Full Court Press

No I don't think this is the yeeehaww, hot damn we're goin places now deal either but what it is, is the get-a-long, bang the gong, Ben is gone deal. And unlike you Roman I don't thinkg Ben is going to find his inspiration in Cleveland. He may at first look as if he has but some how I can see him and LeBron butting heads before long. LeBron has a Jordanesque drive that I don't believe Wallace can or wants to match at this point in his career.
The addition of Gooden and Hughes opens up some interesting possibilties also. The Bulls can now go to a 3 guard line-up at times with 2 decent sized guards in Hughes and Thabo or they can go big with Thabo, Gooden, Thomas and Gray or Noah with either Hinrich or Duhon at point. Or stretch a defense out with Noce and Deng at th 3 and 4. I also look for some major change to happen in the off season.

I agree with pretty much everything you stated,except the thing about this team making the playoffs before the trade. They were/are the most lifeless, heartless team since the Jalen Rose era.

Sometimes these "I'll give you my crap for your crap" deals work out for one side. Like the Hundley for Karros and Grudz trade by the Cubs and the Loaiza for Contreras trade for the Sox.

For such a ridiculous name, Max Power makes good points.

Roman responds: I love Ricky getting involved in the comments. Hey, you up for doing the blog over the weekend?

Ricky responds: sure

Roman you are absolutely right. Funny how players like Griffin and Wallace simply work out on talented teams and struggle on teams with marginal talent? These are veteran players that KNOW how to survive in the league and are professionals. This is not college where guys just go diving into the stands. This is the NBA where players have to be motivated. Wallace and Griff, never had a chance with this team. Having to BABYSIT because there are not any professionals or coaches that know what they are doing.

LaBron is going to the finals. They added Wallace a great defender who can run the floor and handle playoff pressure, Delonte West a true point guard who can shoot AND defend without getting tired - (imagine that?) And Wally Szerbiac who is going to be more open than White Castles. And Joe Smith who many consider to be the Bull's BEST PLAYER this season. Getting Rid of Wallace cost us Smith. But that is a REWARD for Smith who is going to the finals with Labron.

And Bulls fans think Wallace was the worst malcontent in the NBA, but we are going to see. Larry Hughes couldn't play along side Labron...now that says a lot. I certainly hopes he finds it in Chicago. In fact I hope all of the players do.

I'm actually alright with this trade. Gooden can be up and down; the only person I'm sorry to see go was Joe Smith, because he seemed to be a likable guy and a solid player. But it will shake up the team and give it a different mix. Plus it will give a look to some of the younger players that NEED to be looked at. Hughes can play very good defense....so we'll see. Can't be worse than what we've been dealing with all season, so a shake-up is good. We'll see what happens.

Draft time, you'll be "Fired up and ready to go!" I can see Paxson packaging Gordon and another desirable (Deng)for the #1 or 2 pick and a future pick.

The Goal is to get Rose at any cost. Rose will help the development of the Bulls big men and pack the United Center for years to come.

Also, Paxson now have leverage in contract negotiations if he decides keeping one or both of the free agents. At minimum, Paxson won't have to overpay for marginal NBA talent.

I think it's irrelevant if the Bulls make the playoffs this year. A few years ago, the goal was to make the playoffs. We did that. Now, if we can't make a decent run at an Eastern Conference Championship, making the playoffs is pointless. I love Paxson's view on the rest of the season: develop young talent. If you listen to his press conference, he said that like a dozen times. Then this offseason, trade off either Gordon or Hughes (for either a point guard or a big man depending on how the young guys do the rest of the year), re-sign Deng and try to make a run next year.

It is a great trade. Does anyone think the Bulls were ready for a playoff run with Ben? Well, we have gotten a lot younger, now have a second big guard who plays defense(Thabo and Hughes together?), and added a younger Smith type player in Gooden. We haven't even talked about Simmons and Brown. I like this team more defense, more speed, younger, faster, bigger. This was a major addition by subtraction. Wallace always thought he was bigger than the team and I am sure he indirectly intimidated the coaches and younger players with I have the ring, trophys and experience. He no longer intimidated, defensed or overcome his poor shooting. This team is now more junk yard dog and I like it.

