Chicago Bulls Thread

[NovU]

i could see the bulls and heat doing a sign and trade. the bulls getting wade and miami getting deng and maybe johnson. Then the bulls could sign james and bosh/lee to max deals. talk about a stacked team!

I doubt the Heat would re-sign Wade to get Deng as a main return source. That so is not happening.

[Andrew]

Perhaps, just depends if they want to get something out of it since a sign-and-trade wouldn't be necessary.

[Confusious]

CLEVELAND — The preliminary bouts are finished. It is time for the main event in the fight for LeBron James, superstar free agent.

Chicago vs. Cleveland.

To the winner, the crowned King. Perhaps.

With New Jersey, New York, Miami and the Los Angeles Clippers having come and gone after making their pitches to land James, the Bulls and Cavaliers — considered co-favorites entering the summer's LeBronathon — will have opportunities to convince the two-time league most valuable player they are the team for him.

The Cavaliers will go first Saturday, when they surely will remind the Ohio-born, Akron-bred James there is no place like home. Next the Bulls will make their pitch.

Chicago is counting on making a lasting impression as the last team through the door. The Bulls will tout their roster with young guard Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng. And Chicago could be working on a trump card to drop on James' table if it gets a commitment from another high-profile free agent such as Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh, a potential coup that could deliver James.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nba/2012268755_nba03.html

Cavs have their meeting scheduled for 11AM. Bulls up at 2:30PM.

Should be a good fight. Let's see what the Bulls do with the last meeting. Scottie Pippen is rumored to come, because LeBron absolutely loves the 90's Bulls team. Why not pull at his heartstrings a bit?

Decision expected Monday evening.

BTW, been loving all the Bulls talk on Sportscenter lately. I could really get used to it...

[George7]

• Wade, a player many observers expect to return to Miami, had a second meeting with the Chicago Bulls and said, "Things are getting very interesting.

I don't know,but this(from the link confusious posted) seems the most interesting and surprising to me.And most of all the phrase by Wade "Things are getting very interesting"

[NovU]

Can't say I'm enjoying all this Wade Bulls talk as a Heat fan, but definitely Wade is seriously considering the Bulls.

In the end of the day, I think Wade will not give up 30 million dollars though. His last big contract, and I don't think he'll give it up. Rather he will persuade Bosh to come as Bosh seems to be really close to Wade. He'll probably have as much of chance at winning the title if that happens. Bron however, I think is too egoistic to convince for Wade. Lebron will either stay or be the Bull more likely than Wade.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miam ... 3043.story

On their respective Twitter accounts, Wade and Bosh confirmed they had dinner together Thursday night.

Bosh first commented late Thursday on his Twitter page, "Grabbing some food with close friends." Latter, he posted that he had dinner with Wade.

However, Bosh also took it a step further, posting a picture of himself and Wade, with a space between the two. "It feels like someone is missing . . ." was how that Twitter post ended, a clear message to James.

Now unclear is whether South Florida or Chicago becomes the preferred landing spot for such a scheme.

[Martti.]

I don't mind the Bulls landing James, but please don't take Wade too.

[Confusious]

Don't worry bro, you guys can have Wade and we'll take James and maybe Boozer/Lee. I think Bosh will side with Wade.

[Confusious]

Updates for today:

The Bulls' philosophy during the first few days of free agency has been simple: Chase the big stars.

Their pitch has been even simpler: We have the most ready-made roster to win championships.

Saturday afternoon, the Bulls will make that appeal to LeBron James, just as they have to Dwyane Wade (twice) and Chris Bosh.

The surprise second meeting with Wade set off near hysteria with fans, who now will think anything but either a Wade or James pairing with Bosh will be a free-agent failure. Bulls officials are cautiously optimistic.
http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/07/bulls-prepare-to-woo-lebron.html

It's actually a possibility. If Bulls go in there and say "if we can get Bosh and Wade, will you join us" what the fuck's he gonna answer with that doesn't result in an erection.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Chicago-is-daring-LeBron-James-to-play-for-the-B?urn=nba,253378

Was done in Family Guy style, which is one of James' favorite shows. Also Byron Scott gave a presentation about playing style.
6 minutes ago via web

Sources say #Cavs showed LeBron a custom cartoon they created with James & his friends as characters that referenced many inside jokes.
8 minutes ago via web

Last time Cavs had sit down w/ LeBron to offer deal, was at Ken Stewart's Grille in Akron 4 years ago to the day. Different this time around
http://twitter.com/PDcavsinsider

What a joke of an organization.

