Our season wasn't lost when Crawford and Rose came off the bench. Our season wasn't lost when Crawford began to whine about not getting his contract renewed. Our season wasn't lost when Pippen, Hinrich, and Chandler missed most of the preseason, thus not developing chemistry. It was lost earlier. Much earlier. Try June 20th. What happened that day, you ask. It was the day some young PG decided to buy a motorcycle. The day a wreck took place. The day Jay Williams was lost for the season, and possibly for his career. Jay should have never been on that bike(contract stipulations), but that's neither here nor there. What's done is done. But it has an effect that will carry over for quite some time. Chicago played the last month of the season well. As a result, many expected that progress to continue until next year. When that unfortunate day happened, many thought that Crawford could simply "replace" Williams, and that would be the end of that. Wrong. See, while Jay may have struggled his rookie year, there is no denying he has talent. A lot of talent. In fact, GMs were still talking about how good Jay would be, despite his struggles as a rookie. GMs know something. If several wanted Williams, it must have been for a reason. Most likely, a good one. Williams was expected to be the starter heading into this year. He was also expected to have a great year. Now, for a minute, let's imagine that was going to happen. Imagine Williams as our starter. What does that mean? It means Hinrich is not a Bull. It means Jarvis Hayes is. You know, the guy averaging 14/5 for the Wizards. The one playing good defense. That guy. It means our PG play is not only steady, but good. It means Gill is still starting at SG, and Rose at SF most likely. But what it really means, is that we have a 2/3 that can defend, score, and shoot.......on the bench........and not injured. Hayes. Who knows, he might have even started opposite Rose. Williams/Rose/Hayes. Pick your poison. It means Robinson is buried, where he should be, on the bench. It also means Chicago has talent on the bench. But more importantly, it means good PG play. Something that hasn't happened this year. Something that is costing us games. And looking at the schedule ahead, its not going to get easier.
A butterfly flaps its wings in Central Park and across the world the weather turns dark and stormy. A seemingly isolated incident can send ripples unseen and far reaching. I think that you?re right about Mr. Williams and the fallout of his fateful ride. You demonstrated clearly and, I think, convincingly what would have taken place had Jay not felt that he was born to be wild. Thank you for your well written and thought provoking contribution.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ObieCent:</div><div class="quote_post">If we had Hayes, we probably wouldnt have signed Gill</div> No, we'd have still signed Gill. Gill was brought in for his veteran leadership and defense. We'd still need it. Our depth chart would have been something like: Curry/Blount Chandler/Marshall/Fizer Hayes/Gill/Robinson Rose/Gill Williams/Crawford Now, a few guys would get minutes at other postions(Crawford at SG, Marshall at SF and C, etc.)
Ah, what could have been. I've always felt JWill was a better PG compared to Crawford. He was better at penetrating and dishing. He wasn't looking for his shot first. Now look what we've got.
Williams was also a heady player. Williams basketball IQ was great. He also had great court vision. Sure, he struggled a bit with his FT%, but that comes with time. Williams was going to be the PG the Bulls needed. He was a leader. A winner. Someone who would sacrafice for the team. Something Crawford isn't. Crawford has whined about PT. Whined about his contract. And whined about everything else. He is NOT what this young team needs; a distraction off/on the court. The sooner Crawford is gone, the better the franchise will be. Its sad, but its true. Crawford has the talent. He just doesn't get it. And I have a hard time trying to justify resigning him for big money(he will ask for Arenas type numbers) for someone who doesn't seem to understand it.
The bulls are one of my fav teams and it was horrible that jay williams wrecked his bike but who is to say that we would have kept him. We traded Elton Brand and he has star talent and was developing quickly and Kraus is bad about rushing young talent. Jay williams would have been a star no doubt and with him on the squad this year i guarantee we would have a few more wins right now.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting whitechocolate:</div><div class="quote_post">The bulls are one of my fav teams and it was horrible that jay williams wrecked his bike but who is to say that we would have kept him. We traded Elton Brand and he has star talent and was developing quickly and Kraus is bad about rushing young talent. Jay williams would have been a star no doubt and with him on the squad this year i guarantee we would have a few more wins right now.</div> Answer: Krause drafted Williams. Krause wanted Williams. No way Williams would be traded yet. Krause loved Jay. The Brand trade was different. Brand approached Krause and told him to trade him; he didn't want to be a Bull anymore. There is no point in keeping someone to build around if they are disgruntled, and don't want to be there. They wont keep putting in great effort if they are playing for a team they no longer want to be a part of. Krause's hand was kind of forced on that. So he gambled with Chandler.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Vintage:</div><div class="quote_post">Answer: Krause drafted Williams. Krause wanted Williams. No way Williams would be traded yet. Krause loved Jay. The Brand trade was different. Brand approached Krause and told him to trade him; he didn't want to be a Bull anymore. There is no point in keeping someone to build around if they are disgruntled, and don't want to be there. They wont keep putting in great effort if they are playing for a team they no longer want to be a part of. Krause's hand was kind of forced on that. So he gambled with Chandler.</div> Well his gamble is paying off with chandler but I just dont trust krause maybe its me or maybe the media persuaded me but he seems iffy (sp) and I wouldnt put anything past him
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Vintage:</div><div class="quote_post">Answer: Krause drafted Williams. Krause wanted Williams. No way Williams would be traded yet. Krause loved Jay. </div> I know this is old, but Krause loved Jay, but Paxson is GM now. Would he have been traded? possibly, but we cant look at the "what ifs" we have to move on.
what is wrong with Hinrich? The kids is going to be great. He has basketball smarts that a lot of rookies don't have. He's very quick and plays some great defense. I love his drives and dishes. Reminds me of some old guys. Correct me if I am wrong, but Crawfords strong play at the end of last season gave him the starting job for this year. Williams wasn't going to have it, even if he didn't get into an accident. In fact, he probably would have been traded. I wouldn't be worried though, the season isn't over. I can promise you that Paxson isn't done.
