Anybody excited about Joe Smith?

Wow...Pax signed Joe Smith. Who is next? Will Purdue? At this rate, my 3 year old be have his PHD by the time the Bulls mature. Pax is NOT earning his money. Why can't Cuban buy the Bulls and the Cubs?

Roman responds: Great post, MG. Instead of complaining about who he did sign, why not say who he should have signed. Mihm? Moore? Yeah, that's what I thought. As far as Cuban, he hasn't won anything, even with with the MVP.

Hard to be excited until we get a legitimate-over-the-hump star in here. Joe is a good sign. He certainly won't mess things up. He and the Bulls are a good match. Its nothing like when the Bulls picked up Rodman to compliment Mike and Scottie. That was the BEST signing in Bulls history. It might compare with the Oakley for Cartwright trade. Cartwright was an impact player and maybe Joe can be that man for the 08 Bulls.

Roman, Joe Smith was a great signing. I'll agree his name is as average as can be, however, the Bulls don't need a superstar power forward. The Bulls already have 2 20 point scorers in Gordon and Deng. They have a great defender (he still is great) in Ben Wallace. They have a good pg in Hinrich. All they need is a servicable PF that can post and hit a jumper. The signing of Joe Smith is that type of player. The Bulls have to give minutes to players and rotating Joe Smith with Nocioni and Tyrus at PF is all they need to win the East (barring any major injury to Deng or Gordon). Furthermore, Paxson is an amazing GM since he has now set himself up to resign Deng and Gordon who are still both young, 22 and 24 respectively. They are approaching their prime and Joe Smith will bring an upgraded version of PJ Brown since he is a better scorer.

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/joe_smith/
( How come you guys didn't used this picture of the above link instead? ) He does not play for the Bucks!

Hey Roman, if his name was Osama Hussein, but played like the next Michael Jordan, would it make a difference to you?

Anyway, I willing to give the guy a chance. He's another guy who can rebound and keep pressure off the new kid Noah, and can score. Everyone on a team does not have to be a twenty point scorer night in and night out! Also, he can mentor the new kid, with fickle Chicago fans, Yoakim will need others who have been in the league and tossed around to explain, "Do NOT take what the paying fans say personal!"..."Their day job does not allow them to speak up when saddle with last minute projects, assignments or tasks."

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/joe_smith/
( How come you guys didn't used this picture of the above link instead? ) He does not play for the Bucks!

Hey Roman, if his name was Osama Hussein, but played like the next Michael Jordan, would it make a difference to you?

Anyway, I am willing to give the guy a chance. He's another guy who can rebound and keep pressure off the new kid Noah, and can score. Everyone on a team does not have to be a twenty point scorer night in and night out! Also, he can mentor the new kid, with fickle Chicago fans, Yoakim will need others who have been in the league and tossed around to explain, "Do NOT take what the paying fans say personal!"..."Their day job does not allow them to speak up when saddle with last minute projects, assignments or tasks."

It's not a bad signing for this team.Its not a "hell yeah" signing neither.He is a big improvement over sweetney but probably is just a little better then pj.I don't know if the way ty thomas has been playing in the summer lg is gonna warrant a starting position but if it does that means we got a 5 million dollar man on the bench which doesn't make much sense since we got a high paid non starter in noce.As it makes this team deeper it still doesn't put fear in too many teams.

I dont quite understand what MG's point was. By signing Joe Smith...are you saying they R too old or too young?

Either way I'll take it. Joe Smith was always a favorite of mine back in the day. I always liked his game. Havent seen much of him lately. Im sure he still has some game left and maybe a little chip on his shoulder to live up to his high draft pick. I really dont think we don't need a ton, just some solid production from the block area. We will be able to RUN TEAMS INTO THE GROUND THIS YEAR.

Let's see. He could have traded a couple of scrubs 4 Zack Randolph. Oh wait, I forgot, he is not the Bulls type right?

Roman responds: MG, Randolph is making over $13 million per season. Scrubs don't make that kind of a dough. That's why Francis was part of the deal. Only two Bulls make that kind of money, Hinrich and Wallace. Now you can say trade Kirk, but he's not a scrub.

Yeah, actually I am excited because i think smith will be very serviceable, granted he is not elton brand, but i think he will be more of an offensive force than p.j. brown mikki moore or chris mihm(not great before 2 ankle surgeries). Not to mention he is a character guy which cant be overlooked, he wont cause any chemistry problems or off the court issues for the bulls. And by the way, just because we signed Smith doesnt mean if an opportunity to snag more of an impact low post guy comes along pax wont explore it.

Well I cant say as I am excited as I would have prefered Mihm or better yet a trade for Gasol but I do see a major silver lining in this move. The bulls now have someone who they can dump the ball into the low post and can finish or pass off without making it look like its a major career decision. The worst at this was Chandler who treated the ball like it was a hot potato. Wallace on the other hand can make an entry pass lead to both the sublime and the ridiculous with the odds in favor of the ridiculous. The problem with Smith is that he lacks strength for his size but he has a good mid range shot and is a decent finisher who is a very good foul shooter so even if he cant finish its not a wasted possession to give the rock to him in the low post. This is someone that can take the bulls to the finals but he is not someone who can put the team over the top for a finals victory march. That would be a Gasol, or KG or better yet Kobe.

