Chisoxfn

I hope Cousins comes back. Love that guy and really was hoping he'd be a Bull. Now we'll just go all in on AD instead

QUOTE (JenksIsMyHero @ Jan 26, 2018 -> 08:47 AM) He gave the same type of contract to Ferentz. Frankly though, i'm not sure why people are complaining. Both guys are good coaches. Ferentz has fallen the last few years, but for a while there he had Iowa football at or near its best in the program's history. McCaffrey had a good run just a couple of years ago. As an Iowa fan, I think it is hilarious how everyone is ripping Fran to shreds. He's a good coach. His defense leaves components to be desired but they have a lot of reasons for this years struggles. Every year under him Iowa has gotten better (up until this year). That said, I think I'm a realist (vs. so many fans who are delusional).

Am I mistaken or is the Cain signing a pretty fair deal for the Brewers? I presume there is risk on the back-side (given age, etc) but early on, given his recent production (when he's healthy) he's been a 5 WAR+ guy which at $16M per year feels reasonable.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 23, 2018 -> 01:38 PM) I agree, I'm not saying Hoiberg is popovich but I think Kawhi would fare very well in this offense. I would assume mirotic isn't there but especially on lineups like dunn-lavine-leonard-markannen-mirotic. It feels weird, but I literally don't have a bad thing to say about Hoiberg right now. I've came to the realization that with the team of personalities we had and with the switch and how we switched from Thibs that pretty much any coach (outside of a really proven champion such as Phil or Pop) would have failed. It just wasn't feasible. An unproven NBA coach wasn't going to get that ship right and deal with what had to be done. This year, with Fred being given a blank slate (from a personality perspective) it has enabled him to get buy in from top-to-bottom and truly implement his scheme, etc. We finally get to see him actually coach. I will admit part of a coaches job is to adapt but I think I downplayed just how bad of a situation Fred was put in (and that isn't Fred's fault). Amazing what a year makes since I became pretty anti Hoiberg very early in his coaching tenure (to now have a 180). While I absolve Fred of the past two years, I don't necessarily absolve the front office because they should have had that level of awareness.

QUOTE (Sox-35th @ Jan 23, 2018 -> 01:28 PM) Yeah, I'm not sure Hoiberg would know what to do with Leonard, anyway. They'd have to blow up the whole thing again and hire a new coach. I would think Leonard would fit in perfectly and fill a major void by providing strong wing D (which when combined with Dunn would allow Lavine to focus more on the offense). Leonard would be an outstanding get and I'd be all over getting him.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jan 23, 2018 -> 08:42 AM) Should WR be the #1 target for the Bears in round 1? Or OL, or DB? OLB is a legit option, imo. I'd probably rank it OLB (i.e., pass rusher) / WR. DB fits the bill but my gut says it will be one of the other two positions. We could go oline and in general I imagine if we go oline / wr we have traded down.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 23, 2018 -> 05:02 AM) Man Lavine may have looked decent on offense but his defense is like watching wade last year. He is not a good defensive player. He's going to have to be coached up and buy into that end of the court. Has all the physical ability to be a quality defender so we'll see what Bulls coaching staff can do. Offensively he looked EXPLOSIVE last night.

Jerian Grant put up numbers but even then he is a terrible point guard. That said whenever we lose, I think of our pick! Lavine looked explosive today. Boogie is good whenever I watch him.

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/