Hughes for Simmons? Do it if you can

Maybe the reason free agents won't come to Chicago is John Paxson.

Maybe Doug Collins and Mike D'Antoni sought other pastures not because of the players, but because of the GM.

This organization is going in circles and plays an emotionless game in an emotionless league. The Bulls' decline mirrors the NBA's descent. Both have fallen from their lofty perch in the 80s and 90s to "has-been" status. Nothing more than a league for tattoo poster children. And I emphasize the use of the term "children."

I watched LeBron play the Bulls the other day and all I could think of was "soft." For a guy that big, that young, that skilled to settle for jump shots and fall-aways with the game on the line (AND facing the Bulls)... well, he is no Jordan. Hell, he's no Kobe. Heck, he might be no Kurt Rambis (afterall, Rambis does have a few championship rings).

Jordan played when there were thugs on the court (Laimbeer, Rodman, the entire Detroit team) and they were allowed to beat the crap out of him. But he still finished games at the rim and delivered messages in the process.

Now the NBA looks and acts like the World Wrestling Federation -- periods of mindless activity masquerading as sport until the final few minutes when the pre-determined winner "rises" to the challenge and snares victory from certain defeat.

It is so compelling to watch that I... can't... stay... a...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

I like the TRADE! Simmons is the right Height and AGE! THANK GAWD!!!!! Paxson PLEASE pull the trigger! Do what you have to do! We need ANOTHER low post presence with true athletic ability! He will rebound, play defense, run the floor, and catch oops from Rose. Above all, he will play and shut up. Would be a definite upgrade.

I would rather have a guy who is a 6 but gives me a 100% than a guy who is a 10 and gives you 50%. Especially if he is a team cancer, which Hughes is. Get rid of Hughes and folks like Noah and Thomas will fall in line. And a lot of that is on Vinny. Paxson feels let down. I wonder if Vinny is asking his bench coaches any questions??? Maybe one of them is trying to create an opportunity??? If I was Paxson I would tell ALL of them, if they don't help Vinny - he won't select his next guy from amongst them. Pax needs an honest assessment of the coach and team.

I think we have a lot of pieces, but we will only be able to compete if we have the athletes to compliment Rose. Some players lack the knowledge of the game and some lack the physical ability. I think Paxson now understands that he has to part with his veterans and scrap any ideas about current playoffs. We need YOUNG athletes and stars. Those are the ONLY type of players that will compliment Rose. Tall, Skilled, Athletic or a proven star. We can get by with the young guys for now, but all the old folks have to go. Ruffin, Noch, Hunter and even Gooden. If you cannot run or finish off the break, you have to go. So long Gray. And if you have simply peaked in your development, so long Deng and even Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich. Bring in tall long guys Paxson. Bring in 3 pt. specialists, defensive stoppers and playmakers. Do it with trades for your core players. ONLY Ben Gordon is special of that core, but if he will not be what WE need, then trade him. The game is the basics: shooting, passing, dunking, running, thinking, defending. Ask yourself, which of our players excel at the basics??? Which of them are even athletic enough to perform the basics? Who has HEART? Who is special? Who is going to HELP Rose develop? Rose is going to slide backwards if Paxons does not bring in a STAR. Do it with Draft or Trade, but do it PAX please. Time is running out for you also my friend.

I would change the title of this blog slightly...

"Hughes for ballboy? Do it if you can"

To some degree I agree with seedy about the game having gotten less stimulating. But I blame some of the rules changes as much as some of the players.I also still wonder about the officiating, case in point...Derrick Rose gets pounded frequently when he drives to the hoop yet rarely gets the call. Why? because he's a rookie. Chauncy Billups can lean into a defender 3 feet away from him and get the call, most others can't.Kobe and King James still get away with hooking a defender with the off arm on a drive while no one else can. There are so many ticky-tack fouls called while many blatant fouls are over looked.Some players get away with throwing tantrums about a call yet "Sheed" can get teed up for looking the wrong way at a ref.Inconsistancy in officiating in MHO is the biggest problem with the game today.A foul should be a foul regardless of who you are and those little ticky-tack fouls such as a little hand check above the 3 point line should be eliminated.
Back to the original intent of this thread, by all means if that trade can get done do it. Then I'd look to package Noah with some one, possibly Gordon for a veteran big man. Gooden, Thomas and Simmons would be a nice forward rotation with Gray backing up a decent veteran big man and Gooden filling in when you want to play small ball. Leaving you with Rose, Hinrich and Thabo as your main guard rotation.

