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QUOTE (Tony @ Jun 22, 2016 -> 02:10 PM) Per KC Gar said he didn't talk to Rose, only agent BJ Armstrong. Said he got Rose's voice mail. I'm told Bulls had trouble reaching Rose all summer Everyone complains about Rose, but it is Butler who last off-season and this off-season had actually taken the time to train and spend time with other players on the Bulls. Rose made a brief appearance with Butler, but it was Butler who organized everything and set things up with Snell and Taj (plus all the time he spent with Dougie). Rose lives in the world of isolation yet it is Butler that is the cancer. You know what, Kobe wasn't always the easiest guy to work with but he put in tons of work and expected it out of everyone else and ultimately he was a good leader. He needed a guy like Derrick Fisher around him who could play the nice guy to his bad guy, but the end of the day, I think Butler has a lot of Kobe in him (not talent wise...please don't let anyone think I'm saying he has that talent...but he does have that attitude and will to just outwork everyone and he tries to push and lead by example with others and that is okay). He also was new to this role so you could presume there would be bumps and whenever you have a "changing" over the guard, you know the older guard is going to be the one who has the most difficult time adjusting (doesn't mean I'm blaming Rose or Noah either...just that it is natural).

QUOTE (JenksIsMyHero @ Jun 22, 2016 -> 01:45 PM) K.C. Johnson ‏@KCJHoop 9m9 minutes ago Bulls knew they had to address Rose-Butler dynamic. They also knew Rose was walking in 17. Hmm, didn't know it was a foregone conclusion that Rose was going to walk after next year. If that was the case, at least Bulls got something for him. Rose is going to want a mega deal and he isn't a very good fit for this team. Maybe he turns back into a star, but I don't believe it was happening in Chicago and I think he's too risky an investment to tie the type of money he will likely get a year from now. The Bulls absolutely had to move Rose.

QUOTE (ZoomSlowik @ Jun 22, 2016 -> 01:14 PM) You're being silly. The Bulls aren't THAT awful unless the next step is moving Butler. Butler alone puts them ahead of a third of the league or more. You seem surprised that the Bulls got crap for a injury-prone net-minus player that's making over 20 mil. Spanish Kirk Hinrich is only here for one year and while Lopez's contract isn't ideal, it's tolerable with the new cap. They would have to sign similar or worse contracts next year anyway to get to the new salary floor after they whiff on the decent FA. It's not really going to set them back. At least now we don't have to worry about them stupidly resigning Rose, and they picked up a semi-competent big and a young PG that should be better outside of the Triangle offense. Good post. PS, I don't buy any of the Butler rumors unless we get totally blown away. I.e., Wiggins plus the pick for Butler + our 1st or Boston gives us this years top pick plus other top picks.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 22, 2016 -> 01:11 PM) Oh and taking on Lopez's contract while trading Butler would also be very confusing to me. Given Lopez would get as much, if not more on the FA market today, I presume that would mean if we wanted to, we could move him. Presume...I'm obviously not a GM so I technically don't know the market. I view this as the team is in a position where it could pivot a multitude of directions. They could make a push at a top player now (to surround with a more solid core plus Butler...would they be favorites if they signed KD, no, but they'd be pretty damn legit contenders) or they could wait a year, where there is a more realistic chance you could actually land another top FA (not saying they'd get them, but more potential options). Again, instant contender, no, but very good team that could possibly contend, certainly. They could also get a blown away offer for Butler, but without that, there is no need. He's a top 15 player in the league signed long-term to a fair deal in what is a star league. We won't win with him as a #1 (at least not based upon his current talent level) but we absolutely could with him as the #2.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jun 22, 2016 -> 12:58 PM) Can't decide who will be the more miserable team to watch next year, the chicago bulls or the brooklyn nets. Yes, because the Nets have a player like Butler. Oh and the Nets literally don't have their 1st round pick in the next two years either (technically next year they'll swap with the Celtics so they'll end up with the Celtics pick). Come on...this is absurd overreaction. I'm not saying we are going to be a championship team, but we aren't talking about being god awful. I realize people have this theory that we should either be a championship favorite or the worse team on the planet trying to stockpile assets, but the reality is there is a fine line there. If we saw that approach, the Heat probably would have been blown up prior to acquiring Lebron, the Mavericks wouldn't have won a title, the Lakers 2nd run would have been blown up (Kobe would have been moved and thus they never would have been in a spot to land Pau to push them over the top after Bynum suddenly emerged as a quality pick) and to be frank Golden State would have been blown up (as Steph had never proven to be awesome). It is okay to be a pretty good team and being in that constant spot where a good pick here (or the right trade opportunity there) and you are a potential contender. You never know about injuries, etc, oh and well it is more entertaining to watch anyway.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jun 22, 2016 -> 12:53 PM) Eh, to me it feels like Butler forced out Noah and Derrick, who both destroyed their bodies for this team. I don't really know how Rose destroyed his body for the team. He did a lot of sitting and was the opposite of a team first player. I don't disagree on Noah, but we don't know all of what happened with Noah and Butler.

