Free Agents Next Summer: Lebron, Wade, Bosh, Amare, Joe Johnson, Carlos Boozer, just to name a few. However, lets be real: James, Wade, and Bosh are the ones the Bulls have their eyes on. With the Cavs acquiring Jamison, Lebron is all but going to stay put in Cleveland. Wade probably leaves if the Heat don't miraculously pull in Boozer and he would probably prefer Chicago to NY. However, with NY freeing up $9 million in the McGrady deal, they could make an offer to both Wade and Bosh. Even if Wade would rather play in Chicago than NY, I'd have to bet Wade would rather play with Bosh in NY than in Chicago sans Bosh. While we still may be able to get Joe Johnson, Amare, or Boozer, we may not have a realistic shot at any of the "Big Three" since we probably can only afford one free agent. We simply were not aggressive enough which has been the trend since Jordan of Bulls management. I think our trades were fine, but NY and CLE put everything on the line for next summer and we seemed to say "Hey, we'll do enough to make us seem active, but we won't give up Kirk Hinrich." If not giving up Kirk costs us Wade or Bosh, lets hope Gar Forman and John Paxson are wearing bullet-proof vests.
To make an Econ 101 reference, the Bulls trade deadline rendered an accounting profit but an economic loss. We put ourselves in a better position relative to our position before (more cap room, relatively similar talent in return for this season); however, compared to our competitors (Cavs, New York mainly), we did much worse. Thus, overall we were out-dueled by NY for Wade and Bosh, and completely out-dueled by CLE for Lebron. Though we did more than the Heat, they have the inherent edge of currently having Wade, and NY definitely did more than us to package Wade and Bosh. Lets hope this speculation isn't accuracte.
Thoughts?
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Thomas Sent Packing
You heard it here first. Tyrus to the Bobcats for Flip Murray, Acie Law, and a first round pick. Flip Murray is another expiring contract and Acie Law has a player option. Essentially, the Bulls fall further under the cap limit by moving Thomas, a fourth-year athletic player who has under-performed and caused locker room issues. He was probably the players Bulls fans most wanted to see go, and Murray provides some valuable scoring for this season as well as a potential mid-level 2 guard to re-sign if the Bulls land a big man instead of a guard this summer. Also, the first round picks relieves some of the damage of the picks sent to the Bucks.
Psyche
Hours after the supposed Thomas/Elson for Salmons deal seems imminent, the Bucks instead sent Hakim Warrick and Joe Alexander for Salmons. The Bulls also sent second round picks in 2011, 2012, and the Bucks keep an option to swap first round picks in 2010. In all, basically the same deal (Salmons for expiring contracts).
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
PANDEMONIUM
Bulls:
- Beat Knicks in a home and home to improve to 27-26, with no Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose was heroic in both games dropping 29 & 27 respectively.
- Bulls ship Salmons to the Bucks for Francisco Elson and Kurt Thomas. The Bulls have been looking to free additional cap space for next summer by trading players with contracts that go beyond this year (Hinrich, Thomas, Salmons, Miller) for expiring ones. The Bulls did just that by trading Salmons $5.8 million dollars for next year for two players who will be free agents after the season. While this definitely hurts an already scoring-drought prone Bulls team, Salmons was not a starter and not in the Bulls long term plans. Plus, if we do land a big name, it's nice to know we still have Hinrich for defense and shooting off the bench, as well as Tyrus because he is simply a value piece given his athleticism. This puts the Bulls $20 million under the salary cap for next season and that's assuming Hinrich, Thomas, or Miller are not moved by the 3 pm deadline tomorrow.
Other News: Wizards deal Butler and Haywood to Mavs for Josh Howard. Wizards deal Jamison to Cavs in a three way with the Clippers, and the Clippers send Marcus Camby to the Blazers for Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw.
The NBA trading deadline is a lot of speculation. While some people think it's fun, and while it definitely gives more teams a chance to make a run late in the season, I'm not a fan. For one, lets face it: The Cavs and Lakers are all but locks to make the finals and the list of other teams that have a slight chance go no further than Denver, Boston, and Orlando to be blunt. Those five teams are the only true contenders, and everyone else is just playing monopoly. While it definitely is entertaining, you have to respect a sport like football where teams rarely make trades. This allows teams to maintain an identity and teams to truly build up from the draft and internal improvement. Imagine Peyton, Brady, or Brees being traded. Wouldn't happen. What say you?
- Beat Knicks in a home and home to improve to 27-26, with no Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose was heroic in both games dropping 29 & 27 respectively.