listen paxson time was up when he balked on the trade for gasol back when they wanted nocioni then to make matters worse kobe the best player n the game was already packed and ready to come here only for him to balk on that deal as well then he placed the blame on skiles and fired him until paxson AKA JERRY KRAUSE JR. leave we may never build a real team around rose also jerry needs to sell the team to someone who will be competitive cause his focus is solely on the white sox listen trading hughes is only part of the problem paxson is starting to look like our own version of isaih thomas giving big contracts too players who r not worth it

Vinny almost another Tim Floyd? Isn’t that a bit extreme? Tim Floyd was a College coach with no experience in the NBA at all, not even as a player. At least Vinny was a decent NBA player and also held an NBA front office position. So Roman, you’re basically judging Vinny’s coaching skills or head coaching potential based on only a half a season with a roster full of holes and head cases? And then suggest to bring in another “soft” player like Bobby Simmons to add in the mix? Wow, in that sense, I have to disagree with you here. I like the reference to the Bob Hambric connection at Simeon with regards to team concept, but what happened to all that when he went to DePaul along with that failed legendary recruiting class with Q Richardson and Lance Williams? They still didn’t make any Final Fours and they still couldn’t lift the curse of the NCAA Tournament 1st round jinx. I don’t doubt Simmons’ character and demeanor. He seems like a nice quiet guy and all that, but isn’t that Luol Deng?

I do agree in trading Hughes, though, and sure, do the deal for Simmons just to get that bad contract out of here, but Hughes is by no means the biggest reason for the Bulls problems as this blog topic almost implies and Simmons is not going to all of a sudden turn this team around like Gene Hackman’s “Hoosiers” movie team that lacked a true superstar on the roster. Look, Hughes hasn’t even played 1 minute in the last 5 or six games and last I saw, the Bulls are still on a current 3-game losing streak! I’m still watching the team make the same turnover mistakes, the missed open shots and the porous defense since the beginning of the season. The team has to start winning and showing that they can be a Championship contender to help lure those free agents. The Bulls have 1 ½ seasons to turn this around as a team. Outside of that, it’s all about the money. It’s not going to matter who the coach is. The coaching staff already has reputable names and Championship coaching experience in their resume. PaxDorf must clearly find a way to creatively manipulate the salary cap and clear the way for that superstar to sign here at 2010. Paxson has to make that blockbuster trade for that impact big man by the trade deadline or else this will be a complete mess by the end of the regular season with no foreseeable answers, unless Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah both all of a sudden become a superstar front line in the second half of the season, but you know that’s not going to happen. Hughes is not the only bad contract on this team that has to be moved. Even players like Hinrich who many fans like because he plays defense and all that, but his potential is limited or has already peaked and bottom line, he's another Bulls' player with a bad overpaid contract. If this is all about clearing cap space for 2010, then Hinrich has to go also, among others.

And lastly, I heard the Paxson interview yesterday in full… yes, he didn’t give Vinny a vote of confidence, but he eluded more into blaming himself for the Bulls’ problems. While I applaud Pax for finally admitting to his mistakes, it’s a little too late now. Actions speak louder than words. It’s time to act, Pax... or Reinsdorf, whoever. This proposed Hughes deal better not be the only trade move he makes this season. If it is and the season goes down the drain again, I will predict that Paxson gets fired first (or “forced resignation”) before Vinny.

Roman responds: At least Floyd was a successful college coach. My comparison is based on how I think major free agents will view Vinny. I don't think that perception will be much different than how they viewed Floyd.

Hughes for Bobby Simmons is a fine deal if you're the Bulls. I don't know why the Nets would do it, but if they will, then make it happen.

After that, trade Gooden, Nocioni and toss in Hinrich if need be to get Chris Kaman. He's not the best big man in the league, but he will bring toughness and defense to the front line that the Bulls have been lacking. Thomas and Deng can start along side Kaman, with Noah, Gray, Thabo and the two Simmonses (Bobby and the forgotten Cedric) backing them up.

I still have hope for Deng, who has been coming on recently. The team has been sharing the ball better since Hughes has been out of the lineup. That bodes well for Deng's game. He's also been committing to defense a lot better since returning from injury (even had a decent enough game against LeBron). If Thomas doesn't flourish in that lineup they could probably get away with starting Deng and Bobby Simmons with Kaman. You'd lose a bit of athleticism and size, but gain some scoring and poise by having the unselfish Simmons in place of Tyrus. Deng would probably have to play some PF, but he's been rebounding well of late, and was always a bit of a "tweener" anyway.

I'd actually welcome seeing Cedric Simmons get some minutes as well. He was a number 7 pick in the draft a couple of years ago. He should be a useful cog. He was known as an athletic shot-blocker and defender. Sounds like perhaps another version of Tyrus, which could be a good or bad thing. It would be nice if he could at least have a chance to show what he's got. If he's got Thomas-like skills and a better attitude, then let the young man play.

Contrary to what a lot of people believe, I happen to think that the Bulls have some useful pieces already. The team is just too jammed up with square pegs at this point for some of these guys to get the kind of playing time they need. I think the Bulls would be well-served to either create or come to an exclusive agreement with an existing NBDL team. Then players like Cedric Simmons or Joakim Noah, or even Tyrus or Thabo could be sent down to work on their game, get in shape, get playing time, etc.. The young players who come into the league these days after a year or two of college are mostly not ready for the rigors of the NBA. It would be most useful for a team like the Bulls who have a number of these players, along with a young coach, to be able to "ripen" players at their own pace, rather than embarrass them against big-time competition.

But Roman, if Vinny is supposedly this great communicator that I’ve read so much about, with his vast NBA experience, albeit non-head coaching experience, along with a staff of reputable assistants already with NBA playoff head coaching experience, wouldn’t all that be a much better recruiting tool for NBA star free agents than a successful College coach? And yes, Floyd was successful in College, but he coached at Iowa St. at the time, not a prestigious ACC or Big 10 powerhouse school like Coach K or Tom Izzo. I don’t know, I just think the comparison to Floyd is way off and unfair, but that’s only my opinion. I just think that if Vinny is fired before this season ends or even after only 1 full season with this kind of a roster to work with from the beginning, that sends a terrible message from the organization to die hard fans like myself to leave us wondering what the heck is going on in that upper management team? There’s no stability! If they want to talk to us so much about chemistry and establishing an identity, how is that going to happen if you keep changing the head coach once a year? No way Vinny goes anywhere before his 2-year contract expires except maybe as Paxson’s replacement. And I’m not saying that because I think Vinny’s doing a great job so far, it’s just that this is not enough to properly evaluate him and give up on him as head coach that quickly. Man, this Chicago team is more of a mess than the Bears!