Which leads me to my silver lining theory. With the addition of Joe Smith the Bulls are in a great posiion after the 07-08 season to make a trade for Kobe or KG or another superstar and still have plenty of talent to win the championship. Its even possible that in mid season Pax pulls off a major trade for Gasol, KG or Kobe. It seems to me the Lakers have one more season or start of a season to keep Kobe happy so nothing will happen now but it looks doubtful o me the Lakers can really find enough talent to surround Kobe with what it will take to compete in the West. For the 08-09 season it appears to me that the odds are good maybe very good that Kobe lands in chitown and KG in Phoenix their seeming preferred destinations.

I'm always humored by the knee-jerk reactions by some fans because they always want the homerun trades and signings. That's the stuff that gets them excited. Fact is, very few, if any, franchises win solely on blockbuster signings and trades (save for Shaq to Lakers several years ago). Most winners are produced by solid and well-thought out drafting that fits a system. Then stars develop and they add parts--this is especially true in basketball and football where there are strict salary caps. Paxson has proven he can find and develop talent. Right now the rotation looks like Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Tyrus Thomas, Andres Noccioni, Joakim Noah and Aaron Gray--much deeper and better than last season.

That's a nice rotation of big men that can and will contribute to a very long season. I laugh when I hear how Pax is criticized for not making big moves and yet the team continues to win. Last year he gets the biggest free agent prize (Wallace) and this year he signs about the best available post player (Smith) and people are aggravated. (Marriotti will chastize him by press time, of course. But Marrioti also wanted Steve Francis to be drafted over Elton Brand in the 1999 draft because Francis was more exciting. Who would you take on your franchise in hindsight?)

This is the weakest Eastern Conference in years, and we were already one of the favorites, so Smith only makes this team deeper, smarter, more physical and a little more offensive.

I am content with it. He is better than PJ Brown or Sweetney at least. Roman is right. There isn't much free agents left the Bulls can sign this season. Is the Bulls done though? I think they should still get Luis Scola's rights from the Spurs. Duhon and next year 2nd rounder pick for Scola?

Neither has Pax genious

Roman responds: Right, genious, and they both have the same talent level to work with, right?

Not really.
There was no free agent that was going to make a big difference and what Pax really needed to do was work out a trade to get someone like Garnett or Gasol on draft day.
Gasol is out of the picture now but they could have worked on something for K.G.
Unless they are waiting for him to become a free agent next year and then get into a bidding war with half of the teams in the NBA it looks like Pax will go on with the never ending rebuilding process.
This off-season has been a disappointment to me personally.

Man, why the negative thoughts?? I am really excited. Joe replaces PJ & does so with another veteran presence, will provide more consistant scoring & should prosper with Ben & Luol around him. Then you have Noc, TThomas & Noah as nice back ups. Our front line is much better going into the year. Believe me this, along with Thomas & Sefalosha getting better & our core a year older i say we take the eastern conference this year

This is flat out a great signing. First, he is a very underrated player who when Philly decided to give him playing time the last two months of the season, he responded by posting 11.1 ppg. and 8.3 reb. Second, he only signed for two years and was relatively cheap. He is clearly a better player than P.J. Brown. The bottom line is this. In the last two games of the season, Philadelphia played both Cleveland and Toronto, who were playing for playoff positioning and the games went down to the wire. Smith responded 17pts. and 13 reb. vs. Toronto and 26 and 11 against Cleveland. Those are outstanding numbers. He will have far more talent around him which will allow him to go against defenders one on one. He is by no means a star, but he is solid scorer who will really surprise Bulls fans for the next two years. Also, the Pistons haven't made any significant moves since the season ended, while we have now added two very solid big guys in Smith and Noah. Had we had these two guys, we would have beat the Pistons.

With what was available in the free agent market, Paxson signed the best available. P.J. Brown is now retired,(stay tuned), and Chris Mihm was not an option. Stay tuned Bulls fans as Tyrus becomes a force in the N.B.A. And we can all forget about our draft pick Marcus Fizer from Iowa State!

Roman--You said Pax had the choice of Smith, Mihm,and Joe Smith.What a choice!
Joe will probably be better than PJ Brown was,but not much.I dont think they can win with what they have now.Noah cant practice,and has no shot.He is a 6-I0 version of Alan Iverson-- real hustler -with no shot.Tyrus Thomas would be great if he can get a shot this summer,and learn what to do on the Floor.The Bulls coaches couldnt teach Chandler to shoot or really fit into their game plan.Yet,this year he was secound in the NBA in rebounding,and even outscored the 16 milllion dollar man.Curry averaged 19+ a game for Isaeh Thomas.Almost only 2 rebounds fewer than (The Body)
I hope and his staff can do better with Gray and Thomas--They wont have time with Noah The Bulls have to make some kind of trade.Too bad they cant trade Ben Wallace,but only Pax would pay him that money at this time in his career.Lets hope Paxon can come up with something better than Smith, Mihm,or Moore to put the Bulls in the finals.
Frank Dollinger

In terms of signing free agents, he probably was the best available for the Bulls out there. If anything, he's a cheaper and slightly more athletic version of PJ Brown. I think Joe Smith is fine, as well as the drafting of Noah, but I'm more disappointed in Paxson who did promise earlier that he would make big moves this offseason to address their major needs for a legitimate post scorer. Unfortunately, this is still not enough to become a Championship team. Other teams in the Eastern Conference are improving really fast while we remain a bit stagnant as a team full of good/very good players, but without a true superstar at any 1 position. I sure hope Paxson is still trying to pull off a big trade. Think about it, outside of Noah, we're still pretty much the same team since Joe Smith is basically the same as PJ Brown. And what's the real deal with Nocioni and this foot issue? Several years ago, I was diagnosed with the exact same plantars fasciitis condition and I had to get surgery to finally relieve the pain. Time and rest doesn't heal that foot condition. I sure hope Noce is not a frequent visitor to the DL now that he has his big contract.

