The Bulls are back

Ricky says "The problem is that I think I'm smarter than the general manger, the coach, the owner..." That's precisely the problem! I know diddly about the game of basketball, but can be pretty intuitive about things of which I know little. Intuitively, I would hire the best people to give me the best advice possible regarding how to run a basketball team. I'd rather hire you, Edgar, Keith, Anthony, and so on, to do this very thing. I'd bet my team, my business, my oyster, would prosper at levels previously unattainable.

Why do these things happen? These things have happened and continue to happen in the City of Broad Shoulders, a world class city, more than they should happen.

Good Stuff Ricky. Fair and balanced.

I measure production by other intangibles besides scoring and defense and being a swell guy like Mr. Rogers. Things like HEART, Toughness and Ability under pressure and in big games. For me, Deng already has a soft game and then he gets injured for most of his contract. That bothers me. He knows about the Duke curse and still gets hurt.

Bulls are Utah East and with a worse coach, younger point guard and less skilled players. Bulls are built for the regular season, to be an entertaining, scrumming team that is going to dive on the floor a lot. There are a great amount of fans that love the Deng and Kirk show. I personally hate it. The league has always been TALENT driven, and I am with them. Players like Kirk and Deng are nothing more than the geeky guy who keeps getting back up after getting the snot beaten out of him. You respect his effort, but at the end of the day he got the snot beaten out of him and he's going to get it again tommorow. Its the kind of basketball the Bulls like to present. Soggy cornflakes!!! A nerd swinging aimlessly while you have your hand on his forehead, who just keeps swinging until you give him the uppercut and put him out of his misery. The stars and teams with real talent love coming to Chicago to get their stats and the W, which they EXPECT. They expect nothing more than a great stuggle from the Bulls, and then submission and a big sigh and a cigarette!!! After they win they go out and enjoy the Chicago experience!

Its MANAGEMENT and the fan base. They love this brand of basketball and want the fans to enjoy it also. Like their counterparts in Utah - look for similar results. Lots of heartaches and heartbreaks because management and the fans don't like high profile stars with talent and swagger. BTW Stockton was a loser. He and Malone were BULL-ied!!! YEARS and YEARS of good clean boyscout basketball with nothing to show for it but years of futility - sounds like the Cubs.

Being Mr. Optimist that I am, I see this year being very good for the Bulls.

Plenty to be excited about.

We should get a full season from Brad Miller and John salmons. In case you've forgotten, the Bulls really caught fire after the trade for fish and Miller. Plus, both Miller and Salmons are in contract years. Both gotz' to get paid so they can suck a cap dry after signing one last large contract. See Larry Hughes for an example.

The continued maturation of Derrick Rose. Rose has been on a vigorous off season training. He looked terrific in the first preseason game against the Pacers. Rose will be an all star this year. It's kind of a big deal considering the Bulls haven't had an All Star since you-know-who.

Luol Deng is back! He looks good so far, and this year will be a terrific test as to weather he truly deserved his contract.

Noah is becoming a defensive force. He runs the floor great for a man his size. His biggest deterrent last year was the face that he came into the season out of shape. I believe he really learned his lesson and will be ready after tasting success.

The rooks' look decent. Taj Gibson may not be Dickey Simpkins 2.0 as previously thought. He is a smart player who is fairly strong. He better be since he's ancient by rookie NBA player standards. The other rookie James Johnson has great form on his jumper (as he displayed in the preseason buzzer beater against Utah) and is a very good dribbler. Offensively he is already ahead of Tyrus Thomas. Defensively he does looks a tad slow. This will hurt his playing time, but hopefully he can learn how to play defense quickly.

I just have one request, please please don't play Lindsey Hunter. He may be the worst point guard in the NBA. He does nothing. Poor dribbler, slow, and can't shoot. But other then those minute details, he's stellar!

I hate getting into the Ben Gordon debate, especially considering how the die hard Gordon fans won't let his ghost leave the Berto Center, but I see the defense getting much better. Let's face it, Gordon never publicly admitted that he needed to work on his defense or rebounding. That speaks volumes as to what he deemed most important. You can score 30 plus, but if the guy you're guarding (ie Wade, Allen) drop 40/50 on you, that's not really going to help.

The Bulls will make the playoffs and win at least one playoff series. I'd say division but Cleveland is simply stacked. Let Boston get one last glory run as they butt heads with an aging Cleveland team. The future will belong to the Bulls and Magic.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

(wake me in 2 years, uh, 12 months, oh, errrr, two light years when the season finally ends)

Thanks for resurrecting Bulls topics again and good post, Ricky. I agree with you on most of your comments and points. Unfortunately for Mr. Deng, I am a little harsher critic because I expected more from a former #7 lottery pick in 2004 who we drafted OVER the likes of Al Jefferson, Andre Iguodala, Josh Smith, Andris Biedrins, Kevin Martin, etc.. Now perhaps I should blame the Bulls' GM and scouting team more for the misevaluation of talent after the fact, but don't forget, for every supporting comment that we have been giving Luol Deng, just keep in mind that many fans have been giving the “wait and see” approach to improvement for more than 4 years now. We’re not talking a highly prized rookie going into his 3rd NBA season anymore. Deng already got his big phat contract and we’re still waiting to see other improvements in his game other than the mid-range “jump” shot (more like a set shot with Deng). This will be Deng’s 7th season in the NBA already, so nice guy or not or fair or unfair, he’s going to have to earn his share of cheers and respect from the diehards like myself. So in that sense, yes, this is basically a make or break season for Deng, but think about it, Ricky, if he breaks again and disappoints, it’s not like the Bulls will be able to just trade him away easily so excuse some of us if we continue to ride the “anti-Deng” sentiment in the meantime. I personally am done waiting for him to get better because I don’t see his overall game improving all that much, especially if he can’t hit that 3-point shot with any efficiency. Sorry man, averaging 18 ppg and 5 rebs a game is NOT good enough to me for Deng this season. He’s gotta do better than that, period.

