Bulls will make the playoffs. Probably.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 8, 2009 10:13 PM CDT
116 comments
After that loss in Charlotte on Tuesday, I've dialed down my enthusiasm for the team significantly. Perhaps you can tell given the gamethread-only second half of last week?
Winning those two home games against pretty awful teams (especially considering those who didn't play on each squad) didn't change much of that attitude, unfortunately.
This team has enough talent to win a few. They're not being coached, so they'll lose a few. While (as of Sunday afternoon) they have a half game lead and sole possession of the 8th seed, with 3 road games against good teams this week they can easily lose that 'stranglehold'. And probably will.
But with an easy ending schedule and underwhelming competition for that playoff spot, the Bulls will still probably make it. It doesn't matter.
I don't mean "it doesn't matter" in the perspective that only championships matter and the Bulls aren't winning a championship. A playoff 'run', no matter how brief, is better than barely missing. Important for Derrick Rose to get more games, and take part in a playoff atmosphere, get more pub on national TV, etc.
But, considering that Charlotte loss had me abandon hope of a 6th seed, with Vinny in a playoff series the Bulls are going to get waxed. Absolutely crushed. I have zero confidence in any series against the Cavs, Celtics, or Magic that they'll come out with any scheme or matchup adjustment (creation?) that will narrow the talent gap in any respect.
The Bulls will look good if their shooters are hot, likely in one of the home games. May not even be enough for a win unless they're up large to the point where the lead can't be blown. But otherwise they'll look like a group of roster spots playing against actual teams. Disorganization further widening that talent gap to embarrassing levels.
Is that really playoff experience? Not really. Vinny's going to be fired 20 games into next season, and then we can get on with forming a real squad (one likely without Ben Gordon, here's to self-created obstacles!), and the 2009 playoff team will have little significance to what that new squad will become.
But while it doesn't matter if they make it, it similarly doesn't matter if they don't. Late lottery draft pick: meh. Maybe it increases the likelihood of the Org. seeing the need for a coaching change, but I doubt it: they're too talented to have an epic collapse, and there will be advocates noting the Bulls improved record and Vinny's rookie status as reasons to give him another chance. In fact that faction's already begun formation.
So dealing with two equally pointless scenarios, might as well root for that playoff appearance, right? Playoffs are fun, seeing more Bulls games is fun. Maybe we'll see a stolen game with a hot (yet stand-still and my-turn) offense, the kind of game that we'll see as they get in the playoffs over stretch run of the season. Probably.
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Jeez, that was depressing
At least if the Bulls make the playoffs and get crushed it will be with no expectations unlike another Chicago team the I will leave unnamed but will continue to be mad at until they win a playoff series or, at this point, even a game.
by D-rose on Mar 8, 2009 10:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
you have an uncanny knack
for sucking all of the enthusiasm out me. kudos.
Asked what kind of player he expects to be in the next five years, he said: "Not a star, but like, a superstar. Something around, like, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, something like that."
by BigBenign on Mar 8, 2009 10:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If they win 2 or 3 of the next 5 games
i think theyll for sure make the playoffs
by Chicago Bulls on Mar 8, 2009 10:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If Rose looks good during the playoffs
I’ll be happy. I don’t expect to win anything, but the national spotlight for Rose will do him good if he plays well. I am just hoping the coach won’t get in his way.
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 Mar 8, 2009 10:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I’ve dialed down my enthusiasm for the team significantly
by NittanyCub on Mar 8, 2009 10:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
keep in mind
after they acquired Brad Miller my enthusiasm was to an unreasonable amount. So this is more of a regression to the mean (no pun intended).
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 8, 2009 11:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
too bad it wasn't intended
cause its clever.
Asked what kind of player he expects to be in the next five years, he said: "Not a star, but like, a superstar. Something around, like, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, something like that."
by BigBenign on Mar 9, 2009 12:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Count me out for fishing this Monday, Matt. The doctor says if I don’t cut down on my consumption of fish, my mercury level will reach toxic proportions (wah wahhhh).
While I really like how Miller plays – hence my icon— I knew that Miller wouldn’t equal resounding success. I’m also pretty sure you knew coming into this season that the Bulls weren’t going to rival the Celtics of the Cavaliers for the top seed or a championship: that’s why it’s weird, for me at least, that you come up with a bleak post at an almost arbitrary time of the season.
I for one hope the Bulls make the playoffs. Even if they get their ass handed to them by Boston of Cleveland, at least Rose and Noah get some time in the playoffs. Hopefully that helps them grow.
by NittanyCub on Mar 9, 2009 12:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
jeez
=p
..on 2/18/09, Noc was gone..and on the next day, Larry "The Chucker" was just a bad dream...
by Belize on Mar 9, 2009 1:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Playoff experience
I do not think getting your ass handed to you in 4-5 games serves any purpose only to let you know that you are not good enough to compete. It seems you can learn this lesson in the regular season quite well.