Joe Smith is boring but probably necessary for this year and maybe next. I would have preferred Mikki Moore or a long term deal for Milicic. The Bulls were not going to go longer than two years, which is when the extensions for Gordon and Deng kick in. Also, that is Kobe's opt-out year, Garnetts is next summer, so the Bulls couldn't make any long term committments. Milicic would have taken 5 years at the full mid-level, and posed a long term risk. Moore got three years at the mid level max, so Smith fills the short term slot vacated by P.J. Brown. He is protection against Thomas and Noah not being ready this year. Although to some extent the more that he plays, he will hinder their development.

So our starting line-up will be Hinrich, Gordon, Wallace, Deng, and Smith. Our second starting line-up will be Curry, Sefoloosha, Nocioni, Noah, and Thomas. That second unit isn't too shabby, might even give the first unit a run for its money. I look for the Bulls to make the quantum leap to a 55-60 win team this season and next, with legitimate expectations to win the East and at least make it to the finals.

Paxson has done a great job of putting the Bulls in a position for long-term success. His caution is wise in comparison to the reckless impatience of many GM's throwing money about without any plan.

I like joe, he seems to be a good fit, however I think Luis Scola (who is a low post beast, is a 20-10 guy overseas and would be the post scoring we need) would have been even better. The Spurs gave his rights away for nothing and he's about to sign a 3yr $10 mill which is cheaper then what the Bulls just paid for Smith. I know Pax was in discussions with the Spurs, but what happened??

No where near as excited as the people in Utah are about Joe Smith....

Not inclined to doubt John Paxson....it's probably a great move and our amature opinions don't get why just yet

I like the signing. Smith has decent career stats and on this front line, he'll only have to concentrate on scoring. Truth is however, I feel like Pax is setting us up for a big move either before the season starts or midseason. He'll probably take a wait and see approach on Thomas' development. Based on summer league, he may be the most improved Bull next year. Truth is, the Bulls look to me like the old Bad Boy Pistons. One explosive guard(Gordon), one guard (Hinrich)which is the caretaker of the game, a high energy disruptor (Thomas), a solid big man that does all the dirty work (Wallace) and a solid post guy (Smith). Sounds like something similar to Isaiah, Dumars, Rodman, Salley and James Edwards. He can't re-create the old Bulls because he doesn't have a Michael or Scottie. I think he's doing a good job.

Joe Smith was a good signing. My only concern is that more solid frontcourt players doesn't necessarily make the team better. Remember this. It was only when Nocioni went down and Deng and Thomas got more playing time that Deng showed he is on the verge of being an all-star and that Thomas has made lots of improvement since the beginning of the 2006-07 season. There are only so many minutes in the game. Most young players need 20-30 minutes to perform at their best.
Good to Go

His career avg is about 12 pts & 7 rebs a game. He's a pretty consistent player. Not great, but very serviceable. His attitude will fit in well with the Bulls. Considering the NBA is plagued mostly with men acting like spoiled rotten princesses I'm glad Paxson is steering towards the good men in the league.

I'm not sure how the details of the NBA salary cap work any more but I assume the mid-level exception means it doesn't hurt the Bulls in that regard. Overall it's a smart and safe signing that can only help the team. How can any argue with that?

I'm not excited by this signing at all. Another bland player whose impact will be minimal. Hey Pax, when are you going to get what everybody else already does? The Bulls need a big man who can score!

I hesitate in posting this since I'm not much of a b-ball guy. However, if memory serves, Joe Smith was the first overall drafted in '95. In know that doesn't mean success, but almost always means loads of talent. Guys of that ilk don't make it for a variety of reasons most notably the inability to acclimate to fame and fortune. Another reason is bad match. I hear that Joe is a "character guy." It's my educated guess that Joe Smith's biggest problem all these years has been the fact that he's played on bad teams and now, with at least two years left in his game, he just might show us a bit of the Joe Smith we saw right out of Maryland!

BTW, I can't stand any post that suggests Paxson is some kind of idiot. Don't forget also that any kind of major trade also comes at great cost. Kobe is also not exactly a character guy.

I would have liked to get Scola and Smith for Duhon and whoever. That being said, we have to have the minutes to develop Thomas, Noah, and Thabo and then add Scola? We are in game that means choices and we don't get all the moves because others are also trying to do it. I think there has to be one more move for the Bulls with Duhon involved and maybe Gordon. I love Gordon, but he is short is so often taken advantage of by the bigger teams( see Detroit and Nets). That is why we lost to Detroit.
On trading for Kobe, it will take three of Chicagos top 8, Thomas, Hinrich, and probably Gordon(I would ask of Deng rather than Gordon, but that would be a non starter for the Bulls). Gasol would be Duhon, Thomas, Gordon. Would we be a better team than we have? Having a super star does not guarantee us anything and I would continue with the players we got because we can certainly win the East with this team. The West is crazy strong, but maybe we will get to the finals and it will be a team that doesn't exploit our small backcourt and then we will have the opportunity.

