This quote from Larry worries me a lot:

"I'm trying to work my way in slowly offensively [because] we are in a playoff run and I have a lot of time to assert myself in doing what I do best, which is score," Hughes said. "Right now I'm just trying to get used to the guys, get used to situations and just play. I'm being aggressive but not being overly aggressive like I will be later on."
I hope to GOD that by "aggressive" he means driving to the hoop, but he could actually be planning on just taking a greater number of jump shots at a 40% clip.  Something tells me that he's thinking the latter, which is trouble.


If Thabo was still the quivering, turnover-prone disaster he was earlier in the season, I would acquiesce to Hughes being the third guard in the Bulls' rotation.  But Thabo is freaking awesome (busted groin and all, heh) and still cheap for another year.  Either Larry keeps good on his promise to slash and continues to share the ball or he needs to leave this summer.

I figure somebody else in the BAB community is watching the All Star Saturday Night (virtually) with me.  Here's a spot for observations, rants or interesting anecdotes that are not boring and are easy to remember.

To start: Duhon shot extremely well for team Chicago in the first round of the Shooting Stars competition.

Our Man Sam (tm) has hijacked KC's blog once again and enlightens us with his bluesy wisdom and sassy remarks (10 Schrute Bucks for getting the reference).

On Luol, Kirk and Ben sitting out most of the roadtrip:

I enjoyed the view as well, sitting and watching games on this trip as they did.
On Salt Lake City:
Though one thing I most like about coming here is being transformed into the '50s, except with cell phones...

The difference here is everyone is dancing on skates to the Village People's "YMCA." Then there was the Macarena song dance and everyone did that. You just never see this kind of innocence and joy in big cities.

On New Orleans:
... where you generally get thrown up on.

[UPDATE: Veektor speaks. (hattip to JoeJoe) -Matt]

A sad sad day in Chicago Bulls history.  KC is reporting that the Bulls have bought out the remainder of Khryapa's contract.  

I no longer have a reason to root for this team.  I hope they wear their black road uniforms tonight in memory of Veektor.

Anybody have any favorite Veektor memories that they'd like to share?  I loved it when he got decimated by LeBron late last season.  

Our Man Sam (TM) is at it again.  In his latest column, he says that Pau Gasol is again available.  What's more, he could be had for the low, low price of Noc and Tyrus.

I'm skeptical that the Grizz would be willing to part with their All-Star for so little, but if Sam has his facts right this time (first time, ever), doesn't Pax have to jump at this opportunity?  I'd guess that the Bulls would have to throw some combo of Thabo/Viktor/A-Drain/Pick as well to make this work.

If this trade went through, Pax would look like a genius for signing Noc to his inflated salary to use as filler for a bigger-contract guy.  The team also rids itself of Tyrus who may or may not be the worst human being in the world (he isn't).

Update [2007-12-3 15:57:37 by paxson43]: Sam also mentions the possibility of somehow grabbing Jerry Stackhouse from the Mavs. It's a thought that made me just throw up in my mouth a little bit.

Luol kicks off his blogging career over at NBA.com.  He covers a bunch of topics including lots of talk about his time with the British National Team this summer.  He also says nice things about both Noah and Tyrus (I guess it doesn't have to be zero sum, eh Sam?):

Our rookies this year are great. We have a great class of rookies, especially Joakim. He is just a hard worker and that is why he fits in so well with the way we play. The city will really embrace him. We hustle, we play hard and that is his style of playing. With Tyrus it's the same thing. Last season he struggled a little bit but I think he's improved a lot over the summer. He improved his jumpshot. He worked on his game this summer. I think he'll have a better year this year and he'll be able to help us out a lot more. Those two guys, they want to be great.