ANYTHING to get rid of Wallace, although I don't know why Joe Smith
had to be part of the deal -- he was the only Bull playing without
his head up his a** for most of the season.
Cleveland definitely gets better; Wallace just has to be another
defensive body down low - do what he was doing in Detroit - and not have to play center or score.
The Bulls get...who knows?
Boylan gets to experiment with the new guys but I'm not so
sure about their confidence in Tyrus Thomas; his NBA learning curve is very slow.
Right now, they're like the Bears.
A WHOLE lotta restructing to be done in the off season.

Ricky O: For such a ridiculous name, Max Power makes good points.

Thanks.

Ridiculous name? I take it you're not a Simpsons fan.

Roman sez: "I think Cleveland will benefit more from yesterday's deal than the Bulls. I think Ben Wallace will suddenly find his inspiration"

OMG!!! Roman is channeling South Side Keith!

We need an intervention.

Quick; someone call an Exorcist before he starts scribbling this blog in crayon. (Keith threw out all of his racist, "fleshtone" crayons)

I think Cleveland got the better end of this trade. Larry Hughes did not mesh with Lebron as they both need the ball to be effective in their slashing make it happen style of play. Maybe Hughes can play his style in Chicago. Drew Gooden is a good player & will bring it every game. Wallace I think will benefit from Lebron & be the presence Cleveland needs. Wally Szcerbiak, Joe Smith & Delonte West will definately help the injury problem & be the playoff push Cleveland needs. Change of scenery may be good for Larry Hughes & Ben Wallace.

Funny how players like Griffin and Wallace simply work out on talented teams and struggle on teams with marginal talent? These are veteran players that KNOW how to survive in the league and are professionals. This is not college where guys just go diving into the stands. This is the NBA where players have to be motivated.

Posted by: Keith Lifetime Southsider | February 22, 2008 02:42 PM

Stop Whining So Much, You are Starting to Sound Like a Girly-Man! They have to be motivated, they know how to survive, this is the NBA, they are veteran players!

You know what you left out? They are paid hugh sums of money to do all of the above without some wimp azz like you bemoaning the sorry lot of them! Why don't you quit crying so much! Damn if it has not become sickening!

You have NOT said ONE word about winning. Nothing about teamwork but Labron is going to the Finals.

If you got issues, post to one of the other blogs for a week at a time and just read the posts here.

I guess Dennis Rodman didn't dive for basketballs? I guess Mike didn't take a chance flying through the free-throw zone when a shot was missed and stuffed it back in? Hell, even slow azz Larry Byrd dived for basketballs idiot. You whine too much about the wrong thing my friend.

Please make a reasonable opinion and move on to the next topic. Also, buy your own damn team and let these slackers play for you. Damn, do people like you unnverve me at times!

Where the hell do you come up with this crap?

Whatever happened to the guest blogger idea?

We are soooo good at running players out of town.

Best in the league!

Julie asks: "Whatever happened to the guest blogger idea?"

Roman realized that eventually it would come around to my turn, and nixed the idea.

We got better, as did Cleveland. You now have the round puzzle pieces in the round puzzle box and the square puzzle pieces in the square puzzle box. Ben has the needed consistent offense behind him and we have more offense, period.

Well, we got the big shooting guard a lot of people have been asking for. I'm at half time of the Nuggets game and our lack of speed at the guard position, both offensively and defensively, sticks out like a sore thumb. We have NOBODY who can stop a quick penetrator. N O B O D Y!

Guess all we need now is that big scoring presence in the middle, right? Keep wishing people.

Hope we find the Gin real soon, 'cause one wish just aint gonna kick it!

