nitetrain8601

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ May 3, 2009 -> 11:30 PM) I would love for the Bulls to get Tyreke Evans. For a guy who can fall to the middle of the first round of a weak draft, he doesn't have a ton of holes in his offensive game. A combo guard with size would be just what the doctor ordered. Granted him and Rose on the defensive side at the same time would not be pretty. I'd take Maynor over Tyreke. There's a reason why Tyreke had to switch to PG in the season. It's because he needs the ball in his hands at all times. He does not know how to share the ball aka play off the ball at all which is sad since he is 6'6. People state that Ben is a chucker, well this guy's a chucker and he's nowhere as good as a shooter as Ben or even John Salmons for the hell of it. He's also pretty damn lazy defensively. No thanks. His negatives outweigh his positives big time.

QUOTE (ChWRoCk2 @ May 3, 2009 -> 10:13 AM) Idk about that. Plenty of solid guards, Maynor, Meeks, Curry, Mills, Rubio, Harden, Flynn, Lawson, Terrence W. Left some off because I don't think they will amount to much, Teague, Jennings etc.... I'd love to get Terrence Williams or Maynor but we really don't need either. Were probably best off trading the pick and throwing our money towards a Boozer or J ONeal. Boozer would assure us of getting no one in 2010. J O'Neal is pretty trash and we'd have to pay the tax. JR is not going to do that. Maynor is Ben Gordon lite. He's not as good, but they are the same player. Curry is the same thing. Mills is trash. Rubio won't be there when we pick and the knock on him is that he can't shoot and he's pretty damn slow. Harden is better defensively coming out college than Gordon, but doesn't have much range on his jumper and is undersized. Flynn will be an undersized SG or at best, a 8th man combo guard off the bench. Lawson could be a starter on the right team, but he's a PG all the way. Terrance Williams is a prototypical SF. Teague is actually probably better than most of the guys you listed. QUOTE (ChWRoCk2 @ May 3, 2009 -> 10:16 AM) Hes not even worth 10 million a year, thats the thing. All he can do is shoot and dribble. Thats it. I suppose 8 million is reasonable but I really don't want to bring him back and thats not only because of yesterdays piss poor performance from him. But 8 million to a 6th man seems wasteful. 10 million a year sounds right. If you think about it, the Bulls offered him one million less on the overall contract last year. They offered 6 years 59 million according to Comcast Sportsnet. QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 3, 2009 -> 01:16 PM) There are a handful of teams that actually do have the cap space to make some moves this offseason. Detroit and OKC currently have over $10 million that they likely will spend, Memphis could offer a Max deal but they're highly unlikely to do so with anyone, Atlanta could have some cap space but they're going to lose a lot if they hold either Bibby or Marvin Williams, Minnesota has about $7 million, Portland can go $3-$4 million or so, and Toronto has about $7 million but again I think they're not likely to use it. OKC I could see legitimately offering Gordon a good chunk, although that'd be interesting after trading for another SG that they'd like to develop in that Sefalosha kid. Detroit isn't going after Gordon. Atlanta has a fairly good scoring guard in Joe Johnson. Toronto and Minnesota could legitimately make a run at Gordon, but they can't offer him much more than the MLE without moving players. After that, a lot of teams can maybe offer the MLE. And let's not forget, there are still some decent names on the FA market other than Gordon. Iverson, Marion, Boozer, Turkoglu, possibly Marvin Williams, Artest, Odom, Kidd, Rasheed Wallace, Andre Miller, Chris Wilcox, Mike Bibby...it's a crowded veteran market already, and not many teams have more to offer than the MLE. Gordon is almost sure to have to go a sign and trade route if he thinks he's going to get more than the MLE...unless something crazy happens like how the Clippers found their space last year by letting Brand walk. I think Detroit is a threat as they really don't seem to care about 2010 because they expect most of the FA's to resign with their current squad. I see Atlanta as a darkhorse as they won't resign Bibby and Johnson is a big guard who can handle most of the PG duties. The offense runs through him as his coach and their fans stated. And for the Bulls, they are picking 16th and 26. I honestly wouldn't even look to move up in the draft because after Rubio and Blake, there's absolutely nothing there. They're better off trading it for next year's picks.

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ May 3, 2009 -> 10:04 AM) Really? equals championship? So why does he have 0 rings? The Bulls have offered him nice contracts the last 2 summers, he wants superstar money. He's not a superstar. He wanted more money than Deng because he thought he was more of a contributor and at the time thought he was the best player on the team. If you think about it, at both times, he had a good ass case. He also accepted last year's deal towards the end, but Paxson pulled the offer. Both are at equal blame for Ben being a free agent now. Superstar money is around 90 million. He doesn't demand that. He would probably accept somewhere around 10 million a year, but that's just pure guessing right now.