Keith Said:Its nothing like when the Bulls picked up Rodman to compliment Mike and Scottie. That was the BEST signing in Bulls history.
(SO TRUE)

Keith said: It might compare with the Oakley for Cartwright trade. Cartwright was an impact player and maybe Joe can be that man for the 08 Bulls.
(FREE AGENT SIGNING AND TRADE U CANT COMPARE. THIS WOULD BE MORE LIKE THE RON HARPER SIGNING).

Douglas Said:Hey Roman, if his name was Osama Hussein, but played like the next Michael Jordan, would it make a difference to you?
(THE DIFFERENCE IS, OSAMA HUSSEIN OBAMMA IS ALREADY RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, SO, HE MAY BE A LITTLE BUSY, ALTHOUGH GOOD CALL ON HIM PLAYING HOOPS, DUDE WAS OK ACTUALLY).

Tom Pappalardo - (GREAT POST, SILVER LINING THEORY, NICE, FROM YOUR COMPUTER TO GODS EYES HOPEFULLY).

Allan - Did you really say "Is the Bulls done though?" you were joking with the way your worded that right? Allan?

IT SEEMS LIKE MOST OF US LIKE IT, BUT DONT LOVE IT.

I STILL THINK TYRUS THOMAS IS GOING TO CHALLENGE JOE FOR THE STARTING SPOT.

I THINK TT COULD TURN INTO AN AMARE'OR BETTER AND IT MAY HAPPEN SOONER THAN WE THINK.

I wish I had the faith u guys seem 2 have. This team is poised win exactly NOTHING in 2008.

We need a clutch three point shooter now.

The Joe Smith signing may not be all that exciting but he does add a piece to the puzzle. Last year with Philadelphia Smith averaged 9.2 points and 6.7 rebounds in 25 minutes per game. He has been pretty consistent throughout his career and I expect his numbers to be about the same this year.
The most important thing to notice is Joe Smith puts up pretty decent numbers without sucking up a lot of minutes. The Bulls will only go as far as their young players can progress. Tyrus Thomas will get more minutes this year but he will have Joe Smith as a safety net. The same thing can be said about the Noah and the Ben Wallace relationship. Both Thomas and Noah have great promise but are new to the NBA. They have steady players in Smith and Wallace in front of them that can keep the Bulls winning while these youngsters learn how to win at the NBA level.
Let’s talk for a moment about the lack of post up players. Joe Smith is not going to remedy that. He can hit the open jumper and that will open up the post for other players. From what I’m hearing from interviews with the Bulls coaching staff is the low post scoring might come from un-traditional sources. The two players they mention as low-post scorers are Loul Deng and Thabo Sefolishia. I think that eventually Noah will be a pretty good low post scorer, maybe not this year but in years to come. Noah is a winner, as is Hinrich, Deng, Gordon, Deng, Nocioni, Thomas, and Wallace.
Finally, Joe Smith is not Garnett. But the Bulls did not have to give up any of their core players to get him. He is one good player among many good players and he makes the Bulls deep and dangerous. I look forward to good things the season. They will win more games than they did last year and go deeper into the playoffs.
Joe Smith is not the answer, he is only a piece. The destiny of the Bulls is in the hands of the players Paxson has drafted.

Let’s look at the starting five.
Hinrich, Gordon, Deng, Smith, Wallace.
Certainly good enough to compete in the East.

The second team,
Curry, Sefolishia, Nocioni, Thomas and Noah.
A very scary bunch of subs that can score and play defense.

Good signing. There was no one else available as well.

Smith is 6 years younger than a washed up PJ Brown and should be able to give us a year or two. Also, if we need more, we now will have contracts to trade/throw in to make a deal work after December. If Garnett or Gasol are available during the 2nd half of the season, we can throw in those players to make a deal work.

Smith is also an expiring contract for next season.

I think the Bulls will be at least somewhat better this year. The Pistons are getting older, the Cavs seem to be having trouble resigning their players (Varejao and Pavlovic... at least I think, I haven't seen what's happened within the last few days). The rest of the east is washed up, so... I think the Bulls will only progress. The whole team is better, with more bigs. None of them are great offensive threats, but I think they are an upgrade over last season. I also don't think that they will get off to the terrible start they did last year. If they didn't have that bad of a start... they for sure would have been the 2 seed in the east, and quite possibly the 1 seed. I'm also really excited to see how TT has expanded his game.

