What do you believe the Bulls depth chart will look like next season? I see it unfolding something like this… PG- Kirk Hinrich/ Chris Duhon/ Aaron Miles SG- Ben Gordon/ Thabo Sefolosha/ JR Smith SF- Andres Nocioni/ Luol Deng/ Thabo Sefolosha PF- PJ Brown/ Tyrus Thomas/ Andres Nocioni C- Ben Wallace/ Michael Sweetney/ PJ Brown A couple things I can see changing depending how they perform during the season is I can see Tyrus Thomas overtaking Brown for the starting forward spot if he shows his game is more developed than originally thought. However, I do not see this happening until at least post all-star break, barring injury. As far as statistics go here is what I believe, the starting lineup will average next year… Kirk Hinrich- PPG: 15.7, RPG: 3.2 APG: 8.6 Hinrich has already received comparisons to a young Steve Nash. Although, I am not ready to place him in the category with the two time MVP, if he becomes half the player Nash is we will be in good shape. Hinrich is another guy who really raised some eye brows around the NBA with his performance in the playoffs this year. For Bulls fans it was nothing new since we have become accustom to seeing him do the same thing night in and night out for the past couple years, but he certainly gained some credibility among the casual fan. Ben Gordon- PPG: 21.4, RPG 4.1, APG 4.6 I think Gordon is going to have a break out season considering this will be the first time he is the starter going into the season. Last year he started in 47 games, and averaged 17 points a night a significant increase over his rookie season in which he won the sixth man of the year award. There is no reason to believe he will not continue to improve, and become our main offensive option this year. Andres Nocioni- PPG: 14.4, RPG 6.9, APG 2.3 Nocioni had a coming out party in the playoffs this year, but as he said, he will not average 21 and 9 for an entire season. However, he will be a huge piece in our run to bringing a seventh title to Chicago. Andres is probably the most underrated/underappreciated player in the league after going undrafted he has done nothing, but shine in Chicago. I do not know if he will continue to hold the title of being the best defender on our team this season, but being second to a four time defensive player of the year is nothing to be ashamed about. PJ Brown- PPG: 8.7, RPG 9.4, APG 1.8 Brown will fill the role we so sourly lacked last season with the absence of Antonio Davis. He gives us a veteran leader who does not merely provide a voice in the locker room, but a tough inside presence while on the court. He averaged a double double for a long time in the league. Although, I personally do not see him doing it again this year, mainly due to limited playing time I think his presence will be felt on/off the court. Ben Wallace- PPG: 7.4, RPG 12.5, BPG: 2.8 While listening to the Magic play-by-play men babble today during the Bulls/Bobcats summer league game I did learn a bit. In high school, Ben Wallace stood 6’7” inches yet still played shortstop for his high school baseball team. When people asked him why he played the position Wallace would smile laugh, and reply “because they told me I couldn’t” with so many people trying to discredit everything he has accomplished and if he is worth this contract I see Wallace responding with a big season, and his fifth defensive player of the year award (yeah I said it). Some statistics I will predict off the bench… Chris Duhon- PPG: 5.7, RPG 2.3, APG 4.5 I don’t know why, but I believe Duhon’s playing time will be limited this upcoming season. Although, he is our best defender coming off the bench Sefolosha has shown the ability to bring the ball up in summer league so I think he might eat into some of Duhon’s playing time. I also think Skiles is going to let Hinrich play a bit more this season as he begins to grow and gain experience. Luol Deng- PPG: 14.8, RPG 5.3, APG 3.7 Luol Deng took a back seat to Nocioni, Hinrich, and Gordon in this years playoff run. Despite being one of the best Bulls players during the regular season Deng got caught up in the playoff hype. With this being, his first playoff appearance (he was injured last year) I don’t really blame him. I expect him to bounce back with another productive season, and possibly a sixth man of the year award. As long as Nocioni is on the team though I don’t know how many minutes he will get on a consistent bases. Tyrus Thomas- PPG: 10.1, RPG 6.7, APG 2.1 Yes, I know I am extremely optimistic, but hey what can I say. Although, it is just summer league Tyrus has shown me the ability to hit the jumper up to eighteen feet, and he has shown the ability to back his man down in the post. Again I know it is summer league, but I can’t shake the feeling he is going to surprise us just like Luol Deng did. Thabo Sefolosha- PPG: 6.6, RPG 2.4, APG 3.2 I see Thabo as someone who can step into the starting lineup, and produce if needed, but at the position he will be playing his time will be limited. Therefore, so will his production I hope I am wrong though and he sees more playing time. I think I may very well be wrong. My Record Prediction: I believe we will win 55 games this season and obviously if that is the case finish with a record of 55-27. I am extremely optimistic I may be putting my foot in my mouth I see at least an Eastern Conference Finals appearance, and I see us winning the Eastern Conference. Again bias, but hey what can I say. I think we will also be either the number one or two seed in the east. Final Word: I am bias so do not take too much of what I said to heart if you do not like it. I am very optimistic about this upcoming season. Anyway, feel free to post your depth charts, stat predictions, and record prediction in here. Maybe at the end of the season we can bring this back, and whoever came closer with their predictions can brag. Others who are way off (me) can be pointed out and laughed at.
