One of the best series ever: Celtics win 4-3

[SpongeWorthy]

So what do you guys think about Ben being a free agent? Off the top of my head, this is the biggest decision Pax will have to make since he's been the GM. There's valid arguments both ways.

 

It's a risk to let him walk but there's a risk in keeping him as well. Does it hamstring the development of the team as a whole to keep him? Will Tyrus and Luol ever step up without him? I keep going back and forth on this one.

[Rusch33]

Rose will never be a superstar player if he never learns to play defense.

[Sammy Sofa]

Rose will never be a superstar player if he never learns to play defense.

 

Rose's defensive ability has improved greatly over the season. It's tremendously unlikely that he doesn't continue to improve in that regard.

Edited May 3, 2009 by Sammy Sofa

[cubswin2009]

Rose will never be a superstar player if he never learns to play defense.

LeBron James was a terrible defender in his rookie season and is now one of the best in the league.

[JimSorgi]

I'm not really a Bulls fan, but I really wanted to see them win this. Still, it was an excellent series to watch.

[Cynosure]

Rose will never be a superstar player if he never learns to play defense.

LeBron James was a terrible defender in his rookie season and is now one of the best in the league.

 

LeBron James also had an awful 3 point shot...

[Flames24Rulz]

So what do you guys think about Ben being a free agent? Off the top of my head, this is the biggest decision Pax will have to make since he's been the GM. There's valid arguments both ways.

 

It's a risk to let him walk but there's a risk in keeping him as well. Does it hamstring the development of the team as a whole to keep him? Will Tyrus and Luol ever step up without him? I keep going back and forth on this one.

 

This team played so well without Deng that I think Paxson's first thing he'll do come draft day or July 1st is look for ways to ship out Deng so he can re-sign Gordon without going over the tax. I still do think that Luol Deng has trade value around the league so if you can get a team to jump on that, you have to do it.

 

I realize BG's not the best defender in the world and I realize that he does have his share of bad shooting nights. But look what he did in the playoffs when he did have those bad shooting nights (outside of the game 6). He still scored close to 30 points in games 5 and 7. He can get to the hole and can get to the free throw line when he's struggling, which was the biggest knock on him his first few years in the league. Scoring is such a vital part of the NBA and I know John Salmons has given great production in his role. But ultimately I think the team would be better if they had two legitimate scoring options in Gordon and Salmons to help out Rose rather than just going the cheap route and letting Gordon go for nothing.

 

I understand the 2010 plan as well, but it can definitely be done where you keep Gordon and still try to take on one of the big guns in that class. The best case scenario is keeping Gordon and trading for Bosh or Amare by giving up Deng, Tyrus, and Hinrich (among others, obviously).

[Guest]

The Chicago Bulls are better than the team we just lost to (minus Garnett) and that's about all I can say right now. It's not sour grapes, its the truth.

 

Boston won the series and won the only game that wasn't close. I'm not sure how you say the Bulls are a better team than the Celtics (minus Garnett).

[UMFan83]

So what do you guys think about Ben being a free agent? Off the top of my head, this is the biggest decision Pax will have to make since he's been the GM. There's valid arguments both ways.

 

It's a risk to let him walk but there's a risk in keeping him as well. Does it hamstring the development of the team as a whole to keep him? Will Tyrus and Luol ever step up without him? I keep going back and forth on this one.

 

Let him walk and use the money you save to trade for a big. John Salmons can replace 85% of what Gordon did offensively and is much better defensively. You need to allocate your resources, and with Salmons signed to a good deal, Gordon is a tab bit redundant. Don't get me wrong, I really like Gordon, his is the only current Bulls jersey I know, and I know hes a terrific offensive player. But we have to be smart here, and being smart is using our money to trade for a low post player like Bosh if available. If no good post players are available, I'd hold onto that money for 2010.

[SpongeWorthy]

So what do you guys think about Ben being a free agent? Off the top of my head, this is the biggest decision Pax will have to make since he's been the GM. There's valid arguments both ways.

 

It's a risk to let him walk but there's a risk in keeping him as well. Does it hamstring the development of the team as a whole to keep him? Will Tyrus and Luol ever step up without him? I keep going back and forth on this one.

 

Let him walk and use the money you save to trade for a big. John Salmons can replace 85% of what Gordon did offensively and is much better defensively. You need to allocate your resources, and with Salmons signed to a good deal, Gordon is a tab bit redundant. Don't get me wrong, I really like Gordon, his is the only current Bulls jersey I know, and I know hes a terrific offensive player. But we have to be smart here, and being smart is using our money to trade for a low post player like Bosh if available. If no good post players are available, I'd hold onto that money for 2010.

 

That's kind of my feeling as well. If they let Gordon walk, though, it's probably going to be VERY ugly in the beginning of the season until they learn to adjust without him.

[Flames24Rulz]

So what do you guys think about Ben being a free agent? Off the top of my head, this is the biggest decision Pax will have to make since he's been the GM. There's valid arguments both ways.

