I don’t think this is a problem.

We won’t win 49 games.

I thought incentives were determined before the season whether they were attainable for cap purposes.

Making $58M last year in a godawful year, will attest if they won 49 games and made the playoffs, this would be a nice boost to their revenue line, making Hughes $4M cost not too much a concern for them. Plus having Rose in the playoff hunt in a more favorable matchup with 49 wins should suggest, really will be a boost to not only ticket sales, but Rose Jersey sales and Bulls sales in general.

So i think this is roughly a mute point. A good thought, but for the Bulls corp brass, I think they’d love any chance at best to not only make the playoffs but progress to the 2nd round…..imagine the hype they’d get with a huge expiring contract (Hughes next year) a young stud who improved the team by 16 wins back to where it was 2 years ago) and hopefully by then a nice core with Rose and Deng and hopefully Gordon to build off of.

Also, I don’t think with our backcourt issues and Deng’s play, 49 wins is a possibility, but it is early and our young bigs have talent, they just don’t know how to use it yet…

We cannot discount Hughes’ offensive contribution to the team this season. With Deng yet to show up this season, Hughes’ input has been all the more helpful and necessary.

Hughes has had more of a positive impact this season than Hinrich or Deng. And in light of that, give Hughes some credit.

First, I believe the owner, GM, coaches and players care more about “on the court performance” that someone on blog some bullshit, I apologize moderator, but some post are just too far off the mark.
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"Hughes arguably had his best playoff performance since scoring 33 points in Game 5 of the Wizards’ first-round series against the Chicago Bulls in 2005. It was the type of show the Cavaliers — and perhaps that angry fan — expected from Hughes when he bolted Washington that summer to sign a five-year, $60 million contract with the team. (The contract could be worth up to $70 million with easily attainable incentives; Hughes got a $2 million bonus this season because Cleveland won at least 49 games.)
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It was the type of show (no it was played on the court not a show) with the Cavaliers?
 He was not playing even for them at the time in 2005, why in the H would they care then (the fan, please, go get your pepsi and third hot dog). He played in 36 games that year with 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assist (pretty much the same performance you get now?)

Now, maybe look before our Bulls get involved, remember, you have someone you have Wallace that you fail to mention? Contract dollars? Performance? The Trade? His 3 pt per game average this year (a superstar?).

All critical before you worry about a small incentive by someone, it is not that player, that gives the incentive. Hughes wanted to stay at Washington, they wanted him, still want him, but THE KING said, “get me Hughes”, hence the large contract. So don’t hate the player, don’t even hate Cleveland, for they usually to what the KING wants. He fills their seats. Last year before we got Hughes, he said, “GET ME JASON KIDD”, management did not listen this time or bow to the king. Now he is getting ready for the big Apple or Europe at 50 million a year.

Lets look at 2006-2007 (this is last year, a tad more recent than the 2005 mentioned), this was be the second of the five year contract, right. You still with me? Not a contract year? Correct? Played in 70 games, 68 starts and averaged a career high, remember, this is the ninth year in his career, average NBA career length?
Take a guess? 4.7 years So even you (and I) should know what your getting, RIGHT? 14.9 points per game, 3.8 assist and only one of seventeen player in the league last year (remember, this is 2007, not 2005) to finish with 1000 points, 250 rebounds, 250 assist and 85 steals. In the NBA, yes, the whole league (300 players). You don’t take that away from someone, he did it, case closed. In addition, he rated number 26 in steals per game. You think Thabo, Gordon are going to ever give you that? Heinrich? Anyone on the Bulls going to do that? Rose? Think he will make it 11 years in the NBA? How many players make it 10 years? Answer please? Not even 10 percent of every player on a team in 2008. 50% have less than three years expereince, you think someone with some knowledge, or played the game would respect someone who could do it for 5-7-9-11 years. I could never do it above my college level. Its truly like winning the lotto to have that skill. You don’t understand numbers, surely not defense and here is where the money came, Hughes is a great defender beyond even his good defensive numbers. A game, if studied and he play mid 30 minutes, he will take 6-8 points off the other teams score. I can’t show you or teach you how to know that, but less then the NBA level it’s known and rewarded, hence, why he make nearly a couple hundred grand a night. Now smoke those numbers in your pipe, because believe me, someone else did thirty times before it was offered. Then say, who can play the point at that height, play #2 and play small forward? Now you see value.
Now, what did he average is whole career and college career in FG and 3pts?
Once you start learning this about players, you start learning the game.

