2008-9 standings......can we make the playoffs?
by chgobr on Jul 19, 2008 11:50 AM CDT
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PrintWith the major free-agent deals history teams are basically set. Deng/Gordon are dealing with the reality there is no money left out there for another team to swoop in with a great long-term deal. Somehow, as of now unknown, Deng and Gordon will remain with the Bulls. Where does this leave us for the 2008-9 season?
D Rose likely, at 19 years old ,will not turn everything around by himself his season. We should be better because we couldn't be worse than last year. Our challenge is the East, though not yet a beast, is improved. It is not going to be easy to make the playoffs. Of course I want us to win the East. The following is my guess. How do you think the standing will end up?
- Boston - unless the big three are injured they will be tough to beat
- Philadelphia - they finished 7th last year. I see them only better with Brand. Brand - Dalembert are a pretty potent inside presence. Combine this with A Miller, Iggy, T Young and Lou Williams they have a potent team. Philly could challenge for the top spot if Boston has injuries.
- Cleveland - I had trouble deciding with Detroit. It is hard to go against James and until I see Detroit deteriorate I have trouble going against them. James wins out.
- Detroit - see above
- Washington - finished 5th w/o Arenas and had significant injuries. I am not convinced Arenas is going to return to 100% so I keep them at the 5th spot.
- Toronto - They should be better with ONeal. How much better is related to ONeal's health which remains a concern.
- Orlando - I want ot put them higher but have a feeling that Lewis will not be as good 2008-9 as he was proving he was worth all that money last year.
- Chicago - because I am biased and I want us to make the playoffs. Realistically Atlanta, Indiana, Miami, Milwaukee should be better and making the playoffs will be a challenge.
- Milwaukee - Skiles/Jefferson and the motivation to improve from last years horrible 26 - 56. They will be better
- Atlanta - Bibby, Josh Smith and all will be back and there is no reason they shouldn't be better, except I think they will be worse. Josh Smith is not happy with Woodson. There is bad karma hanging around this team.
- Miami - I fear I may be underestimating the Heat Beasley, Wade and Marion are scary. Riley will try to add some pieces, I just don't think they have enough to make the playoffs.
- Charlotte - they are determined to make the playoffs next year but I think a team with MJ as GM is a team with problems. Brown wants to rebound from the Knick fiasco; the return of Sean May, Morrison and the addition of Augustine should help. Wallace and Richardson are flashy, good but flawed. I could be wrong., but this doesn't feel like a playoff team to me.
- Indiana - I like the addition of TJ Ford and Hibbert but they don't have enough to compete.
- Knicks - my most hated team also cannot be worse than last year but they continue to surprise me
- New Jersey - I am not a big Ji fan (sorry Option27) and they are clearly positioning themselves for two years from now. VC will be traded by the Feb deadline.
I am ready to be torn apart.
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yeesh
I know you’re really into being distraught over the Bulls, but they haven’t played any games yet. Chill out, chgobr.
I do like the list, and it’s not that homerrific to expect the Bulls to be 8 or better. 9 through 15 really is a toss up depending on injuries, trades, and tanking the last month or two of the season.
am I the only one that thinks Cleveland is overatted?
I see them missing the playoffs this upcoming year
I'm with ya
chgobr, I think your ranking is pretty much spot on this should be a fun year. Milwaukee, Miami, Charlotte, New York all have shots to make it with their new coach, and I could see Toronto and Cleveland making room for them like the Bulls and Heat did last year.
by YaoPau on Jul 19, 2008 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
No Lebron won't ever miss the playoffs...
unless he misses serious time because of injury.
Could you see...
Toronto falling out of the playoffs? Despite the odd Ford hate (in general, not from you), when he was playing, him and Calderon put up great numbers. Also, Smith and Bosh don’t have completely compatible games, with a decent amount of overlap. If Detroit comes back exactly as they are, I see it as such:
1. Boston
2. Detroit
3. Cleveland
4. Philadelphia
5. Washington
6. Orlando
7. Miami
8. Milwaukee
If the Bulls team comes back and plays as they did two years ago, except fast and with Rose, then the Bulls could make it as high as the 5-6 spot; but with all the talk and no substantial trade rumors, I have a feeling that Rose will play 25 per game for the first quarter of the season and the team in general will go through a certain amount of trial and error. While that is likely better in the long run, that will only lead to a .500 season, which isn’t a ticket in as it was in the past.
