If they wind up with a pick around say, 22 or 23, and a pick around 15 or so, I wonder if they'd be able to package them together and move up in to somewhere in the late lottery.

The only problem is, this year's meant to be a really weak draft, so it may be harder to move up.

 

In fact, you'll probably see quite a few teams selling their 1st rounders for cash at the draft I would have thought because of the current economic conditions.

 

So the Bulls may have an opportunity there as one of the higher revenue teams.

 

I heard a rumor that Washington for example didn't want to use their 1st rounder because of the cap implications (which is just crazy).

The one thing I wanted to see today was Kirk Hinrich traded in a salary dump, and of course that apparently didn't happen. He has value to the team, but that's really unfortunate. The Bulls only realistic hope to become a championship contender soon if get Amar'e or Bosh in the summer of 2010, that's what it should all be about right now, ESPECIALLY considering how bad this years draft class is.

Edited February 19, 200917 yr by whitesoxfan101

"BOYCOTT OVER!!"

 

Steve Harnden (Steve9347) today announced that his boycott of watching Chicago Bulls basketball has come to an end. In a post about a month ago, Harnden said he was done with the Bulls until their General Manager,GM John Paxson, would move some of the group of players he was tired of hearing about; a group that includes Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Joakim Noah, Tyrus Thomas, Andres Nocioni, and Thabo Sefolosha.

 

"In a perfect world, we could have moved a few more," Harnden stated. "However, being rid of both Nocioni and Sefolosha is a huge start for this team."

 

However, the fact that the Bulls very publicly proved that they too are tired of this roster might have been enough.

 

"In the end, it was all about management finally showing that they were ready to move on and put some players around [Derrick] Rose," he continued. "Sure, we didn't get a lot of talent, but what we got I can see working with this team."

 

Harnden's favorite acquisition is 6-6 swingman John Salmons. He brings something new to the team, a guard with height who can shoot and play both sides of the ball. There is no word yet whether Salmons will wear a head band in Chicago as he did in Sacramento. Brad Miller, the other piece coming from the Kings, also wears a headband and boasts the best passing game of any center in the league, something that Harnden feels is critical. Outbound were 1 year rental Drew Gooden as well as the aforementioned Nocioni.

 

"We're going to see more open shots, no question," Harnden exclaimed. "Having two guys on the court at the same time in Rose and Miller who see the court so well should really work to our advantage. The open shots will start falling with regularity and we'll catapult to the 8th spot in the East and a first round sweep at the hands of Boston or Cleveland. Book it!"

 

Harnden understands that the deal involving Larry Hughes might as well not be spoken about, because on the court it will have no effect as none of the incoming players should ever suit up for the Bulls.

 

"Yeah, I hope the Knicks love Larry Hughes' shot selection as much as we did and the fans of the Cavaliers did before us. It MIGHT actually work in the seven-seconds or less offense," Harnden finished. "I bet we see a 20-shot game from Hughes within his first five games of being a Knick!"

 

Just before press-time, Harnden learned of the deal to trade Thabo Sefolosha to the Oklahoma City Hornets in exchange for either the Spurs' or Nuggets' 2009 1st Round Draft Pick, and immediately pissed himself in glee and shouted, "BOYCOTT OVER!"

Edited February 19, 200917 yr by Steve9347

I agree that I'm glad the Bulls did something, but I was hoping they'd move Hinrich (although I think his salary actually goes DOWN as the contract gets later on, which is good.) In all honesty, as long as they have enough money to go after Bosh/Amar'e and offer them max money, I'll be happy. I'd prefer they be able to do that and keep Ben Gordon (as much as he drives me nuts, they need his scoring), but I have no idea if that is possible.

Edited February 19, 200917 yr by whitesoxfan101

I find the NBA as a waste of time. As was pointed out earlier it seems that every player is signed to a terrible contract. Guys are signed for millions to not play??????? It seems the whole league except for a couple of teams are writing off the this and next season to get to some dream free agents in the summer of 2010. The league really confuses me.

 

As Boers and Bernstein were saying, watch that 2nd pick acquired today be used on either Hansbrough or Harangody.

As Boers and Bernstein were saying, watch that 2nd pick acquired today be used on either Hansbrough or Harangody.

 

I'd rather sell the pick then waste it on one of those two.

Better than Thabo.

so right now our depth chart looks like...

 

PG Rose/Hinrich/Hunter

SG Gordon/Roberson

SF Deng/Salmons

PF Thomas/Thomas

C Miller/Noah/Gray

 

so right now our depth chart looks like...

 

PG Rose/Hinrich/Hunter

SG Gordon/Roberson

SF Deng/Salmons

PF Thomas/Thomas

C Miller/Noah/Gray

 

better than it looked 2 days ago.

As Boers and Bernstein were saying, watch that 2nd pick acquired today be used on either Hansbrough or Harangody.

 

I know it's the "in" thing to make fun of Hansbrough's chances, but there's no reason he couldn't do what Udonis Haslem has done in the NBA. Their game, body, athleticism, and shooting ability from 15-18 feet are very similar.

I agree that I'm glad the Bulls did something, but I was hoping they'd move Hinrich (although I think his salary actually goes DOWN as the contract gets later on, which is good.) In all honesty, as long as they have enough money to go after Bosh/Amar'e and offer them max money, I'll be happy. I'd prefer they be able to do that and keep Ben Gordon (as much as he drives me nuts, they need his scoring), but I have no idea if that is possible.

If they keep Gordon, it's almost impossible for them to have 2010 Bosh/Wade cap room, unless Hinrich is turned in to an expiring contract and Gordon can somehow agree to like $9 mil a year or less (in this market...)

better than it looked 2 days ago.

Thing to keep in mind...the Bulls depth chart looks better than it did 2 days ago, and in all respects except extending Gordon, the Bulls' cap status also looks better than it did 2 days ago.

I know it's the "in" thing to make fun of Hansbrough's chances, but there's no reason he couldn't do what Udonis Haslem has done in the NBA. Their game, body, athleticism, and shooting ability from 15-18 feet are very similar.

 

I respect the hell out of Hansbrough, even though I feel like Harangody's surpassed him in ability this season. Hansbrough's becoming automatic with his jumper though.

If they keep Gordon, it's almost impossible for them to have 2010 Bosh/Wade cap room, unless Hinrich is turned in to an expiring contract and Gordon can somehow agree to like $9 mil a year or less (in this market...)

 

That's what I figured, which is why I was so saddened the Hinrich/T'Wolves trade (which would have brought back money that would have all been gone by the summer of 2010 back if I recall correctly) didn't happen.

Edited February 19, 200917 yr by whitesoxfan101

How did Hinrich fall out with Bulls fans. I thought a few years ago Hinrich was considered a good player, then during last year that started to change. I realize Rose is on the team now and he's better than Hinrich and he's younger, but I want to know why the attitude change on Hinrich happened.

How did Hinrich fall out with Bulls fans. I thought a few years ago Hinrich was considered a good player, then during last year that started to change. I realize Rose is on the team now and he's better than Hinrich and he's younger, but I want to know why the attitude change on Hinrich happened.

Mainly, it was his disastrous 2007-2008 season right after he signed a big contract. He went from 06-07 scoring 16.6 a game on 44.8% shooting to scoring 11.5 a game on 41% shooting in similar minutes. He regressed so much over 1 season that even when I thought we had pick #9 last summer, I thought the most obvious position to draft was a PG.

 

Think about this...that team was supposed to compete for the Eastern Conference title last year. It fell apart starting day 1. There were a few obvious candidates of people who were just playing awful, and Hinrich topped that list. That will draw some hostility.

 

He'd still be useful for the right team, where they don't necessarily need scoring but could use solid defense for a full game. Someone like the Lakers, Cavs, Heat, etc. Just not the Bulls.

I'm ecstatic to see Thabo gone. I was kinda iffy on all the trades until I saw the Bulls were able to move him. Solid.

Vinny will still run out the small lineup. Just watch. It's his thing.

It should be. Their best player is best in the open court and pentrating. An up tempo game suits him.

It should be. Their best player is best in the open court and pentrating. An up tempo game suits him.

one thing that I do like is that we can basically play two different styles with out rotations now...miller and thomas will help us in the halfcourt game for sure, and if we want to get out and run with tyrus and noah are still there

Edited February 20, 200917 yr by daa84

I can already smell that pick and roll with Rose and Miller with Brad's ability to hit the 15-17 foot jumper consistantly. Rose will get an automatic 2-3+ assist per game.

I can't believe we got a 1st from the Thunder for Thabo.

 

Now, it'll either be the one from Phoenix through OKC or from Denver through OKC.

 

Obviously, for lottery purposes, I hope it's through Phoenix.

I'll be San Antonios 1st so probably a mid to late 1st rounder. (I believe Pax confirmed it in his press conference) Regardless, it was a really good trade by Pax. I hope now he can age alittle more gracefully (dude looks 2-3 years older than before) and fans/media can stop ripping him.

Gerald Henderson His mid-range game is there now, he can jump out of the building, he plays solid defense, and he can block shots and rebound.

 

Then again, at pick 25 or so, he'll likely be gone.

Edited February 20, 200917 yr by whitesoxbrian

How did Hinrich fall out with Bulls fans. I thought a few years ago Hinrich was considered a good player, then during last year that started to change. I realize Rose is on the team now and he's better than Hinrich and he's younger, but I want to know why the attitude change on Hinrich happened.

 

1. ROSE

2. bad contract

3. regression

 

All pax had to do was make that trade to turn things from a decent yet underwhelming Bulls deadline after missing out on a real impact player (yet again) to a pretty decent one by clearing out cap space and playing time.