QUOTE (ChWRoCk2 @ May 3, 2009 -> 10:01 AM) I hope your kidding. He is NOT worth that much. Not even 50 according to Ben last year after not accepting the Bulls deal. I hope he walks. Theres plenty of talent in the upcoming offseason that we can live without him. He is such a selfish basketball player, he put up so many stupid shots and wasn't hitting them last night and yet we kept giving him the ball. If hes gonna come off the bench then ok let him come back but he better come cheap. This draft is deep at the guard position that hes replaceable. This draft isn't deep at any position. It's the worst draft class this decade according to many scouts.

QUOTE (MHizzle85 @ May 3, 2009 -> 12:52 AM) From what i've heard IIRC, Bosh wants to come to Chicago & the front office wants Bosh. So i'm assuming that he's on top of the list, I also remember hearing that the front office had NO interest in Wade. The front office actually had serious interest in Wade and I'm sure that still stands as of right now. rumorpress.net Go to the website, that's all I'll suggest. Broke the Salmons and Miller deal back in the summer basically. Guy who created the website also called the Ben Wallace deal almost a month before it happened. I have a tiny bit different sources, but this guy is pretty damn reliable.

QUOTE (SoxFan101 @ May 2, 2009 -> 11:16 PM) Dumping Deng is easier said than done, nobody wants that contract. What should have been done was the Kirk Hinrich salary dump to the T-Wolves, but Paxson didnt get it done. True, but apparently, Paxson thought that he could dump Hinrich in the offseason rather easily. If you think about it, he probably will be able to. Hinrich built his value up this playoff series. As far as Gordon, though his shots weren't falling at the end, he led the team in assists and points and shot with a 56% TS. He did play like he was injured these past three games though. Honestly, I think if this team had an Amare or Bosh along with Rose and Gordon as foundations, we would be set.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ May 1, 2009 -> 11:49 AM) Frost/Nixon or Changeling this weekend? I haven't seen Frost/Nixon yet, but I'll say Changeling is a really good movie. I also thought it was movie of the year last year. The only semi bad thing is that it is kind of long. You keep expecting it to end, but there's always more. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's not a movie you can pop in to pass an hour. QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 1, 2009 -> 11:51 AM) Neither. I'm just blocking off like 8 hours on Saturday night and assuming it's filled by Bulls/Celtics game 7. This is however, the correct answer.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 2, 2009 -> 10:46 AM) Scoop Jackson on tonight's game: Pretty damn good insight.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ May 2, 2009 -> 10:34 AM) I don't know if the question is this black and white (and even if it is, it's not because have space doesn't guarantee you'd get either guy at all), but I'd rather have Chris Bosh or Amar'e Stoudemire long term starting in 2010-2011 than I would Ben Gordon long term starting this fall. Agreed on all points. It really isn't black and white.

QUOTE (knightni @ May 2, 2009 -> 10:23 AM) You're seriously recommending dumping Salmons in order to re-sign Gordon? I've recommended dumping Deng in order to resign Gordon over dumping Hinrich and Salmons. And if you're asking, if I was only to keep only one of 27 year old(When Salmons is going to be a FA) Ben Gordon or 31 year old John Salmons, I'm going to go with Ben Gordon everytime. I would prefer to lose neither, but that's pretty unrealistic unless you are willing to not go after a big name FA or you dump Deng. And again, if Salmons keeps this good play up, he's going to want a big contract, which he should. With Deng and Hinrich around, that still cripples some of your ability to resign a big name FA as Rose would be approaching a new contract, Noah would be too and you have to decide what you want to do with the rest of your squad. All in all, the best thing for this team to do is get rid of Deng IMHO.

QUOTE (BearSox @ May 2, 2009 -> 08:43 AM) However, I think we most had our suspicions about him before the PED reports came out. None of this news has surprised me. I think finding out stuff like this about Pujols would be a hell of a lot more surprising. I agree with everything except the Pujols stuff. The only legit HR hitter that I would be shocked about these days is a guy like Dunn.

QUOTE (SleepyWhiteSox @ May 1, 2009 -> 09:51 PM) lol Eh. Rose drives when he wants to without really thinking about anything else. For example, he may have Kendrick Perkins on him. A guy he could easily blow past, on ISO, and he'll settle for a jumpshot. I've seen it on more than one occasion in this series. Then he'll have a guy like Rondo shading him towards the paint with Perkins ready to cheat. Rose, will do exactly what Rondo wants, so Rondo could go for the steal, if he misses, Perkins is there to make the shot extremely difficult. Salmons did the same thing when he had Pierce at 5 fouls. He stopped driving and settled for long jumpers even though he was driving much earlier on Pierce and Pierce wouldn't guard him.

