Blog a Bull: FanPosts

I'm Glad He's Gone

2009-07-04T21:53:37Z

I, for one, couldn't be happier Ben Gordon signed with the Pistons. And not just because a spot has opened up on the Bulls roster, giving me a chance to live out my NBA dreams - I think a 5'9" Jew with a solid 8-foot jumper is just what Pax and Gar are looking for - but because Gordon, and his giant contract, took more away from the Bulls than he added.

Much has been said about Gordon being a defensive liability, but the point bears repeating. In that historic playoff series loss to the Celtics, Ray Allen averaged 23.4 points per game under Gordon's watchful eye.. By contrast J.J. Reddick held Allen to under 10 points less than that, which was a big difference maker in the Magic's 7-game series victory on their march to the NBA finals (and Reddick only makes $2.8 million a year).

But even with Gordon's failings on the defensive end, the Bulls lost a player today that gives you 20 points a day with no health issues. Even with this gone, I think this benefits the Bulls in the long run for 5 reasons:

1. Derrick Rose

With Gordon out of the picture, Rose becomes Vinny's number one boy. If Rose is the guy you're building your franchise around, you don't want him sharing the spotlight with a ball hog like Ben Gordon. Gordon's hero complex took the ball out of Rose's hands in pressure situations. Sure this payed off for a few games in the playoffs, but remind me again how that series wound up for the Bulls? A lot has been made about wondering where those 20 points a game will come from now that Gordon's gone and the obvious answer is Derrick Rose. Now you give him the ball in crunch time and give him the experience he needs to develop. Still Rose is still young but that's why you benefit from my #2 reason.

2. Kirk Hinrich

It was common knowledge that if Big Ben were to stay with the Baby Bulls, Hinrich would have to go to make room for Gordon's behemoth of a contract. With Ben gone the Bulls are in a position where they have to keep Hinrich around. What you have in Hinrich is a solid defender and team leader backing up Derrick Rose who's biggest deficiencies are as a defender and a leader. With Hinrich gone you force Derrick Rose to develop with out a solid back up. Hinrich is a 40% 3-point shooter who averaged 10 points coming off the bench last season and who probably deserved more minutes than he got, albeit in an injury year. Look for Hinrich to step back into the leadership role that he lost last year and help Rose develop into the great player we all know he is.

3. John Salmons playing with Luol Deng

From 2006 to 2008 Luol Deng was the Bulls' top performer, averaging almost 20 points a game for the two seasons prior to this past injury plagued under-performing season. Deng missed nearly a third of the season and all of the playoffs with an injury to his right tibia. All was not lost, however, when John Salmons descended from heaven and shot an average of 18.1 ppg. These two never really got a chance to play together, but if Deng can stay healthy and put up numbers like he did before his injuries these two can be a potent duo. With Deng back in the starting rotation and Gordon gone, Salmons can move to the 2-guard and provide the height and defense lacking in that position during the Ben Gordon era.

4. 2011

Let's face facts, with or with out Ben Gordon in a Bulls uniform Chicago have no chance of beating Dwight Howard and the Magic, Kevin Garnett and the Celtics, or the brand new Shaq attack out of Cleveland with the current front court. Don't get me wrong, the Bulls are still a guaranteed playoff contender even with Joaquim Noah clanking low-post shots and Tyrus Thomas drifting off into la la land, especially in the East. But until the Bulls have some real effective big men to their roster, we won't see a seventh banner hanging in the United Center rafters for some time. But Gordon was let go because once the 2010-2011 seasons rolls around those 55 million bucks are better spent on one of the marquee big men that become available that season. Chris Bosh is the big name thrown around, but Pau Gasol and Denver's Nene are also available.

5. Kobe Bryant trade rumors

Okay this last one is BS, but I couldn't conjure up a fifth and you need 5 reasons on a list for aesthetics. Honestly do you need more? I think I've proven my point. Enjoy the Motor City Ben, I'd wish you all the best but honestly I'm rooting for you to lead the Pistons in the same direction as another Detroit franchise: General Motors.

Jake Boyle
Jakefboyle@gmail.com

Are the Bulls lottery bound?

