Chisoxfn

Coops track record speaks for himself. He is that way with the players and it is why it works so well and he's fully entitled to his opinion of the fans. And from my conversations with Coop, I always appreciated the fact that he was a straight shooter. I also think he's very fan friendly (in the sense that he'll talk to fans a ton during spring training and throw balls to kids, etc).

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 11:37 AM) There is an embassy 2 blocks away. I have passport pictures and have printed out computer typed application. I'm sure it is pretty easy. Is it for vacation or work?

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 11:08 AM) Need to get Visa at Chinese Embassy this week. Anyone been to do the same? Any tips? I just mailed mine and didn't really have any issues. From what I remember (its been a few years), the process was way faster than I expected (part of that might have been they had ramped up their department in anticipation of the world fair...which was when I got my work visa to go there).

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 11:02 AM) After reading that I still say the same thing: you guys are crazy if you really expect the Bulls or ANY sports franchise to compete for TITLES, which is what you two are b****ing about, when your star players gets hurt for basically 4 seasons in a row. You're complaining that the Bulls didn't so SOMETHING when they've done quite a lot. Some of the moves worked out, some of them didn't. You can't expect GM's to be perfect. The behind the scene stuff, fighting with VDN, the way they let Thibs go, etc. has been embarassing. But from a strict basketball perspective, I think they've done a pretty fantastic job making this team a playoff mainstay and an ECF contender on an annual basis given that 20% of their starting 5 can't be counted on to play consistently and hasn't for about 5 years now. I agree with all of this (and really can't argue the points made by the others, but go back to the above from you Jenks). You need to think realistically. I absolutely am sickened by how things went down with Thibbs (and that is probably a knock on both Tom and the Bulls FO for their unwillingness to work together) but from a pure basketball perspetcive, the Bulls front office is one of the best in basketball, imo.

Since Christmas, Derrick Rose is averaging 18.5 PPG on 47.8% shooting and .941 FT%. One issue is his turnovers and assist numbers are trending the opposite direction.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Jan 19, 2016 -> 09:50 AM) Offer him 4 years with mutual 5th year option. $10.5M $20.5M $21.5M $22.5M Option year $23.5M or $5M buyout if player exercises option but club declines. Why would he get less in AAV than Upton? If I were him, I'd expecting just as much. This is a significant reduction from what Upton got. I think for 4 yrs 90-100M you have a shot at getting him.

How good is Pau playing right now. I realize he is expiring, but if the Bulls are going to look to retool, I'd have to think their'd be a contender out there who would give up something pretty solid for Pau.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 18, 2016 -> 02:16 PM) And I am totally bummed about Noah. Obviously I respect Jordan more than anything, but I think Jo is my all time favorite Bull. I love Jo. His loss sucks, but it also creates new opportunity for Taj & Portis. I hope they do well with that and I wish Jo the best in his speedy recovery. I don't know whether his time in Chicago is done or not, in fact, who knows, the injury might mean its more likely he is back in Chicago a year from now. All I know is one thing...I don't know that I was ever so annoyed at a draft pick than when the Bulls took Jo and years later I look back and I think about how I love Jo. I respect how he went about his business on the court and how he was a constant pro (yes he had his issues when he was young, but he was never afraid to learn from his mistakes). Guy always left it all out on the court and off the court he's done a ton of good for the community, etc. Love you Jo!!! After all, my son's middle name is Noah for a reason

Watched the first episode of Man in the HIgh castle (or whatever it is called). Holy hell, first episode has me hooked. So well done how they did it too.

So I'm just catching up to this thread, but given the Upton signing (money & years), does anyone realistically think the Sox are going to offer 20+M for Cespedes and does anyone actually think the market doesn't indicate he'll get that?

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Jan 15, 2016 -> 09:04 AM) Noah, Gasol, Snell, and a pick for Cousins? I don't know if we have the assets to get him. FWIW they do have Belinelli/Gay and other trade chips. Anyway, let me have my fantasy: Rose (34)/Brooks (8)/Moore (5)/Hinrich (1) Butler (36)/Hinrich (8)/Moore (4) McDermott (28)/Mirotic (18)/Butler (2) Gibson (30)/Mirotic (10)/Portis (8) Cousins (36)/Portis (12) Butler (38) Cousins (36) Rose (34) Gibson (30) Mirotic (28) McDermott (28) Portis (20) Hinrich (9) Moore (9) Brooks (8) Not sure why Kings do that (or if it works) unless they just want to dump Cousin and get cap space. I'd presume Niko, Snell, Taj, their pick back would be a starting point (presume they'd want Doug).

