Re: 2009-10 Chicago Bulls Thread

[Sammy Sofa]

I'd rather have Bosh than Wade. I mean, it's obviously not like having Wade is a bad thing at all, but I think it would better fit the Bulls if they could come away with Bosh and Joe Johnson as opposed to Wade.

[17 Seconds]

i'd rather have bosh too

[MidoreX]

So I was just driving home and tuned in to WGN to get an update on kennedy traffic and Kaplan was on telling a story about how he single-handedly broke up a trade between the bulls and sonics the year after Jordan retired the first time. Apparently on draft day there was a done deal, pending a few physicals, to ship Pippen to the sonics for Kemp, their 1st round pick, and another player i've never heard of. Kaplan is working the draft for ESPN1000 and, while standing in an elevator, strikes up a conversation with an agent's personal assistant who had happened to recognize him. The agent's assistant introduces himself and says he'll be seeing a lot more of him in chicago since their biggest client, Shawn Kemp, just got traded to the bulls. Kap makes some phone calls, verifies the story with some sources, and breaks it on ESPN1000. Some stations in Seattle pick up on it and run the story as well, causing the sonics fanbase to flip out... they start calling to cancel their season tickets in droves because they A) are upset that the face of their franchise and their 1st round pick are being traded, and B) don't realize how good Scottie Pippen actually is since he's been in Jordan's shadow his whole career. The sonics owner craps a brick over the perceived fan revolt, and calls his GM and says he's no longer authorizing the trade. The front office tries as hard as they can to convince him to change his mind, but to no avail. The trade is dead.

 

Apparently Kemp was about an hour away from landing at O'hare and 2 hours away from taking his physical and finalizing the trade when the deal got nixed. GM's from both sides said there were no trade discussions and threw Kaplan under the bus to save face, and the story died out. Years later Kaplan runs into an old acquaintance, they start to catch up, and the guy mentions he worked in the sonics front office for a few years in the mid 90's. Kaplan brings up the nixed trade and the guy starts talking about how they were so pumped and couldn't believe how bad they were fleecing the bulls, trading Kemp and all of his off the court issues for Pippen, only to have some Chicago beat reporter SOB ruin everything at the last second. Kaplan says, "meet the SOB." He had this acquaintance on as a guest after he finished the story and he backed up everything Kap was saying. I forget his first name, but his last name was Wheeler and he's working for either the trailblazers front office or the portland sports media in some capacity now.

 

Crazy. How the hell do you try to trade Scottie Pippen in the early/mid 90's...

[Sammy Sofa]

Yeah, I remember that being reported on the radio like it was a done deal. I was on my way up to Wisconsin with the family for vacation and I remember spending the entire trip bummed out because I figured Pippen was gone and he was my guy on the Bulls (besides the obvious).

[UMFan83]

If the Sonics wanted Pippen so bad they shouldn't have traded him to us in the first place haha.

 

But seriously fascinating story, thanks for retelling it. I remember hearing stuff like this way back when, but I didn't realize how close it came to happening. Kemp's career took a huge nosedive when he left Seattle. He clearly was an exciting player, but in terms of talent, Pippen blew him away. Also Pippen didn't father 15 illegitimate children (that we know of), so that's a plus. I wonder how much NBA history would have changed if that trade went down. Do the Bulls win 3 more titles with Kemp/MJ? Does MJ even come back without Pip? Does he wait out his contract (which I think expired after the 72 win season) and then choose a contender to go to. Do the Sonics win the title? If the Bulls get a 1st, who do they select? There wasn't exactly many good options out there at that point in the draft. You are looking at a Greg Olstertag best case scenario.

 

For once luck was on our side that day.

[SouthSideRyan]

I still hate Dave Kaplan

[Wilson A2000]

Mike North had a hand in getting Scott Skiles to resign as a coach with the Bulls. His interview with him on 670 helped Skiles realize he should lower his asking price.

 

I wish the Bulls still had him. Hands down better than Vinny and I would have loved to see Scott work with Rose.

[MidoreX]

I still hate Dave Kaplan

 

Yeah... I'm gonna give most of the credit to the saint in the elevator and the irrationality of both the sonics owner and their season-ticket-holding fanbase.

[RedFlash]

MidoreX;

 

A couple of answers to the questions in your story: 1. The Wheeler you mention, is I believe Brian Wheeler. 2. The trade as I've seen it through searching the internet was Scottie Pippen for Shawn Kemp, Ricky Pierce, and the teams swapping of first rd picks.

