Chicago Bulls Season Preview
50 wins and an early exit. Well, not THAT early.
by Russ Bengtson
(For the rest of the season previews, go here.)
I’m not sure what’s more frustrating—rooting for a bad team that is going absolutely nowhere, or rooting for a good team that can only go so far. (OK, actually I know full well which is more frustrating, I’m just trying to make Lang feel better.) The Chicago Bulls are a very good team. Will they make the playoffs? Yes. Will they win 50 games? Yes (52-30 sounds about right). Will they be better than last year? Yes. Will they be amongst the top four teams in the East? Yes. Will they win an NBA Championship? No (although they should reach the Eastern Conference Finals). And that’s where the problems start.
Actually, the problems start in the paint, where the Bulls haven’t had a legitimate low-post scoring threat since Michael Jordan circa 1998 and Bill Cartwright (and his Killer Fatal Elbows of Death) circa 1993. This is a problem that is blatantly obvious to everyone except John Paxson, apparently, who has done next to nothing to address it. The tragedy of it all is that Michael Sweetney had the ability to be that guy, but instead focused his attention on becoming the next Kobayashi and should have a tremendous future in Sumo, should he choose to pursue it. P.J. Brown did a decent job last year for a 60-year-old—and I suppose there’s still a chance he returns for another go-round—but forcing fans to watch both he AND Ben Wallace shoot free throws for another season is just plain cruel. (New addition Joe Smith, an 80 percent career shooter from the stripe, will be a relative delight.)
The problems continue in the backcourt where, unless Ben Gordon received a few packages intended for Rick Ankiel, the Bulls give up size to everyone except the Spirit. Gordon is a tremendous spree scorer, and Kirk Hinrich is a talented floor general and defender—both are All-Star talents—but 6-3 backcourts just don’t cut it in 2007. If it was 1957 they could body Cousy and Sharman, but it isn’t. Hopefully second-year Swiss two-guard Thabo Sefolosha has been working out hard this summer, because minutes will be there for the taking. (Sorry, Chris Duhon.)
Anyway, enough of this glass half-empty stuff. There are positives, of course, starting with small forward Luol Deng, who should finally become an All-Star in name as well as game. Deng, who spent the summer playing for his semi-native England following the sort of breakout playoff performance that led divisionmates Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince to League-wide stardom, will be a household name come Christmastime. Count on it.
Then there’s the one household name the Bulls already have, former Piston Ben Wallace. His numbers dropped across the board last season as he struggled some while adjusting to a new system, a new coach, and a dearth of headbands (you’ll never see this in real life). Oh yeah, and a bunch of people stressing about his max-money contract (which, according to ESPN’s Trade Machine, will pay him more this year than Deng, Gordon, Tyrus Thomas and Chris Duhon combined). Headbandgate is over, and the contract junkies will move on to new prey—Rashard Lewis and Shawn Marion seem likely candidates. Freed to just play ball (in his new $15 sneakers), Wallace will hopefully return to his Rodman-with-a-carry-on defensive and rebounding form and continue imparting his hard-earned wisdom to his younger teammates.
Which brings us to second-year jumping jack Tyrus Thomas. Getting by primarily on his freakish physical ability and an uncanny sense of timing, Thomas played a mere 13.4 mpg last year and still earned second-team All-Rookie honors. If he can do a better job staying out of foul trouble, and build on some of the success he had in the playoffs (he averaged 8 points and 5 boards in 17 minutes per against the Pistons), he should see an increase in minutes and effectiveness. It would be a bonus if he could add a consistent low-post scoring move, but these things take time. (In the weight room especially—at 6-9, 215 pounds, Thomas isn’t exactly Tim Duncan. Hell, he’s not even Tim Thomas.)
Currently, the Bulls’s best low-post scorer is probably freshly re-signed small forward Andres Nocioni, who’s coming off the world’s worse case of plantar fasciitis and just signed a new five-year deal for somewhere in the neighborhood of $40 million. Nice neighborhood. The Argentine is by far the Bulls best flopper, and even if he has a propensity to wander out to the three-point line too much, he simply CAN’T be as bad in the playoffs this year as he was last year. That’s a plus. It would also help if he didn’t miss 29 games and he played more of them like this.
Then there’s lottery pick Joakim Noah, who went from the possible first overall pick in ’06 to ninth in ’07. A fortuitous drop after the Knicks lottery went wrong (OK, who forgot to freeze the envelope?), Noah should see some minutes behind Wallace, Thomas and Smith. The concern is that he’s a mere carbon copy of Wallace—a pure energy guy with little or no offensive skills. We’ll see. Worst case scenario, he can be dangled as trade bait for a true low-post scorer or a big two. That is, of course, if the Bulls ever actually make a trade.