Now all that being said, I don’t think the Bulls will be all t hat terrible this season either. I do expect playoffs and I expect a slightly better than .500 record. However, that still doesn’t excuse GarPaxDorf for taking this step backwards this season, giving away your leading scorer with NOTHING in return and STILL trying to sell more to the casual Bulls fans that they are legitimate title contenders THIS season. Don’t forget, I was a former 9-year season ticket holder until I got fed up with all of J.R.’s b.s. every year saying that he is fully committed to improving this team to championship contender status. Man, they are soooo lucky they won the ping pong balls to draft Derrick Rose or else they’d be in deep crap by now! But overall, they’ll do just fine with a projected starting lineup of Rose, Salmons, Deng, Tyrus and Noah, but they just won’t be that “special” team that can overachieve against the very elite teams. So if that’s a satisfying plan for most Bulls fans, then it’s your money if you go out and watch them play at the UC. For me, I’ll follow them because I love the sport and because I’m loyal to my Chicago teams, but no way will I forgive JR and co. for this mess of a position that they got themselves into. There’s NO EXCUSE for cash strapping your team’s salary cap flexibility from a roster built with ZERO all-stars in the last 10+ years post-Jordan era! That usually means you overpaid people... i.e. you did NOT spend money wisely! NO EXCUSE! I will continue to lead the charge for J.R. to sell this team already to an owner who actually cares about NBA Basketball for years and years while I’m still alive.

By the way folks and fellow Bulls diehards… and Ricky, if I so may.. I also blog at John Jackson’s “Inside Bulls”. Please feel free to join me/us there also for more spirited Bulls discussions. I love talking Bulls!

Well Rickey...I know you're smarter than the point guard

This guy's an editor?

I overlooked, "The Bulls should go the playoffs . . ." But a few lines later, there was "parody-ridden NFL." So, I had to stop reading.

There's no wonder why the "parody-ridden" Sun-Times is going out of business.

Ricky responds: I'm not sure sure I understand your complaint.

Pretty good assessment, other than the fact that no one sitting in the cheap seats can claim to know more than the guys dealing with the many variables we have no idea about, (except Krause). I too feel the Bulls have a chance to be .500 or a little above, but there are a few comments out there that need to be countered. Keith-Deng got hurt, he didnt ask for or want to break a leg or any other injury. He may be injury-prone, he cant help that. He knows about the Duke curse and gets hurt anyway, what does that mean? You also said that Stockton was a loser. Have you seen his overall record? Just because he didnt get a ring, doesnt make him a loser, sorry, but that's just hateful. RPK-Gordon was a poor defender, but no one works harder at his game. He's a 6'1" two-guard, he has no chance. I know, he doesnt work as hard on that end, but there are alot of scorers you can say that about. It was one of the reasons he HAD to go, the other being the horrible handle. Another reason, Edgar, was that if they signed BG, they were completly out of the free agent game next season. Yes, it is risky, and we all pray it works, but they have always planned for next offseason. Going after Wade or Bosh has always been the plan and the way to jump back near the top of the league. Where I step away from Ricky, is to even mention Stoudemire is crazy. He plays no defense, is an average rebounder, and is known for not working particulary hard in PHX, and he has had a serious injury. Wade is the obvious choice to target. Bosh wouldnt be bad because of his screen and pop ability with Rose. Can you imagine Rose and Wade playing together for five years. Give me Noah, Deng and a banger at the 4 and lets play ball.

Parity.

Ricky responds: How embarrassing. Homonyms get me every time.

"Well Rickey...I know you're smarter than the point guard."

No he's not.

I took his ACT test for him.

Ricky responds: That's just not true, Derrick Rose.

can't wait for the NBA season to start. Go Bulls!!!!!

5 things I know about the Bulls after 2 preseason games:

1)The rookies bring lots of ENERGY to the team

2)Luol improved from Game 1 to Game 2

3)Noah still doesn't have much of an offensive game

4)Salmons is a steady, if unspectacular, player

5)They say you can't learn much from the PRESEASON. Well, we're only after game 2. Patience--let's see a few more games, AT LEAST.

I hope Deng really comes to play this year,and can stay healthy.I hope Salmon is a late bloomer,and not a one year wonder.Tyrus and Noah are in good shape and have developed some shots,I hope especially Noah.They need some sort of offence in the middle.Miller is now just a nice payer off the bench.Kirk can just be Kirk.
Can Derrick Rose hit say 35 % on threes?How many did he shoot last year,and what was his percentage? MJ didnt make 3s a big part of his game ,but Rose has to.He s not MJ.The Bulls dont have a 3 point shooter to open things up for Roses driving, shoot ,or pass game.He will have to be (The Man) himself.
The talk from some people about free agents coming here.Wade is a terrific player and good guy.But he was seriously injured,and playing like he does makes it stupid in my mind to give him a long term contract.He would be like buying a Checker Taxi used-Great car,but too many miles on it for the money.I agree the Bulls should be fun to watch,but are just a 500 or a little better team,the way they are now. Maybe Gar and Pax can make a trade,and get someone to play in the middle,and or a guard to compliment Rose.
Pargo and Hunter-Is Jerry Krause back?

Michael B - if you know that everyone that comes out of your school gets injured in the NBA whether at fault or not - then you have to be careful. Being careful is NOT going over to play for England in the Olympics! THATS WHAT I MEAN!