I think there's a difference...
...between pressing the ball in transition and a Nocioni-inflated faster-pace.
Ok...
maybe fast is the wrong word…how about smooth?
I hear Hollinger's
working on that metric.
Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky
I see a bit different in final spots
First – I think you overrated Milwaukee. I think they are going to suck again
2nd – You underrated Atlanta and Miami. I think both will make the playoffs (if Wade is healthy and Josh Smith remains a Hawk of course)
3rd – I am not so sure about Toronto… I think they may fall if Miami, Hawks, Orlando and Chicago plays up to their potential
They almost made the playoffs last year
And that was with He Who Shall Not Be Named doing such a lousy job that a debate broke out on here over whether he was intentionally tanking games or was just incompetent. Unless Del Negro’s a complete moron, the Bulls sure can make the playoffs in the East.
My initial thoughts on your rankings:
- Philly’s too high I don’t think they’re yet that good and because of one serious roster problem: no outside shooting.
- Miami’s undervalued This sounds strange because of their performance last year. But they will be much better than 11th because of one thing: DWade will be healthy.
- Orlando was the 3rd seed last year don’t see why they’d drop to 7th…Rashard’s put up those numbers his whole career….the only big question is can Hedo have similar numbers after his career year.
Why are the Bulls better?
What have they done to get better?.. ok, let see.. brought a coach with no experience, drafted a 19 year old and expects him to lead them?
They hope to resign the same players that failed last year?. Atlanta is better since the acquisition of Bibby. Milwaukee will become a good defensive team and beat the Bulls. If there is a team that rebounds is Miami and not the Bulls because Wade is healthy and Beasley will be rookie of the year. He’ll outscore and rebound TT or JN. The Bulls are going to battle the Knicks for next to last place. See you at the 2009 NBA draft!!!
We're not better
the only teams we’ll outperform in the east are Indiana and New Jersey. Rookie head coach, 19 year old point guard, Tyrus and Noah inside…sorry to say, but that looks pretty bad to me. I’m excited to watch Rose develop, but I have a feeling this year is going to be ugly. 3/5 of our starting lineup couldn’t dominate summer ball. This year will require patience.
I’m still excited, though. Anything will be better than watching a lazy, broken down Wallace and a stubborn, floundering Boylan.
The poster formerly known as Freethefro.
Atlanta was soooo much better with Bibby
That they still won only 38 games.
Milwaukee won’t be a good defensive team just because Skiles is there to tell them to “play harder.” They may improve, but there’s not going to be a significant change like when the Bulls became the best defensive team in the league.
The Bulls are fielding virtually the same team minus Corpse and PJ Brown that won 49 games. They won’t win that many games this season, but they are sure as hell going to be as good, if not better than Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Milwaukee.
Regardless of what people’s biases are, this is a talented team, at least enough to win 40-42 games next season, despite a rookie PG at the helm.
I was a multiple time all star throughout my little league career. Won 5 championships- 4 in a row- thats more in a row than MJ… (kenwo4life@aol.com)
by Ozzie Montana on Jul 19, 2008 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Milwaukee has more talent on paper
PG – Mo and Lue
SG – Redd
SF – Jefferson
PF – Charlie V?
C – Bogut
That veteran team, barring injury, being led by an experienced turnaround coach in Skiles should get around 40-42 wins in the East and finish ahead of the Bulls.*
- GO BULLS!
by messwiththebull on Jul 20, 2008 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't think that's more talented
The lineup you describe seems – maybe – equally talented, but not more talented.
Broken down: I think if we were at recess on the playground, I would still take:
Rose over Mo or Lue (Mo’s good, but nowhere near All-Star caliber. Lue, really?)