However, I do see if your team has championship caliber talent and a +500 win % where this may be the case to learn the little things of how to win a pressure packed series
by bullschwaa on Mar 9, 2009 8:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really have to agree with everything written
The problem with this team is, due to the coaching, they rarely (if ever) play over their head. And given the talent on this team (which I believe their is plenty), IF we had a better coach there would be good reason for optimism heading down the stretch.
In fact, with this same group of players and a competent coach, I would think this team would be able to have a really nice showing against the Cavs or Celtics. But seeing the way we’ve performed in situations where we are put to any sort of test, I have absolutely zero faith that we would be able to keep any of the playoff games close. So really what’s the point? Derrick Rose actually probably comes out looking worse if we get totally waxed. I’ll root for the playoffs just for more games, but I don’t know if I could stomach four games like this.
"That's a spicy meatball-a!" - Vinny Del Negro
by Juiceboxjerry on Mar 9, 2009 12:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Perkins is unstoppable!
Really, though, I think that if it’s not Boston we’ll be OK. Boston has this mental … death it puts on us, and we crack. All the other teams we can beat. And as long as somebody knocks Vinny out the day before every single game, we can win them.
Anyone up for it?
"You remember the first time you picked up a basketball video game and you had no idea how to run plays, so you just gave the ball to your shooter and you ran around the court aimlessly until a defender was far enough away and then you jacked up a shot? THAT IS LARRY HUGHES!"
-Anonymous fan letter, heylarryhughespleasestoptakingsomanybadshots.com
by Prevenge on Mar 9, 2009 1:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bulls still short on Muscle...
Celtics have the beef in the frontcourt to really push Bulls around in a series. Garnett, Perkins, BigBaby, Powe, are very tough. Even Mikki Moore can play like a toughguy at times.
Cavs…without Wallace are a bit weak up front physically, and Magic beyond Howard, and the Turk: maybe not that fierce.
Miller makes things a bit better for Bulls, but occasional enforcer/muscle Noc is gone, so that’s kind of a wash when it comes to team sheer physicality. A glaring weakness on the roster that needs to be fixed for any playoff success……no enforcer meatsluggo in front court,….so especially NOT a good matchup with Celts…
by Cholla on Mar 9, 2009 1:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think youre forgetting #34
gray can knock all those guys over with one hand. our very own white shaq!
by sin on Mar 9, 2009 2:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gray can be the Bull in the china shop
true…but I doubt he sees any playing time in playoffs even if Bulls are getting physically dominated. Talkin about having an enforcer that can play well enough to stay on the floor….
by Cholla on Mar 9, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
hey if we miss the playoffs.
We might be able to get Stephen Curry, who we can tout out as the Ben Gordon replacement.
Chicago Bulls Blog and Forums. NBA Power Rankings.
by Andrew7 on Mar 9, 2009 1:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Then we can jerk his contract around and let him get signed for the MLE by the Thunder!
The Bulls’ new goal:
1. Give all their players to the Thunder
2. Thunder win Championship
3. ???
4. Profit!
"You remember the first time you picked up a basketball video game and you had no idea how to run plays, so you just gave the ball to your shooter and you ran around the court aimlessly until a defender was far enough away and then you jacked up a shot? THAT IS LARRY HUGHES!"
-Anonymous fan letter, heylarryhughespleasestoptakingsomanybadshots.com
by Prevenge on Mar 9, 2009 1:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
indeed
I’m glad someone is keeping this thread alive.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 9, 2009 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What about
DeJuan Blair….I think he could help us out with more PF depth….
by majoyenrac on Mar 9, 2009 8:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
how about Blair Underwood?
http://www.blogabull.com/2009/2/20/766447/draft-watch
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 9, 2009 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
(that wasn't meant to imply all should've known about this thread)
I’m re-pushing it up though. :)
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 9, 2009 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well Blair Underwood
Was a good actor on I believe LA Law…..so maybe.
Yeah I hadn’t read that thread….I just know on the draft thing on ESPN he’s been mentioned as a likely pick to the 12th-15th seeded Bulls and from the little I’ve seen, he seems pretty decent esp for a Soph.
by majoyenrac on Mar 9, 2009 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Firing Vinny 20 games into next season would be the dumbest possible scenario
So I assume that’s what the Bulls will do. That would assure another wasted season with an interim coach. It would be better to do it after this season, so they can actually hire someone decen . . . oh wait, a respectable coach would want a good salary, so no way would the Chairman go for that.
Why resort to name calling?