In the NBA Rings mean you are a winner. Now ask Karl Malone what that means because after he retired from catching all of those assists from Stockton - he kindly UN-RETIRED to get on board the Shaq express. Now why would a Hall-of-Famer with an "overall record like that" come out of retirement???? Because to most winning is the prime directive. I respected Karl for that even though I hated him for being a cheap shot artist. Michael - the United Center is FULL of folks like you, both in the office and in the seats. You would love the Bulls to be just like Malone and Stockton, while the rest of the NBA is winning championships. Sloan and Stockton had to share their HOF night with MJ the WINNER!!! I remember MJ the "good player" before he won. Haters just like yourself were criticizing him left and right! So he dropped that chicken dinner and became a 6-time winner! Sloan and Stockton had to sit back and soak in MJ's juices - even in the HOF. LOSERS!!! Hahahahahahah!!!!

And NO Michael I CAN'T "imagine" Wade and Rose playing together for 5 years because its NEVER going to happen. What I "SEE" is Deng and Kirk for 5 years. I also "saw" that little 6'1 shooting guard carry their stinking carcasses while they sat and collected all the money. Then I saw that same "defensively challenged" guard play his behind off in a 7 game series vs the Celtics last year. WADE himself said "the Bulls should have resigned Gordon". WADE said that. Now I don't understand how you can "imagine" him coming to cheap Chicago to take Gordon's old job carrying the "injury prone" Deng and Kirk.

ROSE, SALMONS, and NOAH have spoken up for Ben Gordon. All of them have verbally expressed that they learned from him and will miss him. There is absolutely NOTHING Kirk and Deng can teach Rose but how to collect money without working for it. You are good at assessing Gordon, do yourself a favor and look at the "overall production" of the two captains. One who comes off the Bench for ROSE who came in and started and LED the team in turnovers last year. You will be surprised to find that little fact out while you are busy jocking Rose and talking about Gordon's handles.

And all of you folks that come to the SPORTS BLOGS to comment on punctuation and grammar, go visit the Tax Legislation Blog where you belong. We are here to communicate about sports not get an online degree! Nobody here cares if you got a ribbon at the spelling bee or how neat your protractor fits into your pocket protector! Just go count molecules or sharpen pencils or whatever you folks do! Talk about the topic or keep it! Ricky is a human being and sometimes makes mistakes. We don't care. We care that he takes time to communicate with us about sports. Why he even takes time to respond to you jokers is beyond me.

MichaelB, I’ll be more than glad to counter your counterstatements. First, you asked what does that mean about Luol Deng’s injury-prone history or label? It means that he should not have been awarded a phat $80 million contract. Now is that his fault that the Bulls suckered themselves into overpaying him? I guess not, but then I suppose it’s not his fault that the Bulls drafted him so high at #7 in the 2004 draft knowing full well that it would take a 10-year development plan to get Deng to at least average 20 pts a game? Sorry man, Deng gets no pass from me at this time. I’m tired of the “Deng will be a future all-star “ talk for the last 4 years already. That gets old and not only that, he’s nowhere near that level of play yet. Don’t forget, he averaged 14 ppg, 6 rebs a game BEFORE he got hurt last season. That’s not progression, that’s regression. I read last year that the excuse for Deng’s slow start last season was because of getting accustomed to a new coach and the pressure of living up to a new contract. The year before he didn’t improve his numbers from his peak 2006/2007 numbers because of the mid-season coaching change and because Ben Gordon’s shot selection ruined the flow of the offense for Deng. What’s the excuse going to be this season I wonder? Getting accustomed to a new offense without Ben Gordon? It’s one excuse after another that people are tired of hearing and let’s face the FACTS, his game is already SOFT as it is and it’s already a FACT that he can’t play through pain and loses focus on the floor from off-the-court distractions like the Kobe trade rumors and the contract negotiations that affected his play before.

As for John Stockton, yes, that was a hateful comment from Keith, but he was more expressing his dissatisfaction and frustration with the Bulls management team (GarPaxDorf).

Now Ben Gordon – OF COURSE I already know that the Bulls didn’t re-sign BG in order to position themselves as a major player in the 2010 f.a. sweepstakes. They also didn’t re-sign BG because they didn’t want to pay a luxury tax either. I get all that. My problem is how they got themselves into this cash-strapped position in the first place. How does an NBA team with NO bonafide all-star player have no salary cap flexibility while you have teams like the Lakers, Cavs, Celts and so forth stockpile themselves with superstars? That’s terrible salary cap management. You see, I understand their plan for 2010 and that’s fine and dandy, but then don’t go about telling casual Bulls fans that they were and are legitimate title contenders this season and last season. Who are they crappin? Not me, that’s for sure, but I sure can’t speak for the suckers that continue to purchase the 100-level seats at the U.C. for just better-than-average NBA basketball play. When I finally decided to end my 9-year renewal plan of Bulls season tickets, do you know what broke the straw with me? It was the offseason that the Bulls drafted Derrick Rose by pure luck and hired Vinny Del Negro that summer 2 years ago and then J.R. and company figured that they could swindle us “loyal” diehard Bulls fans by justifying raised ticket prices on an obvious rebuilding plan #3 of the post-Jordan era. Enough’s enough. And I hold grudges, man. I’ll continue badgering J.R. and co. in the blogs, the radio talk shows, the emails, and so forth while I’m still alive. I welcome all Reinsdorf supporters to debate with me anytime and I’ll give an earful for sure!

