If the Bulls drafted DeJuan Blair and couldn't get a big name forward, I'd say keep him as a back up. He works hard and to me personally, I think he's the most exciting Bulls player they've had in a while. When he's good, he's really fun to watch. Those big jumpers he hit during Game 1 of the Celtics series proved that he actually showed improvement in his game. I think VDN was scared he'd take a bunch more of those jumpers and wouldn't make them so he kept him on the bench the rest of the series. If a big name does come up such as Bosh this summer, I'm sure the Bulls would be willing to part with him.
If the Shaq rumors come to fruition, I think that we will take BJ Mullens at #16 and DeMarre Carroll at #26. We would essentially enter the season with: PG-Derrick Rose/Kirk Hinrich SG-Ben Gordon/Kirk Hinrich SF-John Salmons/DeMarre Carroll PF-Tyrus Thomas/Joakim Noah/DeMarre Carroll/BJ Mullens C- Shaquille O'neal/Joakim Noah/Brad Miller/BJ Mullens I think we do the Shaq trade though, there is massive pressure to make a second move, logically for Bosh/Amare/Boozer, as we would have to many bigs (unless Miller is willing to step back and become a spot player).
Interesting list: http://www.82games.com/0809/FGSORT7.HTM Scroll down to the bottom and notice who's 4th worst. 53% of his attempts were jumpers. Reminds me of a line from the 3 stooges, "if at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking 'till you do succeed."
Typical Bulls style, as soon as a team begins to gel and show promise instead of adding to the mixture, you blow it up because you are in too much of a hurry for results. Once upon a time the Bulls thought highly enough of this kid to take him over Aldridge and Roy (huge mistake but..) now that he has finally begun to come into his own.............trade him for a veteran who is likely past his prime and has a history of injuries. Sounds good, lets go for it...
Agree. I was never a fan of Thomas but he actually turned into a fairly reliable 14 pts, 8 reb player over the course of last season. Hes still only 22 years old, bigs usually take some time to develop. Seems ridiculous to trade him right now unless the organization thinks this is the highest his value will ever be and he won't get any better.
If the Bulls make the Shaq trade, someone in the front court is going to have to go, and Thomas is the most logical choice, as we would presumably be targeting Bosh/Amare in 2010 free agency.
I emailed Sam Smith about the Shaq trade yesterday. He said that he seriously doubts the Bulls would ever consider that deal citing that Shaq is a poor defender (personally, I don't think he's that bad and the Bulls don't play D anyway so it wouldn't matter). He did however say that the Suns would do it for Deng/Tim Thomas & James and that they are looking to move him.
Why would somebody have to go? Shaq isn't a big minutes player any more. Neither is Miller, despite what VDN thinks. Those guys could split time. Both the Miller/Noah and the Shaq/TT pairing make sense. In fact any combination could work based on matchups. I'd still get rid of VDN before I'd get rid of Tyrus. At some point the bulls will have to play a real offense and some semblance of a defense. Shaq also only has one year left on his contract so he's more of an expiring contract than anything else.
