Open Game Thread #81: Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2008 6:40 PM CDT in News Comment 194 comments

I know I made the joke somewhere else in this space before that the Bulls weren't going to catch the Bucks at this brief tank-a-thon because the Bucks have so much more practice.

And with a new GM and a completely mucked-up salary structure, Milwaukee will likely be looking to make some major changes in the offseason. As in 'might even consider taking Larry Hughes' type changes.

They do have pseudo-star Michael Redd, who is better currently than anyone on this squad, but is also turning 29 by the start of next season and therefore likely won't be a part of the next great Milwaukee Bucks team. I'd imagine the Bucks would be willing to do a move similar to what the Sonics did with Ray Allen: take on an equally crappy contract in a worse player, but for shorter years, along with 'assets'. For Allen, the Sonics received Wally Szczerbiak (1 year shorter deal), with the assets being the #5 pick and Delonte West. I'd think starting offer for Redd (who's younger and owed less, but for more seasons, than Allen was) would be Hughes and #8, but then you could really expand the deal considering the contracts both teams may want to unload, and other fun things the Bulls could throw in (like Thabo).

I'm not even sure I'd want to acquire Redd, even though he may be a maxed-out Ben Gordon, he's also getting paid more than Gordon will likely (as if I have a clue) ask for and you're getting his end-post-prime seasons whereas Ben's best is yet to come. Plus there's the sticky issue of committing max dollars into that magical summer of 2010 when James/Wade/Bosh are free agents. And the issue of committing max dollars to anyone who really doesn't deserve it. But it did get Hughes out of town, didn't it?

Think of that instead of this stanky tanky game. I'll collect your sheets at the end of class.

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Hughes for Redd

I'd do, but after that............

And this thread is better than mine.

I can see this game, so I'll be watching for the last gasp of the year. I was going to see it in person, but work interfered.

by KT on Apr 14, 2008 6:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Micheal Redd is not the answer

Redd is a great scorer but not a great player, ala Ben Gordon. He has a reputation as a poor passer and is always assigned the opponents weakest offensive threat on defense. The Bulls might as well just resign Gordon (5 years younger) who will not demand as great a salary. Now if we could dump Hughes for him, than this may be a decent move, but why would the Bucks do something so stupid?

Getting Bogut would be a worthwhile pursuit, but what could we offer to make this scenario plausible?

by Tyrusmancrush on Apr 14, 2008 7:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

re: Gordon

If they got Redd, that's tremendous Gordon insurance (as opposed to now where they can only point to Thabo's news clippings).

So in the offseason they can still hope to sign Ben to a reasonable deal, and even if he took the qualifying offer it wouldn't be that awful.

I don't see why they couldn't keep both, besides the seemingly typical Bulls fan philosophy of you can't have too many good players when there are worse players to take their place.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2008 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What?

Did they confuse Bobby Simmons and Gilbert Arenas? That contract is worse than Hughes'.

BAB Tyrus Love-Meter -- 8 - Deciding whether next season is going to be similar to Kemp 95-96 or better.

by cubbybear on Apr 14, 2008 6:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

ahh...

but is it worse than Nocioni's. That's the tough questions I want answered.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2008 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, it is.

by KT on Apr 14, 2008 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Noah is even playing like crap

I think he caught whatever it was... These guys look really poor.

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 7:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is gonna be vile

we're worse than the Bucks, and they have a better pick.

by Freethefro on Apr 14, 2008 7:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to see Hughes play all 48 minutes

just to see what happens. They could lose by 50 and I bet several guys refuse to enter the game.

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 7:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is embarassing

They're going to give up 40+ points in the 1st quarter to a team that's been tanking for the past month. If they were going to put up so little effort, maybe they just shouldn't have shown up.

by Big D on Apr 14, 2008 7:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Amen

by Freethefro on Apr 14, 2008 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well you know it's bad when

the Bulls announcers are comparing Charlie Villueneva to Lebron.

by shoryuken on Apr 14, 2008 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder if they can allow 50

by RogersPark Kris on Apr 14, 2008 7:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Boylan never had control of this team

but this level of effort is just incredibly low. I haven't seen a Bulls team play this lazily since...well, I'm thinking of the Tim Floyd years, but I'm not sure if there wasn't more intensity back then. Just totally unprofessional. I hope Boylan's coached his way out of the NBA.

by Freethefro on Apr 14, 2008 7:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

My favorite player is Hinrich.

He knows he's not going to play more than 25 minutes or any of the 4th quarter, so he just brings the ball up the court and gets rid of it ASAP.

by shoryuken on Apr 14, 2008 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was worried

that I was the only one watching this game. They're playing so lackadaisically that I was starting to feel a little foolish for wasting the time...

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 7:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

it's defense optional

I'm sure when they have the ball in their hands they're enthused to shoot it :)

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2008 7:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wayne:

"Aaron Gray has shown some ability, Red, as you've pointed out many times this season"

ha!

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2008 7:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

what happened to gray?

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 7:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

the cold-heated wisconsin bastards

won't give us a replay.

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 7:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

they showed a replay

and it looked like he just stepped awkwardly on someone's foot. He walked off the court under his own power, sez Wayne.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2008 7:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was fearful

that we'd witnessed the end of the gray era... ;-)

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wayne did spend a good deal of time

talking about Gray's weight issues.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2008 7:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

At the beginning of the year

I said one of our biggest problems was the lack of an AD/PJ type up front. Wallace, despite his rep, wouldn't commit a hard foul (or really any foul) to save his life and wanted to be freed up from playing against big guys). Smith is waifish and couldn't do it well.

