He starts off with Um... yuck. On the other hand, he says which is really sort of the opposite of what he said earlier, and hopefully much closer to the truth. This has to be the first thing I’ve read all year that suggests to me that the Bulls realize they still need a significant upgrade to seriously compete for a title. Best news I’ve read in quite a while. Now, whether they follow through on it is an open question, but this is miles better than selling us on bullshit about all the pieces being in place. In short, I completely agree that we don't want to waste our opportunity on a guy like Stephen Jackson or Rip Hamilton. The Bulls need to be smart and think big, but they also shouldn't assume the status quo is good enough. I'm glad there's at least some evidence they don't.
It seems clear that the SGs who are thought to be available in trade (Haugh mentions Rip and SJax) aren't on the GarPax wishlist and while a growing number of fans are feeling desperate about the Bogans problem, the Bulls FO aren't...or at least aren't enough to grasp at what they see as undesirable straws. The second part sure sounds as if they think they can get some quality SG help next season either through the MLE, trade, the draft or some combination. However, as far as the remainder of this season, sounds like we'll get to watch Bogans play more than many of us would like.
Mike, did you see that bizarre article in the SunTimes a couple of weeks ago? It didn't have an author, made bizarre claims, and seemed to come right from the organization's mouth. The general idea of the article was that none of the floated shooting guards would turn the Bulls into contenders (we're bad), Taj Gibson and Omer Asik's trade value was on the rise (strange), and the CBA could create a fire sale if the Bulls bring on a new contract now (lie). I'm not buying any of these three arguments. The Bulls don't have to beat the '86 Celtics, '87 Lakers, or the Bad Boy Pistons. The Bulls have to beat '11 Heat and Celtics, who are an injury away from disaster, the '11 Magic who have experienced a ton of roster turnover, and the '11 Lakers, who are not playing particularly well. Taj Gibson's trade value is as high as it's going to be, given his contract status. And OJ May fits neatly into our salary structure, given that all our FA signings come off the books when it's time for him to negotiate a new contract. I really like Mayo. He's one of the more refined shooting guards in the league, has tons of breakout potential, plays two ways, and is a player that can be had on the cheap because he's nuts. It seems like the perfect Dennis Rodman like pickup, except Mayo is Rodman crazy.
Or else it's just posturing for either negotiations, or so that the franchise can sell us a bill of goods and not take on any more salary.
No, I haven't seen that article... as you've probably noticed, I haven't been as available to my Bulls addiction as I'm supposed to be lately. In any case, I think the biggest issue to me is that we don't need a trade to upgrade the SG position. We can already upgrade the SG position by simply playing any combination of the three better options we have more, and Bogans less. Simply doing that, I think, would allow the Bulls more leeway to look for better options. I do think they should seriously be looking around the deadline. Guys like Iguodala and K-Mart would seem to fit the bill to me, and could be available at the deadline. So I wouldn't necessarily arbitrarily decide to punt on this year, but I'd be willing to hold out for a really good player.
That certainly makes sense. My one issue with this approach is that I think the Bulls actually have a chance to win it all this year, and that may not be true of other seasons. I wonder if you have to throw caution to the wind when you have a window to bring home a ring. I think it will be possible to unload a mistake, provided you keep your core, and so I'm not as worried about making one with a trade deadline acquisition.
I think the point is Bogans still isn't the bulls biggest problem. Rose still has some developing to do and he will ultimately be the one who decides how far the bulls go. Plus the team has some gelling to do before they try and throw another talent into the mix. And who are they going to get that is at all a good fit? The right person is still a guy who can play great perimeter defense and hit 3's. Bogans is ninth in minutes played per game for the bulls (eighth with either Boozer or Noah out). Of course he looks horrible since all of his 15 minutes a night are spent chasing Ray Allen or Wade or Kobe or whichever starting SG and he's basically been told not to shoot. He's grist for the mill. I think Brewer should start, but I think Brewer will look worse comparatively than the bulls improve based on Brewer starting. The bulls success will always be more dependent on execution and hustle than the talent level of the guy playing the 9th most minutes a night.
This one? http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketball/bulls/3073794-419/bulls-guard-jackson-deal-cap.html
Yup that's it. And Bullshooter in regard to the Bulls' chances, I think I have reasonably accurate assessment, as do you. I watch every game, and watch the rest of the league via the pass. The Celtics are done if KG gets hurt, and the media here is implying that his injury may be more serious than let on. Miami is hella thin and they won't necessarily be that way in future years. Orlando is probably the biggest threat, but they shook up their roster in a way that I don't think helps them against the Bulls. It's a down year for the NBA in terms of the top teams, especially with Bryant struggling with injuries. This isn't being a homer -- this is looking for where the league is at, their liabilities, and how well the Bulls have played thus far.
I suppose it depends on what one's definition of a "problem" is. I view Rose's development and overall team continuity as things that will more or less come along on their own. So in a way they're problems, but not really, because solutions are in place and progressing. And by the way, how much more Rose development and continuity needs to happen before we say they're where they need to be. Rose has made a quantum leap in his game, and the Bulls are playing inspired defense (which is the area I think continuity and coaching have a lot more effect than anywhere else) even despite the loss of their best defensive player. The SG problem, on the other hand, is a the more serious problem in my mind because the solution isn't at all evident. Brewer/Korver/Watson would be stop-gaps, but don't look like successful answers. Nor is it obvious that our draft picks or an MLE pickup would really be successful enough to go along with this otherwise very good team. For this team to reach its full potential, we need to get more than just the average expected value out of those assets.
