The old PaxSkiles Bulls were all jib and hustle, defense and fundamentals. They gave 110% every night and racked up more regular season wins than their talent level indicated. But, one the playoffs started, you knew they were not going to do much. This Bulls team seemingly is going to make the playoffs as well, despite no loose ball divin', jib, or defense or seemingly any type. We freelance and chuck now, for the most part. Not a winning formula either. It just goes to show, its the talent that wins. Average talent/inexperience and a jib-o-rama = playoff berth with little to show for it. Same with run n gun, chuck and duck style. At least people are not all up in a lather about this group of Bulls thinking they are something that they are not.
Nothing says grit like a few Nocioni fist pumps after a three. Now, only if we can teach that to Salmons...
I agree that talent wins out, but I don't see much of a plan for the long run, just like I didn't see much of one back when everyone was telling me that playing The Right Way was a philosophy in and of itself. Lots has changed, but mostly I see the same.
Oh, don't get me wrong, there is no plan. Just a different, completely opposite style. And similar results. No long run plan though. Heck... after 6 years of building our best player is some guy we just got in a trade for Andres Nocioni from the worst team in basketball. That's where we're at.
Eh. I'm not so sure your post reflects a lack of a plan, as much it reflects a lack of a star. We have two above average young bigs and a good young point guard. There could possibly be internal development if all them continue to grow -- which is a hell of a big "if." But none of that is going to make you a contender.
Adding another 20 PPG scorer has done wonders. I think Paxson has a plan, and that is to re-sign Gordon, trade Deng or Hinrich, and bring in Chris Bosh/Amare Stoudemire. I think even if we can't get Amare/Bosh, I think this team still needs a defensive anchor. So trading maybe Noah/Deng for Okafor could be a good move. Thomas/Noah both have good defensive aspects, but neither look like they will ever be a defensive anchor.
I hope you are right. I really like the Rose/Gordon/Salmons combo. I hope they resign Gordon and can get rid of one of our two albatrosses, Hinrich or Deng. Jeez... so many bad signings. This Noc for Miller/Salmons trade was the first really good move for Paxson I'd say, except for the trade for the Phoenix pick way back in the day. Of course, if trading for Miller/Salmons means no money for Gordon and we are stuck with crappy 'ol Hinrich/Deng then it changes the calculus.
If you think that was the first really good move, then you've either only been watching for about 2 months, or you have no idea what you're talking about.
Easy there feisty . Kukok has been around forever. He's a talent first guy. And really, this is one of the first trades Paxson has made that netted us more talent than we sent out.
Everything the bulls got for Curry was a win. The only thing he added to his game since then was about 50 pounds. Getting rid of Ben Wallace was a win. Moving Larry Hughes for expirings was a win. I still think Tyrus will prove to be as good as LMA in the long run, but that remains to be seen. So saying getting Miller and Salmons was his first good move, even by talent standards is either ignorant or stupid. Take your pick.
Curry wasn't a good trade for Paxson. Reason being, Paxson stated that he didn't think the Knicks would be as bad as they were ("found money") and that he was trading Curry for health reasons. He was wrong on both counts. In fact, Paxson stated if not for the heart issues, he would have resigned Curry. A lucky turn of events, but not a savvy move for Paxson by any stretch. Larry Hughes for expirings? Wow, yah, that's a great one. One to hang your hat on. Maybe we can land another Ben Wallace. Its funny that you have to bring up Larry Hughes for expirings. Yes, that's how bad its been.
You're the guy who just called it a "really good move." Why downplay it now? Just to disagree? I thought that was my job...
It's worked out to be a good move. Unfortunately, I don't think the Bulls are going to be able to have Isaiah Thomas reinstalled as GM of another team to help us out again. Even worse, we've made precious little out of the opportunity we were given.
Hahahaha so maybe we can bag Kaman for Deng and Noah? I still dont understand why people dont like Hinrich, I can understand Deng (now at least) but not Kirk. And I still dont like Ben
I wouldn't be too excited though. This style has you at under .500, which wouldn't get you shit in the west, but is apparently good enough to get you 7th or 8th in the east. I think the Bulls have some real pieces, and they will be a tough team to beat because of their talent, but that "freelance and chuck" style isn't going to help them much in the playoffs, and they're not going to win many games until they actually figure out an offense.