#Absurdity continues.
6 minutes ago via mobile web

# Escalades are on the move with no one in them, pulling in garage now
8 minutes ago via mobile web

# Bulls' escalades in front of building. So much for a covert exit. Crowd gathering around, this should be fun.
28 minutes ago via mobile web
http://twitter.com/ChristopherHine

lol at JA Adande's tweet:
Paranoia/insecurity rampant among Cavs fans. Now freaked out b/c I'd take a custom Sopranos over custom cartoon.

Bulls meeting just ended. Just under 3 hours long, with no presentation or anything. Wow.

PDcavsinsider
Bulls just left, they were here just under 3 hours.

Make that "smile." Small crowd booed as they left, time 4:14
less than a minute ago via mobile web

#Bulls left w/out saying a word. Reinsdorf in front of one SUV, Tibs in other with a smaile on his face.
2 minutes ago via mobile web

I like how they all wore matching outfits.

After the Cavs left, the Bulls arrived, including new coach Tom Thibodeau, GM Gar Forman, John Paxson and Jerry Reinsdorf. They donned jackets, but no ties. The Bulls didn't park in the parking garage where the other teams parked; so they had to cross the road ... ala the Beatles in Abbey Road.

The Bulls met with LeBron for about three hours (12:15 p.m. to 3:14 p.m. CT), before leaving in two SUVs to a chorus of boos from Cleveland fans who were waiting outside.
The Bulls left without saying a word, but Thibodeau left with a smile on his face. Unlike the other suitors, the Bulls did not cart any visual aids or equipment.

After both presentations, James also left without saying a word.
http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/07/cleveland-commotion-cavs-fans-woo-lebron.html

Loving the chances

[Confusious]

LeBron James is expected to decide on his team around mid-week, according to a league source who has been provided the timetable by James' camp

James is expected to make his decision by Thursday, which is the first day free agents can sign new contracts. The source has been told that James could decide as early as Tuesday or Wednesday. But Monday now looks like an unreasonable target date to resolve his future.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/w ... z0serD8bW5

This is GREAT news. This greatly favors us.

Hear me out now...

LeBron has a summer camp in AKRON on Monday. It was wildly reported he wanted to have a done deal by then so he can focus on the camp. That might suggest that he was going to resign with Cleveland.

If he decides to stall it out, it's because he's signing elsewhere. I mean, think about it, imagine if he committed to Chicago RIGHT when he started a camp in Akron. He'd get shot.

[Andrew]

Interesting stuff, of course, but I'm still haunted by the summer of 2000 when meetings with the top free agents seemed to go very well for the Bulls and ultimately, they went elsewhere (or stayed where they were). Still too many rumours flying around, again I'll put off celebrations until such time as names are on contracts.

[The X]

Lebron won't sign with Bulls. He's Ohio boy so he would've grown up hating the Bulls. If he leaves it will to be to Nets or Knicks, as I've always said. I think Bulls looking alright for Wade, which would be a very nice pickup

[Andrew]

He's expressed an admiration for the Bulls of the 90s before, but I don't think of that is either here nor there when it comes to the Bulls' chances of signing him.

[NovU]

More and more, Wade is sounding homesick, especially with his divorced wife taking 2 kids to Chi town. Fuck...

[Confusious]

Interesting stuff, of course, but I'm still haunted by the summer of 2000 when meetings with the top free agents seemed to go very well for the Bulls and ultimately, they went elsewhere (or stayed where they were). Still too many rumours flying around, again I'll put off celebrations until such time as names are on contracts.

Moot point. Our team back then was absolutely disgusting. I think we're all in agreement about that.

This year, we're not going to strike out. Our roster is just too attractive to these free agents.

And BTW, we missed out on TMAC in 2000 because we took a more humorous approach to the meeting with him. Cleveland just did that with James. Let's watch it fuck them over.

[shadowgrin]

But Cleveland pretty much knows James (he did spend most of his NBA career with the Cavs) for them to use the humor approach.
I can't say the same about Chicago and T-Mac then.

[Confusious]

Lebron won't sign with Bulls. He's Ohio boy so he would've grown up hating the Bulls. If he leaves it will to be to Nets or Knicks, as I've always said. I think Bulls looking alright for Wade, which would be a very nice pickup

Sorry, but that's ignorant. You don't know LeBron James at all if you think he grew up hating the Bulls. They were his favourite team.

[Confusious]

But Cleveland pretty much knows James (he did spend most of his NBA career with the Cavs) for them to use the humor approach.
I can't say the same about Chicago and T-Mac then.

Yeah, well, instead of listening to what other teams have been offering to him, and attempting to make life better for him, should he stay, they made a joke out of their interview.

And people wonder why Cleveland never wins anything. It's just embarrassing.

They should be desperate, and fighting for their lives, and they're making jokes. Jeez. And yeah, they know him well. It's been a long seven years. But LeBron has never had to choose Cleveland. It's always been Cleveland choosing him. Now is the first time LeBron has to choose them. I doubt he does it...

[Andrew]

Interesting stuff, of course, but I'm still haunted by the summer of 2000 when meetings with the top free agents seemed to go very well for the Bulls and ultimately, they went elsewhere (or stayed where they were). Still too many rumours flying around, again I'll put off celebrations until such time as names are on contracts.

Moot point. Our team back then was absolutely disgusting. I think we're all in agreement about that.

This year, we're not going to strike out. Our roster is just too attractive to these free agents.

And BTW, we missed out on TMAC in 2000 because we took a more humorous approach to the meeting with him. Cleveland just did that with James. Let's watch it fuck them over.

Absolutely, that's a significant difference between 2000 and now; I'm not comparing the line-ups. My main point is that there are still so many rumours out there, as Trey Kirby noted in a blog last week as it stands LeBron is "definitely" playing for about six teams next year, depending on who you listen to. I wish I had your confidence, I certainly don't dislike what you're saying, but I'm hesitant (and perhaps just too cynical) to buy into any of the rumours at this point. I bring up the 2000 offseason as an example of getting my hopes up and then being greatly disappointed, though I do agree that the situation is not quite the same.

[NovU]

Confusious is just an excited Bulls fan, and an annonying one. Fucker's links are almost convincing me that Wade'll end up being the Bull.

[Confusious]

Interesting stuff, of course, but I'm still haunted by the summer of 2000 when meetings with the top free agents seemed to go very well for the Bulls and ultimately, they went elsewhere (or stayed where they were). Still too many rumours flying around, again I'll put off celebrations until such time as names are on contracts.

Moot point. Our team back then was absolutely disgusting. I think we're all in agreement about that.

This year, we're not going to strike out. Our roster is just too attractive to these free agents.

And BTW, we missed out on TMAC in 2000 because we took a more humorous approach to the meeting with him. Cleveland just did that with James. Let's watch it fuck them over.

Absolutely, that's a significant difference between 2000 and now; I'm not comparing the line-ups. My main point is that there are still so many rumours out there, as Trey Kirby noted in a blog last week as it stands LeBron is "definitely" playing for about six teams next year, depending on who you listen to. I wish I had your confidence, I certainly don't dislike what you're saying, but I'm hesitant (and perhaps just too cynical) to buy into any of the rumours at this point. I bring up the 2000 offseason as an example of getting my hopes up and then being greatly disappointed, though I do agree that the situation is not quite the same.

A lot of Bulls fans are extremely cynical, and I don't understand why. I guess because if they confident, they're going to get their hopes up if it doesn't happen. I'm not thinking about that. All I'm thinking about is the possibility of hearing "AND NOW, AT FORWARD, FROM AKRON OHIO, 6'8: LEEEEEEEEEBROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMES!"

If it doesn't happen, yeah, I'm going to be heartbroken, but I'm extremely confident because the front office is learning from their previous mistakes. It isn't often you get a chance to sign a generational player. In fact, it's NEVER happened before. I really believe we're going to shock the planet by signing him. The longer it takes for him to commit, the better for our cause. It means we really blew him away with our presentation. I mean, what does LeBron benefit from by drawing this out some more? You think he's trying to get his ego stroked some more? I'd believe that if he went on that free agency tour as originally expected. But he didn't. He had them coming to him in his hometown. I can see he's TRYING to find a reason to leave the city without being branded a traitor. Obviously they're going to hate him no matter what... but still. It's something he HAS to do if he wants to win.

[Confusious]

Confusious is just an excited Bulls fan, and an annonying one. Fucker's links are almost convincing me that Wade'll end up being the Bull.

Michael Wallace wallacesports

D-Wade tells Herald his pursuit of full custody of 2 sons, and maintaining their stability, are factors in F/A decision.

[shadowgrin]

Confusious is just an excited Bulls fan

That or a frustrated Cavs fan. He hates the Cavs more in losing LeBron than the Bulls getting LBJ.

[The X]

Lebron won't sign with Bulls. He's Ohio boy so he would've grown up hating the Bulls. If he leaves it will to be to Nets or Knicks, as I've always said. I think Bulls looking alright for Wade, which would be a very nice pickup

Sorry, but that's ignorant. You don't know LeBron James at all if you think he grew up hating the Bulls. They were his favourite team.

Yes, I made an assumption. I had never read before that the Bulls were his favourite team. But given he likes the Yankees over the Indians, I shouldn't be surprised that he's a bandwagoner.

I don't know know what you expect Cleveland to do to sway him in the interview process. They have done everything they needed to do & in their power & built a team of shooters & defenders to put around him to win it all. The team has also taken on some bad contracts (like Shaq & Jamison) to try & win now. Of course there was the occasional misstep like not dealing for Amar'e, not dealing for Jamison (using Wally) one year earlier. The Cavs might not have yielded a title out of it, but they have been one of best two or three teams in league last couple of seasons. Heck, if James had played anywhere near the level he has in last few years in that Celtics' series then Cavs would've cast them aside, knocked off the Magic & made Finals. There was not a whole lot more I think Cleveland could do. The only card they have to play is loyalty, as they have been 100% loyal to James. If James is a man to his word & if loyalty is as important to him as he says it is, if he actually plans on delivering on his promise to bring the city of Cleveland a long overdue championship, then he will re-sign with Cleveland.

I don't know why you expect Lebron to go to Bulls. It just doesn't make sense to me as this decision has never really been about winning because he has been winning 60-65 games per year in Cleveland, so I don't think it will come down to that. I think he's either going to leave for greener pastures (New York/Brooklyn) or he's going to be loyal (Cleveland). I might be wrong & I'm happy to eat my words, but IMHO Lebron will not be wearing a Bulls' jersey next year.

That being said, I wouldn't be too surprised if Wade did.

[NovU]

Confusious is just an excited Bulls fan, and an annonying one. Fucker's links are almost convincing me that Wade'll end up being the Bull.

Michael Wallace wallacesports

D-Wade tells Herald his pursuit of full custody of 2 sons, and maintaining their stability, are factors in F/A decision.

If you fucker weren't Canadian, I'd be putting mother in front of the term I address you with, but let's leave it at that for now...

[Andrew]

A lot of Bulls fans are extremely cynical, and I don't understand why. I guess because if they confident, they're going to get their hopes up if it doesn't happen. I'm not thinking about that. All I'm thinking about is the possibility of hearing "AND NOW, AT FORWARD, FROM AKRON OHIO, 6'8: LEEEEEEEEEBROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMES!"

If it doesn't happen, yeah, I'm going to be heartbroken, but I'm extremely confident because the front office is learning from their previous mistakes. It isn't often you get a chance to sign a generational player. In fact, it's NEVER happened before. I really believe we're going to shock the planet by signing him. The longer it takes for him to commit, the better for our cause. It means we really blew him away with our presentation. I mean, what does LeBron benefit from by drawing this out some more? You think he's trying to get his ego stroked some more? I'd believe that if he went on that free agency tour as originally expected. But he didn't. He had them coming to him in his hometown. I can see he's TRYING to find a reason to leave the city without being branded a traitor. Obviously they're going to hate him no matter what... but still. It's something he HAS to do if he wants to win.

Well, the cynicism and skepticism comes from past experiences. Past mistakes, past disappointments, past observations. And as I've been saying, there's a new rumour every day, so it's difficult to set too much store by them. The Bulls seem to have a legitimate shot, I'll certainly say that and sure, I have imagined the possibilities and would love to see it happen. I don't think there are too many Bulls fans who haven't at least given it a thought or would dislike the prospect of it happening. But sometimes you're a bit more cautious about getting your hopes up a second time when they've been dashed before. It's the old adage of "Don't count your chickens before they hatch" that we're subscribing to here.