Chicago Bulls Thread

[Andrew]

Seems like the Bulls can't get anyone to join their team... they have a great team, but no one wants to sign with them... Kinda disappointing...

Their solid rotation also means there aren't a lot of minutes to be had and they don't have cap room to be able to spend big money on free agents. Moves like signing Hamilton are along the lines of what they can feasibly do and really, that's a good plan for a team that won 62 games last season but ran out of steam in the ECF due to a few deficiencies...deficiencies that someone like Hamilton can help with.

[RedPhazon8]

Yeah, I heard today on my local sports radio that they can only attract a small crowd with the money they have. On accounts to Rip, I'd be glad to give him a shot at playing. He's like in the same shoes as Billups, a chance to join a highly competitive team for a title for a small amount of money. If a team is looking for your talents, might as well see if you can get it done.

[chicagoRAW]

Dwight Howard doesn't have the Bulls as one of his teams he'd like to play for. That proved to me that Dwight Howard is an Idiot. The Bulls can put together a better package than any team, its a big market, they have the 22 year old MVP. Dwight Howard needs to stop watching cartoons and wise up. And I'm glad D.Rose won't recruit anyone to join the Bulls, he doesn't need to play with friends, if your not with him you're against him, i love it. Anyways Dwight Howard is living up to the NBA (No Brains Allowed).

[Andrew]

I'm not sure the Bulls could actually put together the best package short of including Rose (which I wouldn't want to see, it'd defeat the purpose of bringing in Howard in the first place), since the Magic would likely want a) expiring contracts over lengthy ones, b) higher draft picks than the Bulls are likely to have and c) a way of getting rid of Turkoglu's contract in any deal (which the Bulls shouldn't be eager to take on).

In any case, it doesn't seem like Howard really knows whether he truly wants to leave Orlando or not and the Magic have apparently ended all trade talks regarding him, so it's a moot point anyway.

In moves that are actually happening (or very close to happening): Bulls, Hamilton close to 3-year deal

Sounds good to me. It doesn't break the bank and Hamilton's probably got two or three solid years left in him at least. It's not going to be a huge offseason for the Bulls but I don't think it has to be. Let's see how some small tweaks and upgrades fare, there are question marks with Boozer's health and playoff productivity but on the whole I like the roster plus the addition of Hamilton. Nothing is guaranteed but I feel there's reason for optimism.

[chicagoRAW]

You can't beat the package of Noah, Gibson, 1st rounder from Bobcats (tyrus thomas trade) 1st Round Pick from Bulls, even swapping Deng for Hedo if need be. I think thats alot better then Brooke Lopez who can't rebound and 2 frist rounders from the nets which will be late 20's picks.

[chicagoRAW]

Rip Hamilton is an upgrade over Bogans but basically anyone would be. I think Rip is over the hill and in no way will put the Bulls above the Heat, not like he'll get a shot off with Battier guarding him. This is just the Bulls falling in love with its own players again like they did with Hinrich, Gordon, Deng and Duhon. I'm tired of that, I want another super star with Rose, otherwise I'm not fond of being the Pistons of the 2000's.

[benji]

This is just the Bulls falling in love with its own players again like they did with Hinrich, Gordon, Deng and Duhon.

what.

otherwise I'm not fond of being the Pistons of the 2000's.

Yeah, who would want six straight Eastern Conference Finals trips, two NBA Finals trips and a ring.

[Dan's Brain]

In a move sure to shock no-one, the Hamilton signing is, at last, official.

As most of us have said, it wasn't the best move that anyone of us hoped for heading into this debacle of an offseason, but it was a smart move and the right move.

[George7]

I like the Hamilton move,I've said it before,though as Dan said,it's a little less than what we were expecting heading into the offseason. But still,we have some days left. Let's see if Bulls' front office can make another deal,either with a player or making trade,and strengthening even more the 2-guard spot.

But Hamilton is probably the best fit for the Bulls,from the choices left. I think that apart from his shooting ability,his playing versatility is what makes him a great choice. He's a tall player,and that is a great plus in playing against his opponents, as he can use his size a little bit,and also he can defend,he's a great spot up shooter and will clearly make D-Rose a happier teammate,if he plays as expected,opening the defenses for Rose to make his game. And after reading that Ronnie Brewer is getting a lot better in his game,showing big improvement in the first practices,that makes me to believe that Bulls' SG spot is not going to be a black hole in some occasions,like last year...

[Vendetta13]

bulls need a SF to back up Deng

[Dan's Brain]

bulls need a SF to back up Deng

Korver, Brewer, Jimmy Butler. All can play Small Forward.

[RedPhazon8]

I think Butler signed with the Raptors, but I'm thinking Brewer is going to be Deng's main backup, Bogans will more or less be Rip's backup.