The problem with the Bulls is management (not willing to make that bold, risky and needed blockbuster move to balance the team and clear the logjam on the perimeter). If the Suns are able to aquire Jason Richardson and the Cavs can land Mo Williams by trade (just to give a couple of examples) then why are the Bulls still "searching for answers?" They have the pieces to pull off about any trade they want. This is Paxon's mess and he has to clean it up. I understand he seems to have fell in love with his creation but this team can CONTEND with a big trade. I was around during the 90's and when you reach dynasty status you don't just fall off the face of the earth especially in today's NBA. Bobby Simmons for Larry Hughes? Are you kidding? That deal will put them in the same position they're in right now which is a logjam on the perimeter, just at the small forward position. A blockbuster deal involving Ben Gordon (who's a Vinny Johnson-type gaurd but a defensive liability), Deng or Nocioni, one of the bigs (I mean that loosely) and Larry Hughes (and maybe a first-round pick) for a top five big man or someone on the perimeter who can put up 25 a night and open up the floor for the other guys is what they need. We've seen what blockbuster trades can do for a team no matter how bad a team is. Don't beleive me, just ask the reigning champs in Boston who won 20 games before Garnett arrived and was lottery-bound again. Once Gasol arrived in L.A they go from barely in the playoffs to title contender. The Bulls have some very good pieces and a BLOCKBUSTER is the answer to all their problems.

go and look for latrell sprewell, he'll do a better job than hughes. At least he has no fear as Deng. Just give him some bucks to pay his bills and he'll come to play. I think that it was a huge mistake to give all that money to Deng. He just did NOT deserve all that money. He should be in a lakers uniform, and we should have Kobe in red/white/black. But thanks paxson this didn't happen, because he thought the bulls had "stars" in Gordon, Deng, Thomas. I don't understand what's in Thomas head... I would like to have his strength and jump... He could be so good, if he'd like to. But as many of these bulls, he's immature. Do you get it Paxson?

The Bulls should sweeten the pot by throwing $3million which I believe is the most cash that can change hands in a trade and make up for nearly all of the extra money that Jersey would have to pay Hughes over the next 2 years.

If the $3 million is an annual limit. The Bulls should add a prorated amount for the remainder of this season. Anything to dump Hughes.

Simmons doesn't add much, if anything basketball wise, but if he is as good of a guy as suggested then we should do whatever it takes.

Plus he could fill Nocioni's slot if a good deal for Nocioni becomes available, which would relieve us of Nocioni's contract in 2010.

By the way, for those of you who haven't noticed yet

Ben Gordon, is a silent cancer, (by way of his lack of effort and his amazing ability to quit on nearly every possession that doesn't involve him shooting) second only to Hughes, and before him Ben Wallace.

Trade him for a used mop and a bucket of dirty water if you have to but get rid of him. Once again Paxson is too scared to make a move when this whole team is in need of a makeover.
As for Hughes... hey my brother died too but it does not mean that I can go around acting like a jerk so spare me the sad violin music.
If nothing else it should have taught him that you cannot take anything in life for granted and that includes you playing in the NBA and making millions of dollars while millions of people are trying to keep their heads above water.

They need to get rid of half of this sorry team, the joke of a head coach and the man who piled this dung so high.
Paxson has made this team a total disaster and they need to start the purge right now before Derrick Rose gets the idea that this is the way of things in the NBA.

As much as I want to see Rose play I cannot watch this mess any more.
If they don’t care then why should I?

You know it's a sad day in Bulldom when you're telling yourself,'I guess Krause wasn't so bad after all'. Vinnys' employment opportunity was a jaw dropper at the time, so nothing surprises me there, which brings us 360* back to the source; Mr. John Paxson.

Sorry Paxson, but your ratio of good move-bad move is 1-5. That my friends is mind blowing, to say the least.

The pool of N.B.A. talent has sunken to the depths of a Chicago Public Schools Red-West showdown, ON THE COURT, AFTER THE GAME.

Mind blowing? Who knows. I'm too sick to the stomach for it to even make it up that high.

Seedy and Tim - you are both right. Its the rules and players. I almost cry when I see some high-hopping punk jump unmolested to the rim, or some Center go way out to the 3pt line and shoot. Its European basketball and its is nauseating. Especially after I watched Mike, Larry, Magic and Isaiah. Makes me want to throw a chair!

A SUPERSTAR - Carried his average stats 90% of the time with an occassional GREAT GAME, would step up in 9 out of 10 big moments, was an ambassador for the game and ALWAYS made the Allstar Game.

A STAR - Carried his average stats and occasionally made the allstar game. Were winners.

