2011 Chicago Bulls Offseason thread

[C.C.]

•The Charlotte Bobcats never should have happened. You know how I know this? Because Michael Jordan spent about 20 bucks in actual cash to buy them two years ago, that's how. If the Bobcats break their stadium lease and move somewhere else, they'd have to pay the city of Charlotte $150 million. So it would make no sense to move them, unless … you know … Jordan moves them to Chicago (where he still lives), plays in the United Center (where he has a giant statue), ropes Oprah into being a minority owner, then quickly becomes a well-run version of the Clippers to the Bulls' version of the Lakers.19 Not only would they cover the $150 million pretty quickly, but that would give the league six teams in the three biggest TV markets. And that's a bad thing … why?

 

What do you guys think? Would you root for this team? Would it work?

 

I think it would work better in the 'Burbs. Seriously, they'd sell out every single game.

[UMFan83]

•The Charlotte Bobcats never should have happened. You know how I know this? Because Michael Jordan spent about 20 bucks in actual cash to buy them two years ago, that's how. If the Bobcats break their stadium lease and move somewhere else, they'd have to pay the city of Charlotte $150 million. So it would make no sense to move them, unless … you know … Jordan moves them to Chicago (where he still lives), plays in the United Center (where he has a giant statue), ropes Oprah into being a minority owner, then quickly becomes a well-run version of the Clippers to the Bulls' version of the Lakers.19 Not only would they cover the $150 million pretty quickly, but that would give the league six teams in the three biggest TV markets. And that's a bad thing … why?

 

What do you guys think? Would you root for this team? Would it work?

 

I think it would work better in the 'Burbs. Seriously, they'd sell out every single game.

 

I personally think it could work somewhere near Naperville/Aurora/Joilet. There is a pretty nice chunk of population there, and the towns are established enough and far enough away from Chicago to identify with the team as their hometown team over the Bulls. Might not get them to switch loyalties over the Bulls right away, but people will still goto the games, and in a generation or two, the fan base will solidify.

 

2 Chicago teams would become a civil war. I get the feeling that the Clippers/Lakers rivalry is very mild (correct me if I'm wrong) and the Knicks/Nets rivalry is only recently starting to be very relevant.

[Guest]

Haha, I think you're giving the Clippers-Lakers rivalry a lot of credit by calling it mild.

[Banedon]

Rose validated his MVP credentials during the playoffs, playing as well as anyone in the first two rounds. Quietly, however, he was dealing with troublesome wrist and back injuries, in addition to the left ankle sprain he suffered in the first round against the Indiana Pacers. Rose had become used to simply putting on an ankle brace and playing whenever he had previously sprained an ankle. This time, he required an hour worth of treatment before each game.

 

….

 

“I just learned from last season where my conditioning wasn’t up to par at the end of the season,” Rose said. “That’s what I’m working on this summer, getting my conditioning right. There was just fatigue. My body wore down. Just going through the rounds, the first time being there past the first round, it was hard. I’m just learning from it.”

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AlTmbGsqI_omdGNw87d6HdS8vLYF?slug=mc-spears_derrick_rose__bulls_071111

[ChiCubsFan]

Rose validated his MVP credentials during the playoffs, playing as well as anyone in the first two rounds. Quietly, however, he was dealing with troublesome wrist and back injuries, in addition to the left ankle sprain he suffered in the first round against the Indiana Pacers. Rose had become used to simply putting on an ankle brace and playing whenever he had previously sprained an ankle. This time, he required an hour worth of treatment before each game.

 

….

 

“I just learned from last season where my conditioning wasn’t up to par at the end of the season,” Rose said. “That’s what I’m working on this summer, getting my conditioning right. There was just fatigue. My body wore down. Just going through the rounds, the first time being there past the first round, it was hard. I’m just learning from it.”

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AlTmbGsqI_omdGNw87d6HdS8vLYF?slug=mc-spears_derrick_rose__bulls_071111

 

You could tell has was gassed and not his explosive self in the Miami series (even at times in the Atlanta series). Maybe Thibs should have rested him some more throughout the year? His 37.4 MPG aren't ridiculous, but the amount of effort he puts into those minutes is a ton. He needs a solid number 2 option (Boozer).

