Chisoxfn

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Feb 12, 2016 -> 01:13 PM) They don't care what the market is. They want to play different people at RB. They are moving on. Smear teams don't pay $$ to 30 year old RBs I think this is part of it, but they also want Forte to know he is free to do what they want and they want to manage the media perception, by letting everyone know up front what the plan is and giving Forte a good send off in the process and essentially wishing him all the best. It is essentially them trying to be the exact opposite of the Urlacher fiasco.

QUOTE (bmags @ Feb 12, 2016 -> 01:33 PM) I wish I remembered. They did a once a week podcast and were genuinely hilarious. When we acquired Manny it was pretty must-listen. Only issue is SoxNRoll was not around the dates you mentioned. I want to say those were pre world series.

QUOTE (bmags @ Feb 12, 2016 -> 01:21 PM) Can anyone help me remember the sox podcast around 2009-10-11 that was two younger dudes, lots of swearing, and in 2010 they had an excellent run of podcasts trying to end our losing start with different hexes? Obscure, and I don't know what else to search. Only podcasts I know of were SoxnRoll, which your description fits the bill and than Soxtalk had a podcast with Mario & I and than there was a seperate podcast, with Mario & Shipps (not necessarily White Sox related but part of astupid radio).

It started with a site called SoxNet (back in 2000 or 2001...definitely before 9/11 because I remember closing the forums on 9/11 and instead we had a link to the red cross). Originally forums were on various softwares and at one point the name Soxtalk didn't exist, rather, the place was SoxNet's forums. SoxNet was a news site well before blogs every existed and than the forum was the interactive discussion / comment side. Mario Scalise was the original creator of SoxNet and I was the 2nd in command (with Murcie eventually becoming the 3rd in command) and dealt with more the marketing side and the forums. Initially forum leveraged software from another site (a formal rival & insiders set that went independent and we stayed with them as it provided us with infrastructure that we didn't have). However, there were server issues, etc., that we couldn't control so eventually we took things off from there and I purchased Soxtalk.com and created our own independent forum, etc. SoxNet would eventually join the insiders for a period of time and than close due to various disagreements we had with them and at that point Soxtalk would remain (FutureSox had also been launched in this span). The initial Soxtalk was a small sub-set that grew from people who ventured here from web searches, official whitesox.com board, espn forums, and WSI. SoxnRoll was referenced, but that was a rogue radio network (RedPinStripes, CupKilla, and others) which had an affiliation with Soxtalk (independent but marketed within) and that also helped push more people to Soxtalk (from other platforms). Two items that always differentiated Soxtalk was the fact that it was affiliated with unique content, whether it was SoxNet in the early years or FutureSox, and it also differed in the stance that I have a much different mentality when it comes to running forums than they do (and this is not me knocking WSI, this is just me stating I have a different vision then them). I would lie if I told people I didn't compete with and didn't have a desire to be bigger than WSI, because I did, and WSI laughed and scoffed at the notion (and while I can take some solace in where the forum stands today, I also refuse to rest on that notion). I'll also caveat that as Soxtalk became what it was, it has been so long since I ever even concerned myself with WSI or any other Sox forum (because quite frankly, I don't care about anywhere else), but than other sites did occasionally try to spin-off from Soxtalk, whether it was southsiders.net (not sure what happened to it) or even southsidesox (where the Cheat was once a mod/admin here who eventually went on his own separate path building a fantastic blog that he eventually left for whatever reason). I honestly don't know what it would take to grow this place or create something from start today (as there are so many various channels to do this and a lot more competition, I feel like when this place started, we were still pretty cutting edge and that helped). It always amazes me the staying power and I'm always proud of the type of community and open style that exists here (as well as the comrodory between members and overall loyalty). I could tell you all about plenty of members on here as others can and that says a lot. At the same time, we still have tons of new members who become consistent and great contributors and that is huge too (because you always need knew members to keep things fresh). I also could tell you when I created this site, I would have never in my wildest dreams imagined it growing to the extent that it has. Whether it was threads getting featured in sports publications, receiving various sets of credentials, meeting great people, etc. I can remember how amazed I was when we got 100 visitors in a day and now I think of the fact that over the course of a month, we get over 15 million hits.