-Dionysus2.0
because I wish to insult you personally
-your friendly BullsBlogger
by Big D on Mar 9, 2009 1:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
But if they fire him midway into the season they can replace him with Del Harris,
and not pay anybody anything.
"You remember the first time you picked up a basketball video game and you had no idea how to run plays, so you just gave the ball to your shooter and you ran around the court aimlessly until a defender was far enough away and then you jacked up a shot? THAT IS LARRY HUGHES!"
-Anonymous fan letter, heylarryhughespleasestoptakingsomanybadshots.com
by Prevenge on Mar 9, 2009 1:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Will Del even be around next year?
He wasn’t Vinny’s choice, and the two supposedly have had their issues (which Reinsdorf commented on). Del’s getting up there in age too.
Why resort to name calling?
-Dionysus2.0
because I wish to insult you personally
-your friendly BullsBlogger
by Big D on Mar 9, 2009 1:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
he's not as explosive as he used to be
thats for sure, but del has veteran experience on his side.
Asked what kind of player he expects to be in the next five years, he said: "Not a star, but like, a superstar. Something around, like, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, something like that."
by BigBenign on Mar 9, 2009 1:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol...this was was depressing
but mark my words. NOBODY wants to see this team in the 1st round. I can see us having a Hawk-like 1st round. I can feel it, smell it….maybe not taste it, but its in the air like a good fart. Esp, if we gel better game by game
..on 2/18/09, Noc was gone..and on the next day, Larry "The Chucker" was just a bad dream...
by Belize on Mar 9, 2009 1:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't know what you're smelling Belize, but I'm guessing it's coming from whatever you're smoking.
The loco weed has been know to cause delusional thinking and distortions of reality.
I really don’t think the Celtics or the Cavs are staying up nights having panic attacks thinking about how they can overcome the Bulls half court game devised by the coaching genius of VDN and his ability to adjust on the fly.
So why don’t you just put away the bong and get back to reality. In this way, barring a miracle you won’t be disappointed or surprised when the Bulls get swept.
If you can't answer a man's arguments, all is not lost. You can still call him vile names.
Elbert Hubbard
by Tyrusmancrush on Mar 9, 2009 1:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see it a lot on the other fan boards
Folks see our talent, and can’t understand why we cannot find a mix….
A lot of fans don’t want to see the Bulls, though I think if they watched us more they’d definitely think otherwise….
by majoyenrac on Mar 9, 2009 8:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
the herb helps the pain
=)
..on 2/18/09, Noc was gone..and on the next day, Larry "The Chucker" was just a bad dream...
by Belize on Mar 9, 2009 8:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
but not when he's on the bench.
I don’t think Vinny is that dumb to bench Rose in the playoffs. I really don’t.
Pool and a pond... Pond be good for you.
by SoulEater7 on Mar 9, 2009 2:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i hope rose pulls a melo
refuse to come out of the game and tell vinny to f*ck off on national tv
by sin on Mar 9, 2009 2:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I could just see Paxson standing up in his box and then taking the
escalators down to the floor level walking down to the bench and tapping Vinny on the shoulder
and saying, vamoose! Coaching the end of the game. Then quitting saying the job is too stressful.
Pool and a pond... Pond be good for you.
by SoulEater7 on Mar 9, 2009 2:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
its so simple
get the ball to rose. set screens for him and let him destroy like wade does. shooters on the wings in case he has to kick it out. is that so hard to execute.
by sin on Mar 9, 2009 2:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
thank you!
..on 2/18/09, Noc was gone..and on the next day, Larry "The Chucker" was just a bad dream...
by Belize on Mar 9, 2009 8:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
one notch in towards that comparison
is that Mike Woodson’s a pretty cruddy coach too. Not sure he’s Vinny-bad though.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 9, 2009 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is there any advantage to getting the 7th seed?
The Thunder crushed the 76’rs tonight. Thabo has averaged 40 minutes in each of his last 4 games and the lowly Thunder have won all of them. I watched some of the game tonight on NBA tv and Thabo was playing ferocious and inspired defense which was noted by the announcers. His plus/minus tonight was a team leading (by a wide margin) +27.
Noce got his first start at the 3 (38 minutes) and was 10 for 17 including 3 threes and a +11 in the Kings victory over Denver. Now that he’s gone I wish him well.
I’m wondering how good Thabo would have been had the Bulls hired a real coach this season. He could have been a big asset during playoff time with his length and defensive skills. He has looked great since gettting out from under the stifling lack of direction under maybe the 2 worse coaches in the last decade (givng them the benifit of the doubt).
The Bulls biggest improvement has come from the Sacramento twins who brought their skills with them and as Miller indicated, he has been teaching the Bulls how to run the pick and roll while Salmons plays man effectively and can create his own shot (important on a team that has not been taught ball movement and positioning).
