Chicago Bulls Thread

[_Steve_]

Do you think Deng can be that player, though? Even when he's been healthy in the past, he's been a bit too passive when the Bulls have needed someone to step up and make some shots. That's not to say he's never made timely baskets and put up points when they needed him to, but I'm not sure it's really in his game or nature to be the scoring punch they consistently need out of a second option.

No, I don't think Deng could be a viable 2nd or 3rd scoring option. I just really like his defensice mindset and his versatility. But as you said, his mindset isn't about scoring, something Bull are in desperate need of...

[RedPhazon8]

I think the biggest problem is the regular season performance translating into the playoffs. If you look at the 2010-2011 season, the Bulls ran into huge issues because players couldn't stay on their game. They proved they could beat anyone during game one in the ECF, but when players like Korver missing threes he usually made, Boozer not staying consistent, Waston's stats dipping and Asik was lost to injury, they stumbled. The same thing happened this recent season too, I personally like the "team" system the Bulls have, but it comes down to if it all comes with in the playoffs, vs Miami where they don't really have that issue.

[Andrew]

It's hard to fairly evaluate their postseason performance this year, with Rose going down in Game 1 and Noah following him shortly after. We could play the What If? game all day, but chances are they could've had a very good run if not for that devastating blow to open the Playoffs. Don't get me wrong, there's still question marks hanging over the roster even if they're healthy but when those injuries struck, there was no chance of the team coming close to going as far as they could (and probably would) have.

So, here's a trade scenario involving Deng and the Warriors' pick.

Following his decision to play for Great Britain despite a wrist tendon injury, the Bulls General Manager Gar Forman, who called Deng in from holiday for a meeting earlier this month, is understood to have offered the Warriors Deng and the 29th pick in the NBA draft on Thursday for centre Andris Bierdrins, small forward Dorrell Wright and the seventh pick in the draft. The Bulls badly want the 7th pick to recruit a shooting guard to act as cover for Derrick Rose who will miss next season following ACL surgery.

That's intriguing. Wright's a decent player and if the player they got at seven pans out, it could prove to be a good swap. Biedrins is a little overpaid at $9 million a year, but when healthy he's not a bad player to have as a back-up in the middle and his contract only runs two more years so it's not the worst deal in the league. It would mean that Asik is gone and likely make it difficult to keep Gibson while avoiding the luxury tax, though they could still end up amnestying Boozer I suppose.

It's not a terrible deal, adding a few names to the scenario does make the idea a bit more palatable. Still, I'm not sure it's the best move they could possibly make, though I'll admit once again no viable alternatives spring immediately to mind. It's an OK scenario.

[air gordon]

I'd like to see Deng staying in Chicago. You can't measure his importance just by his ppg average. He reminds me a bit of Andre Iguodala, who had a big part in this year's Sixers success.
Nevertheless the Bulls need at least one solid scorer as a 2nd or 3rd option, depending how good/ bad Boozer plays (I liked what I saw from him during the Playoffs) and depending on when/ how Rose returns.

you need to take that cone off the dog in your avatar and put it on your head! And Andrew- how did you let him get away with that

Do you think Deng can be that player, though? Even when he's been healthy in the past, he's been a bit too passive when the Bulls have needed someone to step up and make some shots... but I'm not sure it's really in his game or nature to be the scoring punch they consistently need out of a second option.

I don't see it as being passive or not in his nature. he does not have the skills to create a shot for himself. he can't dribble. doesn't post up. no explosive first step. doesn't play the pick and roll. what is Deng's best move? fan out on a down screen/shot fake/one dribble mid-range shot? In Thibbs schemes we hardly see Deng make those weak side cuts to the basket that got him easy baskets.

I would pull the trigger for a top 5 or at least top 10(+a player) draft pick ,which would give the Bulls the opportunity to land a big talent,who could be a better 2nd gun than Deng is. If trading Deng means the Bulls are going to have a shot in getting Beal,Barnes or Kidd-Gilchrist ,I would do that trade in a heartbeat. With Rose,they could form a big duo for the next decade.

i agree with this. Heck I'm even game for Barnes too who ironically is drawing comparions to Deng. But Barnes tested out pretty damn well athletically at the draft combine.

I'd trade Deng/Gibson for to Sacto for Evans/#5.

there was a nice little rumor going around on realgm- Deng to GSW. Some Bulls picks and Biedrins to Utah. Wright, Harris, and pick to the Bulls. pipe dream since AJ wojo whatever you spell it from yahoo says Bulls told Deng he won't be tradede there

[Andrew]

I'd trade Deng/Gibson for to Sacto for Evans/#5.

Ah, now that's interesting.

[air gordon]

lol is it?

[Andrew]

You don't think so? You suggested it.

I like it better than the rumoured Warriors deal, at the very least.

[rise]

I'd trade Deng/Gibson for to Sacto for Evans/#5.

Ah, now that's interesting.

I don't think Sacramento would do that. Even with the talk of Evans being disappointing, he's still not far off from being a 20/5/5 guy. He's still got more in him IMO.

[_Steve_]

I'd like to see Deng staying in Chicago. You can't measure his importance just by his ppg average. He reminds me a bit of Andre Iguodala, who had a big part in this year's Sixers success.
Nevertheless the Bulls need at least one solid scorer as a 2nd or 3rd option, depending how good/ bad Boozer plays (I liked what I saw from him during the Playoffs) and depending on when/ how Rose returns.

you need to take that cone off the dog in your avatar and put it on your head! And Andrew- how did you let him get away with that

I should've said that, compared to last year's playoffs, Boozer slightly improved his performance.