[17 Seconds]

rose was good in the indiana series?

[SouthSideRyan]

"Asked what kind of coach the team needs to hire next, Anthony Tolliver said, "Someone who's going to be a disciplinarian. Kurt's a really nice guy. Sometimes that got in the way. I'm not saying he's too nice, but sometimes it's good to have a coach no likes to be a jerk. "I know several players on the Bulls and nobody really liked Tom Thibodeau, but that's O.K. You don't have to like the coach. You just have to be able to play for him.""

[UMFan83]

rose was good in the indiana series?

 

He was great in game 1 and good in games 2 and 5, awful in games 3 and 4

[Banedon]

"Asked what kind of coach the team needs to hire next, Anthony Tolliver said, "Someone who's going to be a disciplinarian. Kurt's a really nice guy. Sometimes that got in the way. I'm not saying he's too nice, but sometimes it's good to have a coach no likes to be a jerk. "I know several players on the Bulls and nobody really liked Tom Thibodeau, but that's O.K. You don't have to like the coach. You just have to be able to play for him.""

 

Wrong thread?

[SouthSideRyan]

"Asked what kind of coach the team needs to hire next, Anthony Tolliver said, "Someone who's going to be a disciplinarian. Kurt's a really nice guy. Sometimes that got in the way. I'm not saying he's too nice, but sometimes it's good to have a coach no likes to be a jerk. "I know several players on the Bulls and nobody really liked Tom Thibodeau, but that's O.K. You don't have to like the coach. You just have to be able to play for him.""

 

Wrong thread?

 

I thought the Bulls bit was relevant, even if it's from Anthony Tolliver.

[Banedon]

"Asked what kind of coach the team needs to hire next, Anthony Tolliver said, "Someone who's going to be a disciplinarian. Kurt's a really nice guy. Sometimes that got in the way. I'm not saying he's too nice, but sometimes it's good to have a coach no likes to be a jerk. "I know several players on the Bulls and nobody really liked Tom Thibodeau, but that's O.K. You don't have to like the coach. You just have to be able to play for him.""

 

Wrong thread?

 

I thought the Bulls bit was relevant, even if it's from Anthony Tolliver.

 

Heh...I read Tolliver and the bit about Rambis and then must've ignored the rest.

[bukie]

If you're aching for basketball to follow, the U20 European championships are going on right now, and the Bulls first round pick, Nikola Mirotic, is basically torching the competition. Spain won today 120-47, and Mirotic scored 28 and got 7 rebounds in 16 minutes.

[Sammy Sofa]

If you're aching for basketball to follow, the U20 European championships are going on right now, and the Bulls first round pick, Nikola Mirotic, is basically torching the competition. Spain won today 120-47, and Mirotic scored 28 and got 7 rebounds in 16 minutes.

 

Yeah, I know he's still 5 years away, but I really like that pick.

[C.C.]

If you're aching for basketball to follow, the U20 European championships are going on right now, and the Bulls first round pick, Nikola Mirotic, is basically torching the competition. Spain won today 120-47, and Mirotic scored 28 and got 7 rebounds in 16 minutes.

 

Yeah, I know he's still 5 years away, but I really like that pick.

 

That long? What's his age?

[Sammy Sofa]

If you're aching for basketball to follow, the U20 European championships are going on right now, and the Bulls first round pick, Nikola Mirotic, is basically torching the competition. Spain won today 120-47, and Mirotic scored 28 and got 7 rebounds in 16 minutes.

 

Yeah, I know he's still 5 years away, but I really like that pick.

 

That long? What's his age?

 

He turned 20 earlier this year.

[Keener98]

If you're aching for basketball to follow, the U20 European championships are going on right now, and the Bulls first round pick, Nikola Mirotic, is basically torching the competition. Spain won today 120-47, and Mirotic scored 28 and got 7 rebounds in 16 minutes.

 

Yeah, I know he's still 5 years away, but I really like that pick.

 

He will be here before 5 years. Probably 2-3 years.

[Cubbies622]

Yea they just have to buy him out at some point. I hope the buyout reduces each year but either way he looks like a very good player.