Gordon over Redd (a wash…they’re practically the same player)
Deng over Jefferson (another wash)
Thomas over Charlie Villanueva (without batting an eye)
Noah over Bogut (a wash…Bogut is more polished offensively, but I would take Noah’s hustle any day)
I of course after picking the team, would just come off the bench
I think you're underrating Bogut pretty severely
I’d take Bogut over Noah any day, but the rest of the comparisons are valid. Charlie V can score in bunches, but a combo of Tyrus and Gooden at the 4 is far superior to Vilanueva and Dan Gadzuric.
I was a multiple time all star throughout my little league career. Won 5 championships- 4 in a row- thats more in a row than MJ… (kenwo4life@aol.com)
by Ozzie Montana on Jul 22, 2008 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions
People need to calmn down just a tad bit
Worry about the playoffs when December/January rolls around. The main focus of this team should be bringing back Deng and BG, or if not, then trading them for something of value. After that’s done, the only damn priority this team should have is to have our key players develop at a good rate, namely Rose, Thomas, and Noah. Good seasons from all 3 of them (as starters), coupled with a return to the 2007 form for Deng and Gordon should provide ample opportunity to make the playoffs. There are still millions of injuries, suspensions, trade demands, gun-related arrests waiting to happen for anyone to make decent playoff predictions in late July.
I was a multiple time all star throughout my little league career. Won 5 championships- 4 in a row- thats more in a row than MJ… (kenwo4life@aol.com)
Not expecting much next year
This thread really got me thinking about how the Bulls are going to play next season instead of what their doing this offseason. I agree with a lot of you guys that the Bulls will have a hard time making the playoffs and if they do it will be a lower seed. The thought of a first round bounce gets me so excited (sarcasism). I almost think next season should be a throw away season to set them selves up as legit contenders for the near future (09-10 season).
Here’s why I feel that way.
1. Rose is going to need some time to become that All Star player we drafted him to be. It’s not going to happen this season.
2. Even if Thomas and Noah make huge improvements they’ll still not going to be were they would need to be to be huge contributers on a championship quality team. One whole year with a new system and a lot of playing time should help them become legit NBA starters.
3. It gives the Bulls a year to evaluate this team to make major roster moves. Who fits best with Rose, who needs to go, and what players will become available via trade or free agency next offseason.
4. Next offseason the Bulls will have a chance to move Hughes expiring contract if a great deal comes along. Plus Gooden will be off the books even though I really like him and if TT doesn’t dramastically improve they may want to bring Gooden back.
5. Players such as Hinrich, Deng, BG, and Noc can all have better years which will increase there trade value next offseason. I’m actually for resigning Deng long term and moving BG via sign and trade. I don’t see how BG fits in long term with this team with Rose as the PG. IMO Hinrich is a better fit for now.
6. And another top 10 pick next draft would be a nice asset to add to our other tradeable pieces. Hell, may lady luck finds the Bulls again and lands another top 3 pick.
My point is I’d rather the Bulls land a high draft pick to trade next offseason and get our young guys big mins so we know for sure what we have in them rather than be a 7th or 8th seed that plays our vet to get us a early exit. I want Paxson to build a CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBER TEAM and not get stuck in the middle with the Washingtons of the NBA.
by ronmexibull on Jul 19, 2008 7:29 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
if we don make the playoffs nxt year
i hope we can get demar derozan aka the nxt kobe.
...and derrick rose dunks over YAO!!!!
by broseleay301 on Jul 19, 2008 9:38 PM CDT reply actions
Potential wise
That would be a dream backcourt, wouldn’t it?
by California Al on Jul 20, 2008 1:48 AM CDT up reply actions
I like Derozan
a lot but I don’t agree wtih the Kobe comparisons, the game came more naturally to the Kobester at Lower Merion. Derozan maybe a Vince Carter with a better motor, however. I’d love to see him on the Bulls and unfortunately we may get that chance because I see about 38 wins for this team next year, tops.