QUOTE (danman31 @ May 2, 2009 -> 05:09 AM) I didn't say Hughes is as good as Salmons. I just said they both have terrible shot selection and don't pass the ball. Hughes shot 40% this year, Salmons 47%. If you would have read what I said you would have got this instead of blanketing the fact that I compared them. I just said they both have terrible shot selection. Agreed. Salmons does drive more though.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 1, 2009 -> 07:57 PM) Resigning Ben Gordon also kills your 2010 cap space. Well, that's why you have to clear Deng or both Salmons and Hinrich if you want to resign Gordon and still go after a big time FA. I fully expect almost all the FA's that year though, to resign with their teams. QUOTE (MurcieOne @ May 1, 2009 -> 08:32 PM) If it is a myth - which I would say its not - than it expands far further than soxtalk. Every Bulls Beat writer/analyst consistently bemoans his below average defense ability. -- KC Johnson, who is probably Ben's biggest supporter will even tell you he has his deficiencies on defense. That being said... I agree with you Ben Gordon has a special ability -- he can light it up when he gets hot. Ben doesn't even need much space to get off his shot and he is a great FT shooter. However, from my own observations I can't pretend like Ben is doing much on the defensive end. In reality its not fair to expect much from him because he is undersized, but still I think he is below average defensively. I don't read much papers, but I have heard his teammates like Kirk(Bulls Convention Dinner at the UC), Scott Skiles, Del Harris and Bob Ociepka praise his man on man defense as being average to above average now where he isn't a liability anymore. I agree. Ben is not all-world defensively, I'll agree with that. He's not a liability either. Agreed which I think is the biggest difference from him and a guy like Luol Deng or Tyson Chandler who have yet to improve on any other aspect. The guy is a gym rat. As far as Salmons, I have no problems with him. The Larry Hughes shot selection comparisons are actually valid though. Difference is, he will take it to the hole a tiny bit more because he has better dribbles and Hughes' legs are shot. If he makes it though, I'm fine with that. The only problem I have with Salmons is, if he keeps up his production, you're going to have to give him a big contract on the wrong side of 30 which will ruin our capspace for 2010. I have no problems upgrading from Gordon. The only thing is, who is attainable that is a clear upgrade from Gordon and that will be relatively young? From McGraw, I believe it is, he wanted to be paid because he feels he contributed the most to the team and thought he was one of the most, if not the most, important part of this team. He also stated back then, he wanted to be a captain as well. QUOTE (SoxAce @ May 2, 2009 -> 01:06 AM) No nite.. it's your myth that he's actually a good defender. Though I will disagree with some about his passing. It's actually pretty underated. His dribbling sucks though. He's an average to slightly above average defender. His passing decisions are poor more times than anything else. He will try to dribble with two defenders on him at half court, and he'll end up jumping in the air, and having to throw a pass which allows other defenders to cheat and play the passing lanes. When he doesn't do that, he's very solid at passing. The thing is, I've seen him get stuck in a corner or at half court with such problems. His dribbling is okay. He has improved, but needs to improve even more if he ever wants spot minutes at PG. He's good at creating for himself and drawing defenders, but again if he ever wants to take it to that next level, he must improve. I like his quick passes when he has his feet on the ground and guns it inside. His passes are really really crisp.

That's some fkd up allegations. Sad thing is I believe every one of them. He probably had money on the games too with his gambling habit. Honestly, the whole pitch tipping bothers me almost more than the steroids thing. I doubt Barry Bonds even went that far.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ May 1, 2009 -> 05:55 PM) I'll give you Williams and Devendorf, but why Andersen? Because he's tatted up? Because he's actually an athletic white guy? The guy f***ing spikes his hair. Far from wigger. Andersen is almost the definition. I love the guy, but I remember hearing him in an interview with the Hornets a couple of years back. I laughed and instantly loved the guy. Williams is too, but apparently he has a "card". My favorite PG ever as he was the most entertaining. I hope Devendorf breaks a leg though. I just hate the guy.

