Tyrus or Joakim?

I know that Tyrus Thomas is up to the task of starting but, considering that it's postseason and a chance to try out all the different combinations, I see no harm and a good deal of potential benefit to starting Noah at least once. He may be a rookie but he deserves a chance to experience the starting lineup and may very well prove worthy of the opportunity! At the very worst, the Bulls lose a pre-season game; they did that last night with Thomas on the floor so giving Noah a chance isn't THAT big a risk and would give Skiles and his staff some insight into what his new aquisition could do from a starting five perspective!

As long as TT can cut down on the turnovers and learn how to play facing the basket better, sky is the limit for him. As far as Noah, he is all over the court and moves extremely well without the ball. He will a pain for opposing teams for years to come. To change gears a bit, aren't you glad the Bulls didn't end up drafting Yi or Hawes?

Yay!! Basketball season!!...Tyrus Thomas is my answer to this question...I think he's going to be a scorer along with Deng and Gordon

wow, what a log jam of talent at the 2, 3, and 4 positons....I see a lot of different line-ups available to Skiles...The Pride of Plymouth...Go Rockies!!

Good problems to have...DaBulls

if Thomas and Noah end up splitting playing time effectively does it really matter who starts and who comed off the bench?

Roman responds: I think it stunts growth. Commit to Thomas and watch him develop. I don't think he's very far away.

Senoirity at first, but then whoever produces over season gets nod. Simple. Next question.

I have to start with giving the Bulls and Skiles props for letting Ben Wallace wear his headband! Thank Goodness! This is a no-brainer Roman - Tyrus Thomas. But I like Skile's answer - you play them both depending on matchups. Noah is ready to go. I like his instincts and you can't teach those. It is likely that neither of them are ready for a full season (Noah is going to hit the wall), so they both should share the time. I really liked Gray. He is big and can score. We desparately need that kind of person and scoring on our team. Joe might be the missing piece. Ben Wallace has been working on his offense! Was a good game showcasing a lot of promise. Team still needs a star, but fortunately not a superstar. Bulls have a TEAM and that is more than most of the NBA can say. They need one person with heart who can handle pressure. Someone that makes others better.

Thomas is still reckless and out of control.

Though Tyrus may be the athletic monster, at this stage Noah may be the more seasoned BASKETBALL PLAYER, which means a lot to a coach like Skiles.

Nothing wrong with playing them in match-up situations, but if Noah plays 'D' to Skiles liking I believe he gets the nod. Plus I think Thomas needs a fire lit under him, and what better fuel than to have a rookie start ahead of you.

Yes Tyrus is special, but mistakes matter more than talent in Scotts' scheme. Can't deny Noahs' energy. Seems committed to the love of the game.

Either way we can't lose. Boy, it's been a while since we had a win-win situation with the Bulls. Future looks good.

Personally, if I were Skiles I would start Joe Smith over Thomas and Noah for experience reasons. Remember at the power foward position the Bulls don't need a high impact scorer. They have that with Gordon,Deng,& Hinrich. What they need at power forward is someone who can rebound, defend, and keep the opponents defense honest. With Joe Smith you have a 12 year vet who's experienced the postseason and averages 12points for his career and is a polished low post player. I would have Thomas backing Smith up and have Noah picking up minutes at power foward and center. Thomas and Noah will get ther minutes but right now their games are too raw. They have the athleticism, but not the substance yet. So they need to learn from the vteran Joe Smith this season and work on the fundamentals a little more before we can think about them starting. The Bulls are trying to move forward not fall off. So Joe Smith should be the stater for the Bulls.

Personally if I were Skiles I would start Joe Smith over Thomas and Noah for experience reasons. Remember at the power foward position the Bulls don't need a high impact scorer. They have that with Gordon,Deng,& Hinrich. What they need at power forward is someone who can rebound, defend, and keep the opponents defense honest. With Joe Smith you have a 12 year vet who's experienced the postseason and averages 12points for his career and is a polished low post player. I would have Thomas backing Smith up and have Noah picking up minutes at power foward and center. Thomas and Noah will get ther minutes but right now their games are too raw. They have the athleticism, but not the substance yet. So they need to learn from the vteran Joe Smith this season and work on the fundamentals a little more before we can think about them starting. The Bulls are trying to move forward not fall off. So Joe Smith should be the stater for the Bulls.

