New beast in the East

Just a note to all Bulls fans. You think you got your savior in Ben? Well let me say this he was the weak link on a really good team, what he will be on your team is an overpaid player who is the worst free throw shooter in the history of the league and one of the worst shooters in the league. And above all his defense is really overrated. I know you won't believe this until you see for yourself but he is not a good one on one defender. So enjoy the lottery for many years to come when you are over cap.

You know, just because you are a bitter Pistons fan doesn't mean you should spoil all of our fun, Brian. Sure, we won't be able to score, but our entire team will win the Defensive Player of the Year award. Plus, Ben adds the one aspect that our team has been missing: a ridiculously large afro. See you in the EC finals, Brian.

Wesley, I agree with you more than Brian, but you think we are losing offense with Chandler? We were known for being an outside team being only able to score with positions 1-3. Ty Thomas can shoot the 15-18 footer. Adding Thomas and Wallace gives the Bulls slightly better offense in the paint than Chandler, but they are MUCH MUCH better defensively.

I like the signing but the price is very steep. This deal makes it imperative that Chandler gets traded. We can't afford to have 25 mil tied up in guys who can't score. If the P.J. Brown/Chandler trade scenario goes down, the Bulls are going to be an EC finals .

As much as I like Ben Wallace, I am skeptical about this move by Pax. Big men usually slow down past 32. Ben Wallace was entering that phase in his career where onkly a minority of big men maintain their effectiveness. There's no question that Ben's physical abilities will go into decline. He might play well for 1 year just to prove a point to the Pistons but after that, well, statistically, he's gonna decline. Is that worth the money? Now, I hope the Bulls move Chandler for someone who can score in the post and honestly, you can't do that unless you package someone else like Deng or Nocioni. It's not going to happen. I'll give Pax some rope though and hope he swings a deal for some more quality size soon.

This is a great move by Paxson. He has addressed the biggest need for the team. I do not like that he gave up most of the salary cap money, but when you couple it with the draft it has been a great two weeks for the home team. If Chandler is traded to the Hornets for P. J. Brown and J.R. Smith, then Mad Pax will have done it again. He would have increased the size of the team as well as added some veteran leadership. If you look at the bench, we added a great deal of athleticism. Smith is a heck of a shooter. WATCH OUT Eastern Conference. The Bulls are real contenders again.

Brian is just a bitter Piston fan who still can not get over 1991 when the Pistons walked off the field when the superior Bulls swept them on their home floor. Bulls have 6 titles , Pistons have 3.

Can anybody justify a $52M basketball salary? Please -- I want to hear your justifications for the price paid for a BALL PLAYER.

I don't like this deal if we keep Chandler; otherwise it is great. People feel like we are wasting our cap space; but if we trade Chandler for P.J. Brown, as rumors have suggested, that pretty much pays for Wallace and allows us to resign out "core players." Everyone talks about the great free agent class next year but almost all of those players will re-up with their current teams. The Bulls still have the Knicks pick, and they look to be god awful again... and the 2007 draft class looks good. The Bulls are real young sans Wallace (and maybe Brown); they are building what seems to be a dynasty in the making. When the Bulls lost to the Cavs, it wasn't lebron, it was Big Z; when they lost to the Heat it D Wade, but the big men... Wallace neutralizes that. The Bulls will win at least 57 games next year. The NBA is up for grabs, especially the East. The problem down the road may be that the Bulls may have TOO MUCH talent on their roster

truth of it all.. bulls are stronger and the pistons are weaker. As miami has shown, bench depth wins championships and thats what our bulls have, plus experience ben wallace who can show our strong rookies how it gets done. And with gordon and hinrich as our gaurds. watch out e.conf

Brian is a woman.

Bitter, Table of one.

This was a great move by John Paxson. Not only does it bring us Ben Wallace, it also shows the rest of the NBA that we're serious. This is the first legitimate signing we've had since the end of the dynasty. Remember when we couldn't get anyone to come play with us after the way Reinsdorf treated Michael and Da Bulls? Now it looks like those times are over.

DA BULLS!

All the "haters" need to quit! Big Ben is gonna take this team to new levels. We havent had a center of quality since the Artis Gilmore days and certainly not an all-star of his caliber and position since before a lot of the readers/naysayers were born. This can push the bulls, especially if we can land P.J. Brown into the "#2 seed" in the east and certainly within the top 5-6 teams in the NBA.

We'll definitely contend for the finals. It's an absolute must for us to trade chandler though. Even if the PJ Brown deal goes through (which would be great!), the bulls really need Tyrus to contribute along with the rest of the new addittions. If these young guys bust then we could be in trouble. I have a good feeling that the current core is gonna really step up though, This is our year man!

Look, Ben Wallace is a great player but he alone didn't win in Detroit. It's still a team game. The bulls have to stop turning the ball over especially in critical minutes at the end of games.I DO LOVE THIS SIGNING! At the same time he is not the final piece of the puzzle.Pax has made this team better by leaps and bounds but they weren't that good to begin with having to play 800 ball to just get to the playoffs last year.The future is bright and it seems we have the right people making the important descions in the franchise but please don't get it in our heads that we will win a championship in the next year or 2.We have been patient for a while whats a little longer.Meanwhile enjoy what appears to be good times ahead but not expect it all just yet, YET being the key word .Until then GO BULLS!!!!!! P.S. BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF THOSE PISTONS.

Sally, the justification for the $52 mill is pretty simple: enough people are willing to buy tickets to watch him play to more than cover that amount. Whether you think it's morally defensible or not, society (in the form of ticket purchasers and media consumers) have decided that is his worth. Salaries in all major sports are pretty constant as a percentage of total revenues.

This team still can't score.
Sure, they may play the best defense in the league - and say what you will about the aging, overpaid, flopping, free-throw missing Wallace, he still makes the team better - but they can't fill it up. Remember Game 5 against the Heat? Painful. All they needed was one player - one - to get hot, and the series was theirs for the taking. Didn't happen. Brick City.
Has any team ever won the title with as poor an offense as the Bulls have?
Hoping Chandler goes for Marion. That would bolster the offense, no? Or is that not possible with the convoluted cap construction?

Look out East, these Bulls are coming to work.

The personality of this team had already been established, and now with the premier "lunch pail" player in the league, look for the Bulls defense to be the stuff of LeBron's nightmares. In an environment with Ben, Skiles, Hinrich, and Noce, the newest Bullies Thomas and Sefalosha are gonna blossom. Offense? Don't need much when your opponents are shooting under 40%.

Chandler? Ugh, he's so 2001.

This is a great move by the Bulls. We now have that one player we've been looking for for a while. The Bulls gave up a large amount of salary cap room, but it'll be justified once the Tyson Chandler trade goes down. Also, Ben Wallace may slow down in a couple of years, but let me remind you all that we did get a big man in the draft, Ty Thomas. With his size, atletic skills, and basketball know how, it won't take long for him to develop into an NBA player. The way I see it, by the time Wallace slows down, Thomas will be ready. Mad Pax has done a great job in the draft, turning the team around, and they will be in the Eastern Conference Finals playing Miami while Detroit will be watching on TV with Brian. GO BULLS!!!

All this talk about Chandler and Wallce scoring.Chandler couldn't do ANYTHING.Score,rebound,defend.NOTHING...Good move by PAX,we can't get rid of Chandler fast enough.

This is a GREAT deal for the bulls. Paxson has sent a message to the nba that the bulls are to be reckoned with, and we now once again have an identity.Wallace is going to set the tone on defense and bring pure intensity and energy which the bulls lacked a lot last season. Plus with gordon and hinrich improving, our new additions in thomas and sefalosha, and hopefully J.R. Smith will give us the added dimension of athleticism that rivals the west coast teams.

I am not a Bull's fan, but I think T. Chandler is a good role player--not a starter on a championship caliber team. I think that Detroit made a fair offer to B. Wallace--he would have been the highest paid player on their team next year. However, he was the weakest link on their team(i.e. free-throw shooting and not an offensive presence) in the playoffs. B. Wallace is a good defensive player, but he CANNOT defend Shaq. I have heard talk about T. Chandler could not guard Shaq in game six of the playoffs. However, Shaq had 28 points and 16 rebounds against B. Wallace in game six of their playoff series in 2006. Shaq averaged over 30 points a game against B. Wallace in the Finals in 2004. Shaq's highest average (21.7 points) in the playoffs this year was against B. Wallace. B. Wallace is not worth 11 million dollars (the offer the Pistons made this summer) and 15 million dollars is RIDICULOUS for a ROLE PLAYER. D. Wade will make 3.4 million dollars next year. I would never say that B. Wallace is in his class--and definitely not more than four times better than D. Wade. Wade, L. James, and C. Anothony will be making 15 million dollars a year when they sign their extensions--these players are FRANCHISE players. B. Wallace is NOT a FRANCHISE player. This is simply a bad deal and the Bulls will pay for this in the playoffs over the next four years.

Pax has exhibited outstanding GM strategy with the draft and this most recent signing. The Bulls needed size, athleticm & defense in the middle and the backcourt. I thought it would be Brandon Roy and a trade of the 16 pick, Gordon & Chandler for a quality big man. The decision [instead] to swing deals for Safolosa and Thomas, then sign Wallace achieves their goals and they still have Gordon!!!! The team now has leveraged its draft picks and cap room to be in a position of strength--where now the move to unload Chandler is simply by subtraction . This is really good stuff....Chandler, like Curry, may be destined for NBA journeyman status. In Chicago will always be remembered as much for his potential as he will for annually coming to camp out of shape; throughout the season being unprepared for game situations and demonstrating an immature approach to the game. This team investment once reserved for Curry, Chandler and for heavens sake--Jamal Crawford, can now be re-directed to Wallace, Thomas, Safalosa and hopefully another veteran for what should be a better return. Pax should consider teaching "turn-around" courses at Notre Dame's B-school.

Chandler or no? While I agree that landing Wallace will greatly improve the team, it's a shame that, for salary cap reasons, they can't keep Chandler to learn from Wallace and bulk up. Alas, salary cap room, and keeping their young core of Nocioni, Deng and Hinrich is more important than waiting on Chandler to mature. With the league changing to a more "slash and burn" style than any of the 90's teams faced, Pax has put together an exceptional team. Thomas, Septlo (sp?) and now Wallace will make the Bulls at least the 3 seed next year.

Sorry to say, but big Ben was a liabilty in the E. Conf. Finals. He is too small to dominate a team with a true big man. Good rebounder, good guy, but a big SAL for going to the Bulls. His defense was good, but it won't be as good when he doesn't have Tayshaun and Dirty Sheed picking up his overcomings. Whats with the Bulls picking up and overpaying Pistons droppings? (Rodman anyone?) Just like back in the day, Dumars schooling Paxson once again. Bulls suck.

Roman responds: Rodman anyone? I believe the guy won three titles with the Bulls. Not a bad "dropping."

I've been a Bulls fan all my life. I'm not one of those that left the team in '98 and came back in '04. I went through the pathetic ron mercer/dalibor bagaric/john starks/kornell david/rusty larue era. the signing of Ben Wallace makes us instant contenders in the east, period. it was a long wait, but worth it. paxson is not only setting us up for the immediate future, but also for years down the road. i would love nothing better than to be a 2/3 seed next year and play the 7/6 seed pistons and beat them like we did in the 90's!!! DA BULLS ARE BACK BABY!!!

Bulls Fans congrats on the Ben Wallace signing... for now anyway (it's nice to see all the Bulls fans decided to drink the Kool Aid). I think the Bulls will benefit in the short term, but his contract will hurt them in the long run (the 3rd and 4th years of the deal will hamstring the Bulls with an untradable, undersized, underperforming center). I actually think the Bulls will benefit more by hurting the Pistons then helping themselves. Big Ben's blocked shots and rebounds have been consistently declining over the last 3 years and his offense is worse than ever. The Bulls lack of an offensive identity seemed to bring about their demise in th playoffs, not their D, and Big Ben will actually hurt them in that area. The most disconcerting thing about Ben's play as of late was the huge decline in his attitutde last season. He refused to re-enter a game and was openly critical of Saunders (deservedly so) and some of his teammates. He also failed to show up in the playoffs against the Cavs and the Heat. When he was at his best his game was built on his attitude, desire, and toughness. I won't question his toughness, but his attitude and desire have diminished significantly recently. That being said, the Pistons are done in the short term. Sheed won't continue to behave and they run the risk of losing him and getting nothing in return. Chauncey is too much of a gunner without Larry Brown. Their only hope is that Joe Dumars has some sort of plan in mind to deal for Garnett when the Timberwolves try to dump him at the beginning of next season (Garnett's been rumored going to the Pistons for years). Either way, I think the road for next season's NBA title will go through Cleveland or Miami (especially if the refs continue to call those nonsense fouls.) IMO, the Bulls have 2 years before this signing destroys their chances...good luck the clock is ticking.

I don't know, this signing makes me a little nervous. It seems like a lot to pay for an aging big man who is a liability on offense. With the subtraction of Chandler and the addition of another scorer I think this could work for the next couple of seasons, though. I'm concerned with how it will affect us down the road as Big Ben's skills decline.

First off im not a Bulls fan. Im a heat fan from miami(a real one).. I just want to say that things are looking good for ur bulls and throw u some points that might make the Wallace deal a little brighter. I heard someone say "Big men usually slow down past 32." When talking about Big Ben well that true if the big was a scorer. Ben is a defender and rebounder. As we'v seen in Zo, and Motombo. Those skills are like ridding a bike, u never really lose them. He'll be playing steller D and rebounding well into his mid to later 30's. As for the draft pic of Ty thomas Im extremly jelous. This guy looks like he's going to be an animal in a couple of years. So don't let these piston haters ruin ur day when they talk trash about Wallace. B/c u got something don't have. Youth and depth. match that with great coaching and GMing and its the ECF trip nrxt year. But dont get to hyped b/c u ain't getting passed my heat. Ne ways can't wait to see ur team next year they'll be my next favorite team to watch behind the Heat.

The signing of Big Ben immediately vaults the Bulls to the 2nd seed in the East. All the Pistons fans that are saying that he was the reason they lost to the Heat need to re-evaluate. I don't remember Ben missing jumper after jumper the way Chauncey, Rip and Prince were. As for the Bulls not being able to score; Lil' Ben can fill it up on any night, Kirk can score 15-20 a night and Deng can slash for 15 a night. Add Thomas, who is going to be a monster, and Sefolosha and that's enough points to win most games when the other team scores in the low 80's thanks to the unreal D that the Bulls will play. Good luck to all the teams in the East because the Bulls are finally back. Oh yeah, Pistons fans keep dreaming about Garnett cause he's not coming to Detroit. Back to the cellar for all the poor Pistons fans.

I agree with Nick... I would be more afraid of this signing if it was for a finesse player (like a Ray Allen for example), because these type of players decline quicker as they age... Big Ben is a rebounder and shot blocker, like Zo (see NBA Finals and how he did with shaq on the bench...) and Rodman, didn't he play with the bulls into his mid 30's?? This signing will greatly help Ben Gordon's defensive defiency, knowing there a legitimate shot blocker behind him... They do need to get rid of chandler though, basically the same player. I love all these pistons fans blaming Big Ben for the reason they lost in the playoffs... Just jealous we have a young up and coming team and there team is in the decline... And with the Knicks lottery pick next year (Hello Oden or Noah!), paired with Big Ben and a experienced Tyrus Thomas... I'll see you guys in Grant Park in a couple of years!!!

Q, Garnett was rumored to go to just about every team last few years... And he wants to go to a contender, up and coming team (see bulls), not a declining, aging team like the pistons. What would the pistons offer the wolves in exchange for Garnett... Darko(oops not there anymore), billups (didn't he play there before)... sorry pistons, no more bad boys, just bad...

2nd in the East? Please, you must not have watched much of the NBA last season. The Pistons didn't have the chance to brick jumpers because their opponents used the hack-a-Ben technique. He's so bad on offense that it makes logical sense to foul him on almost every possession in the 2nd half of games to limit offensive possesions. Gordon can fill it up any night, but apparently not every night. Noc is the Bulls most consistent scorer, and he's not even close to being in the team photo of the best players in the league. As for lockdown D, you might have noticed the NBA changed the rules to limit the Pistons run by cracking down on the ticky tack stuff, which killed Wallace's effectiveness during the playoffs. Tyson Chandler was more effective v. the Heat than Ben Wallace was...does that bode well for the future of the Bulls? Bulls fans are acting like they just signed the second coming of Bill Russell. Do you think Bill Russell would have been over matched by Zilgauskus and an over the hill Shaq in the playoffs? Me neither. The Bulls' biggest problem is that they should have a front-court of Elton Brand, Artest, and Brad Miller right now, and if that was they case they might have a shot at winning the East. Outside of Chicago this deal is being called out for what it is, a desperate franchise paying an over-the-hill, newly minted diva, way too much money in a contract that will destroy their chances of competing over the long haul.

The Wallace signing is a good one for the most part. What surprised is the market for Tyson Chandler. A 37 year-old PJ Brown and a guy who won't even make the team in JR Smith? Wow.

I'm flabbergasted by some of the comments on here. Can't claim any surprise that Pistons fans are bitter, of course, but are people really believing what they're saying?

First of all, sports teams in general do not need that "one guy" to win. Sure, the Bulls had that in Jordan in the Glory Days, but does anybody remember Chicago teams before the (very) late '80s -- say, between 1984 and 1988? They couldn't even come close to getting over the championship hump because one man cannot a team make. And yet the same Pistons team of which Big Ben was a part won an NBA championship without that One Guy.

Ben Wallace is not Michael Jordan by any stretch of the imagination. He's not the one guy to turn a franchise around. What all the haters on here are forgetting, however, is that the Bulls do not need to turn their franchise around! Pax has done the best job of managing players that I've ever seen, and it was he who turned the franchise around.

Now, with a (somewhat stilted) fond farewell to Tyson Chandler, the only holdover from the Era of Krausonomics, looming, the full extent of Paxon's plan is coming into full bloom. Sure, Wallace isn't going to last more than three seasons (and that's rather optimistic) -- but that's not in the cards for the Baby Bulls, either. Folks, Paxon is done rebuilding. He wants to win now. And he's getting the pieces in place to do so.

I think it's finally time to stop being excited about a Bulls team that could potentially get to the second round of the playoffs, a team that might -- might -- have a shot at standing toe-to-toe with Miami. Defense wins games, and the Bulls have one of the top three defenses in the league, bolstered by Wallace's presence.

You know, I remember reading an article in the '95 offseason when Jerry K. sent Will Perdue to the Spurs for Dennis Rodman. In it, Bernie Lincicome's headline shouted loud and clear, "Disaster will come from this desperate move." Three championships later, and long after dear ol' Bernie had left for rockier pastures, I think it's safe to say that the Rodman deal was Jerry Krause's last great move. I sort of see something similar happening here; we just made a good defensive team even better.

And okay, so maybe it's a little early this off-season to be talking about how deep in the playoffs the Bulls are going to go. But think about that: we're not optimistic, we're expectant. It's not IF the Bulls make the playoffs, it's WHEN.

this is for q. have you been watching any of the anaylis on any sports staion at all?Unless you don't understand english i haven't heard one person say how bad this deal is but how now the bulls are the 2nd best team in the east.Ben Wallace is not the second coming of russell but like roman said rodman worked out just fine and was worst at free throws and fg % not to mention attitude.Look, wallace is not god but he will serve a greater purpose then you think,like teaching the youngins like tryus thomas and deng.you also seem not to understand that this "diva"(guarantee you wouldn't say it to his face)opens the door that krause shut to other big name free agents and shows the rest of the nba the bulls are here to stay.so hate all you want on pax, skiles,ben,santa , or whoever floats your boat but at least give props where props are due.thats right i forgot piston fans aren't the smartest people in the world(remember the fans and artest fiasco)

Q, The Ben signing is being called a great move by almost every sports site and sportswriters outside of Chicago, except Detroit. As for the money issue the trade of Chandler and his contract addded to P.J. Brown's 8 mil coming off the books next summer mean the Bulls will have enough money to resign their core players and go after free agents. Big Ben gives the already good Bulls D a shot blocker in the paint so the perimeter players can afford to gamble on steals which should lead to more fastbreak points. So all in all this deal does put the Bulls right up there with every team in the East.

I am a Bulls fan and more importantly, a basketball fan. I do not think this signing will get us into the championship game with the present roster but unlike many posts here, I do believe this is a good deal. Everyone talking about his offense... ah, basketball players and true fans know it is not about his offense. He is bringing defense and a proven track record with veteran experience. He has a championship ring, no one on the team had one last year. I feel with his defense and rebounding, he will be able to serve out his contract still contributing. As mentioned earlier Dennis did well. Four years, his contract is gone. Additional moves can still bring in missing pieces and who knows, there may be another big move on the horizon. Big Ben will make this team better, no matter what anyone says. Good move Pax especially with what was out there. Also, if NY has a horrible year, Pax has another security blanket!

now that Jerry Reinsdorf has finally reached baseball nirvana, he has let the Bulls general manager make some bold moves. lets just skip the season and celebrate the championship right now! no, seriously Jon Paxson is on fire! cutting the umbilical cords of Curry and Chandler were unfortunate but necessary steps to move the team forward. he has turned lemons into lemonade. first he exchanged Curry for Tyrus Thomas and the rights to switch with New Yorks 2007 possible top ten pick. then he finally got a "Big" name free agent to play for the Bulls. a move which has weakened an Eastern Conference rival. to finish it off he got another team to wait for Chandler to develop and received more cap space for 2007. the Bulls should be good enough this year to see if Skiles is the coach to take them to the next level. Ben Wallace may be 6'9", but he plays Bigger than most of the 7 footers in the league. did we over pay? of course we did. that is how a team gets a premier free agent to sign. Detriot fans now know what Chicago fans feel like when their team does not offer enough money and has to sign a second choice. offense? I thought the phrase was "Defense Wins Championships" . I really look forward to ending my boycott of watching the Bulls this year. all of you Mariotti-ites can say the glass is half empty, but I see it as 3/4 full.

I get a kick out of some of the posts from fans in other cities and the revisionist history. Dennis Rodman made the Bulls a legit championship dynasty after age 30. I remember listening to the Jim Rome show sitting on an Aircraft Carrier in the Gulf in 1995 and Horace Grant had just left for Orlando. He stated that the Bulls were headed for disaster after signing Rodman. He also stated that he was the key to the team, not Michael, and Dennis would kill team chemistry. I remember thinking, "what a sore loser". Mind you, Orlando had just beat us in the playoffs. That is the same thing I'm hearing now from some Detroit writers and fans. Ben gave that Detroit team of journeymen an identity. His never say die, hardcore defensive presence defined that team. Defensive abilities don't decline, just ask Mourning, Nate McMillan, Charles Oakley or Scott Skiles. Those guys made a living late in their career off of their defensive prowess even when their offense declined. Besides, with youngsters like Thomas, J.R. Smith and Sefalosha the Bulls will need Ben to be a calming influence and a great example of what hard work provides. This guy is a great piece of what championship teams are built on and also a cornerstone of what great franchises need to be and remain great. Just ask Billups, Prince and Rip. These guys were all journeymen before they hooked up with Big Ben and he held them accountable for hard work and defensive intensity. He was the one in the press calling guys out during the Cleveland series this past playoff. He's a leader and he's not afraid. No more layup drills during Bulls games for the other team. Bulls all the way!

I don't know what the current subject is, I stopped reading posts after the first two....but I think I should remind everybody to try not to get TOO excited. I honestly think we didn't address our number 1 need this off season....which is a legit 7 footer to play in the middle. Having a bunch of atheletic 6-9 forwards is great, I guess...and Wallace's work ethic is nothing short of amazing. But I have to agree with what somebody said earlier, he was the weakest link on a superb supporting cast in Detroit. We're still at least 1 player away from being serious contenders again for an NBA championship, and sadly, almost all of our available cap room has been spent securing Big Ben. All I gotta say is I got my fingers crossed (and so should all of you) that Pax still has some aces up his sleeve and finds a way to add some more talent to this team.

Heat fan here.. I like the chandler trade. Pj brown gets u better in another position. Center and PF are now two upgrade from a decent young bulls team from last year and adds expierence and shwagger. Pj brown can also give some decent offense and help young guys like ty thomas and whoever the bulls get in next years lottery. by the way next years draft is going to be way nastier than this years.. As a heat fan Im glade to have wade and shaq b/c good teams like the Pistons are going to be left in the dust without a go to superstar. next year u guys will have a solid team but its to early to say the second best in the east. That might be wishful thinking. But the next couple of years u guys will be up there just like the suns and mavs. anyone has some guesses as to what ur starting lineup might look like... Heres mine,,

starters:

Pg: Gorden
Sg; Hinrich
Sf: Nocioni
Pf: Pj Brown
C: Big Ben

Bench:

Duhon
Deng
Ty thomas
Allen/sweetny
Shenscher

Ben Wallace is no-doubt a tough, proven, championship caliber player. But the player who's going to make Pax look like a genius is Tyrus Thomas. Does anybody remember how he dominated Duke (13 rebounds, 5 blocks) and Texas (21 points, 13 rebounds) in the NCAAs? The Bulls will be champs in two years behind Thomas, Wallace, Gordon, Deng, Noc and Heinrich. It's happening Detroit: your worst nightmare.

The last good free agent who was too old and got overpaid by a team desperate to get him was Steve Nash. I, with everybody else thought it was a bad deal for the Suns because he would wear down for the last three years after 2 good ones (the 2 good ones turned out to be great ones). If Wallace is good for 2 years, the Bulls will be happy. They are banking on either landing Garnett (but not likely and why trade four players for one anyway when the four are young and their full potential isn't clear yet) or on Ty Thomas and the rest getting a lot better. If they can pick up Red Bull's slack when he hits 34, the team won't lose a stride, and he's still a signature player- who gets National commercial time- with a great work ethic and he comes from a winner which had one of the biggest upsets in finals history, was within three minutes of winning back to backs over the Spurs, and beat Shaq teams two straight years (although once due to help from a Wade injury). He was the best free agent available, this is only a four million a year hit with the subtraction of Chandler's contract, and it weakens the Pistons. Nazr Muhammad? Have Detroit fans really convinced themselves he's as good of a center as Wallace? Good luck with that Detroit. The guy had no confidence and couldn't crack the playoff rotation on a 2nd round exit team last year (Spurs). I'll take Wallace, even with limitations and questions.

I am a little puzzled to read that after trading Chandler to the hornets and getting back PJ and JR that the bulls still need a big shooting guard. Isnt Thabo at 6 foot seven inches big enough or JR at 6 foot 6 inches enough. I mean all of a sudden the team has two big shooting guards but still lacks a big man with any real scoring skills but Roman is talking about still needing a big guard. A big oops IMO.

The NBA should do like the NFL does have FA start before the draft so the teams know what holes to fill with the draft not the other way around. If Pax knew before the draft he was going to sign Big Ben I am very very confident Pax would have drafted LaMarcus Alridge a 6 foot 11 inch big man with lots of scoring skills who just needed to add about 15 lbs to be a true low post presence as well. With Big Ben and Alridge up front the Bulls would absolutely be the Beast of the East along with the rest of the talent on the team.

Roman responds: I'm not sure about Smith. I know he's a former first-rounder with a lot of skill, but if he couldn't hack Byron Scott, how's he going to handle Skiles? And I know nothing about Thabo except what I've read, but I trust Paxson.

The Bulls made the playoffs without Ben Wallace so with his addition to the team along with Smith and Thabo hopefully that will help solidify the Bulls.I hated to see Chandler go but I knew something was not right, not only did he not get along with Skiles he was depressed ,best wishes to Chandler hopefully he will do well with his new team(as long as he doesnt play too well against us )but I do have a feeling he will be alright.All the Ben wallace haters will have to eat their words though.Pistons are still a bunch of losers, Wallace should be glad to come to the Bulls.Good move Paxson!...GO BULLS!

Put the pipe down Luis. Brian and Doug, thanks for showing us just how deep this inferiority complex is with Detroit fans. Bulls easily take the season series againts the Pistons next year.

No one is saying Ben is our saviour. What Detroit fans might not realize, is that the signing of Ben is more than just signing a good player, it is the first time since the Jordan era that our team is not the team that players just use as leverage. We are now a team where an all star will consider playing for us. If that doesn't feel familiar to you, it will, just wait.

IT is a great time to be a chicagoan. "through thick and thin" i have been a loyal bulls fan. After an amazing bears seasons (which i am anticipating) the Bullies will dominate the east and be legitamite contenders. Anyone think we might trade wallace and some others for KG?

What people don't realize is that more NBA teams are going towards the "small ball" style of play. The days of Shaq, and to a lesser degree, Dampier, Z, are long gone. The sigining of Wallace is a GREAT signing, period.

Perhaps what everyone forgets to understand is that the Bulls have NEVER had a legitimate post presence since Artis Gilmore.

During their first championship run they had Bill Cartwright, who WAS a scorer for the University of San Francisco and the New York Knicks, as strictly a defensive stopper and a vocal leader for their relatively young perimeter stars (sound familiar?)

During their second championship run they utilized Luc Longley for his six fouls, but also used an undersized power forward named Dennis Rodman as a defensive enforcer, a controversial spark and rebounding guru (deja vu?)

Since 1988 only two teams have three teams have won championships with a dominant low post presence (Houston, San Antonio and Los Angeles). And, the last time I checked, there were no Olajuwons, Duncans or O'Neals on the open market.

Paxson has realized as such and he is developing his team to be a threat both on offense AND defense. He has built this team for serious playoff contention in 2006. Furthermore, with the selection of such young athletic talent and the upcoming high lottery pick to come in 2007, Paxson has set this team for possible playoff domination in the future. It is truly a great time to be a Bulls Fan.

Wow...some people just don't have a clue. Rodman was Detroit's droppings? Uh, the Bulls lost to Orlando in 95 because they had no rebounding or inside defenders. They signed Rodman and won 72 friggin games the next season!!!! And 3 more titles!! I also think people are forgetting, the Bulls took the CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING Heat to 6 games, without Ben Wallace. We basically have added Wallace, PJ Brown and JR Smith to replace Chandler. That gives us better defense, veteran leadership and size. This team may not win a championship, but they will contend. And for everyone knocking Wallace for being too old and breaking down and he cant defend Shaq, I'm willing to bet money that Shaq's skills are gonna decline a lot faster than Wallace's.

Ben Wallace is going to be 32 in september, bu the guy keeps his body in reat shape, karl malone took good care of his body and he played well until he was 38!not worried about wallace, he still got 3 good years left in him, i wanna know who is paxson going to get next, he said "be patient" i still have some moves to make

YES we overpaid. YES, Ben's "best years" are probably behind him. IT DOESNT MATTER. This trade gives us credibility. It gives us something we were sorely lacking...toughness down low. Dont try to tell me Chandler would be a bigger help now than Ben. Ben allows our perimeter players to afford the mistake now and then knowing we have an intimidator down low to erase some misakes. Tyson could never do that. Once someone got in the paint it was all over. Ben will at least make them hesitate...and so will PJ. PJ's money is off the books next year and Bens contract is ONLY 4 years. Thats manageable when you have 5 great players around him and he is not your main producer.

This team is going to be good for years with or without Ben. And we're still a work in progress. We have many tradeable pieces, a huge pick next year from the knicks in a draft considered one of the best ever, and the core of our team who is still improving and not even close to their potential yet. Next year we will likely be choosing from Oden, Noah, Horford, Hansborough, etc...so one of them to go with a develping Tyrus...as Ben rides off into the sunset we will have a sick frontcourt to replace him. Ben is merely a transition for us from a very good team to soon to be a great team.

There is a reason why big name hoops analysts are saying we're the team in the east for years to come and saying we're second best in the east already...theyre saying it because it is flat out obvious. It doesnt take a bulls fan to see it. The only who dont want to face it are Heat, Pistons and Cavs fans. Let them remain in la la land. The rest of the country knows the score. Find me another team with as promising a core as we have?

You can't. Enjoy the ride.

First of all, I'm no basketball guru...I believe Skiles and Paxson know more about who/what is available then any of us do...The Bulls did exactly what I hoped they would do ( see May06 blogs)...Keep the team intact and go after a free agent...This is simple...Are the Bulls a better team NOW than they were at the finish of the playoffs?...It's a no-brainer...YES...I'm glad they didn't trade Duhon...I'm glad Chandler is gone...He is a pouter...Harrington was let go yesterday so all in all the Bulls have a better bench and starting five...As far as Big Ben being "schooled" by Shaq...It seems to me that Detroit was letting Shaq get his points (they HAD to) in order to "defense" Dwade more effectively (affectively!!??)...It didn't work...Look Piston fans...Your team lost its' "heart" when they lost to the Spurs...They were not playing with the same energy this year...As far as the playoffs...Well. the playoffs is all about coaching and matchups...Seems to me that Flip failed year after year in the playoffs with the T-Wolves...Here's something for you Piston fans...The Zen Master (Phil) says that everything negative is based on one thing...FEAR...Your negativity in your posts is FEAR that the Pistons will suck next year...Since you have fear, you have lost already...Sheed knew it when he "predicted" playoff wins...A winner doesn't shoot his mouth off...A winner just plays...I guess he thought he was firing up his team...I think he knew the team was mentally tired...I mean after all Piston fans, that team won ONE Championship in a row...Imagine the heart, the will...the "want to" it took to win championships in 6 out of 7 years...You guys didn't have it..Yea ok you won 2 in the late 80's...Oh wait Da Bulls dethroned you after your brief run huh...Yer team met its' match, then, and walked off the court without shaking a hand...Nice team character...Bottom line...The Bulls have a a change in scene will help Big Ben...Remember it's a team game and I'm willing to bet that having 2 good players in the middle (Wallace and Thomas) will let the other Bulls' players do more...This is so easy peeps...They have more options with a good center...Chandler was immature emotionally and lazy and spoiled...A change of scene will help him too...After all, high school the the pros??!!!...Not many make that adjustment...I'm glad he's gone...Anyway, 'nuff said...Every team needs another player to make them better...If the Bulls got a shooting guard, someone would say they need somone else...That's the beauty and excitement of this game...MATCHUPS and how well teams adjust and execute against those match ups...It's all about how a TEAM philosophy can win...The Bulls are better than they were last year...That's a no-brainer and I think that's the topic of this blog...One more thing to the Detroit fans...It's pretty lame that you have to come to an out of town blog to whine, so Hey Roman!!!...Start a blog up for the Piston fans...Call it...The Days of Whine and No Wallace.

