Chicago Bulls Thread

[Lamrock]

I don't want the Blazers to dilute the rotation with any bad players like Johnson. I'd rather see hiom traded for a 2014 draft choice that could be used in a potential rebuild.

[George7]

No-not Gibson! He is way to valuable as Boozer's backup and a hot young prospect with a big load of abilities

[air gordon]

yeh i agree the Bulls need Gibson more then they do Fernandez. looking at Fernandez %'s, he's surprisingly a pretty poor shooter. other then hitting the 3 ball, he's pretty limited

i think Portland is trying to squeeze more out of the Bulls but they have no leverage... even less now that the Bulls just signed another mediocre player in Bogans

i think the Bulls offering a future 1st is more then enough for Ru-fer. otherwise, Portland can keep and let him sulk on the bench or go back to europe

[Andrew]

Johnson for Fernandez? Worth a try, I guess.

I wouldn't trade Gibson for Fernandez either, I'd rather have him backing up Boozer rather than sacrificing that depth to beef up the backcourt which I feel is at least decent at present. They can get by without bringing Fernandez on board but getting rid of Gibson without getting a solid backup for Boozer in return would not be the right way to go.

[Fenix]

Gibson for Fernandez is a no-no, as Gibson is the better and taller of the two, but I'd quite easily sacrifice our own first rounder for him. He may be a little whiny bitch, but he's a talented little whiny bitch who also fits our needs.

About Deng: being a third option is actually the best possible situation for him. He may not be able to create his own shot (which is a muss for a second option), but he can move without the ball and hit that midrange jumper. The only skill he still needs to learn to fill that role is hitting an open three pointer. That would improve our spacing immensely.

[air gordon]

if Deng could hit 3's consistently, i'll wet my pants. i'm considering taking shots of tequila every time Brewer or Deng hit a 3. i plan on running the streets naked when Deng hits a game winning shot

[Valor]

if Deng could hit 3's consistently, i'll wet my pants. i'm considering taking shots of tequila every time Brewer or Deng hit a 3. i plan on running the streets naked when Deng hits a game winning shot

This made my day

[Andrew]

You probably wouldn't even get arrested for it, once you mention the motivation.

[The X]

I find it funny that Bulls' fans actually like Gibson now considering most thought he was an unknown chump who couldn't play at all when they drafted him. As for me, I'd definitely trade Gibson now that they got Boozer. It's always best while his value is high. Shame they didn't shift him to New Jersey for Courtney Lee

[Andrew]

I find it funny that Bulls' fans actually like Gibson now considering most thought he was an unknown chump who couldn't play at all when they drafted him.

Kind of helps that he proved himself useful/competent. It's the kind of thing that changes one's opinion.

As for me, I'd definitely trade Gibson now that they got Boozer. It's always best while his value is high. Shame they didn't shift him to New Jersey for Courtney Lee

Who's going to backup Boozer if Gibson isn't around? With their current roster, they need Gibson more than they need another swingman.

[Fenix]

I find it funny that Bulls' fans actually like Gibson now considering most thought he was an unknown chump who couldn't play at all when they drafted him.

Me? Never! I always had a soft spot for 24 year old undersized (in terms of weight) rookies.

But seriously: for me, Gibson was one of the brightest spots of this past season. He obviously doesn't have potential to push us over the top, but is the kind of player that are needed on a championship contender. For now, his role will be that of a 3rd big man, backing up a very solid starting frontcourt duo of Noah and Boozer, which is ideal for him at this point of his career. He may be even a starter someday, albeit for that you would need a very talented centre to put next to him (Kaman, B. Lopez, M. Gasol,...). My favourite comparison for him is P.J. Brown: a solid fringe starter, who will provide you with defense and rebounding, and will always do the right thing at the right time.

As for me, I'd definitely trade Gibson now that they got Boozer. It's always best while his value is high. Shame they didn't shift him to New Jersey for Courtney Lee

I don't find that comparison a valid one. Gibson plays at a much more valuable position, he provides better all-around defense than Lee did in his rookie year, and also fills the stat sheet in the rebounding compartment, while being (at least) equally important on offense. Don't get me wrong - I'd trade him for Carmelo or Iguodala in a heartbeat, but otherwise he's the kind of player you want to trade FOR.

[Lamrock]

Yeah, the Taj Gibson pick turned out pretty well. James Johnson on the other hand...