Well at the end of the year it's still one of our biggest problems. Any team with any size or bulk just beats the hell out of us. At this point, Noah has more of a PF's body. I think a guy like Jeff Foster or Rasho Nesterovic who's long and strong would be a pretty good help over the next couple years while they fill out.

My Blog (Econ/Politics/Sports/NBA Salary Info)

by Sports2 on Apr 14, 2008 7:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

And another problem we have...

... is we freaking suck and don't care.

My Blog (Econ/Politics/Sports/NBA Salary Info)

by Sports2 on Apr 14, 2008 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

those guys both have expiring deals next season

so sure. It wouldn't be a trade I'd pay for though.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2008 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I always thought

Foster and Pollard played well on those pacer teams, haven't understand why they fell so rapidly in every teams depth charts

by bullsfaninla on Apr 14, 2008 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, Pollard is always hurt

and I don't think Foster is much good for anything outside of hitting the offensive glass.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2008 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yea

i have been pushing for this for a long time now. maybe gadzuric and simmons for larry hughes and nociioni. does that work. It would be like exchanging bad contract. Maybe through in villanueva and gooden in the mix if they wont accept it otherwise.

by Sambossanova on Apr 14, 2008 8:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

why would we want gadzuric @ 5 mil

or Simmons at 9 Mill. At least hughes and noce give you something sometimes. Now the only way this would work for the bulls is if they threw gooden for villanueva but the bucks would be so stupid cause he only makes like 3 mill. Gadzuric and Simmons are preety much untradable with 4 and 3 years remaning on there contracts.

by Ibleedbullsred on Apr 14, 2008 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Duhon making a late season push to stay

Local club owners are rejoicing.

by RogersPark Kris on Apr 14, 2008 7:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

stay employed in the nba?

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I won't be convinced until I see

him hold up another team's jersey. In the Bullsocolypse the only thing that would survive is Duh.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2008 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Boylan

to send him scurrying to the scorer's table.

by Freethefro on Apr 14, 2008 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sefo

playing superb defense. We better not lose this guy.

by Freethefro on Apr 14, 2008 7:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

true, the Bucks may have scored 60

in the first.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2008 8:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what the hell

why are the Bulls taking the lead? At least it's (in part) on the back of some Tyrus points.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2008 8:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

They are on a huge run

since Hughes went out.

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The second Gray steps on the court

"Gray's back in, that's good to see!"

Oh Red, stop blushing.

by RogersPark Kris on Apr 14, 2008 8:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I saw him back in

what a faker. Is he a soccer player or something?

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 8:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's going to give Red a heart attack

if Gray keeps playing with Red's emotions like that.

by RogersPark Kris on Apr 14, 2008 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bulls domination!

(of the Bucks)

by Freethefro on Apr 14, 2008 8:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

81 - 71 in the first half

That's a playstation score.

by RogersPark Kris on Apr 14, 2008 8:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

this game sure has a different complexion

than when it started. Larry Hughes has that kind of effect.

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 8:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

the end is near...

isn't a dunk by duhon one of the signs of apacolypse?

by Lt.Dan on Apr 14, 2008 8:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

duhon

is nba caliber. give him a break. I hope he becomes a top flight backup point guard...for the jazz or something.

by Sambossanova on Apr 14, 2008 8:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i hope...

he decides to start a charter airline service...

by Lt.Dan on Apr 14, 2008 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You've got to give the Bucks credit

They seem to be much better at tanking than the Bulls are. How in the world do you give up 81 points in a half to this Bulls team?

by Big D on Apr 14, 2008 8:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

they've had practice

the past two years of being truely horrible. Larry K promised to make them a better defensive team, and this is the result.

Teams tend to have career scoring nights against the Bucks. Except for Cleveland.

by KT on Apr 14, 2008 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What the bloody hell?

I'm in the middle of class - we take a break - I think, hmm, wonder what the Bulls are doing against another bad team.

81-71? And now that Ty and Joakim are starters, now Boylan is playing the bench huge minutes? Yeah, I see the fouls, but so what? Anyway, I haven't watched yet, so I really shouldn't be commenting, but how in the world is it productive to give Duhon this much time?

It takes a special coach to make Aaron Gray a guy you can see.

by wjb1492 on Apr 14, 2008 8:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Buck season ticket holders

deserve way better than player autographs.

by RogersPark Kris on Apr 14, 2008 8:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

OK, I have stayed away for long enough

no shot at this year but hughes for redd plus were might lose a thabo and pay him more. Come on now matt your killing hughes. I'f thats it then o my you talk about non-defense. Let me fix that up a bit maybe include Noce vs thabo. I'd even try something different, if we are just talking about milwalkee. By the way this is one of Duhon's one in a million games. We need a point guard, thats why Chandler had no chance here, like barkley said have you seen chandler score on anything but a lob or oop, all set up by what a point guard. He also said Peja gets all his looks from chris paul penatration. We need a point guard. Not saying Mo Will is the answer but I'd rather him over Redd. Hinrich for Mo Will with some pieces to make it work

by Ibleedbullsred on Apr 14, 2008 8:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You don't want MO for a point guard

he isn't one, despite playing that position. He's had several 0 assist games this year, and he rarely passes the ball inside.

by KT on Apr 14, 2008 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would want him more than red

I limited the discussion to the bucks.

by Ibleedbullsred on Apr 14, 2008 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

your right though, I wouldn't we need a point

guard who would I trade for the top pick after rose says he's coming out? Capt Kirk, Noce, Ben Gordon, Gooden, Deng, No one will take Larry but if they would him too. Hell almost the whole team.

by Ibleedbullsred on Apr 14, 2008 8:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hughes and Noc

for Shaq. You heard it hear first.

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ohhhh...

Hell yes!

by Khalid El-Amin on Apr 14, 2008 11:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if you had a team of just Larry Hughes

how many would they lose by on average? 35? 40?

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 8:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

lmao

look at that little girl... shes expecting overtime with that popcorn... shes not gonna go hungry, ill tell you that.

by ChiTownCritic on Apr 14, 2008 8:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Add Ramon Sessions

to the list of borderline NBA guards that have torched Kirk Hinrich. Sickening.

by Freethefro on Apr 14, 2008 8:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

TT was late...

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah Kirk was looking for the help side

by gobulls1124 on Apr 14, 2008 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you're right

nobody's playing D. But goddamn I'm sick of all the guard penetration all year.

by Freethefro on Apr 14, 2008 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well...

i dont think any1 was playing much defense, and i didnt understand why boylan had all those guys out there for this. there was just more chance for guys to get hurt. and id take kirk defense in a meaningful game compared to ben gordon's. i mean he given career nights guys like rondo, kyle lowery, and travis diener.

Ralph Wiggum, a smarter man than Jim Boylan

by Yibs on Apr 15, 2008 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What I heard him say about it

actually made sense to me...something about it being a very trying year for the players and that a game like that could maybe help to flush the season out of their systems.

by alec on Apr 15, 2008 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is a Gray/hughes linuep

enough to cause a fourth quarter collapse against this Bucks team?

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 8:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

no

it would also take duhon

by ChiTownCritic on Apr 14, 2008 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking something like that myself

Hughes and Noch, the two chuckers of the team on the floor at the same time, thats not too good.

Then aaron gray, that last play when kirk bounced it behind his back for aaron, Gray was just too slow to get to the ball in time....uhhhh

aside from that though this game is going really good, imagine if we had gordon in....man he would have 25 by now easy...

Kirk Hinrich. The FORMER Best White American Point Guard in the NBA, Will Soon be Traded :(

by piccolomair on Apr 14, 2008 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hughes should be locked in a cage

and let out for Cleveland games only.

by RogersPark Kris on Apr 14, 2008 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What is going on?!

by gobulls1124 on Apr 14, 2008 8:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If ever there was a guy

who could benefit from the HGH, it's Gray.

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 8:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Luol Deng is unstoppable

against a bunch of nobodies

by shoryuken on Apr 14, 2008 8:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

the bucks announcers

started out by saying how well Deng shot against sub .500 teams, I think it was 54%.

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wat,

are you watching the game in milwaukee?

by ChiTownCritic on Apr 14, 2008 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That means he is shooting 40% against good teams?

I'm not actually capable of doing the real math, but he is shooting shooting 47% on the year. 13 teams in the league are under .500, so he is probably shooting in the low 40s against good teams.

by shoryuken on Apr 14, 2008 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What happened to Yi Jianlian

Is he hurt?

by RogersPark Kris on Apr 14, 2008 9:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

probably, since hes not playing..

by ChiTownCritic on Apr 14, 2008 9:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well. It's 141 to 124 with 6 minutes left

in regulation. The Bucks are on a run.

All we need now is for the Bulls to revert to form and blow this 20-point lead.

8th pick here we come!

"Duhon, don't make that garbage-time jumper... Save it for the next game!"

by bullhockey on Apr 14, 2008 9:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

In a strange way,

maybe its best if the Bucks and Bobcats pick before us. With their horrible track records, won't they just sort of filter out the crappy players?

by Freethefro on Apr 14, 2008 9:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

excellent point

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

true

yet I still have lottery dreams.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2008 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

145 points?

Is this some kind of fucking joke? I haven't been able to watch the game.

by Illini15 on Apr 14, 2008 9:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i really feel sory for you cuz

this was a greatly-played game... very rare..

by ChiTownCritic on Apr 14, 2008 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what a truly strange game

I heard Ramon Sessions compared to Pete Maravich, Bob Cousy, and Scott Skiles.

by Freethefro on Apr 14, 2008 9:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Johnny Mac and Jim

just try to find something optimistic to talk about.

But Sessions having a lot of assists in a game where defense is non-existant is a bit of a stretch.

by KT on Apr 14, 2008 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wayne Larivee was a sports agent last night

He did a nice job of pushing Ramon Sessions into the broadcast any time he had the ball or made a play.

I did enjoy the ribs on Mo Williams having the watch it all.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Larrivee

is the regular Packers broadcaster, and only moonlights as the wgn Bulls play-by-play announcer.

He used to be an 'all-Chicago' guy, but the Bears let him go a couple years ago. I'm sure he doesn't want to burn his Wisconsin bridges by either sounding too pro-Bulls or not enough 'aren't those Bucks awesome.'

He is, in my opinion, the worst of all our home team announcers in any sport.

by alec on Apr 15, 2008 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Larivee committed a Cardinal Sin

He left the Bears to work for the Packers. UGH! It's fun listening to Bear fans at the pregame tailgate rail against Larivee.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's not a sin

that's a positive career change.