Yea Mike, I'd like to see KG in Chicago but like I wrote before, it's losing the "others" that makes me cringe...DON'T BREAK THIS TEAM UP...I want to see what the Bulls will do with THIS TEAM...I love this team!!!

Wow - seems like there's more hate for the Pistons than love for Ben in here.

I'm a longtime Pistons fan, but I was saying halfway through this season that the Bulls were one good big man away from contending for the East. Never thought that big man would be Ben, though - ouch.

Still, with the way the game is called these days, I wonder if the hard-nosed defense that the Bulls have shown (like the Pistons used to play in '03 and '04 but have stepped away from this year) is going to work down the road. Pistons are in a better spot to be the sort of offense-oriented team the league seems to be favoring,IMHO, if they can develop their young players. I like the Pistons' chances a year or so down the road, but have to respect how the Bulls played last season, even before they picked up Ben. Interesting times ahead in the Central...

I think that the signing of Ben Wallace definitely makes the bulls a better team and anyone who says otherwise is probably a pistons fan or just not too smart. With the limited options that were out there for bigs in free agency and in the draft, Paxson did the best possible thing (I was never all that impressed with Aldrige and I'd rather have Chandler back any day than Sene or O'Bryant and no way do Mohammed or Pryzbilla make you a better team). I don't think that this makes the bulls a lock for the finals by any means but I think that it gives them a definite chance to make it out of the first round of the playoffs and gives them the player flexibilty to make some moves. Believe me, Paxson has something else in mind. My prediction is that one of the following will be a bull before the season starts- Harrington, Odom, Marion, Wilcox, or Garnett. It may take getting rid of a few young stars (probably Deng and/or Gordon) but I think with Thomas, Sefalosha and Smith in the fold, the blow will be softer to take. Go Bulls and with one of the guys I mentioned in a trade scenario, they should be well on their way back to a championship. I'm out like Tyson Chandler - and I won't even take a parting shot at Skiles 'cause I'm classy like that.

I read most, but not all of the posts, so please excuse me if someone has already set the record straight on any of the following points.

First, those looking for someone to blame the Pistons weak showing against the Heat on, should look first to their other Wallace.

Sheed is the guy who most truly disappeared in the finals, averaging 10.5 point on 36% shooting.

If you need another fall guy, Billups, except for one game, did not exactly perform as a supposed MVP candidate should.

Essentially the story was that a Pistons team that averaged almost 100 PPG in the regular season was held to 84.5 by Miami. And we all know THAT isn't Ben's fault.

Second, concerning Lance's comment that "the Bulls can't score". Their 97.8 points was 13th in the league, only 1 point behind the 10th place Kings.

Actually their defense gave up 97.2 points which was only 16th in the league, which came largely from the high number of FTs their opponents shot, which Ben's D should help reduce.

Finally, let's talk about the issue of needing a "legit 7 footer playing center."

Shaq, Duncan, Yao, Gasol, Nowitzki. Those are the star/superstar 7 footers.
NOT AVAILABLE.

The best of the rest: Kaman, Bogut - NOT AVAILABLE.

Run-of-the-mill or over-the-hill: Miller, Dampier, Przybilla, Ilgauskas, Tsakalidis, Nesterovic.

Or would you like Mihm, Brezec, Rebraca, if the Bulls could get one of them?

The fact is, that while a QUALITY 7 footer would be desirable, there was no such player available at this time.

The Bulls offseason is the best that I’ve ever seen from this organization. John Paxson is doing an awesome job managing this team. All John’s transaction since becoming GM of the Bulls has been made to secure the future of this franchise. John’s overall plan is not to build a one and done team like the Miami Heat, but to build a team that will contend for 10+ years. The assets that he is accumulating (cash and players) are opening up unthinkable options. Some media and fans (Detroit) are saying we overpaid for Ben Wallace and his skills are declining. Ben will give the Bulls 3 to 4 great years, veteran leadership, and a quality mentor to our younger players. And before Ben’s contract ends, the Bulls could trade him to a contender or use his 15 million from cap space to sign Thomas, Oden or Noah (2007 selection). FYI: The Bulls saved 4 million dollars by trading Chandler $64million contract and replacing it with Ben’s $60 millions.
The Bulls will become ‘beast in the East’ for years to come. If you analyze the roster of other teams it is evidence that Pax plan is solid as a rock. The Heat is getting older and when Shaq retire Wade will be the only threat on that team. Cleveland won’t have enough money to sign other players after dumping millions on Lebron every 5ys i.e. Minnesota/Philly/New Jersey. Lebron and Wade will make their teams good enough to not qualify for the lottery, which could possibly hurt their teams building process.
However since Pax took over as GM of the Bulls he has made great decision. He brought in Scott Skies to restore discipline and respect back to the organization. Scott made his players accountable for their actions, while restoring respect back to the game. Skies have demanded that each player play every minute like it was its last. Since becoming head coach this team have played with heart, which is the reason Eddie Curry had to leave.
Paxson brought in older, overpaid players such as Scottie Pippen and Antonio Davis to teach current and future Bulls how to play the game the right way. In turn, he established future cap dollars to sign or trade for key players such as Big Ben or possibly KG. Through the draft he brought in players from winning College programs, while trading away wasted talent such as Jalen Rose, Eddie Curry, Jamal Crawford etc… Moreover John saw that it was necessary to buyout contract of wining player such as Eddie Robinson. He also sent players home with pay to send a message to his younger players that selfishness, laziness and disrespect to the organization will not be tolerated.
His ability to evaluate draft talent has paid immediate dividend in the win/lose columns. Kirk, Deng, Noch, Gordon, and Duhon contribution to this team has accelerated the Bulls return to glory faster than any franchise that I can remember. In 2 ½ years since hiring Scott Skies the Bulls have made the playoffs twice with rookies and 2nd year players. Even when John makes a mistake like signing Tyson Chandler to a $64 million dollar contract, he knew there would be a GM willing to trade for a mediocre center if Tyson did not live up to the contract.
Now Bulls fans are seeing the fruits of Paxson’s solid plan with the signing of Ben Wallace. However, if the team expects to exceed the new expectations such as reaching the eastern conference finals the Bulls young core must work hard this offseason to mature their skills. Noch and Deng must develop some low post moves and consistency with their shot. Gordon has to improve his dribbling and game-to-game consistency. Kirk can also add some low post moves to his game like Gary Paytons and Sam Cassels. Duhon just needs to keep improve his all-around-game.
Paxson has addressed almost every need this offseason, but I can’t understand why some believe we lost size with the trade of Tyson Chandler. The guy had 3 fouls before he left the locker room on some nights, so we were small most of last season. If some of you desire a guy with 3 more inches the Bulls need to sign Luke Schenscher. The Bulls have size, athleticism, speed, aggressiveness and energy to get the job done this year.
Good Job Pax!!!

Scattered Thoughts

Are we the new beasts in the East? Almost. Beast means clear cut #1, and we're not that yet. Defense wins period. The Spurs, Bulls, and Lakers were top 3 defensive teams. And, the 2004 Pistons were scoring like 75 points and still winning. We'll have the best defense in all the major categories.
We are only hoping for one thing before we can guarantee the championship: a consistent Ben Gordan, but we may have that this season. In the playoffs, the games come down to the last five minutes and you need someone to create and hit his own shot (your "ultimate team" had Mr. Big Shot to fill this need). We have the defenders to slow down the guy on the other team -Thabo on the Wade-LeBron-Kobe caliber perimeter players with Tyrus and Big Ben to clean up any slip ups. We have the scorer some of the time in Lil Ben, and in his second season playing starter's minutes, I hope it becomes almost all of the time. By 2007-08, I'd bet the bank on a championship, unless some other top 3 team adds a top 5 player to their team.
All the posts about the game is changing are ridiculous. The game is the same; they are just calling the fouls that were always there before (one day they'll call the traveling)...the players are just better (power forwards can shoot and handle the rock and centers can play up tempo). To combat that, you need longer, quicker, more athletic defenders with passion so that the players don't need to grab, hold, and perform other "veteran" moves to play defense. Paxson sees that he needs real defenders in today's NBA and we have a team full of them. And, the "you no longer need a dominant center" arguments are ludicrous. The only reason teams don't have them are because few of them exist. Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan, and Yao are the only ones left (and 2 of the 3 think they're power forwards...sorry no love to the "used to be" dominant centers). Teams have just smartened up and made the decision to put two good 6'9"-6'10" players in the frontcourt instead of one good one and a 7' bum.
Ben Wallace's contract is fine. We were going to pay $50M for Chandler, so we just gave it to Ben Wallace. The shorter contract (for the $50M) will be more than made up by the revenue from playing an additional series in the playoffs (we'll probably make money on deal if we get to the Eastern Conference Finals). To piggyback on the concept that defensive skills and rebounding diminish much more slowly, consider that the 76ers went to the finals with only AI and a 50 year old Mutombo. They were a good defensive team and Mutombo cleaned up everything in the lane (think about that team those who think every position needs to be filled with someone great both offensively and defensively...who was their inside scoring presence...who scored inside for this years Mavericks or Heat (Shaq didn't score 20 in one game in the Finals).

Lastly, for those that don't understand or hate that ballers get paid all the money they do, consider the following:

If you came up with an idea in 10 seconds that generated $1 billion, how much of that would you think you're entitled to? If it only took 10 seconds, should you get a discount? Instead of a 5% finders fee they give a good number for 10 seconds worth of work ($100? $1000?). Ballers ask themselves the same since they make a living doing what others think is so easy, but that work generates over $100M revenue per season.

i love it

The Ben Wallace signing was great. As mentioned before, he adds leadership and mentoring skills to Tyrus T., Sweetney and the others. Plus, he adds great defense to an already great defensive team. The trading of Chandler was inevitable with the signing of Big Ben. Getting P.J. Brown is a good addition, and then getting J.R. Smith was a great bargaining tool/tradebait. The Bulls are very close to winning the Eastern Conference now, but I see one more trade coming in the near future. I see Paxson trading J.R. Smith, Kryapa, and Malik Allen to the Sonics for C. Wilcox. Big Ben on defense and Wilcox, the low-post offensive threat, looks pretty awesome.

"YOU GOTTA BE THERE"
if you are not going to be at the "UC" this season my friend, you better have something productive to do in the cold, because the BULLS are going to be "HOT".

For all the haters, 1) Do big men defensive skills drop dramatically over 2-3 years time ( I remember B. Cartwright getting the job done and he never was a defensive player of the year ) 2) there seems to be an assumption that the Bulls current players are at their peak - if I remember correctly, Deng missed most offseason conditioning with a wrist injury, as well as Deng, Noc, Gordon are just starting their 3rd year, as well as Heinrich is only in his 4th. 3) we did draft Thabo as well as a 6'7" defensive guard 4) the foul plagued bulls don't need to foul when there is a legitamite post presence ( if for anything sake, at least the zebras will respect them ). 5) On Chandler - potential? how many years do we have to give him? on fouls? well it seemed half the fouls weren't his fault, so what can he possibly do to fix that problem?

I'll admit we are relying on TT developoing into a real player, on Deng improving his basketball IQ and scoring abitility, and to a lesser extent on Gordon being more consistent.

For the record I do hate Detroit and think Pax totally jobbed Dumars ( not nearly as bad as Isiah - hopefully Lambier will take a GM position somewhere for Pax to screw him as well)

Pistons fans..be more like Lions fans and just recognize your oneway ticket to palookaville. ( you guys did blow the availble cap space on Nazr right?)

I'd rather pay Ben $60m over 4 years than $55m to Tyson over 5 years. So that alone was worth the trade even if we dump Brown after this year and only have Smith to show for it. We still need inside scoring to help us get to the lane and for protection against off nights for our wing players. Until that is resolved, playing scrappy defense and hoping our jump shooting wins a series is a stretch. Hot jump shooting can help you win a game but it's tough to sustain it on the road, much less the entire series. I'm also not convinced that Thabo is ready to jump in and defend DWade and LeBron anytime soon considering he's only competed against lower European competition. Bulls have a LOT to be excited for but I don't see any banners being raised any time soon. Hopefully the Knicks tank it again next year and give us a legitimate shot at getting Oden or Hawes, and then also looking to add KG by trading some pieces we have now along with some future.

The signing of Benny the Bull - we already have one of those, must come up with a cooler nickname for dude - was a good move. Johnny Jumpshot did overpay however, regardless of the Chandler trade. He overpaid then too - by a lot. With that said, I grant my blessing to the signing and continue to hope for the best for my Chicago Bulls. Hopefully I'm wrong, but I have to feel the last couple years of the contract will prove to be at minimum a slight overpayment while the first couple years will prove to be a smart spend.

As my little brother was telling me, Wallace (freeeeedooooooommm - oops that was William) is in excellent physical condition, he will show up to play hard every night, and he does have the underdog mentality that drives him to be the best. All solid, tangible attributes and I believe these things will hold true throughout the length of the contract. However, even steel willed athletes must eventually succumb to the physical constraints which we all face in this life. Hopefully Ben's won't hit until the last year of his contract. At the end of the day, it remains a good signing for us even though we overpaid. Besides, it is nice to be the fan who's team won the bidding war for a change.

With that said, I think most of my fellow fans are somewhat over exuberant in their current assessment of our team. Our guys will be better than last year, but we had to play at an extremely high level for the last three weeks of the season just to get to .500, so what is that really saying? Not that we will be the second best team in the East for cripes sakes! It sounds as though people are counting on this Thomas kid being really good right off the top and that is probably an optimistic hope at best. Admittedly, I did not see much of the kid until the last week or so of the tourney - but let's remember people, the NCAA is watered down with kids heading straight to the Pros or staying for a year and jumping ahead. Thomas will be playing with real men at this level and it will take some time for him to get settled. But again, I hope I am wrong. Either way, Cleveland, Miami, and New Jersey will still be playing in the East next year - not to mention an up and coming Orlando squad so let's not begin making Grant Park celebrations just yet.

You know what the best thing is about this deal and the developments of the past couple weeks? We are really beginning to embrace the Bulls again (at least I am - and before you call me a bandwagon jumper - I was that Bulls fan who listened to them on the radio when Van Lier and Scott May were playing and Johnny Durham was saying "rimminnng good!" on AM560-WIND. I became disinterested when the team's management clearly was not interested in competing, instead opting for over-indulgent profits). But that aside, when was the last time we were really looking forward to the start of the Bulls season in early July??? For that we can give a lot of credit to John Paxson and his staff for the job they have done, as well as the young players they currently have for the effort they play with. They don't always play smart, but they do play hard. Keep up the good work guys.

GO BULLS!!!

...I really believe this is the transition year for the Bulls to take the next step in returning to NBA glory. Each year a team must pass through the phases to reach that championship level....since the signing of BIG BEN, the first round of playoffs that last couple of years, now is the time. Paxson is doing a great job at reshaping and molding a nba team based on tough, tenacious defense with tall, athletic players surrounding the middle. Luol Deng, Andres Nocioni, PJ Brown, Ben Wallace...coupled with Tyrus Thomas and the whole bench becomes more athletic, a bit younger and definitely with the ability to finally guard the post with a more effective post. Add in two exciting, young guards with Hinrich and Gordon, plus bringing in Smith and having Duhon as a stablizing force with the second unit and the bulls are a few closer steps to returning to championship play. Skiles and Paxson should be given the key to the city for righting the ship and directing the course to playoff success for years to come....i live in south florida now and soon will be buying a bulls jersey with a certain no. 3 on the back. Chicago/Defense/Rebounding are what makes this city tick....just as the bears look to take the next step in the NFL, these bulls will be the most improved and deepest team in the league....GO BULLS

I have heard that KG IS actually available, although its for a King's ransom. Any thoughts on who the Wolves would want from the Bullies, since it looks like Chicago is unwilling to do the deal?

Finally!!!!

The Jerry Krause nightmare is over. Give Paxson a hand for doing the unexpected. As a Chicago Bulls fan we've been holding on to Michael era too long. Even if we don't win a championship this year. The team will be interesting to watch. I don't think Pax is done dealing yet. So I'm sitting back here in Wichita, KS waiting for the season to start. Who in the East can compete!!! The Bulls are running again.

The recent trade that sends J.R. Smith to Denver for Eisley and 2 second round picks is not anything to be excited about. However, the fact that we have three 2nd round picks in 2007 (possible 4 if you include the Bulls own 2nd rd selection) and the rights to swap spots with the 1st pick with the Knicks in the same year warrant some attention. Moreover, the Bull has an addition 2nd round pick in 2009, plus their own. I might be a little off with the number of picks considering the flurry of trades, so if I’m wrong, please let me know.
The fact is the Bulls have the possibility to package all their acquired picks and a young core player in a deal that would bring back a bonaified All-star / franchise player. What team that is struggling to keep their star happy by surrounding him with players to win a title would resist this deal? With this package a team could possibly put together a squad that would keep their fans happy. In addition save that cheap owner millions. But what player would be available for such a win win type package the Bulls have put together? I would not want a declining All-star such as KG.
However, the possibilities are endless, because this package could rebuild some owner team. It is a can’t miss deal.

The main thing these Bulls have been missing is a clean-up man who can show consistency on the glass and can intimidate penetrating guards who beat their (lazy?) defenders off the dribble. This will free Hinrich to guide the offense, which will score on fast breaks off defensive plays(Thomas will receive his share of alley oop and Hi low passes) and drive and dish passes to shooters on the perimeter.

Chandler could have been that clean-up guy...and I hope he still can be. But Ben Wallace is a proven enforcer, an intimidator who will be a defensive terror every night. This team is built on team defense and a front line of Wallace, Thomas and Nocioni will be one of the most ferocious, athletic and tenacious in this league, blocking or changing shots and getting position on offensive boards.

If these Bulls get into a Phoenix-style shoot out, they've got three guys who shoot threes at nearly a 40% clip (Noce, Cap'n Kirk and Flash Gordon).

If Sefolosha can really guard on the perimeter, forcing opposing shooters to drive or pass, there are three ball thieves (Deng, Sefolosha and Hinrich) who can patrol the passing lanes and come away with a steal, without compromising the defense in the paint (thanks in large part to Mr. Wallace's presence.)

I see stifling Bulls defense, multiple fast break opportunities, second chance three pointers and drive and kick motion offense that Ben Wallace never saw with the Pistons of old. These Bulls don't need Big Ben to score (though it'd be great if he'd surprise the world by learning Rick Barry's underhand free throw shot.)Go Bulls!

Coming from a Pistons fan, you have improved your def., no question, but your offense is going to struggle because of it. Instead of 5 guys to defend, teams are going to concentrate of the other 4. I feel the Pistons offense is going to flurish because of it. I think Big Ben is going to have a great regular season, but inability to score in the postseason is going to hurt the Bulls. Remember, every team plays better D in the playoffs, it's the ones that can still score that win championships.