Anyone see Teddy Greenstein's piece in the trib? Anyone want to bet that Gar or someone close pushed this piece for the Trib to try and stop the bleeding from the media (who is all up in arms with where the Bulls are) . http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baske...212-column.html Some of Teddy's points are valid and clearly the roster with Taj out was awful, but still. Lets not forget that the 2014 team, had Noah (who was playing studly, but by this point on one knee and getting ready to have a pretty serious off-season surgery) with Hinrich and DJ Augustin getting the bulk of the minutes at the starting spot. That Wizards team was athletic and on the climb and there were some tight games in between. I'd argue the Bulls lost to the better team and I was so amazed that the 2014 team was able to get seeded where it was (given the talent it had or rather, didn't have). To me, it is more evidence that coaching can help a ton with seeding in the regular season, but in best of 7 series, coaching, while still key (due to in-game adjustments) can't out-battle talent differentials like the one between the Wizards and Bulls. Reality was, Bulls couldn't really elevate there game any more and they ultimately had zero scorers on that team at all (I suppose Boozer was the closet thing to a scorer on that squad and he clearly was on his last legs as evidenced by fact he played one more year with Lakers before dissapearing). Did Boozer retire or just decide he didn't want to be a role player (as I'd still think he could easily come off of plenty of teams benches, including, at this point, the Bulls bench).

QUOTE (MEANS @ Feb 12, 2016 -> 08:01 AM) A little late but last week the Toronto Maple Leafs unveiled their new logo and I designed it. It was a very crazy and surreal week to say the least. Probably my biggest accomplishment as a designer although the two locker room graphics for the last 2 Blackhawks Stanley Cup wins come pretty close too. That is badass.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Feb 12, 2016 -> 05:24 AM) One of my good friends lost his battle with cancer last night. He was 34. I really really hate that disease. I'll vote for the first candidate that wants to carpet bomb cancer. Terrible. So young. My condolences to you and his family.

QUOTE (farmteam @ Feb 11, 2016 -> 09:14 PM) Big win for the Hoosiers. Three-way tie for first. All three teams control their destiny. Crushed me. You guys couldn't miss in that first half. Good win.

I will always root for Forte. I realize the move makes sense, but still makes me sad.

Would certainly seem to me that Fowler is next on their radar.

You know...if the Sox add Desmond, this would be more turnover than I can remember in our lineup in a long time. If they somehow get Desmond and another outfielder, wow. Makes me excited.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Feb 11, 2016 -> 02:54 PM) My first job on a major film set was secured today, I will be working with the Chicago team on Transformers 5. It seems like my hard work is beginning to pay off. That is awesome. Congrats!

I am the polar opposite of a lot of you and think Guerrero is the perfect candidate for a team to acquire (with upside). However, given where the Sox are, I do agree with most of you that he isn't a fit. When everyone says he can't field, it is because he's been completely dicked around by the entire Dodgers organization. And in terms of his bat, it plays and could be quite good, he just never got the playing time necessary. Guy has never had a shot to develop. My presumption is anyone who trades for him will do so working on some form of a new deal with him, but he is most valuable going to a team who isn't going to be great and can actually give him a chance to develop. The guy raked in his one season in the minors (until he got his ear bit off by Miguel Olivo). And when he got regular playing time with dodgers, he had a nice run. Great buy low candidate in my opinion (if we weren't already loaded in the areas he can play).