Chicago
Thank you so much for taking L Hughes off of our hands. Now you get to experience the 1 good game then 7 bad games. His entire time as a Cav there was one excuse after another for his pathetic play. Plus he is about due for another stint on the DL. That part of his game is a given even back w/ his days w/ Washington. LBJ has a way to make people around him elevate their game to another level. Jordan did the same thing. Time will tell regarding Wallace but Hughes pathetic play is a given. There is a reason him and Gooden have been passed around the leauge.

I don't think so Mark. See, Roman would've had me go first, I'd be a big hit, run RIcky out of town, the Sun-Times would fold, riots in Roscoe Village would ensue, Culzie would be jealous - it's just too risky. But Roman knows he still owes me one.

Julie asks: "Whatever happened to the guest blogger idea?"

Roman realized that eventually it would come around to my turn, and nixed the idea.
Posted by: Mark Villano | February 22, 2008 07:50 PM

What are we scared of, that you will post the definition of Touche' again?

Get used to it people, from now on...I would like to introduce to you....

Gordon
Deng
Heinrich

=

THE UN-TRADE-A-BULLS

It was only one game but quite telling. First and foremost the entire game was played with energy. 3 starters with double doubles, when was the last time that happened? Free throws and the unconcious shooting of J.R. Smith from above the arc was all that kept Denver from a total blow out by a team that on paper should have been blown out. But what was most impressive was that the Bulls answered every run Denver made and never trailed the entire game. Denver tied the game twice in the first half only to end up down 13 at the half and closed the gap to 4 points in the fourth quarter only to have the Bulls go on another run to close the game out with a 14 point margin. A total team effort with 7 of the nine players scoring in double figures. It will be interesting to see how Gooden and Hughes are going to fit in now. I couldn't help but think the young bigs have been inspired by the departure of Ben Wallace and Joe Smith knowing they'll get more meaningful minutes.

Ben has the needed consistent offense behind him and we have more offense, period.

That would be in front of him, considering that he will be loafing and laughing doing the game.
******************

Guess all we need now is that big scoring presence in the middle, right? Keep wishing people.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketball/bulls/809400,CST-SPT-bull23.article

Read the above article to the link and continue to weep sucker! At least the team was having some fun while running and gunning to a victory. What the hell, enjoy it!

I apologize Roman, but I don't like consistent whiners!

...It'll be anarchy!!

This is not a cure all trade,but I think the Bulls just got back in the game.
I am hoping Larry Hughes can catch fire and be the go to shooter the
Bulls need.
Gooden at 6-10 should help with his size.

Glad the Bears' re-signed Grossman.

Gimme 10 games before I have an opinion on the Bulls'. Trade is okay, didn't make me mad or happy, just glad it's done.

HA! Just the response I was trying to elicit! Good job, BC. We really should consider this radio show idea.......

By the way, has anyone commended you on the smack talk, Ricky? Very well done. Now if you could just start to incorporate more cynicism and Breakfast Club quotes in your comments, you'd be like a regular Full Court Presser! I know you were just a tyke when it came out, but quoting from this movie would give you instant blog cred 'round here.

Ricky responds: The only Emilo Estevez movie I quote is Mighty Ducks: "its not worth winning if you cant win big."

I expect more from a Varsity letterman ROD!!!

Ricky responds: That movie came out two years before I was born.

There is someone very angry at me - but too sensitive to post their name! Angry and scared! Stand by your words. Forget about the Bulls Players and YOU be a man! Unlike YOU, I don't mind telling the entire blog WHO I AM and what I think. As a matter of fact, I wish Roman would block folks who post all of these profanity laden tirades because they lack the mental capacity to communicate, especially those with the anonymous tag. You sound exactly like Hilary Clinton! Cant make a valid point or intelligent counter about BASKETBALL, so you turn to childish name calling and Bully language. As a matter of fact, I just insulted Hilary because at least we know WHO SHE IS!!!!