- Bulls ship Salmons to the Bucks for Francisco Elson and Kurt Thomas. The Bulls have been looking to free additional cap space for next summer by trading players with contracts that go beyond this year (Hinrich, Thomas, Salmons, Miller) for expiring ones. The Bulls did just that by trading Salmons $5.8 million dollars for next year for two players who will be free agents after the season. While this definitely hurts an already scoring-drought prone Bulls team, Salmons was not a starter and not in the Bulls long term plans. Plus, if we do land a big name, it's nice to know we still have Hinrich for defense and shooting off the bench, as well as Tyrus because he is simply a value piece given his athleticism. This puts the Bulls $20 million under the salary cap for next season and that's assuming Hinrich, Thomas, or Miller are not moved by the 3 pm deadline tomorrow.
Other News: Wizards deal Butler and Haywood to Mavs for Josh Howard. Wizards deal Jamison to Cavs in a three way with the Clippers, and the Clippers send Marcus Camby to the Blazers for Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw.
The NBA trading deadline is a lot of speculation. While some people think it's fun, and while it definitely gives more teams a chance to make a run late in the season, I'm not a fan. For one, lets face it: The Cavs and Lakers are all but locks to make the finals and the list of other teams that have a slight chance go no further than Denver, Boston, and Orlando to be blunt. Those five teams are the only true contenders, and everyone else is just playing monopoly. While it definitely is entertaining, you have to respect a sport like football where teams rarely make trades. This allows teams to maintain an identity and teams to truly build up from the draft and internal improvement. Imagine Peyton, Brady, or Brees being traded. Wouldn't happen. What say you?
Friday, February 12, 2010
Rumors Heat Up, Rose's Injury, Bulls Routed
Derrick Rose drove hard to the basket and was introduced to Dwight Howard's chest first-hand. Rose fell to the floor just minutes into the Bull's game against the Magic and the United Center fell silent. Rose hurt his hip, left the game, and the Bulls never recovered losing by twenty. Luckily, MRI's showed no severe damage and Rose should still play in the all star game Sunday. He is also in line to defend last year's skills challenge title, but may sit that one out.
We have heard many scenarios about Hinrich and maybe Salmons getting traded to free up cap space. Other rumors surrounding Tyrus Thomas are bubbling. Thomas had a verbal feud with Vinny last week and was suspended for a game. Portland and other young teams are interested in the versatile forward who offers defense, rebounding, and occasional scoring. The Bulls are eager to move Thomas who has not risen to his potential and has stirred up trouble in the locker room.
The latest and surprising Bulls player in the rumor mill is Luol Deng. Reports say Boston is interested in Deng, and if they were to trade Allen to the Bulls (which the Bulls would entertain in order to add an expiring for next season) they may be more interested in Deng than Salmons or Hinrich. Averaging 18 points a game and 7 rebounds, he's probably the best player the Celtics could add to help them win the East and potentially the title this year.
One more bit: Vinny has apparently told friends that he does not think he'll be retained next year. Tough to coach under that mindset.
The Bulls finished their first half 25-26 and currently 8th in the East. Not what people had hoped, but I think a playoff trip along with setting themselves up for a big summer would not be a waste of a season.
Curious what you guys think of the first half:?
We have heard many scenarios about Hinrich and maybe Salmons getting traded to free up cap space. Other rumors surrounding Tyrus Thomas are bubbling. Thomas had a verbal feud with Vinny last week and was suspended for a game. Portland and other young teams are interested in the versatile forward who offers defense, rebounding, and occasional scoring. The Bulls are eager to move Thomas who has not risen to his potential and has stirred up trouble in the locker room.
The latest and surprising Bulls player in the rumor mill is Luol Deng. Reports say Boston is interested in Deng, and if they were to trade Allen to the Bulls (which the Bulls would entertain in order to add an expiring for next season) they may be more interested in Deng than Salmons or Hinrich. Averaging 18 points a game and 7 rebounds, he's probably the best player the Celtics could add to help them win the East and potentially the title this year.
One more bit: Vinny has apparently told friends that he does not think he'll be retained next year. Tough to coach under that mindset.
The Bulls finished their first half 25-26 and currently 8th in the East. Not what people had hoped, but I think a playoff trip along with setting themselves up for a big summer would not be a waste of a season.
Curious what you guys think of the first half:?