I went to Chicago in late February last year to report a Bulls story that ran in SLAM 108. What I found was a team that got along very well, a coach who trusted his front office, and a front office and city that loved their players. All well and good, but also scary. Because I’m not sold that the Bulls as currently constructed are a championship team. Contender? Yes. In the wide-open East, anyone can make the Finals (I can think of a good 10 or a dozen teams that, assuming they make the playoffs to begin with, could get on a run.) But I can’t see the Bulls competing with the Spurs, Suns or whoever makes it out of the West without a low-post threat or a true alpha-dog scorer (I’m not convinced that either Deng or Gordon is, or will ever be, that). And when you love your players as much as Pax and Skiles seem to, you’re averse to trading them. If the Bulls don’t make a move, they might plateau this year. And while 52-53 wins and a second- or third-round playoff exit may be good enough in some cities (last year it was 49 and the Conference Semis), most cities aren’t Chicago.
Dream scenario? Get the key young guys (Sefolosha, Thomas and Noah) playing early and often. Turn a couple of the other young pieces (second-round picks Aaron Gray and JamesOn Curry, and still-young small forward Victor Khyrapa, for starters) and an expiring contract (Chris Duhon) into a veteran who can actually score in the paint. Keep the offense running much the way it did last year, with lots of cutters and drivers and mid-range jumpers and kickouts for open threes, only with a legit low-post option to keep defenders honest. Don’t be afraid to deal a major piece if the right offer presents itself, but avoid giving up too much for shiny brass rings like Shawn Marion or Kobe Bryant. (OK, maybe trade for Kobe. Andrei Kirilenko would fit nicely into Skiles’s gameplan, but matching his contract would be an adventure.) And then go out there and beat Detroit. Please.
184 Responses to “Chicago Bulls Season Preview”
Oct.4 at 11:28 am
Myles Brown says:
That’s always been my problem with the Bulls too. They can shut down their opponents for minutes at a time, but they’ll go without scoring even longer. And while Ben Gordon is one of the best streak scorers in the lig, like you said, he’s pretty small. It would be nice to see them make some moves to better the team but Ildt know which guy to deal. You pull at the wrong string and everything might fall apart, no?
Oct.4 at 11:28 am
Andrew says:
hey this makes 2 eastern conference preview in a row…
Oct.4 at 11:28 am
Myles Brown says:
Just figured I’d get that out before this turned into a thread about lemurs or something…
Oct.4 at 11:29 am
white hot eboy says:
Very nice, Russ. I think that the Bulls have the guns to beat anyone in the East, as long as they control tempo. Can they beat Detroit? Yeah. Boston? With the Bulls depth and lack of Boston’s, yeah. Eveyone else is kinda flawed too. Nice, detailed work and modern=fantastic preview. Fantastic concept.
Oct.4 at 11:29 am
hscs says:
I’m 99% sure Elton Brand and Eddy Curry were on the team between 1998 and now.
Oct.4 at 11:33 am
Cheryl says:
Ben gets to wear his headband; all is not lost.
Oct.4 at 11:38 am
Andrew says:
at least it’s fortitious and not cathartic schadenfreude.
Oct.4 at 11:40 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
I figured why not do East first for a change. Very thorough preview. Nice! Does anybody have confidence for their team in the East?
Oct.4 at 11:41 am
Bryan says:
I think whoever wins the ECF should celebrate like they just won the O’brien trophy cause that’s as far as any of them are getting.
Oct.4 at 11:43 am
H to the izzo says:
I saw both Sefolosha and Deng play this year against my God bless them they try Irish team,none were hugely impressive,Thabo was too flashy and was given the ball everytime they passed half court,he finished with about 26(off 700 shots),Deng was his usual unselfish self on a team where he should be that guy,he finished on 21 with a bucket loads of assists.Free throws were shockingly bad.I wouldn’t expect that either of them would have gained much this summer apart from the customary 15pounds
Oct.4 at 11:46 am
Andrew says:
ditto izzo. deng’s jumper was even missing at times.
Oct.4 at 11:49 am
H to the izzo says:
People prefer to discuss Paris Hilton over on the Suns post rather than actual basketball,stupid internet
Oct.4 at 11:51 am
Keith says:
Should have gotten Holly to write it. I’ll stop being an a$$ now.
Oct.4 at 11:53 am
Bryan says:
Seriously though does anyone think anyone in the east has a realistic shot at a championship?
Oct.4 at 11:54 am
H to the izzo says:
If the Pistons pretend its three years ago then maybe but I doubt it Bryan
Oct.4 at 11:55 am
white hot eboy says:
It’s all about matchups, Shia.