by messwiththebull on Jul 20, 2008 8:25 AM CDT up reply actions
BG
Another thought on BG I’d like to add. I just don’t see him as a starting SG for a championship contending team. Does anyone disagree? He would be a perfect 6th man, but if you’re going to pay him $10 mil per year for 3-6 years that seems way too much for a 6th man. That’s starter type money. Not to mention I doubt BG would be happy being a career bench guy. I really think that signing BG long term to the deal he’s looking for would be a huge mistake. And hinder the Bulls financially in the future. I see Deng being more worth that sort of investment. Deng would be a great 3rd option on a great team. To really be a contender the Bulls are going to have to find a All Star SG or PF who can put up over 20 pts per game and demand double teams. BG can score but he’s not that type of guy. Move BG via sign and trade to get something or sign him to a one year tender and trade him to a contender before the trade deadline to aquire more assets (draft picks, expiring contracts, or young talent). Just don’t let him leave for nothing and don’t lock him up long term. The Bulls would regret it down the road.
I'd bay him $10mil
for this 20+PPG and his 30+ minutes, I don’t care if he’s a 6th man. Does San Antonio care that Manu comes off the bench even though he could start for them? It’s the production that should count more; discounting BG because he’d be a 6th man only lends fuel to his fire (ego?) of wanting to be a starter.
by messwiththebull on Jul 20, 2008 8:27 AM CDT up reply actions
BG won't want to be a 6th man
for the next 3-6 years no matter what the Bulls would pay him. And I don’t in any way see him as a starting SG on a team that goes to the Finals. If the Bulls want to make the playoffs for the next couple years then, yes resign BG. If they want to try to build a championship team in the next couple years then move him and try to upgrade the SG position with someone who’s not a one dimensional player. Do you seriously see a Rose BG backcourt leading this team to championships anytime? I’d love BG to stay as a 6th man behind a better SG (which we don’t have yet) as long as it doesn’t hinder the Bulls financially. They already paid Hinrich too much, why make it worse and overpay for BG also. He is what he is…an undersized scoring SG who is a liability defensively. To give him credit he has been a good teammate and so far not complained about coming off the bench which he is best suited to do. But will he be happy as a well paid bench player for the next 3-6 years? I doubt it. And if we overpay him it will make him very tough to move in a deal later.
by ronmexibull on Jul 20, 2008 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions
The Celtics
had Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins starting for them in the finals. I don’t see why Ben can’t be the starting SG on a championship team. You don’t need all-stars at every position to win the championship.
Boston – Best team in the league. Everyone knows they’ll make the playoffs and most likely repeat.
Detroit – It’s too early to tell. The team was just lost during the playoffs. Trades and changes might happen. The new coach is a factor. If they have the same line-up and Stuckey and co. overachieve again they’re pretty much a lock in the playoffs. The question is, what Pistons team will appear in the post-season?
Lebron James team(I think they’re called Cavs? Cougars?Nevermind) – Despite the below average supporting cast, LeBron James is too good for them to not make the playoffs.
Philly – They look good on paper. The last time Brand and Miller were on the same team, winning was the last thing they did. But they’ll probably work it out and make the playoffs. It’s a pretty solid cast and they’re in the east.
Washington – Same players with a big question mark on Arenas. They’ll make the playoffs with or without Gil. But if they can’t get past the Cavs…who can they really beat? It doesn’t really help if they have players labeling themselves the next big three without proving anything yet. I love Gil and Butler’s game but they gotta play D to advance.
Toronto – A healthy O’Neal? They’ll make it even without him. If the Bosh/O’Neal tandem works out they’re gonna be one of the favorites.
Orlando – Getting Pietrus was nice. Lewis is solid but overpaid. Can Hedo repeat the great season he had last year? Jameer is a liablity on defense and Howard’s simply a beast. They’ll make it but they better prepare for a first round exit again.
Chicago O man. Who will stay and who will go? Will the bulls play like a team again? How much has Tyrus and co. improved? The new coach and system is a factor. Derrick Rose. I want to believe they’ll sneak to the 7-8 spot but youth and changes say not yet. But the bulls have surprised people when they made it the first time since the Jordan era. Maybe they’ll surprise people again.