I'm feeling quite patriotic lately. AND THIS IS AMERICA, where we can say whatever it is we want. Don't get mad and NBA players because they don't take that CRAP from folks like you. This is 2008! And for the record let me declare it again - Ben Wallace and Joe Smith were rewarded by being traded. Diving into the stands and get hurt for what??? Every player you named that dove, did it for a CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM!!! Dennis WOULDN'T dive for Poppovich.....but he did for PHIL!!! Why because phil is a communicator and a real coach. You stop backing all of these fake Napoleons and you won't be so disappointed. Wallace aint got no business diving for the likes of Skiles - but how much you bet he does it for Cleveland. He is the type of coach that players SLAP and rebel against. Its got NOTHING to do with the salaries. Everyday and in every city in this country, there are incompetent, lazy, snotty, snobbish jokers that are underacheiving and being OVERPAID. That is pretty much the American way, and some have the NERVE to pin it on ONLY NBA players. You don't say nothing at work, or God forbid in corporate America, then save it. Jobs are flying overseas at an alarming rate because of American-ism. You need to get some HOPE like I have.

Tim, I agree. More energy, but I like what Boylan said after the game..."New players are coming in and its going to be an open competition for minutes". All along I thought Paxson needed to make a trade right after he fired Skiles. The players are to blame also, but a coach should not give them a reason to have an excuse which is what Skiles did. He made it convenient and they had a legitimate gripe. But if Paxson had made this trade back in early January, the Bulls would have a better record. And Paxson still needs to address Gordon, Deng and Hinrich. He needs a sign and trade for a POINT GUARD and to resign Gordon or Deng. I would move Deng, but it really won't matter. We need a playmaker, and another Center too. Before everyone jumps down my throat - Gray is a keeper, but we get thin if he gets in foul trouble. Think about it.

So what....Star Wars came out the year I was born.....that doesnt mean I cant appreciate it.

Apocolypse Now came out when I was 3....It is still one of my top 5 of ALL TIME.

Are you saying you cant appreciate the "oldies"

(strange calling Breakfast Club an Oldie)

whats next....Weird Science on TCM?

Ever hear of Netflix?

Mr. Real Name, or whatever you wish to hide behind. Why is someones personal opinion about an underachieving Wallace and Griffin considered whining?

Why is another personal opinion, after seeing the Bulls guards get torched by AI and J.R. Smith for 72 pts. and suggesting that a big scoring center might not be the only thing still missing, also considered whining?

I actually thought you may be a Bulls Or Sun-Times employee, but neither would spell LeBron(Labron) and Bird(Byrd) wrong in the same blog.

After reading your OPINIONS one more time though, I couldn't help but hear some feeble, nasal like whimpering coming thru my computer at the same time.

No ghosts in my house, so it must be REAL.

culzie and julie on a radio show??? step aside Howard Stern!

Any one who thinks Big Ben is suddenly going to play like an all-defensive center needs to read Mike Downey's piece. Mike is right in saying Paxson deserves redemption. Big Ben isn't going to do anything for the Cavs but block the progress of younger players.

As for the Bulls, it became apparent that Wallace was doing nothing more than blocking the progress of their young big men, especially Noah. I'm a big Noah fan because I think Noah has an instinct about basketball that is rare.

Hughes is insurance against Gordon. The Bulls will get a good enough look at Hughes in the coming months to better assess what Gordon means to this team. Gooden is an intriguing combo with Capt Kirk. The other 2 have high potential but amount to crap shoots.

Albertmacaw | February 22, 2008 08:52 PM - I hope you are wrong, but have a eerie feeling you arent.

Anthony Navarro | February 22, 2008 08:32 PM - Good post. I agree. But that can misconstrued as a racist remark since Wallace is black and Gray is white. One of you post-police please let me know...