A good player - was a consumate pro, carried good stats half of the games. Showed up every night with the right attitude and was serious about his game on and off the court. Had a basketball IQ and could execute the offense and defense.

MOST players don't even qualify for Star status today, and the Bulls have guys who have no basketball IQ. Most are playing off talent.

Gosh, some great posts, seems like some have even watched some games. First, most of the team from the 49 wins team are still here. So why did Skiles leave and the team fall apart? I can only guess that Gordon and Thomas won over helping Skiles(by trading those guys) and that is Paxson's fault. Pax, if it isn't working, trade them, not wait for some undetermined growth. I watched the Cleveland game and we just beat them by playing Bulls basketball. The team was under control(Kirk and Rose), played great defense(Deng, Thabo and Thomas on LaBron), and rebounding by Noah and the rest of the crew. Gordon was more an afterthought after giving up 8 of the first 14 points to West(check the tape). Doesn't anyone else wonder how these guards get personal highs in points against the Bulls? Another question, what is our record when Gordon is the high scorer(Gordon gets some of his points for technicals) for the team this year? If this team allows Gordon to be the major player, we will lose 50. Trade him and Hughes, get Kaman to help Noah, trade Gooden for a younger power forward along with Thomas. We have a team that can win with just minor adjustments. Vinnie should still be the coach, Pax needs to trade the players who don't get it, please step up.

1/2 a Year is hardly enough to truly evaluate a coach. Put anyone of us in Vinnys spot, and you know you would be like "ain't no way im getting the boot after a half a year with a buncha rookie and 3rd year dudes.

Anyone who doubted me when I said Hughes was a cancerous malcontent should go get their heads checked.

Its also clear that Seedy is not on the side of Management!

Tommy and Phil crack me up.

I 100% agree with Keith though...and I would even throw in...and Eddie Curry trade would be great too!

Insert Vincent Price Laugh
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTghUoScGO8&feature=related)

TechSupport,
I’ll say good post overall in regards to some of your opinions, but I have to correct you on a couple of facts while I post in the meantime:

I definitely agree on getting Chris Kaman (if he’s healthy and passes the physical of course) because he knows how to play that low post position well. He can’t carry a team, but he’s a solid piece at the Center position. The only thing I worry about him is that he goes on the disabled list a bit too much for my tastes, but plays tough and takes up space when he’s on the court, no doubt. However, even if Tyrus Thomas doesn’t work out, you can’t have Deng and Bobby Simmons on the court together. They are essentially the same player (Simmons’ 3-pt shooting range probably a little better at this time), but Deng clearly has more skills overall to start over Simmons. They’re both not versatile enough to play any other position except the 3. Deng starts and Simmons will back him up, period. That’s the scenario if this Simmons-Hughes deal is finalized.

Cedric Simmons – he was NOT a former #7 lottery pick in the 2006 draft, techssupport. He was drafted just outside the lottery slot at #15. I remember that draft very well because that was the infamous Tyrus/LaMarcus Aldridge draft that will forever haunt John Paxson AND the Thabo selection in which the Bulls TRADED UP for from #16 in exchange for Rodney Carney AND a future 2007 2nd round pick plus cash considerations. 2006 was pretty much the season where Paxson started going downhill as a GM favorite. This draft was supposed to help the team’s depth, especially for the playoffs, after failing on the Pau Gasol trade attempts. As for Cedric Simmons the player, I don’t know if injuries played a part at Cleveland, but he does indeed have great size and a huge wingspan. The original scouting report on him coming out of College was that he was a solid defensive player in the low post, but overall raw and needed further development. Tough to say why he hasn’t developed or why he doesn’t get too many opportunities, but every time I watch him play when given some minutes, it seems like he really needs to work on his footwork. I just don’t see the athleticism that scouts reported he had in College. Maybe there was an injury somewhere, but I have yet to do that much research on Cedric’s career. Unfortunately, when it comes to big man development, you can forget about it on the Bulls team. That’s another problem I have with the organization. They draft these big men like Noah, Thomas, Curry, Chandler and so forth, but who do they bring in to help tutor the bigs? No, not Patrick Ewing, not Hakeem Olajuwon, not Alonzo Mourning or not Abdul-Jabbar. They call, the great Mike Brown. Ugh, gimme a break.

