<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>It's not very often that a team packages three second-round draft picks to acquire a player who won't be released from his overseas contract for two more seasons. That's how convinced the Bulls are that Omer Asik, a 7-footer from Turkey, can be a force. The scouting department projected Asik to become a lottery pick by the time his current arrangement with Fenerbahce Istanbul expires. "He's a first-round talent who is a futures player for us who we're really excited about," general manager John Paxson said. "We targeted two players in this draft and got them both." ................ Bernie Bickerstaff is close to finalizing a deal to become an assistant on Vinny Del Negro's staff, sources said. The Bulls are hopeful they also can sign Del Harris, another preferred candidate with whom they have hit minor snags during negotiations. A source said the Bulls have interviewed long-time respected assistant Bob Ociepka ..................... JamesOn Curry, last year's second-round pick, is no longer in the team's plans after the Bulls extended a qualifying offer to Demetris Nichols. </div> Second-round pick may be first-rate - Chicago Tribune Don't know much about Asik. Bickerstaff's not a bad pickup, and they'd be lucky to get Harris. Also, congrats Nichols! I hope he gets some burn next season. I look forward to seeing him play.
I would be very happy if we added both Harris and Bickerstaff to this team. It would calm a lot of my anxieties about hiring VDN. I hope the 'snags' in the contract negotiations with Del Harris are just sorting out some details and not haggling over the price. Assuming the asking price isn't exorbitant, having him on the team would seem like a good deal at almost any price. I've never heard of the other guy, does anyone know anything about him?
Asik reminds me a lot of Ben Wallace, minus the hand problem. He will probably be a starter when he comes over, and replace one of Noah or Thomas (probably Thomas, because he's an idiot). JamesOff...ouch. And Demetris Nichols, can always count on that guy to hit a three after the result of the game has been decided.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BG7 Lavigne @ Jun 28 2008, 04:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Asik reminds me a lot of Ben Wallace, minus the hand problem. He will probably be a starter when he comes over, and replace one of Noah or Thomas (probably Thomas, because he's an idiot). JamesOff...ouch. And Demetris Nichols, can always count on that guy to hit a three after the result of the game has been decided.</div> Awesome, you've seen a lot of Asik I take it?!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kid Chocolate @ Jun 28 2008, 04:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BG7 Lavigne @ Jun 28 2008, 04:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Asik reminds me a lot of Ben Wallace, minus the hand problem. He will probably be a starter when he comes over, and replace one of Noah or Thomas (probably Thomas, because he's an idiot). JamesOff...ouch. And Demetris Nichols, can always count on that guy to hit a three after the result of the game has been decided.</div> Awesome, you've seen a lot of Asik I take it?! </div> Heh
Bickerstaff doesn't do much to float my boat given that he's pretty much been a disaster everywhere he's been. But hopefully in a defined role of showing a younger guy the ropes he'll be good. Especially if he's paired up with another old codger like Harris.
The issue with Del Negro is lack of coaching experience. Both Bickerstaff and especially Harris become good bench coaches (in the style of baseball, see Pete Rose). I'm not even sure Del Negro knows how to organize practices with a big picture in mind for what to accomplish with each practice. Regardless of Bickerstaff's success or lack of it, I'm sure he can get the guys doing drills proper. Harris is a decent head coach. I'm sure he'll make sure Vinnie calls the right timeouts and helps him figure out substitutions.
My take on Asik is that he's got a lot of potential. Dunno what league he's playing in or the quality of it. He's probably on the young side to be sitting on the bench and not getting much development here. Typical Euro Stash strategy, which is fine. I'm not sure he's lotto material in the next two years, either. It does seem worth the gamble on him simply because of his size and that he's going to get a lot of PT over there.