I'm sorry I guess people just refused to realize how bad the bulls offense looked with ben wallace. You will see the same thing when he's with Lebron James. 4 on 5 when wallaces team is on offense. Cant believe a guy who's in shape at 6'9(apprx.) cant dunk everything he gets by the basket. When the bulls did their flex offense and came off screens with smith he got open shots that he made when wallace did it the ball handler got trapped. Welcome to that lebron james passing alot more and seeing double teams every minute that Wallace is on the floor. Hell he couldn't make layups but it his favorite shot is a reverse layup. The very least Gooden and hughes give a 14 boost to the bulls offense with better freethrow shooting , better ability to draw fouls, and a more open floor that will punish a team for double teaming the pick in roll by scoring when open near the basket. For those who saw the game against denver know that Noah is legit player who plays hard and trys to smash down everything. A true winner in college who does his job. Hell I haven't seen much allstar post defense from the bulls with the exception from Tyrus thomas on the help side. So noahs scoring inside is a wash when ben gives up 20 and gets 4 in 33 minutes. Gob bless you john paxson from seeing a mistake that seemed to poison your team and noow getting a chance to see if he's the only rotten fruit in the bunch.

This trade doesn't move me in any direction. I have a blind spot when it comes to Cavs uniforms so I never paid any attention to Drew Gooden or Larry Hughes. I only like Lebron when he's either losing or playing on the All Star team. Any other time, I really pay him no attention. Nothing against him, I think he's a great player. He's even worth watching because he's darn near unstoppable. But, it's that Cavs thing. The entire city of Cleveland sucks when it comes to sports. They were booing Lebron last year and he's the only thing that makes them relevant. Ben Wallace can take that overrated game up there and clog up the lane for Lebron now. I can't wait to see the highlights of the first ball thrown to him. He'll make that phony spin move or float that rainbow up towards the basket and Lebron will light his ass up at the first time out. Ben will shove his face a la Ron Artest and it will make my day. I hate the Cavs. Maybe now, I'll appreciate that post up game that Gooden used to kill the Bulls with when he played up there. Maybe now the Larry Hughes tats won't look so disgusting to me. Who knows. Seriously though, if it frees up time for Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah then I'm all for it. It's time to see what we have.

This trade doesn't move me in any direction. I have a blind spot when it comes to Cavs uniforms so I never paid any attention to Drew Gooden or Larry Hughes. I only like Lebron when he's either losing or playing on the All Star team. Any other time, I really pay him no attention. Nothing against him, I think he's a great player. He's even worth watching because he's darn near unstoppable. But, it's that Cavs thing. The entire city of Cleveland sucks when it comes to sports. They were booing Lebron last year and he's the only thing that makes them relevant. Ben Wallace can take that overrated game up there and clog up the lane for Lebron now. I can't wait to see the highlights of the first ball thrown to him. He'll make that phony spin move or float that rainbow up towards the basket and Lebron will light his ass up at the first time out. Ben will shove his face a la Ron Artest and it will make my day. I hate the Cavs. Maybe now, I'll appreciate that post up game that Gooden used to kill the Bulls with when he played up there. Maybe now the Larry Hughes tats won't look so disgusting to me. Who knows. Seriously though, if it frees up time for Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah then I'm all for it. It's time to see what we have.

Bculz sez: "What are we scared of, that you will post the definition of Touche' again?"

I don't know what your problem is; but I'm sure that there's a medication for it.

If not, I hope that R&D has sufficient funds to develope a cure.

It was the best trade for the bulls to unload someone who did not fit in their system and they at the very least in present years have established a core of guys that are players in this league. We are spoiled in chicago of course and have missed on the point that just 10 years ago we were celebrating a championship. Yes boston is good today through some trades but when was there last championship the 80's wow.That should prove to you that championships are hard to come by and take time to build through trial and error and after the mess the bulls were in a few years ago I appreciate having a team who's currently not living up to expectations but have the abililty to be better. Deng is a huge piece of the bulls puzzle and he's been hurt all year. Gordon's been hurt and wallace didn't pan out. Hinrich's finally playing against point guards. and our young talent has real potential Noah is a legit piece. Of course only time will tell but you know what how many other teams are worst. Check the standings.