NBA Free Agency/Offseason

[Andy]

It was I who referenced the third-year leap theory.

 

And Simmons' stance on the Wallace signing would be absolutely correct if not for the slight fact that Ben Wallace can play more minutes, not get into foul trouble, and will serve as a leader on this team - all things Tyson couldn't or didn't do.

 

I like Wilcox and if we could get him for Smith and Sweets I'd jump all over it. We all know Pax is good at getting his man.

[1908]

Chicago Tribune[/url]"]No way on Wilcox

A source close to the Bulls disputed published reports that the Bulls are interested in acquiring Seattle restricted free agent Chris Wilcox. The source said the Bulls have no interest in the 6-10 power forward.

[Magnetic Curses]

he's hard to project as an nba player, but i don't see a shaq-type force down low, very easily he could be more of a michael olowakandi-type force.

Is the hard to project part your opinion? Every scouting report I've read about him compare him to Duncan and David Robinson, and he'll be the consensus number one pick in whatever draft he decides to enter, barring serious injury.

 

and tyson chandler was the next garnett, except without any coordination. there are other examples of high school big men being hard to project as well. to me, he looked flat-footed on offense and a bit plodding trying to run the court. he scored a lot of points from 5 feet and in, but so did thomas hamilton.

 

i have no doubt he'll be the #1 overall pick-but i don't see how he can be projected as the next duncan or robinson without having played against college competition. sure he's played against the top players in the country in aau and tournaments, but most of those teams don't have people that are anywhwre close to his size.

 

high school centers are so hard to place because any seven-footer will be dominant against some 6-4 catholic-school kid.

So it's your opinion and it's based on you seeing Oden play twice. Thanks for clarifying.

 

no problem, thanks for being sarcastic about me stating my opinion, which has been spelled out for you.

[WindyCity]

Exhale Cavs fans.... Lebron signs 5-year max extension

[Andy]

Exhale Cavs fans.... Lebron signs 5-year max extension

That would have been among the all-time saddest things to happen to Cleveland sports if LeBron had left.

[soccer10k]

Exhale Cavs fans.... Lebron signs 5-year max extension

That would have been among the all-time saddest things to happen to Cleveland sports if LeBron had left.

 

They might has well just gotten rid of the team completely if LeBron left. No use playing anymore if something like that would have happened. Imagine if Jordan would have left the Bulls in the late 80's? I'm glad for Cleveland that he stayed.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Exhale Cavs fans.... Lebron signs 5-year max extension

 

*Fist Pump*

[Brian]

sounds like it isn't 5/80, but a 3 year deal with an option for the 4th year... conveniently he can be a FA when there will be a new CBA.

[SouthSideRyan]

Isiah says oops!

[TB_11]

sounds like it isn't 5/80, but a 3 year deal with an option for the 4th year... conveniently he can be a FA when there will be a new CBA.

 

Will he be restricted or unrestricted after three years? Sounds like he's making a play for more money, and the option to join Jay-Z when the Nets move to Brooklyn.

[Brian]

Summer league has started

 

First-round picks Tyrus Thomas and Thabo Sefolosha combined to score 26 points, grab eight rebounds and dish out five assists as the Chicago Bulls downed the Indiana Pacers, 93-88, in the first game of the 2006 Pepsi Pro Summer League. Aaron Miles and Cedric Banks led the Bulls with 19 and 17 points, respectively, while Sefolosha chipped in 16 and Thomas finished with 10.

 

 

 

And for Illini fans James Augustine is doing a blog on orlandomagic.com

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/06summerleague_interviews.html

[Jon]

Hinrich has been named to team USA.

[ChiCubsFan]

Hinrich has been named to team USA.

 

Awesome! Excellent edition to Team USA. Hinrich is exactly what previous olympic teams lacked.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Hinrich has been named to team USA.

 

That's great news! :D

 

And that's a great sig.

[Jon]

I think you mean "radical."

[1908]

Scouting report on Tyrus' performance in today's summer league game.

 

With Thabo Sefolosha resting on the bench, Tyrus Thomas finally got his wish of playing on the perimeter at a combo forward position. He looked very good at times and a little raw in others, but always played extremely hard and gave his team a huge lift with his energy. Most of the damage Thomas did today came off using his quickness to slither his way around his man and go to the basket. He went strong again and again and got to the free throw countless times this way, and indeed collected plenty of points. Since the Heat quickly caught on to his plan of attack they began sagging off of him and daring him to shoot long-range jumpers. Thomas took the bait and settled for too many bad shots, almost all of which he bricked and some even forced badly pulling up transparently off the dribble. Besides his shot-selection, most everything else to take away from this game was very positive. Thomas plays incredibly intense defense, swinging between the 2, 3 and 4 spots and not having much of a problem staying in front of his man due to his outstanding lateral quickness and superb length. He got in the passing lanes and rebounded with purpose, occasionally even leading the break and either trying to finish the play himself or find the open man. Whether he’s shooting well or not, Thomas is always the type of player who will crash the glass incredibly hard, and he has the right physical tools to come away with double-digit rebounds (as he has here in Orlando) more often than not. He’s tough to get a body on due to his narrow frame and how active he is moving his feet at all times. If he can improve his ball-handling and shot-creating skills, Thomas won’t sound out of line talking about his small forward skills. With just over a minute to go he gave the Bulls something to think about by taking the ball strong along the baseline with his lightning quick first step, spinning towards the basket and then exploding at the hoop for an effortless two handed jam.

[Chocolate Milk]

I have heard that Sefolosha has looked really good so far in summer league play.

[ChiCubsFan]

I have heard that Sefolosha has looked really good so far in summer league play.

 

Why didn't he play tonight?

[ChiCubsFan]

Scouting report on Tyrus' performance in today's summer league game.

 

With Thabo Sefolosha resting on the bench, Tyrus Thomas finally got his wish of playing on the perimeter at a combo forward position. He looked very good at times and a little raw in others, but always played extremely hard and gave his team a huge lift with his energy. Most of the damage Thomas did today came off using his quickness to slither his way around his man and go to the basket. He went strong again and again and got to the free throw countless times this way, and indeed collected plenty of points. Since the Heat quickly caught on to his plan of attack they began sagging off of him and daring him to shoot long-range jumpers. Thomas took the bait and settled for too many bad shots, almost all of which he bricked and some even forced badly pulling up transparently off the dribble. Besides his shot-selection, most everything else to take away from this game was very positive. Thomas plays incredibly intense defense, swinging between the 2, 3 and 4 spots and not having much of a problem staying in front of his man due to his outstanding lateral quickness and superb length. He got in the passing lanes and rebounded with purpose, occasionally even leading the break and either trying to finish the play himself or find the open man. Whether he’s shooting well or not, Thomas is always the type of player who will crash the glass incredibly hard, and he has the right physical tools to come away with double-digit rebounds (as he has here in Orlando) more often than not. He’s tough to get a body on due to his narrow frame and how active he is moving his feet at all times. If he can improve his ball-handling and shot-creating skills, Thomas won’t sound out of line talking about his small forward skills. With just over a minute to go he gave the Bulls something to think about by taking the ball strong along the baseline with his lightning quick first step, spinning towards the basket and then exploding at the hoop for an effortless two handed jam.

 

Good to hear. I'm not too worried about a rookie having poor shot selection at times and being inconsistent with his shot. He hasn't even been playing basketball that long so hopefully he'll improve a lot in those areas. Nice to hear that he took the ball to the hoop a lot and got to the line.

[imb]

Poor shot selection is something they can work on all year long in practice, it's not like he's going to be getting a lot of shots in the Bulls lineup anyway. As long as he's playing tough D and rebounding (which it sounds like he does in his sleep) he'll be perfect.

[Bobson Dugnutt]

Nothing major, but Sam Smith says the Bulls aren't quite done. Although, Smith's career centers around making up rumors, so who knows how much truth there is to this.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/cs-060713smith,1,7414976.column?coll=cs-home-headlines

 

With a couple of roster spots open, the Bulls probably are not quite done, especially if certain veterans accept minimum deals.

 

With the majority of major free agents committed to other teams, the Bulls figure to use the after market for a big man such as Scot Pollard, Aaron Williams, Jake Voshkuhl or even longtime favorite Toni Kukoc.

 

Kukoc is not expected to return to the Bucks and could appropriately finish his career in Chicago, where he still lives.

[UMFan83]

Just in case anyone didn't know, Ben Wallace's PC is today at 5PM CST, to be broadcast live on CSN and possibly ESPN 1000 or the Score

[Brian]

missed the conference but the bulls website is pimping the signing hard, (i.e. new intro page)

 

http://www.nba.com/media/bulls/wallace_hp_060713.jpg

 

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/sp/getty/3b/full.getty-71432146gd002_ben_wallace_p_7_57_55_pm.jpg

[1908]

I have heard that Sefolosha has looked really good so far in summer league play.

 

Why didn't he play tonight?

The Bulls sent the exhausted Sefolosha home as they saw more than enough from him in the first two games and the numerous practices they’ve seen. Sefolosha hasn’t had a rest in quite some time after playing a long Italian league season and then working his way through over a dozen workouts leading up to the draft.

[Mark_R]

Paul Pierce re-ups with the Celts 3/60. Too lazy to link. Its on espn.