Go Packers!

by KT on Apr 15, 2008 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I shall hurl bratwurst at you

until I am ready to eat one.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

WRONG

Tom Dore is utterly disgusting. At least I can count on Wayne for one of his catch-phrases during a telecast ("...by the slimmest of margins!"). Tom Dore is completely useless as a play-by-play person.

by NormVanBeer on Apr 15, 2008 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We are truly splitting hairs,

arguing the slimmest of margins, as it were.

by alec on Apr 15, 2008 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not to mention

that if he makes a mistake. he will always "beg my pardon"

Ralph Wiggum, a smarter man than Jim Boylan

by Yibs on Apr 15, 2008 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The worst is Neil Funk

and Wennington on radio broadcasts. Friendly banter? They're ok (not as funny as they think they are).

But God help you if you hope to actually hear the score more frequently than once an hour.

And when something exciting happens, they'd rather say things like, "Oh my!" repeatedly while you hear the crowd reaction. Ten seconds later, if you're lucky, they might actually tell you what happened.

"Duhon, don't make that garbage-time jumper... Save it for the next game!"

by bullhockey on Apr 16, 2008 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i got dibs on last

comment

by ChiTownCritic on Apr 14, 2008 9:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

save it for the Yahoo blogs

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2008 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

bulls shot 67% for the game

42 assists on 63 baskets.

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 9:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

they were shooting

like 71% up until the last few minutes of the game where gordon jacked up ridiculous 3's.

"Joakim Noah looks like a young Kimberly Williams." - my mom

by Jaina on Apr 14, 2008 9:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not inconceivable

that charlotte wins their last two against NJ and Philly, who won't have anything to play for.

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 14, 2008 9:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Duhon for MVP (?!?!)

Didn't see the game but am looking at the box score and reading through this thread and I still can't tell if the real final score was 151-135.

Did Duhon really go 8 for 9 from the field for 22 and hand out 15 assists with zero turnovers? Seriously?

by paxson43 on Apr 14, 2008 10:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope Pax didn't break his wrist

drafting up Duhon's next contract :-/

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 14, 2008 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And who the HELL is Ramon Sessions?!?

by paxson43 on Apr 14, 2008 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

YES!

Maybe Duh will stick around in Chicago long enough to do some shots at the bar with me! wooo hooo!

I want to braid Noah's hair or at least give him a headband.

by AGBallinisaHabit on Apr 14, 2008 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This game had the feel of a playground game

starting with Charlie V. lighting up the Bulls by swishing multiple contested 3's, and getting and-1's in the lane in the first quarter. The Bulls looked like they were going to get blown out but came back to within 6 by the end of the quarter. And Boom, just like that, 2nd quarter, the offense just started clicking.

Strangely, their defense just took the night off. I'm not sure why it had to work that way.

The obvious joke would be that after the first quarter someone said Boylan's officially gone after tomorrow's game (like they were awaiting official word before they played hard). You have to wonder if in the backs of their minds they were playing free, just like that Nuggets game right after Wallace and Grif were jettisoned.

So given the thought of a fresh start next season, these guys just went out and shot the lights out. All the trade bait and free-agents-to-be got to showcase their skills. All the guys who the Bulls may end up keeping can point to their value in this game. Wonder what'll happen next game...

"Duhon, don't make that garbage-time jumper... Save it for the next game!"

by bullhockey on Apr 14, 2008 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Try and watch the game if you can find it

It was like watching the McDonalds all american high school exhibition without as many highlight dunks. There were stretches of 12 shots made in a row as the teams traded points.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't get to see

the first half yet but the second half was interesting. Luol's shot was on tonight.

by sue369 on Apr 14, 2008 10:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Didn't get to see the game.

Was no one on either team playing any defense tonight? And how did Gray get t'd up?

by cranscape on Apr 14, 2008 10:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

he tried to sprint...

seriously, someone told him Red was going out for brats without him.

by Lt.Dan on Apr 15, 2008 7:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ramon Sessions is the answer!

Let's see Derrick Rose get 24 assists in a game!

Dickey Simpkins>Ben Wallace

by Ozzie Montana on Apr 14, 2008 10:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

don't like the sound of this

"Drew is a starting NBA power forward," Paxson said. "I think a summer with us will help him a lot. I'm very comfortable with that. Larry can score. There are things I think can make him be a more efficient player."

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-080414-chicago-bulls-john-paxson, 1,5205097.story

by alec on Apr 14, 2008 11:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I had the same initial reaction.

I'm trying to tell myself not to worry, that there's not much else Pax can say right now, considering he doesn't know if he can find a trade for Larry. And I guess that isn't all that complimentary a statement either - the whole problem is it makes it sound like he's staying, while I really hope they're trying to move him.

I don't mind keeping Drew, since he's been productive and is reasonably priced, provided there is a new coach and that coach can figure out how to dole out the minutes reasonably between Ty, Joakim and Drew.

It takes a special coach to make Aaron Gray a guy you can see.

by wjb1492 on Apr 14, 2008 11:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

me as well

but really, as much as i wanna see ty start, i don't really mind if gooden starts as long as the minutes go as they should. really there is enough minutes for the 3 guys with a normal coach, with just a sprinkling of gray whenever matchups dictate. there's gotta be a third man in the rotation anyways - drew's been fine enough for me, for the most part. most coaches (not boylan) aren't going to decide to go small ball every game thus cutting any chance for all 3 guys to get reasonable minutes.