I just watched Stacy King last night from the last 2 minutes of the 4th and on. While I enjoy Harlan and Collins, I will be listening to Comcast for now on. The crowd sounds way louder. And Stacey had me cracking up! Especially when Brad crossed over Perkins. You guys seriously need to listen to him. Wow was he great.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ May 1, 2009 -> 05:52 PM) Allen > Gordon. Period. Give me a f***ing break people. Ray Allen's career > Ben Gordon's career. In terms of production at this stage, they are very similar. Difference being that Allen plays with Paul Pierce and was playing with KG. At this point in time, Ray Allen is not a better player. He is a worse defender. His assistant coach has a pretty damn good scheme. And that's coming from his #1 fan. QUOTE (MurcieOne @ May 1, 2009 -> 06:31 PM) Ben Gordon can score. That is literally the only thing he does above average (in his case way above average) as a basketball player. everything else is probably below average, passing, defense etc... If we resign him, I won't be completely upset... but Pax should know what he's getting -- a guy who will score, never make an all-star game (which is fine) , and will be a liability on defense. Ben is probably best as a sixth man (won the award his rookie year) but he wants to be a starter. Maybe it makes more sense considering the the system we run... but I really don't like watching the opposing SG completely light us up on the other end. Ben Gordon's offense is pretty damn good. Pretty damn efficient and one of the best shooters in the NBA period. Best part about it, he's not just a shooter, he's a scorer. His passing could use work, but overall, offensively, he's pretty damn great. He's also not a liability on defense. He is now being injured and not being able to fight through screens, but even a few Boston broadcasters were complementing Ben on his man on man defense and how he doesn't give up position. It's a soxtalk myth though, so I don't ever expect it to go away. As far as being a starter, I'm pretty sure every good basketball player wants to be a starter. Have you ever played any sport and said, "Well, gee, I wish I was on the bench." Last, but not least, Gordon has said on record that he doesn't mind starting or coming off the bench as he knows he'll be getting his minutes anyway. So he'll do whatever as long as he could help his team win. Can you give me a quote stating where he publicly said he didn't want to come off the bench, or are these assumptions? Also, I'd love to here how we are going to upgrade the SG position from Ben Gordon. The wrong side of 30 John Salmons who is going to want more money and ruin our cap in 2010 if we choose to keep him beyond that if he plays like he has pre-injury? Or maybe we'll trade for the 34 year old Raja Bell. Or are we pipe dreaming about Kobe again?

I'd say it is. The guys for the most part, who say it isn't, is because there are no superstars. I'm sorry, but we have two superstars in the making in Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo, we have two perrenial all-stars in Pierce and Ray Allen who will both make the hall of fame, we have an underdog team. I rather have this series instead of having the same 2-3 people go back and forth at each other. People complain about playing team basketball, well both teams are doing great jobs at that and every guy on both teams has contributed. Now all of a sudden, for the series to be great, we need to lessen the team ball strategy. Honestly, the only time I've ever been almost as excited for an NBA playoffs is Kings Lakers.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ May 1, 2009 -> 04:13 PM) Well healthy, and even at his advance age, also a better player. *Waits for the torch wielding Ben Gordon mob to tell me why he's better than a future hall of famer*. I won't say better. Ben is equally as good as him though at this point in time. If Gordon ends up having a career like Ray Allen, I'd be super happy. I would take Ben over an older Ray Allen though if that's what you're asking.

QUOTE (shipps @ May 1, 2009 -> 10:18 AM) Who said anything about Skiles? Look we dont owe VDN years of learning on the job. We are closer to really being a force than people think. Get a proven coach in here to give these guys basketball knowledge that has been attained from years of coaching experience instead of Vinny who will be learning as he goes for the next 3-4 years. Disagreed. Salmons isn't young and if he keeps playing like he did before getting injured, we're going to let him go or waste a lot of cap space on him. Deng still sucks until further notice, Tyrus is still Tyrus and Derrick, minus one play is allergic to defense. We are a lot farther away than what people think.

PER through Game 6: Noah - 17.3 Kirk - 16.1 BG - 15.2 Salmons - 14.1 Derrick - 14.0 Tyrus - 13.0 Miller - 12.3

BTW, VDN will be retained. He's a rookie coach, making very little money, has been developing Tyrus, Noah and Rose, and still made the playoffs despite injuries galore. There are some things VDN needs to work at, but he's made progress. If Skiles was our coach, we'd be playing better defense, but Rose would be sitting completely, Noah would be sitting, and Lindsey Hunter would be in our starting lineup.

QUOTE (rangercal @ May 1, 2009 -> 09:31 AM) To the couple people who compare John Salmons and Larry Hughes... Stop it. To anyone who STILL has any unwarrented hate for Joakim Noah..... Stop it. btw.. if at all possible, I would LOVE to see pax attempt to unload Deng before any attempt to unload kirk. Kirk is definitely a difference maker when the going get's tough. Agreed. Kirk is the perfect combo guard off the bench. Deng is a piece of crap who's afraid and injury prone. One thing I'd lie to say, the Bulls aren't that bad of a defensive team. They're actually pretty decent. What they are terrible at is rebounding. They are godawful. Like worse in the league. If it wasn't for all those second chance points they allow, guys like Big Baby and Kendrick Perkins would look like their normal average selves. Salmons is pretty Hughes like when his shot isn't hitting. Thing is, he hits more times than not when he's healthy.

Ben had a terrible game last night. He didn't have the legs to fight through screens, he was getting called for touch falls similar to Ray Allen in Game 5. Bulls are going to need all their bullets in the chamber for Game 7 though, and that includes Ben.