Chicago Bulls Thread

[Fenix]

I think another trade is going to be made, possibly involving JR Smith, PJ and some someone (or two) from the core - my guess is Smith, Brown, Gordon and NY swap option for KG&fillers. Pax said he isn't done yet and there are obviously players that don't fit into this team. If the Bulls don't want Wilcox, there's no way in hell they'd want JR.

Wallace/Sweetney
Garnett/Nocioni
Deng/Khryapa
Sefolosha/?
Hinrich/Duhon
+Thomas

That looks nice.

[TheBigEasy]

I think another trade is going to be made, possibly involving JR Smith, PJ and some someone (or two) from the core - my guess is Smith, Brown, Gordon and NY swap option for KG&fillers. Pax said he isn't done yet and there are obviously players that don't fit into this team. If the Bulls don't want Wilcox, there's no way in hell they'd want JR.

Well ... you'd have to wait for a couple of month, before the Bulls can trade PJ and JR again ... and I seriously doubt, KG is going anywhere (although they should blow up this team and move him).

[Fenix]

Well ... you'd have to wait for a couple of month, before the Bulls can trade PJ and JR again ... and I seriously doubt, KG is going anywhere (although they should blow up this team and move him).

That rule applies only to teams over the salary cap.

[beau_boy04]

I think another trade is going to be made, possibly involving JR Smith, PJ and some someone (or two) from the core - my guess is Smith, Brown, Gordon and NY swap option for KG&fillers. Pax said he isn't done yet and there are obviously players that don't fit into this team. If the Bulls don't want Wilcox, there's no way in hell they'd want JR.

Wallace/Sweetney
Garnett/Nocioni
Deng/Khryapa
Sefolosha/?
Hinrich/Duhon
+Thomas

That looks nice.

That in my opinion is giving TOO MUCH for one single player including Kevin Garnett... how old is Kevin Garnett again? to me KG showed some some declining in his numbers last season. Something I would really no give away is the NY swap option coz you don't wanna give up the chance to pick one of the best center in ages and you know who im talking about.

[Andrew]

i find it a little contracting when some posters are saying Chicago paid way too much to get Wallace when lesser/unproven players like Curry, Dalmebert & Chandler got similar contracts last year and now lesser/unproven players like Wilcox, Harington, Gooden are asking for similar amounts

It is a bit of a contradiction, but Wallace's deal is about $5 mil larger than Chandler's and although I disagree with paying potential, Chandler did look like he was on his way up after the 2004/2005 season while Wallace is going to hold steady before declining over the next few years. That said, I do agree that overpaying Ben Wallace is much better than overpaying Tyson Chandler. I might've felt differently this time last year but it would seem that he overachieved in his contract year and seems unlikely to fulfil the potential that won him that big deal.

[Fenix]

That in my opinion is giving TOO MUCH for one single player including Kevin Garnett... how old is Kevin Garnett again? to me KG showed some some declining in his numbers last season. Something I would really no give away is the NY swap option coz you don't wanna give up the chance to pick one of the best center in ages and you know who im talking about.

JR Smith, PJ Brown, BG and NY pick is too much? We don't even know where the NY pick is going to end up and giving up a dumb SG, a veteran presence (which would be replaced by KG) and Ben Gordon is NOT too much for someone like KG who still has 5 HoF seasons left in him. He's JUST 30 years old and his numbers dropped a bit simply because his team sucked so much that defense was able to collapse on him.

[Dean]

I dont like the KG trade. That one at least, i wanna keep JR, the kid has enourmous upside.

[Jugs]

..but a bad attitude...

[shadowgrin]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/bulls/cst-spt-oak07.html

Wallace mentor Oakley likes Bulls' prospects

July 7, 2006

BY LACY J. BANKS Staff Reporter

Reaching the second round of the playoffs should be a cinch for the Bulls now that they are adding All-Star center Ben Wallace.

That's the prediction of former Bulls star Charles Oakley, the former 19-year NBA veteran who discovered Wallace at his 1991 basketball camp in York, Ala.

''The Bulls are getting an architect and a strong builder in Ben Wallace,'' Oakley said. ''They're getting a guy who can design, draw, build and make things better. They had to spend money to get the best, they spent money and they're going to get every cent of the value of the money they spent.

