t care if people take crazy positions as long as they do a good job of backing them up. But, again, I don’t have any control over who posts, and I’m pretty sure people can write what they please for the most part.

  • http://slamoonline.com zoom

    I agree with NBK regarding Wall. I honestly feel that in two seasons, barring injury and after adding strength, John Wall will the the best pg in the league. If he works on every aspect of his game the way Rose has done, he will be hands down the best pg. His athleticism is dramatically underrated due to his injuries. It’s pretty obvious he hasn’t fully recovered all season. There’s no guard in the league faster than him. Only Rose can match him in this department. Anyone who has been watching this kid since at least his senior year in hs will agree. Wall is going to be scary in the years to come.

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    Yeah Rose has a head start, it will be a blast to watch them both improve from here on out. I feel that from a physical stand point Westbrook could someday out do what Rose can overall. Like how Lebron is a more complete player than Kobe, but i still think Kobe is better. Same thing here. Both amazing, love em both, and i’ll stick to saying Westbrook will someday be as good or better and we’ll check back in a couple years lol(i could very well be wrong) Either way fun times in the league for us PG aficionados!! I like John Wall in the debate in a few years also.

  • http://www.slamonline.com nbk

    JTaylor the only reason I brought up the position and how Rose is superior is because Mars I believe it was, kept putting up raw stats to show that Rose is not much better or better then Westbrook. That’s the only reason I even started talking about Westbrook not knowing the position. When its all said and done, no matter what position Westbrook plays I’m positive he will know more about the game then me, but right now, as a person older than him, whose been playing/studying the sport and position a lot longer I’m very comfortable saying I know more about it then he does. And I am not at all labeling anything he does as a failure come on, I said he’s got top 10 talent, and is already a very good player. Rose is on pace to be one of the greatest PG’s ever, Westbrook is still trying to figure out the position, which is fine.

  • http://dude Chukaz

    Danny Granger doesn’t watch basketball. Maybe the bulls only go as far as Rose can take em, but the Celtics went from having 4 of those guys to none. Its like all of the Celtic’s big 3 were aging well and Rondo was getting better everyday, then all of a sudden the Celtics’ big 3 couldn’t stop or score on anybody and Rondo regressed to being the weakest link on his team.

  • http://www.slamonline.com nbk

    how many of ya’ll are on twitter?

  • http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/27304/the-truehoop-networks-award-picks nbk

    TrueHoop has Dwight winning MVP. — click the name

  • JTaylor21

    What’s a twitter? Sounds like a bird.

  • http://nobulljive.com Enigmatic

    Should I take a page out of Eboy’s book and apologize to everyone I’ve ever cyber bullied?
    Whatever.
    Anyways, Wall’s gonne be nice as hell. I think him and Rose will be battling it out for the top PG spot for years to come.
    Nbk, I’m on there but not as often as I’d like cause it’s blocked here at work.
    I basically just get to go on there on the weekends, and when I get home from work…which is like 10 PM and eastern time.
    I mostly enjoy reading BC take on crazed Heat fans on there though, LOL

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    Also do we know who is truly the FASTEST? I mean i have no idea who is between Wall,Rose,Westbrook. Who else is in the discussion, anyone?

  • http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/27304/the-truehoop-networks-award-picks nbk

    I was just asking because its the quickest way to find info other then a search engine, so if people are wondering where to find the best NBA articles and stuff, you should just get a twitter and follow a bunch of journalists.

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    Whoa whoa whoa…. NBK just read that page. Kobe 2nd team NBA… List is bunk IMO. I mean I love Wade but common.

  • http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/27304/the-truehoop-networks-award-picks nbk

    Darren Collison is the fastest player in the league IMO

  • http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/27304/the-truehoop-networks-award-picks nbk

    Am now following BC on twitter, and i’m already laughin, “I wonder if Dr. Jack Ramsay has been spending too much time with Mr. Jack Daniels? Manu for MVP?!” – via twitter

  • http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/27304/the-truehoop-networks-award-picks nbk

    Well honestly one or the other (Kobe or Wade) has to be second team. And Wade has been better in every conceivable way statistically, advanced statistically, and the Heat have more wins.

  • http://nobulljive.com Enigmatic

    One time BC said something about how someone besides Haslem’s mom should be proud of him, and this crazy Heat fan was like “you f*ckin’ asshole! You’re making fun of Haslem’s dead mom!”
    Then chaos ensued
    LMAO
    No disrespect to the dead, but come on now, only Heat fans know Haslem’s mom passed.

  • http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/27304/the-truehoop-networks-award-picks nbk

    lmao, right.

  • http://www.twitter.com/nflem41 Nicolas Fleming

    Devin Harris is still mighty fast. LeBron is stupid fast. Foot race and I’m still going with Speedy Claxton. It’s a rule.

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    Really wow i wouldn’t have thought Darren was but i have see him play twice ever lol. few highlights here and there. Is Barbosa up there at all do you think? dude is fast!