Wow I just realized how deep the Bulls team is. Now I have a feeling they will be a very good team next season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting I-Miss-MJ:</div><div class="quote_post">and no stats for Luol Deng. I don't see Duhon's minutes diminishing though.</div> Did not want to make it too long ha-ha. I edited it with Luol Deng though as soon as I noticed it was missing. The reason I see Duhon?s statistics going down a bit is that last year he started at the beginning of the year, and was able to pad his stats a bit. His numbers kind of went down a bit after he went back to his bench role. I hope I am wrong and considering he is one of the teams tri-captains I might.
Depth Chart PG- Kirk Hinrich/ Chris Duhon/ Aaron Miles SG- Ben Gordon/ Thabo Sefolosha/ JR Smith SF- Andres Nocioni/ Luol Deng/ Thabo Sefolosha PF- PJ Brown/ Tyrus Thomas/ Andres Nocioni/Malik Allen C- Ben Wallace/ Michael Sweetney/ PJ Brown Kirk Hinrich - PPG: 15.5, RPG: 3.5, APG: 8.0 Ben Gordon - PPG: 20, RPG: 3, APG: 4.3 Andres Nocioni - PPG: 14.8, RPG: 7.0, APG: 2.0 P.J. Brown - PPG: 8.5, RPG: 8.0, APG: 1.5 Chris Duhon - PPG: 6.0, RPG: 2.2, APG: 5.0 Ben Wallace - PPG: 7.2, RPG: 12.3, BPG: 2.5 Luol Deng - PPG: 14.3, RPG: 6.5, APG: 1.5 Tyrus Thomas - PPG: 6.5, RPG: 6.7, APG: 2 Thabo Sefolosha - PPG: 6.9, RPG: 3, APG: 3, SPG: 1.5 (His stats basically depend on how much playing time he'll get)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NbaBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">Wow I just realized how deep the Bulls team is. Now I have a feeling they will be a very good team next season.</div>We're actually even deeper than what BKS's depth chart shows. Still missing Smith, Songailia, and Sweetney off the bench from what I can think of. On that note....I'll give the depth chart and stats and bring explanations in later when it's not 1:30am and when I'm a little more than 1/3 awake...essentially running on fumes. Depth Chart: PG: Kirk Hinrich/Chris Duhon/Aaron Miles SG: Ben Gordon/Thabo Sefolosha/JR Smith SF: Luol Deng/Andres Nocioni/Thabo Sefolosha/JR Smith PF: PJ Brown/Tyrus Thomas/Andres Nocioni C: Ben Wallace/Mike Sweetney/PJ Brown Stats: Kirk Hinrich: 17.3ppg/4.2rpg/7.1apg This will be yet another year where Kirk Hinrich improves. The kid really strutted his stuff during the playoffs this year, averaging over 20ppg. While I don't see him getting that much, I can see his PPG average going up again this year along with his assists. He's just gotten better and better each year, and I think, the more experience he gets, he'll just continue to improve. Also, look for higher shooting percentages across the board for him this year as well, cause I think the emergence of Ben Gordon will get him some more open looks as the season progresses. Ben Gordon: 22.6ppg/3.8rpg/3.6apg Time for the breakout year for Ben Gordon. With his first full season as a starter about to come, I think he's finally learned how to play within the offense and pace himself to play longer periods of time. That's going to be key for him. When he became used to starting on the bench and coming in later, he was used to being used as instant offense. He can't do that as a starter, and I think he now understand that. Look for, because of this, his assists to go up, maybe even higher than what I project. I feel his shooting percentages, like Hinrich's, should go up as well. I think now, he knows what a good shot and a bad shot are and knows when he needs to pass, and both of those will help his FG% increase this year, along with his 3PT%. Luol Deng: 14.8ppg/7.4rpg/2.2apg So far, I seem the be the only one thinking Deng starts. Personally, I see him starting over Noc, partly because he did last year, and