''Winning a championship takes time, and it's a step every year. This deal was made for the end of the year. They've made it back to the playoffs but been stuck in first round the last couple of years. Now, they should make it to the second or third round, maybe even the Finals.''

Oakley and his longtime friend, Jeff Warner, have seen Wallace come a long way since he was that 6-4, 170-pound, 11th-grader in the camp Warner helped Oakley run.

''When I first saw him, he showed me athleticism, a quickness to the ball and a toughness to convince me that he could make a living playing basketball,'' Oakley said.

Later, Oakley helped Wallace get a scholarship to attend Auburn, where Wallace wanted to play basketball and football. When the university's football coaches refused to let him play basketball, too, he left the school.

Oakley then involved Warren, who coached Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, where Wallace would play two spectacular seasons. In his sophomore year, Wallace averaged 24 points, 17 rebounds and 7.0 blocks.

But when Wallace stopped going to class after the basketball season, he was dismissed and no Division I college accepted his transfer. Oakley rescued Wallace again by arranging for his former coach at Virginia Union, Dave Robbins, to let Wallace play two seasons there, where he averaged 13.4 points and 10 rebounds.

Although Wallace was not drafted by an NBA team, he signed with the Washington Bullets in 1996, gradually progressed from averaging 1.1 points, 1.7 rebounds and .32 blocked shots his rookie season to as many as 9.7 points, 15.4 rebounds and 3.48 blocked shots in a season. He also has made the last four All-Star Games and has been named defensive player of the year four times, including last season.

''The Bulls now have what Oakley was to Michael Jordan when they played together,'' Warren said. ''They have an enforcer who won't allow other teams to try to punk out the Bulls. If his teammates get beat on defense, he'll be a safety valve to back them up.''

Oakley agrees.

''He's always been blessed with raw talent and fresh legs from the start,'' Oakley said. ''He's gotten bigger and meaner over time. He's always had muscles. He just worked hard in the weight room and gym and got more of them.

''But muscles don't make a man. It's what's inside you that makes you a man. Ben got his success the hard way. He had to eat soup with a fork.''

You gotta love them Oakley quotes.

[air gordon]

Well ... you'd have to wait for a couple of month, before the Bulls can trade PJ and JR again ... and I seriously doubt, KG is going anywhere (although they should blow up this team and move him).

That rule applies only to teams over the salary cap.

correct..

Players can not be traded:

For two months after receiving the player in trade or claiming him off waivers, if the player is being traded in combination with other players. However, the team is free to trade the player by himself (not packaged with other players) immediately. This restriction applies only to teams over the salary cap. (Also see question number 72 for a special case where players can be traded together in less than two months.

I think another trade is going to be made

i think it's possible. they certainly still have assets to make one but...

i think we Bulls fans should just forget about acquiring Garnett. Mchale is so caught up trying to save his own ass that even if the Bulls offered Hinrich, Gordon, Deng, Nocioni, and NYK's pick he would still decline it. maybe midseason when Minny is sucking ass and Garnett demands a trade, Paxson should start listening. but then he could can lowball and make a shitty offer McHale is in a desparate situation/missed out on a great deal offered in the offseason

It is a bit of a contradiction, but Wallace's deal is about $5 mil larger than Chandler's and although I disagree with paying potential, Chandler did look like he was on his way up after the 2004/2005 season while Wallace is going to hold steady before declining over the next few years. That said, I do agree that overpaying Ben Wallace is much better than overpaying Tyson Chandler. I might've felt differently this time last year but it would seem that he overachieved in his contract year and seems unlikely to fulfil the potential that won him that big deal.

yep i'm still surprised that Wallace took only a 4yr contract. Basically the Bulls need Big Ben to give us 3 good years. after that he's an expiring contract, which isn't that difficult to move

[Fenix]

yep i'm still surprised that Wallace took only a 4yr contract. Basically the Bulls need Big Ben to give us 3 good years. after that he's an expiring contract, which isn't that difficult to move

I think the 4yrs contract was the most he could get from the Bulls. It has something to do with over 36 rule.

