Chicago Bulls Thread

[Andrew]

Fair enough, seemed like an odd move to make. Still, a disappointing offseason if the only noteworthy moves are signing Pargo and re-signing Hunter. Hopefully at least Johnson will be able to make some contributions as a rookie.

[Dan's Brain]

Do you think Johnson gets the start when Deng gets injured again (I'm not getting my hopes up so that I won't be disappointed)? Or will we see some small-ball (Noah-Thomas-Salmons-Hinrich-Rose)?


EDIT: That was post number 190,000 in NBA Talk. And what a useful one it was.

[Andrew]

I think he'll at least get a shot in such a scenario, though with Pargo and Hunter on the roster it would easily facilitate Hinrich stepping in the starting backcourt and Salmons moving back to small forward. I could see the small-ball lineup prevailing in that scenario, though hopefully Del Negro will have the sense to go with whichever one is actually working.

[Bodz]

Article

This particular statement caught my attention

Jordan wanted Krause to take Joe Wolf in the 1987 NBA Draft, but he went with Pippen.

If Krause hadn't stuck to his guns, there may not be a Bulls Dynasty.

[Dan's Brain]

Well he went with Olden Polynice, really. But yeah...

Krause was a great GM, and Jordan, despite the juggernaut that his playing career was, hasn't shown himself to possess anything more than a mediocre eye for spotting talent. Jerry Krause often gets a bum rap that isn't entirely deserved.

John Paxson on the other hand...

[Andrew]

Yes, not one of MJ's finer ideas. I just took a glance at his college stats to see if he was a big-time amateur player and he certainly wasn't, though I noticed he's a fellow Tar Heel which would certainly explain it.

Krause was a great GM, and Jordan, despite the juggernaut that his playing career was, hasn't shown himself to possess anything more than a mediocre eye for spotting talent. Jerry Krause often gets a bum rap that isn't entirely deserved.

He made some great moves, but I'm not sure that I'd call him a great GM given the way he handled the breakup, the moves he made in the years following the breakup and the way he alienated his fellow executives and free agent prospects. He deserves credit for putting the championship teams together and that's been lost in the wake of his final years with the Bulls, but then given his shabby performance rebuilding them after 1998 I have to wonder how much of it was good luck (and certainly, Rod Thorn's rather successful pick the year before Krause was given the GM job) compared to someone like Jerry West who had the Lakers remain at least competitive throughout his tenure, save for a year here or there.

[Andrew]

Ben Gordon: “I don’t have any bad feelings towards Chicago”

I still don't understand how people can claim he's got a bad attitude; much as it pains me to say it, I really hope he does well in Detroit. Beyond that, all I can say is I hope Deng bounces back in a big way this year. I know I'm harping on old issues here (though it's not like the Bulls are doing much else with their offseason) but for the money they're paying him instead of Gordon, the jobs of Paxson and his cronies should depend on it.

On a brighter note, I'm enjoying all the old Jordan highlight reels and I'm looking forward to the HOF ceremony which they'll be showing on ESPN Australia.

[Dan's Brain]

Ben Gordon: “I don’t have any bad feelings towards Chicago”

I still don't understand how people can claim he's got a bad attitude; much as it pains me to say it, I really hope he does well in Detroit. Beyond that, all I can say is I hope Deng bounces back in a big way this year. I know I'm harping on old issues here (though it's not like the Bulls are doing much else with their offseason) but for the money they're paying him instead of Gordon, the jobs of Paxson and his cronies should depend on it.

On a brighter note, I'm enjoying all the old Jordan highlight reels and I'm looking forward to the HOF ceremony which they'll be showing on ESPN Australia.

I'm hoping the same thing. If he does succeed in Detroit and Deng falls off the healthy wagon again, then it will almost certainly cost Paxson his job. If Deng can remain healthy, then it makes him slightly more tradeable again, not that there would be many teams eager to take on his behemoth contract with 2010 on the horizon.

When is the HOF ceremony on? I'd like to see it.

[Andrew]

Next Monday, 6 PM AEST on ESPN. A few days after the fact, but isn't that always the way with anything on Aussie TV that isn't a live sporting event or widely popular program, such as assorted reality shows we could name (but I won't, as I can't stand them )?

[Andrew]

Luol Deng eager for Chicago Bulls to start practice

Already well acquainted with the weight room and skill drills on the court, Deng received clearance a month ago to begin playing at full speed. But with the Bulls beginning double practice sessions Saturday, Deng concedes he doesn't know how the healed leg will respond.

"I could say whatever I want to say, but until I'm on the floor I really don't know," Deng said. "I'm going to go by how it feels. I'm going to try to do my best to do two practices a day. I think I'll be able to. I feel great. But if I feel anything early, I will try to monitor it."

I know we've all said it before, but I really hope he can stay healthy this year. You don't want to see anyone's career ended or ruined by injury and I'm sure it's been a frustrating couple of years for Deng in that regard but as far as the team is concerned, he really needs to have a big year. Ultimately, they've decided to go with him instead of Gordon so here's hoping he justifies that decision.

Injured James hopes to make NBA turnaround with Bulls

"I'm about 65 percent," James said. "This (injury), every time I try to speed it up, it slows me down. So I'm sticking to the program the Bulls gave me and hopefully here in a month or two, I'll be ready to play."

Many expected James to simply retire, but he listed his main reason for wanting to come back.

"My kids, they're starting to read stuff on the Internet that just isn't true about me," he said. "A lot of people out there don't know me or have no idea who I am, what I'm about, what I stand for. So I decided, if I'm going to go out, I'm going to go out on top. Get back right, get back healthy and play basketball again."

The highlight of James' NBA career was averaging 12.5 points and 6.8 rebounds in the playoffs for Seattle in 2005. The Knicks signed him to a five-year contract that summer, but he contributed little in New York.

"Unfortunately, it was a bad situation for me in New York," James said. "Clearly, in Seattle it was the real me. I love the game of basketball."

More power to him for wanting to continue his career and come back from an injury, but I'm not holding my breath on him having an impact on the Bulls beyond being an expiring contract. As for people posting things on the Internet about him that aren't true, I'm guessing he's referring to people suggesting he doesn't care about the game or is content to just collect his money, because with all due respect to him - he has, after all, achieved something I never will in making it to the NBA - the assertion that he's overpaid and that Isiah Thomas made a huge mistake in giving him that deal aren't really an unfair call. To put it in the nicest terms possible, his contract is an investment that is yet to benefit an NBA club.

[Bodz]

Bulls Think Salmons Offers More Versatility Than Gordon

According to this article, the Bulls management thinks Salmons have more versatility than Gordon did.

[Andrew]

He's taller if nothing else. I like Salmons and I think he'll be able to do a good job alongside Rose in the backcourt, but I'm concerned about the rest of the team stepping up and shouldering the scoring load.

[Bodz]

Well, by his own admission, Salmons does feels it's a loss to lose BG but looking ahead he's optimistic about having talents coming back, namely Deng; and hopefully being able to gel well and make up the slack from losing BG.

VDN likes the length of the backcourt as well although he may not be confident how things will work out.

[Andrew]

They're trying to put a positive spin on things and hey, I'm hoping for the best but I don't feel all that optimistic. Right now I can't shake the feeling that they've gambled on the wrong players, but I hope they prove me wrong.

[air gordon]

Bulls Think Salmons Offers More Versatility Than Gordon

According to this article, the Bulls management thinks Salmons have more versatility than Gordon did.

was this really up for debate? Salmons is definitely the more versatile player

bulls ticket presale started friday. unless they plan to retire stormin' norman's jersey i don't plan to buy any tickets this year

[George7]

Things are for sure complicated.I they surely need a star to be in this team.
Rose is not so mature yet.Deng had many problems,Hinrich ,he's the captain,but not someone who can lead the team.
Gordon was trying to do that,sometimes succesfully,like in playoffs.
We'll see...

[air gordon]

for me, there is not much to get excited about for this bulls team aside from Derrick Rose and possibly Noah

[Andrew]

Recorded the pre-season game from this morning, haven't had a chance to watch it yet. Saw the boxscores from the game the other day though, Taj Gibson didn't do too badly.

[George7]

This team is too young!Way too young and unexperienced.There's talent for sure,but there's a little experience

[Andrew]

I wouldn't say that they're too young. They're young, but the players that have been there for a few years have some decent experience. In any event, nothing to do but for those players to polish their game and gain more experience and maturity.

Meanwhile, what a finish to the preseason game against the Jazz! Looked like they'd blow the game in a fashion that's all too familiar, then James Johnson pulls that game winner out of thin air. He and Gibson look like they might do OK this year, Gibson had a nasty block on Millsap. He's incredibly skinny, but it looks like he's got some game and can put his length to use. There's players in the league that will have a field day pushing him around though.

[The X]

I wouldn't say that they're too young. They're young, but the players that have been there for a few years have some decent experience. In any event, nothing to do but for those players to polish their game and gain more experience and maturity.

Meanwhile, what a finish to the preseason game against the Jazz! Looked like they'd blow the game in a fashion that's all too familiar, then James Johnson pulls that game winner out of thin air. He and Gibson look like they might do OK this year, Gibson had a nasty block on Millsap. He's incredibly skinny, but it looks like he's got some game and can put his length to use. There's players in the league that will have a field day pushing him around though.

What'd I say? I said he was useful as a late 1st Round pick.

[George7]

They seem to be really good picks,and that was a nice buzzer beater by johnson

[Andrew]

What'd I say? I said he was useful as a late 1st Round pick.

That's true, you did. Of course, it remains to be seen what kind of minutes they'll be getting once the season starts and both Thomas and Deng are getting their regular minutes.

[air gordon]

james johnson. has not been impressive in the preseason thus far. i think i already can't stand Taj Gibson

[The X]

If it makes you feel better, as expected DeJuan Blair looks pretty good