partly cause I think Skiles might like to use Noc as the energizer off the bench. As for Deng, I see him keeping his steady play up. He's been nothing but consistent so far in his NBA career and I think it'll stay that way. Look for a slight increase across the board in his numbers. PJ Brown: 8.9ppg/9.6rpg/1.0bpg PJ Brown will be the consisnent post guy we missed last year. While he won't be a high scoring piece of the puzzle, he'll be consistent, he'll give us rebounds, and he'll bolster the front court defense along with Wallace. I see him as the Antonio Davis of this team, only his stats across the board will be higher. Beyond that, he, along with Wallace, will fill that mentor role for Tyrus Thomas, which will help the kid tremendously along the way. Ben Wallace: 7.5ppg/12.8rpg/3.1bpg/1.8spg Some people may see his predictions (mainly blocks and boards), and might think I'm crazy. But, I think Ben Wallace is going to have a monster year. Under the tutilage of Skiles, I think Ben Wallace will completely redefine himself this year under a coach that is completely focused on defense. This will bring out the best in Ben Wallace. He's going to be that consistent defensive stopper the Bulls thought they had in Tyson Chandler. He's not going to be a game change on offense, but on defense, he alone makes the Bulls better. He's going to give the Bulls their stopper in the middle and will make people think twice before coming into the paint. He, along with PJ Brown, might just form the best defensive frontcourt in all of basketball and will help Tyrus' defense tremendously. The Bench: Andres Nocioni JR Smith Tyrus Thomas Chris Duhon Thabo Sefolosha Mike Sweetney
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">We're actually even deeper than what BKS's depth chart shows. Still missing Smith, Songailia, and Sweetney off the bench from what I can think of.</div> I got everyone, but Songaila in there since he is a free agent...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Best Kept Secret:</div><div class="quote_post">I got everyone, but Songaila in there since he is a free agent...</div>Does that mean NBA.com is lying to me? I looked at 2006 Player Movement on there and he wasn't listed as a free agent. I thought he opted out...but he wasn't listed on there. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">John Salmons Philadelphia 76ers Restricted free agent Jamal Sampson Sacramento Kings Unrestricted free agent Awvee Storey Washington Wizards </div>Those are the only guys listed under the S section in the Player Movement
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">Does that mean NBA.com is lying to me? I looked at 2006 Player Movement Central there and he wasn't listed as a free agent. I thought he opted out...but he wasn't listed on there.</div> He did opt out there are articles on it. Are you sure player central lists free agents/transactions involving opting out? Hoopshype has him listed as a free agent, and there have already been rumors Washington and Sacramento where showing serious interest in him. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">According to league sources, the Wizards have expressed interest in two free agents: guard DeShawn Stevenson, who played with Orlando last season, and forward Darius Songaila, a restricted free agent who played with Chicago.</div> Source
I don't know why NBA.com wouldn't list him as a FA, just cause he opted out. He's still a FA, regardless of that fact. Beyond that, the only people they list as FAs from the Bulls were Harrington, Pargo, and Pike. I'm not sure exactly why they're not showing it. They show all FAs, unrestricted or restricted. So quite frankly...I'm not sure what's up with NBA.com.
