You'd think so but he really started to step his game up around March.http://www.nba.com/playerfile/andres_nocio...game_stats.html
Since when was a 6-9 guy in the NBA big? He's way past his prime, nice addition to the Bulls but not the piece that will win them a finals this year.
I love this mood, we havent had an oakley-like player here since i was 3 years old. I think we are light contenders, and a lock for 50 wins.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SternSucksRooster @ Jul 3 2006, 11:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Since when was a 6-9 guy in the NBA big? He's way past his prime, nice addition to the Bulls but not the piece that will win them a finals this year.</div>Were you expecting them to win the Finals this year?
Let's not kid ourselves, Miami is still the #1 team until proven otherwise. They'll most likely only lose Payton, and he didn't even do much. The way I see it the East stack up like this:1. Miami2. Cleveland - They'll win their division next year because the Pistons got worse and the Bulls are still very young. 3. Nets - They'll win the putrid Atlantic...unless the Celts trade for AI.4. Chicago - They're loaded, but need a little bit more time and experience to develop into a contender. No NBA championship team just came out of nowhere. They need to take gradual steps. Look for them in the 07-08 Finals. 5. Detroit - Without Wallace they'll really be hurting. They didn;t seem to be meshing well in the playoffs, and now they lost their best defender and team leader. That isn't easily replaced.6. Indiana - Barring another meltdown, this team might be able to fulfill it's potential. They could be better if Bird makes a big off-season move.7. Orlando - This team was on a tear at the end of last year. Look for them to carry that momentum all the way into the playoffs. 8. Washington - Everyone else got better, but they've stayed the same.
I think the Bulls will definetly contend in the East. They may even reach the Finals even though I still have the Heat at #1. But still, I don't think the Heat will be as good next year and the Bulls have certainly improved. I just have to wait to see the rest of the moves to make good predictions.
At least they didn't pay him that $126 million rumoured. They obviously had to cough up a good amount of money, but I like the signing. They fixed their beiggest whole. They may not be contenders this year, but by next season the latest they should be in the thick of things and will be for sometime.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Living_Legend33 @ Jul 3 2006, 10:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Let's not kid ourselves, Miami is still the #1 team until proven otherwise. They'll most likely only lose Payton, and he didn't even do much. The way I see it the East stack up like this:1. Miami2. Cleveland - They'll win their division next year because the Pistons got worse and the Bulls are still very young. 3. Nets - They'll win the putrid Atlantic...unless the Celts trade for AI.4. Chicago - They're loaded, but need a little bit more time and experience to develop into a contender. No NBA championship team just came out of nowhere. They need to take gradual steps. Look for them in the 07-08 Finals. 5. Detroit - Without Wallace they'll really be hurting. They didn;t seem to be meshing well in the playoffs, and now they lost their best defender and team leader. That isn't easily replaced.6. Indiana - Barring another meltdown, this team might be able to fulfill it's potential. They could be better if Bird makes a big off-season move.7. Orlando - This team was on a tear at the end of last year. Look for them to carry that momentum all the way into the playoffs. 8. Washington - Everyone else got better, but they've stayed the same.</div>Add another year to Shaq, Payton and Zo have no reason to play anymore, Walker still sucks, and Vegas doesn't even have them as the best odds of repeating next year. Jersey is my favorite from the East as of now.
This move definitely makes the Bulls a top 4 team in the East... but I've got a feeling it's too early to count the Pistons out. Although this clears the way for a possible Cavs-Heat ECF. Wade vs. LeBron - Who Do the Refs Like Better?
The more and more I look at this I think it will come back to hurt the Bulls in the end moneywise. The rest of the players they have aren't developed enough yet, and by the time they get there I think Ben won't be nearly as good. They need to win now while Ben is still somewhat effective before he ages too much and loses his value.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SternSucksRooster @ Jul 3 2006, 11:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Add another year to Shaq, Payton and Zo have no reason to play anymore, Walker still sucks, and Vegas doesn't even have them as the best odds of repeating next year. Jersey is my favorite from the East as of now.</div>Payton did nothing last year. He made a few big buckets in the clutch, but other guys could've done the same thing. He was basically an average backup PG. Walker does not suck. Sure he has horrible shot selection and makes bonehead plays, but overall the good outweighs the bad. Zo is one of the most competetive players I've ever seen. He'll find a way to stay motivated. I agree that they probably won't repeat, but their division isn't very good so they'll probably get the #1 seed.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pistonfan11 @ Jul 3 2006, 09:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The more and more I look at this I think it will come back to hurt the Bulls in the end moneywise. The rest of the players they have aren't developed enough yet, and by the time they get there I think Ben won't be nearly as good. They need to win now while Ben is still somewhat effective before he ages too much and loses his value.</div>The Bulls should be ready withing the next two years. Even if they are it'll still suck having Ben at the end of the contract. Like my friend has said, he is past his prime. He is a 5'9 center that depends on his athleticism to do well on defense. I think he will help Chicago in the short term but he's no good after a couple years.Also Living_Legend, Payton was important to the team at the end. When you get deep in the playoffs that's what an experienced player can provide for you. Not just anyone else could've made big buckets in the Finals like he did. Zo is very competitive and I love the guy but he's getting pretty old. He'll be 37 by next year.
WOW amazing for Chicago there fans should be very happy. DET will have a big hole to fill now even with there other 4 guys being so good.Since Chicago needs vetrans how about they trade for AI they got lots of young guys. With Iverson, and Big Ben as there leaders the young guys won't have as much pressure. I think it can be a great team. Chicago won't be able to keep all those players soon anyway since they will need contract extensions. And Chicago is a good D team that is what AI needs for the other 4 guys to play D, and rebound.
Yeah, they should trade for AI so in two years they're REALLY screwed with their cap situation and two aging stars...Seriously, dude, what's it with you and AI?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bowles @ Jul 4 2006, 03:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, they should trade for AI so in two years they're REALLY screwed with their cap situation and two aging stars...Seriously, dude, what's it with you and AI?</div>Umm in 3 years AI's contract will expire. And they need veterans on that team not just Big Ben. I want AI to stay in Philly, but since it does not look like it will happen I want us to get something good, and for AI to go to a team that can win. Well we can get good stuff from Chicago, and AI can win there. And there is nothing with me, and AI? My fav basketball player, but I am also not biast. If a player is better then him I will say that. Right now Lebron, Kobe are better then him I won't deny that just because he is my fav player. And if I was just a AI fan, and did not care about my team I would say to keep AI no matter what. But I understand that it's not AI's fault that they have to rebuild.
As a Bulls fan i would NOT want Iverson on the Bulls, he requires way too many shots to get his 20pts a game and there is no way Scott Skiles would like that kind of play. I have hopes that Gordon will eventually become consistent in his scoring.Chances are Tyson will get traded so they will be able to sign most of their young core back.
Shiet. The Wizards-Bulls rivalry is going to be meaningless now since that Chicago will own us every time... :no3:
AWESOME move for the Bulls. Made them the 3rd best team in the east, after Nets and Heat (Pistons just took a HUGE blow). People forget that Bulls ALWAYS keep games close, and are the hard nosed team that came just as close as Pistons and Mavs to knocking out the Heat (and they did best job on Wade). If they make it into playoffs, they can now easily roll by the heat as all their focus can go on Wade, and Ben can play a deteriorating Shaq one on one pretty well. If they play the Nets, they can slow down the perimeter, and totally stop penetration now.They are still one more solid scorer from truly getting where they need to get to make a true run at a championship. When I think about it, a player like Bonzi Wells would fit the mold perfectly.
