Game Thread #20: Bulls vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 9, 2006 4:09 PM CST in News

For a recap of last night's win over the Raptors, check out this podcast appearance I had today with Ryan of HoopsAddict.com.

Tonight's opponent, the Timberwolves, have been in the news the past couple days as a possible destination for Allen Iverson. While any acquisition of Iverson would automatically submarine any chance of the Bulls getting Garnett, if I were them I'd try and make the move.

It's been said many times that the Wolves will never win with Garnett and their current roster construction, but I would go further to say that their cap situation is in such dire straights they should try and dig out of this hole by continuing to dig. And from GM Kevin McHale's standpoint, trading KG will be the last move he makes...so even if it screws their future at least getting Iverson saves his job.

In any Iverson trade, the centerpiece would be Randy Foye, a young scoring guard who played college ball at Villanova. Then McHale and Sixers GM Billy King could mix and match their contract mistakes until the numbers even out. I do not think that Minnesota could offer any picks, with two protected future picks being owed already, so the lack of any more young talent (although 2nd rounder Craig Smith has had a good start to the season) could mean that Philly looks elsewhere.

My best guess at an agreeable trade is this. Philly gets young talent in Foye, Smith, and McCants. They have to take on some bad contracts in Jaric, Hassell, and Madsen, but despite being overpaid they're at least good team players and defenders. In turn they can pawn off two of their bad long-term deals in Hunter and Korver, who also will help the Wolves.

After the trade here would be Minnesota's rotation:

Minnesota:
James/Hudson
Iverson/Davis
Korver/Reed
KG
Blount/Hunter

A little thin up front, but that's as close to contention as Minnesota's getting. Another 3 year window with Iverson and everyone else pretty much locked up. And of course there's always the possibility of a third team getting in there. No doubt Danny Ainge will try his time-honored tradition of helping other teams win championships through getting involved.

Well that was far more fun (and likely pointless? Wolves owner Glen Taylor says Iverson's too expensive) than doing a normal game preview. One thing of note is that while both Minnesota (beat the Jazz) and the Bulls played last night, obviously Minnesota's making the trip in. For whatever advantage that's worth. And while Luol Deng did a great job on Chris Bosh last night, I don't see the same success on KG, but it's something I think the Bulls should try.

Lets make it 8 in a row!

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Comments

Another GREAT podcast

I did my duty as a Chicagoan and totally zoned out when you started talking about the Raptors.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 9, 2006 4:58 PM CST reply actions

thanks

unless you were being sarcastic.

I think nobody should listen to what PaxJax says: everyone needs to hear my opinion on Jorge Garbajosa ;-) <-----see that's the sarcasm indicator

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 9, 2006 5:03 PM CST up reply actions

It wasn't exactly sarcasm

as 90% of the sports podcasts I've listened to involve blogabull. Of course you would have to be reading my mind to know that, and I assure anyone reading that my personal tin foil stock is enormous.

Anyone watching the game tonight should take notice of who isn't playing for the T-Wolves, although it's a little early for any trades to be completed. I know some Minnesota fans who would be heartbroken to see the inventor of grit and hustle, Mark Madsen, leave town.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 9, 2006 6:30 PM CST up reply actions

That's one wicked complicated trade

"all the girls loved BJ." -sue369

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Dec 9, 2006 5:21 PM CST reply actions

Also,

if Korver and Hunter are being dealt, I'd be interested in getting involved.

"all the girls loved BJ." -sue369

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Dec 9, 2006 5:33 PM CST up reply actions

Hunter I like

Hometown boy, sort of.

Like his rebounding and size.

Who can be a go to scorer for the Bulls?

by cubbybear on Dec 9, 2006 5:41 PM CST up reply actions

I like Stephen Hunter too

I think he's misused (as in, not playing instead of Chris Webber) in Philly.

Korver blows.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 9, 2006 5:58 PM CST up reply actions

There are $20 Million Reasons

That Webber is still playing. That and the constant desire to make up for a timeout call in college.

