SpongeWorthy

You don't think having Salmons is going to bury Thabo on the bench? I was kind of hoping it would. It probably would have if we traded Kirk.

Also we won't have to worry about Vinny stupidly taking away TT's minutes when he screws up--which he'll do...a lot. But he needs to play through that.

Hmm, I like this deal. Salmons has inflated numbers but he's been a pretty excellent 3 point shooter this year and he's got good size for a 2 guard. And now we have two fat expiring deals for 2010. Even if we don't outright get a superstar FA I have no doubt a true difference maker will become available in the trade market.

I'm ready with pitchforks and torches if we end up trading TT for Kaman.

I can't think of another coach whose basketball mind is as mismatched with the talent that plays for him. He's pretty Lavinesque, IMO.

Rick Barnes is a joke. He's truly an awful in game coach.

Blair is a freakin beast! He's why I like Pitt against UNC, OU, or UConn in the tournament, if it comes to that.

I'm looking forward to executing a competent pick and roll through the addition of Amare.

Michael Lewis has written a long feature for the NYT Magazine focused on Shane Battier and the development of in depth statistical analysis in basketball. It's a great read. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/magazine/15Battier-t.html?_r=1&ref=magazine

3 years in a row that somebody from the Big XII is putting up video game numbers on a regular basis.

I don't live in Chicago but from my perspective when JR said he'd trade all 6 NBA championships for one World Series it wasn't as controversial is it should have been. Was it a big deal over there? It didn't make many waves nationally that I can recall. It's a flabbergasting thing to say and a huge slap to all basketball fans in the area who pretty much only root for the Bulls.

That September series in 98 against the Brewers where Sammy hit 59, 60, 61, and 62. Highlighted by this game: http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN199809120.shtml

Cost. Boldin looks to be staying with the Cards, Johnson and Housh are hard to get, and Angelo would never bring TO in. It would be fantastic if the Bears brought a #1 in, it just won't happen. Angelo looking at Holt is a Bears move, plain and simple. A declining WR who won't cost an arm and a leg. You might as well take a shot at Maclin or someone in the draft then. In 2-3 years he'll be more of a #1 than Holt would be. Yeah I would like to see Maclin drafted. But when was the last time the Bears drafted a WR in the 1st? The immortal David Terrell.

Why the hell was Thabo in the game? Also, nice effort tonight from our 70 million dollar man!

And Tyrus' last game as a Bull

I can... He is a selfish player in a contract year. You couldn't be more wrong if you invested your entire financial future in calling cards. Look at Gordon's numbers this year, and compare them to the rest of his career. He's pretty much on par with every other season, except he's more efficient this year, shooting at a better percentage. I could see your argument if Gordon was getting his 20 per night while taking 25 shots. But he's not. In fact, he's actually at a career-low shots per 36 minutes. In what way is he playing selfish? He's having an outstanding season. Given his propensity for tunrovers (he's 14th in the league and not a primary ball handler), poor defense, and lack of ability to create for his teammates having Ben Gordon as your best offensive threat puts a pretty low ceiling on how good a team can really be, IMO. He's a good shooter but he's not an incredibly efficient one. If he played in a system where he could spot up with a legit post threat or come off screens he'd be absolutely deadly--ala Fisher in LA but with a little more freedom to create off the bounce. That hasn't happened in Chicago and it's largely not his fault but it is frustrating. He's not worth what he thinks he's worth but he's going to be a huge weapon if he ever goes to a system where he's used properly. Being asked to go one and one and constantly create his own shot ala Kobe, Wade, James, Durant, etc. is just a misappropriation of his talents.

I can't believe they wrote "full-blown" AIDS. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwGP9DAAi4A

Webber is on NBA TV putting Derrick on blast for crying after that shot from Dice. I have to admit it's pretty funny.

Benny!

Excellent work by Noah there.

In the midst of all my bitching a competitive ball game has broken out. Nice defense in the 4th.

but it's okay because he'll catch fire for 2 quarters in a couple weeks and make everyone talk about how explosive he is. I just don't understand why he plays the way he does. He's going to be incredibly valuable for some team if a coach can get him to really use his skill set properly. It's pretty clear by this point in his career that he's not a creator off the dribble in terms of finishing at the rim or distributing for others. He's a shooter but he doesn't play one within the flow of the offense.

I'm so tired of watching Gordon stagnate the offense and dribble the ball off his foot.

Welcome back Tyrus. That guy who played solid, under control ball on the road trip was some impostor.

What a horrible 3rd quarter.