And lastly, the Bulls do have an NBDL affiliate… the Iowa Energy. Both the Bulls and the Phoenix Suns share a partnership agreement with the Iowa Energy as their “minor league” affiliation. Unfortunately also though, the NBA’s development league is still a work-in-progress and just not enough money flowing down there to develop and fine tune their own basketball coaching staffs and teachers. This sport is just not like baseball and its Minor Leagues, my friend.

Hughes' contract has more value next year, we can actually trade him for something useful. Just Marbury him this year, sit him down. We are working too hard to make a trade just to dump a player instead of a trade to improve the team.

Simmons is a 6'6 SF who is overrated and got a big contract based off one decent year.

Keep Hughes for this year and trade him next year when he can get something of value not just another team's junk.

Hinrich/Gooden/Noc for a veteran big man like Kaman should be in the works. I like Hinrich but he is not untouchable at all

and will people please get off the Kobe trade, that was never really gonna happen. the Lakers demanded Deng and Kobe wasn't gonna come here if we traded Deng.

And Vinny is terrible, who thinks he's doing a good job. Get Thibodeau or Eddie Jordan

Last night's game against the Raptors was pathetic. Gordon couldn't guard my 81 y/o mother in her hoveround. Noah looked clueless all night long and fouled out in 14 minutes. Rose was once again hammered inside and got only one call. Assist to turn over ratio was 1-1. Gray and Thabo were the only Bulls on the plus side of the +/- sheet. Gray, Thabo, Kirk, Noce and Tyrus seemed to be the only ones playing defense but they weren't on the floor at the same time. Gordon made Parker and Graham look like allstars allowing 30 points between them. The only 2 exciting moments in the game were when Tyrus posterized Oneal and put him on his back and when when Noce gave Oneal a hard foul and Oneal looked like he wanted a piece of Noce as Noce walked away smiling. Between Gray, Noce and Tyrus Bosh and Oneal were 7 - 25 for just 24 points of which 10 of those points came at the line. At this point I'd keep Rose, Kirk, Thabo, Tyrus, Noce, Gooden and Gray and be shopping the rest around for any decent trade. I'd begin with packaging Hughes and Gordon together then Deng and throw in Joke-King Noah as an after thought.

There's no untouchables on this team, maybe Rose. Noce and Gooden both don't play defense. Hard fouls don't equal defense.

I'm tired of this team. Shake it all up. Starting with Vinny, he need Avery or Thibodeau even Tyrone Corbin.

Derrick Rose-obviously the future of the team. Needs to practice defense, shooting and interior passing all summer.

Ben Gordon-used to be a fan of him staying. Let him walk, I'm sure we can replace his streaky scoring

Kirk-would be a nice 6th man, but he gets paid a starter's salary so it doesn't really work. He is also trade bait. He is not a viable starting SG

Thabo-worth keeping as a backup SF, if he can ever learn to shoot the 3 consistenly and pitch in 8-10 pts a game, he can be the team's glue guy ala Bruce Bowen or Shane Battier

Deng-I think he will be fine as teh year goes on. I'm still concerned that he still disappears in the 4th quarter, but at least his rebounding has picked up. I need to him to get back to the 19 pts a game he used to pitch in a couple years back

Nocioni-appreciate the hard play, don't appreciate the slow footed defense and the hacking he does instead of staying in front of his man. Don't like his chucking 3s up all the time. He was great in 2005 but now he is trade bait. And if I hear he is the heart and soul of this team, I'm gonna scream. I like him but all the fist pumping and screaming doesn't make his game any better.

