SoxFan1

Its pretty amazing how crazy of a roller coaster this past week has been. From "Lebron to Chicago is a done deal" to "Lebron, Bosh and Wade all in Miami" to "Bulls may strike out" to all the multiple/secretive visits. It's safe to say that these free agents have captivated just about all NBA fans, and most certainly all the fans of the Bulls, Nets, Knicks, Heat, Cavs, etc. With all the important visits completed, it's all wait and see. We'll see where these players priorities are. For Lebron, we'll know whether its about winning, about money, or about his home. For Wade, we'll know if its about loyalty to his team or to his family. For Bosh, we know he wants the top dollar, but does he really want to be the man somewhere or will he join Lebron or Wade somewhere. And then you have to sift out the other guys like Amare, Boozer and Lee. It'll be an interesting week. I just hope the Bulls come out on top.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 4, 2010 -> 11:43 PM) ESPN's bottom ticker showing a quote from Wade about how his family is the biggest reason for whatever decision he makes. If I didn't know better, he's going to agree to come to Chicago and that will be the main reason he uses to tell the Heat fans. We could only hope. At this point, I'd be ecstatic with any one of the top 3, and anything on top of that would be awesome. FWIW, I read earlier (sorry, can't remember where) but Wade and Bosh have had dinner together like 3 times this week here in Chicago. Who knows what that means.

So once again, a lot of smoke and no fire today? How did the Bulls meeting with Lebron go? Whats the latest on Wade, Bosh and Boozer???

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Jul 2, 2010 -> 11:35 PM) Are your sources better than Steve's? You know where I work...

Bosh hasn't tweeted since before his meeting with the Bulls. BTW, if you wanna follow me on twitter: http://bit.ly/cknl6q

Boozer > Lee. Lee was a product of a s*** offense that jacked up a trillion shots a game. Rose and Boozer on the pick and rool.

WOW. Back to back saves.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Jul 2, 2010 -> 04:08 PM) WOW!! @IraHeatBeat - Potentially staggering news, Dwyane Wade is poised to meet again tonight with the Bulls, likely in the presence of his agent. Wow.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Jul 2, 2010 -> 04:07 PM) B&B are speculating the Bulls want to have a PF committed before they present to LeBron. Which is the smartest thing to do. "Alright Lebron, here it is, we've got Rose, Boozer and Noah. We've got your max money. We've got the city of Chicago. We've got you being the #1 man for the rest of your life. Sign here please..."

Smartest handball in soccer history???

QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ Jul 2, 2010 -> 03:43 PM) with ray allen, mike miller or reddick along with hedo at the wing, that combination would be disastrous, no physical defenders, no athleticism, and no slashers. who is going to take the defensive load off of Rose? I will say no to Hedo and rather have deng instead, and sign Ray allen or mike miller. Well its definitely not the preferable scenario.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jul 2, 2010 -> 03:04 PM) Oh, I know. But I'm just saying, if no LeBron, then I would definitely take Bosh and Turkoglu. And you have money left our for solid role players, or maybe another shooter like Ray Allen or Mike Miller or JJ Redick.

QUOTE (danman31 @ Jul 2, 2010 -> 11:02 AM) I disagree. I think it's shocking the Dutch came from behind to win in regular time, but I don't think this Brazil team was that good. Offensively, their roster was unimpressive by Brazilian standards. They were just one of the powers to me and not the top team. Ya, people saying this was some sort of immense upset are silly. This is really a World Cup of no clear-cut favorites but right now, you've gotta think Spain or Argentina are.