Milwaukee – If Skiles can make the Bucks play D I’m sure they’ll make it. They’re pretty solid in all 5 positions and have players that can come off the bench and contribute.
Atlanta – I’m not really sure about the Hawks. Joe Johnson is an assassin. Despite a slight case of immaturity Josh Smith can’t be overlooked. It’s just that Atlanta is more of a wild card, they might sneak to that 8 spot in the playoffs or the 8 spot in the lottery.
Charlotte – No they won’t make it. Questionable pick from MJ. Will they trade Felton? Are changes coming? Then start with the MJ.
Miami – Marion is useless in the offensive end without a pg. Wade is injury prone. Beasley can be the next big thing but he’s still young. The bench is d-league heaven. Jerome James can fill the void of 3pt threat. Riley is finally out. Pretty bad coach. His dated style and spartan-esque practices were just killing his team. New coach looks promising. Will they run? They should. If everything clicks they might make it.
Indiana – They won’t.
New Jersey – Intriguing team. They might actually surprise people this year.
New York – LOL
Players just don't seem to feel
to good about being here (Bulls). Preparation and attitude by all seems so uncaring.
Everybody goes their separate ways, not only in body but in heart’s desire, after the season ends. CornIowaLand, DEngland, NocArgentineLand , NoahFranceFloridaLand
This is a recurring problem with little team comradary, off-season accountability, and little trust on this team.
Now we now think VDN the rookie great and a 19 year old PG will change the house the PaxsDorf built and continues to has rebuilt every 4 years?
It seems the players have inherited the attitude and approach of GM/Owner ; PaxsDorf.
Urgency is rarely stressed. They aren’t in a hurry to do anything either.. get in shape, work-out, win, practice, etc.
Make the playoffs.
Yet, they do have something also in common with Reinsdorf; they like getting paid lots of money with little effort.
In need of major Culture Change in Chicago
I understand what you're trying to say, but
I don’t think the fact that the players aren’t spending their offseason vacations together is too much cause for alarm?
"Sharks are as tough as those football fans who take their shirts off during games in Chicago in January, only more intelligent." --Dave Barry
Despite what you may think
Almost every NBA team goes their separate ways in the offseason, the Bulls are no exception.
You don’t have to be best friends with your teammates, in fact if you’re a Bulls fan you know full well that friendship doesn’t equal success.
Training camp (or whatever they call it) hasn’t even started yet for any NBA team, yet they are lazy? Your argument makes no sense, and it just seems you hate Reinsdorf.
I was a multiple time all star throughout my little league career. Won 5 championships- 4 in a row- thats more in a row than MJ… (kenwo4life@aol.com)
by Ozzie Montana on Jul 20, 2008 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Please bookmark it
I was a multiple time all star throughout my little league career. Won 5 championships- 4 in a row- thats more in a row than MJ… (kenwo4life@aol.com)
by Ozzie Montana on Jul 20, 2008 11:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Ben Gordon= Underrated?? Seriously??
HOw are people such haters of Ben Gordon? Damnit, hes our best player and has been for the last 3 years. Of course he has some weaknesses, cause who doesnt nowadays, but his weaknesses are definelty areas of his game that have room to improve.
I think that people hate on Ben gordon so much because the Bulls organization, since his rookie year, have tried to force Ben to be that guy. That guy, meaning that star. Since his rookie season, if anyone remembers that game-winner he hit against the knicks, Ben Gordon has been our “go to guy” when we need buckets, we give the ball to Ben.
Now, obviously that has not been working, but does that mean trade him. Ill tell you one thing i would still rather have the ball in Ben’s hands if were down 2pts with 10 seconds left then see Lu or Kirk try to do something. Ben was always forced to try and be the man. They would just give him the ball, noone would move, and they would watch ben try and create.
The problem with this is that Ben is not THAT good. He’s good, but not Kobe D-wade, lebron 4th quarter good. If Rose can come in and take some of that pressure away from Gordon i think you will see a much better shot selection, and a much better free throw rate. Ben Gordon is a gifted athlete and gifted player. To see so many fans hate on a guy who avareged 20 pts per game, and came off the bench, and basically was the best player on a bad bulls team, makes me sick!
