ZoomSlowik

QUOTE (chw42 @ Aug 9, 2013 -> 06:20 PM) The new banner is awesome. ^^^

I need to get better at The Last of Us. I'll always execute the first two enemies, f*** something up, then waste all my ammo in the ensuing panic.

Out in my neck of the woods, huh? And none of you mentioned Gene & Jude's yet? I'm disappointed.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jul 30, 2013 -> 05:55 PM) That's not a bad deal for Jennings, considering Teague got 4 and $32 million. Detroit has some of the most talented, yet inefficient players in the NBA in Smith and Jennings now. They just need a coach to hit them over the head constantly to be decent. They're looking at Jennings, Stuckey/Billups, Smith, Monroe, and Drummond as their starting 5. That's not too shabby, but that's also going to put them in NBA hell. Kind of funny to me how long both of those point guards were on the market. They're not exactly top-tier guys, but they're talented. They still have basically no shooting, but they're clearly in better shape with Jennings than Knight.

Biggest story of the off-season...

Yeah, what's your lineup next year if you do that? Rose/Dunleavy/?/Gibson/Aldridge? Meh. Before someone says it, they would have less than $10 million in cap space even without Deng and Boozer because they'd have about $49 million committed to 6 players. I don't see it as a "next step" move unless they can keep Noah.

Man, Portland isn't really trying to move Aldridge apparently. Apparently, they tried to get Love, Griffin, Davis, Horford and Noah-plus for him. That asking price is going to have to come down before an Aldridge trade becomes a realistic possibility.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jul 17, 2013 -> 08:49 AM) On that list of Bulls players drafted if you made one like that for every team, probably the majority of them would look like that. Not really, because most teams will have some combination of low-value picks and bad drafting. A lot of teams would have 2 or 3 useful players and then D-League filler. Here's the Charlotte Bobcats just for comedy purposes. They were new in 2004 and didn't have any picks in 2010, but they had 10 lottery picks, several of them in the top-5. PG- Raymond Felton/Kemba Walker/D.J. Augustin SG- Gerald Henderson/Bernard Robinson SF- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist/Jared Dudley/Adam Morrison PF- Sean May/Cody Zeller/Alexis Anjica C- Emeka Okafor/Bismack Biyombo/Ryan Hollins Now THAT is terrible drafting.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Jul 16, 2013 -> 05:16 PM) They had 8 top ten picks in the draft and like 4 top fives since 2000. And this is what we've got. That's pretty terrible drafting IMO. Other than Tyrus (Aldridge, Gay, Roy before he blew out his knee) and Chandler (Pau, and that was still under Krause), it's not like they've passed on significantly better players with these picks. Drafting isn't anywhere close to one of my major complaints about the Bulls. They can't take James Harden if he's not there when they have a high pick. There aren't a ton of teams that got more of a return on their existing roster. The Spurs (though Duncan and Manu were pre-2000), Thunder (benefit of great draft positions, dumped Harden) and arguably Pacers (later picks). Teams like Cleveland and Golden State have drafted some good players, but also some terrible picks and guys that they moved.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jul 16, 2013 -> 10:44 AM) Time to play GM and win a title. Kevin Durant a member of the Bulls in 2016/2017 - here's how. $21M Rose/$7M Butler/$21M Durant/$5M Mirotic/$10M Noah = $64M = Over the cap but worth it for the rings. You should really consult your "cap guy" before writing that much. It's a lot easier to acquire players when you ignore cap rules. The part I quoted up top is especially an issue. "We're going to win championships" is not a valid salary cap exception. You have to be under $58 million (or whatever the cap is in 2016) with your entire roster in order to add a free agent, your starting 5 isn't even under the cap. Besides, we know that Durant would sign with the Lakers anyways.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 12, 2013 -> 10:50 AM) I didn't say that is what you would trade for Melo? I assume if you were getting Melo, it is because the BUlls have cleared cap space somehow/someway which means Deng is no longer on the squad (and Boozer has been amnestied). Taj might be gone too. Melo would be going into the lineup for Deng. It's not really possible to get Melo via free agency. Melo can make sooooooooo much money, his next contract could start at something like $23 million. Even if they let Deng walk, used the amnesty clause on Boozer, dumped Gibson for nothing and didn't add Mirotic, they still might not be able to fit that contract in under the salary cap. I don't see Melo as the type to take a big paycut to play for a contender either. They'd have a better chance with a sign-and-trade, but they'd still have to get New York to agree to take something like Boozer's expiring deal plus Taj. The Knicks still might not do it because they'd rather have cap space. Also, the Bulls would have to stay under the apron after the deal, otherwise they can't do sign and trades. Melo would certainly be a big upgrade over Deng, but the logistics of getting him wouldn't be in the Bulls' favor. It'd actually be easier to get Lebron, his max salary is lower because of the paycut he took to go to Miami. /pipedream.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 11, 2013 -> 07:10 PM) If the Heat win again next year, wouldn't that lessen the chance of Lebron moving on? He couldn't leave a team going for 4 in a row could he? Probably not, but I'm going to take a lesson from Steve in 2010 and not speak in absolutes.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jul 11, 2013 -> 06:04 PM) Nets ink AK47. 1/3.1 Ouch. That's a bargain and a nice combo forward to spell KG and Pierce and provide a little injury insurance. Brilliant move by him to turn down $10 million this year.

