David Thorpe chat 9/26 - tons of Bulls stuff!

[From the FanShots -ed.]

Enrique (Chicago, IL): Have gotten a chance to see Deng, Rose or Ty thomas play recently ? As a bulls fan should be expecting a playoff run or another lottery season.

David Thorpe: (12:09 PM ET ) I saw Rose and TT this week in Chicago play pickup. And I watched Luol play in Europe. I think the Bulls can be a surprise team this year. but will have to survive a tough start. New coach, BG issues, tough comp early on.
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Jaron (Phoenix): How does Rose look? Is he vocal in practice or does he take a back seat to the vets?

David Thorpe: (12:12 PM ET ) He's a very quiet person. Strong inside on drives and cuts and getting better as a shooter.

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Mike (Chicago): Hey Thorpe, after being in Chicago, who's currently the Bulls best player and who do you think will be the best of the bulls?

David Thorpe: (12:15 PM ET ) Some of the vets were not there. Deng might have been the best player in Europe this summer, he looks totally healthy and has added a strong 3 point shot to his game. Gooden and Hughes will like playing for Vinny too.

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Kool (Bronx, NY): What should Ben Gordon do now?

David Thorpe: (12:19 PM ET ) Sign the QO.

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Claude (Miami): Where were you last week? You ruined my Wednesday!

David Thorpe: (12:21 PM ET ) Sorry. I was at the Berto Center and didn't want to bother Paxson with finding a table and a computer. They were very kind to let me come in and watch.

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Meredith (L.A.): Was Hinrich at the Berto for the pickup games you watched. If so, how did he look? And did you get to talk to him about what he thinks his role with be with Derrick Rose now looked at as the future PG?

David Thorpe: (12:38 PM ET ) I thought Kirk looked terrific. Stronger and with his swagger back. I see him playing with Rose a lot.

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JP, Lausanne: Could you watch Noah? How did he look at practice?

David Thorpe: (12:39 PM ET ) Noah added 8 pounds and looks stronger. Made some j's but still flicks his left hand too much. Gray lost 30 pounds!!

9 months ago NormVanBeer Comment 43 comments 2 recs |

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Gray lost 30 pounds!!

that’s pretty amazing…

by NormVanBeer on Sep 26, 2008 12:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That's not a surprise to anyone

who watched summer league games…

Like me ;)

by BAB-Bass on Sep 26, 2008 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i only caught

2 of the games, so I missed the new stream-lined version of Gray

by NormVanBeer on Sep 26, 2008 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow... Gray is like the Anti-Sweetney.

And as far as pure luck, he’s part of the reason the Bulls won the lottery with his Gray Game at the end of last season.

by KentuckyBullsFan on Sep 27, 2008 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you believe thorpe about tt and deng (especially thomas)

Then is it safe to believe what he says about kirk…as a fanboi i have officially become giddy for the upcoming season…ahh there it is again, that horrid thing called hope…

On Behalf of Sue, Wjb, Bullshooter, and all the other Hinrich fans...Ill keep the Hinrich Hope coming...There will be light....

by piccolomair on Sep 26, 2008 12:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Me too!

My optimistic meter went up reading this.

by chgobr on Sep 26, 2008 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bah

why follow sports unless you’re hopeful? I’m all about the Kirk/Rose/BG backcourt. This year should be a hoot. What we really, really need to do, however, is put this BG thing behind us.

The poster formerly known as Freethefro.

by MPG on Sep 26, 2008 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

His quick answer, "He should take the QO,"

was telling to me. Maybe he really just doesn’t want to be here, maybe that statement wasn’t just posturing/negotiation.

Personally, I’ve put the BG thing behind me…. The ball’s in his court, and he has the choice of staying here or not. I don’t think we’ll be looking back a couple years from now and saying he left over money, because I don’t think anyone’ll offer significantly more to him, not until there’s a new CBA after 2010. And I doubt anyone will guarantee he’ll start, and I wouldn’t trust the team that did.

by marionette on Sep 26, 2008 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read that Kirk

had a great summer at the Berto so it’s nice to hear it from another soucrce too. Nice to hear Gray has lost weight. At least he is making an effort.

by sue369 on Sep 28, 2008 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i really hope kirks been working hard on his jumpers

i think he cud remain a bull if his shot got better

On Behalf of Sue, Wjb, Bullshooter, and all the other Hinrich fans...Ill keep the Hinrich Hope coming...There will be light....

by piccolomair on Sep 28, 2008 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope so too.

by sue369 on Sep 29, 2008 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

there is plenty to be excited about....

i am going to that open practice at the UC on the 11th…i am excited to watch VDN in action. i agree with thorpe, the bulls have the potential to surprise a lot of people and maybe take control of the central. obviously, a lot has to go right, but crazier things have happened. this is a time to be optimistic.

