Full Court Press

Blogfather? Camon' Roman, where do you get these guys? Anyway, this post makes me feel worse about being a Bulls fan. I watch about ten minutes of every game and can't help but turn away.

Pretty Ricky what dey call you huh? Well PR, you are right about Hinrich and Gordon, but what is puzzling is that the Bulls have had success with these two guys. Its always the start for whatever reason and that is why the Bulls players are NEVER in Allstar games. And this summer was mired in Kobe trade talk. History says that the Bulls are going to turn the season around and make some noise in the playoffs. And they should make some noise because we have gotten BETTER in the post with the additions of Smith, Noah and Gray. And Thomas is better than last year and so is Nocioni who was hurt. Gray days are making me happy because we are going to need a post game in the playoffs. Its almost inevitable that the Bulls will have to deal Gordon and they should for a legitimate shooting guard (Michael Finley type)or some draft picks.

Culzie, can you teach me how to skim?

The Bulls are a CBA team charging NBA prices. After 5 years, if u can't see that Paxson is a bust, the Bulls deserve what they get. Scrubs cannot NOT compete at this level of play. It's that SIMPLE.

Ultimately I think Paxson has got enough mileage out of his 3-pointer to beat Phoenix.
Let's assess his moves and non-moves:

- 2003...refused to include Donyell Marshall in a trade with Miami which would have allowed them to take D Wade. Took Hinrich
- 2004 - drafted Gordon (undersized 2 guard) to play with an out of position guard in Hinrich
- signed Ben Wallace who was 3 years past his prime for $15M per
- 2006 - completely undressed by Portland who turned their #1 pick into 2 picks (Roy and Aldridge) while Paxson took 1 year wonder Tyrus Thomas. Anyone notice how these guys have worked out WITHOUT Oden?
- 2007 - drafted another "high character, low talent" guy in Noah
instead of making any sort of move to get someone like Brewer for more size in backcourt

...can you say "lame"
- 2007 -

Ricky responds: Pax has proved to be a solid GM since taking over, managing to build a team that consistently wins 45-plus games from scratch. Still, there is no denying that he's made some blunders, even if you don't count not pulling the trigger on a Kobe, KB, Pau Gasol trade.

The Wallace/Tyson Chandler swap looks awful right now. Tyson is eight years young, six inches taller, and is better both offensively and defensively. Chandler may not have been great during his time here, but he was still so young. Look at him now, he's one of the best centers in the NBA and was a member of Team USA in the summer.

Trading JR Smith for two second round picks was bad as well, and it looks like trading Aldridge for Tyrus could have been a mistake too. I'm as much of a sucker for blocks and dunks as everyone else, but Aldridge is the far more polished player thus far.

I like Noah and think he's played well thus far. Brewer went two picks ahead of him anyways, so the Bulls didn't have a chance.

How are they going to right the ship with a bunch of stiffs? This team has regressed since last Season. Not acquiring either KG or KB means they are headed for the Lottery.

Philb come on give the kid a break he's still in school and attempting to get some experience with a major publication for his resume. And if you're turning away from games after watching just 10 minutes how can you say your a fan? I have suffered through every game since the MJ era like many of the other posters here that are true fans.

Ricky, Gordon, Deng and Hinrich all are not performing like they have in the past. In the first few games you could blame Gordon and Deng's problems on trade rumors and now some want to point to lack of having gotten contract extensions. But the lack of contract extensions was their decision and should be motivating them to play better to prove they deserve more than what was offered. What Hinrich's problem is is anyones guess. But I think it comes down to this team has gone as far as they can with Skiles at the helm. Time after time they have blown leads because they went away from what got them the lead....atacking the rim. And Skiles does nothing to get them back to it because he's so hung up on the drive and kick game. Take a look back at the games they have won and several stats stand out....they out-scored the opposition in the paint....dominated the boards....had at least 20 assists and either outscored or at the very least scored as much as the opposition at the line.

Welcome deputy blogger. sounds like you have bulls sussed, why is it so hard for the team officials to see or do something about. Which is worse contract, ben wallace or kurt hinrich? Oh, and how is portland looking with both Roy, who the bulls could have had, and Aldridge who they did have? Now who would rather have the potential of Thomas over either of those two? How good will portland be when they get that other young player back, Ogden??? And how good will the bulls be with Thomas, and Hinrich and the two bens? Would you want any of the bulls players over Roy or Aldridge or Ogden? Why would you?