Sadly, the Bulls don’t have a prayer in the playoffs but getting that experience should help our young players. The presence of Vinny in my opinion is worth 5-7 points to our opponents. His inexperience and confusion causes him to constantly make poor decisions at key times. This opinion hardly needs elaboration so I won’t point out specific brain cramps that have cost the Bulls a victory.
So I guess, if the Bulls do make the playoffs, all Bulls fans should just sit back like a bunch of Christians at the Roman Coloseum, hoping they put up a good fight before being devoured by the lions.
If you can't answer a man's arguments, all is not lost. You can still call him vile names.
Elbert Hubbard
by Tyrusmancrush on Mar 9, 2009 1:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
maybe Thabo needs 40 minutes a game to be effective
I knew the Bulls were short-changing him!
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 9, 2009 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
The best part was Bulls will make the playoffs.
I’ll stop there so I don’t get booted.
Pool and a pond... Pond be good for you.
by SoulEater7 on Mar 9, 2009 1:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Making the playoffs is always good
No matter what. Even if you get waxed, the team will grow. The young guys can use the experience. That’s my feeling, at least.
by TCBullfrog on Mar 9, 2009 1:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
yeah that's debatable...
Personally I would like to agree. I mean the more time you get with something the better you SHOULD become in theory but who knows. With a player like Derrick Rose I would agree with your theory. A player like Larry Hughes I doubt he will have become any better after words.
Bores and Bernsy would just call you a dumb Chicago sports fan, but given a good student like Rose who can learn then I agree that making the playoffs would be very good for a young star.
And the point is to develop Derrick Rose so YES I would think this is good for growth. Hell yeah to playoffs!
Pool and a pond... Pond be good for you.
by SoulEater7 on Mar 9, 2009 2:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
they may grow
but then they’ll regress to get back to where they were anyway. Then a new coach…
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 9, 2009 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its always better
to be in the playoffs. Period. The only goal is to improve. To overstate the obvious: Championships are won by teams which have improved themselves sufficiently to win championships! I’ll be thrilled if the Bulls get back to the playoffs, because a) that’s an improvement over last year and b) its a step, albeit a baby one, closer to a division or NBA championship. Progress is the key. So long as they are making progress, I’m a happy fan. So what if Vinny gets fires twenty games in next year. This is THIS year. Arizona went to the Super Bowl, we can advance to the semis or the finals. Do we need luck, sure. But that’s sports. Sometime you get lucky (why else would we have D-Rose). Maybe KG will be out for the year, and Rondo will be a scratch for the playoffs. Now who do you like in a Celtics-Bulls 1st round? That being said, after analyzing their schedule, I believe they will finish with 38 wins (39 a stretch), one game behind Charlotte for the number 8 seed. Larry Brown would have loved to coach the Bulls. Say hello to the Lottery again.
by Cannoli on Mar 9, 2009 1:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
playoffs!!!
we can pull this off. i dont care if vinny is screwing us over right now. i will still believe that we can do some damage in the playoffs. i imagine derrick rose stepping up in the spotlight just like he did in memphis when the tournament started catching attention. heres to rose stepping up again and taking over to at least give us a fighting chance
by sin on Mar 9, 2009 2:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
if by "damage"
you mean “win 1 or 2 games”, then yes, they can do damage…
http://awsomepeoplesearch.com/
by NormVanBeer on Mar 9, 2009 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
series
im talking about winning us a few series
by sin on Mar 9, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Winning "a few" series...
Would make us Eastern Conference champions.
If you think that’s the case then I want some of whatever you are smoking.
"So long Noc, we hardly knew ya."
by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
no drunk commenting...
http://awsomepeoplesearch.com/
by NormVanBeer on Mar 9, 2009 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe we can be golden state, and shock the world, all we need to do is to be there
in the playoffs, but seriously, liked all that has been said above, making the playoffs is better than being on vacation early.
Derrick Rose got Freakin Skillz. When are we going to add a 7th championship?
by broseleay301 on Mar 9, 2009 3:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
playoffs, its where we belong
i cant think of an argument where i would say lets not go to the playoffs.
You have nothing to lose (well except the games, but thats expected) and everything to gain. Players need experience, our team needs to be noticed by guys like bosh, wade, etc, the coaches need experience, paxson needs to evaluate his coaches and his players, teams need to take a look at our higher paid guys like deng hinrich and perhaps even gordon so they can call us for some trades….if we make it to the playoffs this year, then everyone in the league will understand that we have some serious talent on our team…..i mean really with rose on this team, and some nice financial positioning, we cant possibly get any worse than we are right now next year (even without ben gordon i think this team can at least do as well as it is doing this year) thus we should attract a bunch of guys who want money (which we will probably have in 2010) fame (one of the biggest markets in basketball) and a chance to win (cuz we have a few players that are good enough to take crappy players to the playoffs, so add a star and we can move forward at a ferocious rate)……. plus the tickets for the playoffs should be extra cheap this offseason so i might get a chance to actually attend a playoff game…never done that before.