 The same as he always has (Hughes) about 41% from the field, about 31% from the 3 pt mark. He finished the 2007 season (three more years on his contract remember) with going near the last ten games scoring over 16 ppg. Lead or tied the team in steals 21 times and went a month hitting 21-48 from the 3 pt line. In the year ending 2007, scored in double figures 55 times and topped the 20 pt mark 15 times.

Not to keep this brief, and it is honest as can be, and not lopsided like I am a Hughes junkie, he gives what he us what he always given any other team. Same average, same numbers, when played the minutes. At 30 next year, I want to know who on the bulls is better? Yes, Rose had the numbers, but for less than 2 months in the NBA, this is 10 years and 2 months in the NBA. Got one player? Nope, we got Sanford and Son heap of trouble with the wort junk in the paint. Now, he is leading our whole team yet does not start. HMMM, I would play for what somebody does on the court would not you? Look at the minutes, learn, most of all, with a player like Hughes that 95% of fans can not understand, it is the defense, not the missed 35 footer clanger (many times at Cleveland, where that started cause Lebron would finally pass then with 4 seconds left on the shot clock some games, Hughes would pop 30-40, many he would not.
I am no a friend of Hughes, agent, promoter, relative, etc, I don’t even know Larry Hughes, nor would he know me if I was in the first row of the United Center.
I am not saying he is a superstar, not saying he is the Bulls future, which when I read that statement I fall the ground laughing for besides Rose, if he makes the 4.7 year average, which I think he will no with injuries, what player is the Bulls future? If they have been in the league two years, three years, don’t give that b.s. that more minutes will turn him into a real player and Larry is stealing them. Thats the worst logic I ever heard for winning a game and this team needs to win first.
Hughes has put up numbers now for ELEVEN years. Only 1 out of 10 in the NBA can even say they played that long in the NBA, can you believe i?. No only that, the numbers are the same, yep, Larry Hughes has the same damn numbers except now, which he has always been streaky player he is leading the Bulls in three point shooting.

 NO, never been his strong point. FG, nope, around 41-43. 3 pt 31% but that is the game today. Read, learn, it has changed dramatically in 5 years. Free throws, probably around 80%, so if you let him get off the perimeter drive, his score will come up to the 14-15 range.
Now defense, don’t think you have a Bull beating the oldest guy (besides Hunter) on the team, that is sad, but there is your answer young man (believe me, I am older than you) even though he was supposed to be out after taking his shoulder completely out of joint and expected back in January. Finally, you can say he is always injured, wrong again, look at players on year 11 in the NBA, yes, there are only 30 this year, see if they are crossing (this is on offense mind you) the 10,0000 points this year as a guard in the league. I not saying he is Jordan, don’t feed that back, not saying he is Pippen (though he was the first player since Scottie Pippen way back in 1994-5 to have the highest steals mark per game average in 2005 (maybe that is why you go back and pick out 2005, cause he matched our Scottie, thats it, isn’t?).
But like I wrote in my thesis here, don’t get all broke up over a few open jumpers, if you want to win with what you have now, play him hard and he will come with games hitting mid thirties 3-4 times, popping a double double, etc. Its not pretty, its consistent over now 11 years and that my friend is why he is only 1 of 10 guys that can make it TEN years in the league. Why the whole team will be gone out of the NBA on an average of less than 5 years. He is defense, loves it, if a turnover, watch how he will play, foul smart, defend smart, take that 6-8 points away. The fans don’t see it, can’t read it, announcers talk about their mother in law rather than defense. He is a rare player.
One that has commanded the money he makes and will probably continue to make for another 5 years to age 35, he has lost very little speed or ball handling skills. Read all the post here and most sites, its about starting, who coms off the bench, who scores, assist, etc.. Sure its important, but when hoops are your life, the other side become just a important, this is why Hughes is a player for 11 years. Like it, dislike it, they are all facts, no cheap shots to anyone, maybe Lebron, though a superstar, needs to learn how to pass. In addition, is in it purely for $$$$ first. Larry is Larry, he earns what he desearves and will do it for fifteen years in the NBA.