You can't build a team in the nba by drafting potential or trading for stopgaps. You have to draft for ability/talent, otherwise you have noah/thomas and curry/chandler, instead of aldridge/ogden?

All past spilt milk aside, the Bulls are having a TERRIBLE shooting year. Couple that with guards who cannot create shots and you have a recipe for disaster. We've won the board game by double digits in a few losses! I hate to say this but I see regression more than any other 'excuse'. The offense doesn't look as fluid as a few years back when the "young" Bulls looked so disciplined other coaches lauded their play. Their perimeter defense is almost non-existent and they have a poor shooting center on the worse shooting percentage team. Ouch! And I thought the Bears turnaround was improbable? Anyway, hopefully forty-three percent or better returns to the shooting stat, Gray and Noah grow REAL fast, and K.G., Allen and Pierce run out of cartilage by March. Fifty eight remaining games is a load of hope in a feeble division, but you're right, the about face needs no more delay.

why don't they trade everyone/draft picks/maybe one luvabull.. for Jason Kidd and Kobe?

and Kirk Hinrich-Liam?....helllooo......Oasis got back together...they're recording...flying back and forth to the studio...Kirk's tired....your point guard is floating in a champagne supernova...and yes...it's in the skyyyyyyyyy....more money and chicks in a band, Ricky...quit school, learn to sing, don't do veggies, and stay in drugs..

kidd, kobe, smith, gray, and sefolosha

and what's wrong with Thabo...is he a homo or something...ok then fine, ummmmm?.....I thought the swiss miss cocoa was supposed to be really good?

Anyways..I think my starting five beats all of yours

I don't have a sixth man, tho.. cuz of course...I traded everyone
I can only count to five in basketball...you guys are gonna have to fill in my roster for me....

Hitman
MVP Special Olympics USA Basketball
"count to five shoot a basket yay"

Im going on Vacation too!!!

Ricky

My point is Paxson has taken the safe route with this team. "Solid 45 win teams" are better than the post Jordan days but so what...don't you build a team that can win it all? You don't win in this league with high character/high "energy" guys as they like to say. The Curry trade had potential and again he did nothing as far as getting low post scoring.
Krause left this team a disaster so Paxson inherited a bunch of high picks which he used to build a team with a bunch of "nice" players. NOBODY on this team has skills other teams have to match up for. Seems like every basket they make is made out of a perfect posession. Nothing comes easy for a team which is outclassed almost every night from a talent perspective. "Energy" is a word Pax/Skiles use as an alternative for lack of talent.
Finally, I know Brewer was gone...why not try to trade up to get him instead of another tall guy with limited O skills.

This team is a second round at best team. It's kind of like the Atlanta Hawks of the 80's. Just never good enough to go to the championship round. Pax tried to build the Bulls like the old Pistons. Two guards that were short, a slashing forward and a bunch of big bodies in the frontcourt. The problem is, Hinrich is no Isaiah and there is no Dumars. Gordon is more like Vinnie Johnson. Skile should put him back on the bench, move Hinrich to the 2 and start Duhon at the point. Gordon and Thomas should come off the bench kind of like Johnson and Rodman for the Bad Boys. Let Gray continue to start. The Bulls can be very good with this current cast, but they need a superstar player to win it all. As it stands now, even if they were fortnuate enough to make it to the Finals, they would get swept just like the sorry ass Cavs did last year.

Ricky, time for your official 1st post evaluation!

1) Saying things that I agree with (i.e. are correct): A
2) Not using dumb "puffy" phrases like "Team of Destiny": A++
3) Pointing out mistakes that Roman made: A
4) Clearing the "Fire Jay Mariotti" threshhold (not getting mentioned on the blog for saying stupid things): Pass

Ben Wallace is only 4 inches shorter than Tyson Chandler (6'9" vs 7'1"), but other than that, congratulations on making sense!

