Did exactly what we did! Had a 19 point lead on the Magic. Lost by 3!! We need to beat them on Friday
Yes, we should be able to relate to the Heat. They blew a big lead (like we did against the Hawks) and ran into a team that just got plain silly from the arc (like we did earlier this season against the Knicks). Personally, I just hope that the Magic's 3-point shooters arms are tired.
Orlando seems to have adjusted after their early season trade. They're 8-2 in their last 10 games and are 2.5 games behind the Bulls for 3rd seed. Bulls are 7-3 in their last 10, so Orlando gained a game on us over those 10. If this trend continues, they could come close to tying us by the end of the season (23 games left). We can't control what they do, but we can control what we do. It's up to us to win at the same pace they do or better. Why not?
The Bulls won their last matchup with the Magic, but they've treated the Bulls pretty rudely in the last couple years. Coming into the season, they were the team that scared me the most. I'm still concerned. Playing them tough at their place tonight would make me feel better. Make it happen, Bulls.
This team still shoots the 3's. Last night they were 16-29! 55%. If we allow them to shoot 50% or more, we too will lose. Richardson was 6-8.
Here's hoping Richardson is our starting SG next year. I don't think we can afford him though. We likely will have MLE and maybe we can use our $3M in cap space above that.
I watched a fair amount of that game. When the Heat are rolling, I start thinking they will never lose another game. Then BLAM. I think that's what the Magic, Celtics and Heat GMs are hoping for as well. The guy is shooting all of 36% from the field. And he has been under 40% 7 of the last 9 years. But 6 of 8 in one game is nice!
His size, athleticism and his 3 point shooting are a good fit next to Rose. Plus he's an actual scorer/scoring option. I'd add that given our current cap situation, he may be our best option.
lol they're talking about JASON Richardson not Quentin Richardson. J-Rich has a fine FG% for a SG and one of the most underrated 3 pt shooters in the game.
I guess the confusion was due to hoping you could get Jrich for the MLE. That sure as hell ain't happening. We couldn't get Reddick at a starting salary above the MLE.
Oh that's right. I was going to say the Bulls will have the MLE PLUS the amount they are under the cap, but that isn't right, right? I seem to remember you only get the MLE if your team is over the cap. Perhaps there is some way to structure a three-way trade where you could sign a player for the MLE and the amount you are under the cap? Capologists, please xplain.
But I think we are limited to MLE only. We can't use $3m cap space and MLE together or separately. Correct me if I'm wrong...
Yes, you can't combine cap space and the MLE. Essentially, you have to waive the use of the MLE if you are using cap space to sign players. You could use the MLE, make trades to get under the cap and then use cap space but that doesn't help us put together an offer more than the MLE. I really can't see the Magic deciding to S&T us JRich. He is a valuable a player and as good a fit for their team as ours, right? And why would they want to help the Bulls.
JRich is going to be 31 next year. The CBA will be different. He will absolutely be signable by the bulls.
I think this is wishful thinking, at best. What changes do you think will happen that will make this possible? IMHO, if things change drastically, our chances will lessen as we would clearly be capped out and the MLE could disappear. I guess you could wish for the MLE to be retained and and a hard cap just high enough to hurt Orlando and just low enough we could sign jrich and also have Booz, Noah, Deng and Rose at big salaries
I agree on all points. I can't see how the NBA would institute a hard cap and who would agree to it. I wonder how Orlando is going to respond to the fact that they are unable to re-sign Howard or the Bulls to Rose. That's a non-starter. I have to imagine that the owners are actually asking for a lowering of the cap, luxury tax threshold, and smaller LLEs and MLEs. None of those moves are going to help the Bulls acquire Richardson.
