As a Yankee fan (bring on the boos and hisses), I can't help but feeling a Kobe acquisition would be the same thing as when my Yanks picked up A-Rod...a played MOST despised and loathed coming to a team I love, and the excruciating internal conflicts therein.

Besides, I don't think Kobe is the answer. It would cost too much. I could swallow a Nocioni or Gordon + the #9 for Randolph...giving up Deng or Hinrich to bring in a player who doesn't really answer our most glaring need (a low-post presence), for a higher price even...just doesn't seem like a viable idea.

player* MOST despised, that is.

but he works hard at his game. He wants to win, and improved tremendously since he entered the league. When Phil told him he needed to work on his jumper during the offseason, he came back with a great one. When Phil told him he needed to work on his defense in the offseason, he came back as a stopper. When Phil told him he was going to run the offense more, he came back with handles.

The guy works hard, and i agree he'd be a tremendous asset to this team. As long as you can keep one of Heinrich and Deng, i think you do this deal. If you can do it for Gordon, Nocioni, and ???? you definitely do it.

Kobe's about the most intense player day in and out since MJ.  Last year I suggested it might be a good thing for both teams to consider swapping some of the Bulls' building blocks for him, since the Lakers had become TWolves West, and got creamed here.  They had a better  package to offer last year: Chandler, 2 first rounders, BG, maybe the 2007 pick.
If the Lakers think they can build a contender around Bynum (I don't see it), they need to deal Kobe and get lotto picks.  I don't think the Bulls have the right package to offer this year, but I'd love to see it happen.  Followed the Lakers closely this year for the first time since moving out here 10 years ago.  He's no MJ, but he is a go-to stud, and I think that's all they were missing this year.  Work ethic is A-1, and Sue, I guaranty there are worse characters on the Bulls already.  Do you know the old line about the hardest thing about being an NBA player?  Not giggling when you kiss your wife goodbye before a road trip.
Failing that, Mo Evans would come a lot cheaper if the Lakers clean house to keep him; think poor man's Vince Carter.  Keep your fingers crossed that Aaron Afflalo will be around for a 2nd round pick; great gamer.  

in a trade has to be equal. That's why I think Hinrich and his 11 million salary would be in the deal that would have to happen after July 1, but I dont think LA is going to be rushing a deal anyways. I dont think they want Noc so a sign and trade option wouldn't work. I would also put Gordon, Tyrus, and our 2008 draft pick in the deal.

I have been telling friends that if the Bulls get Kobe, I won't root for them as long as he's on the team.  They don't believe me.  Kobe is my least favorite player in the league.  I love the Bulls and want them to win, but if they have to do it with my least favorite player as the cornerstone, I don't see how I can continue to be a fan.

My ire for Kobe has to do solely with his attitude on the court.  He's an absolutely amazing basketball player, but he also intentionally hits other players on his follow-through and then lies about it.  He whines to the refs more than any other player in the league.  And he just carries himself like a dick.  I would not be able to tolerate the entire city fawning over him (ala Dennis Rodman).  

I just can't root for the guy.  Other dudes I'd have problems with are:  Vince Carter, Alonzo Mourning.  That's pretty much the list.  I'm sure most people here will say, "If the team gets a trophy, that's the bottom line."  I see that and certainly agree with that statement generally.  But there are limits to how far the team can go before I jump ship.  Kobe happens to be one of those for me.

Wait, if we overpaid wallace for 3 more years, then what is the point of waiting 2-3 years for Tyrus to develop?

I propose Nocioni(sign+trade) + Tyrus for Randolph.  Randolph would diminish Tyrus's role on the team anyhow, and how can Portland pass this up?

Draft another big man to come off the bench with the number 9 pick, and we're contenders next season.

But there's still a legitimate chance Tyrus never develops a jump shot.  Wait another season and his stock could drop.  We're trading a relative question mark for a blue chip veteran who fills our biggest need.

Why give up one of Deng/Gordon/Hinrich if we don't have to?

I know everyone is talking about the Kobe thing because it is the hot topic (we all got no work done yesterday), but noone is talking about the other point in Matt's diary.  Kobe to the Bulls probably not going to happen, so what about Randolph to the Bulls.  

We won't have to give up much, and he can give us easy baskets each game.  I have always had Randolph on my mind with the Bulls.  I would like to see what other think.  

The Bulls will probably only have to give up Noce or maybe a sign in trade with PJ or maybe they would be interested in Duhon.  Randolph gives the Bulls another dimension that they desperately need.  

The Bulls could still hold on to #9 and can go big and pickup the PF that falls to us (Noah) or Hawes.   The Bulls also could grab the best player availabe (Green/Brewer/ Ju Wright) which would give the Bulls more young talent and a possible another scorer off of the bench.  

C  Wallace
PF Randolph Tyrus
SF Deng/ Grif
SG Gordon / Sef
PG Kirk

This would be the team for the next 3-4 years.  If you add another big or wing player, the Bulls are stacked.  I have faith that we will go far with this roster.  The players are younger, but they all work on there game and are just going to be better.

Kobe would be sweet but this is the reality.

Im not sure where to put this, but what SF/PF is out there via freeagency that could be a 3 point shooter off of the Bull's bench.  

I recently went to basketball-reference.com to see who in NBA history has had the most similar career to Jordan, statistically speaking.  If you check the page, you find out that, really, the answer is nobody.  But there is one guy, especially among active players, that comes close.

Regardless of whether the Lakers hire West or not (and what has Jerry West done in the last 5 yearrs to make anyone think he'd turn the Lakers around?), I don't see how the Lakers improve that much.  If they trade Odom and Bynum for Jermaine O'Neal, are they really that much better?  Maybe they win a few more games, but I still don't think they get out of the first round in the West.  Odom and Bynum are really the only two players they have (besides Kobe, obviously) that they could get much for in a trade.

...there's no way the Lakers let Kobe go. But if we did have a chance to get him, that would be sweet. I am also a subscriber to the unpopular 'superstar' theory, and Kobe is a genuine superstar. But it would also mean giving up a Hinrich or Deng, which would be sad, because they embody everything that is great about this current team.

Lebron just took over that game just as a superstar should. Kobe can definitely do the same for us and we shouldn't think twice if he or the Lakers does change his/their mind(s).

can't Deng be Lebron minus the passing?  I don't see any reason IQ-wise, or physically or athletically (maybe leaping).  I also see reasons why it could be so, like when he decides to drive to the lane.  Maybe a big body on offense would open up that part of his game.  Wouldn't that be sweet.

I love Deng like everyone here.  But if you watch them both play, you'll notice that Deng is not LeBron's caliber, and isn't even in the same ballpark.  It's not just the court vision and passing ability; or the 3-point shot, which LeBron now can hit falling away and Luol shot 6 of this year.  The main thing is that Deng isn't near as athletic as LeBron, both as a leaper but more importantly in driving to the basket.  Michael could get to the basket at will in a time when hand-checking was legal; now that it isn't, there are a number of slashers who can do that (or could for a few years, before they got lazy, hurt, or old): Kobe, McGrady, Pierce, VC, and LeBron.  LeBron and Kobe are probably the two best, and Luol isn't on the list.  Luol gets all his points from off-the-ball screens and cutting and kickouts.  He hasn't demonstrated the consistent ability to break down a defender off the ball.  There was a reason he played the 4 at Duke as a freshmen.  If the offense is slowed down, and Deng is at the top of the key or at the wing, and they give him the ball, Deng will have a difficult time consistently getting to the rim.  LeBron has been doing that his whole career, and particularly this whole series.  As Sam Smith pointed out today, when he goes left he creates for a jumper, but when he goes right he usually finishes.  Deng needs some open space to finish like that.

Also, LeBron has a reasonably developed post-up game.  When Deng tried to post up the much smaller Wade, he fumbled it away and missed a couple fallaways.  Deng may eventually develop more of a post-up game, and I think he will to some extent, but he doesn't have the initial flame of quickness off of his post move to dominate from the post position, whereas LeBron does.

I think most Blogabull readers are well aware of the distinction between Deng and James; but I think it's helpful to mention the specific nature of the distinction.  I'm sure others can think of other elements of their games that are different, but that are the most glaring facets to me.

I think everybody may have gotten a little overexcited about Deng.  I'm happy if other GM's do (God, I hope Jim Buss develops a TOTAL crush on Deng), but I think we have to be more realistic.  Deng could eventually refine his skills, and with his work ethic I'm sure he will.  He may get more of a post game, he may develop a 3-point shot, and he may work on his dribble penetration.  Surrounded by a better Gordon, Hinrich, Tyrus and post-up player and aging Wallace, he may be able to help the Bulls get to a title.  But I doubt he'll ever be in LeBron's class.  LeBron could win a championship with chumps and one other very good player.  Deng would need a team of them.  Doesn't mean he's not a very good player.  But as of yet, he's not that 'transcendent superstar'-type player, and it doesn't look like he'll ever be one.

Hi,

My brother is a huge Bulls fans and he is currently in the hospital receiving treatment for leukemia.  In order to help pick up his spirits I am trying to get him as many games to watch while in the hospital from the playoffs of the Bulls championship run from 91-93, 96-98 because he was too young to remember those games.  If anybody has these games and is willing to trade them, I would greatly appreciate you emailing me at JKruse11@aol.com.   I have many games of different sports to trade and I will send you a list of those games in an email if anybody is interested.  Thanks so much for your help.

To add on to the discussion of a possible Kobe deal, I truly believe if he were to be traded at all, the only logical place would be to Chicago.  The Lakers wouldnt trade him in the Western Conference and Kobe would only accept a trade to certain contenders in the East.  Of those teams, the Bulls have the best young talent to match up.  But that being said, I really dont believe the Lakers are going to trade him at all but here is hoping that they do.  

I apologize, I misspelled my email address.  It is JKruse1@aol.com

Guys

Thanks so much for your support.  I tried the idea of Bittorrent but for some reason I couldnt get it to work on my computer.  I will continue to make an effort to get it to work but I would appreciate any other help you guys could give. Hopefully my brother will find some comfort in knowing there are a lot of people out there pulling for him.  Thanks again guys.

oh sorry wrong place

It would be weird to see Kobe as a Bull. The constant comparisons to Jordan are bad enough already. If Kobe does go to the Bulls, it is more likely to happen after one more season, according to this article: http://thenewsroom.com/details/358300?c_id=bh