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QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 22, 2018 -> 11:14 AM) Apparently Kawhi and the Spurs are "growing apart" due to discontent over his prolonged rehab. Dunn, Niko, non 2018 1st for Kawhi. Make the offer and give them something to think about. And before anyone in here gripes about Kris freaking Dunn, point guards are a dime a dozen in this NBA, and if you believe in Hoi-ball, the next man up could take care of business. PG open tryouts SG Zach LaVine SF Kawhi Leonard PF Lauri Markkanen C open tryouts Those three right there are a building block to a title. I'd be all over that deal.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 18, 2018 -> 01:59 PM) Those two big market teams have exactly one World Series appearance this decade. We had Kansas City one run away from back to back titles, then Cleveland was that close to winning a title, so it's not like the big market teams are the only ones winning. Houston is a big market, but never near the largest payroll, and they just beat both of those unstoppable large morket forces. And it's not like the other owners don't have any money to spend, they just choose not to. The owner of the Pirates is a billionaire but god forbid he spends some money to win more baseball games. Each owner just got a $50 million check from that Disney Tech sale but I doubt any of that goes to their payroll. Yes, small market teams can make a run and win, but it is very difficult for them to have a sustained long-term model of winning vs. the major market teams and that is a problem. It means you'll have a few good years from a KC or Pittsburgh or whomever, but long-term they will stink most of their tenure and because of that, fan bases in those types of markets will dwindle. It is important to me that baseball has a path to speed up the game and drive competitiveness in mid-markets. Look at the NBA, exciting game and structured to help mid-market teams. Yes, there are some big markets who have advantages, but the NBA has done a lot to ensure some balance (helps that stars can make massive endorsement deals in Cleveland / OKC and other places away from the major market).

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jan 19, 2018 -> 10:09 AM) High praise Do you legitimately think Hoiberg has been anything other then pretty darn good this year?

Probably Taj or Buckets who made the vote.

Remind who votes the starters in the all star game? Is it coaches, media, execs?

I like the names I'm seeing around another possible offensive assistant. Bevel would be an intriguing hire. Would he really come for the QB coach job or would a new role be created? Is Ragone still on staff?

Remember, the athletic is a pay to play content provider and the entire media industry has been upheaved, with many writers losing their jobs, etc. Stuff behind a paywall can't be shared. People are welcome to post general summaries, but if you want to read the full article, you should subscribe. By all accounts the content on the athletic is absolutely fantastic.

KC Johnson reporting Jeriam Grant on the block. Presuming it means we will see more of Denzel and Lavigne at point. Bulls also plan on giving Payne some minutes. Grant is nothing more then backup and playing Payne minutes might help the tank. Haha. Who knows though , at this point maybe hoiberg turns Payne into something. Never thought I’d say that but I like Fred now.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jan 16, 2018 -> 06:10 PM) It's all the switching, though. Bamba has the athleticism/length/lateral movement to switch/help/recover,etc. How many DPOY'S did Dwight win? Bamba could win more. He has the potential to be that much of a game-changer defensively. I don't care if he only maxes out at 13-15 ppg. But look at Dwight in the new NBA (or current NBA). Part of that is Dwight was never the same (post Orlando) but his skill set has failed to change the game long-term. I do think a legit low post threat who can be a beast back to the basket player, could change the dynamic in this NBA (because so few guys would be capable of guarding them). Shaq would be insane in this NBA (outside of his inability to hit free throws). The counter to that would be defensively what would other teams do. Would be interesting to see.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 16, 2018 -> 05:52 PM) Yeah a really good defensive center doesn’t really do it for me to change a franchise. I’d go Doncic all day over bamba. I actually think Doncic could be a really good fit for the Bulls.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jan 16, 2018 -> 04:54 PM) I liked him from jump. From college to that euro tournament or whatever you call it before the season started. His skillset is tailor-made for modern nba basketball. And I wasn't wrong on KP. When healthy, he's a two-way terror. But he's dinged up a lot. And his stamina isn't the greatest at times. But his skills at that size? Yes. Generational. Oh I wasn't saying you were necessarily wrong on KP, I'm saying Lauri could be as good or better (or he could be a lot worse...I don't know) but damn he's good and damn he's fun to watch. I loved when he flexed the muscles last night. Interesting stat, this years Bulls team is only 4 years off of last years teams current pace.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Jan 16, 2018 -> 04:46 PM) I've always thought AD's destiny was to return to Chicago 2 years until that could happen (via FA, correct)? I think AD coming to Chicago could be the piece that they do a year from now (if he forces a trade after Boogie leaves, etc).