By the way, isn't Calderon a free agent after this year anyway, so it isn't like we added some long term deal there. Lopez is the one longer team deal we took on (Grant will be on his rookie deal) and at 4 / 54M and given where the cap is going, I don't actually think his contract will be viewed as horrifically (as it currently stands, so if the Bulls wanted to, they could move him). This deal kind of puts the Bulls in the spot they could make a run this year to sign someone big (and have good role players plus another star in Butler to surround them with) or they could potentially move these pieces to other teams and free up more space for next year if that is the strategic direction they go. I'd argue on the open market this year, Lopez would get at least the 4/ 54M offer he signed last year, if not more.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jun 22, 2016 -> 12:48 PM) Terrible deal. Derrick may not be the warrior that would die on the court his first four years with the team, but those four years were special. He was Chicago's own carrying Jordan's legacy. Also, I'm just gonna go with Jimmy Butler is a f***ing diva. Say what you will about Derrick and his injuries, but he didn't force people off the team like it appears Jimmy Butler is doing with Rose, Noah and Thibs (though he wasn't alone on that one). I don't think Butler has done any of that. I think it is a matter of the guys that were there before Jimmy don't respect Jimmy and are all relying on their historical old guard ways. I still say Thibs is interested in bringing Butler back so I don't think there was near the disconnect believed. Pau and Butler get along great and Butler busts his but. We could use more Butler's and less Rose's as far as I'm concerned. Unfortunate cause Rose was impacted from his injuries (more mentally than physically) and unfortunately it changed who he was. Wish him the best, but now was the time. This roster just didn't work with them both here and honestly, what do we expect. Butler does need to continue to work and hone on his leadership skills though (so he isn't innocent in everything). But Butler has done that with a ton of the younger players on this franchise.

QUOTE (shipps @ Jun 22, 2016 -> 12:43 PM) By the numbers this deal just absolutely sucks from the Bulls standpoint but it sure feels like a load off knowing the Rose era is done. It needed to be done a long time ago. I definitely think it allows them to go forward, but I wonder what their plans are to deal with Lopez and Calderon's contract. I don't know what there market is, but I'm guessing at some point they could potentially move them? I like the idea of Grant given the Bulls supposedly liked him a lot heading into the draft last year. I've said for a while, Bulls needed to move from Rose and find a PG who is a more true PG who can theoritically work with Butler and run whatever system Hoiberg truly wants to run. Rose just was such a shell of his old self and I think this move will be really good for him to get a chance to play without the prior expectations. I didn't like giving up Holliday though and this doesn't mean the Bulls don't totally blow-up and move Butler (as if they got the right deal, they could have a ton of young, cheap assets a year from now, although I think more realistically they plan on trying to get a PG and than signing someone in 2018.