 

It's a risk to let him walk but there's a risk in keeping him as well. Does it hamstring the development of the team as a whole to keep him? Will Tyrus and Luol ever step up without him? I keep going back and forth on this one.

 

Let him walk and use the money you save to trade for a big. John Salmons can replace 85% of what Gordon did offensively and is much better defensively. You need to allocate your resources, and with Salmons signed to a good deal, Gordon is a tab bit redundant. Don't get me wrong, I really like Gordon, his is the only current Bulls jersey I know, and I know hes a terrific offensive player. But we have to be smart here, and being smart is using our money to trade for a low post player like Bosh if available. If no good post players are available, I'd hold onto that money for 2010.

 

That's kind of my feeling as well. If they let Gordon walk, though, it's probably going to be VERY ugly in the beginning of the season until they learn to adjust without him.

 

If we let him go, we'll struggle to make the playoffs.

[17 Seconds]

let gordon walk and then go hard after one of the 2010 guys. we already have one bad contract with deng, don't do the same thing with gordon (not saying gordon is as bad as deng).

[RedFlash]

There are rumors in Detroit that Michael Curry and the Pistons are going to try and run a more up-tempo offense and that one of the players that could take a long look at is Ben Gordon. Obviously they want to get younger and more athlethic, but they don't want to add a guy like BG without moving either Rip or Prince, plus keep the salary cap to make a run at Boozer. So I proposed a SNT of Ben Gordon to Detroit for Riip Hamilton. Rip has one yr left on his deal, which would appease to the Bulls 2010 plan (if they don't acquire a guy like Bosh or Amar'e this summer) and he would provided height to the backcourt, to which the Bulls could then trade Kirk Hinrich to say Minnesota who is said to still like Hinrich very much. For Detroit they could still make a run at Boozer.

[Outshined_One]

There are rumors in Detroit that Michael Curry and the Pistons are going to try and run a more up-tempo offense and that one of the players that could take a long look at is Ben Gordon. Obviously they want to get younger and more athlethic, but they don't want to add a guy like BG without moving either Rip or Prince, plus keep the salary cap to make a run at Boozer. So I proposed a SNT of Ben Gordon to Detroit for Riip Hamilton. Rip has one yr left on his deal, which would appease to the Bulls 2010 plan (if they don't acquire a guy like Bosh or Amar'e this summer) and he would provided height to the backcourt, to which the Bulls could then trade Kirk Hinrich to say Minnesota who is said to still like Hinrich very much. For Detroit they could still make a run at Boozer.

 

The trade that makes the most sense is to ship Hinrich off to Portland, but considering that one's been discussed for the past year and a half or so and hasn't gone down, I have to wonder if it ever will.

[RedFlash]

There are rumors in Detroit that Michael Curry and the Pistons are going to try and run a more up-tempo offense and that one of the players that could take a long look at is Ben Gordon. Obviously they want to get younger and more athlethic, but they don't want to add a guy like BG without moving either Rip or Prince, plus keep the salary cap to make a run at Boozer. So I proposed a SNT of Ben Gordon to Detroit for Riip Hamilton. Rip has one yr left on his deal, which would appease to the Bulls 2010 plan (if they don't acquire a guy like Bosh or Amar'e this summer) and he would provided height to the backcourt, to which the Bulls could then trade Kirk Hinrich to say Minnesota who is said to still like Hinrich very much. For Detroit they could still make a run at Boozer.

 

The trade that makes the most sense is to ship Hinrich off to Portland, but considering that one's been discussed for the past year and a half or so and hasn't gone down, I have to wonder if it ever will.

 

Yeah I heard that, but I also know that Minnesota still likes Hinrich. Hinrich and Thomas for Miller and Carney or Sheldon Williams could be something that might work.

[mcgoobs]

let gordon walk and then go hard after one of the 2010 guys. we already have one bad contract with deng, don't do the same thing with gordon (not saying gordon is as bad as deng).

 

Two bad contracts if you include Hinrich. One option is the Bulls could let Gordon walk and not look to immediately fill up the opening in their budget. The Bulls have three sizable contracts worth $25 MM in aggregate coming off the books after 2010 - Brad Miller, Jerome James (assuming he exercises his player option in 2009, which I would assume he would), and Tim Thomas - which should set them up nicely for a run at one of the 2010 free agents. The number becomes close to $30 MM if they don't exercise the 4th year option on Tyrus Thomas. Looking at the list of free agents here are some players who could be enticed to come to Chicago:

 

- LeBron James

- Dwyane Wade

- Chris Bosh

- Amare Stoudimire

- Yao Ming

- Carlos Boozer

- Joe Johnson

- Manu Ginobli

- Dirk Nowitzki

- Josh Howard

- Brandon Roy (restricted FA)

- LaMarcus Aldridge (restricted FA)

 

LeBron likely won't come to Chicago and a pairing of Wade and Rose would be tricky since both of them are at their best when the offense runs through them. One of the guys with size - Bosh or Stoudimre - would be a good pairing with Rose and leave them with enough money to make a run at a 2nd tier free agent or leave enough room in the budget to lock up Rose if they're not able to move Hinrich.

 

For 2010-11 we could have an 8-man rotation of Rose, Hinrich, Salmons, Deng, Bosh or Stoudimre, Noah, Free Agent #2, Player B.

[Tyrant]

 

This team played so well without Deng that I think Paxson's first thing he'll do come draft day or July 1st is look for ways to ship out Deng so he can re-sign Gordon without going over the tax.

 

Honestly, the first thing the Bulls need to do this offseason is find a real head coach. I know that's not happening, but Vinny is as bad as it gets. He has no plan for anything.

[gflore34]

 

This team played so well without Deng that I think Paxson's first thing he'll do come draft day or July 1st is look for ways to ship out Deng so he can re-sign Gordon without going over the tax.

 

Honestly, the first thing the Bulls need to do this offseason is find a real head coach. I know that's not happening, but Vinny is as bad as it gets. He has no plan for anything.

 

Indeed, Celtics did the same things for 7 games, nothing from Vinnie, no defensive adjustments, zilch, how do retain such a coach?

[cubswin2009]

I don't know what to think about the Ben Gordon situation. On one hand I think we need him to be successful for next year and the future. On the other hand, I don't want to overpay him and he is kind of a ballhog.

[manbearcub]

"Kind of"?

[rawaction]

What's the money look like to sign Gordon and trade for Bosh or Amare, even if Deng can't be traded?

 

I am assuming Hinrich, Miller, Tim Thomas, and James would have to go. I'd imagine Phoenix would be interested in Tyrus, a pick or 2, and Miller or Thomas. Could revisit Hinrich to Portland or Minnesota, shouldn't be much of a problem trading him.

 

That would give the Bulls a rotation of: Rose, Salmons, Gordon, Bosh/Amare, Deng, Noah, whover they get in trades.

[chuckywang]

Do whatever it takes to get Wade to Chicago. I would be willing to put up with a 15 win season next year for Wade in 2010.

[Guest]

Do whatever it takes to get Wade to Chicago. I would be willing to put up with a 15 win season next year for Wade in 2010.

 

It seems like a bad idea to have both Wade and Rose on the same team.

[ChiCubsFan]

I haven't been able to post anything since the loss last night, but here are some of my thoughts.

 

These 2 teams were about as even matched as I've ever seen 2 teams. Great series. Wish it ended different, but at least it was entertaining as hell.

 

I think the Bulls would have had a good chance of beating Orlando (and then getting destroyed by the Cavs). We would have needed Miller to play a big role shooting outside to get Dwight away from the basket, but it would have been possible. I don't think the Celtics have much of a chance against the Magic though. I could be wrong, but I think this series took a lot out of an old team that practically has no bench.

 

I'm on the fence with Gordon. I think he's a fantastic scorer and would love him back. His defense has improved, but I hate that he refuses to fight through picks. It really showed this series. While I'm on the subject of picks, VDN's defensive philosophy of switching on almost every pick is ridiculous. A switch resulting in Noah guarding Allen/Pierce and Hinrich guarding Davis/Perkins is obviously going to get exploited 100% of the time. Stop switching on every pick.

 

If there's anyway to have a starting 5 of Rose, BG, Salmons, Bosh, Noah I want to make it happen. I think that would be a fantastic starting lineup. If we can somehow get rid of Deng, it may be possible, because Hinrich would be easy to deal. Also, I don't think we have enough to trade to get Bosh here this summer. This would be much more likely to happen when Bosh becomes a FA. I mean we can give Thomas, Deng, picks, and expiring contracts, but I'm not sure how much that helps the Raptors though. If BG walks and you eventually get Bosh, I'm not sure how much I like the lineup of Rose, Salmons, Deng, Bosh, Noah. It's certainly good, but if Deng isn't the player he was a couple years ago, I'm not sure if it would be enough. Defensively, I think it would be great though. I just can't help but think of all the open looks BG would get with a real threat down low in Bosh coupled with Rose's driving ability.

 

All that said, I'm very excited about this team. Rose, although he has flaws in his game right now, looks like the real deal. You have to remember that he's a 20 year old rookie. Noah is a beast on the boards and I think he'll make a good pairing with Rose. Should be a fun summer.

[RedFlash]

Do whatever it takes to get Wade to Chicago. I would be willing to put up with a 15 win season next year for Wade in 2010.

 

Before Rose I would be on this bandwagon, but after Rose no way. Wade and Rose are both at their best with the ball in their hands, so I think Wade would stunt Rose's development moreso then help. This is part of the reason why when the Bulls mare discussing what their 2010 plan is, either Chris Bosh or Amar'e Stoudamire names are mention. That, and the Bulls need an inside presence. At this point, I don't see the Bulls being interested in Wade.