Dick Allen

The next top of the line in his prime free agent the Bulls sign will be the first. If you or they are counting on making cap space in the future to sign these types, you and they are only kidding themselves. Rarely do these types even move. Fraschilla said Mirotic would have been top 4 in this draft and says right now he is a young Turkoglu. McBuckets scored 31 in a summer league game. It's totally downplayed. That is 2 lottery picks in this draft where most of complainers thought the Bulls should tank to get a lottery pick. Yet they complain when they trade their 2 picks to get a lottery pick. Rose is coming back. Gasol put up 20 with 19 boards agains the Defensive Player of the Year last year. Pardon me while I think that more than offsets the loss of DJ Augustin. The Bulls weren't going to get Melo and unless they totally gut their roster, no shot at Love. Be realistic. This team won 48, added 2 lottery picks, a 26 year old former MVP, and a possible HOFer with some gas left in the tank. That's not bad. The Heat isn't going to be the Heat. The Bulls, health provided, have a decent shot at the finals.

You have to give him credit, he still gets teams to sign him even though he hasn't done anything for 6 or 7 years.

Rodriquez released.

QUOTE (Knuckles @ Jul 13, 2014 -> 03:48 AM) $1000 Cubs win a pennant in the next three seasons. Do YOU take this kind of bet or no? Asking for a friend. They haven't won a pennant since 1945. I think you know the answer to your question.

QUOTE (Knuckles @ Jul 12, 2014 -> 05:04 PM) Is Gasol a better defender than Boozer? Or tell me why is older Gasol a better option than Boozer? George Costanza is a better defender than Boozer.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 12, 2014 -> 04:45 PM) For the last years we have been hearing that the conservative moves of the Bulls was because they wanted "flexibility" for major additions in the 2014 offseason. The 2014 plan was touted by KC Johnson. That's fine if you are going to do that. Going into the 2014 offseason Kevin Love and Carmelo Anthony may be available to switch teams. The Bulls made an unserious offer for Love, and then we were told were instead going to focus on Anthony. That's fine if you are going to do that. The Bulls entered the offseason with 2 first round draft picks and a possible amnesty for Carlos Boozer. Rather than try to spin the picks off as assets, they traded both for potential backup SF Doug McDermott, and took on 2 million in the process. They, knowing Anthony would already require a discount to sign at the BUlls, added salary and used their only other assets to draft Doug Mcdermott, unathletic non-secondballhandler. They then courted Anthony without offering any money, because they were so tramautized from trading Kirk Hinrich the first time, and did not bother actually opening any salary room for Anthony. He left Chicago without a max offer. Or any offer actually. He was told to trust Bulls management. They then had plan Bs, which did not involve Kevin Love, whom is now being aggressively targeted by other teams who don't overvalue their assets. Their plan involved a 34 year old powerforward/backupC. I love Gasol, but that was not what was holding bulls back. Meanwhile we'll probably re-sign kirk, call it an offseason. It's fine that they made all these moves to preserve the possibility to get Anthony in 2014, but they aren't just responsible for not getting Anthony. They are responsible for all the other moves they didn't make because they decided that free agency is the way for the bulls to add a superstar. And that they will try to add them not by opening up max space, but by convincing them tehy are a great fit. It sounds convincing, doesn't it? At least they can convince us all that it isn't their fault. It's the players. It does seem they think they can parade a star by their 6 trophies and they think that should be good enough to convince them they want to be a Bull. Nevermind the reason those trophies are there is basically one player who was acquired before anyone parading these plyers through had anything to do with the Bulls.

QUOTE (zenryan @ Jul 12, 2014 -> 04:53 PM) he's going to get paid after the lockout in two seasons. Yeah, he is a Cav the rest of his career. No way he could leave again

Woj is saying Dunleavy won't be in the sign and trade. One thing is for sure, the Bulls are going to lead the league in white guys.

With Tanaka hurt, Abreu is a lock for RoY.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Jul 12, 2014 -> 02:57 PM) Absolutely. To me Melo staying in NY HAS to be about the $$....That too is easy for me to say though as well. All we can do is specualate at this point. People can have their opinions, IMO in 2010 Lebron/Bosh/Wade had already had it planned to play together and cap wise the Bulls couldn't make that happen. This year I think Melo is all about his $$ like we've heard from day 1. That's just my opinion, and opinions are all we have, there are no facts out there. I just hope they end the BS of making moves or refusing to make moves so they have cap space the next time there is a decent free agent class. They have proven that doesn't work.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Jul 12, 2014 -> 02:33 PM) I just don't see what a different GM could have done differently. I'm sure they covered every base in their 12 hour meeting or however long it was..Guess I'm just missing something, or maybe I'm too "close minded". I am sure they covered every base, but they couldn't close the sale. There were several other teams that failed as well, but this is a pattern. So you either have to really re-think putting much hope of signing this type of player, or hire someone who can get it done. If Phil was running the Bulls and Gar/Pax the Knicks, do you think Melo makes the same choice? It is possible, maybe even probable, but i think he would have been a Bull. I know it is easy for me to say that now, and Gar/Pax were probably set up to fail, but fail they did. You don't get paid for effort. You get paid for results.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Jul 12, 2014 -> 02:12 PM) I've watched enough "film" on him to think he'll at least be better than Dunleavy....Obviously calling him a "boss" is a joke, but I see no reason why he can't have a nice long NBA career. If you dont wanna give Melo a pass that's fine, we all are entitled to an opinion. IMO the Bulls did all they could. 12 hour meeting, got Rose/Noah/Taj/Thibs to recruit, supposedly lined up deals to clear money for Melo, put that mans picture all over the UC, took that man out to dinner. Free agency is like college basketball recruiting. You either get it done or you don't. Bruce Weber loses a 5 star to Kansas, you understand, say he did what he can do. If it happens every time, and he always winds up with a 3 star guy, you eventually have to either accept that is how it is going to be or make a change. We will see how this plays out. No excuses. If they bow it in the first couple rounds of the playoffs, IMO Gar/Pax needs to move along. If the Bulls had space for a max contract next summer and Durant was going to be a free agent, is there anyone here that really thinks Gar/Pax gets it done?

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Jul 12, 2014 -> 02:07 PM) I can't believe my eyes right now. Let me get this straight. This is supposedly a great team (the best since Michael) even though Rose has played 10 games in the last three years, have a guy (they still haven't signed) in Mirotic that may or may not be the next Toni Kukoc, an Adam Morrison clone, and a 34-year old Gasol? Only in Chicago is this acceptable. We needed a SCORER. Why? Because WE CAN'T SCORE. 2+2=4. They failed again. #tryhard Again health was mentioned. Rose is a pretty good player when healthy. Fraschilla said if Mirotic was in this draft, he would have been top 4. McDermott was a lottery pick and a guy who the Bulls think was the best shooter in the draft. And Gasol got 17 and 10 last year. He isn't quite a stiff yet. They get another scorer, they who in the east is clearly better then them? Granted they didn't add Beasley or Oden. You know, real talent.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Jul 12, 2014 -> 01:57 PM) The guy who just lost Lebron? Agreed with the 2nd part of the post though. If everyone stays healthy, which is always a key, this is still a team that could make a lot of noise. Riley got LeBron as well. The fact is Melo went to a worse team with a worse future. I laugh at Knicks fans who actually think Phil will have this team ready to compete for a championship in a year. People use the excuse Chicago can't compete with NY or LA . Yet the guy who probably has made the most money playing basketball, and the woman who has made the most money in the entertainment industry the past 25 years or so, MJ and Oprah, did so based in Chicago.

QUOTE (kev211 @ Jul 12, 2014 -> 12:59 PM) This isn't on garpax. How much worse would this be if they gutted the team to offer him the max and he still said no? Melo took the money you can't blame him or the front office. Blame the CBA if you need a scape goat. It isn't, and it is. If Phil or Riley were running the Bulls,, under the same circumstances, I bet they get Melo. It is pretty rare a guy like Melo changes teams in the NBA through free agency, but if the Bulls are going to throw personalities like Krause, and Gar/Pax at these guys, they probably shouldn't even bother. Work on trades and the draft. Unless you have a bigger name inspiring guys when they visit, you wind up with the consolation prize. That said, assuming they stay healthy, this is going to be probably the Best Bulls team since Michael left. If they add another shooter, I see no reason they can't compete for the comference championship.

QUOTE (jasonxctf @ Jul 11, 2014 -> 09:33 AM) And the special recognition appears to be a Hat and T-Shirt to wear around town that says Foul Weather Fan. I don't see why anyone would be offended at the promotion. If it helps entice people to go to foul weathered games fine. I don't however, find a t-shirt and appropriate giveaway here. Stick with the theme and upgrade.

I don't know if it has always been, but Melo's official website thisismelo.com has red and black borders right now.

If Melo left $50 + million on the table, I would totally respect him. I would think he's stupid, but I would respect him.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jul 11, 2014 -> 02:18 PM) Sometimes not buying something is the best plan. I dont have a crystal ball so I cant predict the future, but none of the players outside of Melo really are exciting. I guess maybe see if you can get Peirce on a 1 year deal, but im not sure the chances of that happening. Getting Gasol and paying him for 3-4 years is a huge mistake, and I dont really think Stephenson would be good for the Bulls. But this is different. Buying Boozer, as much as it didn't work out, didn't prevent them from spending in future years. It was money that wasn't going to be available in the future. With Butler due a raise, this team will be cap hostage fairly soon. They don't have 2 or 3 years to spend the money that is available now.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jul 11, 2014 -> 02:06 PM) If there were good options this year, sure. But there arent, so it would make 0 sense to commit money right now and then not wait and see what happens. There are plenty of decent options, but they can't twist in the wind waiting for Melo to say no, and be left holding a bag of money they can't pay to the decent options. If Melo plays the Bulls, and Gasol et al. are off the board, when they get their answer, it's time for Gar/Pax to take a hike, and I have never been a Gar/Pax hater.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jul 11, 2014 -> 02:00 PM) No one is really lining up for Boozer right now. And next year the Bulls could likely make a max fa offer with guys like Aldridge, Love, as UFA and Klay Thompson as RFA. Didn't Aldridge basically say he will be returning to Portland, the reason he didn't sign is because he was waiting for the max for 5 years next year? Love will be traded and probably given an extension by the team that gets him, and Thompson will be subjected to a match. Would the Bulls be able to offer a max next year? I find that unlikeley.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jul 11, 2014 -> 01:48 PM) Actually wouldnt be the worst case scenario, give Rose a year to play and see how this team works, then take another swing before trade deadline or next year. As long as Rose stays healthy, they should be really fun to watch, but getting one more piece could be really special. Whether that is available near the deadline or next year with contracts situations, I do not know. Like when they had to spend the Boozer money in 2010. If they didn't spend it then, they weren't going to be able to the next year, at least not that much. I'm not sure of next year's available money.

My only fear is Melo decides to stay with the Knicks just after all the Bulls other options dry up.

QUOTE (Soxfest @ Jul 11, 2014 -> 01:35 PM) That's better than euthanized. Each term is appropriate for the Booz cruise.

Lin and Asik are going to be taking some very important physicals.