I am so tired of reading about Gasol, Garnett and Kobe. People get over it already. Pax has just added more depth to the team which will allow him to continue looking at trades for an impact player now without gutting the team. Beyond that Smith is a solid player and no one will have trouble pronouncing his name. What I am more concerned about now is what is Pax gonna do with Duhon, Sweetney and Khryapa? To simply put them on waivers would be a mistake. Maybe Issiah woukd be interested in them for the knicks lottery pick next year. (sorry Keith but Randolph isn't going to get the knicks into the post season)Like the rest of you I suffered through the Krause post-Jordan years and remained a Bulls fan even after moving to New York. By the start of the season I will living in North Carolina and will remain a Bulls fan and continue to believe that Pax knows what he is doing and the Bulls will not only be a legitimate contender this year but will be back on top before 2010. And they will be there without Gasol, Garnett or Kobe. Bottom line is I like the Smith signing, Pax is looking down the road along with the immediate needs unlike those of you who are so enamored with obtaining an established superstar (which Gasol has not proven to be yet).

Good signing. Joe Smith does not take us to the Finals, but the big men for this year are better than last. Wallace, Thomas, Noah, Gray, and Smith are better and bigger than last years. That gives the Bulls the 2 seed in the East and a chance at the Finals.

I would like to see the Bulls trade Duhon or Khryapa for Louis Amundson (UNLV - 76ers) he is looking really good for the 76ers in summer league with a all around game (similar to Tyrus but tougher in the post) or Glen Davis big body rebounder(LSU - Celtics) to provide more depth and toughness in the post. The Celtics could really use Duhon since Rondo is their only point and they have 4 6'8 guys like Davis. Small little signings but help sbeef up the front line to combat Detriot.

Poor mans' P.J. Brown, nothing more. Just a blip on the radar. Come on Pax, you got more than that in your bag, right???

Smith is a big upgrade over PJ Brown. Plus much younger. I like how Paxson has built this team. He is doing it with his own style and philosphy. Tired of teams playing copycat with the last team that won it all. Kobe is too selfish of a player. We don't want him. Garnett stayed way too long in Minnesota and they want way too much for him. They were stupid not to trade him last year. Not sold on Gasol either.

I think the Bulls should stay put. They look solid to win a weak East. Adding Noah, Smith, and a healthy Noch will make us much better. Detroit is getting older and Cleveland has only one great player. The future looks bright in Chicago.

Smith is a good signing. He is exactly what we need since PJ is gone. Paxson added a guy who used to just kill the Bulls. It was a good pickup, but ANY improvement in our post is good. For me it looks like Paxson is the last Vulture on the carcass during this free agency season. By the time he got there all the good meat was gone and what's left really looks and smells bad. Unlike last year when he made the kill and got the first and best cut!

Bulls will start Wallace, Smith, Deng, Gordon, and Hinrich. And they all will be pushed by Noch, Gray, Krusty, Tyrus, Curry, and Sefaloosha. Bulls need to strengthen this bench. I only like Allen, Barret and Prof. Griff. We need to dump Krappy and Eatney and get some sharp shooters in here. Would be nice to have an enforcer like James Posey!!

This team is good enough to get to the conf. finals, and maybe the NBA Finals, but without a star, we will not win a championship and will do nothing but lay an egg like Cleveland did.

Good signing as long as it helps us keep Ben and Deng. The team is deep and with Thomas coming along we should be better than last year. Also we leave ourselves open for a trade at the deadline if something comes up with KG. We have some nice pieces and the Bulls can be very competative in the east, and wait for the opportunity to grab a star when it is the right star just like we did with Big Ben.

The Joe Smith signing simply adds another veteran presence to aide in the development of the two young bigs (T-Thomas and Noah). I believe Ty Thomas will emerge as the starting PF to begin the season, to which Scott Skiles will quickly pull the plug on him, bannishing an emerging force desparately needed in the starting lineup to the bench. The Bulls have the talent to win the East. What the Bulls lack is a coach with patience, who will allow the players to jell and develop the confidence and killer instinct to put other teams away. The team needs stronger bench play from Selfalosha, Curry, Noah, and Gray.

The June 07 draft is reminiscent of the draft which brought B.J. Armstrong, Stacy king, and Jeff Sanders to the team. Cury appears to be ready and I hope Noah and Gray can at least play defense and block shots this season. That will propel the Bulls to the next level.

The Bull are ready to rule the NBA once again; the pieces are now in place. The impact players are already on the squad as someone mentioned (Two 20 point scorers Gordon and Deng). Now it's up to coach Skiles to let them play. Losen the reins and re-awaken the running of Da' Bulls!!!!

Joe Smith circa 1997 might have excited me, but the 2007 version not so much. Still, it's not like there was a whole lot of options out there. Pax basically signed the best player available that fit the Bulls' needs.

What are people complaining about again? Joe Smith is a relatively-cheap ten points, eight boards or so per game-player who's been in the league for a while.

Re: Randolph--I live in Portland. Zack Randolph in Chicago would be Tank Johnson to the power of Ron Artest. And, Roman, I'd hazard a guess that The Atlanta "We Pay Tyronn Lue $4 Mil a season" Hawks would fork over that much money for him. I'm kinda glad Randolph got sent to the one city in which he'll most likely do something stupid that would end his career.

Excited isn't exactly the word I would use......more like "expected" I imagine. Not too sure what the Bulls are trying to do here, as I don't consider Joe Smith a low post scorer. I guess they will try to wear the frontcourts of other teams down and pound them on the glass. I mean a frontcourt at the end of a game with Noah, Wallace and Thomas hitting the glass and Hinrich and Gordon launching from outside sounds like it could be a nightmare for alot of teams.

