<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It used to be that Kirk Hinrich was ideal for one of those American Express commercials, the "You Don't Know Me" ones of a few years ago. But if the basketball world wasn't familiar with Hinrich as the face of the Bulls franchise, they at least have begun to know him as the point guard of the unbeaten United States National Team that is among the final 16 in the World Championships. The way Bulls general manager John Paxson sees it, the experience can't help but lay more groundwork for Hinrich and the Bulls down the road. "Our hope was that the experience would enhance his reputation as a player and a person," said Paxson, who helped convince Hinrich to reconsider his earlier decision to take a pass on the Team USA tryouts. "Some people who weren't familiar with Kirk before at least are vaguely familiar with them now. That's a positive thing." For decades, the NBA has had the reputation as a league that affords the benefit of the doubt to its star and superstar players. Known for their blue-collar ways, the Bulls are generally considered to be a starless bunch, an image some observers believe hurts the team as much as helps it. Specifically, there are those in the organization who believe Hinrich doesn't receive his due respect on the court, a frequent beef of head coach Scott Skiles the last two seasons.</div> Source
i agree with pax..he will gain his reputation and if team USA will win the championship, the will be a heck of a point guard this season....