Ha, awesome. Kobe says he'll go for the dollar signs in 2014. So the Lakers are pretty much going to have to waive his Bird rights to get any cap space, otherwise his cap hold is comfortably north of $30 million.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jul 11, 2013 -> 03:29 PM) You're overlooking the obvious. Trade Deng for LeBron and BOOM favorites over the Heat. Duh. Well, I'm assuming things like putting a hit out on Lebron are off the table.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jul 11, 2013 -> 03:15 PM) You guys need to make up your minds. Haven't you and everybody else just about put an asterisk next to the Heat's title because they needed two game 7's to win it? You obviously think they can be beat. Deng for Durant doesn't make the Bulls the favorite? What!!!! Let vegas worried about the favorites and odds and whatever. You're missing the point. Even if you turn off the "fair trade button" like it's a video game, there isn't any one guy you can get that would make them any more than a push with the Heat (though I would happily take my chances with a theoretical Rose/Butler/Durant/Gibson/Noah lineup with Boozer off the bench). When you talk about realistic deals and take guys like Durant off the table, it's really, really hard to find a match that's both possible and will make a major difference on the quality of the team. Kevin Love is about the only option that comes to mind right now, and I don't think the T-Wolves are ready to move him yet.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jul 11, 2013 -> 03:07 PM) What is it with this "favorites" stuff? Who gives a s*** that the Heat would be favored. What are you doing to put yourself in better position to beat the Heat is what's it about. The Bulls, as is, or as they have been under Thibs, cannot beat the Heat. Rose being hurt is irrelevant. Asking Rose to take this cast and beat LeBron/Wade/Bosh is as silly as asking Patrick Ewing to beat Michael/Scottie with John Starks and Charles Smith. We got stars changing teams every 15 minutes. Teams making moves to get better every 15 minutes. And yet the Bulls, who only sport one star, are over the cap and/or just too scared/timid to make a move. This coming year, it's unlikely they win, though Indiana and San Antonio damn near did it. In the future, with Wade piling up miles and injuries, Bosh becoming more of a wuss and Boozer's awful ass off the roster, the odds start going up even with no moves. Plus we don't even know where Lebron is going to be playing after next year...