Oct.4 at 11:56 am
white hot eboy says:
Izzo=prognasticating simpleton.
Oct.4 at 11:58 am
white hot eboy says:
If the Mavs get back to the Finals, we all know they’re ripe for the taking.
Oct.4 at 11:58 am
Bryan says:
Agreed on the matchups, but out of the top teams in the west that can make it to the finals..Suns,Spurs,Mavs,Rockets(maybe)who in the east matches up well with them?
Oct.4 at 11:59 am
H to the izzo says:
Thanks Eboy!!
Beware of the rath of Dirk,You’ve been warned
Oct.4 at 12:01 pm
Bryan says:
And that’s not even counting Utah or Denver each of whom could realisticlly get it together and make a run.If they got hot at the right time..I don’t like anybody in the east to compete with those top four and would be hard pressed to keep pace with a Denver if they happened to make it.Iverson in the finals would be sick and he would play harder than ever I’m sure.
Oct.4 at 12:02 pm
Andrew says:
Russ brought up a valid point - not just the Bulls but who in the east can face up west without a low post threat?
Oct.4 at 12:03 pm
Bryce says:
How do the heat not match up with anyone in the west when Shaq and Wade are healthy?
Oct.4 at 12:05 pm
white hot eboy says:
ANY team without a legitimate post up presence is not a real threat anytime over the course of a series.
Oct.4 at 12:07 pm
Bryce says:
i.e spurs vs. nuggets in the first round
Oct.4 at 12:09 pm
Andrew says:
knicks got curry and zach. is their chin above water?
Oct.4 at 12:09 pm
Rubens says:
maybe the pistons can win it all, but i really thinks tim duncan robot and co. will take it again
Oct.4 at 12:11 pm
Andrew says:
looks like another groundhog season.
Oct.4 at 12:13 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
I ain’t even read the whole post yet, I clicked the link about Nocioni being a flopper… Best thing ever posted on espn.com! I HATE flopping, which is why I, like Bryan, hate european forwards! Every time Jorge Garbojosa jerks his head back and flails one of his arms on a dribble drive to the hoop i get PISSED! F*** trying to draw a foul! Go strong and make the f*** basket dog! Maybe get an and one or something you p***y! This is why I like Bargnani and Jose Calderon, they don’t flop…
Oct.4 at 12:15 pm
Andrew says:
hoop dreamz - u better stay away from European soccer mate.
Oct.4 at 12:15 pm
white hot eboy says:
We have Vlade to thank for that.
Oct.4 at 12:15 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
sorry, i’m a little bitter. Europeans grow up playing soccer and they teach soccer players how to flop from a young age… i’m not even kidding, soccer was my first sport. Joke is, starting in the last world cup, they’re handing out red cards for flopping in soccer. I think they should give technicals for NBAers who flop
Oct.4 at 12:16 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
Vlade is a four-letter word to me…
Oct.4 at 12:16 pm
H to the izzo says:
Andrew-Did you see that Dida thing?Ridiculous
Oct.4 at 12:16 pm
Allenp says:
Boston can beat any team in the East if healthy.
Oct.4 at 12:17 pm
Allenp says:
My bad, any team in th West.
Oct.4 at 12:18 pm
H to the izzo says:
There was a reason soccer was my fourth choice sport
Oct.4 at 12:18 pm
white hot eboy says:
You were WAY more correct with your first comment, Allen.
Oct.4 at 12:19 pm
H to the izzo says:
Maybe if the Celtics traded Pierce for someone like Kidd they would be a contender but now I’m just not seeing the Celtics as a threat without a floor general
Oct.4 at 12:20 pm
white hot eboy says:
Soccer is sixth for me, Izzo behind, basketball, american football, hockey, baseball & volleyball. Although, I realy flipped the fu*k out during the Azuri’s run to the World Cup.
Oct.4 at 12:23 pm
d.Y. says:
I have to see what the piston young blood can do. “the best starting 5 (minus 1) in basketball” is starting to look a lil miamiish. right now, im thinking houston… why not? especially after they trade francis for cassel. with sudden sam back on the team, he ends his career the same way he began. i can even see horry tear off his san an jersey during the wcf to reveal a houston circa 95 one.
Oct.4 at 12:24 pm
Andrew says:
Izzo - you know they know the rules and they flaunt the rules. Ladies & gentlemen, they’re your Champions league defending champs.
Oct.4 at 12:27 pm
white hot eboy says:
I still think that if Kobe somehow winds up in Chicago (as Russ mentioned), they can run the East for a 3-4 year period. Play wit it.
Oct.4 at 12:30 pm
pro baller says:
how come u were so hard on nocioni? that guy can play , and beeing a floper is not a bad thing as long as u get the call!