2009-07-04T21:13:53Z

We'll I think I've had some time to digest the lost of Ben Gordon and while I'm sure it won't really hit me until I see him in the blue jersey with Detroit across I've gotta believe this ''set back'' will carry into the season and as a result... lottery balls.

Clearly the Bulls have shown everyone next season is of no real importance. Last season was pretty much the same thing, to develop Derrick Rose but it just so happens they got hot before/after the trade and had a historic series with the Celtics. So some of us got fooled. Like me who thought that maybe the Bulls thought they had something here with Gordon and Rose and could be in the top tier of the East for years to come.

All the signs were there with VDN being hired to be the eventual fall guy. Even if they manage to make the playoffs. Because next season's goal for the players will be to ''make the second round,'' but front office doesn't believe that. VDN was hired to be fired. Not only will 2010 be about landing big names it's also going to be about finding the guy to coach those big names. It won't be VDN. The message has been sent that they wanna become a defensive minded team. I don't see VDN fitting into those plays because after all he's an offensive minded coach.

Paxson's shadow GM act. The Johnny Red Kerr night really sent the message home to Paxson that 2010 is still kinda far away so lets just hide. I'll assume he knew of BG's fate and that the ride is about to get REALLY rocky. So bringing in Gar gives them more time and relieves him of some the criticism to a degree. Gar has become the finger in the hole to stop the leak.

So now the team and the fans have the message. NEXT SEASON IS A THROW AWAY. It was their blue print all along. Trading Sefolosha (defensive player) to acquire a cheaper asset for future deals. He could have helped on Rondo don't you think? Oh but they had too many guards(Hunter was getting time) and Sefo wouldn't get time.

Besides Derrick Rose and maybe Noah, or a Gar duped Tyrus Thomas, who's going to play hard for a lame coach and a team that's only goal is to blow it's wad on 2010 free agent class?

The East has clearly gotten stronger at least in the middle with Washington and Toronto.

If the future is foggy for so many players on this team and the Bulls are looking to deal. Before they made the trade the Bulls were well on their way to the lottery and many here debated over making the playoffs or landing a lottery ball. Most I believe wanted a playoff run for Derrick Rose including me. But that was under the impression the Bulls were going to ''try'' to retain BG. Looking back at last season the Playoffs were the best fate but thats not true for next season. THE BEST PLACE FOR THE BULLS NEXT SEASON IS THE LOTTERY. They need assets to interest trading partners. Or maybe they find a talented player that can help add depth.

To me all the signs are there that next season is a death march and the Bulls are now rebuilding around Rose and the 2010 free agent class. Don't be shocked next summer to see Paxson emerge from his Berto Center office to hold up the Bulls jerseys of whatever free agents they land to say this was the plan all along.

PS It's been a boring 4th so I typed this and I have no idea what Im talking about. Anyways have a Happy 4th!

Forget Who Left for the D, Just Start Playing Some

2009-07-04T20:49:51Z

When you think of the Chicago Bulls, the first thing that normally comes to mind is Michael Jordan. Maybe, it’s because of the way he led the Bulls to six NBA championships in eight years during the ‘90s. Or, the way he hit clutch shot after clutch shot that left opponents devastated and Bulls’ fans wanting to be like Mike. Even though he influenced an entire generation to be like him, the public still gives some credit to Phil Jackson, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Steve Kerr. Ask some people and they would tell you that Jordan couldn’t do it without Horace Grant. But, what the Bulls did that’s sometimes over-shadowed by their overall domination is the defense they played. The championship Bulls’ teams played fierce defense, which led to Jordan and Pippen’s multiple NBA All-Defensive honors.

We have all heard the ole cliché "defense wins championships" and it’s true. The Lakers were a great scoring team, but they had to buckle down on defense to win the NBA Finals. The Celtics won the title the year before with defense and, so did the Spurs for their four titles, the Pistons in ’04 and the Lakers for their three-peat. For the Bulls to return to prominence, they have to get back to playing hard-nosed defense.

During the post-Jordan era, the Bulls have only had two great years out of the eleven seasons that has passed since Jordan laced them up for the Bulls. The 2004-05 and 2006-07 seasons are the only years that the Bulls posted a winning record, both seasons pushing 50 wins. The Bulls went (47-35) in 2004-05 and (49-33) in 2006-07 and this was no accident.