I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE

by CONOR6 on Sep 26, 2008 1:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Open practice?

details please?

by Edicus2288i on Sep 26, 2008 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How do you get tickets for this?

I see Craiglist ads with asks of $50 per pass.

by NBA Observer on Sep 30, 2008 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another ad

says these passes were complimentary to season ticket holders.

by NBA Observer on Sep 30, 2008 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd be excited once they find a +19/ppg scorer (if not Gordon) to pair with Deng offense

Offense also wins games..

United Center - I called 911 during the summer of 2006, the situation hasn't improved, now inactivity during the summer of 2008 will require the national guard.

by exult463 on Sep 26, 2008 1:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Kirk has his "swagger" back?

lol, I can’t wait to see that in action.

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

by Ozzie Montana on Sep 26, 2008 3:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

he wont be rapping on a track with kanye and lil wayne anytime soon

by lampnasty on Sep 26, 2008 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That mouthpiece gets ripped out faster than ever.

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

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Sep 26, 2008 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right. Wait 'til you see the confidence with which he slumps those shoulders...

"It’d be ridiculous to hate someone for simply what they say in a sports blog. But I greatly dislike every syllable of your angst-filled, smarmy, nondescript, half-assed, elitist-garbage responses." –Rogerspark Kris

by bullhockey on Sep 27, 2008 11:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's nice...

to hear that Noah added 8 pounds. Last I heard of him, during an interview, he hadn’t done a thing. Seems he followed through and gained some bulk. I’m not a fan of Gray, but now I’m curious. Shedding the excess weight might make him look a bit faster…just a bit.

by Wake on Sep 26, 2008 4:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Does "munches" gain count toward progress?

United Center - I called 911 during the summer of 2006, the situation hasn't improved, now inactivity during the summer of 2008 will require the national guard.

by exult463 on Sep 26, 2008 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

munch munch

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=munch+munch

United Center - I called 911 during the summer of 2006, the situation hasn't improved, now inactivity during the summer of 2008 will require the national guard.

by exult463 on Sep 26, 2008 5:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

8 pounds???so now Joakim is 108 lbs lol

CHICAGO MANE!!!!

by YEP on Sep 26, 2008 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's the opposite of

broad shouldered! So the theory is that he’ll never develop the upper body strength necessary. Which never make much logical sense to me, muscle is muscle, and it would mean more strength,yes? Upper body width might hamper some sort of arm leverage, I guess. And you certainly need to “cheat” with your arms and hands in the NBA.

But you could be a physical specimen like Lamar Odom, and just not possess the will or desire to put a “stop” on a big player. The skinny Jo has already displayed that desire and fair effectiveness in his first year.

by marionette on Sep 26, 2008 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It could have

all gone to his hips then. :D Or

As you said he doesn’t have the bone structure. He can get stronger in a stick boy way which can be pretty strong, but I doubt it will be jaw dropping like some guys in the NBA can get during an off season. Deng came in as a stick boy too when he started, but his shoulders promised more. Pictures of Deng from this summer make me think he can start transitioning into another class of strength while still keeping his quickness. Noah will have to out exuberant his opponents and keep as much weight of any sort on him as possible to keep him from floating off the floor when he is bumped. Even hair weight can be counted then. Perhaps that is where the weight went. :)

Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.

by cranscape on Sep 27, 2008 12:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

NOAH

Nice to hear the string bean is putting on some bulk.

I’m not so sure Hughes will like playing for VDN…. where are the minutes?

I’m so freaking pumped up after reading this!

Where’s our Eddie Vedder song? All The WAY BABY!!!!

by kukoc4ever on Sep 26, 2008 5:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We got our song...in the mid 90s

“Black, Red, Yellow.”…sorry off topic.
Anyway, really hope Hughes doesn’t get to play.