Oct.4 at 12:33 pm
white hot eboy says:
Russ, I’m trying to get it back on basketball topic.
Oct.4 at 12:34 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
I’m wit eboy, All you need to run the east is a superstar guard like Kob’. Wade did it 2 yrs ago and Bron did it last year. Boston’s trio and Gil are the only other real superstars in the east… Chi and the D play team ball wit no stars. Kobe would SMASH the east
Oct.4 at 12:38 pm
Ryan Jones says:
“im thinking houston… why not?”
dY, check Tracy and Yao’s combined playoff record and you’ll have your answer.
Oct.4 at 12:39 pm
white hot eboy says:
It would just hinge on who the Bulls had to give up in return. But Kobe would be a monster in a Bulls uniform until he realized that his statue wasn’t outside the United Center. Then there would be trade demands, team hate, etc. Better yet, Kobe better stay in LA. He might get a statue there.
Oct.4 at 12:40 pm
Jake Appleman says:
they could lose to the nets in the 1st round. of course russ thinks the nets won’t make the playoffs, but whatever.
Oct.4 at 12:42 pm
white hot eboy says:
That ain’t happening, Jake. Neither are the 07 playoff edition Nets.
Oct.4 at 1:00 pm
Rubens says:
don’t even get me started on that dida thing… i’m mad
Oct.4 at 1:09 pm
Ryan Jones says:
That Dida sh*t was hilarious. They oughta let that drunked Scot back at him and tell him to hit him for real this time.
Oct.4 at 1:11 pm
H to the izzo says:
I think he was more than likely Irish Ryan
Oct.4 at 1:13 pm
Bryan says:
I know this is late but I was at lunch so …I love Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen and I hate the spurs, but SA would murder the Celts in the finals.And so would a few other teams.I will admit out of everyone if Boston stays healthy they have the best shot of the east teams to win it all though.
Oct.4 at 1:41 pm
jbn74sb says:
Nice preview, Russ. Best one so far, in my opinion.
Now what the hell is the dida thing you speak of?
Oct.4 at 1:44 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Bryan: How can you be sure how the C’s will match up with *ANYONE* when they haven’t played a single game together? Doesn’t it seem short-sighted to definitively predict this team’s postseason chances before they’ve actually been on the court at the same time?
Bodie: Go to youtube, type in Dida Celtic, then order by most recent. Dude makes Ginobili and Divac look sincere.
Oct.4 at 1:44 pm
Ryan Jones says:
There aren’t any Scots in Glasgow, izzo?
Oct.4 at 1:46 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Also, Russ: Who’s the Spirit?
Oct.4 at 1:46 pm
H to the izzo says:
Put it this way,there would be more Irish at the match than Glaswegians.
Oct.4 at 1:49 pm
Bryan says:
I’m predicting that the east is overmatched in general not the celtics and this whole entire preview thing is entirely speculation.All arugments right now are based on what the rosters look like on paper and taking into account management.At least thats what I’m using when I talk.On paper the celtics are good, but also on paper the spurs would kill them.
Oct.4 at 1:50 pm
Ryan Jones says:
On paper, the Celtics have three guaranteed first-ballot Hall of Famers. How is anyone clearly better than them right now?
Oct.4 at 1:51 pm
Ryan Jones says:
izzo shut up and go blow up a potato with some guinness dam u.
Oct.4 at 1:51 pm
Myles Brown says:
Ryan did you do a preview? Cleveland?
Oct.4 at 1:52 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Sorry, that just sort of came out.
Oct.4 at 1:53 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Myles? You ask too many questions?
I did though, yeah. Sam was all like, “Dude, we totally need your Cavs preview like, yesterday.” And I was all, “Dude, I’m busy, but alright.” And, like, I turned it in Monday. And he totally hasn’t even run it yet. Which is why I, like, HATE Sam.
Oct.4 at 1:54 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
ray-ray and P-squared are 1st-ballot HOFers? I don’t know about that… Likely HOFers, but first ballot? No question on KG though…
Oct.4 at 1:54 pm
Myles Brown says:
Do you like tea or coffee more? And I’m looking forward to it.
Oct.4 at 1:55 pm
Steve O says:
On paper the Spurs would kill the Celtics? Which paper is that? If we are arguing strictly on paper you have to put the Celtics at or near the top of the list.
Oct.4 at 1:55 pm
Bryan says:
Because Tim Duncan and KG are about even…Bruce Bowen is Ray Allen’s worst nightmare and Parker is (ugh this is killing me to type) lightyears better than any pg the Celtics have and Finley/Ginobli can at least play even with Paul Pierce.
Oct.4 at 1:56 pm
H to the izzo says:
Ryan:Is Guinness explosive?If I put a match to my mouth now,will my stomach explode?
And the Celtic thing is true it has to do with religion and sectarianism but whatever..
Oct.4 at 1:56 pm
Bryan says:
I hate the spurs more than any other basketball team though so I hope I’m wrong.
Oct.4 at 1:58 pm
H to the izzo says:
Ryan is your Cavs preview anything other than LeBron2MVP,because if there’s anything else written on the Cavs in that preview I’ll be hugely dissapointed
Oct.4 at 2:01 pm
Rubens says:
ryan: i was a fan of dida, wish he could be back at the national tem, not anymore… that punk
Oct.4 at 2:02 pm
H to the izzo says:
LeBron4MVP*
Oct.4 at 2:02 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Both SHOULD be first-ballot picks, given the pace they’re on: Ray’s a 7-time All-Star averaging 22 ppg over 11 seasons and has a pristine off-court record, while Pierce is a 5-time All-Star averaging 24 ppg over nine seasons. But, considering the state of Hall of Fame voting, where you apparently have to be an obscure Europenan coach to actually get voted in, perhaps I shouldn’t be so certain.
Oct.4 at 2:03 pm
Steve O says:
Bowen is Ray Ray’s worst nightmare on the Sonics when he has no post presence and only one other option. I see your point and I’m only vehemently against your Spurs theory because I want the C’s to perform well this season and for some reason I honestly believe they can.
Oct.4 at 2:04 pm
Ryan Jones says:
I know about the Hoops and the Bhoys, izzo. Just busting your chops, you cabbage-eating, Pope-lovin—sorry, sorry.
And I like LeBron2MVP better.
Also: Europenan! Yeah, I said it! Their money’s worth twice as much as ours, they should get a cool new name! F*ck you all!
Oct.4 at 2:05 pm
Steve O says:
Regardless of the Hall’s horrible balloting process, both should be in. Hopefully by the time all 3 are up for enshrinement changes will have been made at the hall.
Oct.4 at 2:06 pm
Bryan says:
I’m against my own spurs theory because I hate Parker and Ginobli more than anybody else in the NBA.
Oct.4 at 2:07 pm
Bryan says:
The more I talk the more I think Eboy is right about me hating European forwards but I’d also add guards.
Oct.4 at 2:07 pm
H to the izzo says:
The bhoys are ghey Ryan,I hate each and every one of them
Oct.4 at 2:11 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Good to know, izzo. Can I get your feelings on Tommy Graveson then?
Oct.4 at 2:12 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
Ryan, your Cav day is coming. I drank a Yuengling in your honor last night. $8 for a 6pack. You get what you pay for.
Oct.4 at 2:14 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Not used to paying for Yuengling, Sam, as it comes out of the municipal taps where I live.
Oct.4 at 2:14 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Instead of water, if that wasn’t clear.
Oct.4 at 2:15 pm
Ryan Jones says:
BTW, I just took Comment of the Day honors over on that Ruben Patterson post. Go ahead, check it out. I’ll wait.
Oct.4 at 2:16 pm
H to the izzo says:
Ryan I think you’ll have stronger feelings on him than I would
Oct.4 at 2:16 pm
Ryan Jones says:
I LOVE him, so maybe so.
Oct.4 at 2:17 pm
Bryan says:
That sh*t had me rollin’ Ryan.
Oct.4 at 2:18 pm
H to the izzo says:
Indeed Ryan,Ben Collins needs to confirm it though
Oct.4 at 2:19 pm
H to the izzo says:
Even after leaving Ryan?
Oct.4 at 2:25 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Thank you boys.
And yes, izzo. Even I can’t blame a guy for going from Everton to Real. Now, if he’d gone to, say, ManU and made a point of kissing his new badge every time he played at Goodison, I might not like him so much. But who would possibly stoop so low?
Oct.4 at 2:30 pm
H to the izzo says:
Oh I don’t know.Can I say Alan Smith to you?
Oct.4 at 2:31 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Um…yeah.
Oct.4 at 2:32 pm
Bryan says:
Welcome , Russ.
Oct.4 at 2:33 pm
white hot eboy says:
Sorry, Ryan, you’re not fuc*in’with my Paris Hilton comment in the Suns post. It turned into a firestorm of hate. Besides, I always know when you’re hatin’, because you don’t drop your name into the conversation.
Oct.4 at 2:36 pm
Ryan Jones says:
No, but you can say “Shrek.”
Oct.4 at 2:36 pm
jbn74sb says:
If I wanted to read about f-cking soccer, I’d buy some tight pants, grow a mullet and some stubble, start smoking, lose 100 pounds, start listening to the Bravery, and move back to Europe.
Oct.4 at 2:37 pm
H to the izzo says:
OH Rooney,I’m dumb.Smith did it too
Oct.4 at 2:38 pm
H to the izzo says:
The Bravery?
Oct.4 at 2:38 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Yeah, but Smith didn’t grow up an Evertonian and once wear a shirt under his jersey on which was written “Once a Blue, Always a Blue.” At least, not that I’m aware of. I actually mostly just feel sorry for Rooney, he’s obviously just been pawned by apparently the slimiest of slimy British football agents. But yeah, no love for him.
Oct.4 at 2:39 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Bodie: Please do.
Oct.4 at 2:40 pm
Ryan Jones says:
eboy: My comment was funny. Yours was just a puerile grab for attention. Both were taken for what they were. Much like the Heat, you lose.
Oct.4 at 2:40 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
The Paris Hilton comment ruined the Suns post. Although if Ryan doesn’t stop it with the Everton comments on MY goddamn post, we may have a new winner.
Oct.4 at 2:41 pm
Nocioni hating bulls fan says:
To get back to the topic of the original post, according to the Chicago Tribune supposedly Tyrus “Anytime” Thomas has gained 15 lbs. of muscle over the summer while taking over 700 jump shots a day. Low post scorer? No, but he’s certainly headed in the right direction. Similarly Joakim Noah has been in the gym CONSTANTLY, building strength and working on his jumper with some contraption the team’s shooting coach designed specifically to help with his form. I’m terrified that we may have drafted Ben Wallace the Second, right down to the ridiculous hair, but there’s hope for some offense out of him yet!
Oct.4 at 2:42 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Russ, how’s this: Congrats to Jake Appleman on Atletico’s 5-0 thrashing of Erciyesspor in the UEFA Cup today. I believe Ben Gordon had a goal and two assists.
Oct.4 at 2:43 pm
Bryan says:
I take the stop raping nannies comment in this case.
Oct.4 at 2:44 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Nope.
Oct.4 at 2:45 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
That “nope” was meant for the Ryan without the “B” in front. And, not to get back on track or anything, I think the Bulls are CAPABLE of winning the whole shebang–even as currently constructed–I just don’t think they will. They need to find a disgruntled/troubled low-post guy they can get on the cheap, a la Rasheed.
Oct.4 at 2:46 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Fine, I’ll just leave then. Gotta go watch Everton v. Metalist Kharkiv on GameCast anyway. 5000!
Oct.4 at 2:47 pm
KD says:
Instead of saying “a la Rasheed,” why not point out who they can go for? Any specifics?
Oct.4 at 2:48 pm
white hot eboy says:
Aw, I ruined a post. I feel so sorrowful. If it wasn’t for us idiots coming up with our own entertainment, there’d be no site traffic until Sam decided to post the latest preview. Boo-fuc*in’ hoo.
Oct.4 at 2:48 pm
Bryan says:
It’s such a crapshoot cause you never know if one of these guys is just gonna blow up this year , they’re all young maybe Ben Gordan gets consistent and scores 25 a night and Tyrus Thomas provides Ben Wallace a Rasheed-like defensive partner.They very well could go all the way, I just don’t see it either.
Oct.4 at 2:49 pm
H to the izzo says:
Smith grew up Leeds through and through and actually stated that he would never join Utd no matter what.Fergie naturally signed him,changed him into a position he wasn’t suited to just to spite him
Oct.4 at 2:50 pm
white hot eboy says:
And back to basketball, I think Sheed get’s his ass beat by Skiles within 10 games if that was to happen. He’d F up the team synergy Russ pointed out early in the preview.
Oct.4 at 2:52 pm
H to the izzo says:
Russ I think after Randolph is run out of New York after one season he’d be a good fit for the Bulls
Oct.4 at 2:52 pm
Bryan says:
Maybe Lebron will do like Dirk and play pissed off and lead his team back to the finals..oh..
Oct.4 at 2:55 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
KD: That’s the problem–I have no idea who they could possibly get like that. Detroit got a key starter in exchange for ALL bench players. Zach Randolph would have been a decent fit, although it’s too late for that now. I suppose there’s a possibility that either Nene or Kenyon Martin becomes expendable in Denver.
Oct.4 at 2:56 pm
Bryan says:
Charles Oakley is avaible.. at a bargain price no less.
Oct.4 at 2:58 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
eboy: Sheed sure didn’t ruin the Pistons synergy (at least not until after they won a chip). I think he’s perfectly capable of being a team player provided the rest of the team dynamic isn’t totally dysfunctional. Maybe the same would hold true for Z-Bo or Kenyon, I don’t know. That’s why guys like that come (relatively) cheap–it’s a crapshoot.
Oct.4 at 2:59 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Uh, Charles Oakley didn’t work out so well the last time he was in Chicago.
Oct.4 at 3:03 pm
Bryan says:
haha yeah I was being sarcastic you know bargain price ten mil a year..I think the only people who fit that descripton are Kenyon or Nene.
Oct.4 at 3:05 pm
yo-yo says:
i’ve got a question: who? who should the bulls get as a low post scorer? how many legitimate post-up threats are there in the league, and how many of them are available? anyway, it’s not that important anymore. the bulls have a good set of mid- and long-range shooters. with noah and tthomas coming along, they’ll have athletic guys who can finish in the post of feeds and put-backs, but not a classic slow-down post-up game. deng can learn to play in the post, given his size and skill set. the bulls will be able to run with deng at the two, going big, or with noce and thomas at four and five going small and fast. they’re core guys have improved each year, and there’s no reason (given their demonstrated work ethics) to believe they’ll stop. gordon-hinrich-deng are basically mature veterans now, and when thomas-thabo-noah are ready, this team may be fierce. plus, nocioni off the bench. that noah replicates ben wallace is fine, because wallace is old and will be stepping down his production and minutes soon. plus, do not underestimate the value of continuity. the more these guys play together, the better they get. i say stand pat. they have good guys, a good system, and they’re young. new guys would disrupt chemistry, and there’s no one available who would be worth what he costs. in today’s perimeter-oriented league, true low-post scoring threats like shaq are both rare and unnecessary.
Oct.4 at 3:06 pm
white hot eboy says:
Russ, but would you really want him? And at this point, does Sheeds back down two dribbles, step-back fade away in the block move qualify him as low-post threat? Because for the last 4 seasons that’s 90% of his post moves followed by a loud “SHEED” groan from the Piston faithful.
Oct.4 at 3:07 pm
KD says:
That’s the thing. Paxson’s aware. They’re not out there. He would have been a mug to trade Deng+9+Gordon+Brown for Gasol, (the last offer sent by Memphizzle), and it’s over. And Nene/Kenyon aren’t low post scorers. The fake person doesn’t exist. There’s that.
Oct.4 at 3:08 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Other guys might become available as teams fall out of contention. Unfortunately (and I suppose I should have mentioned it in the actual preview, but I hate beating dead horses), they should have made a trade LAST season when they had P.J. Brown’s expiring deal and the Knicks’s first-round pick. Garnett or Gasol would have been amazing.
Oct.4 at 3:08 pm
Bryan says:
Kenyon and Nene are both bruisers though who could take pressure off of Ben Wallace and be at least competent on offense.It’s not like the bulls don’t have the athletes to get out on a break or two and feed Kenyon the ball.
Oct.4 at 3:10 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
eboy: I didn’t mean that they should go after Sheed NOW. And KD, either Nene or Kenyon would be a marked post improvement over Ben Wallace or Tyrus Thomas. Right now they don’t have anyone who can score in the post AT ALL. It’s remarkable, actually.
Oct.4 at 3:10 pm
H to the izzo says:
Didn’t they try and trade for Pau?
Oct.4 at 3:12 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
And I agree that giving up Deng, Gordon AND the pick for Gasol would have been asinine, but I’m not convinced that that was the only deal the big Memph Grizzle would have taken.
Oct.4 at 3:13 pm
KD says:
They can’t score in the post. Every time they touch the ball with their back to the basket, their shoes explode. People start throwing brown chairs. George Karl accidentally grows a beard.
Oct.4 at 3:13 pm
KD says:
It was the last one on the table in Feb. Then the March hit.
Oct.4 at 3:14 pm
white hot eboy says:
Russ, what about one of the big bodies in Atlanta? Any one of those guys have 50 times the offensive skill of Noah and Ben.
Oct.4 at 3:17 pm
KD says:
They’re all vegans. Skiles wouldn’t play ‘em.
Oct.4 at 3:18 pm
Bryan says:
Kenyon low post ability may only be one dribble,power dunk.But that’s better than Ben Wallace touching the f*cking ball AT ALL.This may be late in the game and all but why not go after a lesser player even like a Shareef from Sacremento?It doesn’t seem like they would have to give much up for him,although I know nothing of the salary part of it.He can score in the post we know that at least?Maybe I’m just dumb.He doesn’t have the fire of a Sheed or Kenyon but he has post skills.
Oct.4 at 3:18 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
As long as the Bulls don’t trade for Shelden Williams. Former Duke players named Williams don’t work out so well in the Chi. I’d take Zaza in a second, but I doubt they’d give him up. Otherwise most of their so-called bigs are actually wing guys.