Skiloes is the coach and should stay, period. He is a top five coach. I like Hinrich, has a tendency to try and force the Bulls to be better. Like his turnovers better than Gordons....
Looking at the Bulls, if you want to win now, you need to trade Gordon and Thomas. In a sense Gordon takes minutes from Hinrich, Deng and Sefalosha at the two. (Did you see Deng guard Kobe..... very interesting!) More point minutes for Duhon and Sefalosha who I trust at the point, not Gordon. Thomas I am sure will develop, but maybe two more years? Again taking minutes from Noah, Smith, and Nocioni at the four. Use Gordon and Thomas to get a scoring forward. In fact, if Gordon and Thomas was gone, we would have a better team.

Okafor(Bobcats)- That won't happen
Lee(NY)- Thomas has let us get the goods on him before
Frye(Blazers)- They could use a Gordon type

Welcome newbie! I think Hinrich will be okay, a 90% free throw shooter shows he was working on that shot last offseason. Still do not like Chandler, for all the boards and defense he brings, he is still out of position at times, can get pushed around in the low post, and CANNOT CATCH!

Don't like Wallace either for the record. Gordon needs to go, and probably will, like ernest frazier's assessment. Gray is okay to nice right now, can't coach tall. Would probably put Deng at the 2 though. We really need to trade for Kobe.

The Bears have a reason for being this horrible this season, injuries. what is the Bulls reason for starting off so slow, contracts?

Maybe I can get the name Chuck back before the NBA season is over.

Hey new guy, you kicked Roman's ass the first time out. Most accurate blog yet. The Bulls biggest problem is their midget backcourt rotation. Skiles insists on having 2 of the 3 midgets(Gordon, Hinrich, Duhon) on the court at all times. This causes mismatch disadvantages accross the board. Only one of the midgets should ever be allowed on the court at once.

This not withstanding, the Bulls need to trade Hinrich and Gordon to acquire either a true point guard (Juan Carlos Navarro?) or a legitimate go-to 2 guard with size(6'6"), anyone in particular come to mind. Hinrich or Gordon would be acceptable with a 2 guard like Kobe, just like Pax and Kerr were with Jordan. Just think about it, add Jordan to the current Bulls cast and we would contend for #1 in the east. At this point I would prefer to see Duhon and either Deng or Sefoloosha start in the backcourt, we need more size and athleticism accross the board.

Gordon is pathetic, almost clownlike in every aspect of the game except for his occassional shooting outbursts. Unfortunately he only seems to be able to score against bad teams, i.e. teams that don't play defense. Just watch Gordon's body language as he moves around the court, before, during and after the play he looks like a slacker/stoner, he is a mope a dope the Bulls Cedric Benson. Personally, I bet that Jameson Curry turns our to be a better all around guard than either Gordon or Hinrich, I would love to see him get some run.

Not sure if Deng can defend 2 guards on a regular basis, but he often seems physically overmatched at the 3, Thabo seems to play better in the frontcourt. Deng, Thabo, and Nocioni should share all the minutes at the 2 and 3 thats 32 minutes each. Maybe work Curry in for a few and see how he does and adjust accordingly.

As I screamed at the top of my lungs before it even happenned the Wallace for Chandler "trade" was a short sighted disaster. Wallace is barely over 6'7" and Chandler is closer to 7'2" so Noles the new guy is right there is a 6" difference. Chandler is the second coming of Dennis Rodman without the wedding dress, unfortunately our "great" coach couldn't coach him. Chandler is not a Bull and Wallace is because Skiles can't coach players that he doesn't like, see Chandler's current interview on ESPN. As the good'ol boys say, We need to get a coach who can take his'n and beat your'n, then take your,n and beat his'n.

As much as our offense strugles because of the midget backcourt we cannot afford an offensive black hole like Wallace to be on the court. Despite the fact that he is a second round rookie, the offense flows much more effectively when Gray is on the court. I would start Gray and come of the bench with Noah against traditional low post centers, and reverse the rotation against non-center centers. Put Wallace into the rotation at 4 with Thomas and Smith. Smith is a nice guy but all he really does is slow the development(by taking away minutes) of our young bigs.

The best immediately available solution would be to trade Gordon, Hinrich, Wallace, Smith and cash to Memphis for Gasol, and Navarro. Memphis probably wouldn't want any of our guys but at this point we have to try something. They seem to want to dump Gasol's contract and Navarro is an unrestricted free agent after this season. Trading 4 for 2 clears more playing time for fewer players, especially our young bigs. Start Navarro, Deng, Nocioni, Thomas and Gasol. Gray, Noah, Thabo and Duhon of the bench. Nine man rotation max. I would enjoy watching this group more than the insufferable rotation that Skiles throws out there now.