Can we do a thread on how much Boston Sports makes me want to PUKE???

Thomas works better with the offense. Start him.

I liked Noah in college except he was inconsistent and seemed to disappear at times. TT is the better bet for now,but Noah can move when his hearts in it.

I hear the Braves GM just quit...I wonder if he would also say that Uribe is our SS. Bring him to the south side !!!!

It won't take long for Noah to get up to speed with the Bulls system but Thomas has the edge right now both physically & experience wise. You've got to start Thomas & it's his job to lose more than Noah or Smith's job to win.

Ric Bucher ESPN...reporting that Kobe still wants out, Chicago and Dallas only teams he will play for.

he says...Days in LA are numbered.

Owner Buss says "Listening to offers"

Then Culzie and everyone...I change my answer...get Kobe...like I said, we have a log jam of talent ...Celtics/Bulls would be a cool series

Noah will be a better 4 than TT in the long run....TT is a three....do the Lakers want Deng? Nocioni?...definitely Gordon..

Kobe wants the NBA Michael experience...always has

anyway, I think TT is a better 3...Kobe is doable

i don't care what it takes ,you get kobe! i don't think a number1 tt and ben gordan is aking too much.then maybe throw in noce. i know a lot of people are going to say i'm nuts but kobe is the best all around player in the lg and you got to pull the string to snatch him NOW!!!!!

i don't care what it takes ,you get kobe! i don't think a number1 tt and ben gordan is aking too much.then maybe throw in noce. i know a lot of people are going to say i'm nuts but kobe is the best all around player in the lg and you got to pull the string to snatch him NOW!!!!!

Roman responds: You do realize Kobe the Magnificent didn't get to the playoffs last season, right?
You don't give up your whole team for a superstar. Look at KG in Minnesota. Just don't do it.

Wondering out loud: WHAT DO WE DO WITH BEN WALLACE?

Paul You have a better shortstop in mind?
Uribe hit 20 homers this year.
Pitching was the problem and Big money boys not produceing til too late in the season.
Put Uribe stats up with the best s.s.
He`ll be back.

Keith I am really impressed that you've finally admitted the Bulls don't need a SuperStar, just a star (translation....leader).
I also agree with you about Gray.

bculz get Kobe out of your mind he'd only wreck the teams chemistry.

Roman agreed Thomas is not far away from being something special but depending on match-ups it might serve well to start Noah at times and if both players end up playing 20+ minutes I don't see any growth stunt occuring.

2 players still need to be cut to get down to the 15 man regular season roster......Duhon & Khryapa?

I would trade Noah,Deng and Chris Duhon for Kobe.

Thats not half your team.

I agree with Roman on this one. Kobe is a great talent, but the Bulls want to go to the finals and win. We need a LEADER and a star. Someone like Chauncy Billips or Jason Kidd that knows when to shoot and make others around them better. Someone who would rellish shooting the BIG shot, and definitely someone to lead them in the playoffs.

Mr. Bryant is a first round and out player - just like his buddy Allen Iverson. A friend of mine said he is more like Dominique than Michael - and the difference is Shaq. That's the difference in Penny Hardaway's career and now Dwayne Wade's. Kobe sold out in the playoffs, and came on TNT offering Kenny and Charles Playstations and excuses. He wouldn't need a trade if he was the kind of player to help (team guy), because he had the ultimate teammate in Shaq. You can't play with Shaq and something is just wrong with you. I would wait until NEXT YEAR when he is a free agent and then see if he really wants to be like Mike.

The player that sounds better is Jermaine Oneal. Bulls could make a deal with Indiana that would make better sense. LA wants the world for their mealticket.

