Chicago Blow-out sale!!!

by supremepuntiff on Apr 17, 2008 4:54 PM PDT

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-32-70/Who-is-Going-to-Fix-the-Culture-of-the-Chicago-Bulls-.html

Basically, there is some speculation about the Bulls' culture being a problem right now. My question (half serious, half fun) is this: if Paxson will let players go for cheap, is there anybody on that team you would trade for? Our guys should have a decent rep as good culture guys right now, plus a stash of picks we have accrued. None of these guys may be a first choice for anyone here in terms of trade, but in teerms of getting a good deal and improving the roster at leaast somewhat, who do you see as worth grabbing from the bargain bin?

Note: this assumes, which I tend to think, that Chicago has hardworking players with a good attitude who can shine in a better environment.

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Obviously Deng

Other than that, meh.

by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 17, 2008 5:00 PM PDT reply actions

Where did you get that

sweet pimp daddy Sabonis thumb?

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Apr 18, 2008 9:09 AM PDT up reply actions

Personal Collection

He stayed for a week at my house in Maui. We played a ton of halo 3. He’s not that good.

by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 18, 2008 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions

hinrich

i’m telling you…..

"Honor Terry Porter." Email me with your TP stories and memories.

by Ben Golliver on Apr 17, 2008 5:05 PM PDT reply actions

hmm

is he that much of an upgrade over blake?

by Philthyanimal on Apr 17, 2008 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd have to agree

that Hinrich may be a slight upgrade from Blake, but I can’t say that I think he’s what KP has in mind. I’m not really all that high on any of these guys

Blazermania: back and better than ever

by CMCWizard on Apr 17, 2008 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Nocioni

If we get rid of 2 of the SFs or Frye…I think we could use Nocioni. He wouldn’t play much of a major role to.

by Philthyanimal on Apr 17, 2008 5:25 PM PDT reply actions

Hinrich

is definitely an upgrade over Blake. He had the lowest point total of his career this year at 11.5, but that entire team put up terrible stats this year so I don’t hold it against him much.

He averaged over 16 ppg over the previous 3 years, was 2nd team all defensive last year, and was the most reliable PG/shooter for that USA team in Athens. By all accounts, the Bulls had a terrible locker room atmosphere this year, and I’m sure he would respond well to the Blazer culture.

All that being said, he does make $11 million a year, which is probably too much for what we’d be getting. Still, he’s one of the few PGs in the league who is both a good defender and presumably available for a reasonable price.

by Dave R on Apr 17, 2008 5:48 PM PDT reply actions

Deng

And maybe Noah, though I really don’t like his attitude.

by Blenzer on Apr 17, 2008 6:17 PM PDT reply actions

Really?

What don’t you like about his attitude? Personally, I find his candor and obvious desire to win to be a breath of fresh air. I loved the confrontation he had with Wallace before the latter got traded—how many rookies in the league would tell off an established veteran with a championship ring to boot, but one who was doing nothing more than mailing in games and cashing paychecks?

There are lots of examples of him butting heads with Bulls players and management this year. But Bulls fans (at least those who post on Blogabull) love him, and they blame the conflicts on a team that couldn't be bothered to give a flying fig this year and on management that was off in La-La Land from August up until now.

by BlazersOrBust on Apr 19, 2008 6:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Sometimes

I’m not very rationnal, and when someone like Noah seems as stupid as he seems when he talks, that tends to get on my nerves a bit…
I could understand some arrogance coming from a guy coming from a very poor neighbourhood, but this one was raised with a silver spoon in the mouth. His attitude is even more surprising considering who his father is, a very gentle and humble person…

Now I’m not saying it’s okay to act like a jerk when you’re coming from the streets, just that it’s more understandable than when you’re coming from a very wealthy background.

Appart from that I like someone being concerned about winning, but I like respect as well, and he seems to lack that a bit, otherwise I don’t think his team-mates would have asked for his suspension, which I haven’t oftenly heard of in the NBA.

