CNNSI Ian Thomsen's Take on the Gordon Situation

This appears to be a new article and I haven't seen it posted in any other thread. It contains some interesting quotes from Paxson, Gordon, and Deng.

One anonymous scout says: "Will [Gordon] care about the Bulls? Let's face it, he wants no part of the Bulls after they wouldn't give him the long-term money he was looking for. He will not be a Bull after this year.''

over 3 years ago 1958ChiTown 8 comments 2 recs |

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very interesting

"I think what has happened a lot in the league now is that guys do want to be able to compare contracts to other guys,‘’ he said. "From what I see, it’s pretty simple: Everybody knows what everybody else makes — players, agents, everyone. And in some ways it becomes a contest, and you don’t want to lose that contest.’’

I believe the same dynamic exists among owners. When they gather at All-Star weekend or other meetings, they judge each other based on frugality and efficiency and which of them squeezed the most out of payroll investments.

"San Antonio has done it as well as anyone — they have a pecking order,‘’ Paxson said. "Every team would love to have a pecking order in terms of players, from your best player all the way down. In the perfect world, the best players are paid the most, and San Antonio has done such a good job with that. But that’s hard to emulate in this business right now.’’

Paxson was probably peeved everyone knew what he (or Reinsdorf) gave Noc :-).

(it’s still soooooo crazy that he got that deal, given the circumstances and the now-known constraints)

It would’ve been nice to hear Paxson talk about the type of player Ben is and how he can fit, instead of just saying he needs to ‘buy in’.

management sez: recommend fanposts/fanshots/comments! Click 'reply' when replying to a comment! Flag jerkfaces! Be a 'Nazi' when it comes to thread duplication!

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Oct 31, 2008 4:01 PM CDT reply actions

The quotes from Deng and Gordon indicate

the contract ‘negotiation’ breakdown was much more damaging than previously reported.

I have never heard of any behavior described by Ben here.

"That was the first season since I’ve been here where there was a legitimate, major trade rumor around training camp,‘’ said the 25-year-old Gordon, who is beginning his fifth year in Chicago. "We would have team meetings, and we would talk about the trade stuff. Coaches would bring guys in to talk about the contract stuff and try to keep them focused. I think it was something that we had never been through before as a team, and especially as a young team it swayed the focus.’’

Is this common in the NBA? Or is it Skilespeak for how the NBA works according to him?

by NBA Observer on Oct 31, 2008 4:19 PM CDT reply actions

Isn't it comical how a little thing like paying a role player way more than what he's worth can screw this up

"I’m gonna rise up, gonna kick a little ass. Gonna kick some ass in the USA. Gonna climb a mountain, gonna sew a flag, gonna fly on an eagle. I’m gonna kick some butt, gonna drive a big truck. I’m gonna rule this world. I’m gonna kick some ass. I’m gonna rise up, gonna kick a little ass. Rock, flag, and eagle!"

by Ozzie Montana on Oct 31, 2008 4:33 PM CDT reply actions

The Fact Remains

that the Bulls offered Gordon. aka Mope a Dope $10 million per (twice) and he turned it down both times. As Gordon and his idiot agents discovered this offseason and will have drilled into their thick skulls next year Gordon is not a $10 million per player nevermind $12-$13 as apparently they think. As the artcile pointed out in todays NBA economy Gordon will be lucky to receive anything over the mid level exception which is about right for a one dimensional player who will never be a starter for a legitimate playoff team. Gordon might just end up with the Bulls after he receives no offers above the midlevel exception, assuming he can eat his enormous ego and accept a Bulls offer which will likely be even lower than this years, probably in the Nocioni range. By the way the “horrible” Nocioni contract only pays him an average of $7 million per over the next 3 seasons, not really horrible by NBA standards. At only $7-8 million per I might be able to tolerate Gordon tripping over his own feet and falling down while pretending to play defense, as long everyone stops pretending that he is a starter.

by BigWay on Oct 31, 2008 5:56 PM CDT reply actions

If Rashard Lewis can get 6 years, $110 million

then Gordon can get $10 million per. I can’t fault his agent for trying and deciding to hold out.

by YaoPau on Oct 31, 2008 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Actually the Nocioni contract is horrible and totally stupid and short-sighted

Paying someone close to 8 million annually when his main contribution to the team is “energy” is pathetic. Stop blaming Gordon for acting like every other NBA player who tries to maximize his financial situation as early as possible career-wise. Blame Paxson for giving Wallace and Nocioni awful contracts while trying to short-change his 2 best young players.

by Ozzie Montana on Oct 31, 2008 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions

More like 7mm, last year is a team option not likely to be honored.

But it was in the spirit of winning. They were winning so they wanted to keep the core. Had they gone to the ECF last year, I bet you’d see Gordon and Deng signed to big(ger) contracts right now.

by CJ Bulls on Oct 31, 2008 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Huh

Say that Gordon accepts less than he believes he is worth. Will that money go to another teammate? Will minutes and touches be awarded according to salary? (Money may not influence coaching decisions in Chicago, but it surely has affected roles on other teams.)

Way to softpedal there Ian. Larry Hughes agrees with you!

by Sports2 on Oct 31, 2008 10:30 PM CDT reply actions