If I was his mother, anyone named NORM (have a beer), I bet would she would whip you. Stop replying to my post, then maybe I will stop writing. Otherwise, get used to it. Does he lead the team in three point percentage? 2-3rd in FG. Can’t anyone say anything positive about any bull and they are attached? All you all do is bitch a bull.
He is not a bad basketball player, if so, who on our Bulls is good? Two players please, for all but 2-3 are 5 years younger, but can’t keep up? Then give me some stats that back it? You can’t? Next Case!
Poor history knowledge here among the fans, maybe an average age of 14.
Don’t recall the coastline of Northern France along the English Channel, turning part in World War II boys, lost two relatives for this country and you have no knowlege of it’s history. SAD. No nazi’s = free speech, yes, Bulls fans did storm Normandy, W0W, any male 84 and up? $180,000, well $182,000 is what Larry earns per night for each of his 82 games, sorry I have to break this down for you. Chew on that stat, I know you will. So if he is leading in numerous average “fan” categories on our team and will be earning close to $200,000 a night next year, maybe we shoudl play him, for the percentage is we win when we do. If he is not, I can see where your attitude probably enjoys a loss more, you like to complain, so do not play him. Fact remains, he is, your only player that can play three positions and does one thing no other Bull can do, play defense. Read up on the average length of an NBA career, I can not teach, but Hughes doubled it and still leads the team, not to hard to figure out is it now?
4.7 years, he is on year 11. 9.4 versus 11, you should have fractions this year, try them out. So get used to another two nice years of 14.5 points a game, 41-42 average, 80 free throw average, low thirties 3 pt average and pulls 6-8 points off the other teams scoreboard when you learn to watch a game. This is, what make him what he is, and earns what he earns. If not, name two other player with 11 years and a salary like that and numbers to match? You can’t, so put a pencil to paper and figure it out, your post have no meaning, not a fact, not a stat, just " Dah, I don’t like him, be glad when he is gone", wish we had Wallace back: Maybe, we would be in the finals like Larry was 18 months ago playing out of position as a point guard. Average Basketball IQ of a bulls fan, may be scary. Guess you were in diapers when Dennis, Scottie and Michael played.
Nah, no one liked Dennis, but his numbers blew people away. A defensive player, played well, very well.
In 1983 an award of defensive player of the year, was first awarded for the first time the history of the NBA, to honor the play of defense, i took that long to admire what it meant to the game, when a player from Arkansas, also played 10 years (maybe you will start to understand the logic and admiration of a fan that sees putting 11 years in the league by a player as an accomplishment that only one in ten NBA players will ever make). Scored 11,000 points, (Hughes will also) maybe you may see the similarity, maybe not, I doubt it, averaged 15 points a game also. FG% 40 also over career, Sidey Moncrief. To bad you don’t understand what we have or what his game is, maybe another 10 years and you will learn the nuances of winning.

D-Day, was a reference to “free speech” and “verbalizing hate”, and an answer to the above question when someone did not understand what D-Day meant, I explained, it a blog, not a thesis, get over it. What does it have to do with basketball, absolutely nothing. What does it have to do with “hate” like your sign off for “your” so called team? Everything. Someone thought the bulls fans stormed Normandy (when actually some did), Sad how quick we forget that, but will worry about someone’s 3pt average until we die because we are just so envious of their income. You would have to scroll and read up to get a understanding. Any United States male over the age of 84 would be involved, that should clear that for you, true, not place for the board, but when poorly remembered and understood, a mention was necessary.

Next: Agreed they are not great numbers in the game of basketball, but they are the way the game is going, more about style, than team numbers (Rick Berry guaranteed Shaq 80% free throw in a one day training course years ago, would not take it, rather stay at 50% FT for he would look bad?, see SI for article.). How many games did that cost over a career? The numbers have been heading down for nearly 10 years. If you don’t agree, one your wrong, two show me the numbers that prove otherwise. What is the percentage drop in FG? What is the drop in the number of 3pts? What is the drop in percentage of FT? It sure was easy for you so skip over any and all reference to any mention of defense, why Sir Prev?

The question was not Detroit players at all Prevenge, yes, though on crack, meth and a self injected morphine drip with pure grain alcohol to quench my parched lips at the time written. Here, cut and pasted: ""Does he lead the team in three point percentage? Second or Third in FG% The BULLS, not the Pistons?
Near the top in free throws? Near 80 in whole 11 years?

He is not a bad basketball player, you should have the stones to admit that and if so bad, as I wrote, if so, who on our Bulls is good? Who is better? You can’t answer that except put down a rookie who is going to pass his season average in games in the next couple weeks for the last 5 years of his life. Not eleven years in the league. Making some good coin at age 29 to me, must be doing something right. Then someone will post he had a career year (not true), career year was second year of this contract, so don’t waste your time, I will save you it.

How about 11 years in the league, you forgot to rip on that or even acknowledge under 5 years is the average of an NBA player. 50% of the players in 2008 are under three years in the league? Only 30 players of 300 have the years of Hughes today? Can’t give the man one thing can you, remember, all was said and I love to do it, cause your like a pack of wolfs taking the short bus to school?

You selectively read,, Hughes leading the NBA in anything? Easy, steals in the whole NBA couple of years ago, so lead the NBA in a stat, correct? Wrong again, can you admit it or go after a vowel I missed in a posting instead? Don’t even know your own team players, but attack someone who thinks he is our best defender.

Or do you take that away cause you “hate” for a reason (back to nazi’s). Does the other players you mention in Detroit all have 10 years behind them in the league? NOPE Again, easy. easy easy.

Enough, if you sign off is a hate statement for a bulls player, maybe start going to Detroit games. Chauncy is back home in Denver were he played high school and College ball for the twilight of his career.

Again, no reference to any defense, or any other bull player playing better?
I am not saying he is great, but when you put the whole package as easily explained and mirrored with another player with the same percents (you say they are not great numbers, but they got this guy in the HALL OF FAME?, your wrong again). Maybe you did not read the analogy to Sir Sid? Lower numbers but as Jordan stated, one of the toughest to play against.

This year is too early, he is still working his way back from a shoulder completely removed from its socket. Ask the boys at Rush Pres about that x-ray. Has always needed two 30 plus minutes a game to have his shot down. Did it in Washington under the advisor of Michael Jordan as teammate, then did it Cleveland until moved to the point guard for the betterment of the team, numbers suffered, went to finals, It will be Lebrons only time in Cleveland, past or future. Great player? Whats his 3pt average, lower than Hughes? YEP, 29% Then look at the number missed? But, the face of teh NBA for points and offense sell tickets and T.V. and games. The board here even proves it also. One can say they need minutes for one player during a game, then not another, he accepted off the bench but asked for minutes to keep his shot. Hughes will finish most every game, coaching staff is excellent, Bickerstaff, Harris, know what they are doing, rookie coach will be just fine also, moderator needs to give some a break. We have a better than average player with Hughes, thats it, play him or show me numbers of another player on our Bulls team (not your fantasy pool) that has better numbers? SIMPLE Then, before ripping my post and attacking me just address the years in league comment versus the average years in league, what good defensive skills he has (well noted, your pretty far off if that is missing)? Just be honest, thats all. Is that too much? If so, maybe your problems are are more than just worrying about a post on a blog about an eleven year above average player in the NBA?

First, its not fantasy, so get off the salary, unless you offered to the player, second the player on detroit you mention are not on the their 11th year as stated, nor may have not averaged over 14 pts per game over 10 plus years. Third, if the percentage fg is better it is less than statistically significant when factored with the the defensive play. Would not run after a 43 fg % with none cracking 45 (which you hope a center would) Nothing better than a point or two and your taking guys with 3-4 years in the league. So you will have to further than Detroit, yes there is better players at less money, but we don’t make that call, and it never means their available. The fact was, is there a better Bull player putting better numbers up this year, even after a previous 10 years. You all rip a miss free throw, but with a steal a few sunk when driving the lane, no comment. Just weak, sure there are bad shots, but salary is you issue and you can’t blame the player for that. More power to him and see how many Bulls on your team right now will put up those numbers over 11 years? Even our star rookie had a weak game against the clippers, when he lands that fat contract is it time to rip him? Is he wore out cause the high school season is over now, 25-30 games? The one college year? Average is going down quick, getting stuffed like he is at build a bear. Made a star out of 8 good weeks, lets get a year. Maybe 40 plus games? For a coaching staff who is the best we have had in years, don’t understand the 40 minute games every night for a rookie on a team hoping to get to the first round? He is spent already, your going to need guards now, worse yet, we need a center the most of all. Just remember, not great, but better than average, if not, show me stats for a current player on 10 or 11 years. He is just not the player that deserves hate from cats like you just cause Cleveland gave him a contract (which helps us). He never held out or wanted to leave Washington. Study some numbers and you will see. 40-45 is all you get now pal or maybe you will take Lebron 29% 3 pt average, time left on the clock and then the number of shots and bitch about paying 50 million in New York. Again, one more time, a bulls player with better overall numbers, surely not sitting on the bench, but also i there to defend and get the win at the end, cause isn’t finishing when it counts and you put your real players in?