The Bulls, the Bulls, the Bulls. I can't help but mention that phrase and not think FIRST about the middle. I'll tell you, I love the way Noah plays the game. His talent is limited, his 15' and in shot is, well, not a shot, and he still looks like a deer in headlights with the ball outside the charity line, but the guy has all the other attributes you want of a big man. His finishes are getting stronger, he boards well, his FT shooting has about faced,and his 'D' is improving. As for Miller, he just plods along, with a very strong game every other, and uses his limited abilities to the 'T'. His amount of turnovers still baffle me for a seasoned veteran, but hey, he gets it done in the end. Still, this may turn out to be our achilles.

I see a lot of P.J. Brown in Gibson, and that, actually, is a good thing. Lunch bucket solid player with a nice touch from 15', decent hops, good FT form and plays within the game. Solid.

Johnson has all the athleticism that was advertised. Sweet shot, excellent moves with the dribble, smooth FT form and is VERY active. Until he let's the game come to him, though, he may lead the team in TO per minute.

Every rook has to struggle with 'D' and the speed of the game when coming in (foul trouble is their weakness), but these two are far more N.B.A. ready than Noah and Thomas were coming in.

We have a, slightly above, average team. With the experience factor of the rookies as the season progresses, the jelling of Pargo with the second team, and a midseason pick-up, I look for a pretty decent second half. I will not, in the least, be surprised if this team has an very strong first half, but I'll be surprised if they finish any higher than fourth in the conference. Good enough? Nah, Michael spoiled me, but it's a start that Wade may finish.

Fingers crossed? Nah, Paxson foiled me, but I'll be there to the finish.

Hey Ricky, I have a question for you. Who do you think fills the 12th spot on the roster (Grays spot) and why?

Ricky responds: Um, jeez, I don't know. It seems like Derrick Byars is the favorite. He had a great career with Vanderbilt - SEC Player of the Year as a senior - and he has good size for a small forward. So I'd probably guess Byars > Chris Richard.

no dey aint

Anthony says "We have a slightly above average team." Hmmm, it's now the start of the 2009-10 season. Is this what Jerry Reinsdorf and Jerry Krause had in mind after MJ beat the Jazz in the late Spring of 1998? "We want to build a championship on our own!" was the proclamation to the faithful fans of Chicago. Many bought into it hook, line and sinker---and wallett.

According to my math, it's 11 and one-half years later and we're "slightly above average." How many years did they give to this rebuilding plan? Please someone tell me. How many years? Maybe I'm just expecting too much. Maybe I'm just not capable of following a team blindly no matter what. Still, I would like to know how many years the "Jerry's" had in mind for their monumental conquest. Was it fifteen years? Twenty? Hundred? Tell me, please.

They're on the Cubs 10,000 year rebuilding plan, Gig.

All the Bulls need now is a left handed bat in the line-up.

Keith, dude take a chill pill, a shot of jack, a deep breath before you stroke out on us man. First of all BG is gone let it go already what good does it do to keep beating up on a dead horse? Deng is soft and hales(or is it hails?) from Duke that's 2 strikes before he takes the floor and his only saving grace is that he doesn't possess a Milton Bradley personality. Hinrich has one major injury and now he's injury prone? Ok we know he's your favorite whipping boy already. JR's an idiot (no argument on that one here) and VDN is clueless. I understand your frustration brother but don't blow a gasket over that which you have no control. Take a page from the Edgar book of Bulls philosophy and hate on GarPaxDorf and realisticly analize the existing team and what they may or may not be capable of doing. Focus on today and let yesterday go before you are taken away in a straight jacket.

Gig it took the Lakers 12 years to rebuild into a champion and perenial contender and it took the Celtics 22 years. It's not an overnight process. Prior to 2008 it was 1986 when Boston won it's last championship and although one might claim they were put together over night the Lakers tried that when they added Malone and Gary Payton and that didn't work. I guess timing has more to do with it than anything.

Thank you, Gig. Exactly the points that I've been saying also, in so many words. ;) This is more than just understanding what their ultimate plan is for the 2010 bidding war. It's HOW they placed themselves into this position in the first place which disappoints me overall.

Tim Little says "Gig it took the Lakers 12 years to rebuild into a champion and perennial contender and it took the Celtics 22 years." Understood Tim, but I don't believe that in either case, the owner and general manager purposely broke up a team that would likely have won at least one more time while making such grandiose, boastful and self-serving proclamations! Not only that, if it hadn't been for one of the most outrageously fortunate bounces in the history of the NBA Lottery, they would be, at best, slightly worse than average today. Were either of those teams slightly worse than average eleven and one-half years into the rebuilding plan? See, regardless, I don't think it was as certified a rebuilding plan in those cases either. JR and JK made it abundantly clear that they wanted to do it their way and it would get done in short order.

O-Kay..............................................................

I like how everyone keeps telling Keith to let it go with the Ben Gordon move yet I keep seeing comments about Kyle Orton right here in the same forum.

Thank you Phil!!!!!!

And to be honest, noone ever says anything to others who constantly bring up the man in a NEGATIVE light. I simply cannot stand to see anyone unfairly maligned - its bully mentality. Now this is the BULLS blog right? He was the leading scorer last year right? And I know I just SAW Jokim Noah talk about him on Comcast on Tuesday right? Is he NOT a relevant topic of discussion? MJ is gone - we talk about him. Krause is gone we talk about him. Stockton - retired. Malone, the Coach, Orton, Benson, Rex, Walter, Khabibulon, Bush, Hendrix, and even John Wayne. All gone, but we get to talk about them and its no problem. But Gordon is taboo - "ahem" - if its possitive. Got it - wink wink.

I don't choose to talk about Pax and Company because Edgar does a complete job of it. So I pick my battles, and I will leave Gordon alone when folks STOP maligning him for being the leading scorer on a team he helped LEAD to the playoffs with his "game" - and not in a suit or pining on the bench. I am a dissentor of that argument. And I trully hope this season turns out for the Bulls like it did for the Pistons when they got rid of Billups. The did the SAME crap! But at least they were smart enough to send him to the West and they got someone for him. Now I wonder if Piston fans still talk about Chauncy Billups???

I feel so disconnected now that the Bulls rarely play on WGN anymore.

I need to get the NBA package. I must.

Also good analysis Tim and Gig.

Also Gig, if your gonna have Keith, Edgar and Anthony in the front office, then you best have me at Coach. Who else would be able to translate their thoughts into useful info for the players to absorb and put into play?

And...we should have Villy and Hitman in the PR dept...and Tim Little needs to be GM....

And thank YOU, Keith!

I just hope that the fans in Mo Town appreciate my lack of size, poor ball handling, and turnstile defense as much as you did.

And now that we have your other favorite player, Big Ben, back in the fold, the NBA championship is a foregone conclusion.

Between my turnovers, and Wallace's missed free throws, we'll be awfully tough to beat.

Let's see..

- we don't have Lebron
- we don't have a set of allstars like the celtics
- we don't have the best young center in the game like Orlando (who also has some allstars behind him)

which means we "compete" for the #7 or 8th spot in the east...which is good for about the 16th or 17th best team in the league.

now I'm psych'd for the season.

Culzie cut loose with some of that money you're hoarding and get the NBA Leagur Pass, this will be the 7th year I've had it and is the only sports package I pay for. The Bears I can listen to on WBBM's web-cast and as far as baseball is concerned I see no reason to watch it prior to the all-star break. Now as far as being GM I think Edgar is more qualified than I am I'll settle for being the new owner LMAO!
Phil I agree there are far too many Orton comments also BUT Keith tends to go a little overboard when he falls in love with a player or decide to hate on him. And now he's even gone as far as to wish bad luck on the Bulls for letting BG go. And by the way Keith BG is no Chauncy Billups by any stretch of the imagination. Billups not only can run the offense but create his own shot and do that thing Bg doesn't even know how to spell....uh ya know DEFENSE! Now that is the last I intend to discuss BG except for when the Bulls play the Pistons

Tim - all Phil is saying is - noone is sounding the Orton Police siren so you should not be sounding the Ben Gordon Police siren. And btw - Orton just made sure that we won't ever STOP talking about him now didn't he? I believe someone wrote a song about that, Bonnie Rait? And if you think I am talking NOW - you better hope Gordon does NOT have a good year.

This doesn't have anything to do with Gordon who was our LEADING SCORER every year he was here. Who has made MORE three pointers than any other Bull who ever played including MJ the GOAT. Its about Schmeagle - aka "The PRECIOUS" KIRK HINRICH. Now all of you who likes to SAY this man is lock-down, don't really know that the object of playing the game is scoring MORE than your opponent. Now answer this question - in head to head competition do you think Kirk or Gordon have outscored their opponents more than their counter parts? For every two guard that gotten the best of Gordon, there has been an EQUAL amount of point guards that have gotten the best of Kirk - because he cant shoot and is slow. Phil thinks I have been hard on Kirk, but I single out Kirk because folks single out Gordon. It recoils typical Bulls fans. I haven't even BEGUN to pick Kirk's game apart which I can EASILY. ONLY a certain kind of fan thinks Kirk is a top flight point guard on both sides of the ball. I was kind to just say - a ROOKIE - took his spot and leads the team in turnovers - which yall claim to hate so much.

Now the comment I said about I hoping it bites the Bulls in their butts I stand on that. I am not rooting for this management and their "personal" move to dump that man without getting anyone. And YES I hope they eat it just like Detroit had to eat theirs when they moved Billups for Mr. Crossover. And as bad as the media tortured Dumars, they should be consuming Pax and company! That was a stupid, personal move with no upside to it. And I want it to hurt so that my stupid team does not ever do something like that again. But you know what - they have a pretty good track record on it. So Tim, is Pax and company now off limits?

Here’s the thing about Ben Gordon… the guy played his heart out for the Bulls and was as professional a player as you’d like from any NBA player. Despite all the obvious flaws in his game, I can’t knock him for that because he still led the team in scoring and hit numerous clutch shots during his Bulls career. Unfortunately, he’s just not the guy to carry a team on his back or lead a team to a Championship. He’s a piece to the puzzle, albeit an important piece, but he has to be in the right system to flourish. I just don’t see him doing well in Detroit, heck he might not even be a full time starter there with Stuckey and Rip Hamilton still running that backcourt and Villanueva and Prince at the forward slots. BG would have thrived in Golden St., Phoenix, Dallas, New York Knicks… teams like those that are “defensively challenged”.

It’s just that my beef with the Bulls letting him go to a Division rival and getting nothing in return was that they ultimately ended up wasting yet another #2 overall draft pick as another blunder move simply because they couldn’t figure out a way to even slightly overpay him to keep him as an important 6th man or spot starter. Is Ben Gordon too undersized, no defense and too turnover-prone? Well duh, of course he is, but no one on the Bulls scouting team saw this ahead of time at the 2004 draft? Even I questioned that draft pick that high back then! So fine, they lock BG up at #3 overall and already commit themselves to overpay him at the “#3” salary slot for NBA rookies. Not his fault, that’s all on the Bulls’ organization that wins championships management team. Plus, the salary BG received from the Pistons this past Summer was NOT all-star money, folks! The Bulls not only didn’t sign him, blaming salary cap penalty issues and tried to excuse themselves by positioning themselves for the 2010 f.a’s., but throughout BG’s Bulls’ career, they decide to tie themselves up to Kirk Hinrich (now a glorified 6th man), Luol Deng (still fighting injury-prone label), Ben Wallace (later traded), Tyson Chandler (later traded), Scott Skiles (later fired, but still paying his contract), Larry Hughes (from Big Ben, later traded), etc... I mean really, do I have to rehash again to make a point? The worst part of this all… once again, the organization showed ZERO class in letting him go (no “thank you’s”, #7 jersey number handed down to Derrick Byars? insulting) despite all the accomplishments as a Bull and the professionalism displayed on and off the court. No, I didn’t expect a parade for BG or a BG bobblehead doll promotion day, but at least show some class. Awfully HYPOCRITICAL of an organization that preaches character among their players all the time. Reinsdorf can just kiss my a--!!

Tim - all Phil is saying is - noone is sounding the Orton Police siren so you should not be sounding the Ben Gordon Police siren. And btw - Orton just made sure that we won't ever STOP talking about him now didn't he? I believe someone wrote a song about that, Bonnie Rait? And if you think I am talking NOW - you better hope Gordon does NOT have a good year.

This doesn't have anything to do with Gordon who was our LEADING SCORER every year he was here. Who has made MORE three pointers than any other Bull who ever played including MJ the GOAT. Its about Schmeagle - aka "The PRECIOUS" KIRK HINRICH. Now all of you who likes to SAY this man is lock-down, don't really know that the object of playing the game is scoring MORE than your opponent. Now answer this question - in head to head competition do you think Kirk or Gordon have outscored their opponents more than their counter parts? For every two guard that gotten the best of Gordon, there has been an EQUAL amount of point guards that have gotten the best of Kirk - because he cant shoot and is slow. Phil thinks I have been hard on Kirk, but I single out Kirk because folks single out Gordon. It recoils typical Bulls fans. I haven't even BEGUN to pick Kirk's game apart which I can EASILY. ONLY a certain kind of fan thinks Kirk is a top flight point guard on both sides of the ball. I was kind to just say - a ROOKIE - took his spot and leads the team in turnovers - which yall claim to hate so much.

Now the comment I said about I hoping it bites the Bulls in their butts I stand on that. I am not rooting for this management and their "personal" move to dump that man without getting anyone. And YES I hope they eat it just like Detroit had to eat theirs when they moved Billups for Mr. Crossover. And as bad as the media tortured Dumars, they should be consuming Pax and company! That was a stupid, personal move with no upside to it. And I want it to hurt so that my stupid team does not ever do something like that again. But you know what - they have a pretty good track record on it. So Tim, is Pax and company now off limits?

EDGAR 10:58am - Masterpiece. Now that was Chinese Boxing - Bruce Lee Style!!!!! And that my friends is why I don't have to say a THING about Bulls Management. Edgar - to quote the Late Patrick Swayze from the movie ghost "DITTO".

Here’s the thing about Ben Gordon… the guy played his heart out for the Bulls and was as professional a player as you’d like from any NBA player. Despite all the obvious flaws in his game, I can’t knock him for that because he still led the team in scoring and hit numerous clutch shots during his Bulls career. Unfortunately if we’re talking playoff run or Championships, he’s just not the guy to carry a team on his back or lead a team to a Championship. He’s a piece to the puzzle, albeit an important piece, but he has to be in the right system to flourish. I just don’t see him doing well in Detroit, heck he might not even be a full time starter there with Stuckey and Rip Hamilton still running that backcourt and Villanueva and Prince at the forward slots. BG would have thrived in Golden St., Phoenix, Dallas, New York Knicks… teams like those that are “defensively challenged” and always come up short in the Playoffs.

It’s just that my beef with the Bulls letting him go to a Division rival and getting nothing in return was that they ultimately ended up wasting yet another #2 overall draft pick as another blunder move simply because they couldn’t figure out a way to even slightly overpay him to keep him as an important 6th man or spot starter. Is Ben Gordon too undersized, no defense and too turnover-prone? Well duh, of course he is, but no one on the Bulls scouting team saw this ahead of time at the 2004 draft? Even I questioned that draft pick that high back then! So fine, they lock BG up at #3 overall and already commit themselves to overpay him at the “#3” salary slot for NBA rookies. Not his fault, that’s all on the Bulls’ organization that wins championships management team. Plus, the salary BG received from the Pistons this past Summer was NOT all-star money, folks! The Bulls not only didn’t sign him, blaming salary cap penalty issues and tried to excuse themselves by positioning themselves for the 2010 f.a’s., but throughout BG’s Bulls’ career, they decide to tie themselves up to Kirk Hinrich (now a glorified 6th man), Luol Deng (still fighting injury-prone label), Ben Wallace (later traded), Tyson Chandler (later traded), Scott Skiles (later fired, but still paying his contract), Larry Hughes (from Big Ben, later traded), etc... I mean really, do I have to rehash again to make a point? The worst part of this all… once again, the organization showed ZERO class in letting him go (no “thank you’s”, #7 jersey number handed down to Derrick Byars? insulting) despite all the accomplishments as a Bull and the professionalism displayed on and off the court. No, I didn’t expect a parade for BG or a BG bobblehead doll promotion day, but at least show some class. Awfully HYPOCRITICAL of an organization that preaches character among their players all the time. Reinsdorf can just kiss my a--!!