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 11, 2016 -> 11:01 AM) For the Bulls to be a championship team in the next 4 or 5 years, they are either going to have to miss the playoffs and get unbelievably lucky in the lottery, or sign a free agent star. You would think signing the free agent star would be easier, but I don't know. I just think you decrease your odds of signing a star when Gar walks into the room, considering with the cap, the money is all the same. I agree on all counts. Getting a star is the key (in short-term) and to me that is much easier to do via FA than draft (given where Bulls stand). I wonder if Bulls can swing a deal with Sixers for Nerlens. There are young players out there who might be on the block.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Feb 11, 2016 -> 10:58 AM) I love Jo, but he's not a complete player, and it absolutely kills this team. It's 4 on 5 with him out there, even when healthy. They need to look elsewhere. Same with Pau. The rumors about resigning him for 20 million is absurd. Find the next superstar to pair with Butler. Hope Portis develops into a Taj-like contributor. Hope McDermott can hit open shots. Hope Mirotic plays with a brain. And then draft well. I figure that rumor from windhorst had to be the Bulls trying to gain leverage for a potential Pau trade.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Feb 11, 2016 -> 10:49 AM) Pssh, f*** no. He just sat out a game for being "sore." You know, of all people, I just live with it from him. As long as he plays aggressive when he's in. Right now, he's on pace for I think 70 games (*knock on wood*). Given where he's coming from, that is a good thing. And I still stick to my theory that post ASB Rose will be the best Rose anyone has seen post surgery. I'm curious if Butler being out will spark it or not. Reality is, only way Bulls don't keep losing is if Rose really puts this team on the back (something he has not really had to done since he went out with his initial injury). Does anyone think all these struggles make it more likely that the Bulls resign Noah (the true leader). Noah should be far more of a value too, given the fact that he's coming off injury.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Feb 11, 2016 -> 10:47 AM) I'm dubious about Rose and Thibs' relationship. A couple of weeks ago Rose said he hadn't spoken to Thibs since he was let go. What's that tell you? I think Taj is the only guy that was vocal about liking Thibs. Even Jimmy to a certain extent seemed to tire of him. Noah definitely. And Pau was probably never a fan based on style of play. IIRC, Butler was talking to Thibs in the off-season. So I don't buy it. I also have heard from people that Pau was pretty much the one primary player who was anti-Thibs (but not like he hated him, just wasn't 100% on board with everything Thibs did). I know Rose made those comments, but I think that is just more how Rose is. Too many times have we heard interviews of Rose and his loyalty and essentially he'll always back whomever he is with and as a result, I think it has more to do with Rose not wanting to stir the pot, etc, than anything else. I've never ever heard about an issue between Rose and Thibs. Rose & Gar, yes, but not Rose & Thibs.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan99 @ Feb 11, 2016 -> 10:46 AM) The funny thing is Pau played better under Thibs last year than he did his last few years in LA (some of that was actually being healthy) and he hasn't played any better this year under Hoidberg than he did last year. Yeah. When I say didn't like, I think pau had issues with Thibs style, but he also benefited from it. I think Butler would take over this team, but you do have the issue with Rose being there. If Rose was gone, I kind of think Jimmy could be that true leader, but with Rose here, it is that uncomfortable...if Jimmy says something Rose still has some of that persona from his past. Makes it awkward. I'm interested to see how Rose does with Jimmy out though (do we see more progress with him and do we see more of that "alpha" come out?

QUOTE (whitesoxfan99 @ Feb 11, 2016 -> 10:43 AM) Also, while injuries definitely are impacting this team, the fact is even when their record was good this team was basically playing like a .500 basketball team in terms of their efficiency margins. Their best month of they year in terms of win-loss record was November and they actually got outscored by their opponents that month. They won a lot of close games (7 of their 8 wins were by 6 points or less) and only one of their losses was a game they had a chance to win so they were never as good as their record indicated. This has been a mediocre at best team from day 1 this year and now that they are having injuries they have gone from mediocre to downright bad. The problem I have, is while they might have played mediocre, the roster, at the start of the season was far better than mediocre. The combination of poor fit and poor coaching have just made things worse (to go along with injuries). Nothing I've seen from Fred makes me think he's a good coach, but I'll also admit he's in a tough spot. But when it comes to Gar, he made his bed when he came out strongly and talked about how Fred was the guy who was going to maximize the talent, etc, and this team has done nothing but got worse and I don't see how JR ignores it. I don't think Gar is someone JR will "protect". Pax, absolutely. I think it is unlikely Pax gets fired. An interesting alternative is whether Hoiberg would move into the front office (vs. coach). I.e., do the Bulls fire Gar, have Pax take on greater reigns, and have Hoiberg become GM?

