Chicago Bulls Thread

[SlickNick13]

I used paint and i dont have and cant afford Photoshop.

[Fcuk Orlando]

Why would Ben Gordon leave the Bulls, they were perfect for him and he was the #1 option on that team. It's disheartening to see players who leave teams in their best interests just for money.

[shadowgrin]

they were perfect for him and he was the #1 option on that team

Derrick Rose.

[benji]

Ben Gordon said the Chicago Bulls did not make him an offer, despite general manager Gar Forman saying recently that re-signing Gordon was the team's goal.
...
During an interview on ESPN 1000's "Waddle & Silvy" show, Gordon was asked how aggressively the Bulls pursued him.

"I mean, they didn't pursue me at all," Gordon said. "They didn't even make an offer, so it was pretty much a one-man race."

Gordon was reminded that the Bulls said re-signing him was a priority.

"It is what it is," he said. "Like I just told you, there was no offer made. So you guys can put it together. I'm happy about my new situation now. I'm looking forward to it."
...
Gordon said he felt love from Bulls fans, but he wasn't sure how he was viewed by the organization.

"The fans that follow the game, I always felt I got a lot of love and respect," he said. "When I was walking down the street, people always showed me love. I really enjoyed that. If you were messing up, they told you. And if you were doing a good job, they told you. Coming from New York, I could really appreciate that.

"As far as the organization giving me my respect, I really don't know what they thought of me. When you go through the negotiations I've gone through, the writing is kind of on the wall."

Gordon reportedly rejected $50 million offers from the Bulls the last two summers. Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said Gordon's agent Raymond Brothers wanted to accept the five-year, $50 million offer last summer after initially rejecting it, but the Bulls decided it was too late and took the offer off the table.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=4302507

[air gordon]

The Bulls gambled and wanted to call his bluff ... and lost. Shit happens, I guess. But adding those $55 mill to your payroll now wouldn't do you any good, I'd say ...

i think it would have been fine to add Gordon & the contract. the problem was finding a team to dump Hinrich on. My guess is that there was some interest in Hinrich but Paxson/Forman were unable to get rid of him without jeopardizing their plan to keep cap space for the 2010 FA bonanza.

if Gordon were to again have a solid season and the bulls made the playoffs, there would be no doubt that the contract gordon signed would have been worth it, maybe even not enough in terms of perceived value

i've read in the local papers the bulls could have $25 mil to throw around come 2010 offseason... i'm not sure they will even be players considering they don't seem an attractive option as this point

[Andrew]

Not to double up too much as I posted extended reactions in the other thread, but it's ridiculous that they didn't even make him an offer. I think it's a huge mistake that I can only hope they recover from, but I have very little confidence in the team of Paxson and Forman at this stage. If this is how they handle their priorities, I sincerely hope they never openly state that their priority is to win a championship. They'll probably follow it up by releasing everyone in the roster, filling it D-Leaguers and training camp castoffs and hire Gilbert Gottfried to coach them.

In Pax, I no longer trust.

[benji]

They'll probably follow it up by releasing everyone in the roster, filling it D-Leaguers and training camp castoffs and hire Gilbert Gottfried to coach them.

That would be pretty awesome. I know I'd watch more Bulls games.

[Andrew]

I don't know, I can't take Gottfried for much more than a couple of minutes at a time.

[Bodz]

Here's an article from Chicago Sun Times - Has Ben: Time was up for one-dimensional star - that mentioned why the Bulls organization gave up on Gordon and I quote some excerpts from the article:

There is another side to this debate. In truth, Gordon was often a liability for the Bulls. He has never had any interest in playing defense, his ballhandling skills are non-existent and he's too small to be a bona fide NBA shooting guard. When he was hot, he could carry the Bulls. When he wasn't hot, he could be a burden

...the Bulls knew what they were going to get from Gordon, good and bad.

He was a specialist. Should a specialist make $11 million a season? And can a specialist who wants the ball every trip down the court play side-by-side with Derrick Rose, who needs to have the ball in his hands?

...Rose's incredible rookie season made their decision easier. In some ways, Rose's emergence made this decision necessary.

And the writer saved the harshest criticism for last:

Gordon never was an easy fit with Rose. With Gordon firing up shots at every opportunity, Rose often was left standing flat-footed, watching him. At times Rose seemed to become a spectator.

Although he was best suited coming off the bench, to score in bunches, Gordon viewed himself as a starter. He also viewed himself as a team leader. ... in reality, the Bulls are now Rose's team.

