Gasol post-mortem (a.k.a. Open Game Thread #46: Bulls at Sacramento Kings)
This resigned feeling I get over the Gasol non-acquisition is settling in like it did in the days after the Scola non-acquisition: the Bulls just didn't have what the other team wanted, or at least not at the right time.
The Bulls might have been able to match the offer by using retired forward P.J. Brown as part of a trade, along with expiring contracts like Chris Duhon and Viktor Khryapa.
Simply put, the Bulls aren't in position to take on Gasol because they already have an inflated payroll. Next season, they are committed to paying Ben Wallace $14.5 million, Kirk Hinrich $10 million and Nocioni around $7.5 million. Assuming they re-sign restricted free agents Deng and Ben Gordon to deals starting at $10 million, that makes $52 million committed to five players.
Add Gasol's $15.1 million salary, and the Bulls would be moving well beyond the current luxury-tax threshold of $67.9 million, unless they were able to unload some payroll somehow.
So, on the one hand you can see what Paxson's up against, and this non-deal can be explained away like it has been in not getting Bryant, or Scola, or anyone.
But it's also pretty damning that he can assemble a team this terrible, and simultaneously have a cap situation so inflexible.
But that's what happens when you talk about a luxury tax edict, yet sign Nocioni to a 5 year contract, and Joe Smith to a 2 year contract.
Or when you're reluctant to trade away young frontcourt talent like Thomas and Noah, yet can't find a way to get them on the court.
So right now we have a team that's supposedly gunning for the playoffs, yet can't get an upgrade.
And sure, tough to rag on Pax for a non-move, as we don't know the information. But we do know this team he has sucks, and has had 2 coaches now say they've quit. So as much as staying the course may be the best move, it's also tough seeing what he's so committed to.
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Well, the hope
by BenGo07 on Feb 2, 2008 6:18 PM CST 0 recs
so, 2 seasons down the drain
blech.
I wouldn't be surprised if Pax resigns before then anyway. He just doesn't seem to enjoy or be actively involved in GM-ing.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Feb 2, 2008 6:25 PM CST
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Playin the Youngins
What you do have to do to win with youngins is be willing to give them playing time, like Portland or Atlanta did when they were bad in the last couple years, so that they can learn the game. Otherwise they'll always be rookies.
A lineup of Noah, Deng, Thomas, Hinrich, and Gordon might still be able to be effective next year, although it'd be nice to change one or two of those parts perhaps. But that lineup isn't going to be effective next year if Noah and Thomas play 10 minutes a game this year.
by balta1701 on
Feb 2, 2008 6:46 PM CST
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yup, and like you says
I can't believe we have to look to Portland and Atlanta as examples. They were using the Bulls as examples. ugh.
But I'm still setting the bar higher than 'non-losing' season next year. Eastern Conference finals this year. And next. Or Pax is out. I don't see the need in giving him a grace period to undo his own mistakes.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Feb 2, 2008 7:51 PM CST
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Except it's not that easy...
I don't fault Pax too much for this season because it was impossible to predict that November. I'm glad he's not making a move just because of that horrible start. I will end up faulting him in another month, though, when Tyrus still isn't getting 15 mpg.
I guess I can just be patient for another year or two because a) Garnett's still damn good and b) the Bulls have three very young, very high-potential guys and c) the Bulls have been winning the past 3 seasons. Sorry, the future doesn't lie with the core of Hinrich, Gordon, Deng and Nocioni but with Deng, Thomas and Noah.
by tyger1147 on
Feb 2, 2008 9:39 PM CST
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On the mistakes thing...
by tyger1147 on
Feb 2, 2008 9:47 PM CST
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Kiki
And I'm not buying this story that the Bulls didn't have what the grizzlies want. Kryhapa, Duhon and Brown could easy have made up for Kwame's salary. You can easily replace Critteron with Selfolosha. We have a pick this year, better than what the lakers will have.
All that leaves is a 2010 lottery pick? Well, we have one of those too! Wow, that took 5 minutes. And the Grizz got better picks and a better prospect from the Bulls. Don't be fooled
Paxson chose not to make this deal. It takes two to negotiate, who knows if the Grizz didn't propose something similar. The Bulls aren't committed to winning. And they haven't been in 10 years. Ridiculous.
by danger mouse on Feb 2, 2008 6:49 PM CST 0 recs
sure, Pax could have gotten Gasol
by bullshooter on
Feb 2, 2008 7:13 PM CST
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dangermouse didn't say either of those
Works for me.
