<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Dear Bulls Season Ticket Holder: I hope this letter finds you enjoying the NBA season. Now that we’ve passed the NBA’s All-Star Weekend and trading deadline, I thought it would be a good time to provide you with an update about our team from my vantage point. Around the trading deadline, there was a lot written in the papers and talked about on the radio about our search for a big man to complement Ben Wallace. I never like it when things become public for the simple reason that our players then have to answer questions about being traded which isn’t fair to them. That, however, is the reality we live in today. The bottom line is that I continue to be encouraged by the quality of our young talent, and so after considering several options with my staff, elected not to make any moves at the deadline. We didn’t think that there was a trade which could make us immediately and appreciably better without compromising our future. And the future is very important to us—my goal from day one has been to put a competitive group of players on the floor that you can be proud of, and that represent hard work and dedication to the game of basketball. As I write this we are 32-27 and coming off of two disappointing losses to Detroit and Orlando. During any given season there will be aspects of our team that I am happy with, and other aspects that need definite improvement. I continue to be encouraged by our team’s work ethic and believe we have successfully changed the competitive culture here. That is a standard that I will not deviate from. Two of our young players, Ben Gordon and Luol Deng, are having career years in just their third seasons in the league, and their futures are very bright. Our chemistry is solid and I believe that is extremely important when putting together a roster. The blend of veterans this season with our young nucleus has also been a positive—they communicate well and have displayed a willingness to play together as a unit on both ends of the floor. Things aren’t perfect though, and that is something I recognize and do not shy away from. I understood even before training camp began that we would be a perimeter-oriented team and the lack of a consistent low-post scorer would put a tremendous burden on our outside shooters. That has proven to be true. We will continue to look for that type of player through trade, free agency and the NBA Draft so we can improve in that area. We have not shown the ability to hold leads and close games strongly which has been disappointing, and we have not demonstrated a consistency in taking care of the ball which has also been frustrating. Just those two things have contributed to some of our losses and many times it is the little things that cost you basketball games. The loss of Andres Nocioni has hurt us in the month of February and, unfortunately, he will continue to be sidelined for much of March. As you probably know, he brings a toughness that we miss and his ability to space the floor complements how we play—although injuries are a part of every team, this one has been difficult for us to overcome. </div> http://www.nba.com/bulls/tickets/paxson_letter_070306.html
Hopefully I receive one of those letters in the future. (also one from Angelo and Hendry, haha) 300 level seats range from $2,250 to $,1575...not too bad I guess. Cheaper than Bears season tickets.
I knew Paxson was a future oriented man. I wouldn't expect him to just trade our young talent. It is mostly the wild passing that kicks us in the a$$, poor dribbling even. Nonetheless, Ben Gordon and Loul Deng are both having great seasons, perhaps this is foreshadowing another Bulls dynasty to come. Keep up the work Paxson.
I think its awesome that an owner is writing a letter to the fans, explaining his views on the team. I don't think that I have ever heard of this before.