That being said, I don’t know him personnaly, and what he seems like may not be what he really is (but that could be said about everybody I think), and I hope I’m wrong about him, but right now, when I listen to him talk, he just doesn’t seem bright at all…

by Blenzer on Apr 22, 2008 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Well expresed

You own what you are.

by amlmart1 on Apr 22, 2008 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree

Other people don't have as much practice at being wrong as I do -- HT, timbo

by jscot on Apr 23, 2008 12:56 AM PDT up reply actions

Thabo Sefolosha

I said it once and I’ll say it again, he is a smart, tough, athletic defensive minded swingman who can score some and can be had at a reasonable price. he’s log-jammed behind Deng at SF and Hughes, Duhon and Gordon at SG, os he may be available, even before taking into account a possible fire sale.

I don’t want to get into a whole “Should Martell be the SF of the future” thing here, but in terms of relative value, Thabo gives the Blazers what they need at SF. A couple weeks ago, I saw the Bulls play the Cavs and whenever Thabo was in the game, esp. in the 4th quarter, he guarded LeBron and did as good a job as could be expected from any mortal. LeBron had to settle for perimeter jumpers; he couldn’t make any dunks or drive to the hoop.

by dp8039 on Apr 17, 2008 8:54 PM PDT reply actions

I like him too

by Blenzer on Apr 18, 2008 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions

me 3

Woof

by Charles Barkley McLovin on Apr 18, 2008 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions

They won't do anything

Until after they hire Larry Brown. I wouldn’t get my hopes up until we find out what direction Larry wants to head with the team.

Ask not what Blazers Edge can do for you; ask what you can do for Blazers Edge.

by tominhawaii on Apr 17, 2008 9:44 PM PDT reply actions

I like Thabo too

Deng is obviously nice but not enough of a shooter IMO. Hinrich is “meh” at best.

Sefalosha is a great defensive swingman, though I think that position here is locked up with Martell/JJ/Travis (if he stays) at the 3 and Roy/Rudy at the 2.

by BlazerD on Apr 18, 2008 1:35 AM PDT reply actions

Thabo ...

is the only guy that interests me. But I like everyone we have just as much.

Hinrich makes too much, and Deng is about to make too much.

The only two SFs I would want over our guys right now are Granger or Iguodala.

by bfan on Apr 18, 2008 8:52 AM PDT reply actions

Thabo, Hinrich, Deng, Nocioni

These are all guys who would excel on this team.
Thabo would fit the perimeter defender role we desperately need. Plus he has major upside on the offensive end. A real team player. Nate’s kind of guy.

Hinrich had his worst year as a pro, but this is another fantastic perimeter defender who runs a team well and plays with passion and grit. once again another Nate guy.

Deng is tough and one of the best mid-range shooters in the game. those shots are going to be there with the collapsing on Oden….....and he plays serviceable D with a tremendous wingspan.

Noce, is a hustler. a fierce competitor and has shown flashes of being a reliable 3 point shooter. I think he could fill some gaps we have.

by DropstepJ on Apr 18, 2008 10:51 AM PDT reply actions

Wow

You have Sly Stone as your avatar…

by Blenzer on Apr 22, 2008 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions

I almost feel sorry for John Paxson

He offered the T-Wolves a far better deal for KG then they eventually got. He offered the Grizzzz a far better deal for Gasol then they eventually got. But the Grizz and Wolves were still in “we can maybe rebuild around the stud we got” mode, and not interested. By the time the Wolves/Grizz were interested in dealing, PJ Brown’s contract had expired, and the Bulls no longer had a cheap deal to offer in exchange. (Although they could have tried the Keith Van Horn technique, I suppose)...

Of course, I said “almost”. Paxson has done his share of stupid things, like signing Ben Wallace (though it looked smart at the time-nobody expected Big Ben to go downhill so fast), the TT/LMA trade, the Smith/Chandler trade, letting JR Smith subsequently go to Denver for nothing, and giving a megamax deal to Kirk Hinrich. Oh, and letting his star player twist in the wind with Kobe trade rumors. On the other side of the coin, the draft selections of the Two Guys Who Speak French were pretty good-if we didn’t already have Oden and LMA, Noah is a young big man I’d love to have around.

Oh, and any team that expresses interest of any sort in Larry Brown, other than a team (like the Pistons) full of veteran professionals who need an expert tactician to put them over the top, deserves what it gets. Brown is lousy at developing young talent, and much like an overpriced free agent that you sign after losing in the conference finals, his primary value is in putting “close” teams over the top. Teams that win south of 40 games have no business employing Brown.

But still—the Bulls are a cautionary tale. After next season, Frye, Jack, and Web (if still here) will have their rookie deals coming to an end; and will want some money. None of them (yet) merits a huge contract, but if you don’t play your cards right, a talented young team can easily morph into a bitter one.

by EngineerScotty on Apr 18, 2008 11:39 AM PDT reply actions

Is there any "Allen-Paxon´s Project"?

Tell me with whom you walk and I will tell you who you are.

by amlmart1 on Apr 18, 2008 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions

+1

by BlazersOrBust on Apr 19, 2008 6:12 AM PDT up reply actions

Another insult I read about the Blazers

I sometimes (regettably) read the comments to articles about the Blazers from other non-good websites, and one of the common dismissals is that we’re just gonna end up like the Bulls, so a young team winning means nothing. Objectively, I think this is just plain wrong for a big reason: we got 3 bonafide stars who complement each other, and are good. We don’t have 3 B-level players who MIGHT become good like Deng or Hinrich; we already got ‘em. True, Oden hasn’t even played yet but he is Oden. We got the dominant center every one covets and either jealously hates or loves. The Bulls have no post scoring, which is also part of their downfall—we got two post scorers (plus Roy can post up).

The Bulls are a team without a leader on the court, is made up of second options, and every key player is a jumpshooter. That is why they eventually failed (along with the contract stuff leaving a bad taste in peoples mouth), but it doesn’t mean they don’t got some talented players.

Hinrich could be due for a Kaman-esque comeback season, and can leave this past season behind as nothing but a fluke. However, he is expensive. 11 million a year, right? For a while? Well, it’s a lot, but he IS a good defensive PG who has usually been smart on the court (usually = before this year). He’s on the Olympic team for a reason. Now with Miles’ contract coming off the book, perhaps we could afford someone like Hinrich and still get a free agent in 2009?

One thing to note about Hinrich though, is that some who follow the Bulls think he might actually be a SG or just a scoring PG… not sure if that fits us.

Thaba is being way way way overrated by people here. He looks better than he is, and LOOKS like he should be a good player (like Martell, I guess). He can’t really shoot, is given credit for being a good defender by some here like other teams’ fans give Jack credit for being a good defender, and has shown not really ANYTHING in the NBA. Martell earned a starting spot with good competition coming from Outlaw and Jones, had some huge games/quarters, and has shown actual real NBA talent. Thaba hasn’t shown much at all and is still just a sorta exotic lanky positionless Euro.

I have been really high on Deng for a long time, but this season set him back in my mind just like Hinrich. Hopefully it’s just a fluke year as well. He settles for jumpers, isn’t very quick which hurts him on defense especially (Martell is quicker), doesn’t have a 3 point shot and doesn’t use his considerably lanky length to his advantage. He SHOULD be a great SF someday though, if he stays healthy. His health has been a huge concern however, and I hope it doesn’t always follow him. I have no idea what his workout regimen is or if he is trying to get stronger/bigger, but his game certainly took a step back and he was hobbled most of the season.

The bad things about the Bulls former-key-players is that they drastically underperformed this season, but if you think it is only a fluke then they can be had for much, much, MUCH cheaper than they could be had at this time last season.

Nocioni is the worst of the bunch. We don’t need a flopper like him who is way mad super streaky from 3 and always hurt. He is a guy who you say “man, he sure is annoying but I bet we’d like him if he was on our team” but he isn’t—Bulls fans hate him a lot. I’d even go as far as to say he “sucks”. No to Annoy-cioni!

Gordon, it goes without saying, wouldn’t fit us. Undersized gunners = glad he is not on our team.

If KP thought Hinrich was worth it, I’d get behind that deal—but I believe KP knows what he is doing and trust him implicitly. Normally, I would not be for getting an overpaid underperforming white PG.

Thabo would be our worst SF, currently. I even prefer Jack as the backup SG because he can score and dribble, especially against most 2nd units.

Only go for the Bulls leftovers if it’s a steal of a deal.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Apr 18, 2008 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions