Bulls Offseason Thread

[imb]

what's eddie robinson doing?

[rawaction]

I'm not sure anyone short of Lebron James makes a team the favorite in the East. Because if it isn't James, then at best you still need to get past James. Probably, you'd need to get past the Magic and James.

 

Does a guy like Bosh, for example, do that for the Bulls? Great player, but does he raise a team to that level? I have my doubts.

 

Probably not. Wade? He still makes the Bulls a perimeter oriented team. With Johnson and Frye, the Bulls are still perimeter oriented, but at least they create matchup problems at PG, SG, and whever Frye plays.

[David]

In terms of non-LBJ contending plans, Bosh/Amare/Boozer(pains me to list him) and a guy who can drain 3's is the way to go.

[rawaction]

So, did Joe Johnson play himself out of a max contract in the Orlando series? If not Lebron, I still think Johnson and a big is the best way to go. Really like Channing Frye, even if you have to overpay.

You think Joe Johnson and Channing Frye is the best way to go to build a contender?

 

Channing Frye would be an ok piece to spread the floor, but he's a guy. That's it. Joe Johnson is going to get a max or close to it contract. He's 28. The wheels fall off the shooting guards around age 28-30 and you want to pay him max money? That's your plan for beating LeBron and Howard? Bad plan.

 

Yes, because there are so many fool-proof plans out there to beat teams led by LeBron and Howard.

 

I don't really know anything about these guys in question, but would it be better to not lock into a huge contract with obvious second rate guys who won't do much to improve the chances of winning a championship. Or do people just want whatever free agent they can get and hope to become a 4/5 seed for years to come?

 

That's a good question. But nobody thought Orlando would be able to be an elite team giving big contracts to Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter/Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson, Gortat, and Pietrus.

 

It's about finding the right mix. If you think you can find the right mix, then go for it. If not, stand pat and keep the money.

[rawaction]

In terms of non-LBJ contending plans, Bosh/Amare/Boozer(pains me to list him) and a guy who can drain 3's is the way to go.

 

I think you need multiple shooters. Bulls don't really have one, and adding just one won't do them much good, IMO. Also, I think that may apply to Bosh, but is he even a guy that gets double-teamed a lot and passes out well? But I don't think Amare is a good fit for a 1/2 court oriented team. I don't think Boozer is dominant enough creating his own shots to be that big of a difference maker.

[jersey cubs fan]

That's a good question. But nobody thought Orlando would be able to be an elite team giving big contracts to Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter/Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson, Gortat, and Pietrus.

 

It's about finding the right mix. If you think you can find the right mix, then go for it. If not, stand pat and keep the money.

 

But isn't their success largely based on Dwight Howard? And don't the Bulls lack anybody that can compare?

[rawaction]

That's a good question. But nobody thought Orlando would be able to be an elite team giving big contracts to Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter/Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson, Gortat, and Pietrus.

 

It's about finding the right mix. If you think you can find the right mix, then go for it. If not, stand pat and keep the money.

 

But isn't their success largely based on Dwight Howard? And don't the Bulls lack anybody that can compare?

 

Yes, but they have performed well even when Howard has been in foul trouble, though it remains to be seen what they would do long-term.

 

Obviously, that's not the exact formula the Bulls have to take. They probably would have to be more like Phoenix or Denver who are built around perimeter stars and long athletic bodies upfront.

[Guest]

Amare and Morrow would be a very good fit for the Bulls needs. Amare and Rose would make a great P&R tandem, and Morrow is a nice drive and kick option. It would definitely help if the 3 could stretch the floor better than Deng, too. Someone in that Bowen mold to lock down on D and hit corner treys.

[wolf stansson]

I like Amare but I don't think he's leaving.

 

I don't think Boozer gets a max. I'd love to try to sign Boozer and wait for Carmelo.

 

Basically if you can't get LeBron, add a piece and wait for Carmelo.

[rawaction]

I like Amare but I don't think he's leaving.

 

I don't think Boozer gets a max. I'd love to try to sign Boozer and wait for Carmelo.

 

Basically if you can't get LeBron, add a piece and wait for Carmelo.

 

If LeBron doesn't go there, Melo has NYC written all over him.

[SpongeWorthy]

I thought we were still entertaining Lebron pipedreams. This Boozer and Frye talk is ruining it.

 

I don't want any part of Boozer and no part of Johnson at a max deal. In fact I don't really want to give any kind of deal to Johnson at any realistic price because that means we're settling on a guy that's not going to get us over the hump.

[Magnetic Curses]

yeah, if we're spending a max deal on someone, it better not be just a good player.

[WrigleyField 22]

Any interest in McHale?