"Joakim Noah looks like a young Kimberly Williams." - my mom

by Jaina on Apr 15, 2008 7:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's fine for me as well

if Gooden starts and Tyrus is the first big off the bench.

Tyrus isn't even mentioned in the article, however. Maybe he gave KC the stink eye.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2008 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tyrus is much more effective as a starter

than a reserve. That is if you base this entirely on the splits from this one debacle of a season.

Best improvement from Tyrus when he starts versus when he's a reserve; 10 percentage point increase in FG% from 36 to 46.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's hard for me to argue

based on this season that TT should start. He had some great games (mostly against non-defenses like GS and BW in Cleveland), but he also disappeared in other games. Hopefully the reports of a change in attitude and the fact that he will be spending more time at the berto center this summer mean that his strength and consistency improves. Although, if everybody else is off in some foreign country playing ball, I don't see that helping TT much.

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 15, 2008 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

soon this will turn into

"I said I wanted Tyrus starting all along!"

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2008 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not until he shows

he can handle it consistently.

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 15, 2008 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Then it will be

"I said I wanted Tyrus starting all along!" (?)

As you, I know, realize...makes sense to me!

by alec on Apr 15, 2008 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thabo passed on Team Switzerland

for the Summer. He said he'll be working out at the Berto Center. I'm sure he take time off, but turning down Switzerland was a pretty big deal.

Noc is playing for Argentina.
Deng is playing for England.
BG is trying to play for England.
Kirk probably won't make Team USA.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

probably won't?

wasn't he not even a part of this past summer's tryouts?

You have a link re: Thabo's plans? Team Swiss didn't qualify for the olympics, so I'm not sure what they'll be doing this summer anyway.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2008 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hinrich opted out of the tryouts last summer

and the Swiss will be playing teams like the British who didn't make the olympics.

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 15, 2008 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hold on a minute...

Then what's all this talk about Deng and Gordon and the Brit team if the team doesn't have anything to do for the next 4 years?

Maybe that's the message Pax is trying to get through to the guys.

by alec on Apr 15, 2008 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"opted out"

He took part in some of the tryouts and IMO only left because there was no chance he was going to make it. That story about him not wanting to make the commitment and wanting some rest was a crock of BS.

Hinrich, as well as anyone else with two eyes, could see that he wasn't going to make the team with the glut of talented guards there. Even in the small exhibition games his playing time dwindled to practically nothing.

by NormVanBeer on Apr 15, 2008 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He read the tea leaves

Kidd there. Deron Williams there. Chris Paul already there. Billups healthy so he's there.

Once Kidd committed it was pretty clear that Kirk making the squad was difficult. He did get married while Team USA was playing.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

though i thought it was kinda weird that they were pushing the 3-year commitment thing and then kept recruiting people the next year...

however, it was pretty clear he was not going to make the squad. even though he DID make it over arenas the first time...

"Joakim Noah looks like a young Kimberly Williams." - my mom

by Jaina on Apr 15, 2008 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Over Arenas?

Mmm, no. Arenas copped to a plea bargain with Jerry Colangelo so he wouldn't be on the final cut/roster list. He took the injury route. His wrist was injured, but he says he was fine. He sure looked fine in the 2006 warmup games.

Arenas preferred to avoid being considered for the cut list even though he would have made the team.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i thought

i had read he copped out because he wasn't going to make the team.

can't remember where i read that though, so it sure could have been wrong.

"Joakim Noah looks like a young Kimberly Williams." - my mom

by Jaina on Apr 15, 2008 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Arenas could close this chapter

i had read he copped out because he wasn't going to make the team.

Team USA's official story is that Arenas withdrew his name from consideration due to a wrist injury.

Arenas' version is that he was on the final cut list and Jerry Colangelo asked him if his wrist injury was something the coaches should consider for the final cuts and segued into the plea offer that became the Team USA version. Arenas blamed Coach K, D'Antoni, and Nate McMillan. Soon thereafter he made his claims that he was going to drop 50 in the 06-07 season every time the Wizards played the Suns and Blazers for revenge.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thabo's Swiss status

KC's Story from 4/4

To show how seriously Sefolosha is taking his commitment to improve, the second-year guard said he's not making any national team commitments this summer to work on his game at the Berto Center.

"They're playing games, but I'm not going with them," Sefolosha said of the Swiss team. "I really want to focus on next year for the team."

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heh, jinx

by paxson43 on Apr 15, 2008 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blogabull CST is an hour off

Note the SN 2.0 upgrade this weekend.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

thank you sir.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2008 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thabo link

You can find it here:

To show how seriously Sefolosha is taking his commitment to improve, the second-year guard said he's not making any national team commitments this summer to work on his game at the Berto Center.

by paxson43 on Apr 15, 2008 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It'd be nice if Tyrus takes Thabo down to Florida

with him. Maybe Thorpe can help Thabo get a little arc in his shot.

by snley on Apr 15, 2008 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tell me more

Is Tyrus committed to working out with Thorpe this Summer?

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

KC made a reference to IMG on Saturday.

I'm assuming, maybe more hoping, that means that Tyrus will be working directly with Thorpe. I'll be planning on asking Thorpe in his next chat.

Both players vowed to attack the off-season, with Noah likely headed for summer-league play and Thomas saying he would shuttle between the Berto Center and IMG Basketball Academy in Florida.

From Saturday's game recap.

by snley on Apr 15, 2008 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm, IMG says Thabo is alread an alum

Link

It would great if Tyrus and Thabo can shuttle between IMG and the Orlando Summer League this Summer.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you'e really getting to the crux of it.