***Mr. Bryant is a first round and out player..........***????????

He has three rings....

if lakers would take Noah, Deng, and Duhon, I'd jump all over it...give em a first round pick for not wanting Gordon

Blackhawks and Bulls on tonight....ahhhhhhhh

Jermaine O'Neal is more poisonous in the locker room than Kobe would be Keith, I wouldn't give a 2nd round pick in 2015 for him even if Indiana tossed 2 cheerleaders in on the deal.

Roman, the Lakers were in the playoffs last season. Kobe's scoring streak towards the end of March probably got them over the hump. They finished with the 7th seed, and lost to the Suns in 5.

And as for the starter, that should go to Joe Smith. Tyrus and Noah are both hard-workers. The one who works hard enough and shows good consistency will eventually get the privilege to start. On the other hand, doesn't Noah fit the mold of the new kind of NBA center? My guess is that the rookie might backup Big Ben. Can you imagine Tyrus and Noah playing together when they understand the game better? Then you add Deng, Gordon and Hinrich. Noce, Sefolosha, Duhon, and the rest? I guess there's reason to be excited for the upcoming season.

I would Never bring Kobe to Chi-Town.
1.A Jordan wanna be.
2.He`s selfish.
3.Reminds me too much like Isiah Thomas.
4.Paxton got a good thing going here.
5.Don`t sale your soul to the devil
the price isn`t worth it.

Tim - thanks! I do not endorse blowing it up for a showpony like Kobe. KG maybe - but even he is unproven. Something about the NEW guys that make me feel a little better this year. And the gentler Skiles is definitely a plus. He has to make sure he is not a detraction to any star considering coming here. And he has to help cultivate all the young guys we have. Mr. Skiles has a great chance to make or break his career. His best coaching just might be policing himself.

Bulls have some athletes now and that is a step in the right direction, but we have to address the Gordon, Curry, Hinrich, Duhon, Gardener, Thabo, Barrett, Griffith and Deng stockpile at guard/2guard. Bulls finally see the light and are trying to build length at those spots. Each of these guys have unique talents - but what the Bulls need MOST is a playmaker. We need someone to get the most out of those weapons. A playmaker will find open shooters and post players. Duhon has been our best playmaker and I am hoping Curry will be better. We also need a guy that will go to the rack and throw it down that is why Gardener's dunk was so impressive (felt like rain after a drought). Gordon and Hinrich will go to the basket but the refs know they are looking to pass so they don't get the calls. This is ashame because we are in the above-the-rim era where the league is showcasing that. Thabo can do it and so can Deng. I hope he is able to make the transition.

I am VERY hopeful in what I saw in the entire front line. Even Wallace (who seems livelier with his headband) is trying to score on the block. But what made me really hopeful was Gray who showed great promise on the block. He is a legitimate 7-footer that can give us the scoring punch we so badly need in the post. Noah is also a refreshing alternative to Tyrus Thomas, who can score on the block. But the person I am waiting to see is Smith who is battle tested. Smith's game should compliment Wallace/Gray/Noah on the block. If we can get 25pts and 25 boards off the block this will change the way the Bulls score points (high percentage) and make us a legitimate finals contender. And our guys are not just scorers but good defenders. We are solid at the 3, especially if Noch can return to form. Bulls will COMPETE. We should be able to get to the 50-60 win mark this season. Roman the question we might be asking down the line is trade or no trade.

If Kobe wants to come to Chicago and we dont make the move, it would go down as the DUMBEST GENERAL MANAGERIAL MOVE EVER.

We could compete for the Championships for the next 6-7 years with Kobe. How old is he....29?

Romo - let's do a contest blog. Come up with some sort of prize for whoever can list the most names in the upcoming Mitchell steroids report. Funny how this work didn't get anywhere till the roped in this trainer from the Mets, and now the online roids sting operation. I hope they didn't pay this guy much.

Bearone...you're kidding right??!!! Are you really falling all over yourself for an overweight, .230 hitting SS who has 2 defensive lapses (aka concentration) for every good play he makes.

You must have been watching a different team. Compare his stats to any SS?? OK, I can find about 20 better than him, and about 30 that actually care more than him about playing.

20 HRs? Wow...when you swing from you're heals on every pitch, you will hit a few out.

You're right...he's a stud.

NOTE TO BLOGGERS!!!!

PLEASE stop putting Duhon in any trade for Kobe. His trade value is equal to about 3 or 4 basketballs - the ones the NBA doesn't use any longer.

He's a noted party animal...spends too much time on Division street, etc.

Bculz,

For some reason I have been agreeing with you lately? Kobe is the best player in the league now, and I would give Noah, either Deng or Gordon, Noce(for salary) for him (or almost any combo.)

Yes Keith, Kobe is a one and out player since Shaq left. He is also a tool of a teammate, but his talent can overcome all Deng and Noce and Noah can give this season or the next 4 or 5. He is not MJ, who is. He is the best now, and Kobe, big Ben, TT, Gordon or Deng, Kirk, and whatever our bench is, I could roll with that.

About Boston, 4 years ago that squad would have scared me, now, it just looks really good, not great, still beatable. But if no trade, start Smith in the beginning, then after the circus trip, go from there.

Chuck...it feels nice doesnt it? Sometimes its ok to be RIGHT.

Culz,

You are truly funny, I just can't stop laughing.

Chuck, Bculz - you guys are right. Technically. You get the best player in the game when he is available. You just do it. Good Business decision. But ask LA how its working out for them. Buss is steaming that he passed up the chance to get Kevin Garnett.

Keith..your mixing apples and oranges...Kobe worked out GREAT for LA. He brought them 3 championships. Agreed they needed Shaq to do it, but it was Kobe that hit all those game winners, pumped in 40+ points a game and shut down the other teams best players. Not Shaq....look at shaq in Miami...even with Dwade...they are still not as impossing as him and kobe were.

Kobe coming to Chicago is an addition...

Shaq leaving Kobe is a subtraction.

Cant compare them.

To be honest,
Keith you do bring up some good points on both these boards, and we know Buss is not happy KG got away. I just would like to see a clutch player who cannot be stopped 1 on 1 most games on our team again. Yes Gordon is close, and Deng is very good, probably near Pip's level, but Kobe is just the one notch above them, and I wonder if they can raise their games any higher. Not because of age, but because of diligence.

I wish we woulda got Garnett about 2-3 years ago, and this would not even be a discussion.

Buss is Playing Poker right now in a dark room. So he is steaming with Cigar smoke maybe.

I don't like this trade, but if we can get him without Deng, Pax has to pull that trigger. Won't mean a championship, but at least we will compete night in and out. Did i mention I don't like this guy??? Just want to be sure.

Mayor Daley might want to send a few boys to meet Kobe at the airport. You know Kobe is a known snitch (wink). Skiles might want to let JamesOn know that.

Thomas..........but I have a question. The Bulls are going into YET another season without any low post scoring. How long can Pax kept his job? Does anybody remember that we were embarrassed in the playoffs last year? Pax does not get it, and apparently neither do the Bulls fans that pay good $$ to a team that has ZERO shot at a NBA title. Again.

Neither of them are going to be able to start after last night!!! Maaaaan injury bug has cought us! Wallace - ankle, Thomas - ankle, Noah - ankle, Deng - wrist, Gordon - ankle! Dats a lot of injuries! And they looked terrible on offense. This is going to equal a poor start.

MG, I am normally right there with you, but as long as the Bulls are making progress its hard to NOT call that success. Paxson is a LOOONG way away from where he started with this team. Nobody wants to see the Bulls win right now more than I do! We will need a star to get over that hump and the key is to get someone that is a playmaker who can LEAD. Utah has found their leader in Deron Williams. THAT is the kind of guy we need.

chris duhon, ben gordon, kryhapa, kirk hinrich

for

kobe