I'm fairly certain, a player like Shaq could be an absolute monster against a team like the Warriors. Problem is, Shaq is one of a kind.

 

Don't worry, soon enough the next guy will come along and the NBA will start chasing that too. This happens every few years in the NBA.

So if at the end of the year, the Bulls wanted to change direction and make a run at Durant, could they do it and if so, who would have to move? I know Noah expires but we obviously have other costs. Can it be done while keeping Rose/Butler on the roster or does Rose have to go? I am more asking for pure curiosity but I imagine if things don't work out this year, the Bulls will get aggressive to move Rose and this would be the right off-season to make a move. Or do the Bulls really not have a play until Rose's contract comes of the books (at which point I presume you hope Westbrook hasn't signed an extension and go that route).

You're lying on okc. The Heat did what they did because LeBron could play the four (allowing the heat to keep an extra shooter on the floor at all times) and he passes better than all but about 4 point guards. The Warriors are different. Their entire roster fits where the game is at today. There's a reason Gasol/Noah are worthless playing together. One traditional big is fine. Two? No good.

 

And yet Gasol/Bynum was what everyone was chasing 5 years ago. If everyone tries to replicate exactly what the warriors are doing they'll end up with the poor man's warriors.

So if at the end of the year, the Bulls wanted to change direction and make a run at Durant, could they do it and if so, who would have to move? I know Noah expires but we obviously have other costs. Can it be done while keeping Rose/Butler on the roster or does Rose have to go? I am more asking for pure curiosity but I imagine if things don't work out this year, the Bulls will get aggressive to move Rose and this would be the right off-season to make a move. Or do the Bulls really not have a play until Rose's contract comes of the books (at which point I presume you hope Westbrook hasn't signed an extension and go that route).

 

Just put this to rest dude. It'll be better for us all.

By the way, I'm still not annoting the Warriors. It is freaking November...you don't win championships in November. The Spurs are adjusting, the Cavs are hurt (but should get healthier), the Clips seem to be ascending, and of course I'm a homer whose always optimistic and the Bulls clearly are still in the early ages of a new system and have played well against the better teams in the league. Oh and Doug Mcdermott is looking like the most improved player in the league.

The Warriors are definitely beatable, the Spurs and Cavs and maybe a healthy OKC team can get them, the Bulls not so much but I love your optimism, Gage.

Edited November 13, 201510 yr by Rowand44

I'm fairly certain, a player like Shaq could be an absolute monster against a team like the Warriors. Problem is, Shaq is one of a kind.

 

Offensively? Yes. Defensively? He'd be an atrocity. He'd get pick and rolled to death and be forced to play defense in space. Shaq was too big for that. Hakeem and D-Rob would have no problems defensively today.

And yet Gasol/Bynum was what everyone was chasing 5 years ago. If everyone tries to replicate exactly what the warriors are doing they'll end up with the poor man's warriors.

 

gmab. the game has changed a lot since 2010. and if you remember those laker teams, their best lineups were with odom at the 4 and gasol at the 5.

The Warriors are definitely beatable, the Spurs and Cavs and maybe a healthy OKC team can get them, the Bulls not so much but I love your optimism, Gage.

It all depends on the team, but I still think we match up well against the top teams in the league. If I look at the Warriors, they are deep, but so are we. We are more physical in the interior and have better interior defense, they are more skilled on the outside and better shooters with the biggest differential being Curry >>>> Rose. That said, the Rose that has played vs. elite point guards has been pretty good and I still think we are going to see the best version of post-injury Rose this year and Butler is a good match-up against Thompson. I certainly wouldn't favor the Bulls but I wouldn't call it the biggest upset in NBA history either (plus, you never know what each teams health will be at that point...I'd hope that the eastern conference team that makes it to the championship game would have really only had one true test...i.e., Cleveland).

Offensively? Yes. Defensively? He'd be an atrocity. He'd get pick and rolled to death and be forced to play defense in space. Shaq was too big for that. Hakeem and D-Rob would have no problems defensively today.

That's fine, pick and roll all you want...Shaq would still be taking the higher percentage shot every single time.

By the way, I'm still not annoting the Warriors. It is freaking November...you don't win championships in November. The Spurs are adjusting, the Cavs are hurt (but should get healthier), the Clips seem to be ascending, and of course I'm a homer whose always optimistic and the Bulls clearly are still in the early ages of a new system and have played well against the better teams in the league. Oh and Doug Mcdermott is looking like the most improved player in the league.

 

Not sure why not. Last year wasn't a fluke. They beat everyone they played. They're a better team this year with Ezeli starting. Cavs, IMO, are worse with Love given his defensive issues.

 

It'll be tougher to get out of the West, for sure. Spurs will eventually get it together. OKC is going to be tough. Though it looks like the Clips and Rockets are/were vastly overrated. Clips still have the same problems as last year, and Houston, I dunno what is going on there.

Not sure why not. Last year wasn't a fluke. They beat everyone they played. They're a better team this year with Ezeli starting. Cavs, IMO, are worse with Love given his defensive issues.

 

It'll be tougher to get out of the West, for sure. Spurs will eventually get it together. OKC is going to be tough. Though it looks like the Clips and Rockets are/were vastly overrated. Clips still have the same problems as last year, and Houston, I dunno what is going on there.

They struggled against a completely run down Cavs team and had the rest of the west collapse from injuries. Yes, they won and yes they are a great team (and were a deserving champ) but the only team's I ever annoted pre-season were basically the Jordan era Bulls and the Shaq / Kobe Lakers (and that was a poor mans domination) and mistakenly the big three of the Heat.

They struggled against a completely run down Cavs team and had the rest of the west collapse from injuries. Yes, they won and yes they are a great team (and were a deserving champ) but the only team's I ever annoted pre-season were basically the Jordan era Bulls and the Shaq / Kobe Lakers (and that was a poor mans domination) and mistakenly the big three of the Heat.

 

Struggled? Not sure how winning 4-2 is a "struggle."

 

Already this year they've beaten western playoffs teams by 20 (Rockets), 14 (Pelicans), Grizz (50!!!), Clips (4), and the Grizz again (16). Yes, it's early. Yes, they could still lose. But there's really no reason to think they've lost anything from last year and they seem to be even BETTER now. The reigning MVP also appears to be better. Not sure how they aren't the favorites. We can all keep saying "Lebron cuz Lebron" but statistically he's likely to get there and lose, not get there and win.

Edited November 13, 201510 yr by Jenksismybitch

Not sure why not. Last year wasn't a fluke. They beat everyone they played. They're a better team this year with Ezeli starting. Cavs, IMO, are worse with Love given his defensive issues.

 

It'll be tougher to get out of the West, for sure. Spurs will eventually get it together. OKC is going to be tough. Though it looks like the Clips and Rockets are/were vastly overrated. Clips still have the same problems as last year, and Houston, I dunno what is going on there.

I don't think OKC is a contender. The good teams are beating you with 7 guys. Durant and Westbrook score 70% of their team's points.

Struggled? Not sure how winning 4-2 is a "struggle."

 

Already this year they've beaten western playoffs teams by 20 (Rockets), 14 (Pelicans), Grizz (50!!!), Clips (4), and the Grizz again (16). Yes, it's early. Yes, they could still lose. But there's really no reason to think they've lost anything from last year and they seem to be even BETTER now. The reigning MVP also appears to be better. Not sure how they aren't the favorites. We can all keep saying "Lebron cuz Lebron" but statistically he's likely to get there and lose, not get there and win.

I never said they weren't the favorites. I just said I'm not going to anoint them champions right now.

Struggled? Not sure how winning 4-2 is a "struggle."

 

Already this year they've beaten western playoffs teams by 20 (Rockets), 14 (Pelicans), Grizz (50!!!), Clips (4), and the Grizz again (16). Yes, it's early. Yes, they could still lose. But there's really no reason to think they've lost anything from last year and they seem to be even BETTER now. The reigning MVP also appears to be better. Not sure how they aren't the favorites. We can all keep saying "Lebron cuz Lebron" but statistically he's likely to get there and lose, not get there and win.

The Rockets lost to everyone by 20 to start the season, the Pelicans suck this year, and the Grizzlies got old in the offseason.

 

I'm not saying I don't think the Warriors are awesome, I'm just pointing out the flaws in that statement.

In regards to Bulls cap space, I answered my own question. Evidently not that much. Noah and any other free agent leaves and you either trade Taj or Pau opts out. That gives you enough to go max (based upon where the cap is supposed to go). All that said, I don't really think Durant would want to come play here but him and Butler on the wing would be fantastic.

In regards to Bulls cap space, I answered my own question. Evidently not that much. Noah and any other free agent leaves and you either trade Taj or Pau opts out. That gives you enough to go max (based upon where the cap is supposed to go). All that said, I don't really think Durant would want to come play here but him and Butler on the wing would be fantastic.

 

I wouldn't waste your time daydreaming about big time free agents coming here.

I wouldn't waste your time daydreaming about big time free agents coming here.

Exactly. Wade, Bosh, LeBron, Howard, Melo... we should be used to it by now

Chuck Garfien ‏@ChuckGarfien 4h4 hours ago

 

Joakim Noah will play tonight.

Chuck Garfien ‏@ChuckGarfien 4h4 hours ago

 

Joakim Noah will play tonight.

Off the bench

Off the bench

Reports are that if Noah does well (health wise), Hoiberg is planning in moving him into the starting lineup in a game or two.

Brooks is quickly becoming my Hinrich. Infuriates me with his ball hog bulls***.

Bulls win. Hate to say it, but Hinrich was very good in Brooks' role.

 

Terrific game from Noah.

Man what's with the rockets? Every time I look they are down 20