SST, I kind of agree with you, but not to the extent that I'd add a player I thought was good for only a year or two rather than a guy who will be good for a long time. Probably... depends on what we give up. On the other hand, if we're not giving up much in the way of options to get another asset, then I'd at least consider it.
I agree on going after Mayo, but I just think that Mem is gonna ask for alot more than Taj, JJ and a pick. Plus I think Mayo is the type whos gonna ask for a big contract based on his potential if he increases numbers. Who do we go after? Are we still keeping Deng, assuming teams still dont want him despite his good play this year, or do we trade him to go after a higher priced guard (like Iguodala or Martin, who Hou said they arent giving up)?
I don't think that's really whats happening here. It's probably not the question of athlete who is good for just a year, but a question of whether they are good at all. Both Mayo and Jackson could be homeruns or unmitigated fails, and probably not so much in between. Mayo in particular is intriguing. I didn't realize how refined his game is -- he's the quintessential two guard with an elegant offensive game and solid D in stretches. Only problem is he's a basket case, which is why he's available. I'm ready to take a chance on a player like that, and give away Taj, the pick and Asik. Mayo still has two more years on a rookie contract, only one less than Taj. In regard to how the Bulls will fair in the playoffs, the Bulls have played reasonably well against good teams. Stein lists the top teams as follows (and I'm just using them for a baseline of what I would consider a reasonable ranking): Heat, Spurs, Magic, Celtics, Lakers, Mavericks, Bulls, Thunder. The Bulls are 0-1 against the Spurs (away), 0-1 against the Magic (home), 1-2 against the Celtics (maj away), 1-1 against the Lakers, 1-0 against the Mavs (away), 1-1 against the Thunder. That's not bad. So far the Bulls are competitive against the best teams in the league. It's not a fluke; they have a chance at a championship.
Rose has made a leap, but the next leap is the really big one, learning how pull the puppet strings of his teammates and recognizing where the mismatches are and easy buckets will come from. And as far inspired defense, they've played about three quarters of inspired defense in the last week, and I include the second half tonight against the Pistons. The first half was the same shitty defense that they played against NJ and in the second half against Philly. There is absolutely no consistency there. SST, maybe I am a little too Denny in my outlook, but I see Orlando as a horrible matchup for the bulls. Dwight Howard is Rose's kryptonite, and I think they will play much better now with Turkoglu and Bass and Arenas coming off of the bench. I think the bulls best matchup is against the C's because they should know what the C's are trying to do and should be younger and quicker. And I don't think the bulls beat the Heat until their defense gets more consistent. So unless the bulls get the right matchups in the playoffs (1-4 with the C's) I don't see it very likely they advance. If they have to beat Miami or Orlando first, I don't like their chances barring injury.
We're mostly in agreement. Miami is a tough team to gauge because they are so strong on the wings, so thin everywhere else, and have had, up to now, a very mediocre record against good teams. I also think they will suffer an injury at some point which will just kill them. People always get injured during the season. Orlando is probably the toughest challenge in the East, but I'm not sure their trades don't bring them back to earth (against the Bulls). Carter and Lewis have thrashed the Bulls for years, for whatever reason. They've always seemed to play us well regardless of what team they were on.
Its really not the end of the world here. I like MikeDC's description of Bogans / Thomas / Scal being security blankets / learn my system by example guys. I can live with that. The whole Bogans thing is strange since he starts and we tend to think that starters should be really good players for the most part. But, Bogans isn't getting the heavy minutes. Brewer is, and he's performing pretty well. So we're getting heavy decent SG play. Bogans isn't as alarming to me as Korver, who I expected more from. He's been a non-factor as of late. Thibs is a defensive coach and he pretty much can't stand Korver, and Kyle isn't hitting his shots. Yes, it would be great to make a move for a much better SG, but we're probably going to be getting 28-30 minutes a game of good play from Brewer, so he have a pretty good SG. Sure, he can't stick the 3, but he can stick the midrange J and Rose and Deng have developed 3 point shots, making it a little less important for Brewer to provide that. And he's a solid defender. My main concerns about the Bulls. 1.) Kyle Korver's poor play 2.) Deng's decent play but not great (we're paying him a ton, this guy is still a dissapointment) 3.) Taj's decresed production since moving to the bench. 4.) The remaining 18-20 minutes that Brewer does not get. Things are looking pretty good though. We're beating the good teams. We beat the Lakers and the Celtics. Sure, its only the regular season, but we still are. And we're doing it not at full strength. Once we have Rose / Boozer / Noah back we'll have a MVP level talent and two all star level talents. Deng and Brewer are OK components to pair with them. Yes, not a perfect team, but what team is? The Heat are rolling but they are not perfect, nor are the aging Celtics. We're right there with them. Rose is getting better every game. Boozer is giving us what we thought. Noah, when healthy, is a very very good NBA center. Our coach seems very good. We're a very strong defensive team. Its frustrating to watch Bogans, but its even more frustrating since I'd like to say Korver should be taking his minutes, but really, given his play, its hard to make that argument. I like Brewer for the most part, as our 5th player and our main SG. Would it be nice to upgrade? Sure. But wouldn't it be great if Korver could step up and start earning some minutes too? This guy somehow is off the hook while Bogans get hammered. Things are really good right now, as good as they have been since the end of the titles era. If our #2 SG in Bogans is a defensive system player guy isn't the end of the world by any stretch.
Why should Korver get bashed? Yea he hasnt been making shots lately but again he hasnt been given alot of time lately either. Bogans is the one starting games and missing wide open 3s. Now I dont hate Bogans like alot of other people do, but his minutes can be given to other people.
He's getting paid 11.5 million and isn't a NBA difference maker. He's the 4th guy on a good team. Good, but that's it. Not worth the money.
