Chisoxfn

If Bulls trade Jimmy...it will be this off-season and I predict Lakers will make a major push.

All this complaining...but I look forward to watching the Bulls play tonight. I enjoy basketball and Jimmy Butler always entertains me. It helps that my daughter always asks me where is Jimmity Buckets anytime a basketball game is on. When it is a Hawkeye game...she can't find him and asks if he is sick...when its the Bulls she always finds him and then gives me play by play of what he is doing, haha.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Feb 24, 2017 -> 09:10 AM) I messed with the dates to show that we were all pretty jacked about Niko being rookie of the month two years ago and he has been either stuck in neutral or rolling backwards ever since. Zipser had a nice little run, but we can not count on him yet, nor can we be sure that he is going to be even a solid player at this point You are probably right...I can't be certain, but I've seen enough out of him to think there is a chance he becomes a quality rotational player. Mainly because he looks to hold the part defensively, has enough athleticism, and seems to be able to handle pressure and make the right cuts, etc. Great player...hell no...good player...no...I think his upside is a potentially solid starter, but more likely as a quality role player. We'll know more by the end of the season because I expect he'll get a lot of Doug's minutes. If Niko's shot was falling at a more normal clip, I think we'd be much more pleased with the results. He drives me nuts (I think I dislike Niko more then almost anyone on the board), but I'll at least give credit to his defensive improvements. And as row alluded, since I always rip Fred, I should give Fred and the team credit there. That said, Niko had so much hype around him...obviously what we've seen is far worse then anyone expected.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 24, 2017 -> 05:39 AM) I see zero argument for Ozzies number being retired. I'm with you. Had he not totally flamed out and had a longer run as manager, I could have gotten behind it.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Feb 24, 2017 -> 08:48 AM) Just sayin Is that actually an exact quote or are you messing with the dates, etc. I still think Niko can become a good player...he drives me nuts with his stupid shot selection, but his defense has improved significantly (not saying he's great, but he's solid). He needs to let the three point shots come to him, cause he is too good of a shooter to be shooting as poor as he is from beyond the arch. I expect he'll finish the year strong (he's always been streaky so he's due for a hot streak). Zipser can play D and has shown a knack for making solid moves. Given where we got him, I'm very pleased with the value of that pick as of today's date.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Feb 24, 2017 -> 06:15 AM) Zipser is tied for the lowest PER in the league.......with Cameron Payne. I've seen enough of Zipser play to know that he has some upside and a solid future. He's been hurt recently, but guy is going to be able to play.

Payne vs. Kris Dunn (who we would have gotten had we dealt Butler to the Twolves in the off-season): Dunn | Payne Age: 22 | 22 NBA minutes: 882 | 1018 PER: 7.4 | 10.8 TS: .420 | .463 PTs/36: 7.8 | 13.8 AST/36: 5.5 | 5.2

One thing to point out...I look forward to seeing how Zipser emerges this year. It will also be interesting to see what happens to Doug in OKC. Will he be better, worse or the same. I'll at least give the Bulls credit for not holding on to him any longer and cutting the chord when they did. Different then how they have handled things in the past (where they'd have waited one more year before they dumped him).

One thing about Cameron Payne is that he really hasn't played that many minutes in the league to give him much of an evaluation. He missed most of last year with an injury and then reinjured himself this year and got back in January. Supposedly he is stoked about coming to the Bulls. Now it could be that he is just injury prone, it could be something different as well. If there is one thing I look forward to, it is I can at least get some kicks watching a few new guys for at least a couple games. I hope that as we see some of these young guys get burn, we feel a bit better vs. worse, but that is me...I always want to find an optimistic outlet because I don't follow sports to be bitter or dislike the product...I follow cause it gives me entertainment. PS: I watch almost every Bulls game (and Bear) game. I went from being a regular watching the Sox to someone who could barely stand watching them. Not sure how much that will change this year until I see the product. I'm hoping I'll be more engaged with watching actual games this year, but who knows. Part of this is because my kids take a greater priority, but also, with limited time, I'm going to focus my energy on things that give me joy. IT is why I always say...I'd rather be the Indians of the 90's then the Marlins. Indians were damn enjoyable to watch...yes they never won the series, but they had a damn good run for a number of years vs. the Marlins who had two runs and garbage all around. When I look at the Bulls under Pax, in general, they have brought me lots of enjoyment and entertainment. PS#2: That press conference. Why do I get the feeling that Pax is just out there taking one for the team and is mad because of it and thus throwing out the wrong things.

Geeze...the more time goes..the more it sits in on how much I'll miss Taj and how he went about his business. I hope he goes to a contender for the next couple of years (and gets paid) and wins some rings. Easily the type of guy you want to round out a team with championship aspirations. One of my all time favorite Bulls. Its sad how fast and how far the Bulls have fallen from the Thibs era. Funny since Rose was the "star" and I never even shed a tear when he left. Noah, I missed, but knew the time was right...Taj I miss even more, because I envision him having a few more good years (not that I would have endorsed paying him). I think one of the biggest mistakes the Bulls could make this offseason is giving out long-term deals to mediocre players. If you are going to do that, do short-term deals (to buy time while you do other things) or blow it all on a player you think is really good. Don't get caught in between or be the idiots that the Lakers were.

By the way, both the Celtics and Bulls beat writers are saying Woj's report of the Celtics offering both Nets picks is false. I think my own report is more accurate...which is that the Bulls barely even talked to the Celtics about Butler and all conversations were driven by Ainge wanting Butler and not the Bulls wanting to move Jimmy. Lots of Bulls people (and even other legit NBA reports (and Woj is the best...just not at covering the Bulls)) indicated the Bulls had made it very clear over the past couple days that Jimmy was not on the market. If teams wanted to call, they were welcome to do so, but the Bulls were not actively shopping him.

