Chicago Bulls Thread

[Andrew]

Yeah, I'm guessing he will actually play, perhaps up to 30 minutes depending on how the game goes. But if they were to hold anyone out, he'd likely be on the shortlist.

[air gordon]

It's Noah And Hinrich out tonite

How about sacto in tank mode? The Bulls had a chance at their pick pending their finish but with cousins sitting the last few it's staying with sacto this year

[Andrew]

That was via Cleveland in the Deng trade, wasn't it? I figured they'd never see that anyway.

[Andrew]

The Raptors won their final game, so the Bulls will have to overcome the Hawks if they want the third seed.

[Andrew]

Gutted it out. 50 wins, third seed, Bucks in the first round.

[air gordon]

I think it was. An outside chance it could be theirs. The Karl hiring left some hope but that's that

Pops east gift wrapped that one for the bulls. Bulls starters vs hawks in the fourth lol.

50 wins. Maybe thibs best year as bulls coach

Tempting to get those games in milwaukee but can't do it during the work week

Excited for the playoffs to start. the bucks are a wildcard. MCW got them in crunchtime last time. I don't see him posting up Rose. I think Snell should get a shot at him also

[allnickstaken]

I'm starting to lose my patience with DRose.

[Kevin]

I'm starting to lose my patience with DRose.

What? Why? I mean I know he messed up at that last play but he's been playing great.... so far.

[Andrew]

Everyone has bad games and makes mistakes from time to time. It happens. Personally, Rose's play through the first three games of the series makes me feel like my patience as a fan wasn't all for nought, and that there's good cause to be cautiously optimistic about the future.

[Moz]

I'm starting to lose my patience with Pau.

Now that sounds more appropriate and less bandwagon-ish ... Speaking of DRose, that awesome block on Henson got me off guard that I didn't mind Mayo hitting that 3...

[air gordon]

Everyone has bad games and makes mistakes from time to time. It happens. Personally, Rose's play through the first three games of the series makes me feel like my patience as a fan wasn't all for nought, and that there's good cause to be cautiously optimistic about the future.

Lol he sure picked a bad time to make a mistake. Same on the previous possession.

Everyone gets to point the finger. he'll bounce back and try to close out the bucks Monday

[Andrew]

As Bulls Round Into Form, It Still Seems Nothing But A Title Will Save Tom Thibodeau

And there I was, thinking the days of Krause-like thinking were well and truly behind the team.

[air gordon]

The timing of the story is annoying

The local media was eating it up too. Instead of the bulls win, the focus was on the article.

Boo

[Moz]

Apparently, according to Thibs, "It's all noise"

[Andrew]

You bring up a good point, AG. There are more positive and promising things to focus on now; I'm all for enjoying the current run they're making, and worrying about that stuff later. That said, hopefully it is indeed "all noise".

[air gordon]

Moving the offseason talk back here

Anything is possible though I think the chances are slim the Bulls will not resign Butler. I think the negotiating point will be the amount of years.

What about the rest of the roster? Move forward with the same cast? Should Thibs be brought back??

[Andrew]

I'm pretty confident they'll re-sign Butler - I mean, he's a restricted free agent, after all - but I'll feel a lot better about it once a deal gets done. As for Thibs...I do get the point about it being time to move on, but it's tough to say "Sure, get rid of a really good coach" so readily. He's only had one season where the whole roster has been healthy (and one this past year where they were relatively healthy), and he's done his best what the circumstances he's had to deal with. I kind of feel like it's better to go with the devil you know, especially when the main reason he's on the bubble is because of personal friction with Forman. I think Thibs should get at least one more year.

I like your suggestion in the other thread of starting Gasol and Gibson, and moving Noah to the bench. I suppose it depends on how healthy Noah can get, but right now, it doesn't look like he's capable of reaching that All-Star level he was at. Even in the twilight of his career, I have more faith in a rejuvenated Gasol right now. Even though he didn't play well in the Playoffs, I wouldn't mind seeing them bring back Brooks, though I imagine he'll be the latest backup point guard to have a solid season for them on a one year deal, and get more money to move on elsewhere.

