Chicago Bulls Thread

[Andrew]

I'd rather have a magic 8 ball running the bulls than Skiles. Aren't we paying this guy more than Gordon or Hinrich?

I was keen for the Bulls to retain Skiles this past offseason and while I'm not totally in favour of the Bulls showing him the door, I do feel that way from time to time. I'm glad he's keeping his firm approach but I think he's sacrificing strategy and basic basketball logic to do so.

[beau_boy04]

should they be playing for the lottery picks now? I know they have NY's first round pick for this season and so far NY has the 2nd worst record in the season. Maybe they'll get lucky and get Adam Morrison who is being compared to Larry Bird and if things doesn't work out maybe even dream about getting Greg Oden in 2007

[Andrew]

No. They have the luxury of New York's pick, tanking the season isn't going to help them as much as learning to be competitive and developing a winning attitude.

[Sid]

They should just be patient and wait for the offseason. Two lottery picks and a fair bit of cap room should at least land us a good interior player (LaMarcus Alridge, Shelden Williams, Al Horford if he comes out) and hopefully a good perimeter defender, which are the two biggest needs we have right now. Yes, this season has been a step back but not a big one, and understandable considering the losses of Curry and Antonio Davis. Let's give these guys a little more time to develop before we start breaking them up...remember a few years ago when we traded away Brand, Artest and Brad Miller? Wouldn't that be a nice trio to have had?

[mark_30_112]

They should just be patient and wait for the offseason. Two lottery picks and a fair bit of cap room should at least land us a good interior player (LaMarcus Alridge, Shelden Williams, Al Horford if he comes out) and hopefully a good perimeter defender, which are the two biggest needs we have right now. Yes, this season has been a step back but not a big one, and understandable considering the losses of Curry and Antonio Davis. Let's give these guys a little more time to develop before we start breaking them up...remember a few years ago when we traded away Brand, Artest and Brad Miller? Wouldn't that be a nice trio to have had?

Agreed

[Dan's Brain]

They should just be patient and wait for the offseason. Two lottery picks and a fair bit of cap room should at least land us a good interior player (LaMarcus Alridge, Shelden Williams, Al Horford if he comes out) and hopefully a good perimeter defender, which are the two biggest needs we have right now. Yes, this season has been a step back but not a big one, and understandable considering the losses of Curry and Antonio Davis. Let's give these guys a little more time to develop before we start breaking them up...remember a few years ago when we traded away Brand, Artest and Brad Miller? Wouldn't that be a nice trio to have had?

That would just be the same old solution for the Bulls though, they always try to improve thru the draft, and it takes too long. They were a playoff team last year. Gordon, Deng, Duhon and Hinrich with a year's experience added to them should have led them beyond the first round of the playoffs. A deal needs to be made, and it needs to be made for a star player. I just don't know who. But it does need to be a big man. Wonder what the Spurs would want for Tim Duncan.

[Andrew]

I don't think they necessarily need a star if their young players keep coming along but they do need an inside presence. Gordon looks a lot better as far as scoring points when they need them now that he's getting opportunities though there's still some problems there.

[Dan's Brain]

February's been a good thing for Ben gordon to be a part of. Does anyone have any realistic suggestions for a good post offensive player. I'm trying to logically think of ways that the Grizzlies would be interested in parting with Pau Gasol. It's a struggle.

[Gedas]

Look at D. Songala's last weeks stats. He averaged 17 points and 7 rebounds per game. I think he is becoming a very important part of the team.

[Dan's Brain]

If he could do that 60 times a year, that would be fantastic. Well, not fantastic. But it would certainly be a start. He's a pretty ordinary rebounder, though.

Have a look at the comparison between his stats as a starter, and as a reserve:

G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Starter 7 7 16.4 .300 .500 1.000 .7 2.3 3.0 1.6 .9 .43 3.6
Substitute 44 0 22.2 .509 .333 .806 1.3 2.8 4.1 1.3 .6 .30 10.5

[Andrew]

I can't imagine the Grizzlies will give up Gasol for anything the Bulls can offer...well, anything that won't leave the Bulls too thin to make proper use of having a player like Gasol around.

I was disappointed in Songaila early on, I envisioned him coming off the bench in a similar role to the one he had in Sacramento and the fact he was starting but playing sparingly and doing little bugged me; I really hate that philosophy, starting a player only to play him a few minutes. Might as well as give the guy who's playing well enough to deserve a starting spot the job, especially since he's going to be playing starter minutes anyway. And as you pointed out, Songaila's been effective off the bench.

[Dan's Brain]

Bit like Jim McIlvaine from the NBA Finals Sonics. Starting games, but playing about 15 minutes. It's like they were fishing for another 6th Man Award.