[Fenix]

Bulls summer debut: I came away quite impressed. Thabo is everything we hoped for, a penetrator, can legitimely play PG, has superb handles and can defend with ferocity. Tyrus was a bit lost, he wasn't quite his old self, but had a couple of nice dunks and was trying to show his skills (he handled the ball on a fastbreak with Lebron-like finish, tried a baby hook and a nice fadaway jumper). He's very fluid, has a nice form on his jumper, but looked a bit lost, probably because of the faster pace.

[air gordon]

good catch on the 4yr rule

i've only caught parts from the first 2 games...

i too am suprised and impressed with Thabo. it is only summer league (and boy do the Realgm'ers get overly excited about these games) but this is the 1st time most of us are able to see this guy play live and at the least he's showing the PG skillset

man.. if Thabo can play the point on the NBA level, that would be great. i don't know if that would make Duhon expendable but to have a 6'7 guy who can run the team should come in handy.. especially with a combo guard like Gordon on the roster

i guess it is expected for Thomas to struggle.. i just wish he wouldn't suck when i'm watching these games

[beau_boy04]

Ben Wallace is finally a Bulls! after listening to the interview in which Ben was introduced I came to realize that Ben will have a great season as far as numbers and impact to this young team. He will be the motor and engine of the Bulls and you can mark my work. This guy is ready to take on a new challengue and I'm very excited about it. He mentioned that in Detroit they had a nice veteran group in here and if someone had a bad night the rest of the team will step up to the plate and pick up the slack, well Chicago aint a veteran team at all actually very far from it that's why I think Wallace's numbers will improve from last season.

I'm expecting no less than a 2nd round playoff this season.

[elwudl]

that's why I think Wallace's numbers will improve from last season.

Where is the combination that you can say this? He can have increasing numbers on a veteran group and can have increasing numbers on a non-veteran group. Also he can have declining numbers on a veteran group and he can have declining numbers on a non-veteran group. It depends on the style of play of your team and the skills of your team-mates besides your skills and attitude what numbers you get.

More important than his numbers in my opinion is what impact he can have on the youngsters concernign work-ethic, attitude, etc.!

[Fenix]

good catch on the 4yr rule

i've only caught parts from the first 2 games...

i too am suprised and impressed with Thabo. it is only summer league (and boy do the Realgm'ers get overly excited about these games) but this is the 1st time most of us are able to see this guy play live and at the least he's showing the PG skillset

man.. if Thabo can play the point on the NBA level, that would be great. i don't know if that would make Duhon expendable but to have a 6'7 guy who can run the team should come in handy.. especially with a combo guard like Gordon on the roster

i guess it is expected for Thomas to struggle.. i just wish he wouldn't suck when i'm watching these games

Thabo is great. Can defend, is a steal machine, his shot is underrated (both range and form are great), he can handle like a 6'3 PG, pass like one too, can create his own shot or for others. Combine that with almost 9'0 standing reach, superb quickness, body control and athleticism, and we got ourselves a steal of this draft. He doesn't have KB like ceiling as a scorer, but I'd say that considering his professionalism and work ethic, he could very well end up being a cross between Ginobili and Joe Johnson, slightly worse shooter than JJ, but superior defender to both. Am I overreacting? Probably, but he is really that good. Danny Granger, who was touted as one of the best rookies this year, isn't nearly as advanced as Thabo is. I was worried that he'd be that 'does everything decent, nothing great' type of player, but he proved that he can penetrate and handle the ball with the best of them. If his skills translate into the regular season, he'll become my favourite current Bull . He's really something.

Tyrus played in four consecutive games and I watched about 2 and a half of them. I got a feeling that coaches wanted to try what he can and cannot do. One game, he was playing inside and shooting fadaways, next game he was shooting mostly jumpshots and driving to the basket and yesterday he was penetrating and doing spin moves. I came away impressed. He could very well develop into a legit small forward. His ballhandling skills are there (he was isolated at the top of the 3pt line or at the side quite a lot and he always made something happen, either he made the shot, drawed a foul or created the opportunity for his teammates). He has very nice court vision and passing skills to go with. His footwork is impressive and he showed that he can spin (a lot). His jumper is effective and he clearly has a decen form on it, although it's kinda slow, but the height of the release point and his vertical enable him not to get blocked. I'd still like to see him to work on that. Oh, and he can catch the damn ball, unlike some other athletic bigs we had.