It's a shame they're not in a position to get Marc Gasol, seeing as how he's an unrestricted free agent. On top of being one of the best centres in the league right now, I have to imagine he'd have pretty good chemistry with Pau, and he's playing a lot better than Noah is right now.

[Jackal]

Now there's an idea..if Gasol were to leave would they be able to do a sign and trade? And who would be expendable for the Bulls between Gibson/Noah? A Gasol/Gasol front court would something.

[Andrew]

Probably Noah for his salary, though his value on the court isn't at an all-time high right now.

[Moz]

Not worried about Butler since John Paxson already said that they will match any offer for him... Unfortunately, It'll put either Noah or Gibson in the trading block... It would be awesome indeed if the Gasol bros are on board but that's shooting the moon (same can be said for LaMarcus Aldridge) like them trading for the number 1 pick (revisit that Kevin Martin trade?)... Perhaps acquiring the likes of Wesley Matthews or Tristan Thompson is more feasible... I don't mind if they'll trade either Pau or Niko, since they got the highest trade value next to Jimmy, and if they let go of Brooks (I want them to bring back MDJ though)... As I've said before, they should just get an offense expert coach beside Thibs if they'll keep him...

[air gordon]

I do not want to see gasol or Noah at pf next year. The Bulls were exposed as unathletic and slow in the playoffs. Even though they had the size advantage, they were still being outrebounded and or couldn't take advantage of the smaller lineups they faced

I would like Thibs back but with some offensive guru as an assistant as suggested. I believe Thibs is the only coach who is calling both defense and offense sets. Honestly, what are the Bulls assistant coaches doing? You don't see them doing anything in huddles or during the game. Thibs is always at half court yelling

Mjd had his moments but they need an upgrade at starting sf. Mjd is a reserve at this point of his career anyway. Maybe Snell is that guy but he still is consistent and does not have Thibs trust. Mcbuckets season was basically a redshirt year for him. I honestly think a new coach would do those 2 great

I'd prefer to give Moore a chance next year and say goodbye to brooks.

If pax is still in insistent and trotting out gasol and Noah (sigh), they should just go ahead and trade taj for a wing player. It opens up minutes for Niko also. Draft a center.

[benji]

All signs point to these being Tom Thibodeau's last days as Bulls coach with a resolution planned for no later than Friday, sources told the Tribune. Since no team has asked for permission to interview Thibodeau, the Bulls appear poised to dismiss the 2011 coach of the year with two years and roughly $9 million remaining on his deal unless Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf unexpectedly intervenes at the last minute. Iowa State coach and former Bulls guard Fred Hoiberg is widely considered the front-runner to replace Thibodeau.

What once stood merely as minor disagreements and distrust between Thibodeau and management has evolved into questions over his offensive schemes, handling of the roster and minute distribution. Furthermore, according to multiple sources, some players didn't endorse Thibodeau's return in exit meetings with management.

In fact, according to sources, some players have been making separate offseason plans for several summers instead of working out formerly at the Berto Center and now the Advocate Center to get a break from Thibodeau, who rarely leaves the practice facility.

[benji]

I would like Thibs back but with some offensive guru as an assistant as suggested. I believe Thibs is the only coach who is calling both defense and offense sets. Honestly, what are the Bulls assistant coaches doing? You don't see them doing anything in huddles or during the game. Thibs is always at half court yelling

While there had been reports of Bulls VP of basketball operations John Paxson trying to force-feed an offensive-minded presence on Thibodeau and his staff last summer, that so-called would-be assistant coach went nameless. According to a league source, however, it was former Bulls coach Doug Collins. Considering how close Collins and members of the Bulls front office have remained over the years, it would have been a recipe for disaster. The ultimate act of undermining. Luckily, Thibodeau resisted the idea, as his team went on and finished fourth in the Eastern Conference in offensive efficiency anyway

[air gordon]

Ha. Paxson wouldn't do that, would he? He will fire a coach on Xmas and choke a coach for overplaying a player. He couldn't be serious in bringing in Doug Collins while Thibs was around

What was the Bulls offensive efficiency in the playoffs? Small sample size I know..

[benji]

2nd in the East: http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... misc_stats