On Behalf of Sue, Wjb, majoyenrac, Bullshooter and all the other Hinrich fans...Ill keep the Hinrich Hope coming...There will be light!
by piccolomair on Mar 9, 2009 3:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That's a good point
Bosh and Wade (the 2010 FAs) would likely want to come to a team that has playoff experience, dreams, and capabilities. If the Bulls can do this with Del Coacho (I’m sure the superstars of the league laugh behind his back even) then maybe the word on the street will become that the Bulls are worthy contenders for 2010 signings.
"Remember, I'm Italian".
by BCs71 on Mar 9, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
one thing to lose
If Vinny gets to coach next year because management thinks Bulls fans won’t want him fired if they make the playoffs …. then that is a reason playoffs would be bad.
Him coaching next year may prevent a Chris Bosh type ( who demands a trade) from considering the Bulls.
by Jscho316 on Mar 9, 2009 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You get good enough players
and eventually it wont matter who the coach is so long as you have a real talented veterans. I think bosh even being as young as he is can be classified with great leadership abilities. However if we land amare, we may need a new coach….
On Behalf of Sue, Wjb, majoyenrac, Bullshooter and all the other Hinrich fans...Ill keep the Hinrich Hope coming...There will be light!
by piccolomair on Mar 9, 2009 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Notice what happened to the Kobe-Shaq Lakers
when PJ was hired. A three-peat is not too shabby.
Maybe we can (but probably not)?
by Granny Waiters on Mar 10, 2009 3:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
im calling it now
we will be the gsw/hawks of 2009!!!!!!
by sin on Mar 9, 2009 3:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm still hoping
we can find a way to miss out on the playoffs and look to catch lightning in a bottle for the second time in the lottery. It’s pretty much the only hope I can see for this team until 2010.
by JSlakov on Mar 9, 2009 7:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Watch Matt
You finally get down on them and suddenly we’ll win 4 out of 5 this week losing only to the 76ers and finding ways to suprise the Heat, Hornets, Magic, and Celtics….
I hope this new tactic works…..because I’m tired of seeing us look ok only to see us look awful against bad teams….although we do generally beat the awful teams at home….
by majoyenrac on Mar 9, 2009 7:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Is there anything behind your theory of the 20-game VDN leash?
I hope it’s much much sooner than that. And as far as the 2009 playoff team having little significance to the “new” playoff team, the core of Rose/TT/Noah is still going to be there (hopefully). I’m hoping those three really start clicking and become the, dare I say, leaders of the team going into next season (actually starting hopefully immediately after the season, especially for 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 Mar 9, 2009 9:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
just a round number
Eddie Jordan – 11
Reggie Theus – 24
Maurice Cheeks – 23
Sam Mitchell – 17
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 9, 2009 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd take Jordan as a replacement
no thanks to Mitchell, Cheeks or “Rush Street Reggie” though
"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 Mar 9, 2009 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
those were the games into this season each were fired
so actually, judging by the Bulls ‘process’, it’ll be more like 40 games
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 9, 2009 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ha yea I figured as much
and I really hope this ‘process’ has already started…Pax should be lining up guys he’d like to interview right now. Besides the BG contract soap opera, what else is on his plate right now?
"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 Mar 9, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or at least thinking about
when the right time to approach Harris/Bernie/Oceipka with the “so you’ve probably assumed this but I’d like one of you to slide over to head coach at some point in the near future” talk. I wouldn’t think now would be the right time, with them pushing for the playoffs, but certainly once the season is over. I just hope the assistants haven’t become so frustrated w/ the organization that they decide to go elsewhere.
"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 Mar 9, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oceipka would be the most likely candidate,
since both Harris and Bickerstaff are old and worn out to some extent.
If we are lucky, there will be a press conference this summer with VDN and Gar Paxdorf announcing that “Vinny has decided he is better suited to the front office, and will be working in __ capacity for the Bulls”.
Maybe we can (but probably not)?
by Granny Waiters on Mar 10, 2009 4:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
did u account for right after the Circus trip
season starts around Nov 1st… 20 games later would be around Dec 5 which would include a bad circus trip.
by Jscho316 on Mar 9, 2009 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Playoffs = more VDN
I think making the playoffs guarantees VDN half a season next year, no matter how bad we start. I don’t think anybody here would disagree with me by saying that the Bulls bright future simply cannot involve VDN.
Therefore, for sake of returning to an elite team, I’m routing against the bulls making the playoffs. Maybe we can get lucky and land a top 5 pick, taking Mike Krzyzewski.
by kmokeefe on Mar 9, 2009 9:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
if we can reach the playoffs
and meet somebody other than boston, this team will atleast scare the other team and reach atleast game 6 or 7. Or maybe even steal the series.
Also reaching the playoffs might help Rose getting the “respect” of the refs or stern and starts getting some calls in his favor next season. its pathetic seing Rose get knock down to the floor and not getting a cal while other scrub pg can get double digit FTs
by trig on Mar 9, 2009 10:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Charlotte is 9 and 4 since early Feb.
Not that they beat many teams of quality, but it does include a 6 game winning streak… Which is twice as long as any streak the Bulls have thrown out there in like two or three years. The point is, yeah we suck, but we shouldn’t have beat Charlotte IMO.
"So long Noc, we hardly knew ya."
by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2009 11:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
"But with an easy ending schedule and underwhelming competition for that playoff spot, the Bulls will still probably make it."
I hope you mean every game AFTER our next six.
@ Miami
@ Orlando
@ Philadelphia
New Orleans
Boston
Lakers
We’ll be lucky to be 1 and 5 over that stretch.
"So long Noc, we hardly knew ya."
by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2009 11:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well
you left out the OKC game, which is before the LAL game, and after that we’ve got winnable games in WAS, DET, MIA, IND, TOR, IND, NJ, NYK, PHI, CHA, DET, TOR to finish the season so I’d that’s a fairly easy schedule.
"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 Mar 9, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crap.
I have trouble replying at the bottom of the thread, sorry.
Pasted from below.
Whoops… Thanks for the correction.
Even over that stretch I still see plenty of losses or at the very least close games (usually decided by coaching).
I really don’t think we will make the playoffs.
"So long Noc, we hardly knew ya."
by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2009 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How could you possible miss
the Bulls’ 1st game against the Oklahoma City Sefoloshas?!? Ha…
"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 Mar 9, 2009 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ha!
Ironically, that’s another game we probably won’t win as OKC has been kinda decent lately.
"So long Noc, we hardly knew ya."
by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
PossiblY*
"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 Mar 9, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whoops...
Thanks for the correction.
Even over that stretch I still see plenty of losses or at the very least close games (usually decided by coaching).
I really don’t think we will make the playoffs.
"So long Noc, we hardly knew ya."
by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2009 11:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Also...
I really think Milwaukee, New Jersey, AND Charlotte could overtake us by the end of the year.
"So long Noc, we hardly knew ya."
by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2009 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Boo
Milwaukee, even with Skiles cracking the whip, is pretty banged up. The Nets are in the beginning of a 5-game road trip and also have many away games to finish out their season, even with their decent road record. They’ll go as far as Devin Harris will take them IMO. And as far as Charlotte goes, meh fuck them they’re the Bobcats for chrissakes…
"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 Mar 9, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It really is more a commentary...
On how weak the Bulls are.
Save the thread and we’ll come back and check it at the end of the season. I’d bet that at least 2 teams pass us between now and then, if not all 3.
"So long Noc, we hardly knew ya."
by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ha
I’ll make a mental note. I hope you’re wrong, but it could happen with the way VDN has been “coaching” these guys. And if we do get passed up and start sucking in the last 2 weeks, VDN will have to be on the hot seat. 5 of the last 6 games are at home, if we’re losing the crowd (well, if there is one) is going to be rowdy to say the least. With Vinny’s Italian temper, I can see him going all Sonny Corleone on a player/asst. coach/reporter and screw himself out a job.
"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 Mar 9, 2009 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also...
See my post above about the Bobcats.
Yes they suck, but lets not forget that they beat us so bad they were laughing at us at the end of the game. 9 and 4 since Feb 9th on a current 6 game winning streak. I don’t like them anymore than you do, but they are better than the Bulls right now.
"So long Noc, we hardly knew ya."
by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2009 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I saw, still think they suck more than we suck, and we're pretty good at sucking
"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 Mar 9, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They had a win streak against some so-so teams.
Sacramento…Golden State, L.A. Clippers, Chicago, Atlanta, New York…
http://www.nba.com/schedules/index.html?team=bobcats
Yay for them and I would like it if the Bulls could clean house that well, but then again the Bulls have won against good teams this season and I feel our potential is higher. You have to go back to January to get the last game the Bobcats have won against good competition and then prior to that you have dry spells against even bad teams for them.
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 Mar 9, 2009 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And how far back do we have to go to find a 6 game Bulls winning streak?
How about 5?
I’m just saying, it’s the NBA, a 6 game win streak is still a 6 game win streak.
"So long Noc, we hardly knew ya."
by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The correct answer is...