But there's that pesky luxury tax, and once again that MEGA Nocioni contract has screwed us again :)
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Feb 2, 2008 7:40 PM CST
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A part of McGraw's article
To me that says the Lakers are comitted to winning...and the Bulls aren't.
by alec on
Feb 2, 2008 8:10 PM CST
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OK Mariotti :-)
Perhaps I'm just hoping this is true instead of believing it, but if this was a 'missing piece' type move, the Bulls would go over the tax.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Feb 2, 2008 8:42 PM CST
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If we don't get a smart coach ...
Basically, though, we're doomed to not have a shot until BW comes off the books, and I don't see how this changes that.
This is one of the few games I can watch. I hope they win, and TT gets a double-double. :P
by Prevenge on Feb 2, 2008 7:17 PM CST 0 recs
Hope I
by sue369 on Feb 2, 2008 7:17 PM CST 0 recs
Hopefully
by Beef Wennington on Feb 2, 2008 7:24 PM CST 0 recs
If they don't have room,
by Freethefro on
Feb 2, 2008 7:30 PM CST
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Iur next coach
by eross226 on Feb 2, 2008 7:30 PM CST 0 recs
or coach K
(I'm kidding. No college coaches)
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Feb 2, 2008 7:38 PM CST
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Donovan
by BenGo07 on
Feb 2, 2008 7:39 PM CST
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No pass for Pax
1. Saying they didn't have the right piece at the right time is a lame excuse.
First, the Bulls had all kinds of options to maintain flexibility this summer. The bottom line was Pax looked at his guys and thought he didn't need to do much. If he did, then why on earth would have have signed up Smith and Noc and passed on moves like dealing PJ Brown expiring deal at last year's deadline for Kurt Thomas who expires this year (although, unlike PJ, he appears actually capable of still playing).
Second, don't tell me a deal couldn't have been worked to turn up an expiring contract. Joe Smith has some value to a team looking to upgrade. Noc theoretically does, at least. If the Bulls were looking to make it happen, I don't think they were looking hard enough or in the right places.
by Sports2 on Feb 2, 2008 7:43 PM CST 0 recs
I agree
If Smith and/or Noc isn't traded by the deadline, we really need to tell Pax's family to quit using up the family plan minutes.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Feb 2, 2008 7:46 PM CST
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Heh
At the verge of reaching a true state of Armchair GM self-parody though, I think given the couple weeks Pax appears to have had, I could have found a deal :)
I'm pretty sure any set of expiring deals we could get for Smith, plus Duhon or Khyrapa, would get us where we need to be salary-wise. Not to mention if we ended up throwing in an player like Thabo or Thomas
- Joe Smith for Jamaal Magloire?
- Shannon Brown and Ira Newble?
- Eduardo Najera?
- Some combination of guys from Golden State (Barnes, Pietrus, O'Bryant)?
- Kirk Snyder and Steve Francis?
- Smith and change might have gotten us Kwame for that matter.
- Pat Garrity and one of that useless combination of useless guards Orlando has (Reddick, Dooling?)
- Back to the Sixers (who didn't want him to leave) for Kevin Ollie and Shavlik Randolph or Giricek?
- San Antonio might be willing to move Brent Barry for a guy like Smith
- Seattle's lease on Kurt Thomas is almost up. Maybe they'd want to get a year of Smith's "veteran leadership"
- Brian Colangelo likes guys who can shoot. Would he be interested in turning Rasho into Smith?
by Sports2 on
Feb 2, 2008 9:46 PM CST
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This is a big test for our 'coach'
Plus, he's noncommittal on Thabo holding HIS job when Duh gets back to half-speed.
Someone ask coach corpse what to do.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Feb 2, 2008 7:44 PM CST 0 recs
if we ever trot out
by Freethefro on
Feb 2, 2008 8:03 PM CST
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I just don't
by sue369 on
Feb 2, 2008 8:14 PM CST
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He must
by TMD on
Feb 2, 2008 9:19 PM CST
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Duhon and Smith
by TMD on
Feb 2, 2008 9:36 PM CST
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So far the Kings feed leaves something to be
by wjb1492 on
Feb 2, 2008 9:09 PM CST
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I'm glad that
by TMD on Feb 2, 2008 9:16 PM CST 0 recs
He is playing well
by TMD on
Feb 2, 2008 9:29 PM CST
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Hey! The game's on Antenna TV!