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 16, 2018 -> 03:04 PM) My guess is it all depends on whether or not people are spooked by the Lakers looking like a mess. They've clearly got the money for 2 max deals, if Lebron and George want to play there they will be able to play there. If they don't want to deal with that, then all of a sudden the Bulls have as good of a shot as anyone other than maybe Cleveland. The only way the Lakers rebuild is if they get Lebron. Otherwise they are screwed for a while (maybe I'm wrong but I don't see it). Being bad creates just a drain on a culture that can't be explained. It is not much different than the Corporate world where a bad company has this inability to right the ship (so to speak). Yes there are no drafts, etc, but bad is something that can easily become toxic.

QUOTE (Tony @ Jan 16, 2018 -> 02:56 PM) So do the "LeBron to the Bulls" rumors pick up in the off-season? Dunn-LaVine-LeBron-Markkenen-Random Center? I think Lebron on the Bulls is a legit title team, but I could say that about a lot of teams on the east. I don't think he's coming unless Wade has really good things to say (and I have a feeling he won't, but who knows). And that is coming from Mr. optimist (me).

And in case people didn't know, and I recognize he doesn't play defense, but Bobby Portis is putting up a 20.92 PER (yes it is against other bench players but still worth mentioning). Averaging 12ppg and 6 rpg in 20 minutes is pretty impressive.

Lauri is putting up a 22 PER through 8 games in January. f***ing amazing. Seriously J4L...I'm glad you haven't jinxed him and called him a generational talent yet, but he is as much of a generational talent as Porzinkis was at this point in their career arc.

Thought this article was interesting (maybe because it is pretty consistent with a notion I've argued for a long time around tanking). I like that Curry @ 7 set-up the Warriors and can only hope we say the same thing about Lauri @ 7 with the Bulls Edit: Article would help https://www.fanragsports.com/a-brief-study-...nba-rebuilding/

I hadn't seen this, but I thought the quotes from denze valentine a few weeks back were somewhat intriguing as it relates to Niko. Gives more to the addage that he rubs people the wrong way (or at least some). Certainly seems like he's moved by the end of the week. from this article: https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/is-niko...-the-wrong-way/

That is awesome (re: Moncada helping out Robert). Fantastic to see.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 16, 2018 -> 11:03 AM) The thing is with this core I can legit see a group as good as the Raptors in a year or two. But if they can get in that top 5 and maintain development, I see the seams of a championship team (assuming development). The thing with Mirotic is he is demanding a trade. He's cool now, but he has an end in sight. What if we remove that? what happens when team hits skids? Justin Holliday should net a 2nd, RoLo can hopefully be used to clear space next year, and Mirotic hopefully gets us a 1st. It pushes Felicio to bigger minutes and removes our most potent lineup of Markannen and Mirotic at 4 and 5. I still think it's worth it to try. My dream scenario is we move Niko, Felicio, and a future 1st to the Cavs for their 1st round pick because Lebron demanded it. Haha.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 16, 2018 -> 11:03 AM) The thing is with this core I can legit see a group as good as the Raptors in a year or two. But if they can get in that top 5 and maintain development, I see the seams of a championship team (assuming development). The thing with Mirotic is he is demanding a trade. He's cool now, but he has an end in sight. What if we remove that? what happens when team hits skids? Justin Holliday should net a 2nd, RoLo can hopefully be used to clear space next year, and Mirotic hopefully gets us a 1st. It pushes Felicio to bigger minutes and removes our most potent lineup of Markannen and Mirotic at 4 and 5. I still think it's worth it to try. I've heard that Mirotic is demanding a trade if our intent is to tank / suck. He has made it known with management that he loves Chicago, wants to be here long-term, but only if our plan is to start winning and win soon (basically do you believe in what you've seen from us already or are you going to try and maximize the "tank"). If the answer is you want to maximize the tank, then definitely move me (and by the way that obviously helps facilitate the tank) because I don't want to play for a losing team. No one really wants to. People act like it is so easy to tank. On paper its a great idea, but between paper and reality a lot goes astray. Maybe no one on this board has the in-depth feel for how bad it can get but being in LA, holy crap, what a disaster. I still go back and argue the case of, no team has yet to make the illustrative case that tanking was some genius concept that worked perfectly. Teams have sucked and gotten good but to intentionally tank is a different concept. Losing teams tend to suck for a long-time, which goes back to the notion, that you suck for a reason (i.e., a crappy front office and/or coaching staff that can't draft & develop or build a team).

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Jan 16, 2018 -> 10:56 AM) I wrote this about Bulls situation today: https://theloopsports.com/2018/01/16/bulls-...ath-be-altered/ I think they'll trade whatever they can and try to pick as high as possible. They could play in free agency this offseason though. They are ahead of schedule. Lets say they snag Villanova SF Mikal Bridges in the draft and sign Cousins in the off-season. That's easily a top 3 seed in the East without LeBron. I fully agree with your end state that if we get Cousins with the main core we could be top 3 seed as soon as next year (albeit I get nervous about the fact that Cousins hasn't won anywhere and losing can be toxic). Now here's a counter...what if they try to win now and make a run at the playoffs and then make a push at Cousins and George (not sure if we have the cap space or not). We really seem to have built a good culture with this current group (again kudos to Hoiberg and staff). I blasted him for a couple years but have to change my tune a lot this year. And by trade whatever they can, who are you implying to move? I presume Lopez / Niko?

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jan 16, 2018 -> 10:09 AM) I was very skeptical, but I have to agree. Levine definitely seems like the real deal. He gets to the rim what appears to be effortlessly. Dunn's shooting is up and down, but everything else except the occassional turnover bug, seems exceptional. Lauri is obviously going to be a great player. Some of these other guys seem to be decent bench pieces. I am not buying the Bulls attracting a top free agent, but if they could, I could see this team as being too good to call it NBA hell. It's almost to a point where if they trade someone, it better help their draft position drastically, because if it is only slightly, a guy like Threekola nailing 3s, is pretty valuable, and could make you worse in the long run. You nailed where I stand exactly (on the trade and in-terms of watching). Dunn's growth shooting has been awesome...he's still inconsistent with that jumper but given how much improvement he's shown year-over-year there is so much to like. Will reserve things till I see more of Lavine but he reminds me a bit of Crawford in the sense that he can really score, but more aggressive in his ability to get in the paint (Crawford really was only a shooter but a damn good one). Defensively Lavine has the athleticism and size that he should be able to defend but he's got to put in a lot of work on that part of his game. The nice thing is Lauri and Dunn, two of are other core pieces are both fantastic. My question is do you try to get a draft pick or do you try and get a free agent. I recognize those aren't directly tied and you could do both, but if you make a run at the playoffs this year, I think the chances of landing a big free agent increase (no guarantee though). If you don't make the playoffs, I think the reality is you are probably waiting another year to make your moves in free agency (and might have more competition at that time).

Just two games but man Lavine hasd a shot and he can flat out score. I really hope he stays healthy and can keep improving. Hell with what you all think, I think we got a darn nice core going right now. This team has been quite enjoyable to watch.

The separate part of this question is how do you evaluate Niko. I know a lot of people say Niko is going to get expensive in 2 years and you wouldn’t want to pay him, but I’d argue 2 years from now (when that happens) we are probably done being able to add any “max” type player. We basically have this year and next year’s free agency to add 2 max guys before we will largely be who we are (from a cap perspective...and this is dependent on how you manage that flexibility, but internal guys like Dunn / Lavine getting their money will quickly shrink our ability to make external FA moves). The reality is we have went from a team with 1 major asset a year ago (Butler) to a team with Dunn / Lauri / Lavine / (This yr/s 1st) and you could argue Niko (because he really has been damn good now for a more extended period of time). It seems Niko is on his way out (either way) but I’d still argue I might try moving Lopez to see if that hurts the tank enough that you can keep Niko and add another FA move (you’ll get a lot better a lot quicker, imo)...unless you just don’t see Niko fitting on this roster. My view is you can’t just “dump” Niko because when you look at his contract (short yes) and his stark improvement in play (which I would argue matches his physical abilities as historically he had underachieved), you have a guy that you should be able to get a real asset for. We’ll know soon enough with Niko as it sure seems like he is gone in the next few days (if not today).