[Marek]

Ben Gordon is a great talent, he was a huge asset for the BULLS. Unfortunately, he's not in this team anymore. I have a particular respect for Paxson (and the BULLS), because in 1993 I was a big fan of Chicago Bulls (I must say, I'm the one of the oldest forum users, that's for sure- I'm watching NBA since 1992). I remember that night, that game, when John Paxson shot that 3 points in the end of the 4th quarter, in the 6th game against the SUNS. I was stunned, overwhelmed...I remember when I went to my parents bedroom, I woke them up, and said to them - the BULLS has won the Championschip!! Haha, those were the times (I was a teenager that time ). Anyway, the move of letting out Gordon is a big mistake of Paxson. That's for sure.

OK, those were my words guys, sorry for interrupting your thread.

[Bodz]

... when Bill Paxson shot that 3 points in the end of the 4th quarter,

You mean John right?

[Marek]

Yeah, John, Bill was Cartwright my bad.

[Oskar]

they were perfect for him and he was the #1 option on that team

Derrick Rose.

Not really, Rose might be my favourite player, but Gordon was better than him last year. Rose's got a lot to improve. He's a good passer in the open court, but he's not that good in creating plays and stuff. He's not a great shooter, but good enough for his first year. His defense is not good either, he somehow lets his man blow by every time. Gordon on the other hand, spectacular scorer/shooter, alright at defense, clutch as hell etc, still he has problems though.

Rose would've been the first option next year or the year after this if Gordon would've been on the team, but he wasn't last year. When Gordon got the ball all the other 4 players could've just get back on D already, iso iso iso ...

It's sad that Gordon is gone, because Rose needs good players around him to be succesful. He isn't going to create his own shot all game long and if he would, there are not that much shooters to space the floor. You can say Salmons is a good shooter (shot 41% from 3 I think), but he's not guarded like Gordon was. None would guard Deng at the 3pt line and if they would, there's no way Deng would get by someone.

People act like Bulls' backcourt is awful now, but Rose-Kirk-Salmons is not nearly awful, it's rather good imo. Even with Gordon gone, frontcourt is still the main problem for the Bulls and I really hope they'll get Bosh or someone. No to the Pirate please.

[The X]

I don't mind the Taj Gibson pick. I think he'll be a solid pro. I don't mind his game. Admittedly, I think Blair would've been better pick, but I can understand the pick at that juncture.

As for the Gordon situation, I think it's just a case of them spending the money on Deng & Hinrich, & the owner's wallet closed. I still think at the very least, you trade him when you can, even if just for a future 1st Round draft pick. It's definitely a cop out for Bulls' fans.

On the Hinrich topic, I really do think that Portland is a great fit for him & for the Blazers. As a fan of Brandon Roy & current Blazers, he would've made a good starting PG in Nate McMillan's system. I would've liked the Blazers to get Hinrich rather than throwing their money away on Turkoglu.

[puttincomputers]

Ben Gordon is a great talent, he was a huge asset for the BULLS. Unfortunately, he's not in this team anymore. I have a particular respect for Paxson (and the BULLS), because in 1993 I was a big fan of Chicago Bulls (I must say, I'm the one of the oldest forum users, that's for sure- I'm watching NBA since 1992). I remember that night, that game, when John Paxson shot that 3 points in the end of the 4th quarter, in the 6th game against the SUNS. I was stunned, overwhelmed...I remember when I went to my parents bedroom, I woke them up, and said to them - the BULLS has won the Championschip!! Haha, those were the times (I was a teenager that time ). Anyway, the move of letting out Gordon is a big mistake of Paxson. That's for sure.

OK, those were my words guys, sorry for interrupting your thread.

back in the day my mom forced me to go to bed the night of 98 finals win! I asked her to stay up watch for me and tell me what happened! she did it!

[air gordon]

Although he was best suited coming off the bench, to score in bunches, Gordon viewed himself as a starter. He also viewed himself as a team leader

I can never understand this or the criticism on how he stalls the offense. The coaching staff is starting him, playing him at the end of games, running plays for him at the end of games. Management built a team with him being the only legit scorer on the roster. What else is the guy supposed to do/think?

Rose needs good players around him to be succesful. He isn't going to create his own shot all game long and if he would, there are not that much shooters to space the floor. You can say Salmons is a good shooter (shot 41% from 3 I think), but he's not guarded like Gordon was. None would guard Deng at the 3pt line and if they would, there's no way Deng would get by someone.

Good point. Having that 3pt threat from both wing positions was a big part of the reason the bulls were solid down the stretch this past year.

I don't mind the Taj Gibson pick. I think he'll be a solid pro. I don't mind his game. Admittedly, I think Blair would've been better pick, but I can understand the pick at that juncture.

I didn’t follow college ball much this year. What’s to like about his game? Why do you think it was a good pick as opposed to blair or another guard (ellington)?

In Pax, I no longer trust.

Ironically- Gordon fit the mold that Paxson wanted- was a winner from a big name college, great attitude, hard worker, had no off court trouble issues. heck he never complained about coming off the bench behind duhon (!) or let it effect his play. maybe in the end it was the fact that Gordon also had skills that did him in??