"Worker bees can leave.
Even drones can fly away.
The Queen is their slave."

by jpchi on Sep 26, 2008 11:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

kirk's swagger

when did he have a swagger?

I know he has the mouth piece thing. He has that kind of limp bodies, pouty anti-swagger thing when there is a call that does not go his way (pretty much every foul due to his bad D last year). But swagger? Nah.

Let’s just hope he can be at least an average NBA guard this season. That would be better than last year.

by kukoc4ever on Sep 26, 2008 5:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Kirk seems

more like a skipper than a swagger-er. I could see him skipping around. Perhaps slinking. Moonwalking. They would have said he added “moves” had that been the case though.

Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.

by cranscape on Sep 26, 2008 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Deng

Does it strike anyone else that, looking back, he should have been held out to heal completely for a month or so? Better to get half a season at 100% than 80% of a season at 70%?

by marionette on Sep 26, 2008 7:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Contract year?

It might have been a good idea. The only thing that would’ve stopped Deng was if it was something major. Also, he has Noce as a teammate. Seeing Noce practice and still play like he usually plays while hurt… well you get the picture.

I believe Deng’s 100% now so let’s just forget about last season and look forward to this one.

by Wake on Sep 26, 2008 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow gray lost 30 lbs.

we might need to give him a new nickname…

by knickknack7450 on Sep 27, 2008 11:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

A new uniform size too.

I hope he is still able to floor people with his screens. Sometimes we need a guy who can take someone out “legally”. As long as he wears a cup against retaliation he should be fine.

Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.

by cranscape on Sep 27, 2008 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Deng adding a 3pt Shot are you kidding me?

Forget about gray losing 30LBS he still sucks, noah 8 LBS aint shit he needs like 80LBS, and kirk will be the man again, last season was an aberration. However DENG and his NEW THREE PT SHOT. That is gonna be something exciting if Luol can hit that 3 with ease. For his all around game, having to make defenders step out to the 3pt line to defend him would be huge. With the way he slashes and cuts to the hole, he will catch a lot more defenders off guard. When defenders only have to guard out to 18ft it gives them less court to defend, and easier way to cheat the slash or cut. This will instantly make Luol Deng an all star in my opinion. Throw in the fact that he is an extremely consistent shooter, and you could possibly have a lethal offensive force. That makes me excited to know that we have him locked up only 11mill.

by PTBALLER1523 on Sep 27, 2008 1:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Deng's my fave,

but I’ll have to see this to believe it. My take on Thorpe’s statement was he was hitting 3s in INTERNATIONAL play, from the closer line. He’s always had that range IMO. Still, it’s not much further out to the NBA 3, and something Deng’s bound to add to his repertoire one of these days (or years).

by marionette on Sep 27, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

deng's also my fave

but i also did think that maybe he meant the international 3. however, he might not have phrased it that way since it wouldn’t mean anything to the bulls to have him be able to shoot the international 3 – so maybe he really does mean the nba 3 point. especially since he did get to work out with the guy back in june since luol and tt went down there together, so he did see for himself what he was working on.

by Jaina on Sep 27, 2008 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to be a Kill Joy

‘case I’m just as excited as you, really!

The big difference maker this year, besides the substantial addition of Rose (and subtraction of Wallace) will be VDN as coach. Coming in with the Western philosophy, from D’Antoni, the Suns, and the Spurs, and just by not being the hyper-critical, sarcastic Skiles will allow the guys to get back to playing their games. Which means winning; these guys have always been winners before.

I can’t believe the prognosticators completely discount the talent of this team, one that had the point differential of a 55 game winner two seasons ago! Yes, the East is better, but it’s still not the West.

The clown in DET said they won’t win more than 25? I’d expect they’re more likely to lose only 25! Seriously, I’d give ‘em less than 1% chance of that (winning 57), but there’s no way in hell this team wins so few this year.

And I hear you Jaina, it’ll happen for him (Luol).

by marionette on Sep 27, 2008 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, i'm really looking forward to the start of the season!

it’s kind of funny that everyone says “well it’s most of the same guys that only won 33 games last year!” but it is also most of the same guys that did win 49 games the year before.

really glad i’m not seeing skiles or boylan on the bench this season. be funny when we play milwaukee for the season opener. :) i hope they wear their road alternates, so they can really pretend to be us! :D

by Jaina on Sep 27, 2008 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs