2018-2019 Bulls season thread

[UMFan83]

At some point, it has to be okay for the team to play well. They're basically locked into the 4 spot with 19 games left to play and 3 games clear of either 3rd or 5th, and 6 games clear of anything beyond that. They aren't hurting themselves by playing well.

 

 

Yet. Losing yesterday would have really helped. Now instead of 5 games clear we are 3 games. If the Bulls continue to win 58% of their games which they have over their last 12, we could drop (I know, they won’t). Don’t get me wrong, there is legitimate value to building chemistry and developing a winning culture. It’s huge. But so is getting Zion lol

[David]

I don't give a horsefeathers about winning culture, but they are winning because their important players are playing really well.

[Flames24Rulz]

I don't care if this team is listening to Boylen and playing better, but they need a new coach next year and I don't think the Bulls will see one

 

That's definitely part of the problem, but yeah, it shouldn't take much for them to be in playoff contention next year.

 

the problem is, what exactly does playing for the 8 seed with Miami, Detroit, Charlotte, Orlando, etc. really accomplish? you're still nowhere near actually being competitive enough to compete with actual teams, and you're just going to be hurting your chances by picking in the teens instead of potentially a top 5 pick.

 

if they end up getting a non-Zion/Morant/Barrett guy this year, the two tank years would have resulted in Wendell Carter and someone like Cam Reddish. to me, that doesn't exactly paint these last couple of years as a success.

[David]

I don't care if this team is listening to Boylen and playing better, but they need a new coach next year and I don't think the Bulls will see one

 

That's definitely part of the problem, but yeah, it shouldn't take much for them to be in playoff contention next year.

 

the problem is, what exactly does playing for the 8 seed with Miami, Detroit, Charlotte, Orlando, etc. really accomplish? you're still nowhere near actually being competitive enough to compete with actual teams, and you're just going to be hurting your chances by picking in the teens instead of potentially a top 5 pick.

 

if they end up getting a non-Zion/Morant/Barrett guy this year, the two tank years would have resulted in Wendell Carter and someone like Cam Reddish. to me, that doesn't exactly paint these last couple of years as a success.

 

are we saying having lauri and lavine aren't also a result of them taking that path (even if you don't want to include porter)?

 

they're going to do better than competing for an 8th seed next year if they're healthy. lauri is horsefeathering good and young. same with lavine.

[Tim]

I'd love to spend a 2nd round pick on this guy.

[David]

I'd love to spend a 2nd round pick on this guy.

 

we'll pick him for the warriors

[WrigleyField 22]

 

if they end up getting a non-Zion/Morant/Barrett guy this year, the two tank years would have resulted in Wendell Carter and someone like Cam Reddish. to me, that doesn't exactly paint these last couple of years as a success.

Turn to consolidating assets in a trade for a Superstar.

[The_Achiever]

I'd rather they sign an all star vs. trade for one. Somehow they need to get a good point guard.

[WrigleyField 22]

I'd rather they sign an all star vs. trade for one. Somehow they need to get a good point guard.

That ship kind of sailed once they traded for Porter. I think their lack of confidence in FA was even a reason given as to why they made the trade, knowing Porters big cap number.

 

Theyll have some cap room one of the next two seasons, but not max room. They might have cap space the season after, but it will be potentially tricky with cap holds.

 

Edit--Actually they can probably have max space in 2020 if they don't commit much in the way of 2019 FA dollars.

 

That's the AD class. More big names available this summer if they all exercise opt outs.

 

But AD is basically the most likely name to move via trade, so if he was the guy available via trade, just trade for him, rather than wait for FA. Then they can also use this year's space to add pieces and be more appealing to retain AD.

[Flames24Rulz]

I don't care if this team is listening to Boylen and playing better, but they need a new coach next year and I don't think the Bulls will see one

 

That's definitely part of the problem, but yeah, it shouldn't take much for them to be in playoff contention next year.

 

the problem is, what exactly does playing for the 8 seed with Miami, Detroit, Charlotte, Orlando, etc. really accomplish? you're still nowhere near actually being competitive enough to compete with actual teams, and you're just going to be hurting your chances by picking in the teens instead of potentially a top 5 pick.

 

if they end up getting a non-Zion/Morant/Barrett guy this year, the two tank years would have resulted in Wendell Carter and someone like Cam Reddish. to me, that doesn't exactly paint these last couple of years as a success.

 

are we saying having lauri and lavine aren't also a result of them taking that path (even if you don't want to include porter)?

 

they're going to do better than competing for an 8th seed next year if they're healthy. lauri is horsefeathering good and young. same with lavine.

 

yeah, that's fair. they did manage to win the Butler trade, which is pretty impressive for an NBA deal when you trade an all-star.

 

that's probably the best move GarPax has made in close to a decade -- which, of course, means they most likely get another decade to bungle things up for this franchise.

[Brian]

Michael Reinsdorf interview

 

https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-spt-bulls-michael-reinsdorf-interview-20190304-story.html

 

My favorite part is where he can't understand the GarPax nickname

[The_Achiever]

I'd rather they sign an all star vs. trade for one. Somehow they need to get a good point guard.

That ship kind of sailed once they traded for Porter. I think their lack of confidence in FA was even a reason given as to why they made the trade, knowing Porters big cap number.

 

Theyll have some cap room one of the next two seasons, but not max room. They might have cap space the season after, but it will be potentially tricky with cap holds.

 

Edit--Actually they can probably have max space in 2020 if they don't commit much in the way of 2019 FA dollars.

 

That's the AD class. More big names available this summer if they all exercise opt outs.

 

But AD is basically the most likely name to move via trade, so if he was the guy available via trade, just trade for him, rather than wait for FA. Then they can also use this year's space to add pieces and be more appealing to retain AD.

 

I just don't want them to trade any of the players that are worth trading. To get a star, they'd have to deal some combo of Lauri, WCJ or Lavine and I don't want them to do that. I'd be ok trading Lavine by himself but not sure what that would accomplish at this point, depending on the return which would be a star. The draft lottery is so key for them.

[WrigleyField 22]

Don't get attached to non superstar players.

[David]

Don't get attached to non superstar players.

 

if by superstar you mean the type of player that causes you to win championships...the type there are only a couple of, literally 2 or 3, well yeah...but getting one of those guys is pie in the sky and nothing but luck. i don't think you should or can set out to get that in the vast majority of circumstances...you just hope it falls into your lap.

 

if that's not what you mean, i think lauri has that level of ability. if you don't want to call it a superstar, then whatever a notch below that is... perennial all star or something. he's going to be really damn good.

[WrigleyField 22]

Don't get attached to non superstar players.

 

if by superstar you mean the type of player that causes you to win championships...the type there are only a couple of, literally 2 or 3, well yeah...but getting one of those guys is pie in the sky and nothing but luck. i don't think you should or can set out to get that in the vast majority of circumstances...you just hope it falls into your lap.

 

if that's not what you mean, i think lauri has that level of ability. if you don't want to call it a superstar, then whatever a notch below that is... perennial all star or something. he's going to be really damn good.

Let's say top 10 player. And we'll define Jimmy Butler as "merely" a top 15 player for a Bulls-centric reference point.

[Regular Show]

Michael Reinsdorf interview

 

https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-spt-bulls-michael-reinsdorf-interview-20190304-story.html

 

My favorite part is where he can't understand the GarPax nickname

 

That interview was so horsefeathering depressing. We're stuck with GarPax.

 

How do you react to anyone who expresses very strong dislike for John and Gar and wants them fired?

 

It’s hard for me to see people that I admire and respect get criticized. They have families. They have given a lot to this organization. John came to us as a player and has been with us since 1985. He won championships. He was a selfless player. He was an assistant coach and announcer. My dad asked him to take on the general manager role, and John has given his heart to this organization and city of Chicago. To see the fan reaction and some of the media take on John, I personally don’t understand it.

 

[David]

[tweet]

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[David]

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[UMFan83]

Michael Reinsdorf interview

 

https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-spt-bulls-michael-reinsdorf-interview-20190304-story.html

 

My favorite part is where he can't understand the GarPax nickname

 

That interview was so horsefeathering depressing. We're stuck with GarPax.

 

How do you react to anyone who expresses very strong dislike for John and Gar and wants them fired?

 

It’s hard for me to see people that I admire and respect get criticized. They have families. They have given a lot to this organization. John came to us as a player and has been with us since 1985. He won championships. He was a selfless player. He was an assistant coach and announcer. My dad asked him to take on the general manager role, and John has given his heart to this organization and city of Chicago. To see the fan reaction and some of the media take on John, I personally don’t understand it.

 

 

What the horsefeathers is wrong with the owners of sports teams in this city?

[Brian]

Zach does not want Zion

[UMFan83]

Yeah sorry to be that guy that complains about an exciting win but we could have moved to within a half game of the best possible lottery odds

[jersey cubs fan]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

Here's a thing I don't understand about basketball. I see a relatively slow guy dribbling down the court making a bit of a goofy move to his left and throwing up an awkward shot that happens to go in. What about this play am I missing?

[Derwood]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

Here's a thing I don't understand about basketball. I see a relatively slow guy dribbling down the court making a bit of a goofy move to his left and throwing up an awkward shot that happens to go in. What about this play am I missing?

 

Right, I feel like this play happens 5 times a game in every game.

[David]

7 footers who can handle the ball like that and pull off that off balance shot are not a dime a dozen

 

like have you guys seriously not ever seen how goofy most 7 footers look even attempting to dribble? most consider it a win if they don't dribble it off their foot every other time

Edited March 7, 2019 by David

[Derwood]

7 footers who can handle the ball like that and pull off that off balance shot are not a dime a dozen

 

True, but there are several in the league, and calling that play a "14/10" is ridiculously hyperbolic