In those two seasons the Bulls ranked at least 7th in points against and allowed less than 94 points per game. The Bulls was ranked 7th in the NBA and 4th in the East during ’04-’05 giving up just 93.4 points per game and ranked 6th in the NBA and 3rd in the East during ’06-’07 averaging only 93.8 points against per game.

Clearly, Chicago needs to get back to playing defense if they want to win and they have an opportunity to turn things around now. Fans have been bittersweet about the departure of Ben Gordon, but this can actually be a good thing for Chicago. Gordon was beloved for his great scoring that spark the team, but was a defensive liability. He failed to fight through screens and if he was having a tough shooting night, then he didn’t bother to play defense.

This is where the Bulls’ front office needs to take off their skirts and be aggressive. Gordon’s spot still need to be filled, but the team should go after veteran big-men like McDyess, if possible, or even Theo Ratliff who can still defend around the rim and rebound. They may not be long-term answers, but every young team need veterans that can set the tone and be leaders. We still have to see what rookies Taj Gibson and James Johnson can bring, but the Bulls should attack free agency like they did the draft, looking to get tougher.

Jerel McNeal

2009-07-04T19:33:21Z

I wouldn't mind the Bulls looking into picking up McNeal from Marquette as a undrafted FA. Same size and skill set as Kirk so he could be a Kirk replacement. Not as good of a shooter but more athletic, could spell both guard positions for 15 solid minutes.

We need more defenders on the team, this wouldn't be a bad start. Dude can score a bit too, he was the all time leading scorer for Marquette...which probably isn't saying much though. But still....

List of 2010 free agents (start choosing)

2009-07-04T11:22:32Z

I know it’s too early for the great summer of 2010. There’s a full season ahead of that. But I think we could start choosing who do we want most and what others players we should persue in the case of the first two - I hope the Bulls have enough money to sign two max free agents to play with Rose and Noah - end up elsewhere.

Now, here is a list of players who are going to be/might be free agents in 2010. From that list, I would clearly focus my attention in signing Wade and Bosh. I really don’t care much about LeBron. He can go to the Big Apple or wherever he wants, because the Bulls would be almost unbeatable with a core of Rose/Wade/Bosh.

But since there’s a chance we don’t get anyone of those Big Three (LeBron/Wade/Bosh), I think we would be ok with Manu/Johnson and Amare/Boozer/Nowitzki. They are older than the top three, but maybe they could also help Rose get ring.

What are your thoughts?

Trade idea: Kirk for Rudy

2009-07-03T23:14:24Z

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=m24a5j

Portland is said to now have a verbal agreement with Hedo and Rudy is pissed. I know that some other people have also mentioned this in some of the threads, but I think it deserves its own FanPost. I think we can agree that we all are pissed and that something needs to happen before the beginning of the year to make this team more competitive. And I am sick and tired of hearing about everyone else improving while we regress. I don't want to just do something so we can say we did something, but we can't stay pat when everyone else around us is getting better and we were already only mediocre. So, let's finally make a deal happen with Kirk and the Trailblazers. Everyone knows they need a defensive PG and that they love Kirk. We are now in desperate need of a SG. So...

Portland Trailblazers get Kirk Hinrich

Chicago Bulls get Rudy Fernandez, Steve Blake, and Travis Outlaw

Blazers

Hinrich / Bayless

Roy / Webster

Turkoglu / Batum

Aldridge / Frye

Pryzbilla / Oden

That's a nice looking team. A pretty good mix of vets and young guys across the board. No one is too old though. This is a 60 win team next year.

Bulls

Rose / Blake

Salmons / Fernandez

Deng / Outlaw

Thomas / James Johnson

Noah / Miller

Let me say that Hinrich is one of my favorite players on the Bulls. But I care way more about the Bulls than any one player. And I think we have a much better team with this trade. And if Deng does have lingering problems with his leg, Rudy moves to the starting 2 and Salmons to the starting 3. If only we had DeJuan Blair as our back up 4 I'd be happy. That one's on you GAR!

A word to the Blazers fans that will inevitably be on this thread. We need more for our Captain than two back up scrubs. I know you'll say that they aren't scrubs, but they are just serviceable. You are not getting anywhere in the playoffs with Blake as your starting PG and we're not giving up one of our best players for two mediocre backups. Yes, Kirk is a backup now as well, but only because he is behind one of the most exciting young players in the NBA. He was behind Chris Paul on Team USA, but he still played and played well. You're not going to ever see Blake or Outlaw on that team. No, I am not saying Kirk is just behind Paul, just that he is ahead of Blake and Outlaw, by a good deal, IMO. And the point is, you get better.

Thank You Ben Gordon

2009-07-03T20:54:28Z

Thank you ben gordon for

Thank you Ben Gordon. Thank you of all the years you wore a Bull uniform and performed so admirably. Thank you for all your hustle and tough defense you gave the opposing team. A player of your caliber will be hard to replace. Thank you for coming up hard in the playoffs including your 1-13 finale with the bulls in the last playoff run. Thank you Ben Gordon for all the great .500 years or near .500 years you helped the Bulls achieve in your tenure with the Bulls. You were a great team player that passed the ball around all the time to your teammates. Thank you Ben Gordon for all the great shots you took when other players were open for easier shots. I think the fans and teammates in Detroit have alot to look forward to in the upcoming year. Your production has made all Chicago bull fans forget about losing Jamal Crawford a few years ago. You Mr Ben Gordon are one of the greatest Bulls draft pick in a decade. We will miss your selfish play and self centered attitude in our daily line up. I just want to thank you Ben Gordon..for signing a free agent contract out of town.

Iverson to the Bulls in Gordon S/T?!?!

2009-07-03T15:23:30Z

According to Ken Berger at CBSSports, there is a Ben Gordon sign and trade situation that would send Gordon to Detroit and Iverson to the Bulls. Details to come but if we get Iverson I could only assume Kirk is gone. I doubt the Bulls are thinking win-now, Iverson might only get a one year contract so we could dump Kirk and still have a combo guard behind Salmons and Rose. This move might give us the flexibility to sign 2 decent players and get a top 10 pick next year. Addition by subtraction.

Hinrich Vs. Gordon

2009-07-03T06:39:27Z

Who do you all think would get the best of this matchup during the regular season? I put my money on hinrich stopping BG. But thats just my respect for Hinrich's D, and knowing BG's tricks.

Won't that be ridiculously fun to watch 4 times a year for the next 3 years? Hinrich harassing Gordon with his shirt pulling, and would be able to move step for step with BG. Not to mention his superior size, and equal strength?

Who would you all take?

Could this be Dumar's post-signing-Gordon plan?

2009-07-03T06:27:49Z

Trade Rip Hamilton for Igauskas's expiring contract.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=mm72va

Done and done.

It makes some sense for the Cavs now that they have Shaq. LeBron could always use a Reggie Miller-lite jump shooter. And Shaq could find Rip for plenty of open jumpers too. Maybe Cleveland would consider this move since the Artest signing has heated up their arms race with L.A.

And it gives the Pistons cap space to go after a big 2010 FA (if Sports 2 is right, and I'm sure he is). It would certainly be a nice way to shoot for adding a frontline talent to the good complementary guys they signed this off season.

What do you guys think?

Pistons vs. Bulls

2009-07-03T01:25:05Z

I think with the recent loss of BG to the Piss-ons (as I've heard them referred to on this blog) calls for an all-out put your ass on the line debate of who will have the better team next year. I think we can all agree Rose is superior to Stuckey and that Noah has a good chance to be better at the 5 than whoever the Pistons can bring in. Also, Hamilton is likely to continue to be more consistent than Salmons even with Gordon breathing down his neck. But, from there things get more cloudy. Is C. Vill much of an upgrade over Ty Thomas? What about Deng vs. Prince? The benches? Since this will all play out soon enough, it will be fun to bring these posts up next year when the two teams play eachother and when, I hope, the Piss-ons fail to make the playoffs even after dumping all that money on BG and C.Vill. Who will have the better team in years to come? I know what I think.

Poll

Who will have the better team next year?

A Brief History of Ben Gordon: the Quotes Version

2009-07-02T23:04:27Z

On breaking Allen Iverson's Big East tournament scoring record:

"When Mek got injured, I got to take all this pressure on myself and that's when I started having fun," Gordon said, referring to All-America center Emeka Okafor. "I didn't look back since then."

On being drafted 3rd in the NBA 2004 Draft:

"Other people may be surprised, but I always thought I should go No. 1," Gordon said.

On winning the 6th Man award as a rookie:

"I didn't know what was going to happen or whatever. It's great to come off the bench and still help my team the way I did," Gordon said.

"Once I got around the team and everything like that, I pretty much accepted my role. Especially after the slow start, I was not really thinking about starting, I was thinking about how can I help my team get the first win."

Defending Kirk against Pat Riley's "dirty player" accusations:

"I think [the coach's accusation] was very unnecessary," Gordon said, according to the Sun-Times. "He should be worried about his players. Posey's always in the middle of something. I think that was a cheap shot at Kirk. Kirk was just playing his normal defense. It was a freak accident."

On hitting the big shot:

"I take a lot of pride in it," Gordon said. "It is not really something I say to myself, I'm going to hit every big shot, it sort of happens that way," Gordon said.

On not getting the ball enough:

"Not as many touches as I wanted," Gordon said. "It's pretty easy to play someone who doesn't have the ball."

On contract negotiations as an RFA last offseason:

"I guess it's safe to say I've played my last game in a Bulls uniform," Gordon said.

On signing with Detroit and leaving Chicago:

"To all the true Chicago Bulls fans, it's been great," he added. "I loved playing here; it's one of the greatest sports cities in the world. It was a great time. But it's time for me to move on."

In honor of Ben, add your favorite quotes. There have been ups and there have been downs, but it was rarely boring with Ben around.

To the Bulls' Front Office

2009-07-02T17:37:00Z

Dear JR, Gar and Pax (but mainly just JR),

Thank you for the memories. Just kidding. Screw you.

I understand why the Bulls didn’t want to resign Gordon for that asinine amount of money (for a one dimensional player that is). I was as critical of BG as anyone over the past few years, although it is sad to see the best Bulls player since MJ leave to the hated Pistons.

I do, however, have a couple concerns about the message this organization consistently sends to its fans: we care more about profits than winning. It just seems like JR views the Bulls as his investment, and the White Sox as his team. For quite a few years, the Bulls have been the most profitable franchise in all of pro basketball – this is fact. But while teams like the Lakers, Magic, Celtics and Cavaliers are willing to go into the luxury tax to ensure they have a chance at contending for a championship, the Bulls (i.e. JR) flat-out refuse to (at least since MJ left).

There aren’t too many teams out there that draft a guy #3 overall, have him lead your team in scoring for 4 straight years (he’s the Bulls’ 7th all-time leading scorer also) and then let him walk for absolutely nothing. The only other team that has done something like that (without injuries or personality conflicts involved) are the 1996 Orlando Magic. And it took them 13 years to get back to an NBA Finals. Sheesh.

Also, does anyone else remember Gar Forman on ESPN1000 last week saying that resigning BG was the Bulls’ number one offseason priority? Well, Ben Gordon was on ESPN1000 this morning stating that the he gave the Bulls an opportunity to match or come close to the Piston’s offer and they replied, “no thanks.” Should I expect GarPaxDorf to label this offseason a failure? Of course not. We got James Johnson and Taj Gibson, fool!

I know that resigning Gordon doesn’t guarantee a championship (or even make us contenders), but it does keep us from regressing this year in terms of on-court production. How do we plan on replacing that 20 ppg? James Johnson and Taj Gibson? I mean, if the Bulls weren’t planning on attempting to resign BG then why on earth did we draft two forwards last week? It just doesn’t make sense when Wayne Ellington and Toney Douglas were still on the board at 26 (maybe the Bulls legitimately thought they could get BG for the MLE? If so, they’re crazy).

It just kind of feels like a slap in the face that the organization can’t go into the luxury tax once in a decade to ensure we have a playoff team this season. How about some payback to the fans who bought tickets, merchandise and watched games during the Ron Mercer/Dickey Simpkins years? We still have about 25 million in expiring contracts coming off the books – more than enough to sign a big FA next summer.

I guess what I’m saying is that I hope the Bulls have some sort of plan. I just don’t know what it could possibly be. Telling the fans to wait another year just isn’t going to cut it for me – we’ve been waiting more than a decade! The second half of this season was incredibly exciting, and I’m having a hard time believing that exchanging BG for two rookies is going to provide the same kind of feeling this year.

Thank you JR, for all your love and dedication to keeping my favorite team in NBA purgatory. It does not go unnoticed.

Your #1 disgruntled fan,

R.C.G.

Looking back at the 26th pick now...

2009-07-02T14:10:26Z

How do you guys feel about passing up on Douglas and Ellington now that the Bulls apparently put forth a half hearted effort to re sign Gordon? This has made the Bulls draft more perplexing, I for one believed the Pistons were going to throw that kind of money at Gordon once July 1st hit. Now we have a roster that has no real back up guys on the wing. I honestly can't see where this franchise is going right now and I don't think they'll go anywhere unless Vinny can make huge improvements to his coaching next season.

Hopefully Pax is talking to any team that will listen to a package of Tyrus/Deng cause the draft told us they have no faith in Tyrus which I think is a mistake and the last couple of years has told us that Deng isn't the player Pax thought he was getting. He's a passive 3 with mediocre athletic ability and a solid mid range game that not many others have.

Back Up Plan...

2009-07-02T13:53:52Z

Ok now that BG is gone, do we add a SG to back up Salmons? I hope so...

Some bargains out there for your consideration...

Ronald Murray

Wally Szczerbiak

Gerald Green -- I know, I know I keep bringing him up

I wouldn't mind bringing in Von Wafer, Szcerbiak, Fred Jones or Desmond Mason. All except for Szcerbiak would be considered better defenders. Which we are supposedly focusing on.

Opinions please

The Man behind the Curtain

2009-07-02T13:37:04Z

Or as Vince Vaughn would say, "the guy behind the guy behind the guy."

I am young but I still remember the dynasty days. I remember when my dad was giving my little brother a bath when I was 5 and sending me back and forth to the tv to tell him the scores during the 91 finals. I remember the salvo of 3's form the 92 finals. I remember my dad screaming at the tv during the 93 finals. I remember watching MJ strike out at every at bat in a AAA uniform. I remember the comeback. The Bulls planted in me a love of basketball.

That obviously took a dive when the dynasty was disbanded for spare parts. But I still cares and still followed Elton Brand, the twin towers, and Jay Williams. During that time my love for basketball as a sport was born. I remember my first issue of SLAM mag with LeBron and Telfair on the cover. I played ball, I watched ball, and I thought I was starting to learn. However, the one thing I didn't learn was that I should never trust an organization.

I always assigned blame to others, but didn't buy the BS that would be fed to me as far as players and coaches being the problem. I saw Crumbs as the problem during the good times and the bad times.

Then things turned around. We fired "the problem" in my mind and overcame the loss of Jay Williams and started looking up. I was so jacked to be a part of a young and exciting team. I watched them stumble and lose curry and Deng and fight the Wiz (I was at the game 5 where Arenas hit the game winner, still not over it). This time the problem was the wiz or injuries.

Despite all my dumb excuses I never saw the problem as JR. I grew up assigning blame to others. Now I see clearly where the problem is. Its with the guy more concerned with buying the damn Phoenix Coyotes than paying a couple mil to keep the teams best player. The reasons for why the BG loss is bad for the team is here and the F-JR post here. What I wanted to add was how ti impacted me personally and how a part of my innocence as a basketball fan died yesterday.

Have fun Detroit

2009-07-02T13:17:33Z

Chris Broussard (sp?) just reported on ESPN that the pistions want to keep Stuckey and Hamilton starting and have Gordon come off the bench. We as bulls fans went through this for several years. Gordon sees himself as a starter and dogs it somewhat when he is forced to come off of the bench. Plus, Detroit just comitted 55,000,000 to a player over 5 years to come off the bench.

While I have waffled back and forth on whether I wanted Gordon back, I do not want him back if he handicaps our ability to compete with other, better players in a year.

I wish Gordon the best, except when the Pistons play the bulls, of course. But seriously Piston Fan, enjoy watching Gordon pout b/c he can't start every game. Enjoy and have fun.

A case for Ariza.

2009-07-02T07:29:38Z

Yeah I think the bulls now should view like Ariza is hands down the #1 free agent on their wish list(if one exists for the bulls)

Why? He's the most perfect compliment to Rose and Noah. My opinion a less scoring Pippen type player
He has lockdown big-play defense

He also (more importantly to our orgnization) would be cheap but worth it (maybe the 3-5yr range)

he'd also give us an amazing defense in any post trade situation think about it , Noah,Stat/Bosh,Ariza, Rose, and any sg (maybe we'd keep Salmons) I'd LOVE to see that core grow together for a long time.

It would be a no lose situation if we sign him. He'd have trade value if he didn't work out here, worst case scenario he improves Rose and Johnson @ an accelerated rate (both offensively and defensively).

I know we are clogged @ sf but post trade(if we make one) we'd be gr8 with no matter what players we retain(Noah and Rose are out of the question)

I mean really bulls fans how could this go wrong(barring injuries and vdn staying 2+yrs)???

Optimistic view of BG leaving (I Hope)

2009-07-02T04:57:40Z

I know everyone is down about BG leaving. I was one of the people who wanted to see him stay and become a major factor in us returning to championship glory. I also did not think it was a wise basketball move to pay BG 11 million dollars a year and this is not to defend Cheapskate Jerry the Jerkface. But how many times did we yell at BG for not giving Rose the ball during a fast break? How many times did we yell about needing a taller more prototypical SG to play alongside Rose?

I love BG as much as the next man, but we were not going to win a championship with BG as the starting SG. DET is not going to win a ring with BG as it's starting SG. We also could not afford to pay BG 11 million to come off the bench. I know Kirk is making 10 million to back up Rose, but we got Rose by sheer luck, if we didn't Kirk would still be our starting PG.

The main key for us to make up for BG's scoring is Deng. If Deng can return to form 18 ppg and 7 to 8 rpg / Rose takes a step up in stats 18 to 20 ppg / Salmons gets about 18 ppg at the SG spot and Tyrus improves on his 10.8 ppg from last year to about 12 to 14 ppg we will be fine. Plus Hinrich coming off the pine is at least 10 to 12 ppg and you cannot forget about Miller and the rookie Johnson.

With BG gone I think we will have better ball movement and better team defense. Rose will get more control of the offense and everyone will get more shots. This move proves to me that this is Rose's team and those who do not fit will be discarded (Tyrus you are next). I believe that Kirk will eventually be dealt and we will make a trade for Bosh or STAT at the trade deadline. The next step after that would be for Wade to sign as a free-agent. Having Rose and Bosh on the same roster would motivate Wade to come home. Cheer up Bulls fans the line-up for next season does not look that bad. (I hope)

PG - Rose / Hinrich

SG - Salmons / Hinrich

SF - Deng / Salmons / Johsnon

PF - Thomas / Noah / Johnson / Gibson

C - Noah/ Miller

Wanna be lucky....or team run right?

2009-07-02T03:04:20Z

After BG is gone for nothing, Bulls fans, especially here, are really angry. Me too. As we know the whole deal came down to Reinsdorf exercising his power as owner to make a point about how he does contracts with players. He always wins, if there's ever any question about who is in control. Why should loyal fans have to put up with that kind of crap?

There really isn't any good answer, except that this is the way pro sports are organized. Most teams actually have a loser owner when you get right down to it, some aspect of personality or mind that makes them singularly ill fitted to run a pro sports team. We have had our fill in Chicago, that's for sure, looking to the ownership of both baseball teams over the years, the Bears, and probably the worst ever in sports : the just ended tenure of BlackHawks owner. I have nothing to offer more than: other fans suffer in other cities as well.

However, being a Bulls fan, one has to note a few moments of sheer luck that have come our way, and changed our fate: MJ getting drafted, and carrying the team, Phil coaching, and now Rose out of absolute blue drops into Bulls uniform. So, the question is, would you rather be lucky with MJ and Rose, or have the team run right, but not get those two players?

Tonight, as I try to escape being stepped on once again by malfeasant ownership, I'm thinking maybe I'd rather be lucky...maybe despite ownership Rose will bring us happy moments of fan fulfillment....and that does bring some solace, some easing of the pain. Best I can do at the moment.