His athleticism is even more impressive than I thought. He's not the kind of an athlete Hakim Warrick is, the kind that only jumps high. Tyrus is even a better leaper and has speed and quickness (both first step and lateral quickness are outstanding) Warrick can only dream of. That enables him to stay in front of his guy and disrupt the flow of the offense both inside and out at the perimeter. If small forward is the position they will play him most at, he certainly has all the tools to become a defensive stopper. His shotblocking is as good as always - he rarely fouls, but he'll get quite a few goaltending calls, if he isn't careful.

The most important thing that I noticed is: he always plays with fire in his stomach. He is very competive and if his work ethic is as good as advertised, we got ourselves a true star.

[maes]

Yeah Tyrus' athletic tests were stunning for a big man. The draft experts likened him to a smaller Amare, but i wonder if his game will evolve more like Marion's, based on quickness + hops + desire.

In one of the sprint tests, he beat out Rudy Gay, Brandon Roy, and Redick

[R.J.]

I think another trade is going to be made, possibly involving JR Smith, PJ and some someone (or two) from the core - my guess is Smith, Brown, Gordon and NY swap option for KG&fillers. Pax said he isn't done yet and there are obviously players that don't fit into this team. If the Bulls don't want Wilcox, there's no way in hell they'd want JR.

Wallace/Sweetney
Garnett/Nocioni
Deng/Khryapa
Sefolosha/?
Hinrich/Duhon
+Thomas

That looks nice.

NONONONONONONO.

1) I don't have a problem with Smith going.

2) Brown has everything the Bulls need.

3) Gordon is continuing to improve, on D and scoring consistency.

4) The NY swap option is gold, the draft next year is the best since 2003 and may even be better. Just look at the guys: Durant, Oden, Noah, Hansbrough, McRoberts, Young, Mayo, etc.

[Fenix]

NONONONONONONO.

1) I don't have a problem with Smith going.

2) Brown has everything the Bulls need.

3) Gordon is continuing to improve, on D and scoring consistency.

4) The NY swap option is gold, the draft next year is the best since 2003 and may even be better. Just look at the guys: Durant, Oden, Noah, Hansbrough, McRoberts, Young, Mayo, etc.

1. I agree.

2. KG brings everything Brown does, times 5.

3. It's easier to get a undersized SG than it is a superstar PF.

4. We don't know where the Knicks pick is going to end up.

[TheBigEasy]

4. We don't know where the Knicks pick is going to end up.

You are talking about the Knicks, remember?

[Fenix]

True, and I can't imagine there will be anyone worse than them (even the Blazers have McMillan and will get rid of their cancers and the Hawks are bound to improve), but I still can't get rid of a feeling they'll finish with 35 or so wins, which will totally screw up our chances of winning the Lottery. I want at least Noah.

[RSox]

Why does it say JR Smith has #23 on the Bulls site? http://www.nba.com/bulls/roster/
I thought you couldn't wear that number anymore.

[Its_asdf]

I'm pretty sure that they will be fixing that since NBA.com tends to take their time on correcting minor typos.

[Jackie Kong]

Bulls Could Bring In Griffin, Continue To Watch Gooden Situation
15th July, 2006 - 3:35 pm
Daily Herald - The Chicago Bulls are interested in bringing back Adrian Griffin, who played for the Mavericks in 2005-2006.

The Bulls will also continute to watch the Drew Gooden situation. Gooden appears headed for a sign-and-trade scenario and the Cavs probably would want to avoid any big contracts in returnm so a package of Chris Duhon and Michael Sweetney might have work.

“It’s a possibility we’re interested in,” Calvin Andrews, Gooden’s agent, said of the Bulls. “We haven’t talked too much about that happening. It’s up to the Cavs. If something would come up with the Bulls, it would interest us, definitely.”

[-Young Buck-]

Bulls sign Adrian Griffen

Report: Mavs' Griffin Going to the Bulls
Tim MacMahon of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS writes, "One core player won't be back to try to help the Mavericks return to the NBA Finals. Free-agent swingman Adrian Griffin has agreed to a three-year contract with the Chicago Bulls, his agent said Sunday. Agent Tony Dutt said the Mavericks offered a two-year deal at a competitive salary. Dutt declined to reveal financial terms of the Bulls' contract or the Mavericks' offer."

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... 7c96e.html

http://www.nba.com/news/308714.html