Bulls management likes D.J. Augustin. It also likes Kirk Hinrich. Both will be unrestricted free agents in July. It's anybody's guess how the market plays out and who returns as Derrick Rose's backup. "It could be that we have just a little bit of (financial) flexibility, but there are different scenarios where we could have a lot of flexibility," general manager Gar Forman said Wednesday. "I wouldn't want to completely rule out (signing both)." That's a long shot. Forman termed re-signing Hinrich "a goal." But he grew more expansive discussing Augustin. "He's been a fit as far as his makeup and character, how he fit with our other guys," Forman said. "And his game is a fit because of his ability to create and score." Both players reiterated their desire to return. Read more http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/444/article/p2p-80065039/
If they'll sign for the vet minimum, we're done...they're both coming back! No, it's not going to be that simple which is why it's tough to say what Forman should do. A "fulcrum" is the point at which a lever pivots. Neither Augustin nor Hinrich are fulcrum-type players for the Bulls. Because of this, I'm not particularly keen on wasting energy over either one of them here on May 2nd.
I like DJ as Rose's backup. If Rose can't play, we don't have a loser at PG. We do need a real SG, and to move Jimmy to SF. His play seriously declined after moving to SG.
I don't want to get into a pissing match right now, but I believe that Butler's best as a SG/SF swingman.
We need a shooting guard that can shoot. Jimmy Buckets might be the worst nickname ever, since getting buckets is the worst part of his game. Jimmy Defense? Jimmy Hustle? That's more appropriate.
Jimmy Defense? Jimmy Hustle? That's the best you got? As they say, don't quit your day job. This said, of course you're right. Shooting is probably the worst thing Butler does and scoring is only slightly better. Still, he can play basketball.
Here's something to think about. Take this team, minus Boozer, add Rose. Do we beat Washington? No slam dunk there. Nate didn't disappear in the playoffs last year. How was DJ, really, as his replacement? Maybe we need to bring in actually better players than last year's bottom of the barrel pickups.
DJ was absent many games. Granted, he blew up his knee, but Nate would be an asset on this team healthy. Since, you know, its so painfully obvious we need shot creators / scorers.
The thing is, tbf, I don't think the Bulls would have enough to beat Washington. With or without Deng.
This is kind of how I feel. Look, I'm just not going to get that worked up about DJ. He's an undersized point guard who can score in bunches out of high pick and roll action when he has a giant big laying the smack on his man. I think that's a really cool trick. I love watching in during the regular season. It also seems to be at least somewhat replaceable. DJ would be great. I'm less jazzed about Hinrich but whatever. Is it really the case that we can't find another player to give us similar production, though in the D-league, Europe or on the waiver wire?
For less money, too. I like DJ because he's been a solid, not spectacular, starter in this league. So has Kirk, but DJ is 26.
Yeah, the Bulls were really lucky (or unlucky if you're a tanker) to acquire Augustin. If they hadn't and had to go with Mike James instead, they don't make .500 and would have been battling the Hawks for that last playoff spot. When they traded Deng, Bulls management had given up on the season. If they had known they were going to make that trade, I can't help but wonder if they would have signed Augustin.
Now that I have a little distance: What a God awful season, huh? Nothing got accomplished, you had a shitty first-round exit, and you don't have a shiny prospect to trot out in the fall. Augustin deserves much of the credit/blame for that. Though, I'm not sure Thibodeau would be the coach next season if Augustin wasn't on the team.
Its a shitty situation, but that has almost everything to do with Rose. I think guys like Noah, Gibson, Butler and Thibs all took a step forward in many respects and are a more battle hardened core. These guys can be key players on a champion. The issue is, without the MVP level player and a 2nd scorer, it doesn't really matter. If Rose comes back very close to what he was, you have that MVP level player, which is the toughest thing to get, and a really solid core around him. If he doesn't come back like he was, the Bulls are screwed. But, the Bulls could not suck this year and keep that core / winning play / will to win / play tough d thing going. I'm always a fan of choosing to win now or win later. Organizations perform better when they have a clear goal, know what they want and are competent enough to get it. Its unclear if the Bulls should be in "win now" or "win later" mode since we don't know about Rose. And, Paxson isn't the type of leader, at least to this point, to really do anything bold or focused. He's milquetoast. But, that's what you get when you take some ex-jock and place him in charge of a multi-million dollar operation. Its not like he has a track record of success. We're lucky that Rose fell into our laps. Now its almost a curse, unless he comes back like he was. Even so, its paralyzed the Bulls planning for many seasons now. Very frustrating.
They hadn't given up on the season. They had given up on re-signing Deng . They improved the bottom line in the P&L. When I suggested tanking, it didn't mean throwing games. It meant playing really hard with even worse players so we couldn't help but lose. Like Philly did when it traded away two high value players at the deadline. Mark my words. We will be watching the 76ers rise to Indy level while we are enjoying late 1st round picks and early playoff exits. The bottom line comes first.
OKC has a guy as good as Rose, even MVP Rose, in Westbrook. AND they have Durant. They have a defense first C, SG, and PF. Not enough to best the Heat. Struggle agains Memphis. Who is our Durant? Lol