QUOTE (Tony @ Feb 23, 2017 -> 03:37 PM) Taj get his numbered retired eventually? Did someone suggest that?

QUOTE (bmags @ Feb 23, 2017 -> 02:58 PM) Hahn seems to have done it. It took a while to get there, but eventually it did. This is almost the reverse Hahn though as in that case, it was the rumors of KW having too much authority and RH being handcuffed where as in this scenario it is the GM having more authority then the president.

QUOTE (bmags @ Feb 23, 2017 -> 02:52 PM) Part of being a good front office guy is being able to handle the organization politics and get the org moving as one. I can't give him partial credit. What if you have said you want Gar out but the overall boss has said no or asked that you give him another year? One could argue that Pax would just walk, but none of us know for sure what the real situation is.

Had to make a separate post, but if anyone read Taj's quotes following the trade...it was true Taj fashion. He did say some very nice things about Fred. Maybe it really is s***ty personal that doesn't fit Fred's style that is making Fred look so god awful. Paxson evidently broke down when he was saying good bye to Taj.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan99 @ Feb 23, 2017 -> 02:33 PM) The most annoying part is if he trades Jalen Rose and Donyell Marshall and doesn't let those guys win the Bulls some extra games in 2002-2003 you are looking at maybe getting LeBron, Bosh , Anthony or Wade in the 2003 draft instead of f***ing Kirk Hinrich. Just think of how different things would be if the Bulls were able to move up and get Wade. I mean we never know cause Rose clearly doesn't end up on the Bulls, but still. Some interesting reports today(no idea if they are true) about Gar having more clout with Michael Reinsdorf then Paxson and that Paxson is driving the blow it up movement but can't get any traction. One of the radio guys said that he doesn't even know if Paxson would be aware of the Celtics offering 2 1st round picks (which seems ridiculous). I still generally believe that Paxson is a very good front office guy, although, I clearly can't ignore the fact that this chaos has happened under his watch.

QUOTE (bmags @ Feb 23, 2017 -> 02:29 PM) Bulls had the misfortune of picking high in some historically awful drafts, but overall as you look back, Krause did about as good a job as you can of collecting valuable assets, he just could not swing them for a star. Ended up with jalen rose. Look over the past few years...not many teams have just blown up because they were bad/tanked.

QUOTE (JenksIsMyHero @ Feb 23, 2017 -> 02:08 PM) You guys are delusional if you think 2 top 5 picks is some kind of guarantee. Next year's draft is supposed to be pretty good, but what about 2018? What if you get stuck choosing between Anthony Bennett and Victor Oladipo? If it's 2 picks plus Brown and some scrap, I would consider that. Just picks? Hellllllllllllll no. I am with you...I want three things. Bust rate is too high for me to do it for anything less. Brown and the two picks and I'm leery but willing. Two picks alone...for all we know you could be talking about the 5th and the 5th pick...if that were to happen and we didn't get anything special, it could go down as a total trash trade. Now if Boston has the #1 pick post-lottery, then I think you'll see the Bulls willing to talk.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Feb 23, 2017 -> 01:03 PM) I didnt say "only" but if those 2 picks were on the table and the Bulls said no, there is unlikely no offer out there that can get Butler. Obviously lottery makes things harder, but those 2 picks are likely at worst 2 top 5, and possibly both would turn out into top 3. So was it both Nets picks that were on the table (I can't read twitter)? I think I said yesterday that to me fair value was Brown and the two Nets picks.

QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Feb 23, 2017 -> 08:12 AM) 7+ years on the team, 5X All Star, single season Sox K record aren't accomplishments? Lol ok. No. Buehrle and PK are the only recent Sox whose #'s I think are worthy of retirement. Sale was a great pitcher while here, but the club didn't win squat with him here and 7 years isn't long enough unless you are winning cy youngs while leading team to consistent post-season runs, etc.

QUOTE (Tony @ Feb 23, 2017 -> 12:23 PM) And there is literally zero evidence to say this Bulls coaching staff can develop talent Front office deserves the blame there. This staff is so freaking bad.

If it were me, Payne / Valentine would get the bulk of the PG minutes (we know I don't like Grant). I presume Zipser / Portis will have an increased workload as well (which isn't a bad thing...should at least allow Bulls to evaluate). Reality is Paynve / Valentine won't play and Rondo / Grant / MCW will get all those minutes.

QUOTE (shipps @ Feb 23, 2017 -> 12:21 PM) Royce YoungVerified account‏@royceyoung 15m15 minutes ago More The Thunder believe Payne is going to be a big time player, but playing behind Westbrook, wouldn't develop into the player he's capable of. Whatever. The Bulls must think that Payne has that talent as well. I know they liked him a lot coming out of the draft. Clearly based upon what they got, they thought pretty highly of Payne. I presume we'll see him log heavy minutes this year and I hope we see some flashes. Plenty of good PG's in this league have struggled the first couple of years.

Were there any deals? Did Philly really not move Okafor?

QUOTE (Tony @ Feb 23, 2017 -> 12:19 PM) Right. I would have probably said the same thing about the Sox this offseason if they held the status quo and tried to run with it again. I just have no clue what the Bulls route is, and it seems very obvious they don't either. Asset management over there is a total joke, and they are a joke when it comes to the PR game and keeping the house in order. If there was a player in town that got in as many fights with people in the organization as GarPax have over the years, we'd all call them a cancer and they need to be traded. That's GarPax If they moved Niko in this, I'd have at least had some clarity that this was asset management, but they didn't do that? Unless they figure Niko will benefit from no Taj. But what is the point of keeping Rondo and MCW? If you like Payne / Grant / Denzel, don't you need to move the other guys so that there are minutes and they actually have a chance to develop into something? Ehh...don't get me started.