Gooden-overrated. Yeh he is good for a double double every now and again. He is the worst defender on the team and instead of using his big body inside, he loves to jack up 20 ft jumpshots. Dude, you are 6'10 250 lbs, stay inside and do damage. He is a 5th overall pick on his 5th team in 6 years...what does that tell you.

Tyrus-a riddle wrapped inside an enigma. One great game followed by two bad ones. One highlight reel play followed by a bonehead 18 ft jumper. I'm in favor of one more year, might as well he has no trade value anyway.

Noah-same as Tyrus. He is an awesome offensive rebounder, already one of the top ones in the league and had a good rookie year. He messed up by not by not being in game shape. He is finally in game shape and half the season is gone. Noah can still be a valid contributor. Again unless we can get real value, I'd keep him. He better spend all summer in the weight room and get strong.

Gray-a good backup center who should only play 15 minutes a game tops, if he has to play more than that, we're in trouble. He has nice moves and is also a good rebounder but he is slow as a turtle with arthritis. And he can't do anything to get faster.

Hughes-just Marbury him, nuff said. He's not a cancer, he just wants more PT. Not a bad guy, but I never liked his shot jacking ways. Just sit him down and trade him next year when his expiring contract will actually give us something of value not just some other team's trash(Bobby Simmons)

We need to clear space for 2010 and beg and pray to get an Amare/Wade/Bosh/Joe Johnson type player to pair with Rose and get a good cast of role players

And of course a new GM would help. I have no clue who would be a good pick and of course if Reinsdorf would sell the team to someone who even slightly likes basketball, that would be a great start. With JR as owner, this team will never go anywhere

As long as Rose continues to develop I will watch. Last night's game was truly a knife-stabbing disappointment. The ball was in the right person's hands, but those plays were TERRIBLE. Vinny will have to learn some Doug Collins plays if he is to have ANY success. And yes, he sits where Doug sat many moons ago, waiting for the axe.

And Paxson has officially become worse than Pax. We officially have too much youth and inexperience in the organization. We have to fire the GM or Headcoach. Someone has to go. Derrick Rose is too young to have all that on his back. He deserves to have someone coaching at the NBA level and a experienced GM working to get players around him. He deserves a true NBA experience, or in a few years - he is going to bail, and I cannot blame him. Can you imagine Rose trying to deal with all this? Its too much. He is in the house that Jordan built, a hometown guy, playing his heart out and folks are regressing instead of progressing. AND YES I AM TALKING ABOUT YOU BEN GORDON!!! And outside of Thabo, Thomas and Kirk, there is pretty much no defense.

Vinny if you are going to lose all of these games, put in ALL the youngsters and let them try. And continue to let ROSE shoot all the last second shots until he makes them or until someone who has earned the right to shoot can be found.

John Paxson is an intelligent guy and knows basketball. However, he could use a lesson from another GM in Chicago by the name of Kenny Williams. Kenny is not afraid to make a trade. We admire that about him. Yes, KM's been quiet this winter, but the economy as well as a burgeoning stellar youth movement could be blamed. However, he's certainly proven himself in the past. John, it takes more than intelligence and knowledge to be a good GM. You have to know when to pull the trigger. You wait too long. Now, it's likely too late to get what you could have had and it seems to be getting worse every day. You have to act now!

Keith, am I reading this correctly or this an impostor? Are you finally turning the leaf on Ben Gordon? Did you actually call BG out for criticism? haha

I watched the game against the T-Wolves also and really, what else can you say? 5 losses in a row now, all with Team Captains Hinrich and Deng back from injuries, also who both, coincidentally, own the biggest contracts on the team. I may still not be ready to give Vinny the boot as head coach, but his in-game adjustments were non-existent with Al Jefferson continually killing the team offensively down in the post. Not only do the Bulls have trouble helping out on defense on the dribble penetrations, they also have no clue how to double team down low against a superior low post player! And Keith, wasn’t it just like only 3 weeks ago where you said BOTH Pax and Vinny should retain their jobs through next season? I know you’re reacting to the game last night, but, keep your composure and stick with your original comments, my man. ;-)