Here's what I think: Paxson's statements last night can be partly read as tacit support for the comments Thabo, Noah and Tyrus made couple days ago...almost like a continuation of the same conversation.

I also think they can be partly read as a `shot over the bow' of Deng and Gordon and their Brit commit.

by alec on Apr 15, 2008 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This isn't anything new

Throughout Pax's tenure he's said things like this. Every summer I think. The basic jist of it is he wants guys in Chicago practicing at the team facilities so he can gauge what they're doing.

If guys are out on their own they might be working hard and they might not.

My Blog (Econ/Politics/Sports/NBA Salary Info)

by Sports2 on Apr 15, 2008 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What is Paxson really saying here:

"I do expect this off-season to be more team-oriented as opposed to individual-oriented. That, to me, is going to dictate this organization's future."

Is this an implied threat against BG, Deng and Noc? Will they not be in the Bulls plans if they don't dedicate their summer to the Berto center?

Will Pax treat Gordon and Deng the same as Noc?

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=172942

This seems like a pretty rash (stupid?) statement to make...unless Pax has inside information about a Western nations' boycott of the Beijing Olympics?

by alec on Apr 15, 2008 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't you think...

...it probably means more that he's going to concentrate on getting a coach and evaluating the philosophy of the organization?

I don't seem to be getting what you're getting out of it at all.

Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Apr 15, 2008 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You may be right.

However, here is the same Paxson quote, followed by some KC musing:

""I really am looking forward to sitting down with each player and talking with them about this year and about what I expect going forward. I do expect this off-season to be more team-oriented as opposed to individually oriented. That to me is going to dictate this organization's future."

Several players recently have stated intentions to split off-season workouts between the Berto Center and either hometowns with personal coaches or cities with basketball academies. As a player, Paxson participated in closely knit team off-season workouts organized by Michael Jordan."

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-080414-chicago-bulls-john-paxson, 1,5205097.story

Of course, we all know KC is totally full of shit; however, we also generally suspect that every word he commits to print has been fully Paxson-vetted.

I don't know what he actually meant. I'm just trying to think through what he could have meant.

by alec on Apr 15, 2008 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's just assume he meant what he said.

He wants the guys to spend some time this off season working out together.

by snley on Apr 15, 2008 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What I'm questioning is

with all their separate national commitments, how can they?

Paxson's comment strikes me as either ill-conceived...or just a bunch of fan-friendly b.s.

Maybe you trust him more than I do.

by alec on Apr 15, 2008 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The thing is, the players who play for a national

team don't necessarily commit their entire off season to the national team. They still have time to work out on their own, albeit not much. I'm sure every GM in the NBA would rather not have any of their players risking injury and/or exhaustion while playing for a national team. Paxson would probably be happy with Gordon, Noce, and Deng spending some of their limited off season with the rest of the team.

by snley on Apr 15, 2008 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Olympics different than Euroleague

Olympics are basically a 4 week commitment that ends in late August. I think Noc is the only Bull playing there. Argentina is already qualified so no qualifying games.

If Deng and Gordon play for England they will have to qualify for the Olympics first and then play in the games. That could mean an additional month of play prior to the games.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

why work out together at berto

when there's no coaching staff?

In the spirit of this comments section, I'll extrapolate that Paxson means Boylan's coming back :)

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2008 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Paxson will deal

with the coaching staff Thursday, and the players Friday.

I can't imagine he hasn't already made up his mind about the current coaches. The players will know by Friday that they are already on notice for the new, as yet unnamed coaching staff.

by alec on Apr 15, 2008 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't read it that way

Maybe it's just me, though. I see a big difference between a commitment to play for a national team (which Pax may definitely prefer they not do, regardless) and what I interpret as a desire that guys spend a good portion of time training in Chicago where the team knows what is going on instead of training on their own doing who knows what. If they can get it organized to where a bunch of guys are training together, that should help with the whole playing as a team thing.

It takes a special coach to make Aaron Gray a guy you can see.

by wjb1492 on Apr 15, 2008 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not just you. It's only alec. He has a real

skill for reading more into something than is actually there.

by snley on Apr 15, 2008 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's the first time

you've called me skilled! I'm swooning!

Or did you not mean it that way?

by alec on Apr 15, 2008 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe, I still think Pax is wayyyyy too concerned

about such things.

In KC's article he mentioned how Pax used to work with the team with Jordan as ringleader. Well, ok, but what was more important: the workouts between blackjack sessions? Or that they had Michael Jordan on the team?

Sometimes I worry that Paxson isn't sure.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2008 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait a minute - are you suggesting that

no one on this team has MJ talent? Blasphemy! ;)

It takes a special coach to make Aaron Gray a guy you can see.

by wjb1492 on Apr 15, 2008 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't.

I don't think he magically gets better touch around the rim because he hears his name amongst lasers and fireworks.

But whether he's a starter or not, it'd help if they just committed to him as a regular rotation player, bad games and all.

What those stats tell me more is that he never deserved to be taken out of the starting lineup, but I do think Gooden's at least more viable than Joe Smith or Nocioni.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2008 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe I'm being too soft on this

I should say I'm definitely ok with Gooden being benched as well. Or even Noah.

The point is a Noah-Tyrus-Gooden frontcourt rotation is actually pretty good, and a good coach could figure out the deployment. Gooden is a far better complement for Tyrus/Noah than what they've had in the past, because he can score around the rim and has the strength to body-up some of the bigger opponents (when he feels like it).