5 games – December 2006/07 season
6 games – April 2005/06 season
About one time each I think.
Pretty rare.
"So long Noc, we hardly knew ya."
by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2009 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Atlanta is a good team by the way.
"So long Noc, we hardly knew ya."
by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They're all terrible
And we’re just as terrible. The Bulls are in a tallest midget competition, let’s see who wins.
Confusion breeds success. If they don't know each other, opponents can't have strategy. GENIUS.
by Ozzie Montana on Mar 9, 2009 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Well said.
rec to that.
"So long Noc, we hardly knew ya."
by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2009 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The real season begins when Vinny is fired
As far as I’m concerned, this year is nothing but a collage of Tyrus and Rose highlights, nothing else came from this season.
Confusion breeds success. If they don't know each other, opponents can't have strategy. GENIUS.
by Ozzie Montana on Mar 9, 2009 11:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Vinny
won’t be fired this year then even if we lose all the rest of the games, at this point it’s a wait and see until next season….
by majoyenrac on Mar 9, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like I said
The season doesn’t start until he gets fired….
Confusion breeds success. If they don't know each other, opponents can't have strategy. GENIUS.
by Ozzie Montana on Mar 9, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
From an outside perspective, would it be so bad for this roster and coach to end the season .450 - .500?
Okay, Milwaukee really has injury problems in the second half of the season and probably would have been better and in the playoffs. Maybe they can still do it, though I doubt it. Apart from that, who did you honestly think you would leave behind you already this season, even if say D’Antoni had taken the job?
Cleveland, Boston and Orlando seem to be on a different level in the East right now. Atlanta has compensated well for the loss of Childress and was also in the playoffs last year. Miami had a horrible season that could only be improved upon, and their rookie coach really did a good job with the 1.5 stars he had to work with. Is that what you would have expected/hoped to get out of VDN? Detroit is in decline and will probably look to rebuild a lot next season (Wallace and AI out). Philly made a dumb deal for Brand, and now you are about on that level. New Jersey, Indiana and Charlotte are about on your level too (strength and state of development). Also Milwaukee and NJ seem not sure if they want to save money and rebuild for 2010/11 or really contend. So with a few tweaks and more experience for Rose, you could hope to be in the 4 – 6 range next season if you improve over the teams on your level.
by Norsktroll on Mar 9, 2009 1:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Not with BG leaving...
Sorry, I just don’t see Salmons replacing BG and not having some kind of drop off in level next year.
"So long Noc, we hardly knew ya."
by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2009 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Which team will pay Ben the $10+ million he seems to want?
In my opinion he really lost money by not agreeing to the deal two years ago, or latest last year. In this market, which team will have the funds to pay him star money? Memphis could, but they already have Mayo and their owner has said he will only invest if it makes his team ready to go deep in the playoffs. Who else, OKC? Minnesota? Detroit doesn’t make much sense as long as they keep Hamilton and Stuckey. If there is some sign and trade, you would at least get something back in return for him.
by Norsktroll on Mar 9, 2009 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
philly could BADLY use him
i could also see Denver showing some real interest, but as for either of those times forkin over ten mil, no way.
by Daniel Satan on Mar 9, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cleveland works too
But they’d essentially be giving up on Daniel Gibson, but Gordon would be a massive upgrade so I don’t think they’d mind.
"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 Mar 9, 2009 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Delonte too
"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 Mar 9, 2009 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Raptors
or Pacers.
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 Mar 9, 2009 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Timberwolves.
not sure who pays $10m, but it doesn’t really matter. Bulls offered more like $7m (first year) last offseason.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 9, 2009 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Pacers seem to ponder if they can afford the MLE for Jarrett Jack
I would be surprised if they shell out double that money for Gordon.
by Norsktroll on Mar 9, 2009 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In this economic climate, I think few teams will be shopping at all
Teams that could have spending money if they dump NG deals
Cleveland, Portland, Phoenix
Teams that are over the cap or probably will be close to the cap and could conceivably use their MLE
Charlotte, Indiana, Clippers, Nets, Knicks
Teams that could be slightly under the cap or use their MLE, depending on their decisions with their own FAs
Minnesota, Philly,
Teams that could be a lot under the cap depending on their decisions
Atlanta, Portland, Toronto
Teams that are pretty sure to be well under the cap
Detroit, Memphis, OKC, Sacramento
by Sports2 on Mar 9, 2009 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You think Gordon could find someone
to sign him for a one or two year deal? Gordon doesn’t have to get locked in for 5-6 years. If he could wait out the economic climate it could get better for him. If he was available for the big free agent extravaganza coming up there should be teams that couldn’t get Wade/Bosh/LBJ but would have all of that free space they created to sign a lesser prize like Gordon. That is if Gordon could sign somewhere just for a year or two.
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 Mar 9, 2009 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The thing that gets me
Is that teams clearing space for 2010, if rumors are to be true, need to do so without a safety net or plan B, so to speak, meaning that if they fail to sign LBJ or whomever then they wind up with a failry gutted roster and no ‘stars’ maybe. Or no bench/supporting cast they can afford.
I’m curious to see how the 2010 ‘aftermath’ plays out. If only a handful of teams clear cap for a big fish, then maybe no big deal. But if 10 teams strip down their roster, do we have a 2010-11 season with a bunch of crappy big market teams (or seriously disappointing/mediocre seasons)?
BG is a great player, but he is a far cry from LBJ, Wade, Bosh, etc…. I don’t know if he is a plan B that teams with aspirations for 2010 would accept.
"Remember, I'm Italian".
by BCs71 on Mar 9, 2009 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some teams will only claim to get into the LeBron & Co. sweepstakes
When the real goal is to trim costs. But that can’t be sold to the fans.
by Norsktroll on Mar 9, 2009 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why shouldn't they trim costs?
Let’s look at the reality of the league. Outside of the very few difference-making players, very few of these guys are actual draw to fans, and very few of them are actual difference-making players.
Trimming costs isn’t completely accurate, because I think many of these teams will re-tool and end up spending fairly close to what they were before. They’ll maybe spend less, but a lot of these teams, I think, are looking to re-tool.
The reality of the league is about 60% of the teams in the league are going nowhere fast as far as winning. And probably 30-50% of the teams are probably going nowhere fast in terms of making money. So yeah, they need to cut costs, but what’s the downside to fairly dramatic roster makeover for lots of these teams? I don’t see one. If they pick the right guys, they get a lot better. If they replace three guys making $8M/year with three guys making $6M/yr and don’t change much on the court, at least they’ve saved $6M/yr and we fans won’t be much the worse for it.
This league is just being killed not just by salaries or the fact that lots have teams have no chance to get anywhere from the get-go, but by the fact that teams are locked into this for years at a time. Turning over a roster is such a slow and painful process in the NBA. With 2010, there’s the chance for a new CBA, and there’s the fact that so many contracts are aligning that most teams will be able to change significantly. Those are, in my opinion, extremely good things.
by Sports2 on Mar 9, 2009 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
their plan B
is to cut costs. I’m sure most are BS’ing about 2010 anyway. Hopefully the Bulls aren’t in that group.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 9, 2009 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We'll probably nab
The worst of the 2010 free agents….39 yr old Shaq,35 yr old Ray Allen…splashy names who are past their prime just so that JR can say he did something int he big FA year.
by majoyenrac on Mar 11, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
BG is definately not in the same range as those guys
but I could see BG as a better consolation prize among the 2nd and 3rd tier players available once the stars are taken. Unless this is a cost cutting adventure for many teams and they are willing to get nothing to better their team after all of the finagling they’ve done the last few years. I guess you can’t underestimate an organizations willingness to trim from everywhere but the ticket price.
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 Mar 9, 2009 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A sign and trade implies that the Bulls are willing to go into luxury tax territory...
If you believe that then I can only assume you don’t follow the Bulls that closely.
"So long Noc, we hardly knew ya."
by Khalid El-Amin on Mar 9, 2009 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree, but...
… one thing to consider is just how much tax is collected.
The benefit to being under the tax threshold goes up the more tax is being collected. This year, if I’m in the right ballpark, the 7 teams paying tax are paying about $89M in tax. This means every team under the cap will get just under $4M. A little known fact is that each team that pays the tax will get back about just under $1M of the tax. Next year, it’s conceivable that we might be 7 teams paying about $30M in tax. My back of the envelope calculation is that this amounts to $1.3M for each team under the tax and then $300k going back to taxpaying teams. So if the tax amount goes down, it will be less costly to exceed the tax, especially if it’s not exceeded by a large amount. For example, if the Bulls exceeded the tax by only $2M to re-sign Gordon, the “extra” cost of doing so, beyond Gordon’s salary, would be a one time charge of $3M. If as much tax is payed next year as is paid this year ($89M), then the “extra” cost of paying Gordon would be a one-time charge of $5M.
Of course, I think it’s a philosophical thing with Reinsdorf, and he won’t pay a penny of tax no matter what.
But from a rational perspective, I don’t think a one-time charge of $3M is that big a deal for the Bulls. That’s about how much the Bulls paid Phoenix for Deng’s draft pick, for example. Obviously there’s some amount of extra tax that might not be worth it, but in the grand scheme of things, it seems reasonable to me to pay the tax under certain circumstances.
by Sports2 on Mar 9, 2009 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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