[Fenix]

James Johnson is the worst pick of the Paxson era. TT was justifiable to some degree - it was a weak draft, Roy and Aldridge had injury concerns (and with Aldridge his heart and strength were also questioned), and TT was coming off a simply magnificent NCAA performance, not to mention the fact that he was one of the most athletic prospects ever. But JJ? He was a tweener, old for his class, out of shape, and didn't fill a need (at least not a huge one). Some players taken after him proved to be better AND would fit our team better (Maynor, Collison, Lawson, Beaubois or Douglas would make Hinrich and his bloated contract expendable, Blair or Casspi would add girth/3pt shooting, which we lacked).

[Andrew]

To be fair, he's only played one season so he's still got a chance to prove his worth. I'm inclined to agree though, their other picks have either had their moments or not been quite as wasteful.

[Lamrock]

I still believe in Tyrus Thomas. Its a shame the Bulls got rid of him.

[air gordon]

I find it funny that Bulls' fans actually like Gibson now considering most thought he was an unknown chump who couldn't play at all when they drafted him. As for me, I'd definitely trade Gibson now that they got Boozer. It's always best while his value is high. Shame they didn't shift him to New Jersey for Courtney Lee

i'll give him props for being 'servicable' but i still think he a chump. he's the "duhon" of this bulls team. he tries hard, has a good feel for the game, but isn't that good. i could never understand why Del Negro would treat him like Cartwright of the first 3peat bulls by running the first play of the game for him! i'd rather watch Noah shoot hurricane FT's then see Gibson's post game

but yeh- he holds value to this bulls team because he's a cheap insurance policy for the frontcourt. Old Crazy eyes doesn't have it in him to be the first big off the bench. just like Andrew said...

I still believe in Tyrus Thomas. Its a shame the Bulls got rid of him.

you, Larry Brown, and Jordan. 5yrs/$40mil!

James Johnson is the new Tyrus thomas. he has some skills but his basketball smarts are that of a bag of bricks

[Hedonist]

I still believe in Tyrus Thomas. Its a shame the Bulls got rid of him.

you, Larry Brown, and Jordan. 5yrs/$40mil!

James Johnson is the new Tyrus thomas. he has some skills but his basketball smarts are that of a bag of bricks

James Johnson wishes...

JJ Redick got 8 mill per too. Bigs always get more. & It was a good year to be FA.

[Lamrock]

Tyrus Thomas is actually a useful player though. While James Johnson is just dogshit on the court, Thomas makes up for his volatility and nonexistent offensive awareness by being a phenomenal defensive player. I could see him having a break-out season mid-career where he becomes solid offensively a la Josh Smith.

[Andrew]

I'd rather have Thomas than Johnson as well but moving him hasn't worked out too bad. I'd much rather Boozer with Gibson backing him up than a combination of Gibson and Thomas.

[air gordon]

[JJ Redick got 8 mill per too. Bigs always get more. & It was a good year to be FA.

Orlando matched Chicago's offer of 3yrs/$19mil

Thomas would be fine if he would just stick to being a hustle player. but he thinks he's some super hybrid of Dirk Nowitzki & Lebron James. just like the episode in Family Guy where Peter & Lois thought they were awesome at the local talent contest show then Chris tells them they were so high & were so terrible
http://www.hulu.com/watch/50754/family-guy-too-baked

i'll take Johnson's easily tradeable contract over Thomas & his ridiculous 5yr/40mil contract

[Hedonist]

Okay. Is TT 40 all guaranteed though?

As a Raps fan I've seen Amir Johnson's contract reported everywhere as 5/34, while it's 28 guaranteed.

I don't agree btw that Thomas is playing like a wannabe Nowitzki especially under Brown.

And yeah, everybody grows out of their rookie deal eventually. Doesn't make Johnson any better though.
He'll probably never sniff a contract like that.

[Andrew]

I believe the entire deal is guaranteed. If nothing else there are no opt-out clauses, at least according to Hoopshype.

[Fenix]

i'll give him props for being 'servicable' but i still think he a chump. he's the "duhon" of this bulls team.

I wouldn't compare Duhon to Taj Gibson, or at least wouldn't give that comparison a negative connotation. Gibson is far more talented and already more productive than Duhon ever was. He averaged 12ppg, 10rpg and almost 2bpg per 36 minutes in his rookie season, numbers that are infinitely more rare than 11ppg, 7apg and 3rpg, which is what Duhon was averaging per 36 in his best season.

[The X]

Gibson is a poor man's Joe Smith. I just like the thought of a Rose-Lee starting backcourt. I think they'd make a great tandem.

[Andrew]

That would be alright, but not at the expense of frontcourt depth.