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 11, 2016 -> 10:37 AM) Games missed last season, 50 wins. Pau 4 Butler 17 Noah 15 Dunleavy 19 Gibson 20 Hinrich 16 Rose 31 McDermott 46 Snell 10 If they tuned out Thibs, they haven't tuned in anyone this year. If it was time for Thibs, it's time for the Mayor and his boy Gar. Gar really needs to go. He forced out Ron Adams, now with a ring at GS. Wouldn't let Thibs hire the strength guy from Houston, now with SA. I read when Thibs was hired, it was a JR pick. Pax wanted Collins, Gar wanted Mike Brown or Lawrence Frank. It wasn't time to change the coach. It was time to change the players. The team isn't good enough. There isn't a coach in the world that would make this team healthy and championship caliber. Yeah - I remember when I say who Gar's coaching picks were and I was like, it all makes sense. He wanted to the coaches who were push overs and controllable. I wouldn't have had an issue with Pax's choice in Collins and well I was glad JR won out. And I agree, this team has battled injuries forever (and given the injury track record you should expect it) and it wasn't until early March last year when they hit 25 losses.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Feb 11, 2016 -> 10:31 AM) They clearly stopped last year. At least, parts of the team. Gasol never bought in to the way Thibs did things. I doubt Mirotic or McDermott did either. Guys didn't exactly clamor for him to stay. What benefit was there to clammor for him to stay? Jimmy has made it clear he was a believer. Rose and Thibs were always close and I don't recall Taj or Noah being happy. I don't know that Mirotic would know any better and while Doug might have been upset he was hurt so it is a moot point (and Thibs supported Doug's drafting). Pau is the one outlier who did not like Thibs (and it isn't a shock since Pau is pretty low key and largely used to being coached by Phil who was very low key in the grand scheme of things).

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 11, 2016 -> 10:28 AM) This is absolutely true. If you think about it what you think other teams around the NBA would look like if you removed their best player, plus a couple of other starters, and key reserves? I can also agree with the second part as this team, even when it was close to healthy, had way too many nights where it didn't show up. Look, I am of the opinion that the bridge to Thibs was done. It was burnt down and over. I get why the coaching move was made. But nothing about Fred Hoiberg has impressed me, even with the obvious injury caveats included. Agree with everything you say. I think it is unfortunate that the bridge to Thibs was done though, because I feel Gar completely sabotaged him (and obviously by last postseason, Thibs had finally had enough and was going to start leaking stuff). On a sidenote, Taj might be out. Sounds like he's pretty beat up, but given how and what he plays through (same with Jimmy), I always wonder how the guys deal with Rose.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Feb 11, 2016 -> 10:06 AM) I mean, that's just revisionist history. The team stopped listening to Thibs that last year. They were tired of him. I loved Thibs and what he did, but it was time for a change. I love how Haugh and others keep saying "we need change just for change!" while at the same time claiming change for change with Thibs was a terrible decision. Which is it? Gar wanted us to believe they stopped listening to Thibs last year, but I don't believe that for a second. As far as I can tell, they haven't ever even started listening to Fred. By the way, I do agree, that injuries have played a pretty critical role in this losing streak. Wilbon was on about a day ago saying the roster isn't near as bad as the record and other teams feel Bulls roster is talented. But he went on to say we have major leadership issues (and ultimately I also think we have major coaching issues to go along with the injuries). Butler MJD Mirotic Noah Plus: Some games missed by Rose, Pau, Hinrich, Aaron Brooks.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 11, 2016 -> 09:55 AM) Google Bulls will continue free fall, and get behind the paywall for Haughs column today. Sometimes I think he's a dufus, but I think he nailed it today. Yep. That was a great article. Just finished reading it.

A Bulls team once known for defense gave up at least 100 points to an opponent for the seventh straight game Wednesday. Makes me f***ing sad. This was a team that as a fan you could be so proud of (even when they weren't winning, they were doing everything right). How fast the bandaid is getting ripped. This is just painful and downright embarassing. Gar has to go. The Bulls have to make a statement.