Ben Gordon can play ball, hes not a number 1 option, but some idiot said hes not even good enough to start on a championship team as a starting 2. Thats way off, im sure deron willaims, chris paul, baron davis, lebron james, dwyane wade, would love to have a guy like Gordon out there to take some pressure off and give you some east buckets.
Gordon sucks..
Yeah, he has some weaknesses, as in he can’t do anything other than score. And he doesn’t even do that nearly consistently enough. Besides, NBA two-guards are supposed to score. There are tons and tons of guys two-guards in the NBA who, if given enough shots and minutes, could average between 16-20 ppg. That is a position where guys are supposed to score. To be valuable, you need to bring something else to the table, which Gordon doesn’t.
Despite being 6-1 or 6-2, he can’t play point to save his life (not that that is an issue anymore, though). He also can’t even compete when defending fellow NBA two-guards, which in the process screws over Kirk who is a good defender of other point guards but often gets owned when defending two-guards who are bigger and more athletic than he is. But that should never have been a problem in the first place. Put Kirk with a normal shooting guard (say, Jason Richardson), and I think he would have been a much more productive player over his career because he wouldn’t be wasting so much energy trying to guard guys like Paul Peirce who he is clearly overmatched against.
Saying Gordon is the Bulls best player because he’s the Bulls best scorer is kind of stupid. He should be their best scorer, he plays a wing position. But how many guys would you take over him that play on the wing? Probably a lot. The Bulls should try to sign and trade Gordon and get a primary scorer who can defend better, get to the hoop more consistently, and work well with Rose. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s a better idea than giving Gordon 5-years, 60 million or whatever.
www.tremendousupsidepotential.com
If Gordon is so bad,
then why would any team in the NBA trade a guy who can be the primary scorer, defend, and get to the hoop consistently for a 6-1 SG that can’t do anything but score? The point is that you can’t get that sort of player because teams aren’t exactly eager to get rid of them unless they’re old, not motivated, or just crazy. If you sign and trade Ben, you’re going to end up receiving limited prospects and/or another team’s trash (and an expiring contract if you’re lucky). That’s why I think it’s better to resign him even if you do have to pay a few extra million annually.
I like BG
But I don’t want the Bulls to pay him $10+ mil per year for 3-6 years. We overpaid Hinrich and now almost everyone wants to move him because he had an off year and he’s overpaid. Same thing will happen with BG. I’m not expected BG to be an All Star and I think he is a very good shooter.
Forgive me for thinking the Bulls can do better as there best player than BG! I know Rose will be special but it will take a little while. Deng is a nice 3rd option and we’ll see how TT and Noah develope. You don’t need to take it so personally that I don’t think the Bulls should bring BG back long term. I’m not a fan of BG, Rose, Hinrich, ect…I’m a Bulls fan…and I want the Bulls to win with the best team whomever be on it. So if I think BG is a bad fit for the future and that he is not the Star we so desperately need to be a title contender than I’ll post it on here.
If we had Lebron, Wade, Kobe, ect then sure BG would be a nice complentary player but as of now we don’t. And you may want BG to be the best player on the Bulls but I’m really hoping for more because I want to win and am sick and tired of mediocrity. Which is what the Bulls have been since MJ left. I’d blow up the whole damn roster up if I thought it would build a TITLE CONTENDER.
And the guys you mentioned who would love to have a guy like BG have guys better than BG on their teams already, beside maybe Lebron but he’s a different animal. Fact is BG is not a Star player and Deng, Hinrich, Thomas, Noah or Thabo will not become stars. Rose may be but a true contender needs more than one Star. So save your money Pax…get some more assets to hopefully bring in a Star or clear cap room to sign one when a ton of them become available in a couple seasons.
If wanted to be a true contender and not a pretender makes me a idiot than I guess I’m a hopelessly idiots BULLS fan. Sorry to offend you Ben Gordon fans with my previous post.
by ronmexibull on Jul 20, 2008 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions
i agree about BG
i dont think that he deserves that much money. but i was roaming through ESPN’s rumor page and im not an ESPN insider so i have no details, but all it says about BG is “Far Apart” this cant be a good sign. atleast we know Deng told them straight up, who knows what gordon is demanding?