The bulls ahve crazy length now. We can send in the big boys or go small and still be productive. I predict suns Bulls in the finals Lets see how we match up with them during the season.
Just looking over some of the predictions in this thread...not sure if you realized this BKS, but if we kept your averages, we'd be getting nearly 105ppg...and that's without throwing in JR Smith, Sweets, and Allen. I realize that some averages will go up due to injury or something else...but I just thought I'd throw that out there.
I'm not so sure that Gordon can average 20 or more this year, he has improved each year, but is still a little inconsistent. I predict he averages around 18-19 ppg, still up from his average last year. Most of every one elses predictions for the other players on here seem about right to me except for Gordon.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting El Toro:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not so sure that Gordon can average 20 or more this year, he has improved each year, but is still a little inconsistent. I predict he averages around 18-19 ppg, still up from his average last year. Most of every one elses predictions for the other players on here seem about right to me except for Gordon.</div>I think Gordon can do it this year. He's got all the tools to be an offensive force, he just needs the minutes. With him sliding into the starting role all season, he's going to get those necessary minutes. Based on that, I don't think 20-22ppg is all that far fetched for him. Throw in the fact that he had 25 games of 20 points or more, with 20 of those coming after the turn of the new year, around the time he was inserted in the starting lineup. Throw in the fact that he had 7 games that he scored 30 or more. So, while he may be inconsistent, I think he's going to have a lot of great nights to make up for those less than great nights, helping him manage to make 20ppg. And one last thing, he's going to be getting a consistent 30+mpg this year. Last year, that didn't happen til after he was inserted in the starting 5.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting I-Miss-MJ:</div><div class="quote_post">and no stats for Luol Deng. I don't see Duhon's minutes diminishing though.</div> Really? Because I do. Thus far in Summer League, we are seeing Thabo actually run the offense. He has shown great handles and decision making thus far. I think its no coincidence he is being asked to iniate the offense. I think Skiles is planning on use Thabo and Ben together for periods of time. Thabo iniates the offense, Gordon plays SG. And on defense, Thabo has plenty of size to guard opposing 2G's. It will give Kirk some rest from having to constantly guard bigger players. It also allows Kirk to guard PG's when coupled with Thabo. Duhon might get traded, or at the least, his minutes cut.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">Just looking over some of the predictions in this thread...not sure if you realized this BKS, but if we kept your averages, we'd be getting nearly 105ppg...and that's without throwing in JR Smith, Sweets, and Allen. I realize that some averages will go up due to injury or something else...but I just thought I'd throw that out there.</div> All the averages I posted where best case scenarios in my opinion. Obviously, playing time, injuries, and many other factors will affect the numbers these guys average which will in term affect just how good our team is. I do not expect all these guys to average the numbers I posted up necessarily, but best case scenario I see them averaging that. Only exception being Thabo/Duhon they were really the only player I thought about playing time when predicting his stats. Also the guys will not always hit their averages every night.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Best Kept Secret:</div><div class="quote_post">All the averages I posted where best case scenarios in my opinion. Obviously, playing time, injuries, and many other factors will affect the numbers these guys average which will in term affect just how good our team is. I do not expect all these guys to average the numbers I posted up necessarily, but best case scenario I see them averaging that. Only exception being Thabo/Duhon they were really the only player I thought about playing time when predicting his stats. Also the guys will not always hit their averages every night.</div>Fully understand where you're coming from here. This however, is exactly why I didn't look at the bench and try to throw averages out there. And one other thing you have to add in there is how many DNPs (not due to injury or sickness), some of the players get. I'm sure there will be games where Skiles won't feel comfortable bringing in a guy like Tyrus or Thabo, simply because it's such a huge game and neither of them might be quite ready for such a situation.
I'm thinking we will have three or four averaging around 16 points per game. Gordon atleast Hinrich Deng Nocioni they should hopefully be all be around there.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting I-Miss-MJ:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm thinking we will have three or four averaging around 16 points per game. Gordon atleast Hinrich Deng Nocioni </div> Agreed, I think that only this will happen, but we kinda need it coz its not like ben is going to give us much points. Wow looking at these depth charts we definately are one of the deepest, if not the deepest team in the league