[Andrew]

That'd be the 1997 Sonics. But yeah, it's the same kind of thing. I know it's important to have talent coming off the bench but I believe you need to put the best starting five out there so you don't get run out of the building and put the pressure on the reserves to close the gap. And again, those who are playing well enough to deserve starting should be starting.

[Dan's Brain]

96 Sonics i'm thinking. The Jazz were in the finals in 97. Ahh whatever, i was 12 or 13. But anyway, this is supposed to be about the Bulls. They should bring Chris Anstey back. He's been great for the Melbourne Tigers.

[Gedas]

Well yes, you have a point. Songaila is playing much better coming of the bench, but that is because he is used to that and really just needs to get used to playing in the starting 5.
As we all know, his biggest problem is fouling. When he starts the game, and his matchup is fresh, he has problems stopping him and so he get's many fouls. But he has improved his defense, since entering the league(he has improved a lot), so I think next year he'll defenetely will be ready to start the games, and even become one of the leaders in the team.

[Andrew]

96 Sonics i'm thinking. The Jazz were in the finals in 97.

You're right. But I meant that McIlvaine didn't sign until the 96/97 season, the offseason immediately after Seattle went to the Finals. Sorry about that.

[air gordon]

They should just be patient and wait for the offseason. Two lottery picks and a fair bit of cap room should at least land us a good interior player (LaMarcus Alridge, Shelden Williams, Al Horford if he comes out) and hopefully a good perimeter defender, which are the two biggest needs we have right now. Yes, this season has been a step back but not a big one, and understandable considering the losses of Curry and Antonio Davis. Let's give these guys a little more time to develop before we start breaking them up...remember a few years ago when we traded away Brand, Artest and Brad Miller? Wouldn't that be a nice trio to have had?

That would just be the same old solution for the Bulls though, they always try to improve thru the draft, and it takes too long. They were a playoff team last year. Gordon, Deng, Duhon and Hinrich with a year's experience added to them should have led them beyond the first round of the playoffs. A deal needs to be made, and it needs to be made for a star player. I just don't know who. But it does need to be a big man. Wonder what the Spurs would want for Tim Duncan.

Using the draft to find a superstar is a good strategy. Takes a lot of luck and timing. Neither of which Krause had when the Bulls had 1st round picks post Bulls dynasty

landing a star via trade is very difficult. Especially for the Bulls since they don't even have ONE all star level type player

[Andrew]

Nice to see them pick up that big win over the Sixers. Nice outing for the three Bulls in the Rookie/Sophomore game too. All three in double figures for scoring, some nice plays. Shame Gordon missed that reverse off the lob.

[air gordon]

lol i had to grave dig this one

i wouldn't call it great execution down the stretch but the Bulls did make the plays when they had to in today's game. Chandler was awesome- had 3 blocks in the 4th.. 2 were especially critical late in the game- one on Redd and then on Ford, which was the game clincher

Next up is Detroit @ the UC

Trade deadling in about 15hrs. I don't think Paxson makes any significant changes. I think Tim Thomas is being bought out if he's still on the roster past the trade deadline

[Andrew]

Either way, he's off the books this offseason. Good to see them pick up another win, shame ESPN Australia didn't pick it up. But as I always say, at least they didn't show another hotdog eating contest.

If they win the next one, they'll hand Detroit loss number ten for the season, meaning their predecessor's record can only be tied this year. Here's hoping for that trivia to come to fruition.

[MetalHead]

Chicago needs size. Other than Chandler, they don't have any players above 7 feet. Thing is, they need to grab Gay or Morrison in the draft, considering they're too good to pass. Both play hard on defence, but thats where similarites end. Adam is a great technical shooter, while Rudy is amazing on the penetration, and can finish above the rim. Paxson has to make a choice here. He needs to make some trade moves to give Chicago some more size, while still improving his team with some quality draft picks.

[Sid]

It's so difficult to get quality big men through trades though or free agency though. I really think Aldridge has to be the guy the Bulls go for...he's big, athletic, he's putting up good numbers for Texas, and he's still only 20 years old. Morrison and Gay are probably going to be very good players, but this isn't the 2003 draft...there really don't seem to be any guaranteed "can't miss" superstars.

[Andrew]

He needs to make some trade moves to give Chicago some more size, while still improving his team with some quality draft picks.

I don't think wheeling and dealing is going to get the job done, especially if it's going to send away productive players for question marks. Chicago has an opportunity to improve this offseason without even breaking up their core given they'll have two first round picks and a decent amount of cap room. In the mean time, I'd rather see them make the best run possible at the playoffs and then look at their options at the season's end.

[Andrew]

Looks like I jinxed them with my prediction. Sorry guys. Not quite as embarrassing as their last defeat at the hands of the Pistons though.

[Andrew]

Nice win today. Near-triple double by Hinrich.