Sad that it happened and I hope he does well in a new spot. I'm curious what Grant can do and clearly Calderon gives us a point guard, but my biggest concern is why we are taking on longer term payroll. This move should have been all about losing Rose. Hopefully we can spin some of the longer term contracts to ensure we are better positioned for 2018.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 22, 2016 -> 10:58 AM) I'm wondering which franchise is paying the most to players who aren't on any MLB roster. The Red Sox have to be up there with Crawford, anyone else? I presume you mean the Dodgers. I think the Dodgers are near the top of the list. Angels are pretty high as well (paying Josh Hamilton, CJ Wilson)...although I guess I'm lumping in DL players vs. not on roster. Angels, between guys on the Dl and retained money (i.e., Josh Hamilton's of the world) are at ~$75M for 2016 alone. Pretty insane. Dodgers are at 109M. Red Sox are at 51M (and that includes guys like Rusney Castillo and Alan Craig who are burried in the minors).

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jun 22, 2016 -> 09:59 AM) There is no point trading just to trade. The NBA is a superstar league, so unless you are trading to somehow acquire potential superstars, there is just no point. If it was the 1 or 2 pick and you are getting Simmons or Ingram, then trading Butler makes sense. Otherwise, what is the rush? You may as well keep your options open to trade him in the future. I guess I just see this draft as pretty risky, so I dont feel a great urge to deal the Bulls most valuable asset. Not for one asset that is a #3 pick and some role players. Makes zero sense. Butler is an all star and a player who has continued to trend upward. He also is signed to an extremely beneficial contract. There is zero reason we should move him unless it truly helps position us to be better. The proposed deals do not make us better longer-term. What we should do is clear Rose and work to find a point guard so that we can ideally see some improvement this year and than leverage the cap space next off-season.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Jun 22, 2016 -> 09:56 AM) They apparently love Kris Dunn. I guess it depends on how much. I don't think they have Brooklyn's #1 next year. Teams can;'t trade #1 picks in successive years Since they have so many picks, I think they are allowed to still make the trade. The celtics have the rights to swap picks with the Nets next year (so essentially they have the Nets pick).

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Jun 22, 2016 -> 09:34 AM) A report came out yesterday that Boston was trying to get Butler and couldn't pull it off. Marcus Smart, Crowder, and #3 and I'd make that deal. I might even do it for Bradley instead of Smart with more 1st rounders added. I'm not trading Butler unless I get the #3 plus the New Jersey unprotected 1st rounder in next years draft. I don't think Boston does it but I don't think we should trade Jimmy unless we get blown away.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 22, 2016 -> 08:33 AM) This is the team I wonder about the Bulls matching up well with. With Noah seemingly leaving town, as well as Gasol, they could stand to get bigger, and the 76ers would love a real star to put around all of these kids. Philly is on the short list of realistic possibilities of where Rose could be traded to (for one of their late 1st round selections or a future selection).

QUOTE (bmags @ Jun 21, 2016 -> 12:07 PM) I would advise not to go on Stubhub yet. In addition to that raffle they'll do, it's underrated how many seats that theatre holds plus the amount of shows. Buying now is playing into hands of people hoping to gouge you. So what you are saying is, you should sell your tickets now and than rebuy again shortly (pays for itself).

