McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special priviliges" during meeting

Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special priviliges" during meeting

Well put, bullshooter. We'd much rather have the GM making trades to add to a roster that has Hinrich on it than have someone else make trades to add to a roster that has LeBron on it.

 

Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

I have to agree with Denny. The second three-peat was a shit show of unprecedented proportions. You had an egomanichal coach who openly battled the GM; and egomanichal superstar who was compulsively angry and had a gambling addiction; an egomanichal superstar who looked to wear women's clothes; and an egomanichal superstar who was known as being standoffish.

If I were Reinsdorf, I would do whatever it took to land Lebron. I would then change my home and cell numbers and make sure that no one from the GM to the ballboy could get in touch with me. I would cut the monthly checks, let the inmates run the asylum, and watch as the championship rings rolled in.

 

Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

As I've written too many times to count, I've never heard anyone in the organization say, "Whatever it takes!"

The bottom line is you win championships with a player who's arguably the best in the league, and then a solid supporting cast.

 

Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special priviliges" during meeting

Odd that you bring up Kobe. He coerced the Lakers to trade away Shaq and then there was this:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2909549

The Lakers passed up a possible opportunity to acquire star guard Jason Kidd from the New Jersey Nets at the trade deadline in February because they didn't want to part with the 19-year-old Bynum -- a 7-footer taken with the 10th overall pick in the draft two years ago.

"Are you kidding me?" Bryant says in the video before using several profanities in adding that the Lakers should "ship out" Bynum.

Bryant also spoke in negative tones about Kupchak. Bryant called the Lakers' front office "a mess" in a radio interview the day before first making public his desire to be traded.

 

Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special prviliges" during meeting

How about the trade for Rodman. You think they didn't talk it over with Jordan and Pippen?

 

Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special priviliges" during meeting

And the Bulls sent basically the same guys to woo Kobe that they sent to woo LeBron and Kobe stayed. Go figure.

They shipped Shaq out because Kobe worked his ass off during the offseason and Shaq grew to 320 lbs while acting in the movies instead of working out. The animosity between the two players is well documented.

Anyhow:

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5397513/

In stark contrast to the downcast mood in Los Angeles, which was fueled in part by lingering uncertainty over whether Kobe Bryant will also leave the Lakers, the sensation in Miami was diametrically different.

 

Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special priviliges" during meeting

The Bulls were a 49 win team, right? Right.

And you're right, the bulls weren't nearly the same 41 win team they are now.

 

Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special priviliges" during meeting

In 2007, the Bulls sent PaxDorf to LA to try and facilitate a trade for Kobe, involving Deng and/or Gordon of all people. In fact, the failed trade and the bruised egos of the Bulls players rumored to be involved in the deal were given as an excuse for the Bulls' poor start and 33 win finish, following their 49 win season.

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/24796-kobe-to-bulls-trade-scenarios

Rumors circulating around L.A. have the Bulls suggesting a package of Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas and Andres Nocioni for Kobe Bryant, which sounds questionable because Nocioni can't be traded until Dec. 15. The Lakers were said to have mocked that possibility.The Bulls, sources say, have put Luol Deng off limits in any trade discussions. Believing the Bulls will not consider moving Deng, the Lakers are said to have asked for four pieces from the Bulls, including at least two from among Gordon, Kirk Hinrich and Ben Wallace. Reportedly hearing that, Bryant balked, sending word that if he is traded to Chicago -- and he has the only full no-trade contract in the NBA -- he wants to play with Wallace.

Chicago Tribune

 

Re: McGraw buries lead: Bulls denied James' team "special priviliges" during meeting

http://ezinearticles.com/?Did-Kobe-Bryant-Kill-Bulls-Season?&id=1035427

Did Kobe Bryant Kill Bulls Season?

The Chicago Bulls had a terrible time getting out of the gate this NBA season. Part of the problem was the talk of Kobe Bryant wanting out of the Lakers, and into the Bulls. Part of the problem was key Bulls players freaking out, thinking they were on the next plane out to Los Angeles. Poor excuse for a lost Bulls season. The Kobe Bryant talks went nowhere, but neither did the Bulls season.

The Bulls are fighting for the last playoff spot in the NBA East, but the season began with so much more promise than that. The Kobe Bryant talk for whatever reason, took the concentration level down to the point where loss after loss just kept on piling for the Bulls. It would have been nice if John Paxson would have squashed such talk, but he never said that Kobe Bryant talks were off. That is because they lingered, and so did the Bulls' attention.

Fault needs to go to ex-Bulls Coach Scott Skiles, who could not turn the team's attention back around to the NBA task at hand. Fault to key players like Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon, who helped dig such a deep hole for the Bulls, that it may not allow them into the NBA Playoffs, an unimaginable thought before the NBA season.

So Kobe Bryant stayed put with the Lakers, edging perhaps towards his first NBA MVP. Ironically, the poor Bulls season will lead to a new round of trade talks, but not for Kobe Bryant.