Who can be a go to scorer for the Bulls?

by cubbybear on Dec 9, 2006 11:39 PM CST up reply actions

You do a nice

interview Matt. When he was asking about Ben G. coming off the bench I read today that Ben was ticked that he was on the bench last night instead of playing. Wonder how long it will be before he decides he's had enough of coming off the bench and asks for a trade? Here's the link where he says he was ticked.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketball/bulls/166444,CST-SPT-bull09.article

Thabo....the accent is sweet!!

by sue369 on Dec 9, 2006 6:13 PM CST reply actions

Russell?

So the Bulls announcer guy just called Trenton Hassell "Trenton Russell". At least he didn't sound to sure about it. Weird.

Deng 4 MVP, 2008!

by corey williams corey benjamin on Dec 9, 2006 7:40 PM CST reply actions

Blech!!!

This Bulls team is just a shadow of it's former self.

Thabo....the accent is sweet!!

by sue369 on Dec 9, 2006 8:36 PM CST reply actions

Garnett

knows Skiles is watching. He's trying his best to show Pax he's worth the trade.

by Option27 on Dec 9, 2006 8:38 PM CST up reply actions

I guess

as Deng goes, we go. Going to be really hard to win taking all these outside shots.

by Option27 on Dec 9, 2006 8:56 PM CST reply actions

John Madden chimes in

You see, the problem, uh, with shooting shots from behind the three point line is that, you see, you have to throw the ball in, you see, from farther away.

Who can be a go to scorer for the Bulls?

by cubbybear on Dec 9, 2006 11:42 PM CST up reply actions

lol

good thing we have the experts to break down these complicated basketball matters for us common folk, eh?

by wjb1492 on Dec 10, 2006 10:22 AM CST up reply actions

I've been worried about this game

all day. The Wolves just beat the Jazz, and they are exactly the type of tall, athletic team that gives the Bulls fits. Hope they pull it out . . .

B-jizzle my nizzle!

by preverbal on Dec 9, 2006 8:59 PM CST reply actions

This game

would be HUGE to pull out. Good to see our energy come back. Go Bulls!

by Option27 on Dec 9, 2006 9:16 PM CST reply actions

thats on duhon

ballgame

by fireskiles on Dec 9, 2006 9:26 PM CST reply actions

Ugh...

I am going to be so happy when Chris Duhon is gone.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Dec 9, 2006 9:27 PM CST reply actions

fugly

Thabo....the accent is sweet!!

by sue369 on Dec 9, 2006 9:54 PM CST reply actions

couldn't have

put it better myself

Who can be a go to scorer for the Bulls?

by cubbybear on Dec 9, 2006 11:43 PM CST up reply actions

That's the difference between the East and West

The T-Wolves aren't good, but they'd make the playoffs in the East with no problem simply because they have KG. On the other hand, teams like the Bulls and Cavs are being mentioned as "title contenders" simply because the play in the East, and well, somebody has to go to the Finals. We'd have a tough time even making the playoffs in the West. We've already lost to Sacramento, the Lakers, Denver, and Minnesota - Western teams in the 35-45 win range.

by Big D on Dec 9, 2006 11:10 PM CST reply actions

What happens

to this team in just a matter of a few days?

Mon. and Wed. night we had great ball movement, the passes were crisp and we played with energy and played as a team. Fri. and Sat. there was not a lot of ball movement, lots of turnovers and we had energy in spurts or not at all. They did not play as a team Fri. or Sat. Hopefully they get it figured out and play well consistantly the rest of the season.

Thabo....the accent is sweet!!

by sue369 on Dec 10, 2006 10:43 AM CST reply actions

One guy talking

Keep in mind, Monday and Wednesday we played terrible teams.

Beyond that, the Bulls really struggle with frontcourt length. Teams like Orlando, Cleveland, Minny, and even the Raps, give the Bulls trouble because of their size up front.

Thus, not too surprising that we looked so good Mon and Wed, and so beatable Fri and Sat.

B-jizzle my nizzle!

by preverbal on Dec 11, 2006 10:34 AM CST up reply actions

Sat Nights Game

I went to the game on Saturday night. I was very disappointed with the effort the Bulls put forward. I sat in section 102 behind the Bull's bench. The whole team did not look focussed at all. Also, Scott was also not as animated as I would hope to see in person.

On the brightside, Eddie Griffin didn't play too much, but I was able to yell out "Bentley" evertime he touched the ball.

by Jesse07 on Dec 11, 2006 1:14 PM CST reply actions