 

I heard a lot of comparisons to Pau Gasol but just judging by his numbers and the scouting reports he seems to be a lot more Dirk-esque. He hits the outside shot and nails his free throws. I'd be happy with either player and he would be a great replacement for Boozer when the time comes.

 

In other News

UPDATE: Battier is on Miami's radar, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

 

He wrote: "Regardless of whether James Jones re-signs (and there's mutual interest), we hear Battier will be very much on the Heat's radar after the lockout. The Houston Chronicle, after interviewing Battier, said 'don't be surprised" if he signs with the Heat or Bulls."

----

UPDATE: ESPN's John Hollinger has this take on Battier's future.

"I think they're going to do an O.J. Mayo trade similar to the one they nearly pulled off at the deadline -- with the goal being another frontcourt body," he wrote. "Then they'll try to re-sign Battier and go with Gay-Tony Allen-Sam Young-Battier-Xavier Henry as the wings."

---

With the Grizzlies being the surprise of the playoff so far, Shane Battier, a free agent to be this offseason, said such a run won't hurt the odds of him signing with Memphis.

"It doesn't hurt (possible re-signing)," Battier said, according to Chris Tomasson. "But it will be interesting to see what the financial climate is."

 

The Grizzlies have filled up their payroll recently with extensions for Mike Conley and Zach Randolph, as well as re-signing Rudy Gay to a large contract last summer.

With re-signing Marc Gasol reportedly high on the team's agenda this offseason, it's possible another team could swoop in with an offer for Battier, one Memphis may not be able to afford.

 

Battier would be a perfect player for the bulls and a very capable SF to give Deng some rest. He would also be a good fit at the SG spot and probably would be well without our price range.

[Banedon]

Despite the lockout, the NBA schedule will be announced tomorrow. Reports are that the opener will be Bulls at Mavs on Nov 1.

[ChiCubsFan]

Notes and thoughts on the Bulls schedule:

 

Mavs opening night (get to spoil another ring ceremony), home opener against the Hawks, Lakers on Christmas night, Grizzlies on MLK, Heat aren't here until March 14 and April 12 (play in Miami January 19 and 29), and end the season at the Nets (why does it seem like we always play them to wrap up the season?).

 

During the circus trip from Nov 13-Nov 26 we will play the Wizards, Blazers, Suns, Clippers, Jazz, Nuggets, Pacers, Bucks. 6-2 record on that trip would be alright.

 

We have a pretty exciting group of teams to start the season with (@ DAL, @ NO, ATL, LAC, OKC, SAC) before the circus trip.

 

Don't play Boston or New York at all until February.

 

Second half of the schedule looks more difficult than the first half.

 

March 8-14 will be fun at the UC (Lakers, Knicks, Heat with the Jazz tossed in there).

[SouthSideRyan]

I wouldn't worry about breaking down the November portion of the schedule.

[UMFan83]

Yeah usually I love when my team's schedules are announced but I'm not even going to look at it or read the post above about it because its not going to happen.

[ChiCubsFan]

You guys really don't think they'll come to a deal?

[wolf stansson]

You guys really don't think they'll come to a deal?

For about half the teams, they'll lose less money by losing an entire season and getting what ownership is demanding than by actually operating under what the players want.

[Sammy Sofa]

You guys really don't think they'll come to a deal?

 

Really would not be surprised at all to see a shortened season. This is very different than what's going on with football. With the NFL everything is amazingly successful and you have people griping about not having what they think is their share of that mountain of money everyone is making. In the NBA you have teams that are in a bad, bad way and things aren't rosy financially across the board.

[UMFan83]

They aren't even going to begin to talk seriously until maybe September and even then it's going to be about what side blinks first.

 

I have read too many quotes from both sides about how they are resigned to the fact that part or all of the season is going to be missed to think they can get anything done by November. Obviously part of that is posturing, but based on how little news there is right now, combined with how far apart the two sides are right now, I would be absolutely shocked if the season started on time. At best, I think we get a half year, unless the players, who supposedly have been saving all last year to prepare for an extended lockout, aren't as prepared as advertised and are forced to settle to start getting paychecks again.