"It is playoff time. Whoever responds and changes quicker is going to win four games and then go to the next round." - Toni K
Its too early to make this thread, but...
Assuming no major trades are made (they will be, Rasheed for Emeka anyone?), then on paper Boston, Detroit and Washington could all be on the way down with aging players at key positions…Boston, Cleveland and Orlando are one major injury away from not making the playoffs, Philly has no one to hit open threes, Toronto’s roster doesn’t appear to fit together, Atlanta is an exciting young team on the rise, Milwaukee got a lot better, Charlotte should make the playoffs with a new coach…Indy is rebuilding, same with Miami, Chicago and New Jersey….Knicks will be better. If I am ranking today…
1. Orlando
2. Cleveland
3. Boston
4. Detroit
5. Milwaukee
6. Atlanta
7. Philly
8. Charlotte
Battle for 8…Washington, Toronto, Bulls (homer pick)
No chance…Knicks, Nets, Indy, Miami.
lol the Bucks are better than Philly, Miami, Washington, and Toronto?
That’s just highest of high comedy. Skiles isn’t Red Auerbach.
I was a multiple time all star throughout my little league career. Won 5 championships- 4 in a row- thats more in a row than MJ… (kenwo4life@aol.com)
by Ozzie Montana on Jul 20, 2008 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Skiles is not Aurebach to be certain...
But they added a solid veteran to that team in RJ and re-upped Bogut so he will not be playing for a contract…that is two legit stars with a third, in Bogut, ready to emerge…barring injury and having watched Skiles’ influence on a team, I think they are legitimately better than Miami, Washington and Toronto…I may have ranked Philly a little low, but Elton Brand has never shown me that he can make a difference in the win/loss column and I think he will take minutes from Thaddeus Young, who was surprisingly solid rook last season…
I know Bogut is quite big,
but that still doesn’t mean he counts for two (and two legit stars for that matter).
The Game chose him !
This is all the pros and cons of a mediocre team
As was pointed out by 82 games.com (link below), the Bulls don’t “suck”, they’re just a little weak everywhere. Our problem isn’t whether or not BG and Lu are priced right or wrong at $10-13m; our problem is that we don’t have anyone negotiating for a max contract. Removing the specific players involved today, I just don’t think you contend by assembling a starting five of $10m players. Hell, you can win titles a-go-go with the Luc Longleys and John Paxsons of the league IF…
The fact that the Bulls don’t have anyone better than BG is the Bulls’ problem, not his. They can compete when they’re going full blast on both ends and the opponent isn’t (I’ve always liked the analogy someone made here a couple of years ago about the pain in the ass who’s going all out in a friendly pick up game) , but I’m worried that the 49 win season was this team’s peak.
They don’t suck. They’re not great. That’s the conondrum. Will they be the 7-8 seed or not? I just don’t get excited about the answer to that question.
http://www.82games.com/BYPOSIT.HTM
The hope is that Thomas and Rose will become those great players...
....that are better than Deng and Gordon. Then you have a darn good 3rd and/or 4th option.
The Bulls will EASILY make the playoffs if we re-sign Deng.
I believe Luol wants to play for the Bulls, knowing he will be their primary scorer if healthy. On Portland he’d be no better than a 3rd option which would affect his overall long term contract value. VDN’s emphasis on incorporating an uptempo offense while stressing team help defense plays into his strengths.
They will make it, due primarily to their new coaches whose philosophy and knowledge will go a long way in maximizing the upside potential of their young guns, Luol, Tyrus, Noah and Rose, instead of discouraging their development as was the case in last season’s production of “Mutiny on the Bounty II”.
The replacement of last year’s staff of stumblebum nincompoops with grownups is worth at least 10 more victories without any additional personnel changes. But if Deng jumps and we can’t dump one of our logjam of high salaried guards, all bets are off.
If you can't answer a man's arguments, all is not lost. You can still call him vile names.
Elbert Hubbard
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