But it may be worth it to start Thomas/Noah just to make them all chummy as 'frontcourt of the future!'.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2008 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Personality massaging

That's where I'm coming from. I think Tyrus should start because I want him paired as much with Noah who will start.

In Philly, the writers are making the best case they can to start Thaddeus Young for similar reasons. Young is better as a starter and the Sixers are a .650 club when he starts.

The difference in production is something that needs to be broken down deeper to see determine when in the game Tyrus' production is best. I want to say it's early and often because of his young legs compared to the opponents that may need 4-5 minutes before they really get loose.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it has more to do

with his head not being in the right place for most of the time he was coming off of the bench. He was effective of off the bench the previous year. And did he have any good games coming off of the bench? If he and Noah get significantly stronger, then I think they could start together, but right now they just worked by guys like Dwight Howard and even Brendan Heywood.

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 15, 2008 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd save the trouble

and determine that the numbers are likely meaningless. Plus when he starts he doesn't have to play with Gray or Nocioni.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2008 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with that

One, I hate the argument because it's essentially the reverse of the "Ben-Gordon-bench-player-extraordinaire" argument.

But mostly, for Ty more than probably anyone, there has seemed to be a huge difference in quality between his starts and coming off the bench. When he's started (barring the very beginning of the season) it has been a case of injury so that he was sure to get more than 10 minutes by virtue of having no one else to throw out there. Off the bench, his minutes have been hugely sporadic.

It takes a special coach to make Aaron Gray a guy you can see.

by wjb1492 on Apr 15, 2008 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

right

i think that's what everyone's missing.

he looks better as a starter because he's gotten more consistent minutes when he's been starting.

if he got good consistent minutes off the bench, there'd probably be no complaining, and he'd probably perform better than he has off the bench, as well.

"Joakim Noah looks like a young Kimberly Williams." - my mom

by Jaina on Apr 15, 2008 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He did leave out the "our"

as in "our starting NBA power forward".

I had the same reaction as you.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 8:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why the hell does he have to decide who starts?

And for that matter, what are they going to teach Larry Hughes to be more efficient at? He's 30 and has like 10 years in the league. Give me a break.

My Blog (Econ/Politics/Sports/NBA Salary Info)

by Sports2 on Apr 15, 2008 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He had to say something about Larry

and clearly Pax has no control over who plays, he couldn't even boss around Boylan.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2008 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Totally agree

Like someone already said, i think pax just said that because he doesn't know if he can trade Hughes. Of course he wasn't going to say: "Hughes sucks and we want to get rid of him". It's all business and he's trying to play with words, maybe someone will bit it... I just hope we trade him for something good. I'm not saying Reed is not good, but i think we can find better... As for Gooden, he's playing well, so i think we should give him a chance to play with Noah and TT

Unfortunately, after we loose the chance to go to the playoffs, i didn't watch one game of the bulls. This numbers are incredibly, but the Bucks are really bad. Did Duhon make a dunk? If so, the world is lost...

LET'S COLECT SIGNATURES TO FIRE BOYLAN AND GET RID OF HUGHES

by bull83 on Apr 15, 2008 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Duhon did dunk

off a one footed, left foot, takeoff for a two hand throw down.

Duhon used to have much better hops. He competed in the McDonalds High School All-American dunk contest when he was a HS senior. He may have even won the thing. He performed a lot of dunks off the bounce, but one was a smooth gather, elevate, catch, and finish with a windmill.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

I didn't knew that? But, when was the last time he did a dunk with the bulls uniform? I don't remember either...

LET'S COLECT SIGNATURES TO FIRE BOYLAN AND GET RID OF HUGHES

by bull83 on Apr 15, 2008 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i had the exact same thought

every time i read Pax' dumb ass quotes about molding Hughes into some magical defensive 2 guard.

by Orlando Woolridge on Apr 15, 2008 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jesus.

What a bunch of dogshit. Excuse my French.

I can't wait for the Drew Gooden era.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Apr 15, 2008 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stuck somewhere in the back of my mind

is the suspicion that the team is going to seriously try to groom Tyrus as a sf and have a front line of JoNo, Gooden and TT.

You'll get your Gooden, and we'll get our Tyrus...and we'll all get Noah to crack the whip on 'em.

by alec on Apr 15, 2008 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was sarcasm.

I absolutely am NOT looking forward to the Drew Gooden era.

If it wasn't clear, I thought Paxson's statement was full of canin feces.

LSU 38 OHIO STATE 24 - LSU IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPION AND I AM THE KING OF BOURBON STREET!!

by 1958ChiTown on Apr 15, 2008 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ohhh.

I thought you were referring to the thread itself, not the subject of the thread.

by alec on Apr 15, 2008 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That would be so stupid.

Tyrus has excellent athleticism, above-average handles and very good passing abilities and an average shot for a PF. All those skills would be above-average to crap if he moved to small forward. SF has beocme such a permiter oriented position, that there are big differences between SF and PF in the skill-level at those certain skills betwen the transition.

A front-court that started Deng, Thomas and Noah and subbed Gooden and Sefolosha would be one of the better ones in the league. With improvement by Thomas, Thomas + Gooden could probably be a Top-5 PF combo in the league. (I'm probably wrong, but I'm too lazy to actually check.)

If Paxson lets both Deng and Gordon go, and they don't sign somewhere else for some ridiculous amount of money (> $13 mil/yr would be ridiculous), then I would probably quit on this team. Obviously, unless they brought back something greater.

Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Apr 15, 2008 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Off-topic Question

When is the new format coming to this site? I just checked Golden State of Mind, and they have that new SB Nation layout, as well as all the baseball blogs.

Also, I'm so glad Luol Deng decided to show up big for us against such a tough opponent in a game with playoff implications. He's really showing promise as the future star of the team.

Dickey Simpkins>Ben Wallace

by Ozzie Montana on Apr 15, 2008 12:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

this weekend.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2008 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yay!

I think.

by alec on Apr 15, 2008 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did Duhon impress the Bucks enough tonight to make

him part of a deal for Bogut? How about Du, Noce, Gray and our draft pick for Bogut and whatever stiff the Bucks would like to dump to get the salaries in line?

by Tyrusmancrush on Apr 15, 2008 1:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

bogut is the one guy that stays

by KT on Apr 15, 2008 7:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

True, and with the

emergence of the Great Ramon Sessions, the Senator looks a little foolish for signing both Charlie Bell and Mo Williams to big contracts. Not to mention that Royal Ivey is also listed as a PG of the Bucks.

Now it seems that the Bucks have more PG's than Memphis (more, but not better). So the Bulls will probably be looking at that as well.

(Of course, this does not address which of these is a "pure" PG as opposed to the more common combination guard...)

"Duhon, don't make that garbage-time jumper... Save it for the next game!"

by bullhockey on Apr 15, 2008 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think they'll keep Bogut

But he can sign a new contract this Summer. The Bucks could do anything, but I think it is safe to presume that if Chicago wanted to acquire Bogut and the Bucks were to make him available to a team within their own division it would require Chicago taking on either the Simmons, Redd, or Mo Williams contract as well.

Bogut, Yi, and Gadzuric: That's the Bucks frontcourt with a sprinkle of perennial injury list candidate Bobby Simmons.

What I didn't know was that Bobby Simmons looks like he is 6'10" next to Luol Deng. Too bad he lurves the 3 ball and can't pass it up.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Aaron Gray injury

If anyone watched the game, do you remember when Gray went down to the floor on the right baseline, nearest to the Bulls bench?

I watched a slow motion replay on my DVR and it appeared like Gray may have been punched in the groin by Royal Ivey. The live game film showed Ivey wind up his left hand as Gray was passing the ball out and then swing it past his hip towards Gray's midsection. The replay footage was from the baseline under the basket so Gray's body blocked this entire view. The live footage didn't show Gray stepping on anyone's foot.

When the flashed to Gray on the bench he looked fine right afterwards.

I don't see any quotes from Gray in the beat reports today. Did anyone else see anything like this?

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 10:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, Zapruder :-p

If Aaron Gray got cheap-shotted, Red Kerr surely would've wailed something. If he looked up from his bowl of candy.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Apr 15, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ivey and Noc

got into an altercation at some point too. I bet we hear something about it later if Ivey did go all Reggie Evans on Gray. I feel bad for calling him a faker now, buuuuut, that would explain why the Bucks announcers didn't even mention the injury stoppage while Gray was on the ground, or go to a replay. That must be some kind of typical Wisconsin/Iowa trick... :-O

Don't tell anybody, but here's hoping TT puts it all together.

by bullshooter on Apr 15, 2008 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't bait sue. I remember Reggie fondly from his

days at Iowa as well, but we know who you were going after.

by snley on Apr 15, 2008 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hey

Jim and Johnny Mac were just trying to keep the focus on Sessions amazing game.

That's how bad things are for Bucks fans.

by KT on Apr 15, 2008 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yea i thought that too

ivey is probably still mad because of that man pick gray set which knocked ivey to the ground earlier this season. http://youtube.com/watch?v=RkK-DhdpLuo

Ralph Wiggum, a smarter man than Jim Boylan

by Yibs on Apr 15, 2008 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Yibs

A rather timely post on your part. Good call.

The Kids Must Stay In The Picture!!!

by NBA Observer on Apr 15, 2008 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yea

after seeing that i started to look for more of that from gray and thought maybe red kerr was on to something. but most of 'em turned to offensive foul calls, and whether they were justified or not, who knows?? i just hope he sticks to his word about losing weight and being more agile.

Ralph Wiggum, a smarter man than Jim Boylan

by Yibs on Apr 15, 2008 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

off the bulls topic

but wat u guys think of mr. stern aiding LBJ one more time yesterday. ive never ever seen refs review for a foul at the end of a game and bring back players from the locker room. that was ridiculous.

Ralph Wiggum, a smarter man than Jim Boylan

by Yibs on Apr 15, 2008 11:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

when I saw the replay

it was clear that the guy got fouled. But I said the same thing as you...all my years of watching ball I've never seen an ending where players are called back on the court. I've seen it in football, but not basketball. I don't think I've ever seen a non-call get changed to a call, or vice versa. Completely unexplainable.

The amount of luv for Bron is sickening.

by NormVanBeer on Apr 15, 2008 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They were showing replays on NBATV

last night showing one of the refs call the foul, with the issue being whether the foul occurred with time remaining or after time ran out. So it wasn't a non-call changed to a call, but a determination that there was time on the clock at the point of the foul. However, I totally agree that it was handled oddly - no idea why the refs wouldn't be clear with Philly what they were reviewing, nor why the initial foul call was so weak.

It takes a special coach to make Aaron Gray a guy you can see.

by wjb1492 on Apr 15, 2008 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs