Top 5 plots in Chicago Bulls first preseason game
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- Vinny del Negro: This will be Vinny del Negro’s first game as a coach in the NBA, let alone the head coach of one of the league’s youngest teams. The Bulls line up is filled with plenty of potential. Their are a number of young guys on this roster that could be potential stars in the NBA, it will be interesting to see how he handles the squad.
Ben Gordon to sign qualifying offer
The Chicago Bulls are set to open up training camp tomorrow, and guard Ben Gordon has yet to sign an extension. It is reported that he will sign a one year qualifying offer keeping him with the Bulls for at least one more season.
He must sign the one year, $6.4 million dollar contract by Wednesday to become an unrestricted free agent. This will be the second straight offseason Gordon and the bulls have been unable to come to contract terms. Last year Gordon turned down a 5 year deal worth around $50 million.
This leaves some interesting questions to what Ben Gordon’s role will be with Chicago this season. The Bulls have a young bunch of players who need a lot of playing time in order to continue to develop individually and as a team. As been Gordon will most likely only be with the team one more year, it will be interesting to see how rookie head coach Vinny del Negro will work him into the lineup.
The Bulls were unable to come to a sign and deal trade with Gordon and other teams this off season, but perhaps his name will come up in trade talks again around the trade deadline if it becomes apparent he will not return next off season.
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.
Ending coming soon for Bulls, Gordon
Reports out of Greece have a Moscow team having Ben Gordon been offered at one year, $5 million dollar contract. That would be similar to a $7.8 million dollar contract in US dollars. The Gordon party made a counter offer to that, asking for $7 million, or roughly $11 million US dollars. It has not been reported if they have accepted that offer yet, but it is expected to be announced some time today.
Expect the Bulls to make a final move for Gordon, either to trade or resign to a contract he agrees more with, or watch him go. The move would free up some room at the guard position, but the Bulls would lose a great outside scorer. Any trade that would be made, would probably have to involve Larry Hughes or Andres Nocioni, to work under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Many teams are not interested in Hughes or Nocioni’s long term, high priced deals though.
Ben Gordon would be able to join any European team, and not count as one of their allowed two American players because of his citizenship in Great Britain.
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.
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