Now for a bit of ancient history........I find it hilarious that the Bulls were interested in Chris Mihm...as we did draft him originally and then traded him for a very skinny kid with a headband from Michigan named Jamal Crawford. Bad trade......then we of course let Elton Brand get away....how good would Elton Brand look at power forward to throw the ball down low too....ugh.....getting sick here.

Hey Roman, good topic for a blog! Top 3 worst trades/free agent losses or Draft Pics in Chicago sports history.

I won't even go to Wilbur Marshall......but my top 3 would probably be losing Maddux, Trading Elton Brand, and drafting MCEnis(Mcnown and Curtis Enis in the same draft)......gawd. No, forget it, it's way too painful.

Darryl...you nailed it. If anyone thinks Joe Smith is PJ Brown, you haven't watched the NBA. Smith can get 10 and 7 min EVERY night. PJ does that about once every 3 games.
What do you suppose the market is for the the party animal Duhon these days...a few basketballs?

The way I feel about the Bulls right now is like a NASCAR driver who has 30 laps of gas left in the tank without about 31 laps to go. Do we have enough to get to the finish line????

"There was no free agent that was going to make a big difference and what Pax really needed to do was work out a trade to get someone like Garnett or Gasol on draft day.
Gasol is out of the picture now but they could have worked on something for K.G."

Listen, I don't know jack about the NBA or the draft but I do know that you guys are dreaming if you expect KG or Bryant to come to the Bulls. MJ is the most dominant figure in basketball to this day. Do you think that either of these cocky players wants to be swallowed up by MJ's legacy?

Roman responds: All those guys care about right now is winning rings, especially ring-less KG. They don't care about legacies at this point. Kobe has his own legacy but has been acting - even talking - like MJ for years.

Roman, the Bulls did have a big man that could score in the post last year...his name was LeMarcus Aldrige. He's putting up good numbers in the summer league. He could have been their inside game to complement Hinrich, Gordon and Deng. What are your thoughts?

Roman responds: My thoughts are Tyrus Thomas is having a good summer league, too. And Thomas had some good moments in the playoffs as well.

Yes, Joe Smith is not a bad pick up for the Bulls and he will provide something close to a double double each night. However, he is not the kind of player that the Bulls need right now. He scores primarily from the outside which is where so many Bulls players score from. The big post players are solid defensively and can snag boards all day, but they are not scores what so ever thus far. I would have prefered the Bulls save money, offer a trade for a marque player with the ability to take a game into his hands, rather than sign a player who I believe can only help them get back to where they were last season. If Joe could ever play like he did for the Warriors again, which will never happen, then the Bulls would have a shot a new title. Honestly, the are only lacking two kinds of players, the type of player that finishes games and the type that can put a team on his back and carry them. Hope is on the horizon, with Deng's scoring ability and Gordon's skill, the Bulls have two rising stars that only get better with age.

I didn't read all the way through to notice if anyone else said this, but, the Bulls didn't SIGN Rodman, they traded Will Perdue to the Spurs for him. You people speak as if you're such experts, and how this was the greatest SIGNING OF ALL TIME, and you don't even know the real details. It was a trade, guys. A trade....

Bryant...not sure if it will make you feel better, but the Bears got Enis and McNown in different drafts. Enis was '98 and McNown '99. Ughhhhh

I used to love the Harlem Globetrotters! I loved the cartoon and I actually got to see them once! They were talented, charismatic and entertaining! Does anyone remember the Washington Generals, the team they used to beat the stuffing out of every game? Well I wonder which team Paxson is trying to emulate? Its getting hard to tell.

Nobody wants an and-1 team out there on the floor (and I hate some of that stuff), but I don't want to see the Globetrotters vs. the Generals in the Finals, because that is exactly what would happen if the Spurs met the Bulls in 08. We need some stars or at least one good one. Cause I can see the Spurs warming up to sweet Geogia Brown right now.

LaMarcus???? Are you kidding me????

Wow..

Now that China blocked E jin Eye Lee EEE from the Bucks, will we have a shot at him??

The signing was ok but they are probably still the third best team in the East. Joe Smith will provide some scoring in the post that they lacked last season but the question to be asked is will he help them beam Detroit or Cleveland. I don't think so. They still don't matchup will with those two teams. Their backcourt is good but too small and their front court is better with Smith but not that better.

Roman responds: All those guys care about right now is winning rings, especially ring-less KG. They don't care about legacies at this point. Kobe has his own legacy but has been acting - even talking - like MJ for years.

Roman, are you saying that the word that KG wants to stay in Minnesota is bogus?

Regardless, will you please acknowledge that neither KG nor Kobe will be available to the Bulls without giving up more experienced talent than they can afford in order for them to be instant serious title contenders?

Roman responds: I think it matters to KG that publicly he's not perceived as a malcontent demanding a trade. I would be surprised if he doesn't want to go to contending team.

Keith, whether or not they finish ahead of Cleveland or Detroit depends a lot, assuming good health, on how much more improvement that Deng and Gordon can show and Hinrich having a truly consistent,focussed season as well as TT and Thabo being productive members of the 8 or 9 man rotation.

Would I bet on them finishing 1st in the East? No.

Do I think that they can? Yes.