QUOTE (shipps @ Jun 21, 2016 -> 10:33 AM) Humblebraggin Last night while at the gym I noticed these two attractive girls probably in their late 20's that kept on looking at me. I am married so I don't much find myself paying attention to girls as much anymore LOL but they kept on doing it. One of the girls smiled and I was like "Oh s***" she thinks I am really looking to check her out. Finally they come over to workout across from me all smiles and as they were about to sit down on one of the machines and one of them was whispering the other "he has a ring" and they got up and almost ran away from me. Weird moment but damn it felt good to know I still got it. LOL I almost wanted to go staright home to brag to my wife but she wouldnt believe me anyway. Sounds a lot like the moment I had this weekend...you just weren't aware that your fly was down. I was walking on father's day at an outdoor mall with my son (my wife and daughter were in another store) and I noticed that 3 straight sets of girls were all looking at me. After the 1st one, I sent a text to my wife to give her a hard time, than all of a sudden a 2nd and 3rd set of girls are giving me the eye as well. At this point I figured something must be up and I look down and my 14 month old is busting moves in the stroller to the music that is playing.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Jun 21, 2016 -> 10:00 AM) What other scenario would you propose? I see everyone always cry about not having star players, but just because we haven't gotten any in recent cycles doesn't just mean you stop trying.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Jun 21, 2016 -> 09:01 AM) Who has the leg up in the Durant sweepstakes? OKC? I would be stunned if Durant does anything other than stay in OKC for another year. Golden State is the only alternative that I see viable. Despite Stephen A Smith's ramblings of Lebron being interested in the Lakers & Heat, I don't see Lebron walking away from the championship team. I do see Lebron signing another one year deal so he can always have continual leverage on Cavs ownership to make moves and pay luxury tax, etc. It is a year from now where the Bulls need to be well positioned with a combination of cap space and talent to make a run at Westbrook and/or Durant (and I think it will be next off-season where we see Anthony Davis make a big push to exit the Pelicans).

QUOTE (DrunkBomber @ Jun 21, 2016 -> 09:25 AM) It has something to do with Live Nation shows or venues. Not sure why but it seems like thats the criteria. Yeah and given that I never bought anything that was LiveNation, I don't quite understand why that is my only option to be redeemed. Lousy lawyers negotiating some half assed settlement where only they get rich. One would thing if I am getting this settlement, because as a consumer I got hosed (due to some violation in laws), that I would be entitled to get back, similar type items. So if I bought sports tickets, I'd be able to get some form of sports tickets back (not saying front row seats or something, but like bleacher type seats or upper deck equivalents).

QUOTE (pittshoganerkoff @ Jun 21, 2016 -> 04:11 AM) Yeah, it's a good show. You don't have to think too hard while watching it, but it's a good story and very entertaining. As far as killing off the hot one, I have a feeling we'll see her again. Yeah...I was thinking the same thing. I think she figured it out and she might have escaped with a parachute (however, I could be wrong and maybe her flying back was her hoping to avoid the explosion). Either way, I liked those first two episodes. Was curious how they were going to create the new conflict but it looks interesting.

QUOTE (CrimsonWeltall @ Jun 21, 2016 -> 08:43 AM) In the limited time I was able to see it, all I found were concerts. Was hoping for Jim Gaffigan tix, but no comedy shows on there at all. Such BS. Ticketmaster sells more things than concerts. How about plays or things like Disney on ice?

QUOTE (CrimsonWeltall @ Jun 20, 2016 -> 11:42 AM) Sansa also didn't know Baelish would actually show up. She sent a request for help; that's no guarantee it will arrive. She should have told Jon about the possibility though. I don't know...she was with Baelish. I kind of had the feeling she knew they were there but since she wasn't part of the war council, etc, she strategically didn't play all her hand at that moment, since Jon wasn't respecting her opinion on Ramsey.

QUOTE (South Sider @ Jun 20, 2016 -> 09:41 AM) If Sansa delays the battle and Ramsay eventually becomes aware of the Vale army, he would instead stay in Winterfell and prepare for a siege. He was probably only so willing to meet in open battle because of his superior numbers. Sansa wanted to tell Jon about the Vale, but for some reason wanted Jon to naturally delay the battle instead of delaying because of the Vale. Perhaps it was because she didn't know if they were really coming, or maybe there really was strategy about it from Sansa's part. I hope we'll find out in the finale. Yeah. I didn't know if Sansa maybe kept it quiet because she thought Jon would overplay his hand based upon emotions (given how smart Ramsay is), so she ultimately knew she needed to in essence, play them both, to ensure Ramsay was truly defeated.

QUOTE (JenksIsMyHero @ Jun 20, 2016 -> 09:24 AM) The review podcast I listen to summed it up perfectly for me: it was too predictable, but being predictable is what made it so damn satisfying. I thought it was awesome. I also had no idea whether there would be some weird twist, Jon dying or Sansa dying. Who the heck knows. Really just loved the episode.