"Who has made MORE three pointers than any other Bull who ever played including MJ the GOAT"

Ah yes...the classic ben gordon / michael jordan compare...just a matter of time. Assinine

Just saw a few clips of the Bulls - is lindsey hunter trying out for the Bears? He must be 230...not good for a supposed PG...man, have a little pride.

Anonymous - some would say that is quite an impressive stat to posses in 4 years, with 3 off the bench when you consider some of the shooters we have had here including Michael Jordan, Craig Hodges, Scottie Pippen, John Paxson, Steve Kerr, Toni Kukoch, Trent Tucker, etc.

OK throw out a stat about any player that has been there the last 4 years that compares with MJ. I dare you. Oh wait a minute - MONEY STOLEN for not PLAYING STAT!! There you go - we have some leaders in that category all time. They don't even show up for 82 games.

Well after watching last night I have to say I was impressed with what I saw. I cannot lie it was very impressive play. I have to credit Paxson for the Rookies and Vinny for the product. Bulls will compete this year. I thought they would be much worse than what I saw last night. I still think they should have kept BG and have taken an even a bigger step, but that ship has sailed and its time to close the door on that chapter. Management still does not get a pass for that. I am a fan and will fight for what's right. We have to keep them honest.

However - I enjoyed watching Noah and Gibson. Especially Noah because he was on his way out of here. It speaks volumes to Vinny's credibility as a coach. That's impressive. I hate to see talent wasted because the coach is lazy and won't take time to reach the player. You also have to credit Vinny for Thomas's attitude towards this season. He looks mentally ready. That's extremely hopeful. I will be rooting for Noah, Gibson, Johnson, Rose, Thomas, Miller, Salmons and anyone I don't think is stealing. Deng and Kirk are a couple of Madoff's and they should NOT be captains. Give it to MILLER and NOAH. And if Tyrus brings it this year, move that rickety Ding to the bench with the other vanilla ice cream cone! What can I say, but good job Vinny - dont make me regret these words.

I kinda feel sorry for Pargo because he has been placed in some big shoes and he should NOT have that monkey on his back. He is pressing already - when the jokers that should be pressing are again UNDER-ACHIEVING and stealing. Didn't like what I saw from Kansas or Duke last night.

Ah yes, Tim, back to the new Bulls' ownership scenario huh? So any progress from your son to purchase the Bulls? I promise, if you guys partner up and purchase the team somehow (believe me, I wish I could if I had the $'s), I'll submit my updated resume and let you guys hire me as the GM or at least the Finance consultant and Director of Player Scouting at the NBA minimum scale salary. I'll be more than happy to prove my worth from there on up and EARN a good salary for once. All I need is an OPPORTUNITY (and don't think I've never tried applying before!) Sure, Culzie can coach if qualified. He'll just have to go through an extensive interview process just like Vinny did. ;)

Tommy - obviously Lindsey Hunter is only on the roster to "mentor" Rose and to possibly prepare for an asst. coaching position once he "officially" retires from the game. The only way you'll see him on the court in regular season games is if all the Bulls' guards suffer a drastic rash of injuries all at the same time.

Keith my man I am pleasantly surprised by your positive comments considering your previous posts. I will have to say that I was never much of a Noah fan but he has impressed me so far in the preseason. Gibson and Johnson have also looked impressive and at times so has Richard. Granted ofcourse they really haven't gone up against anyone considered even close to elite yet. Considering they have been without Rose, Thomas and Miller though they should be competitive even against the likes of Cleveland and Boston.

Edgar trust me I've posed the question to my son and he has stated something along that line is a few years down the road at this point. Between him and his older brother they probably have the contacts to put together a group capable of such an undertaking but first of all I don't see JR in any hurry to sell and he said he's not ready to make a leap of that magnitude yet not to mention he thinks I just want a hand in choosing the Luvables squad LOL. But believe me if that should ever happen I would make sure your resume was seriously considered

Edgar - I got it...all the more reason that he should at least set an example by not being 20+ pounds overweight. He looks like John Bagley...as I date myself.

Yes Tim I have softened my stance on the Bulls. They are going to compete. They have several better players than what we had last year. Last year we have very few offensive options, this year we have a bunch of options. My surprise is mostly in the newcomers and the improved players like Noah. Its a thing of beauty to watch a player learn and grow.

Tim I would work for FREE and let the Board pay me at the end of every season.

It's a little early to start grading this team (or hating on some players), but...

- the kids have played well

- Noah must have been abducted (that's not him out there, LOL)

- Kirk and Luol should steady the line-up (injuries are part of the game)

- Salmons looks ready to ease the scoring load (along with Noah!?!)

- Rose has a year under his belt

- We're more athletic

- The cohesiveness is showing early

Pargo and Hunter have shown little so far. I'm hoping Jannero starts to relax a little; he has the quickest defensive feet on the team and is a 37% 3pt. shooter. Hunter, well he's moving like the men from the 45 and over league. Sorry Lindsey, I loved you back in the day, but when you can't scramble and bend down for a loose ball, it's time to pine it! I'd rather see that spot taken by Byars when Gray returns. He's played solid.

Go Bulls!!!

It's a little early to start grading this team (or hating on some players), but...

- the kids have played well

- Noah must have been abducted (that's not him out there, LOL)

- Kirk and Luol should steady the line-up (injuries are part of the game)

- Salmons looks ready to ease the scoring load (along with Noah!?!)

- Rose has a year under his belt

- We're more athletic

- the 'D' looks active

- The cohesiveness is showing early

Pargo and Hunter have shown little so far. I'm hoping Jannero starts to relax a little; he has the quickest defensive feet on the team and is a 37% 3pt. shooter. Hunter, well he's moving like the men from the 45 and over league. Sorry Lindsey, I loved you back in the day, but when you can't scramble and bend down for a loose ball, it's time to pine it! I'd rather see that spot taken by Byars when Gray returns. He's played solid.

