P.J. Brown out

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 13, 2006 12:01 AM CST in News

Brown didn't practice and is suffering from a strained plantar fascia. The Bulls wouldn't be surprised if Brown missed home games Wednesday and Friday against Seattle and Milwaukee, as well as Saturday's game at Atlanta.

I think I have a higher opinion of Brown's contributions than most (swapping him for Nocioni at the starting 4 hurts the defense and rebounding, no matter Noc's 'hustle' at both), but it was a matter of time before some injury hit the Bulls this year. This is where the depth accumulated in the offseason will help, more minutes for Sweetney and Khryapa, who now can stop the most ridiculous protest over playing time in the league (although special nod in that department to Flip Murray).

In other news, SBNation has yet another new NBA blog, BrightSideoftheSun, that's covering the red-hot Phoenix Suns. I can't think of a non-pun way to say that team has won a lot of games recently.

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Khryapa...

I will say that, in his defense (sort of), Paxson said that he viewed Aldridge and Thomas as virtually equal but the fact that they could get Khryapa made it a fairly easy decision. So, if you're not going to use him... Anyway, I'd rather have Aldridge. I've liked him since about year ago and felt he could help this team most in 1-2 years. I just think Thomas is so raw that he might be on the Jermaine O'Neal 4-5 year development. Which, for a team that "has been there before" and "made the biggest off-season splash" and is going to "win now", almost seems like a waste. But I'm just an Internet dork. So who knows? Of course, we'll see.

by tyger1147 on Dec 13, 2006 9:00 AM CST reply actions

Quote? Link?

I recall Paxson being satisfied he could get Veektor in a trade, but it didn't swing his decision to take Thomas. "Win now" usually means playing veterans not developing rookies [-Capt. Obvious], and it's doubtful Aldridge would be playing any more than Thomas if he was with the Bulls. You'd probably be whining about how the Bulls passed up Thomas to take Aldridge if the draft day trade never happenned.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 13, 2006 9:40 AM CST up reply actions

Posturing...

He said it on the draft coverage on TV.

Well, here's the quotes:
http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/quotes_060628.html

"Today, we were still indecisive about which direction we really wanted to go [at the number two pick]. There were a couple of players at the top [we liked], but then Portland came into the picture with Viktor Khryapa, a guy we had our eye on a couple of years ago in the draft. He's also 6-9, he's long, and he will fit with what we do. So we come out of this draft with great length in both Tyrus Thomas and Khryapa, guys that are both versatile players."

It doesn't say that he swung the decision, but it is implied quite strongly. On the show, I know he said it swung the decision.

I remember feeling it was all dealin' anyway. That they really liked Thomas, but if they could convince Portland they might want Aldridge, and they can get another player, then why not take it? But I know that he said they were up in the air on who to take and that getting another player that's "long and athletic" made up their mind about it.

Also, I wouldn't be poo-pooing anything they did. I like Thomas, a lot. I just don't like this "win now" attitude. The Cubs are doing the same thing. For the Cubs, it's different because they had a ton of holes to fill and I think they will fall flat on their face at the expense of the young guys.

I really like this Bulls team, and will probably like them more as I get time to see them play more. However, as currently constituted, I don't think they'll win it all this year or next. I don't think Ben Wallace is a "missing piece", especially when so much of the roster is changed anyway. I think Deng can be awesome (like 25-28 ppg awesome) in 2-3 years. I think Tyrus can be awesome in 4-5 years (good before that, but not awesome). They need to make another move (as everyone knows) to become a legit title contender. Hopefully, they do that.

by tyger1147 on Dec 13, 2006 12:56 PM CST up reply actions

Check your facts

It doesn't say that he swung the decision, but it is implied quite strongly. On the show, I know he said it swung the decision.

Pritchard always wanted Aldridge. There are so many definitions of 'win now' it's impossible to debate, but the Bulls certainly didn't load up on really old veterans like Miami has. Larry Brown hasn't been hired either. A competive team can be built to win now and still have a future. Portland made the playoffs for 25 out of 26 years. And it's been obvious for a very long time that the Cubs are a uniquely clueless and bad franchise. Whether it's a 'win now' or rebuilding year, the odds are it will be mismanaged and fail.

Skiles sized up Aldridge and I feel "it [was] implied quite strongly" that he wasn't a fan.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 13, 2006 1:46 PM CST up reply actions

Who's Pritchard...

What facts were wrong?

by tyger1147 on Dec 13, 2006 4:45 PM CST up reply actions

Even 'streaking' Suns

is a fairly cheesy alliteration. You're welcome.

That's too bad about Peej, and hopefully it's not an indication of him being too old to handle 20+ minutes a game. If he ends up taking Antonio Davis vacations that's gonna suck.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 13, 2006 9:02 AM CST reply actions

My trainer

has plantar fascia and it bothers him a lot and he doesn't play basketball for a living. I like PJ and hope he can get back in the rotation soon.

Thabo....the accent is sweet!!

by sue369 on Dec 13, 2006 9:10 AM CST reply actions

Plantar Fascitis

Can linger for a while. Basically, it's enflamed bottom of the foot and arches. I hope he's back soon.

Who can be a go to scorer for the Bulls?

by cubbybear on Dec 13, 2006 9:23 AM CST reply actions

Plantar Fascitis

...sucks. I had it a few years ago. However, I got orthodics and it cleared things right up. It can really vary how severe it is.

Honestly, I don't think this is such a bad thing. The Bulls are playing a bit better now, and PJ has contributed. However, I am eager to see more minutes for Thomas and Khryapa. This makes that easier. Plus, PJ plays older than I realized. Since the Hornets switched conferences, I didn't see that much of him. I have been concerned that if we play him too many minutes during the season, he'll be burned out by the time the playoffs roll around (think Robert Horry's final season on the Lakers or Othella Harrington two years ago for the Bulls, or four of the starting Pistons from last season).

So, I think that it could be a minor blessing - if all works out well.

Deng 4 MVP, 2008!

by corey williams corey benjamin on Dec 13, 2006 9:58 AM CST reply actions

Yeah, I had it too,

and it was pretty annoying - mine wasn't too bad, and still any time I sat and overnight my foot would stiffen up so I could barely walk. Once warmed up a little it was more just this vague annoyance. But then I'm not an athlete, and I could see how it would be a problem!

by wjb1492 on Dec 13, 2006 3:15 PM CST up reply actions

on another injury related note

ESPN is reporting that Ray Allen didn't travel with the team on this road trip, so one would assume, isn't playing tonight; Bulls are getting lucky with some of the "tougher" competiton during this homestand having injuries and suspensions

by milesgmsu on Dec 13, 2006 10:02 AM CST reply actions

Ray has...

sandy crotch syndrome and is not making my fantasy team real happy. A bruise in your foot shouldn't require you to miss a 7 game road trip.

Speaking of other injuries, Lamar Odom sprained his knee pretty bad, and is out a month. Yet another team will be depeleted as we play them this upcoming Tuesday. I'll take a cakewalk schedule while the rotation solidifies.

by eddiew23 on Dec 13, 2006 10:44 AM CST up reply actions

Odom getting hurt sucks

because he's on my fantasy team. I've had first place in the Blog-A-Bull fantasy league all season.

"all the girls loved BJ." -sue369

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Dec 13, 2006 2:26 PM CST up reply actions

in Khrapu and Flip's defense

I can't blame a player for wanting to play more.
For Khrapu, the guy started over 50 games last year (I think) so it's got to be tough to sit. He showed in preseason that he had talent.
For Flip, that link explained it a little better, he just wants to play, and is realistic that he can't get it behind Billups or Hamilton. The guy was a boon to my fantasy team a few years ago off the waiver wires when Ray Allen got injured. The guy may be the worst guy in the league who has potential to get 30 on any given night if he has enough playing time.

I'm sick of my name, damn gwkd.

by GWKD on Dec 13, 2006 11:18 AM CST reply actions

Agreed

I'll never blame a player for wanting to play more

by crashdev on Dec 13, 2006 11:57 AM CST up reply actions

ok....

...but can I still make fun of them?

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 13, 2006 12:37 PM CST up reply actions

yes!

by KT on Dec 13, 2006 1:13 PM CST up reply actions

no

khryapa's unfortunate name is enough for a lifetime of insults. And Flip Murray is up there with Sam Cassell for the all-ugly team. anything else is just rubbing it in.

I'm sick of my name, damn gwkd.

by GWKD on Dec 13, 2006 1:27 PM CST up reply actions

Does Krap-ya

play the 3 & 4 of just the 3?

I guess this means he'll get more playing time like he wants. Seems like it could end up being a great thing because if Krap-ya puts up really good numbers, his trade value will go up and it would make trading away a 3/4 guy(s) easier.

"all the girls loved BJ." -sue369

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Dec 13, 2006 3:35 PM CST reply actions

I'd say he's pretty much a four

he has good size at that spot anyway, and despite some flashes in the preseason doesn't have the requisite slashing ability that a normal NBA three needs.