[air gordon]

Jimmy Butler is still on the Bulls. Bogan's contract runs out on monday i think

bulls need a SF to back up Deng

yea what Dan's brain said...

their biggest need is bench scoring. Deng was playing a lot with the 2nd unit because no one else can score from that group. you cant get away with Deng playing almost 40mpg this season. My guess is we'll see RIP playing more with the bench mob

Just in case you missed Bill Simmons take on why Dwight Howard should go to the Bulls

and lastly- Crawford signs with Portland for 2yr/$10... 2nd year player option.. wow. same $ as Hamilton but 1yr less. My guess is that Crawford was high on the list of SG's the Bulls were after. But once Hamilton was suprisingly bought out/became available for just the MLE... it was a done deal.

it is somewhat sad that is the bestcontract Crawford could get. he is just 1yr removed from winning the 6th man of the year and being ATL's best clutch player

[Andrew]

Crawford's supposedly looking for a payday in the 2012 offseason, hence the two year deal with a player option. I'm guessing he cooled on the Bulls' available offer as much as they cooled on him, so Hamilton it is.

[Dan's Brain]

their biggest need is bench scoring. Deng was playing a lot with the 2nd unit because no one else can score from that group. you cant get away with Deng playing almost 40mpg this season. My guess is we'll see RIP playing more with the bench mob

I don't know if another move needs to be made in order to bolster the bench scoring. We can probably expect more from the players that are already there: Korver and, in particular, C.J. Watson. I think Thibodeau needs to trust him to create more of his opportunities, working on a decent pick-and-roll with Gibson or Asik or both. I think using Hamilton with the second unit, as you've said, would help Watson in a big way.

An additional low minute, low paid, low risk big man is a greater priority than another backup 3.

[Andrew]

In terms of another backup swingman, it's a shame they weren't able to keep Rasual Butler around. Not that I believe he was the key to a championship or I'm up in arms about it or anything, but perhaps he could've helped a bit. With the rotation being firmly set by the time they picked him up off waivers last year, he didn't get much of a run which made him a bit of a wasted signing.

Hopefully Korver will be a little more reliable from start to finish this year. Watson's a player I warmed up to as the year went on, in the first few Bulls games I caught less year he had a pretty ordinary outing every time but by the end of the season I was seeing more out of him that I liked.

[The X]

Jimmy Butler > Rasual Butler

[Andrew]

Hope you're right.

[Dan's Brain]

Very solid first pre-season outing for the Bulls: topping the Pacers by 9 points at Conseco. Right on cue, C.J. Watson delivers, hitting 6/10 from the field and 3/3 from outside.

EDIT: Also, Keith Bogans was officially waived. Despite the outcry that was directed toward him last year, it is sad to see him go. He was probably tasked with too much responsibility last season, but I think he could have still been of use to the team this year. Ah well, best of luck to him.

[john26]

Butler seems to have good instincts on defense (may be perfect fit with bulls - we'll see) but his jumper is a pretty ugly one (line drive)

[Andrew]

EDIT: Also, Keith Bogans was officially waived. Despite the outcry that was directed toward him last year, it is sad to see him go. He was probably tasked with too much responsibility last season, but I think he could have still been of use to the team this year. Ah well, best of luck to him.

He had his moments and was a total pro throughout the year, one has to give him that. Best of luck to him, for the scarce amount of PT he was likely to get with Hamilton coming on board it was time to move on.

[air gordon]

EDIT: Also, Keith Bogans was officially waived. Despite the outcry that was directed toward him last year, it is sad to see him go. He was probably tasked with too much responsibility last season, but I think he could have still been of use to the team this year. Ah well, best of luck to him.

He had his moments and was a total pro throughout the year, one has to give him that. Best of luck to him, for the scarce amount of PT he was likely to get with Hamilton coming on board it was time to move on.

Jimmy Butler > Rasual Butler

the criticism was warranted when he would pass up open shots. his job on offense was to stay out of the way and wait for the kickout. i didn't mind if he missed.. as long as he was trying to be a threat on offense. it was like playing 4 vs 5 (or 3 vs 5 if you count Noah's offensive prowess) on offense

Jimmy Butler > Rasual Butler

he looked solid/confident out there

[Andrew]

Oh no question, the criticism was absolutely warranted. It was for the best for both sides to move on at this point.

[George7]

Solid debut for Rip last night vs Indiana! Really seemed like he was in the team for more time than he actually is, finding and being found by teammates with ease! I hope he's going to be the best fit for the Bulls. Boozer had a nice game last night as well, that's what he can offer to the team,and it's a shame if he repeats last season's performances,now that he's totally recovered...

Oh,and as it seems Cj Watson got my favorite number, #7 and the number one of my favs, Ben Gordon wore in the Bulls... Wishing him all the luck with his new number...

[Andrew]

Not forgetting of course, Toni Kukoc.