by Prevenge on Feb 2, 2008 9:30 PM CST 0 recs
Has anyone noticed
by alec on Feb 2, 2008 9:31 PM CST 0 recs
drive cut off ,
by alec on
Feb 2, 2008 9:40 PM CST
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When was the last time the guys shot 75%
by wjb1492 on Feb 2, 2008 9:40 PM CST 0 recs
Not cool Gordon
by cranscape on Feb 2, 2008 9:54 PM CST 0 recs
That second personal foul on TT
Good stretch for Tyrus, though.
by 1958ChiTown on Feb 2, 2008 9:56 PM CST 0 recs
If this team could just get rid of Wallace.
by tyger1147 on Feb 2, 2008 9:57 PM CST 0 recs
Boy, do I wanto to see Tyrus
That being said, I am very encouraged by the playing time for Noah and TT, albeit in different lineups.
by 1958ChiTown on Feb 2, 2008 9:57 PM CST 0 recs
He isn't playing well.
by 1958ChiTown on
Feb 2, 2008 10:02 PM CST
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So what?
by marionette on
Feb 2, 2008 10:08 PM CST
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In case you guys didn't know ..
Thanks Wayne.
by gobulls1124 on Feb 2, 2008 10:03 PM CST 0 recs
Too many &*^%*&^! turnovers.
by 1958ChiTown on Feb 2, 2008 10:05 PM CST 0 recs
Kirk with lob attempt
by marionette on Feb 2, 2008 10:06 PM CST 0 recs
Come on Bulls, finish a quarter
by 1958ChiTown on Feb 2, 2008 10:07 PM CST 0 recs
Artest is a very tough
by 1958ChiTown on Feb 2, 2008 10:09 PM CST 0 recs
Guh.
by cranscape on Feb 2, 2008 10:13 PM CST 0 recs
Tyrus should be on Artest in the
He did a nice time shutting him down.
Artest was feasting on Noah and Noc.
We can and should win this game.
by 1958ChiTown on Feb 2, 2008 10:14 PM CST 0 recs
Mike Brown
by bullshooter on Feb 2, 2008 10:18 PM CST 0 recs
I have mixed feelings.
"They have to be consistent and work hard. They need to learn how to be pros. Doing well in practice doesn't mean you get more minutes in the game. (why the hell not?!?!) They probably never sat this much." (Tyrus friggin' redshirted)
Okay, well his specific player comments weren't so bad except the first one.
"What do you teach Aaron Gray?"
"You can't teach size. (um, yeah) Learn how to be more aggressive on defense w/o picking up fouls."
Noah
He's agressive. Teach him how to be a better offensive rebounder even though he's good at it already. Teach him moves since he's going to be quicker than most centers he plays.
Tyrus
Um, he was really good as a rookie so he's not getting as much playing time this year, obviously. So I need to teach him how to not be mad about that because it's really fucking stupid. Just pray for a sprained ankle and he finally might get into the starting lineup like he should be. (seriously, he said exactly that)
by tyger1147 on
Feb 2, 2008 10:29 PM CST
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I feel all better now
Ohhhhh BOYYYYY!!
by Bluelou on Feb 2, 2008 10:18 PM CST 0 recs
He said he's coaching them
True, That's what he said.
by alec on
Feb 2, 2008 10:21 PM CST
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heh
Hopefully he meant "until the trade deadline"
by your friendly BullsBlogger on
Feb 3, 2008 11:21 AM CST
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Didn't they just have, like, 70 some points
by marionette on Feb 2, 2008 10:20 PM CST 0 recs
Pretty good
by sue369 on Feb 2, 2008 10:23 PM CST 0 recs
Let's hope
by TMD on
Feb 2, 2008 10:25 PM CST
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Don't everybody freak out
by bullshooter on Feb 2, 2008 10:28 PM CST 0 recs
I am not sure
by TMD on
Feb 2, 2008 10:30 PM CST
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Bleh
by Freethefro on Feb 2, 2008 10:32 PM CST 0 recs
woot!
by Freethefro on Feb 2, 2008 10:33 PM CST 0 recs
Khryapa has a long and quick hands
by Azabullsfan on Feb 2, 2008 10:34 PM CST 0 recs
Ha!
by Bluelou on Feb 2, 2008 10:34 PM CST 0 recs
Noc gets the quick hook
by bullshooter on Feb 2, 2008 10:34 PM CST 0 recs
Noc gets the quick hook
by bullshooter on Feb 2, 2008 10:35 PM CST 0 recs


