4/15 - Bulls (41-40) vs. Toronto (32-49) - 7 pm, CSN

[bcl412]

i'm just afraid that this recent good play will make pax not go for amare

I think it's beginning to become a win/win situation for us. Either we get Amare or we keep Tyrus Thomas whose been playing well of late. I hope Pax doesn't give up Tyrus AND Noah in a deal. One or the other Kerr.

 

Noah please. If there is a way to keep Tyrus and get Amare I would be happy. I can't see it though.

[cubswin2009]

i'm just afraid that this recent good play will make pax not go for amare

I think it's beginning to become a win/win situation for us. Either we get Amare or we keep Tyrus Thomas whose been playing well of late. I hope Pax doesn't give up Tyrus AND Noah in a deal. One or the other Kerr.

 

Noah please. If there is a way to keep Tyrus and get Amare I would be happy. I can't see it though.

I wouldn't mind seeing the Bulls give up Tyrus, Thabo, Gooden, and the #1 for Amare. I'd prefer Noah to go but that ain't happening.

[bcl412]

i'm just afraid that this recent good play will make pax not go for amare

I think it's beginning to become a win/win situation for us. Either we get Amare or we keep Tyrus Thomas whose been playing well of late. I hope Pax doesn't give up Tyrus AND Noah in a deal. One or the other Kerr.

 

Noah please. If there is a way to keep Tyrus and get Amare I would be happy. I can't see it though.

I wouldn't mind seeing the Bulls give up Tyrus, Thabo, Gooden, and the #1 for Amare. I'd prefer Noah to go but that ain't happening.

 

I know. I've become a huge Tyrus fan lately. I wouldn't be too upset though if he landed a good player like Amare.

[cubswin2009]

Yeah the Bulls have to sell high something they should have done with Luol Deng when Gasol was out there.

[17 Seconds]

The Portland Trail Blazers have made a strong play for Amare Stoudemire, discussing a package that includes LaMarcus Aldridge, Jerryd Bayless, and Raef LeFrentz's $12.7 million expiring contract, a person with direct knowledge of the talks told CBSSports.com Tuesday.

 

The Blazers have four extra second-round picks in the next two drafts to offer, plus the rights to British big man Joel Freeland, taken by Portland with the 30th pick in the 2006 draft.

 

Freeland has reportedly been included in the talks.

 

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/57158/20090211/blazers_could_send_aldridge_and_bayless_for_amare/

 

Some are saying it's just Kerr or Portland trying to drive up the price though

[RedFlash]

The Portland Trail Blazers have made a strong play for Amare Stoudemire, discussing a package that includes LaMarcus Aldridge, Jerryd Bayless, and Raef LeFrentz's $12.7 million expiring contract, a person with direct knowledge of the talks told CBSSports.com Tuesday.

 

The Blazers have four extra second-round picks in the next two drafts to offer, plus the rights to British big man Joel Freeland, taken by Portland with the 30th pick in the 2006 draft.

 

Freeland has reportedly been included in the talks.

 

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/57158/20090211/blazers_could_send_aldridge_and_bayless_for_amare/

 

Some are saying it's just Kerr or Portland trying to drive up the price though

 

If there is a player the Blazers need that is on Phx, it is not Amar'e, it would be Nash. So this story of them being interested in Amar'e reeks of PHX trying to drive up the price.

[David]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AsQCYUq3P_shIXpSipFXvbm8vLYF?slug=aw-sunstrades021109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

 

NBA executives say that Sarver has contacted team owners – including those of the Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies – in an attempt to broker a deal for Stoudemire. While the Suns’ basketball executives are discussing one possible package with teams, Sarver has, at times, appeared to be pursuing his own agenda.

 

Some teams believe this is a circumstance they can exploit, and suggest that Suns GM Steve Kerr and David Griffin, the franchise’s VP of basketball operations, have been compromised.

 

“It makes [the owner] look too motivated,” said one Western Conference GM who was aware of Sarver’s calls. “It makes them look desperate.”

 

As an Eastern Conference GM wondered: “What in the world are two owners going to come up with that the GMs haven’t already discussed?

 

“This is how bad deals happen.”

 

Most Stoudemire suitors believe the Bulls have the chance to offer the best package, which could include the expiring contract of Drew Gooden, rapidly emerging forward Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah and possibly a draft pick. Bulls GM John Paxson recently had his assistant, director of player personnel Gar Forman, return to Chicago from the college scouting trail to pore over trade possibilities with him. The Bulls are clearly determined to land Stoudemire.

[David]

Trade deadlines are fun.

[wolf stansson]

I learned from Paul Shirley's book that Sarver is an idiot. He isn't changing my opinion.

[Banedon]

I went back a few pages and didn't see any mention of this, but I'm kinda upset I didn't see the Johnny "Redd" Kerr ceremony. Back in a time when I watched basketball MUCH more regularly (the MJ days), Kerr was a fixture for Bulls basketball. I really enjoyed looking through this gallery, and especially liked MJ clapping the talcum in front of Kerr.

 

I didn't realize that Johnny was in bad shape. That's a shame.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-johnny-red-kerr-chicago-bulls-photos,0,7950905.photogallery

[Tyrant]

I just don't understand why he plays the way he does.

I can... He is a selfish player in a contract year.

 

You couldn't be more wrong if you invested your entire financial future in calling cards.

 

Look at Gordon's numbers this year, and compare them to the rest of his career. He's pretty much on par with every other season, except he's more efficient this year, shooting at a better percentage.

 

I could see your argument if Gordon was getting his 20 per night while taking 25 shots. But he's not. In fact, he's actually at a career-low shots per 36 minutes. In what way is he playing selfish? He's having an outstanding season.

[Soul]

I went back a few pages and didn't see any mention of this, but I'm kinda upset I didn't see the Johnny "Redd" Kerr ceremony. Back in a time when I watched basketball MUCH more regularly (the MJ days), Kerr was a fixture for Bulls basketball. I really enjoyed looking through this gallery, and especially liked MJ clapping the talcum in front of Kerr.

 

I didn't realize that Johnny was in bad shape. That's a shame.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-johnny-red-kerr-chicago-bulls-photos,0,7950905.photogallery

 

I missed it too. But I saw Jordan's comments on CSN after the game. It was really nice to see Michael back at the United Center giving Kerr props like that. Felt almost like old times. Scottie was there too. For once I was sad that I'm not getting the Bulls games this year.

[David]

I just don't understand why he plays the way he does.

I can... He is a selfish player in a contract year.

 

You couldn't be more wrong if you invested your entire financial future in calling cards.

 

Look at Gordon's numbers this year, and compare them to the rest of his career. He's pretty much on par with every other season, except he's more efficient this year, shooting at a better percentage.

 

I could see your argument if Gordon was getting his 20 per night while taking 25 shots. But he's not. In fact, he's actually at a career-low shots per 36 minutes. In what way is he playing selfish? He's having an outstanding season.

 

People put a label on a guy (deserved or not) and it sticks for good no matter how far from the truth it may be.

 

That said, I get annoyed at the overdribbling sometimes, but all our guards seem to do it, and it seems like it's just a result that our bigs suck/we suck off the ball. He's no more selfish than anyone who can score the way he can, and there's nothing wrong with that.

[David]

A post from RealGM...

 

Portlands insider (proven legit at a draft party in the past):

RC4L...no worries. No offense taken. However, from what I am told, Amare for LMA, Bayless and RLEC has a snowballs chance in hell.

[Cynosure]

I heard the Johnny Red Kerr tribute was awesome but can't find a video, anyone hook me up?

[wolf stansson]

A post from RealGM...

 

Portlands insider (proven legit at a draft party in the past):

RC4L...no worries. No offense taken. However, from what I am told, Amare for LMA, Bayless and RLEC has a snowballs chance in hell.

This makes me think that the Suns are doing a stupid knee jerk thing here. Amare doesn't play defense, especially within Porter's system, so they don't want Aldridge who is similar. Instead they want a worse player in TT (presumably) who plays monster d. They are throwing the baby out with the bath water.

 

 

I'm not a Suns fan and I generally dislike Phx sports fans, but I kind of liked going to see a good basketball team a few times a year. I don't think this is going to work out well for them.

[David]

Or it could just be that no such offer exists from Portland's end.

 

But I agree that the direction that Kerr is taking PHX in doesn't seem to be a good one. Then again, it's all about money (which is even more reason to believe that no such offer from Portland exists, because they probably would've taken it already from a money perspective).

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

I think Kerr wants to make a genuine basketball trade, while Sarvar just wants to save cash. All bets are off when the owner wants to dump salary..look at the Gasol trade last year...alot of other teams other than the Bulls put solid offers on the table..and then they pull a "WTF" and trade him to LA for nothing but expiring contracts and trash.

[SpongeWorthy]

I just don't understand why he plays the way he does.

I can... He is a selfish player in a contract year.

 

You couldn't be more wrong if you invested your entire financial future in calling cards.

 

Look at Gordon's numbers this year, and compare them to the rest of his career. He's pretty much on par with every other season, except he's more efficient this year, shooting at a better percentage.

 

I could see your argument if Gordon was getting his 20 per night while taking 25 shots. But he's not. In fact, he's actually at a career-low shots per 36 minutes. In what way is he playing selfish? He's having an outstanding season.

 

Given his propensity for tunrovers (he's 14th in the league and not a primary ball handler), poor defense, and lack of ability to create for his teammates having Ben Gordon as your best offensive threat puts a pretty low ceiling on how good a team can really be, IMO. He's a good shooter but he's not an incredibly efficient one. If he played in a system where he could spot up with a legit post threat or come off screens he'd be absolutely deadly--ala Fisher in LA but with a little more freedom to create off the bounce.

 

That hasn't happened in Chicago and it's largely not his fault but it is frustrating. He's not worth what he thinks he's worth but he's going to be a huge weapon if he ever goes to a system where he's used properly. Being asked to go one and one and constantly create his own shot ala Kobe, Wade, James, Durant, etc. is just a misappropriation of his talents.

[Tyrant]

 

Given his propensity for tunrovers (he's 14th in the league and not a primary ball handler), poor defense, and lack of ability to create for his teammates having Ben Gordon as your best offensive threat puts a pretty low ceiling on how good a team can really be, IMO.

 

That doesn't have anything to do with Gordon's ability. It's just a reflection on the makeup of the Bulls.

 

I agree with you that he's often asked to do too much and that forces him into doing things he shouldn't (dribbling too much, trying to create one-on-one, etc.), but again, that's not really his fault. I just think he takes way too much crap from Bulls fans and it's undeserved.

[cubswin2009]

Yahoo Sports is reporting that Cleveland and Chicago are the frontrunners for Amare. The Cleveland deal involves rookie JJ Hickson.

 

Cbs Sports is reporting Miami could be back in the running.

[RedFlash]

Yahoo Sports is reporting that Cleveland and Chicago are the frontrunners for Amare. The Cleveland deal involves rookie JJ Hickson.

 

Cbs Sports is reporting Miami could be back in the running.

 

Any deal that has JJ Hickson as part of the deal has chance of happen, IMO. It could happen, but doubtful.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

JJ Hickson? rofl. Amare is ours.

[jmajew]

UmFan and myself were discussing yesterday where Amare ranks in terms of best players in the NBA and we came up with this...

 

CornerStone players: Players you give up the house to obtain and you can build around.

Kobe Bryant

tony Parker

Lebron james

Dwight Howard

Steve Nash

Deron Williams

Chauncy billups

Carmelo Anthony

Chris Paul

Dirk Nowitzski

Tim Duncan

Yao Ming

Gilbert Arenas(When healthy)

Kevin Garnett

Kevin Durant

Dwayne Wade

 

Allstars: Players that are nothing more than glorified role players, but the best role players in the business and are consistently play at an all-star level. You do not want to give up the house for them because they are only a peice of the puzzle.

 

Amare Stoudemire

Kevin Martin

Brandon Roy

Al Jefferson

Vince carter

Richard Jefferson

Carlos Boozer

Joe Johnson

Richard Hamilton

Tayshaun Prince

David West

Tracy McGrady

Manu Ginobili

Chris Bosh

Elton Brand (When Healthy)

Pau Gasol

Mo Williams

Rashard Lewis

Ray Allen

Paul Pierce

[Tyrant]

UmFan and myself were discussing yesterday where Amare ranks in terms of best players in the NBA and we came up with this...

 

CornerStone players: Players you give up the house to obtain and you can build around.

Kobe Bryant

tony Parker

Lebron james

Dwight Howard

Steve Nash

Deron Williams

Chauncy billups

Carmelo Anthony

Chris Paul

Dirk Nowitzski

Tim Duncan

Yao Ming

Gilbert Arenas(When healthy)

Kevin Garnett

Kevin Durant

Dwayne Wade

 

Allstars: Players that are nothing more than glorified role players, but the best role players in the business and are consistently play at an all-star level. You do not want to give up the house for them because they are only a peice of the puzzle.

 

Amare Stoudemire

Kevin Martin

Brandon Roy

Al Jefferson

Vince carter

Richard Jefferson

Carlos Boozer

Joe Johnson

Richard Hamilton

Tayshaun Prince

David West

Tracy McGrady

Manu Ginobili

Chris Bosh

Elton Brand (When Healthy)

Pau Gasol

Mo Williams

Rashard Lewis

Ray Allen

Paul Pierce

 

Pretty good list. I would quibble that Arenas is pretty overrated when healthy (needs the ball too much and terribly inefficient). I'd also go far enough to call Al Jefferson a franchise guy. He's barely 24 and is already one of the best low-post guys in the league. Considering his age, ceiling and talent, he's one of the most valuable guys in the entire league.