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=5179420

McHale is a hack of a GM. As a coach, Minnesota had a relatively good record with him (compared to their atrocious record without him as coach), but its such a small sample size to make a conclusion. And I read a Yahoo article with Anthony Carter which basically says McHale has no idea what he's doing, so there's that.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Wolves-coach-Kevin-McHale-not-an-X-s-and-O-s-ty?urn=nba,128193

 

I'd hire him as an assistant coach/big man coach at the most, but I also don't think that his coaching abilities are as bad as his GMing abilities (not saying much I suppose).

 

My first choice is JVG. After that, I'm not sure. Calipari if he could lure Lebron (but I don't think he can)

[David]

Coldfish at RealGM made a good point that I thought I'd pass on...

 

A lot of people are wringing their hands about Amare staying in Phoenix or Bosh going to LA. That's true. Those are concerns. That being said, if both of those things happen, Wade will be a Bull. IMHO, Miami's only shots of keeping Wade are landing either Bosh or Amare. I really don't think Lebron is going to Miami and I don't think Wade would consider anywhere other than Chicago or Miami. I also don't think that JJ, Lee or Boozer cuts it for Wade.

[Flames24Rulz]

I don't think LeBron's staying with Cleveland if they lose on Thursday.

 

Hire Calipari as soon as they're eliminated, please.

[Keener98]

I don't think LeBron's staying with Cleveland if they lose on Thursday.

 

Hire Calipari as soon as they're eliminated, please.

 

Yes yes yes

[David]

I don't think LeBron's staying with Cleveland if they lose on Thursday.

 

Hire Calipari as soon as they're eliminated, please.

 

 

Yes, and yes.

 

 

I'm pretty sure (based on the podcast, at least) the Bulls are the ones telling Cal that he has to bring LeBron with him if he wants the job... if that's the case, he should be pretty motivated.

[David]

Kentucky coach John Calipari, a friend of LeBron James, sat courtside with James' agent, Leon Rose during Cleveland's Game 5 loss to Boston.

 

The pair were seated just a few feet from Cavs owner Dan Gilbert.

 

RealGM Note: Calipari has been rumored to be a candidate for the Chicago Bulls job.

 

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/66523/20100512/calipari_leon_rose_sit_courtside_at_game_5_in_cleveland/#ixzz0nhHsrt59

[David]

From RealGM...

 

Per Mike and Mike this morning, Broussard feels that if Lebron Leaves, from what he has gathered and from the people he has talked to, Chicago is at the top of the list for Lebron. I still dont buy it but according to Broussard thats what he thinks and has heard. Feels that even if the knicks add a second FA they dont have the supporting cast and Chicago has the big market and players to offer. Not sure if the podcast is up yet.

[David]

Also, apparently Broussard was just on SportsCenter and when they put him on the spot about where LBJ would be next year, he said Chicago.

[UMFan83]

Interesting, but I am not getting my hopes up until I see a smiling LeBron holding up a Bulls jersey with GarPax and Calipari grinning on either side of him. Until then this is a pipedream that I cannot work up excitement for.

[David]

I don't know about a pipe dream but I'm having to temper my enthusiasm too... that said, I can't help but picture stuff like this in my head all day...

 

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs087.snc3/15436_186526532084_659092084_3419584_992704_n.jpg

[Soul]

Also, apparently Broussard was just on SportsCenter and when they put him on the spot about where LBJ would be next year, he said Chicago.

 

I saw that this morning.

 

It was one of those things that put an extra pep in my step as I was getting ready for work :mrgreen:

[David]

Accidentally posted it in the playoffs thread but....

 

One year after rooting against the Celtics, Bulls fans should be clamoring for them to knock off the Cavaliers. That surely would deliver LeBron James to Chicago, right?

 

The buzz surrounding the NBA's two-time defending most valuable player is growing now that the Celtics have grabbed a 3-2 lead over the Cavaliers in their Eastern Conference semifinals series. The Celtics can close out the series at home Thursday in Game 6.

 

ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard, who is close with members of James' inner circle, fanned the flames early Wednesday in a TV appearance, saying the Bulls are James' No. 1 option should he leave the Cavaliers.

 

The Tribune alluded to similar rumors last week when it wrote about Kentucky coach John Calipari attending a Bulls-Cavaliers playoff games with James' respected agent, Leon Rose. Calipari is close with James, and Calipari and Rose sat courtside in Cleveland during the Cavaliers' disappointing Game 5 loss.

 

But any reports about James' July plans are speculative. Just as there is buzz around the league about his respect for the Bulls, there are other reports about James' respect for the Lakers' triangle offense. Or that he hasn't made up his mind yet, etc., etc.

 

James has waxed effusively about the Bulls' roster, both during a late-season visit to the United Center and against during the Cavaliers-Bulls playoff series.

 

Stay tuned.

 

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/05/lebron-mania-picking-up-steam.html

[Tyrant]

 

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/05/lebron-mania-picking-up-steam.html

 

Yeah, it's only a rumor, but I can't help getting excited about it. I have some hope because it makes sense on several levels. No other team can offer him the same combination of a major market and surrounding talent that Chicago can.