Rob Portland: Thorpe why didnt my blazers give up Rudy Fernandez (or Sergio or Steve Blake) to get...

Rob Portland: Thorpe why didnt my blazers give up Rudy Fernandez (or Sergio or Steve Blake) to get Derrick Rose? If we had Rose we could be awesome

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:44 PM ET ) You pushed and you pushed. So fine, you get your ban. Wake up Rob!

Zach (Burlington, IA): Where does John Salmons fit in on this Bulls team? Does he start and let Ben Gordon go back to the 6th man, or does he become the back up 1,2,3?

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:05 PM ET ) First guy off the bench in the short term at 2 and 3. Kirk still backs up Rose. But I'm not sure he'll be a good player in that role.

Jake (VA Beach): So are you a fan of all the Bulls' moves as much as Adande and Mashburn?

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:09 PM ET ) No.

Debbie (Monterey Park, CA): Who are you interested in seeing now: new-look Knicks, new-look Bulls or new-look Kings?

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:11 PM ET ) Bulls probably.

Jake (VA Beach): So not a fan, but interested to see the Bulls. So care to elaborate a small bit?

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:13 PM ET ) I'm not convinced that they 2 Kings will make a huge difference. I'm interested to watch and see if I'm wrong.

Dean (Chicago): Not allot of insight in an answer "No" on if you like the bulls moves. It would be nice to get clarification, afterall people do appreciate your insight.

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:14 PM ET ) Salmons is as much of a ball-stopper as BG, and a lot more whiny when he does not start. Miller is not a low post option on offense, and has not been healthy for a bit. Salmons also overrated as a defender.

John, Switzerland: Do you think Thabo can succeed with the Thunder and is he going to start? Is Mason really out for the season?

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:22 PM ET ) Yes, I think Thabo could be a long term starter there. He fits in great with KD, Green, and Westbrook.

Romeo and Illinois: Mr. Thorpe, with the bulls making these two big deals, do u see them as a serious contender for one of the 2010 prize free agents? there are rumors Chicago is Bosh first option....

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:24 PM ET ) I'm sure Bosh will consider all options. No way he's locking in on any one target now.

Brian (Jersey): You and Hollinger are my two favorites, which is why I love it when you two disagree. He says Hughes cant pass or shoot, which makes him a bad fit for Mike D's system, you seem more positive on the move. Thoughts?

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:38 PM ET ) He won't be the first guy to play better in Mike's system.

Sean (Chicago): I know Salmons isn't an ideal fit, but can he be a passable fit at SG next year if the Bulls lose Gordon as expected?

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:50 PM ET ) Possibly, but he's basically been a 3. And he's no BG as a scorer.

Sean (Chicago): I know he's not BG scorer but hopefully he's not a BG defender either (I know Gordon isn't as terrible as some suggest but he's not good either). The Bulls just need someone to stand at the 3pt line in that spot, maybe slash now and then. Ideally Rose and Deng should be the focus of our offense right now.

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:54 PM ET ) Good point. BG always has to be a focus on offense, he's amazing at that end.

Chris (San Diego): Love the chats Mr. Thorpe! Bulls moves - no superstars, but it seems like the players they acquired fit much better. Miller isn't going to launch 20 footers all day (Gooden)and Salmons currently is a much more efficient player than Nocioni. Just seemed like the moves improved fit without hurting long term goals.

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:57 PM ET ) Great point about Miller. Deng should get an extra bucket a game from Brad on a slash to the rim.

Jeff (NYC): Regardless of what happens in 2010, I'm pretty impressed with Donnie Walsh as a GM. He managed to trade Jerome James!!!! Tell me that isn't amazing Thorpedo!

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:59 PM ET ) He's obviously good at what he does

Thorpe's Bulls tidbits from today's chat, put the Portland quote at top for emphasis

9 months ago snley 18 comments 0 recs |

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it's Pritchard's fault

fans likely believe the he could pull that off after this snake-oil salesman routine he’s been putting forth the past couple years.

USE THE SOFTWARE. Actions-> Rec/Flag. Reply to comments with the reply button. Rec good fanposts/fanshots so the crud gets pushed down.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Feb 20, 2009 12:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That had to be a parody of an overeager Blazer fan

At least I hope it was.

Why resort to name calling?
-Dionysus2.0

because I wish to insult you personally
-your friendly BullsBlogger

by Big D on Feb 20, 2009 12:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

sure sounds pretty pessimistic about all the Bulls’ trades. The mood there is almost hostile toward the repeated questions about the Bulls, but he does make some decent points. I still think getting rid of Gooden (and Noc) was the best thing we could’ve done to help TT and Noah.

"The Zen philosopher Basho once wrote: 'A flute with no holes is not a flute, And a doughnut with no hole is a Danish.' He was a funny guy."

by Ugh It Live! on Feb 20, 2009 12:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I don't know

He certainly doesn’t sound as optimistic about Salmons as many people around here, but I kind of agree with him so I guess he sounds more objective than pessimistic to me. (Yes, everyone who agrees with me is also highly objective…) I hope I’m wrong, because it will be much better for the Bulls, but I’m not thrilled with any player who reportedly sulks about not getting the ball enough.