As for Rose, he knew what he was getting into being drafted #1 overall for his hometown team. He understands the expectations and pressure. I’m sure he’ll be fine in the long run, but if there are 2 things I’d like to see him work on in the offseason, it’s defending on the ball against the opponent’s point guard (sorry to say, but Rose is EXTREMELY lazy when it comes to defending his man on the ball) and figure out a signature unstoppable move in scoring clutch baskets instead of relying solely on pure athleticism and thinking he’ll get a foul called when someone knocks him down. I’d also like to see him work the referees a lot better as well. That goes with communication skills, which obviously Rose needs to work on, but hopefully that comes with experience. Being quiet and humble is all good, but being the man and commanding respect is another thing.

I can't wait for this team to blow up already. For some reason, I'm feeling like there will be a big overhaul to the roster coming soon....

Edgar - You read correctly. I usually stick to my assessments as many posters here can attest, but when its this bad you have to reassess. If you also recall I mentioned that this would be a season of ups and downs. But this has turned worse. Its turned into one big down. Losing at HOME to teams with worse rosters. Teams filled with bums and new franchises with players with pimples - circling the Bulls on their scheduled trip to the United Center!!! Being out-hustled and out-coached. And standing PAT, while trades are buzzing around so fast that almost every team has a new player. I dont want to hear about injuries, its unacceptable to not make any trades at ALL. Not to bring a guy up from the CBA. Someone from overseas, anything. Do something, but do not stand pat and get mad at the coach. GET HIM SOME HELP. And if you want to stand there and do nothing...so long John Paxson.

I fault Vinny less than Pax, but we simply cannot afford to be hurting in BOTH areas and expect Rose to resign. And we cannot ask the man to keep giving his all, and even "improve" if we are not asking or demanding that all the way around. Rose has to believe we are ALL on the same page as an organization. He is looking at people getting paid to give the minimal effort - and its a contagious leaprosy that requires a hazmat suit to breathe in! And yes that includes PAX and Vinny! I agree Edgar, Pax takes too long to make moves. And Vinny does not impress me as a coach with his offense, defense, substitions and halftime or timeout adjustments. I just simply don't think he is getting a quality effort out of this team to a man. And you don't have to be Scott Skiles (disciplinarian) or Phil Jackson (zenmaster) to do that. If noone is playing at par or improving, Vinny has to go.

And that brings me back to Gordon. I stuck with him through everything because he produced. But lately, he has lost his shooting touch - the one thing that made him special. If he refuses to perform up to minimal standards 22 pt. and 5 rebounds, 4th quarter threat; so long Ben Gordon! I want to give him a pass, but I simply cant because the talent we have been playing for the last month has been beneath his talent. Gordon should have average about 30pts a night.

THIS my friends is not BULLS basketball. Teams never circled Chicago on their schedule, they shunned it, even when we weren't a powerhouse. We were ALWAYS a good defensive team with heart and hustle. If you came into Chicago and got a win, YOU EARNED IT and most likely lost a player or two and the next game! We never had the best players on most nights, but we broke their will with defense, grit, scrap and hustle and the loudest fans in the league. We have become the team that expansion teams circle on their schedule.

Wow. Keith actually sold out BG. Edgar, I'm with you, waiting on the next sign of the Apocalypse.

OH - and by the way Cubs fans - if you were watching Bulls fans completely SHOWER the Bulls with deafening Boos!!!! Then you heard correctly - that is how you treat a team and organization that is not performing up to standards!!!! I was proud of every fan that booed at that Toronto Game! They brought their A Game! That night...somebody had to!

Keith, I agree most of the Bulls are playing off talent, that is why they are outhustled almost every night. He should ship at least half the team out by the trade deadline, I would even overpay to get someone to go alongside D Rose. If you're gonna overpay for this crap, at least make this crap with a future.

Chuck says "...crap with a future." Would that be like fertilizer? Yeah, let's hope it brings a great harvest at some point.