I would bet - although not the ranch - that they'll finish ahead of one of those teams.

I also would not overlook Toronto as legitimate Eastern title contenders.

The Rodman signing can't be the best signing, because we TRADED for Rodman. We got him from San Antonio for Will Perdue people. Let's quit posting that and sounding like Bulls fans don't know what they are talking about.

Listen, has anyone noticed the Bulls pay a premium for Veterans with a certain resume. Quality persona, Quaility basketball and Hi Basketball IQ? Is Joe Smith the second coming? No. But if you look at the makeup of this team in the short-term and the long-term Paxson has done an unbelievealbe job of putting together, possibly the deepest team in the league. There are 10 guys on this team that could fill a starting role on at least one NBA team. 10, think about that. Now does that make them too deep? Possibly and you kind of felt that last year at the begining of the season. There was almost too much talent and not enough minutes in a game. But Pax has developed 10-12 quality playable or trable assets and when you look at it from a business perspective what team or GM would not want to be in his position? To many GM's today jump the gun or look too short-term. Pax is looking at a team that will be very competative and possible champions for at a minimum 5-7 more years. Most teams can see past 2-3. Not sure if anyone has thought about this, but the numbers in the rumormill are at 10 mil per year for Gordon and Deng. With a guy like Rashad Lewis getting 17-18 per from Orlando. Doesn't 10 seem like a deal and doesn't it make them tradeable assets in the future too if they don't get any better? These two guys would be at least secondary options for most teams and in todays market, most second options are getting 10-18 million per. So is Joe Smith the best move? I don't know, but from where I'm sitting I'm seeing the next 5 years looking a whole lot better then the last 7.

I specifically remember them picking up two losers that year, was that they year of that um receiver from Michigan....gawd what was his name?

thanks for correction Jeffrey, but man it was something that made me tie those guys together though.....maybe out of infamy? I think the Bears might've passed on Culpepper for Mcnown or something....and I think they might have passed on like Deuce Staly for Enis....it was something crazy like that.

Oh sorry blogmaster.......um....Yeah go Bulls! Hooorah!

Ok, I've seen some silly stuff before but let's look at the progress made in the time that Pax has had with Da Bulls. He has taken a team which had little or no talent and turned it into something respectable. No we aren't perfect but we're headed in the right direction. You all sound like you never saw Pax play. Ever notice how deliberate and focused he was as a player. While MJ was putting up points, Pax was there feeding him. When MJ wasn't looking at Pippen he always trusted Pax to be able to bury a 3 when needed. Wake up Chicago he's building something that will last. He knows talent and skill. He also knows about team chemistry, He lived through it with some of the best players in the game.

Joe Smith was he not the UPS delivery guy over on 63rd and Halsted during the late 80's and early 90's.

Paul, Paxson has the experience, no doubt. But he is building his team to reflect players of his caliber, (Skiles and Hinrich), when he should be building a team to reflect the caliber of Michael or at least Scottie's abilities. Talented, long, athletic stars. Pax was not that kind of talent, and he is dreaming if he thinks we can win without stars. Thats the kind of thinking that gets you fired.

Roman responds: "Talented, long, athletic .." like, um, Luol Deng? Tyrus Thomas? Thabo Sefolosha? I don't think those guys remind Paxson of himself. Neither does Ben Gordon. About the only two who may are KH and AN.

Tim 2, I like that last post. I agree wholeheartedly. Bulls have a good team with too many ifs ands or buts. Too many questions my friend. And Yes indeed, other teams - WITH STARS - are closing the gap like Toronto. I love Chicago, and want to see them win as much as anyone. I love TEAM ball, and the nuiances of the GAME, not and-1 highlights. I just know that even the best team is neutralized by star play (I watched Kobe single-handedly dismantle the Spurs one year).

I don't know how many times I have watched a well-oiled discliplined Bulls team put up a valiant effort for 3 quarters only to be bested by a talent like Jason Kidd, Tracy McGrady or Michael Redd in the 4th. Its come down to us having only Ben Gordon to look to in the 4th quarter and now teams know that. They know all too well what he can do, and have modified their defenses to force the Bulls to make someone else beat them. And other teams are waiting for the Bulls to trade him.

the statement that nobody wants to see an and 1 team on the floor just blows my mind. Keith when D. Wade and Kobe score 30+ points aren't many of those points because they went to the hoop scored and were fouled for an and 1? Don't they average 10+ free throws per game? when you watched Kobe dismantle the spurs how many times did he drive, score and draw the and 1? the high flying breakaway slam dunks are great replay and so are the in your face game winners from downtown but many a game has been won by the and 1 when the and 1 shooter is an 80% or better free throw shooter and there is nothing I like to hear more than Tom Dore saying and 1 at the Bulls end of the floor. how many times did the spurs mount a decisive run beginning with either a Parker or Ginobli 3 point play the old fashion and 1 way? and how much does making that and 1 slow down and disrupt the run and gun teams that struggle in the half court offense? when the Pistons won the title in '05 how much of their offense came from and 1's by Billips and Hamilton? for that matter how many FTA's did MJ and Pipen average? those and 1's add up many times to W's regardless of how boring you think they are. considerthis fact, this past season when the Bulls made 30 or more trips to the line they won 80% of those games. the games they lost when making 30 or more trips to the line they shot under 60% from the line and just under 80% when they won.