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Hinrich Rumors Continue
Three things:
1. The Bulls handed Wade and the Heat a loss giving Wade a pinch more incentive to come to Chicago.
2. The Bulls trailed after three in Indiana but used a 28-15 fourth quarter differential to win. Salmons, Rose, and Deng all scored over 20.
3. Hinrich rumors: Hinrich and Salmons for Ray Allen. Hinrich and Salmons for McGrady. Hinrich for Morrison's expiring contract.
These moves would all free cap space so that Gar Forman and John Paxson could make a pitch to Lebron and Bosh to team up. If not, they'd be more than in good shape to make offers for one of those players, Wade, Stoudamire, or Johnson.
1- Rose
2-Deng
3-James
4-Bosh
5-Noah
Could this be the best team in NBA history? JK, but honestly, that's pretty dominant. The best player in the league, a go to guy that's a big man, an all star point guard, a 4th scorer who gives you 15 a game, and a scrappy rebounded. Wow
1. The Bulls handed Wade and the Heat a loss giving Wade a pinch more incentive to come to Chicago.
2. The Bulls trailed after three in Indiana but used a 28-15 fourth quarter differential to win. Salmons, Rose, and Deng all scored over 20.
3. Hinrich rumors: Hinrich and Salmons for Ray Allen. Hinrich and Salmons for McGrady. Hinrich for Morrison's expiring contract.
These moves would all free cap space so that Gar Forman and John Paxson could make a pitch to Lebron and Bosh to team up. If not, they'd be more than in good shape to make offers for one of those players, Wade, Stoudamire, or Johnson.
1- Rose
2-Deng
3-James
4-Bosh
5-Noah
Could this be the best team in NBA history? JK, but honestly, that's pretty dominant. The best player in the league, a go to guy that's a big man, an all star point guard, a 4th scorer who gives you 15 a game, and a scrappy rebounded. Wow
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Bipolar Bulls
After finally reaching a 23-22 mark, putting the Bulls above five-hundred (sorry for the blatantly obvious statement but that seems to be necessary for some people), the Bulls dropped back to back games at home to the Clippers and on the road at Philadelphia. Last night in Philly, 30 points and 9 assists from Rose was not enough.
Why do the Bulls beat teams that are better and lose the ones they should win?
As much as I love beating great teams, I would much rather win all the games we are supposed to and go .400 or .500 against better competition. That would leave us with a mark of about 28-17, instead of being 23-24 like we are now.
This team just does not have enough offense firepower to compete on a daily basis. Relying on your point guard to do all the scoring seems like a flawed philosophy. Obviously losing Ben Gordon left the Bulls with no choice, but this points more and more to the need for a star. Salmons has been placed on the bench for better or for worse, and he's the only guy besides Rose who you can see dropping 30 in a game. Deng hits open shots but often does most of his damage in the first quarter. Additionally, Noah, often considered our second best player, is not someone you can rely on to get a basket. Ultimately, a fatigued and injured Bulls team (Noah and Gibson have foot problems) lacking energy does not have the offensive talent to compete with almost any team, because even the bad teams will have those few guys who can get hot. Sans Rose our starters are Noah, Gibson, Deng, and Hinrich-lets be honest that's not very threatening offensively.
What a disappointing way to return from the Western Conference road trip. Next up: Atlanta then Miami.
Why do the Bulls beat teams that are better and lose the ones they should win?
As much as I love beating great teams, I would much rather win all the games we are supposed to and go .400 or .500 against better competition. That would leave us with a mark of about 28-17, instead of being 23-24 like we are now.
This team just does not have enough offense firepower to compete on a daily basis. Relying on your point guard to do all the scoring seems like a flawed philosophy. Obviously losing Ben Gordon left the Bulls with no choice, but this points more and more to the need for a star. Salmons has been placed on the bench for better or for worse, and he's the only guy besides Rose who you can see dropping 30 in a game. Deng hits open shots but often does most of his damage in the first quarter. Additionally, Noah, often considered our second best player, is not someone you can rely on to get a basket. Ultimately, a fatigued and injured Bulls team (Noah and Gibson have foot problems) lacking energy does not have the offensive talent to compete with almost any team, because even the bad teams will have those few guys who can get hot. Sans Rose our starters are Noah, Gibson, Deng, and Hinrich-lets be honest that's not very threatening offensively.
What a disappointing way to return from the Western Conference road trip. Next up: Atlanta then Miami.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Quick Comment
Bulls became the first team in NBA history to win five in a row on the road against teams with winning records.
Poll:
Should I add Vanderbilt basketball to this blog?
Poll:
Should I add Vanderbilt basketball to this blog?
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