 

At the time of the deal I was only 13, and was still playing Dixie Youth Baseball. My team was still in the all-star tournament, so I had no idea this deal going on.

 

But looking back at the trade without knowing what we know now, a Kemp for Pippen deal would have been interesting to say the least. To have a 1-2 punch of Jordan (when he unretire) and Kemp would have been tantalizing to say the least. Would the Bulls still have the dynasty (much less the 72 win season) with Kemp instead of Pippe? Prolly not, but it would have interesting to see how Jordan and Kemp would have existed.

 

With that said, I don't know why the Sonics backed out of that deal, to be honest. They were getting the better player, and sometimes you have to ignore your fan base and trade the "franchise" player in order to take a step forward. Who knows how far Payton/Pippen duo would have gone. Ultimately, I'm glad the deal got recinded.

[ChiCubsFan]

Bulls, Heat, and one other team have made offers for Amare and Phoenix is still very much considering trading him. The Celtics will not do the Twan/Butler deal for Ray Allen, big ginger, and others. Good news for Bulls fans holding out hope that an Allen deal could get done.

 

If the Celtics wouldn't trade Allen for them, why would they trade Allen for the Bulls's assorted collection of garbage?

 

Because our assorted collection of garbage cost way less.

 

Amare to Cleveland is being rumored to being close to done.

[RedFlash]

Bulls, Heat, and one other team have made offers for Amare and Phoenix is still very much considering trading him. The Celtics will not do the Twan/Butler deal for Ray Allen, big ginger, and others. Good news for Bulls fans holding out hope that an Allen deal could get done.

 

If the Celtics wouldn't trade Allen for them, why would they trade Allen for the Bulls's assorted collection of garbage?

 

Because our assorted collection of garbage cost way less.

 

Amare to Cleveland is being rumored to being close to done.

 

Amare/Shaq didn't work in PHX, so I doubt it will work in Cleveland, so it happen.

[Mike Aller]

Bulls, Heat, and one other team have made offers for Amare and Phoenix is still very much considering trading him. The Celtics will not do the Twan/Butler deal for Ray Allen, big ginger, and others. Good news for Bulls fans holding out hope that an Allen deal could get done.

 

If the Celtics wouldn't trade Allen for them, why would they trade Allen for the Bulls's assorted collection of garbage?

 

Because our assorted collection of garbage cost way less.

 

Amare to Cleveland is being rumored to being close to done.

 

Amare/Shaq didn't work in PHX, so I doubt it will work in Cleveland, so it happen.

Shaq/Hickson, Shaq/Varejao, Z/Hickson, Z/Varejao has worked all year long. So, I think Mike Brown (and more importantly, LeBron James) will find a way to make it work.

[RedFlash]

Bulls, Heat, and one other team have made offers for Amare and Phoenix is still very much considering trading him. The Celtics will not do the Twan/Butler deal for Ray Allen, big ginger, and others. Good news for Bulls fans holding out hope that an Allen deal could get done.

 

If the Celtics wouldn't trade Allen for them, why would they trade Allen for the Bulls's assorted collection of garbage?

 

Because our assorted collection of garbage cost way less.

 

Amare to Cleveland is being rumored to being close to done.

 

Amare/Shaq didn't work in PHX, so I doubt it will work in Cleveland, so it happen.

Shaq/Hickson, Shaq/Varejao, Z/Hickson, Z/Varejao has worked all year long. So, I think Mike Brown (and more importantly, LeBron James) will find a way to make it work.

 

I know alot of Cavs fans are other sites are spewing out the "if we get Amare, we are a lock to win the championship" lines. While I don't think that is true, I do think itall but guarantees a minimum of EC Finals appearances.

[Magnetic Curses]

remember when i got ridiculed for saying lebron was a clown and would never win a championship without a guy to take the big shots? yeah amare isn't the guy. the cavs still lose in the playoffs.

[Mike Aller]

I know alot of Cavs fans are other sites are spewing out the "if we get Amare, we are a lock to win the championship" lines. While I don't think that is true, I do think itall but guarantees a minimum of EC Finals appearances.

Yeah, it's pretty ridiculous to assume getting Amare would be a lock to win a championship, but we needed a power forward with some offensive ability pretty badly. It would definitely improve the team.

 

 

remember when i got ridiculed for saying lebron was a clown and would never win a championship without a guy to take the big shots? yeah amare isn't the guy. the cavs still lose in the playoffs.