Keith: I don't know how many times I have watched a well-oiled discliplined Bulls team put up a valiant effort for 3 quarters only to be bested by a talent like Jason Kidd, Tracy McGrady or Michael Redd in the 4th."

I disagree with this statement.

Talking just about last year, I honestly don't see most of their losses in those kind of games being do to opponents superior talent.

To me, most of them were the result of a lack of maturity and composure mostly, I have to say, on the part Gordon and Hinrich, as they are the principle ball handlers, but others as well.

As I've said before, they seemed too often to go from the well-oiled and disciplined that you describe to brain-dead, as if they had just been introduced to the game of bball or had never played with each other before.

I would attribute about 5 losses to such conditions, which would have meant 55 wins and 1st place in the East.

I think Keith meant an "And 1" team? Streetball? no?

Not sure, but I think thats what he was saying, nobody wants to see a new age Harlem Globtrotters/vs Wash Generals type thing...

thats what I got from it anyways...

not 1+ the foul!

Joe Smith is a younger version of PJ Brown. It's obvious that PJ is gonna retire. I believe playing Joe next to Ben Wallace will be a decent situation. I believe Joe's offense will increase and the Bulls will have better depth.

Tim 1, "And 1" is a term used to describe a form of street ball. Trust me, you dont want to know... Its got nothing to do with free-throws.

Tim 2, Superior talent shines under pressure. 4th quarter heroes are rare. Bulls lost a LOT of those games last year. Its mental toughness AAAAND Coaching, but mostly the star's ability to apply the pressure and expose an opponents weaknesses. Michael and Phil are the best I've ever seen. One oppossed his will, and the other was a master of execution. When Mike wasn't hurting you, the TEAM was breaking your back.

Smith will contribute, he is not a difference maker, but a definite asset. Paxson has and continues to do a great job as GM, if the type of veteran superstar we want is attainable, he will get him. In the meantime, the Bulls have a roster that will definitely make the playoffs and potentially win the east.

Keith I'll take your word for it that I don't wanna know but what I don't see is why you think the Bulls are beginning to look like some kind of streetball team.

Tim I agree with you that they beat themselves in those games after building leads and then going brain dead and stopped doing what got them the lead.too much dribbling at the top of the circle letting the clock wind down then forcing bad passes or bad shots instead of just running the offense that got them the lead. those bad shots and passes lead to fastbreak points and when the lead had disappeared it was their lack of maturity and composer not opponents superior talent that cost them.

Tim 1, I dont want the BULLS to look like an And-1 street ball team.

Both Tims, How about giving the STARS the credit they deserve. Its not just US growing up. A star makes you look bad regardless of your effort. You've seen what Michael did to Utah. Those two years they played the Bulls in the finals, had they met any other team from the east they might have prevailed. But the Star of Stars shined his brightest on the biggest stage.

I don't think this has been brought up yet.

I believe that, especially with his rotator cuf problem, Noah will be brought along slowly and carefully. I do not expect that Gray will see PT any time soon.

I also think that Skiles and Pax will try to play Wallace fewer minutes as much as possible for the first 3/4 of the season to keep him strong and fresh for the playoffs.

If I'm right then, as the team is now constituted, Smith could get more minutes at center than at PF.I have read some posts that say Smith is weak defensively. He was with the Nugz such a short time - 11 games, 13.5mpg - that I didn't see enough of him last year to have an opinion.

In the final 3 games of last season, however, he played starters minutes against Detroit, Cleveland and Toronto and averaged 18.5 points and 11 rebounds on 52% shooting.

So it might be a 5 man frontcourt rotation of Wallace, Deng and Thomas with Nocioni and Smith getting solid minutes at PF/SF and C/PF, respectively.

If Im Tyrus Thomas...Im thinking I got a legit shot to start!!!

I would have preferred Chris Webber. He is still available and cheap as well.

About time a few started talking right. Tyrus Thomas will eventually start at PF.

Thomas is still too raw to start. I hope he develops quickly enough, but I just don't think his is ready. You have to have size and toughness to be a starting PF. I am just glad we have a guy that can make you spill stuff, or immediately grab the phone and call someone!

I think the jumping/drink spilling/call your buddy back home dunks will increase with regularity until Skiles has no choice but to start.

Can TT play small Fwrd?

I believe he will be able to play small forward in spots. But those are Noch's minutes. Skiles will play the vet. There are times when he will be forced to play - because of athletes. Bulls at least have some long athletic guys. I am reservedly excited about the new season. (oxy?)

GARNETT TRADED TO CELTICS FOR PEANUTS -

GARNETT
PEIRCE
ALLEN

OMG!!!! WE GOT BAMBOOZLED AGAIN!

Freakin Boston??? We lost KG to Boston?? They dont even like Black people in Boston and he went there over Chicago. I flippin hope Pax is right and Deng can get 30 and 15 every night!

Maybe we can sick Acid Baby, I mean, Sideshow..I mean...Mrs.Switzerlands Son...on him!!!! Maybe he and Ben Wallace can old KG to 25 and 12 instead!

Nice...

Who else can we get to come to the East?

Maybe Kobe will go play in Philly!! or....Amare' to Detroit??

I wouldnt be surprised by anything now!

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