Go Bulls!!!

Keith, I’ve watched all the Bulls preseason games as well and they look ok, not too bad considering Rose and Tyrus haven’t played the last 3 games. Don’t worry too much about Pargo. I don’t think he’s pressing, he’s just filling in for meaningless preseason minutes while the regulars rest or by coaches’ decision to manage player minutes among the regulars. Whether Pargo struggles or shoots lights out in these games won’t matter to his overall playing time during the regular season. Pargo will only play limited minutes off the bench or in certain situations where the Bulls offense need a spark or down big or in need of clutch 3-pointers of which he’s shown that he can hit in the clutch in the past. He’s a shooting specialist and a veteran journeyman, nothing more, a la Craig Hodges. He’ll only spot start if any combination of Rose, Salmons or Hinrich ever goes down in injury. Anthony, Pargo may have the quick feet, but his hands on defense is almost nonexistent. He has almost no instincts at all on defense, I’m sure you agree. Pargo’s poor handles and poor defense will always keep him on “journeyman” status throughout his career. Lindsey Hunter… wow Tommy, if you’re going to mention John Bagley, you might as well bring up Khalid El-Amin as well! haha

Anyway, pretty much what I’ve typing up in John Jackson’s blogsphere – the rooks are playing well. Taj Gibson is not your average rookie at 25 years old, so yes, I did expect him to be more “NBA-ready” than James Johnson, but JJ’s offensive potential is basically off the charts. His ball handles alone might actually even be better than Kirk Hinrich already! He’s got serious offensive potential to be a star if developed properly. The kid is raw and just needs discipline, but the key word here though is “development”. That’s where the coaches come in. I’m still not convinced with this entire coaching staff from Vinny down to the assistants. Del Harris is gone (thanks for the 1 year of collecting paychecks, Del), but I do like Bickerstaff and Oceipka is ok (although I’m biased with him because he was one of my former coaches in high school). As for the rest of the crew, I have my reservations, but we’ll see how the new guys like Randy Brown and Sidney Green fit in with their mentoring. Joakim Noah – he’s no fluke. He should have a solid season if he manages to stay healthy. I’ve always said before even when he was in College that he had skills, and now his all out hustle and energy on the court is translating to his offseason work in refining his game. He’s working hard and it shows. He’s maturing right before our very own eyes. He’s not rail thin anymore (still could use more strength of course) and he’s even showing some offensive moves, even the basic George Mikan drop step moves in the post! I love it. Now I’m not expecting him to be an all-star Center by any means so some of you, stop short with the kool-aid comments ;-), but he can be a solid 2nd tier Center in the league one day. So far so good from the Bullies, but with the exception of solid fundamental defense from Taj Gibson, I still don’t think that their overall team defense is that good yet, but I have seen better on-the-ball defense from certain players. It's still an overall work-in-progress in that area that I’ll continue to watch very closely out of Vinny and co. I just remember them saying that defense was a priority last season and I didn't see it so we'll see.

And now lastly Luol Deng … if you ask me, I haven’t seen in any of the 4 preseason games any marked improvement in his game at all. But hey, he did hit a 3-point shot to beat the buzzer last night!... oops, I meant that he beat the 1st QUARTER buzzer, not a game winning shot. Sorry, my bad. lol And then of course, Deng missed the entire 4th quarter last nigh tbecause of a jammed finger. Vinny said that they are managing his minutes in the preseason while he’s on the 2-year recovery plan from his non-surgical injury from last season, but the jammed finger is what kept him from finishing the game last night. I guess nothing changes with this guy, but Paxson loves his game so much so that we couldn’t give him up on any package deal for Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant. He’s the next Bulls all-star so deal with it.

By the way, Chris Richard – I wouldn’t get too excited about him even though he’s played well. I don’t see him making the roster, but it’ll likely come down to Byars and him for the final spot.

Funny Tim. Yeah, all that is only wishful thinking on my part, pure fantasy. There’s no logical reason for J.R. to sell the Bulls just from a pure business sense, but I guess our only hope would be for the Bulls to somehow bomb in the 2010 Free Agent sweepstakes; attendance at the UC drastically shifts for the worst; and then and only then will J.R. finally be on a true hot seat from the media and general public. However, even then, I wouldn’t want the organization to blow it on acquiring one of those elite 2010 free agents just for my own selfish reasons. I suppose anything can happen though, so if ever there is an opportunity down the road, I’ll make sure my resume is ready for the Littles ownership team. ;-) You might be pleasantly surprised by the experience I have and the references I can obtain in the sport.

Go Bulls

Anthony:

I've said it before, and I think you agree that we might be pleasantly surprised by the Bulls this year.

I'm not sure exactly what we're going to get, or if it'll all come together, but I see enough there to pique my interest.

No matter the end result, I expect an interesting season, which will be a nice change in and of itself. They've bored us for too many years now. We deserve to be entertained.

Yeah Edgar I know what you mean I'm sure the thought is only my pipe dream also but hey I've always said if you're going to dream, dream big.
After watching Friday's game it seems to me that Gibson's play has been the best thing to happen to Tyrus. That was by far the best game I believe I've seen from him and if Deng doesn't show anything more than he has to this point he could find himself coming off the bench backing up Johnson. Edgar your assessment of Pargo is spot on and I don't see him averaging more than 5 minutes unless ofcourse there is a serious injury that puts him on the floor longer.
To this point the team looks fairly promising but they really have not played an elite team yet, the Spurs could burst that bubble Monday night.