[Andrew]

Ironically- Gordon fit the mold that Paxson wanted- was a winner from a big name college, great attitude, hard worker, had no off court trouble issues. heck he never complained about coming off the bench behind duhon (!) or let it effect his play. maybe in the end it was the fact that Gordon also had skills that did him in??

I know, yet you still get people - both sportswriters and people on message boards alike - saying he was selfish and had a bad attitude. Ah well, I suppose those folks feel vindicated now with their "good riddance" stance. If the Bulls struggle to score 90 points per game this year, those same folks will probably scratch their heads and puzzle over where the offense has gone.

[The X]

I don't mind the Taj Gibson pick. I think he'll be a solid pro. I don't mind his game. Admittedly, I think Blair would've been better pick, but I can understand the pick at that juncture.

I didn’t follow college ball much this year. What’s to like about his game? Why do you think it was a good pick as opposed to blair or another guard (ellington)?

I don't think he's a good pick compared to Blair, Blair was definitely the correct pick at that spot....as for Ellington, I was assuming they wouldn't let Gordon walk so there was really no need for him....to tell you the truth, I'm not completely sold on Ellington....I just have memories of all the recent gun SG's from UNC: Joseph Forte, Rashad McCants etc....but now that Gordon is gone, he might've been useful as a backup....ahh well....

as for Gibson, my judgement is based on seeing him play a few times (with Nick Young & Gabe Pruitt, nice USC team pre-Mayo & Rozan) of times 2 years back, so I assume that he is at least at the same level that he was at then....he reminded me a little of Joe Smith (of a few years back)....solid midrange jumper, pretty long player, solid defensively & pretty good on the boards....he should be a solid contributor & I think he's a solid late 1st Round pick in a weak draft....although I think adding a space eater like Blair would've been better, as Bulls don't have any low post game (haven't since they sent Elton Brand packing)....

[air gordon]

as for Gibson, my judgement is based on seeing him play a few times (with Nick Young & Gabe Pruitt, nice USC team pre-Mayo & Rozan) of times 2 years back, so I assume that he is at least at the same level that he was at then....he reminded me a little of Joe Smith (of a few years back)....solid midrange jumper, pretty long player, solid defensively & pretty good on the boards....he should be a solid contributor & I think he's a solid late 1st Round pick in a weak draft....although I think adding a space eater like Blair would've been better, as Bulls don't have any low post game (haven't since they sent Elton Brand packing)....

thanks for the insight. I’m very skeptical about another 6’9 beanpole even being a rotation player on the bulls. The bulls already have Thomas and Noah filling that role just fine. What I don’t understand is that Gibson's already 24 and still looks like he’s on crack. I guess Aaron Grey's roster spot remains safe on the bulls

I’m not sold on ellington either but he does have a certifiable NBA skill- he can hit 3’s

before he turned into an injured MOBy dick, Eddy Curry was pretty damn good in the post btw

If the Bulls struggle to score 90 points per game this year, those same folks will probably scratch their heads and puzzle over where the offense has gone.

they can eat crow. bulls management say they are trying to be more defensive minded but it won't matter as long as VDN continues his uptempo offense.

goes without saying- Deng must have a monster season next year

[Valor]

goes without saying- Deng must have a monster season next year

meh, doubt he will, his productivity was on the decline even before that injury, and now the only threat to his place on the team is gone (gordon), he will just sit back and enjoy his massive contract

[puttincomputers]

would the bulls be interested in marion? what about nesterovich?

[The X]

before he turned into an injured MOBy dick, Eddy Curry was pretty damn good in the post btw

Forgot all about Eddy Curry. That in itself, says a lot about the direction his career has gone

[Andrew]

would the bulls be interested in marion? what about nesterovich?

Bit of a difference between those two prospects. I doubt Marion will sign for what the Bulls can offer this offseason and Nesterovic wouldn't solve anything.

And for those who haven't seen it yet, I'll shamelessly plug this: Ramblings of a disappointed Bulls fan

[air gordon]

so the bulls got back Pargo. haha! as usual if Pargo is late in the game, the bulls are losing. but whatever. 2mil for 10mins off the bench next year

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/60433/20090708/bulls_agree_to_terms_with_pargo/

sad to say- i don't think any other moves are going to be made other then Grey's fate

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_d%20...%20nba,174951
k.dwyer doesn't like the signing

[Andrew]

Lose Gordon, gain Pargo. Not quite the tradeoff I was hoping for to say the least, but who knows, he might have the guts to put up shots and cut into deficits that normally put them on the fast track to another loss. So long as they take him out once the deficit is erased, otherwise he'll shoot them right out of the game again.

Oh, and fire Paxson.