[shadowgrin]

No.

[RedPhazon8]

Boozer has yet to step up in the playoffs, the talk for a second scorer would of never been brought up if he performed on the level that was expected from him.

[Andrew]

I don't think Sacramento would do that. Even with the talk of Evans being disappointing, he's still not far off from being a 20/5/5 guy. He's still got more in him IMO.

Yeah, it is a long shot.

Sam Smith explored various scenarios and concluded that Deng will most likely still be a Bull on opening night. Probably not a bad prediction.

[air gordon]

It definitely would not have been a bad deal to say the least

Chicago trib reporting Watson korver brewer are not coming back, bulls to pursue hinrich, and rafer Alston is invited to play on the summer league team

[Andrew]

Hinrich would be OK. Hopefully they can bring in another three point shooter to take Korver's place; Hinrich can knock them down but I'd like them to bring in someone else too, to really bolster the perimeter attack. I'm assuming Butler will slide into Brewer's place in the rotation, providing a bit of scoring and good defense on the wing.

Thoughts on drafting Marquis Teague? I'm OK with it, it's not a terrible idea to bring in another point guard with Rose set to be out half of next season and if he can develop the way his older brother has, he could be a solid backup to Rose in the future. Can't really set the bar too high with the 29th pick. Let's see what else they can do this offseason.

[George7]

Teague was the best move Bulls could do with that pick. As I said in the draft thread, he's going to be a solid PG on his prime. In my opinion, he could be one of the steals of the draft night.

[air gordon]

Hinrich would be OK. Hopefully they can bring in another three point shooter to take Korver's place; Hinrich can knock them down but I'd like them to bring in someone else too, to really bolster the perimeter attack.

Who are you suggesting and how do they get this someone?

Thoughts on drafting Marquis Teague?

don't know much about him so i'm indifferent. Thibs doesn't play rookies much and it seems like Lucas is his "Duhon".

KC johnson reported that the bulls didn't invite him for a workout because they thought he wouldn't be available at 29

Teague was the best move Bulls could do with that pick. As I said in the draft thread, he's going to be a solid PG on his prime. In my opinion, he could be one of the steals of the draft night.

What do you base this analysis on?

[George7]

I have seen several college games this year, and Teague was a really good player. He had a little problem on his decision making but I'm sure experience is going to solve that after a while. Otherwise, he is a good athletic PG,a miniature of D Rose in fact. And also his improvement along calipari,the best coach in the NCAA at working with guards, as the season progressed, was surprising. He was constantly getting better and better.

I think that he has the working base and the talent to be a solid payer in his prime.

[Andrew]

Who are you suggesting and how do they get this someone?

I didn't have a specific player in mind. Glancing at Hinrich's career numbers though, he's actually a better three point shooter than I remembered. Not sure why I thought he was worse than what he is.

[benji]

Say goodbye to Asik, apparently the Rockets are offering him $8 million a year.

[_Steve_]

Who are you suggesting and how do they get this someone?

I didn't have a specific player in mind. Glancing at Hinrich's career numbers though, he's actually a better three point shooter than I remembered. Not sure why I thought he was worse than what he is.

Because people tend to suck while playing for the Hawks...

[Andrew]

Say goodbye to Asik, apparently the Rockets are offering him $8 million a year.

Indeed, that's a little more than I think they should spend on him. If he were a little more developed then maybe they could go that high but as it is, I wouldn't fault them at all for choosing not to match that. I'm more comfortable with them extending Gibson for a contract in that range, but that's just a little too steep for Asik.

[air gordon]

I have seen several college games this year, and Teague was a really good player. He had a little problem on his decision making but I'm sure experience is going to solve that after a while. Otherwise, he is a good athletic PG,a miniature of D Rose in fact. And also his improvement along calipari,the best coach in the NCAA at working with guards, as the season progressed, was surprising. He was constantly getting better and better.

I think that he has the working base and the talent to be a solid payer in his prime.

a mini D rose. wow. stop drinking the kool aid
would you be saying this if miami drafted him

Say goodbye to Asik, apparently the Rockets are offering him $8 million a year.

that's crazy. Rockets will have to back load that contract to get him that annual salary. May as well try to get something out of the deal.. say lamb or do a S&T with garbage contracts to get Kevin Martin

[Andrew]

Yeah, mini-Derrick Rose may be just a tad optimistic. For whatever it's worth, Kelly Dwyer quite likes the selection. If he's at all on the money with that analysis, then Teague should at least stand a good chance of becoming a solid backup to Rose. Fine by me if he pans out that way, I wouldn't set the bar any higher than that.

[George7]

Playing style wise, he's in fact a mini d-rose, but talent wise , he's nowhere near for sure, I'm not THAT optimistic . But yeah, I'm a little more optimistic than I should ,that he's going to work out well. I would say the same if he was drafted by the heat(though I would probably don't really care on getting into a conversation), as I'm talking about what I've seen.

[Andrew]

From the ESPN Chicago Twitter:

Bulls have touched base with lots of free agent guards recently. Add Derek Fisher's name to the list.

Willie Green is another name I've seen mentioned. Neither he nor Fisher are completely useless, in all fairness they're solid veterans who'd likely be coming in cheap and could provide some decent minutes here and there. Still, tough to get too excited about moves like that.