I realize a lot of this sentiment is already burried in the Alexei signs thread, but you know what, Alexei deserves his own thank you thread. He has been a very good shortstop and was a stellar signing for this club (averaging just shy of 3 WAR per year over an 8 year career). I always felt he gave it his all and will always appreciate the amazing plays the guy could make defensively. When I think of Alexei, I think of Hawk going "Alexeiii" in excitement after all of the amazing plays the dude made at short. I hope he can extend his career in San Diego and wish him all the best!!!

I can get from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean no problem. Where in the Atlantic I'd end up, who the hell knows, but I could definitely make it there

Butler is a star. Honestly...I'm starting to wonder if the real plan shouldn't be find a way to get another star around Jimmy (move whomever you need to and go all out again for max players).

2-0 vs the Spartans. Nice surprise. I'll take that!!!

I've said it for a while now, but if Mirotic has value, they better capitalize it. He is awful.

Alexei playing elsewhere is one of those things that won't hit me, until it truly happens. I just suspect that once he reaches an agreement with Pads, he's going to call Sox up and see what they'll do. If he is to go elsewhere, I'm very grateful for the 8 years he gave to the Sox and will always cheer for him.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Jan 14, 2016 -> 09:00 AM) I dont see why Cespedes would take a 1-2 year deal with the Mets over a 4 year deal with the Sox. That makes absolutely no sense. Well if Sox are offering like 4 75 and Mets are offering 1 / 25, I could see why. None of us know enough of about what is actually happening. All we can do is speculate.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Jan 14, 2016 -> 08:54 AM) It won't. If he signed a 1 year deal with Mets, they'd just attach the QO next year complicating his market even more. Unless he has a bad year, the draft pick compensation shouldn't really complicate Cespedes market. He is good enough that you don't worry about the pick. It is when you get to those guys who are in the 10-15M annual range where I think people think awful hard about going long-term and losing the pick. A guy like Cespedes, who I presume still commands somewhere around 18-20M per year and I really see no reason why he couldn't get that over 4 to 5 years, shouldn't be impacted by the pick. I am really curious what the real numbers around Cespedes are. If he really isn't getting a LT offer, why not offer a 4 year deal @ 80M with a 2 year opt out. Give him the flexibility that he could go short with the benefit of knowing he has a guaranteed longer term deal.

Badass. Congrats Will!!!

QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 13, 2016 -> 09:16 AM) Jimmy, splitting the double team with two 6'8" guys is not a smart play 5 times in a row when they've stripped you every time. Yeah or the absurd cross court passes. The types of turnovers we have are just awful. On a sidenote, I think Mirotic is the least likeable (to watch) Bulls player I can remember in so long. He just seems like the dumbest player on the planet. I don't know what it is, but I can't stand him. Maybe I'll like him when he starts shooting at a level which warrants the types/volume of shots that he takes.

All I know is cut the turnovers. My lord the Bulls have so many awful turnovers. IF they just minimized their turnovers, they'd have a handful of more wins. But what a terrible week...4 in 5 days (which should never happen in the NBA given the physicality of the sport) and we have the walking wounded after last nights game (and we aren't even that deep into the 4 in 5 days). And Rose was looking pretty good offensively over past couple weeks.

By the way, I like the fact that he's a proven pro, but I'm not going to lie, the fact that he's a Sox fan is nice. When the Sox win, it will be that much sweeter knowing you'll get at least a bit of that emotion from someone who has the same rooting interests calling the game (that said, I'm sure it will be far more tame than Hawk). And I still say, this whole thing is going to be great. Hawk will be more energized and better to listen to, people will stay fresh. I really am excited to here some games (especially after they get that outfielder).

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Jan 13, 2016 -> 06:22 AM) I completely understand them being upset too, but the city did take the Rams away from LA initially. Well their is a lot of history behind that. The Rams were the story franchise until the husband passed away and the corrupt / terrible wife took over. At the same time, they were moving from LA to Anaheim (to try and address blackout limitations as it was nearly impossible to sell out the Coliseum at its 90+K capacity). Rams were in Anaheim and did fine, however, when the league brought the Raiders to LA in the early 80's, it splintered the fan base as the Rams were no longer an LA team when you had a different LA team there. I don't know enough about what the Rams tried to do prior to moving to Anaheim, but they were an extremely popular franchise that was absolutely decimated by their despicable owner. Kroenke eventually entered the picture and I personally am excited for the decision that was made (although I'm not a Rams fan). People around the office were pretty excited today.

Will be interested to see how he does. His voice sounds good, that said, until we all listen to him for a season, it will be hard to know whether I'll like him or not. Clips are strong though.