Nothing but rumors and more rumors around Chicago Bulls
Over the last week not a lot of new news has surfaced surrounding the Chicago Bulls. Ben Gordon remains a free agent. Kirk Hinrich and Andres Nocioni have yet to be traded.
Although nothing has happened, that doesn’t mean the rumors and analysis on what the Bulls should do have stopped. Different ideas and possibilities have surfaced throughout the internet over the previous week, non of which appear to be that certain.
Here are a few over the rumors, analysis and other news that has come about over the last week or so.
- The Bodog Beat blog reported rumors of a possible trade between the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls. The trade would send Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to Chicago in exchange for Ben Gordon, Joakim Noah and Larry Hughes. They are now reporting that trade talks between the two trade have halted. The Beat also posted their ten reason why to bet on the NBA this year and number two on their list appeared the Chicago Bulls: “2. Chicago Bulls – The Bulls were expected to be an NBA title contender last season before completely tanking. With No. 1 pick Derrick Rose in tow will this season be any brighter for the Bulls?”
- The fans at Bleacher Report provided some Chicago Bulls analysis as well this week. Michael Whittenberg gave his 2008-09 Chicago Bulls season preview. Michael believes the Bulls will finish in 8th place in the Eastern Confernece with a 42-40 record. The only question I have about that, is when was the last time all 8 teams that made the play-offs in the EC finished with a record above .500? Adam Miller also gave his intake on the on going Ben Gordon-Chicago Bulls standoff, saying its a ‘no-win situation’ for either side.
- BetUs.com also provide their 2008-09 Chicago Bulls season preview. Theres a lot of betting terms that I kind of fail to understand. They have the Bulls at +1100 to win the Eastern Confrence and +2500 to win the NBA Championship.
- Diabolo at BlogaBull.com gave his view on Vinny del Negro and the Bulls in 08-09. Much of which has to due with the Vinny’s first year as a coach and getting the locker room to ‘jell’ together.
- And last, but not least, from the UK the Great Britan national team has Luol Deng back on the court. In case you missed some previous news, after Deng signed his new deal with the Bulls, the company who insures players contracts elected not to insure Deng because of injury problems which kept him from being able to play with the Britain team. Last week though he was re-insured, and has began playing with the national team. As you’ll see on this UK news site, the basketball section is filled with praises for their GB team and Luol Deng
Hope this helps you get caught up on everything thats been going on. My 2008-09 Chicago Bulls preview is currently being worked on and can be expected in the coming weeks.
San Antonio, lets not make a trade
A recent blog post from NoBloodNoFoul.com came up with an interesting trade rumor between the San Antonio Spurs and the Chicago Bulls.
The trade included San Antonio sending Manu Ginobili, Bruce Bowen and Matt Bonner to Chicago for Kirk Hinrich and Andres Nocioni. I am writing this post in response this trade rumor; a trade which does not make sense to me for Chicago. Lets go over whats wrong about his points for the Bulls.
The first reason made was that Chicago needs leadership. I agree with the fact the Bulls could use some veteran leadership. NBNL believes that Chicago can find this leadership in Manu Ginobili once he returns from his injury after a month or two. Why would we want someone who is injured? Ginobili is going to start the season injured. Ginobili, although a better shooter, is not much different than Nocioni. Each from Argentina, play tough nose defense, always playing with maximum effort.
Another reason made is the defense play of Bruce Bowen would also take pressure of younger Bulls players, as well as act as a mentor to teach the younger players. Bowen is quickly aging and his defensive play will begin to diminish as he becomes slower. Does another name pop into your head when you think of aging, defensive players? Ben Wallace.
The last point, and the only one I agree with, was that the Chicago Bulls get rid of two long term contracts they don’t really need. The Bulls have Hinrich and Nocioni inked to long term deals, each for players likely to spend more time than before on the bench. With Derrick Rose now slated as the Bulls future at point guard, Hinrich’s lack of skills at the shooting guard position make him a back up. The same goes for Nocioni now that Luol Deng is signed to a long term. The Bulls also need to be looking forward to 2010 when Tyrus Thomas and Thabo Sefolosha become free agents.
Now although this trade makes since from a financial point of view, I believe the Bulls would be better off holding out on this one. As the dead line begins to approach in February, teams who are just out of it or missing players due to injury, others may become interested in these players.
Ben Gordon Update; Huhges on the trade block
Ben Gordon: He continues to refuse the one year qualify offer to stay with the Bulls through 2008-09. It is reported that he has been offered as much as $60 million by the Chicago Bulls but refuses to sign take anythings less than $9 million a year.
Trade Talk: In recent trade talk, it is pretty apparent that the Bulls would like to move Larry Hughes to free up his long term deal and cash. The Bulls may be willing to accept next to nothing in order to move him… Andres Nocioni’s name continues to come up in trade talk around the league.
Should younger Bulls players look to take over?
The Chicago Bulls roster is filled with young, athletic potential. Potential can only mean so much though. Since the emergence of the young team into the play-off ranks in 2004, the Bulls have continued to gather top draft picks from trades, and a little luck. These top draft picks have brought the Bulls a lot of top college players filled with potential, such as Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah, Thabo Sefolosha, and this year Derrick Rose.
These young guys have stepped in and played some great games, and shown flashes of All-Star talent. Joakim Noah came from a college team in which he and the team succeeded year in and year out. In his first season with the Bulls he lashed out at teammates who dogged it during games, and weren’t always into the game in his opinion. Noah had a point, but as a rookie in the NBA this was not his role. This was the role of veteran players such as Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng or Andres Nocioni, who is by far the most mature of the group. Nocioni is a quiet player, who leads by example. He plays each game with 110% effort and never backs down to a defender. (more…)
Summer League opens with interesting results
The Chicago Bulls opened summer league today against the Miami Heat. The Bulls summer roster includes:
- Derrick Rose
- Tyrus Thomas
- Joakim Noah
- Arron Gray
- JamesOn Curry
- Cedric Simmons
- Demetris Nichols
There are more on the team, but these are the players most of you will be framiliar with.
Game one was against the Heat, and the Bulls dropped it 94-70. Four Bulls finished in double digits, including Derrick Rose who scored 10 points. Tyrus Thomas also recorded a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 boards.
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