  • HAMMER

    Telfair was pretty fast n his portland days. Don’t know if he still is. Mayb t-wolve fans can answer that. Is he still w/t-wolves? I have no idea

  • http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/27304/the-truehoop-networks-award-picks nbk

    I think Barbosa was up there a couple years ago with TJ Ford. But time is like that d*ckhead boss who lets you remember what you made before the economy took a dump, but won’t actually pay you your money. Barbosa wants to be the fastest, still thinks he’s faster then everyone, even remembers it, but its been a couple years since the “beep beep” barbosa that made phoenix fans stupid happy. Collison’s parents were both sprinters or something like that, his mom even in the olympics if i’m not mistaken. he got that speed gene

  • ClydeSays

    Granger is right in theory. But Rose isn’t exactly easy to stop.

    As far as the speediest, Rondo is right up there…

  • http://slamoonline.com zoom

    I’m gonna say a healthy Wall, but Monta Ellis is no slouch either. In no order I’d say Rose, Lebron, Westbrook. I’m most impressed by Bron out of all of them tho.

  • MLK4Life

    I’d argue that it’s easier to stop the Celtics. Stop Rondo and the Celtics go nowhere. It’s a lot easier to stop Rondo because he can’t shoot. With the way they’ve been playing, Rondo has been stopping himself. It seems like their toughness is gone with Perkins being in Oklahoma City.

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    I loved Barbosa back in the 6th man of the year award days. Did he ever get that award he should have, he was sick off the bench. What about Nate Robb? Don’t you think he’s gotta be up there in the speedy mofo’s category?

  • http://www.bulls.com Enigmatic

    Whoa.
    The people who comment on Yahoo Sports have gotta be the dumbest commenters ever.
    One cat was on there trying to convince everyone Brandon Jennings is far and away better than Chris Paul.
    LMAO

  • http://slamonline.com SpaceJam

    im sure its all u lakers, celtics, knicks, and heat fans that are complaining about bulls fans. u p*ssys are hypocrites. but some of the NEW bulls fans kinda annoy me too……anyone who followed the bulls when Eddy Curry was “the guy” is a true Bulls fan.

  • http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

    Collison really has to shine this series and at least sort of keep up with Rose. The Pacers need that rookie-season 20 and 10 Darren Collison back, and they need the cold-blooded Danny Granger who doesn’t shoot 40% from the field, and they definitely need the Roy Hibbert who rebounds and can create his own shot.
    I think the Pacers will surprise some folks… Or they’ll get blown out. Either way they’ve got a pretty bright future.

  • http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/27304/the-truehoop-networks-award-picks nbk

    I tried to get into a few different websites commenting games, Dimes, Yahoo, ESPN, realgm, but none was as much of a logical community as Slam. Well I mean there are obviously still the illogical haters, overbiased sooper fans, trolls, and the like but there are more “regulars” here, who respect and consider opinions and are open to being wrong. That last thing, open to being wrong, was my big issue with the people here when I first started. But I was a hypocrit trying to start a bunch of drama just to pass the time rather then being completely logical and rational. So as i’ve noticed people willing to re-examine their own opinion i’ve come to only comment here.

  • http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

    Oh, and Granger is right.

  • http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

    Man, I’ll say this again but the Hornets had a great f*cking draft in ’09–getting both Marcus Thornton AND Collison. How did they manage to get rid of both with pretty much nothing in return besides Carl Landry?

  • http://slamonline.com datkid

    I’m gonna say …wall, westbrook,monta/devin harris,rose,devin harris maybe. idk though. i could be wrong

  • http://slamonline.com datkid

    and of course bron and d.wade there’s a reason they used to call wade flash back in 06.
    teddy brings up a good point..do the hornets hate chris paul? it’s not like the NO is a terrible place to be like cleaveland or detroit. why dont they get him some more help?

  • http://slamonline.com datkid

    also last year darren collison was lightning quick…LIGHTNING

  • http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/27304/the-truehoop-networks-award-picks nbk

    The first problem in NO is that David West is their second best player, and they like it that way. When your trying to build around 2 guys, and 1 of them is completely one dimensional (a scorer from the 4, not really good at anything else) then your handicapping your team. Plus its New Orleans, no free agent wants to play in New Orleans.

  • http://nobulljive.com Enigmatic

    I just read Chris Paul might be open to playing in Charlotte for MJ.
    Intriguing…

  • http://nobulljive.com Enigmatic

    Regardless of who wins tonight in MSG, it’s a shame we won’t get to watch the Bulls vs. Knicks with both squads at full strength this season.
    Unless the Knicks make it to the Eastern Confrence fi..BWAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHA!
    Nevermind…

  • rich

    chris wont go to charlotte if you bound and gagged him, he is driven by winning he gets up at 430 every morning to train. guys like that dont sign with bad teams just because its close to home and the guy who he signed a shoe deal with is there. he will go to a contender even if it meant a five dollar salary

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Damn that is a damning statement by Teddy. That is sad.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Why do no free agents want to play in new orleans? Who says that?

  • http://Slamonline.com Nbk

    Rich knows chris paul? What’s he like for breakfast?

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