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jul 11, 2013 -> 02:54 PM) I think there was a 3rd option before they went to the Nets, and that was trading for Garnett and Pierce. They're older and worn down - Garnett has like maybe 2 good years left as a starter and 3-4 overall and Pierce probably has 2-3 - but they could have made that work with Boozer and Deng while still bringing Jason Terry over too. You have a team that spreads the floor, a legit 2nd option in Pierce, a decent 3rd in Garnett, Noah down low, with Butler or Terry playing the 2. Spitballing here with what I remember from the contracts, but comparing what they could have given up, the Bulls basically would have given up Boozer, Deng, one of Butler and Mirotic, some last guy off the bench, and 3 1st rounders. Yes, it's a lot for older players, but that would have put the Bulls as a legitimate contender to win it all this year, and the problem is that, come about 2016 or 2017, you are in some sort of rebuilding mode unless you can strike lightning. I'm not saying that was the best route either - it was a possibility but obviously fell through - but it was an option. I think that's really going to come back to bite Brooklyn in the ass. If they don't win a title this year (which is pretty unlikely unless they find a time machine and play the series in 2006), they're going to star to decay until they're a 35-win team. They're going to have some massive luxury tax bills while doing that and Boston will get at least one high pick out of this after KG, Pierce and Iso Joe are toast. They'll have to depend on salary dumps with no picks to use as sweeteners, that will probably end poorly. Boston should get at least one pretty high pick out of it, and possibly 2 or 3. I'm pretty sure they get their 2016 and 2018 unprotected firsts as well as the right to swap picks in 2017.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jul 11, 2013 -> 02:36 PM) Ha. And if not for 1.7 in 2008 the Bulls would be the Detroit Pistons. They got the gift of gifts and can't do nothing with it. We strike out in FA and then throw $75 million at Boozer. Now they're going to extend Deng, who's 28 but more like 32 when you consider the wear/tear. And then in 2 years you and Balta will be making excuses about how the Bulls can't add X player because we're over the cap. STOP SIGNING THESE ROLEPLAYERS TO RIDICULOUS CONTRACTS. Let somebody else be stupid. The Bulls have done as much or more with their pick than any team that picked #1 since Tim Duncan, and that's with Rose missing an entire year and another playoffs. The only one that's even debateable is Cleveland, and they have a few extra seasons before Rose can potentially leave like Lebron did. If you don't sign "role players", Rose leaves for greener pastures at the end of his contract. I put that in quotes because that's an overly general term. Noah and Deng are a bit more than your generic "role players" and Boozer used to be. You'd rather have flexibility than not, but cap space is no guarantee of anything. You can just as easily end up with Amare Stoudemire, Rudy Gay, Joe Johnson or Carlos Boozer. It's not like anyone goes into free agency planning to sign Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon with their cap space. Lebron can't play for 5 teams.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jul 11, 2013 -> 01:48 PM) Yet there is only one franchise that can say with certainty that they are in a better position to win than Chicago. f***ing wannabes Depends on how you define "with certainty". Considering that the Bulls' status rests almost entirely on Rose's ACL, there is some gray area there. I think he'll be fine given he's been out so long, but I try not to make assumptions with injuries. You can make a strong case that OKC and San Antonio are in a better position. Some would argue Houston and the Clippers too, though I personally need to see them in action with their new guys before I make that claim. Those teams are kinda moot anyways since the Bulls have to go through Miami to get there. Some might argue Indiana, Memphis, Brooklyn or Golden State, I don't see that personally.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jul 11, 2013 -> 02:15 PM) Joseph Slowik, unpaid Chicago Bulls representative since 2007. Good god, it's not like they're the god damn White Sox. You guys make it sound like they're the Atlanta Hawks.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jul 11, 2013 -> 02:08 PM) When was the last time you were IN the United Center? It's like going back in time. Last year. When was the last time you were in MSG, Staples or American Airlines Arena? I honestly can't say I have been, but unless they were built by futuristic space aliens, I kinda doubt they're significantly better.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jul 11, 2013 -> 01:44 PM) Get outta here. The Bulls fanbase has become almost as boring as the front office. 1 conference final in 15 years. Stop with your excuses. Anytime a player comes up "Can he play for Thibs?" "Can he shoot?" "Can he play defense?" - Boston, LA, Miami make s*** happen even when it's not supposed to. Steve already covered that. The Miami Heat are the premier organization in basketball. You think Riley and Mickey whatever his name is are gonna sit around and wait for Wade's knees to give out? I guarantee you they're already planning/scheming. They've got the second best player of all-time and they're not going to waste his talent. The Bulls? Noah is untouchable. Deng is untouchable. We don't want to trade Taj. I've never seen a franchise more obsessed with roleplayers in my life. The Bobcats pick. Nitroli or whatever his name is, can't trade him, he's the next dirk. This is how a wannbe franchise operates. The Lakers were great under Jerry Buss. So far they're a complete clusterf*** under his son. They're basically screwed if they don't hit a homerun in free agency in 2014. LOL at Boston. They're tanking hard this year and in the 19 years between Bird's last Finals appearance and the KG/Allen trades they only won 2 more playoffs series than the Bulls have in the last 3 years. The Miami Heat did the exact same thing the Bulls and a bunch of other teams did with 2010 free agency: clear a bunch of cap space and hope. The only difference is that they actually got them. If Lebron had decided he wanted to stay put or go to New York or god forbid come to the Bulls, the Heat would be in the exact same place the Bulls are. That's not brilliant management, that's good fortune. How can you "guarantee" anything with the Heat? They literally have three assets on that entire team. They can't trade any draft picks until 2019 because of the Steipen rule. Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole aren't getting you s***. Lebron might not even be there in 2015, and they're completely f***ed if that happens.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jul 11, 2013 -> 01:21 PM) Well golly gee. 50-50 to get to the conference finals? Yayyyyy!!! What was I thinking? #strivetobethe90sknicks What the f*** do you expect them to do exactly? There's literally no move they can make that would make them the prohibitive favorite in the East. Even if they could trade Deng for Durant straight up, a lot of people would still pick Miami (keep in mind OKC isn't even the unanimous favorite in the West with Durant, Westbrook and Ibaka. Oh, and they've done nothing to improve this season either and traded f***ing James Harden. mid-90's Sonics!!!1). Adding Monta Ellis or trading two starters for LaMarcus Aldridge isn't going to change that. You seem to want them to make moves just to make moves. This isn't the 2005 team where they couldn't get Kobe, KG or Pau because they didn't want to mess with a 45 win team. The rumored deals you're b****ing about aren't even for top-tier stars like those guys are.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jul 11, 2013 -> 12:09 PM) in one of the most out-dated arenas in the country. They want state of the art facilities and a team with vision. Huh? That makes no sense. Madison Square Garden is almost 30 years older than the UC. The Staples Center is only about 4 years newer. American Airlines Arena (Miami) is only about 5 years newer. It's not like the UC was a dump when it was built either. The only real disadvantage they have that's stadium-related is that it's in a city that NBA players seem to think is in Siberia because of it's notorious winters (or some s***, I don't know).