I think he was just more thinking generically about the pieces coming in than specifically in comparison to the pieces they’re replacing. He agreed with several rebuttal points people brought up.

Man-slave, bring me my PB&J!

by wjb1492 on Feb 20, 2009 1:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah weird vibe

From those comments
I am hesitant to be high on Salmons, too. We shall see.
If the Bulls are wanting BG to stick around after some summertime dealing, I hope that means we’ll see Salmons on the bench more often than not, or at least at the #3 (or #4 sparingly)…. that would hopefully indicate Ben keeps his minutes and is a commitment to him being here next year.
But I’m sure Salmons will be starting eventually and go through a test drive with the management to see if he is BGs legit replacement for next year, no matter what. Sigh…
I guess it may depend on if the Bulls want the playoffs for sure or not…

"Remember, I'm Italian".

by BCs71 on Feb 20, 2009 1:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i'm cautiously optimistic about salmons

i really liked the deal and i think he could be good for the team, but given the rumblings about his personality, i hope he’ll work out. but i certainly don’t view him as a BG replacement, though a bit of insurance – a 2 guard i’d much rather have and for cheaper than larry hughes.

"They should. They better. I'm Vinny Del Negro!"

by Jaina on Feb 20, 2009 1:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

true, true

"Remember, I'm Italian".

by BCs71 on Feb 20, 2009 1:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thorpe's right about the scoring

BG is lots better. Salmons is meh.

I guess we’ve gone from having out hands tied behind our back to having our hands tied in front of us.

12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.

by NBA Observer on Feb 20, 2009 1:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

did i ever say he wasn't?

"They should. They better. I'm Vinny Del Negro!"

by Jaina on Feb 20, 2009 2:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I gotta somewhat agree

I’m not as eager about Salmons as most are.

I’m more eager to see how the Bulls play around a solid center like Miller

by Option27 on Feb 20, 2009 1:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We killed Larry Hughes

for good reasons: shot selection, getting any minutes at all, poor finishing skills in transition, free throw begging, and falling asleep on defense.

There’s not much more John Salmons is going to do for us, but he’s a much better finisher in the paint. He’s just a more manageable contract holding a player option in 10-11.

12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.

by NBA Observer on Feb 20, 2009 1:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

And this Hughes notes on SI.COM were really really crazy. I knew he wanted to play, but when he was allegedly offered 30 minutes per game after he came back from injury and was baffled it wasn’t closer to 38/40, that was nuts….

I always kind of felt, ya know what I can sympathise a bit with Hughes (ignoring the ridiculous salary) because when he played he performed adequately (Save for the final 2-3 games where he outchucked even his chucking rep) but the un-legend was far more annoying that even I would have thought. I understood totally why he was out of the rotation with Kirk and BG ahead of him (They are better team players and better individual players), but I somewhat sympathized with the un-legend because he wasn’t exactly awful—he was a billion times better than the Bulls version of Jalen Rose at least…

Then I read this

I was always glad to see the un-legend go, but felt we could have gotten more from him, and agreed when I heard Pax say he was professional and saw him laughing a bit on the bench, etc…..and heard his interviews saying he understood playing BG and Rose ahead of them, he just wanted to play (while Kirk was out)…..but this was ridiculous.

Good Riddance to Larry “Un-Legend”….

Wonder who the new Duhon/Nocioni/Larry Hughes will be with the new club…..Jerome James ain’t going to play….

by majoyenrac on Feb 20, 2009 1:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Kirk's still around to beat up

12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.

by NBA Observer on Feb 20, 2009 2:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

When the 6-foot-5 guard returned from the injured list roughly six weeks ago, coach Vinny Del Negro offered him 30 minutes a game (sound familiar?) at the point, off guard and small forward. He impudently declined.

Jesus Vinny you really wanted to give Hughes that many minutes? Why do Harris/Bickerstaff seemingly let VDN screw up over and over?

"The Zen philosopher Basho once wrote: 'A flute with no holes is not a flute, And a doughnut with no hole is a Danish.' He was a funny guy."

by Ugh It Live! on Feb 20, 2009 2:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

oh gawd

That fannation link is damning.

Oops, gotta wear my Vescey goggles.

12/31: Fire Vinny Del Negro.

by NBA Observer on Feb 20, 2009 2:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's kind of hard to know.

At times it seemed like he was being as professional about things as we could possibly expect, but then there were those rare tidbits of information popping up that made it sound like he wasn’t and it was all being sort of swept under the rug. Sam Smith (our friendly barometer of professionalism!) had several negative things to say about interacting with him – if it’s just Sam maybe you sort of shake your head at it, but then you hear similar things…

Anyway, he wasn’t playing, was owed a fortune, and is no longer our problem. Thanks for the memory, Larry…

Man-slave, bring me my PB&J!

by wjb1492 on Feb 20, 2009 7:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs