Our (my) Gasol dream may be dead
One by one the candidates of the fabled 'star acquisition' are dropping out. Garnett's been traded to Boston, and now Memphis seems to be building around Pau Gasol as opposed to trading him, as evidenced by the acquisition of Gasol's countryman: Juan Carlos Navarro.
Blog-A-Bull pal Tom Ziller writes at Fanhouse:
John Hollinger has been critical of the Gasol non-acquisition since the trade deadline passed, and reiterated his point last week:
At least he's been consistent. But at the time, the proposed trade (Deng+Brown+Thabo according to reports) could've killed the Bulls season even with getting Gasol. Nocioni was still hurt (and as we saw even when he came back he wasn't the same) so without a SF we'd all have front-row seats to the A-drain Griffin show, or worse yet more 3-guard lineups. Gasol's a better player than Deng, but the season could've went awry with the holes that trade would've opened.
So would it be worth potentially wrecking last season to have a potentially better roster this season? Hollinger seems to think so, but regardless of that opinion it's hard to call keeping Luol Deng a 'mistake'. A missed opportunity with palpable contracts, sure, but Luol isn't an asset that's going to lose value, whether that means becoming better than Gasol or not.
I really liked Gasol as 'the' acquisition, because I think he is underrated (as Hollinger says) as a player, and is both younger and cheaper than Garnett (or Jermaine O'Neal or something). It would've been nice, that's for sure.
But to reference the original point that the opportunity of getting a star player is lost (Elton Brand (and his opt-out after the season) is another now-unviable candidate), I don't think Pax wants a Garnett trade. He wants a Rasheed Wallace trade: a great player that can be had for spare parts. Gutting the team shouldn't be part of the plan, and with the team this close to contention I don't see it happening. It's not about acquiring big names, it's about upgrading the team. And it won't be until Pax is convinced that Hinrich/Deng/Gordon will never make it happen that this team gets broken up and remade around a star acquisition. And even then I don't think we'll see two out of the three getting shipped out for Kobe.
0 recs |
98
comments
Comments
I agree
by Wade.Jones on Aug 6, 2007 12:15 AM CDT 0 recs
on the other hand
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Aug 6, 2007 9:54 AM CDT
up
0 recs
I agree
by Wade.Jones on
Aug 6, 2007 12:04 PM CDT
up
0 recs
There was a reason Detroit got Sheed for so little
by Big D on Aug 6, 2007 1:25 AM CDT 0 recs
Actually
by Wade.Jones on
Aug 6, 2007 2:46 AM CDT
up
0 recs
The problem for the bulls...
What we thought was a great asset for dealing, turns out to be the difficult part for Pax who, rightfully so, won't fall into the trap.
McHale, maybe (and not considering his Celtic roots reasons) prefered dealing with the Celts, because he felt that they were giving him all they could (they were fair). Chicago might have had a better deal in place, but if they really wanted (=if they were dumb) they could give even more than that.
by Diabolo on Aug 6, 2007 5:12 AM CDT 0 recs
Nice topic.
Hollinger can call it a bad deal for as long as he wants to.The fact is that Tyrus Thomas is here to take the starting power forward position and become an impact player.
What the Bulls lacked mostly,in my opinion, is not a pure low post player but a someone that contributes in many aspects of the game.
That's what AllStars like Kevin Garnett do.
by koskinar on Aug 6, 2007 5:31 AM CDT 0 recs
either way
I think the problem seems to be that it seems easier to add a SF / Guard to the roster then a scoring post player so a player like Gasol looks desirable despite Deng playing well. Just have to hope Loul continues to improve and Bulls team improves around him and then that desire will go away
by NY Chicago Fan on Aug 6, 2007 6:25 AM CDT 0 recs
This is the future...
From Draftexpress :
"It is almost impossible not to like the things that Thomas brings to the table as a player: intensity, passion, and unbelievable athleticism. Even in the Summer League, Thomas took no prisoners on the floor, and tried to get his hands on absolutely everything around the rim. With Joakim Noah now in toe, Chicago may have the most active frontcourt of any team in the NBA."
And Tyrus potential and upside seem quite big :
http://www.draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=2201
by Diabolo on Aug 6, 2007 7:08 AM CDT 0 recs
Or...
Having JCN in the deal makes it easier for Chicago to part with, say, Ben Gordon :-).
Gasol and JCN for resigned Gordon, Tyrus and Duhon (don't know if that would work salary-wise).
by Diabolo on Aug 6, 2007 7:17 AM CDT 0 recs
Gasol isn't going anywhere
by hscs on
Aug 6, 2007 10:24 AM CDT
up
0 recs
Actually,..
by Diabolo on
Aug 6, 2007 10:33 AM CDT
up
0 recs
I understood ya :)
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Aug 6, 2007 10:38 AM CDT
up
0 recs
Jasikevicius can play...
For what reason ? Maybe because he is first and foremost a leader (and playmaker), and needs to be handed some responsibility to shine.
Maybe also because the NBA game is too athletic for his playing style (he's more suited for the FIBA game) ?
But anyone who has seen him play (let it be with a european club or with Lithuania during the Olympics or Worlds) knows that he can flat out play the game.
by Diabolo on
Aug 6, 2007 10:45 AM CDT
up
0 recs
fantastic
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Aug 6, 2007 11:25 AM CDT
up
0 recs
jasikevicius is a piece of garbage!
Profile Stats Splits Game Log News Fantasy Hollinger Stats
Career Averages Rebounds
YR TM G GS MIN FG FG% 3P 3P% FT FT% STL BLK TO PF OFF DEF TOT AST PTS
05-06 Ind 75 15 20.8 2.3-5.7 .396 1.1-3.1 .364 1.6-1.8 .910 0.5 0.1 1.5 1.4 0.3 1.8 2.1 3.0 7.3
06-07 Gsw 26 2 12.0 1.4-3.9 .366 0.5-1.7 .273 1.0-1.2 .871 0.5 0.0 1.2 0.8 0.2 0.6 0.8 2.3 4.3
... Ind 37 1 17.9 2.5-6.0 .412 0.9-2.3 .372 1.6-1.7 .922 0.4 0.0 1.6 1.4 0.3 1.0 1.3 3.0 7.4
G GS MIN FG FG% 3P 3P% FT FT% STL BLK TO PF OFF DEF TOT AST PTS
Totals 138 18 18.4 2.2-5.4 .397 0.9-2.7 .355 1.5-1.7 .908 0.5 0.0 1.5 1.3 0.3 1.4 1.6 2.9 6.8
by GranvilleWaiters on
Aug 7, 2007 12:13 AM CDT
up
0 recs
No, but...
by Diabolo on
Aug 6, 2007 10:30 AM CDT
up
0 recs
We are young, we are getting better and
by chgobr on Aug 6, 2007 8:23 AM CDT 0 recs
semi-important (less important than A-Drain)
by hscs on Aug 6, 2007 9:13 AM CDT 0 recs
"So would it be worth potentially wrecking
by bullshooter on Aug 6, 2007 9:59 AM CDT 0 recs
who's speculated to be available?
by hscs on
Aug 6, 2007 10:09 AM CDT
up
0 recs
Gasol wasn't available this time last year
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Aug 6, 2007 10:28 AM CDT
up
0 recs
Exactly,,,
by Diabolo on
Aug 6, 2007 10:37 AM CDT
up
0 recs
J.O. maybe
by hscs on
Aug 6, 2007 10:59 AM CDT
up
0 recs
well if that's the criteria
I think it's safe to say nobody wants Jermaine O'Neal here. To be honest I can't come up with a potential candidate either (Elton Brand may have been one until his injury), but hopefull I shall be.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Aug 6, 2007 11:36 AM CDT
up
0 recs
that criteria is based on
by hscs on
Aug 6, 2007 11:58 AM CDT
up
0 recs
well I just screwed up
by hscs on
Aug 6, 2007 12:00 PM CDT
up
0 recs
hey, you brought it up
(yes this is somewhat tongue-in-cheek, there are different circumstances at hand.)
I still think a 5 year contract is poison in terms of trade talks, but all the more reason to wish Nocioni a good year. And maybe opposing GMs don't look at the gameflow stats. :-p
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Aug 6, 2007 10:33 AM CDT
up
0 recs
well then
by bullshooter on
Aug 6, 2007 11:51 AM CDT
up
0 recs
Deng/Brown/Thabo...
You can't argue that keeping Deng was a bad "decision", but man, he's a lot easier to replace then a 7'0, 26 year old entering his prime.
Hopefully, that wasn't the proposal.
by EdNealy on Aug 6, 2007 11:16 AM CDT 0 recs
ok, replace a 6'9" 22 year year old
The deal may have included the '07 draft pick as well, if that makes you feel better.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Aug 6, 2007 11:28 AM CDT
up
0 recs
You robbed me of
If the '07 pick was included, I feel a bit better, but still thought that it was a deal surrounding 2 of the Bulls "big-4" (whatever that means now).
by EdNealy on
Aug 6, 2007 12:24 PM CDT
up
0 recs
it may have been
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Aug 6, 2007 12:30 PM CDT
up
0 recs
I think your right.
Memphis was looking for Gordon & Deng, and more and reportedly wanted to give us Cardinal's contract as part of the trade.
by OldeBull on
Aug 6, 2007 2:15 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Hopefully, Tyrus develops into a superstar.
Has anyone heard anything recently about his knees? Has the tendinitis subsided? Is he still working out daily at the Berto?
by 1958ChiTown on Aug 6, 2007 11:51 AM CDT 0 recs
Prediction
by Option27 on Aug 6, 2007 12:48 PM CDT 0 recs
I'll put it in the prediction file
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Aug 6, 2007 1:01 PM CDT
up
0 recs
I monitor Ole (Argentina) and FIBA.com
by hscs on
Aug 6, 2007 2:42 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Also worth mentioning
by Option27 on
Aug 7, 2007 10:12 AM CDT
up
0 recs
How about this trade
by bullshooter on Aug 6, 2007 12:57 PM CDT 0 recs
stopped reading after 'conley'
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Aug 6, 2007 1:00 PM CDT
up
0 recs
what?
by bullshooter on
Aug 6, 2007 1:06 PM CDT
up
0 recs
sure you can
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Aug 6, 2007 1:28 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Trade Hinrich for Conley
by OldeBull on
Aug 6, 2007 2:23 PM CDT
up
0 recs
How about this trade?
I think Portland would like their grindiness.
by Rick S on
Aug 6, 2007 3:14 PM CDT
up
0 recs
which part of that trade
by bullshooter on
Aug 6, 2007 5:40 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Thank god this Gasol BS
by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on Aug 6, 2007 4:55 PM CDT 0 recs
uggh
by Sambossanova on
Aug 6, 2007 8:18 PM CDT
up
0 recs
no, you have it all wrong
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Aug 6, 2007 8:23 PM CDT
up
0 recs
No he's
by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on
Aug 6, 2007 11:29 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Not true
by GranvilleWaiters on
Aug 7, 2007 12:02 AM CDT
up
0 recs
Get over Gasol.
by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on
Aug 7, 2007 12:46 AM CDT
up
0 recs
joejoe
by bullshooter on
Aug 7, 2007 8:55 AM CDT
up
0 recs
in which said player missed two months.
by tyger1147 on
Aug 7, 2007 9:00 AM CDT
up
0 recs
Better than us?
I am not saying we shouldn't have gotten Gasol but you are just as over the top in your statement as Joejoe. Does that make you ignorant?
by Rankdog on
Aug 7, 2007 1:15 PM CDT
up
0 recs
There's two conferences
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Aug 7, 2007 1:23 PM CDT
up
0 recs
and Memphis made it to the playoffs
by bullshooter on
Aug 7, 2007 2:32 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Let me gather logic here..
2004 Horrible didn't make the playoffs
2005 RPI 12th in the league lost in 1st round 4-2*
2006 RPI 15th in the league lost in 1st round 4-2**
*Curry and Deng missed the post season.
**Lost to NBA Champ Miami
2004 RPI 7th in the league lost in 1st round 4-0
2005 RPI 10th in the league lost in 1st round 4-0
2006 RPI 6th in the league lost in 1st round 4-0
3 Playoff appearances 0 playoff wins.
I will concede they were better in 2004 but arguments could be made for both 2005 and 2006. I can understand losing the series against a superior team but not one playoff win?
by Rankdog on
Aug 7, 2007 3:21 PM CDT
up
0 recs
links would be nice
so the Bulls lose to NBA Champ Miami. The Griz lost to NBA Finalist Mavericks if they get one or two playoff wins against Dallas (or the Spurs or Suns, the two other teams they were swept by) that does it for you?
Although if your comparision between the West and East is merely who won the finals, then maybe that would be enough.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Aug 7, 2007 3:30 PM CDT
up
0 recs
The east west conference comparison...
The Griz have had a crappy team in all but 3 years of their existence. In one season they were clearly better than the Bulls the 2004 season. It could be argued in either direction in the other two instances depending on what numbers you want to throw into the mix.
by Rankdog on
Aug 7, 2007 3:45 PM CDT
up
0 recs
except your only number
And when this argument started you seemed indignant to even the suggestion that the Griz were better.
And we apparently agree that the finals results have no bearing on EastvsWest. But the West is better, so it does give the Grizzlies success more weight, and I'm guessing that's reflected in the RPI you quoted.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Aug 7, 2007 3:56 PM CDT
up
0 recs
The are other numbers to compare
The flavor of Bullshooter's response was Memphis was clearly a superior team and Joejoe was ignorant to question their star player because of that.
by Rankdog on
Aug 7, 2007 4:16 PM CDT
up
0 recs
First of all
What exactly is your argument? The Bulls took two from the Wiz one year? Who decided to make today "Talk out of your ass Tuesday?"
by bullshooter on
Aug 7, 2007 4:23 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Talking out my ass some more...
My point (aka argument) is you cannot clearly state the Griz were better in EVERY year leading up to '07. The only season in their history you could say the Griz were clearly the better team was 2004. None of which has to do with what Joejoe said in the first damn place.
by Rankdog on
Aug 7, 2007 4:50 PM CDT
up
0 recs
from 03-04 to 05-06
by bullshooter on
Aug 7, 2007 9:10 PM CDT
up
0 recs
0-12 is better than 4-12 right?
by Rankdog on
Aug 8, 2007 4:02 PM CDT
up
0 recs
If you add in last year
by bullshooter on
Aug 8, 2007 10:08 PM CDT
up
0 recs
Nah
by Rankdog on
Aug 9, 2007 7:50 PM CDT
up
0 recs
The 04-05, and 05-06 Grizz
by hscs on
Aug 7, 2007 2:35 PM CDT
up