I think you're a few years behind the times. LeBron used to be a guy that needed someone to hit the big shots, but not anymore. I understand that you probably don't get to see many Cavs games, but LeBron has been clutch in big moments for a few years now. I don't think you can really count the ECF from last year because, to be honest, a few of those games weren't even all that close. Howard (and, subsequently, the 3-point shooters) absolutely owned the Cavs. Did you watch LeBron vs. the Magic recently? He closed that game out entirely by himself. Even the baskets he didn't personally make were created by his drive-and-dish game.

[17 Seconds]

remember when i got ridiculed for saying lebron was a clown and would never win a championship without a guy to take the big shots?

 

i dont remember that, but thats pretty funny that you said that

[imb]

uhh, didnt PHX lead the NBA in offensive efficiency with shaq and amare?

[rocket]

remember when i got ridiculed for saying lebron was a clown and would never win a championship without a guy to take the big shots? yeah amare isn't the guy. the cavs still lose in the playoffs.

 

i think you forgot the "bad stuff happens to my team/great stuff happens to teams i hate" factor though.

[Flames24Rulz]

remember when i got ridiculed for saying lebron was a clown and would never win a championship without a guy to take the big shots? yeah amare isn't the guy. the cavs still lose in the playoffs.

 

I don't get the Amare hate on here.

[17 Seconds]

remember when i got ridiculed for saying lebron was a clown and would never win a championship without a guy to take the big shots? yeah amare isn't the guy. the cavs still lose in the playoffs.

 

I don't get the Amare hate on here.

 

he's a nice offensive player

[UMFan83]

He is one of if not the most efficent scorer in the league. The knocks against him continue to be his low rebound rate for a player of his size and the fact that his defense is considered something worse than below average. He doesn't seem to have any interest in playing defense.

[17 Seconds]

He is one of if not the most efficent scorer in the league. The knocks against him continue to be his low rebound rate for a player of his size and the fact that his defense is considered something worse than below average. He doesn't seem to have any interest in playing defense.

 

and the fact that by most accounts, he's all tyrus in the head

[Magnetic Curses]

I know alot of Cavs fans are other sites are spewing out the "if we get Amare, we are a lock to win the championship" lines. While I don't think that is true, I do think itall but guarantees a minimum of EC Finals appearances.

Yeah, it's pretty ridiculous to assume getting Amare would be a lock to win a championship, but we needed a power forward with some offensive ability pretty badly. It would definitely improve the team.

 

 

remember when i got ridiculed for saying lebron was a clown and would never win a championship without a guy to take the big shots? yeah amare isn't the guy. the cavs still lose in the playoffs.

I think you're a few years behind the times. LeBron used to be a guy that needed someone to hit the big shots, but not anymore. I understand that you probably don't get to see many Cavs games, but LeBron has been clutch in big moments for a few years now. I don't think you can really count the ECF from last year because, to be honest, a few of those games weren't even all that close. Howard (and, subsequently, the 3-point shooters) absolutely owned the Cavs. Did you watch LeBron vs. the Magic recently? He closed that game out entirely by himself. Even the baskets he didn't personally make were created by his drive-and-dish game.

 

i'm just guaranteeing that the cavs don't win the title.

[Mike Aller]

I know alot of Cavs fans are other sites are spewing out the "if we get Amare, we are a lock to win the championship" lines. While I don't think that is true, I do think itall but guarantees a minimum of EC Finals appearances.

Yeah, it's pretty ridiculous to assume getting Amare would be a lock to win a championship, but we needed a power forward with some offensive ability pretty badly. It would definitely improve the team.

 

 

remember when i got ridiculed for saying lebron was a clown and would never win a championship without a guy to take the big shots? yeah amare isn't the guy. the cavs still lose in the playoffs.

I think you're a few years behind the times. LeBron used to be a guy that needed someone to hit the big shots, but not anymore. I understand that you probably don't get to see many Cavs games, but LeBron has been clutch in big moments for a few years now. I don't think you can really count the ECF from last year because, to be honest, a few of those games weren't even all that close. Howard (and, subsequently, the 3-point shooters) absolutely owned the Cavs. Did you watch LeBron vs. the Magic recently? He closed that game out entirely by himself. Even the baskets he didn't personally make were created by his drive-and-dish game.

 

i'm just guaranteeing that the cavs don't win the title.

Joe Namath would be proud.

[Derwood]

Rose sat out practice today, but Noah participated.

 

Rose's status for the Knicks game is a game time decision