Chicago Bulls Thread

[Andrew]

I think it's obvious what needs to happen. There needs to be as many Bulls games shown on Foxtel as possible. Obviously that will cut down on the diversity of matchups shown but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. That's just the kind of guy I am.

[Matt]

hmmm.....so what happens if Chicago's perfect foxtel record goes up against Detroit's perfect record?

scrap that thought....we lost to the Wiz

[maes]

On the Gasol rumors...i'm reading this from both the chicago trib and other news:

"Los Angeles Times -
A report from the Los Angeles Times says the Grizzlies have dropped the price of Pau Gasol as the franchise looks to trim payroll instead of find equal value for the player.

The Grizzlies reportedly asked Chicago for Ben Gordon, Luol Deng and the Knicks' No. 1 pick, which the Bulls own. Now Memphis is down to Deng or Gordon plus another young player such as Thabo Sefolosha, P.J. Brown's expiring contract and a 2009 first-rounder."

Would you rather keep Deng or Gordon? I would think Gordon...but Deng seems like he's getting better every year and could eventually fill Gordon's SG spot.

[3P]

I say trade Gordon over Deng, Gasol's passing abilities would be a good combo with Deng. Also the Bulls are a bit overloaded with small guards like Gordon.

Is it worth it to get Gasol? He is a solid 2nd option but do the Bulls have anyone who really is the 1st option? Can the Bulls win with no dominate player, but a group of good players?

Dispite that it could work well for the Bulls, Wallace and Gasol would dominate the boards. Also Gasol would help spread there offense and make others better.

[Andrew]

Would you rather keep Deng or Gordon? I would think Gordon...but Deng seems like he's getting better every year and could eventually fill Gordon's SG spot.

I'd still rather the Bulls gave up neither for Gasol but if I had to choose, I'd keep Gordon. As much as I like Deng, the way he's playing and the potential he may still fulfil I don't think the Bulls should strengthen their frontcourt at the expense of the backcourt. Gordon is starting to emerge as an explosive scorer and has already developed a habit of strong fourth quarter performances in his short career.

I'm still surprised and somewhat disappointed Pax is even considering rolling the dice on this one (especially when dealing with a shrewd GM like Jerry West). It seems like he's giving up on the squad too quickly and looking to make a fairly big gamble, which are hallmarks of his predecessor and did the Bulls no favours earlier this decade. I realise that trading for Gasol isn't the same as trading Brand for Chandler but all the same I still don't like the deal.

But, if a deal must be done then I think Deng should be the player going the other way. Gordon's already having the finest season of his brief NBA career and I think he'd benefit more from playing with Gasol than Deng would.

[Dan's Brain]

if thabo's going to be included in the deal, then you sort of have to keep Gordon. Otherwise you're down to Hinrich and Duhon in the back court with noone else.

[beau_boy04]

Iwill wait and see who they get next season thru the Nba Draft.

I'd keep the Chicago Bulls core intact. With much experience and playing together, they would eventually mature enough and become what the Detroit Pistons became - bunch of good players, no evident superstar.

I envision this to happen by next year.

1.B Gordon - to become a 45/40/90 and a consistent 20 ppg, improved defense

2.L Deng - a 20/9/3/1 and great cornerstone for this franchise, no a flashy player but very fundamental ala Duncan.

3.K Hinrich - defensive stopper and continue to improve his passing abilities.

4. Nocioni - become what Ginobili is for the Spurs

5. ? Nba Draftee (praying)

[R.J.]

Nocioni ain't gonna get $7 mil. I'd say $5-6 mil.

[Andrew]

if thabo's going to be included in the deal, then you sort of have to keep Gordon. Otherwise you're down to Hinrich and Duhon in the back court with noone else.

No question. And although Adrian Griffin has his moments with his tough hustle and the occasional basket here and there, I don't relish the thought of him playing significant minutes as a reserve. And as much as I'd like the Bulls to keep Thabo around, I'd much rather they give him up than Gordon.

Of course I'd still rather they forgot the whole thing. Yes, the road record is a concern as is the lack of a low post scorer but compared to this point last season they are a much better team, with a couple of players in Gordon and Deng who have shown they can consistently rack up points when needed.

This is a young team that's already had a small measure of success and has improved over last year. Taking a gamble on a player who, while being an All-Star level talent has yet to win a playoff game (on a team that should have stolen at least one or two games in their last couple of playoff appearances) and has at least a couple of question marks surrounding his health, seems like an impatient move to me. Rolling the dice like this seems like a move Krause would make and so far, Paxson has done a great job of doing what Krause couldn't in the post championship era and avoiding doing the things that he did.

[Dan's Brain]

Rolling the dice like this seems like a move Krause would make and so far, Paxson has done a great job of doing what Krause couldn't in the post championship era and avoiding doing the things that he did.

Ow! My head.

Nah, you are absolutely right. The Bulls always finish the season better than they start it. And i think they can still push beyond the first round at least, with the team they have.

But we do have a guaranteed win tomorrow over the Kings, assuming the foxtel guide is still accurate, and it might let Pax look a little bit closer at Shareef.

[Andrew]

Every listing except the Foxtel magazine (which didn't list it to begin with) still says Bulls/Kings and it's the only game that tips off at that time so there's no worries there.

[Martti.]

If they trade Deng, Gordon and Knicks pick, Memphis will surely benefit from this. Deng and Gordon combine 35-40 points. Deng could grab about 7-9 rebounds.. Gasol is a 25 pts and 10 reb guy. Also Knicks pick will include a free pass to Durant or Noah probably.. So Memphis :

C- Swift
PF- Deng
SF - Miller
SG - Gordon
PG - Stoudemire

Plus :
Memphis Pick Guy. (TOP 5) - Probably if Oden, a starter.
NY Pick Guy. (TOP 10)
Gay, Warrick, improving A. Johnson, Dahntay Jones.


A lot of depth..

Chicago's nearest pick will be their own second rounder.. Unless their scout founds a Ginobili/Redd type of guy, next season looks not so bright.. Ofcourse Hinrich-Gasol duo may work out. And Wallace and Nocioni next to them.. Plus the two rooks..

It will be interesting.. But I hope it wont happen.

[maes]

Well if Pax has any interest in trading both Gordon & Deng, i hope he's sane enough to offer that package for someone like Ray Allen.

Gordon & Deng would net the Bulls a lot of possible players, there's no need to take Gasol.

[Andrew]

Well, the Kings game was abysmal. I have to say I didn't care for Skiles' decision at the beginning of the fourth quarter. After getting back into the game with a strong run at the end of the third it would have made more sense to bring the starters back in, or at least Deng and Hinrich, to keep the momentum going and pull ahead. Instead, he rewarded the five players on the court at the end of the third and then let them stink it up for three and a half minutes before making a change.

[maes]

Kevin Martin is a Bulls killer.

[---]

How long has Tyrus Thomas been bald for? He looks so bundy right now

[Dan's Brain]

How long has Tyrus Thomas been bald for?

What bothers me the most is how much he looks like Marcus Fizer now (shudder)

[Andrew]

From RealGM:

The Bulls recent struggles on their Western Conference roadtrip may improve the chances of the team pulling the trigger on a deal for Memphis forward Pau Gasol, the Memphis Commercial Appeal is reporting.

Paxson's concerns about the Bulls' ability to contend in the Eastern Conference appear to be growing. The Bulls are 2-4 (including losses at Sacramento and Golden State) on the trip heading into a game today at Phoenix.

Conventional wisdom around the Bulls suggests that Paxson has given more thought than ever to making a major move before the Feb. 22 trade deadline.

A deal sure to send Gasol packing would include P.J. Brown, Luol Deng and Andres Nocioni.

Ben Gordon reportedly is off limits.

I'm still not completely sold on Gasol but as I said before if the Bulls must give up one of the top three young players in the core group, I'd rather it be Deng. Don't get me wrong, I like Deng and believe he could be a fantastic player but I think it would be foolish to upgrade the frontcourt at the expense of the backcourt. Gasol's presence would help Gordon more than it would help Deng and give them a more balanced attack. So while I'd be sorry to see those three players go, that's the best rumoured deal I've seen to date.

[Dan's Brain]

A deal sure to send Gasol packing would include P.J. Brown, Luol Deng and Andres Nocioni.

not the draft pick?? i knew that Noc had to come up sooner or later, his performance in the playoffs suggests that he would be an attractive option for trading.

[Andrew]

I guess Pax is still keen to hold onto it in the hope it will yield a top three pick.

[Dan's Brain]

figured it would be a deal-breaker for Memphis. I dont think the Griz would do it.

In any case, who gets the start for the Bulls if it was done? Griffin? Thabo? Khryapa? Or small ball with Duhon, Gordon, Hinrich?

I think that would fuck things up too much at this stage.

[Andrew]

At one point Warrick was rumoured to be coming the other way as well. Deng, Nocioni and Brown for Gasol and Warrick does work under the cap.

[Andrew]

Well, the seven game swing was a rough patch but at least it ended on a good note with a victory of the Suns. Funnily enough it was their largest margin of victory on the trip and it came against the one team they were most likely to lose to; go figure. Granted, Phoenix were without Nash and Diaw but a win's a win.

Next up is Toronto at the United Center. If they win, it'll be their 16th straight win over the Raptors.

[Dan's Brain]

take that win any day of the week. first win in phoenix in 11 years. Kirk, Ben and Deng went beserk.


and on the topic of bringing along Warrick: cool. very cool. but even less chance of Memphis doing the deal. Pau Gasol needs to do something stupid to speed along the process. Like punching a teammate or something.

[maes]

I think Gasol would be a huge impact for the Bulls but i think Paxson is too conservative to really go out & get him. As good as Paxson is at drafting, his trades have so far been iffy in retrospect.

Chandler for PJ/JR Smith; JR waived, we essentially lost Tyson/JR for nothing.
- Chandler: 7.8 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 1.8 bpg, 61% FG. Best year of his career.
- JR Smith: 15.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 39% 3PT. Best year of his career.

Curry for Tim Thomas (waived), Tyrus Thomas, and ?
- Curry: 19.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 58% FG, Best year of his career.
- Tim Thomas: 10.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 37% 3PT. Very serviceable bench player.

I understand Pax & Skiles want to build around a core of Gordon & Hinrich, but they've let a lot of quality big men leave. Is Gordon really a franchise level player like Dwayne Wade, Dirk, Iverson, or LeBron? Becuase he has to be if he's untouchable.