If we can't make a blockbuster trade, we should try to press and run teams off the floor, Loyola Marymount style. Teams with less talent have to wear out teams with more talent. Since the Bulls struggle like the Bataan Death March in the half court offense, we need to try to score in transition on every posession. We should use 2 seperate platoons and rotate them in 6 minute shifts. Platoon 1 Hinrich, Deng, Nocioni, Thomas and Wallace. Platoon 2 Duhon, Gordon, Thabo, Noah, and Gray. Press and run til they drop. As it is Skiles plays guys too many minutes they always look worn out, tired legs leads to bad shooting, even though we aren't shooting well even at the start of games.

Finally, have to agree with Tommy's post on Pax. He only looks good when compared to Krause. The franchise changing mistake, even more so than the Chandler/Wallace debacle is never even mentioned by the press. The 2003 draft blunder involving Donyell "freakin" Marshall, the 4rth pick in the draft(Toronto's), Dwayne Wade and Hinrich. Paxson would not include Donyell "freakin" Marshall(whom he subsequently dumped) with our 7th pick (used to take Hinrich) to Toronto for the 4rth pick. We would have had our choice of Chris Bosh or D'Wade, whom we supposedly coveted but let Pat Riley steal from us. If we get Wade we don't "have to" take Gordon in 2004. 2004 was a 2 man draft, (Howard & Okafor), but Al Jefferson went 15th to the Celtics, even though we were out of the drafting Highschool players business at that time. With Jefferson and Wade we don't "need to" draft Thomas or Aldridge in 2006, and maybe we draft Brandon Roy, my first choice by far over either Thomas or Aldridge to pair with Wade. Lets see Wade and Roy or Gordon and Hinrich, if that doesn't sink the Paxson bandwagon I don't know how much more evidence you need. With Wade and Jefferson we almost certainly don't "have to make" the Wallace/Chandler deal, add Roy to the mix and no way it ever happens. So we end up with a backcourt of Wade(25+) and Roy(15&10), a frontcourt of Deng(20&8) and Jefferson(20&10), with Chandler(12&12) and Gray manning the post, and Nocioni, Noah, Duhon, Thabo and Jameson Curry off the bench. That team is a legitimate #1 in the east with Detriot, especially with KG not in Boston because we took Jefferson before they did.

I make the Curry for Thomas and Noah deal any day, (Curry is a bigger mope a dope than Gordon, he will fat and lazy his way out of the league by the time he is 30)but Curry for Roy and Noah would have been a major steal. I like Noah, he is a keeper, and will be a fan favorite for years. If we were going to make a move we should have moved to get Yi Jianlian, he will be an offensive force in the league, think better Toni Kukoc. We can only cross our fingers and pray that Thomas gets his head and his heart in the game, assuming that he has either. Brewer is struggling like crazy with the worst team in the league, especially with his shot so he wouldn't have helped us this year at all. If we have to blow it up after this year then Skiles has to go, and Paxson only gets one more chance.

Roman, better hurry back, wouldn't want you to join Wally Pip in the history bin.

IF A TEAM DEPENDS ON THE 3 POINT SHOT TO WIN IN THE NBA THEY BETTER THINK OF SOMETHING ELSE THE 3 POINT SHOT IS A CROWD FAVORITE, BUT SHOOTING AROUND 33% AINT GOING TO DO IT. YOU NEED A BIG MAN IN THE MIDDLE TO DRAW A DEFENDING TRIO AND OPEN UP THE COURT FOR GUYS TO DRIVE TO THE BASKET, FREE THROWS ADD UP AS MUCH AS 2 POINT SHOTS. THE BULLS SPEND MORE TIME WATCHING THE OPPOSING TEAM TAKE FREE THROWS THEN THEY DO PLAYINMG DEFENSE. BEN WALLACE IS A NICE GUY, BUT WHAT A WASTE. WHEN HE MAKES A FREE THROW THE NEXT DAY CHICAGO HAS A ARADE DOWN STATE STREET.

Whats with having all of these "Character Guys"? These guys suck!!! You didnt want Kobe or to trade Deng...WHY? Deng Sucks who cares if he is a nice guy and gives money to needy kids. Thats cool but this is a basketball team not Duke University where your NBA busts come from. The first thing Paxson has to do is fire Skiles and let him go to the college game where he will be sucessfull and then hire a NBA coach with a personality that can communicate with the players. When you fire skiles watch the players respond. If not Paxson should go because he has made some stupid moves. To give Ben Wallace 60 Million is a waste of money for a player that has no basketball talent. WHERE IS TYSON CHANDLER WHEN YOU NEED HIM???

What?

The time has come for Skiles to go period. Last night was the fourth game in 5 nights and with the exception of a couple short stretches (less than minute spurts) he left the starters on the floor until the 4th quarter when the outcome had already been sealed. Gordon needs to go, Wallace is nowhere without a legitimate center next to him, Thomas needs more time on the floor (the same people complaining about getting rid of Chandler will sing the same tune down the road if Thomas is traded), Smith is a solid bench player not a starter. It is interesting to me that the players that have been asked if they like playing for Skiles have also been his pets...Gordon,Noce,Hinrich. And let's be honest here what player that wants to get time on the floor is going to bad mouth him while he's still there? Pax how bout giving Chicago a new coach for Christmas?

I'm talking 2 the Bulls with my wallet. Until they put a team on the floor that can compete 4 a TITLE, I'm not wasting another dime on this CBA level production.

i think that it's time for just about everybody to leave; the players (except Chapu and joe smith), the coaching staff, the GM and the owner. We just don't have the low-post scoring problem; we have a multitude of problems that nobody discusses about, such as a lack of height and offensive skill in the backcourt as well as the frontcourt(Thabo blows, period). Skiles has too many personal issues with his players which prevents him from playing the right lineups at the right time, and him and his staff can't develop talent to save their lives. Owner Jerry Reinsdorf is and always have been a cheap bastard who even said that he really doesn't care about basketball as much as baseball, and GM John Paxson has made a lot of bad decisions from picking "nice," "hustle" players who lack any all-star caliber-level talent;he got outGM'd by Portland and I just learned from a poster from up above(MG) that he refused to include a old, aging player(Donyell Marshall) that wouldn't have made any difference for either team for Dwayne Wade, and he refused to give up these "Nice, Hustle" players for guys like Gasol, KG, and now Kobe(All All-Star players). As for coaching, Larry Brown isn't coaching for anybody so that should make him available; and Paxson is not near being in the same league as RC Buford, Mark Cuban, Bryan Colangelo, and he hasn't grown a pair yet like Kevin Pritchard or Danny Ainge just has

Get rid of Skiles. Players can't develope under a dictator, an star players don't want to play for them. Skiles had the same complaints about Tyson Chandler, as he has about Thomas, but look at Chandler now. Instead of focusing on his hustle players such as Noah (no game), Noch (hustle), he should build a system around his players strengths. Let Gordon spot up. Thomas play defense and rebound (he will develope a offensive game). Gray play center (some offensive skills). But, he won't. His ego and personality won't allow him to take a back seat to the players, or adjust to their skills. It has to be his way. While Paxon is still living off of the success of playing with Jordan, he should go also, if he won't get rid of Skiles.

I said it before. I'll say it one more time. A blind man can see that Hinrich is not the answer at point card. I just watched Tony Parker blow by him for about 63 straight points at a period of the game where the Bulls were putting up a good fight. I thought Pete Myers would have the guts to replace him with Duhon (hit 3 out of his 4 shots earlier). I was wrong! He left Hinrich in the game until it was totally out of hand. Please, everyone hear me clearly!!! The Bulls do not have a chance with Hinrich as a starter at point or shooting guard. Its interesting that I never hear his name as a possible trade. He is at best a 3rd or 4th guard in the NBA and everyone knows it accept Bulls management and all of these so called fans who really don't have a clue about basketball. The point card is arguably the most important position on the team as he has an immediate effect on who gets the ball, offensive and defensive cohesion, floor rhythm and chemistry, and more often than not leadership begins at that position. Hinrich is sorely lacking in all of these critical areas but it his not his fault. He is giving his absolute best. It is just not nearly good enough. For the Bulls to have a chance he would have to be relegated to the bench but thats obviously never going to happen so that leaves a trade. But everyone must realize, you are not going to get much for him because the league already knows his real value. Put the ball in Gordon's hands and give Sefolosha (his confidence and production will improve) more time in the backcourt.