I'll put this simply: UH OH chrisbosh Just had dinner w @dwadeofficial. Great way to end day 1 of #freeagency although it feels like someone is missing...... http://say.ly/FrP2L8

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 2, 2010 -> 12:47 AM) Awesome. I can't say I'm 100000% sure they talked to Bosh, but there is really no other reason why they'd be there with Bosh and Boozer there as well.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 2, 2010 -> 12:40 AM) Where did you see something on Boshd meeting with the Bulls today? I knowt hey chatted with Bosh on Thursday (right at midnight) and than were scheduled for Friday. KC JOhnson keeps saying no other meeting happened. I did see where Sam Smith said the Bulls might throw out all the stops and offer up for a huge sign and trade with the Raptors which would still leave the Bulls with a good deal of cap room. I'm hoping we find out tomorrow that we've secured Bosh. That would be huge. Interesting that we are going to be meet with Boozer too tomorrow. I know we are evidently going to meet with Amare as well. Paxson and Thibodeau were definitely there, there is no denying that. I think it was more of a "Welcome to the city, we're looking forward to talking to you in great detail tomorrow" type deal. And Paxson was smiling ear to ear afterwards.

Don't know if this was mentioned, but Bosh and Boozer are both at the Trump Tower tonight and both will meet with the Bulls tomorrow. Paxson and Thibodeau had a brief and informal visit with Bosh today and tomorrow will be the 3rd time they have talked since 12:01 yesterday.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Jul 2, 2010 -> 12:02 AM) http://espn.go.com/blog/chicagoblackhawks/...s-cap-motivated That was from today. Well there you go. If it helps us keep Niemi and Hjalmarsson, go for it.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Jul 1, 2010 -> 11:49 PM) Ya, swap out Bickell for Skille. I knew I would forget one of the rookies. I just don't know if there is enough cash to sign someone for 1.5-1.8 like a guy like Asham is going to command. I have heard Hendry may be back, but I just don't think it's worth going down that route. At 27, I think we have figured out he is a career 6th D-man, so I would rather give some time to some young guys, see what they bring to the table. Reasoner still may be traded for a pick or prospect, to save some of the 1.1 he will make this season. It's going to be tight. I don't think they move Reasoner unless they really like Dowell. And I agree with you on Hendry. I'd rather see DP or Connelly or Lalonde paired there. Or just go with the vets in Boynton and Scott. I'm excited about Stalberg and Vishnevskiy. And Morin, Paradis, Olsen, the Hayes brothers and Leddy give us some nice talent to develop.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Jul 1, 2010 -> 11:40 PM) I think the roster is just about set, in terms of new blood coming in. If the season started next week, I think this is how it would shape up. Kopecky-Toews-Kane Brouwer-Sharp-Hossa Beach-Bolland-Stalberg Dowell-Reasoner-Skille Keith-Seabrook Hjalmarsson-Campbell Lalonde-Connelly/Scott Niemi Crawford Obviously not ideal, but the top two lines are strong, as well as the top two D pairings. 2010-2011 will be sort of a transition year, with a lot of the kids getting time. The Toews/Kane bonuses are taking up over 4 million dollars of the cap this year, so that number will open up to make a Seabrook extension a little easier. I see the Hawks falling somewhere in between the 3rd and 5th seed. David Pagnotta thinks we could still go after a gritty forward and a 3rd pairing d-man. Scott may meet the latter criteria and Asham would fit the former. In your preview, I'd probably flip Kopy and Brouwer. He played well on the top line in the regular season and Kopecky/Hossa have good chemistry. And I can't see Skille making it over Bickell. And I wouldn't count out Hendry being brought back yet. Danis-Pepin is an option as well. That 3rd line will be a VERY fun one to watch though.

I was ok with moving Buff. I was ok with moving Steeger. But Ladd....that one will sting. I was really hoping he'd stick around. Vishnevskiy's got some potential though. They Ice Hogs will be a fun team to watch.

Bosh is apparently meeting with Miami right now, per his Twitter.

QUOTE (sircaffey @ Jul 1, 2010 -> 01:58 PM) Deng might actually become attractive. The Clippers might be a good fit soon enough. Hopefully some dumb team overpays Jefferson and Pierce gets a big raise in BOS.

5 years, 81.6 million for Gay.

Gay staying in Memphis for a max deal, per David Aldridge.