Oct.4 at 3:19 pm
Ben Osborne says:
I didn’t see it answered above, but I think Russ meant the Sky not Spirit. Great preview though. Oh, and one more thought from a part-time Bulls fan: I miss Tyson Chandler!
Oct.4 at 3:19 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I wouldn’t say no to Shareef. He definitely seems to be on the downside, but then again it’s not like he plays on a team that matters.
Oct.4 at 3:20 pm
Bryan says:
Yeah but he is only 31 ish
Oct.4 at 3:21 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Dammit, yeah, I meant the Sky. And we had the big Tyson Chandler discussion in another post yesterday–I just think, great as his numbers were last year, that his time in Chicago was up. People were ALWAYS going to associate him with Jerry Krause and the Elton Brand trade.
Oct.4 at 3:24 pm
Bryan says:
Tyson Chandler offers them the same exact thing Ben Wallace does , right now we’re looking at post scorers..I’m serious about Shareef though that would be a good move it was only 2 seasons ago he was putting up 17 and 7 in portland.And he’s off the bench in Sacremento I think thats just Randy Moss syndrome right now..Though he may truly be cursed.
Oct.4 at 3:24 pm
white hot eboy says:
Another Brad Miller go-around?
Oct.4 at 3:26 pm
Bryan says:
How about Juwan Howard? haha..
Oct.4 at 3:29 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I’d say definitely give him a go if they could get him for spare parts like Khyrapa, etc. It’s just unfortunate they don’t have any big-money bench pieces to use in trades. According to the Trade Machine the only Bulls making $5 mil-plus are Big Ben, Kirk, Joe Smith and Chapu (who’s a base-year guy anyway). Although Shareef’s only making $5.8. For some reason I thought he was still on his max deal.
Oct.4 at 3:31 pm
Bryan says:
Joe Smith for Reef straight up? I think Reef cares more about his role than Smith does..I think he would feel slighted as a memeber of that 96 class if he didn’t at least do SOMETHING.All those guys are the same age and still playing at a high level , except Antoine Walker who is eating at a high level.
Oct.4 at 3:31 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
And eboy, I was about to say Brad Miller. His game would be a perfect fit. The only problems are a) he might be dunzo, and b) he’s making $10.5 million and is signed for three more years. Do you really want to kill your capspace for the next three seasons for BRAD MILLER? Yeesh. Especially with Deng and Gordon needing extensions. And Juwan! Why not?
Oct.4 at 3:33 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Joe Smith can’t be traded yet.
Oct.4 at 3:34 pm
Bryan says:
Juwan could slingshot that jumper in..it’s not like they need a go to guy , Deng ,Gordon and Hinrich are all more than capable scorers, they just need someone competent down there.Howard wants to play for a contender and at least on paper the bulls are one.All either of them would have to do was catch the ball and hit an occasional jumper..Though I think Reef is capable of more than that ,it would just be a bonus.
Oct.4 at 3:35 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Juwan might be a better fit than Reef. After all, he’s a Chicago guy. And Minnesota’d be the kind of team to take a flyer on Khyrapa and Duhon’s expiring contract. Perhaps.
Oct.4 at 3:36 pm
Bryan says:
I think Reef could give you at least 15 and 7 and howard about 12 and 6,and mistake free ball.Cause even if Tyrus Thomas pulls a Hakim Warick this year and doubles up everything he’s still not that VETERAN post presence they could use.
Oct.4 at 3:41 pm
Tommy Patron says:
The Bulls are poised to win the East this year, period. I like Russ’ preview, and though I know he’s a real Bulls fan, I get the feeling he watched, at most, a handful of games last year. Nocioni is no low post threat, he’s a hustle/energy guy who can hit threes. Deng will dominate this year and I predict he will emerge as a post presence this year to complement his slashing. No team in the league, excepting the Spurs, boasts a line-up that plays D like Chicago and never says die.
Oct.4 at 3:45 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Nocioni is a banger in the sense that he doesn’t shy away from physical contect. IN THEORY he’d be their best post scorer, he just loves the three-point line too much. And while I love Luol, I wouldn’t go so far to say he’ll be a post presence. He’s got the best mid-range jumper in the L since Latrell Sprewell, though.
Oct.4 at 3:45 pm
white hot eboy says:
Russ, do you think they could pry C-Webb their way?
Oct.4 at 3:46 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
And calling Noc their best low-post scorer was more of a criticism of the rest of their frontcourt than praise for Chapu. I watched a fair amount of games last year.
Oct.4 at 3:46 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I think Webber ends up back in Detroit.
Oct.4 at 3:47 pm
Bryan says:
Cwebb can’t play defense well enough to make it on their team man..I don’t know how he fell off so far in like a year.20 and 10 one year..11 and 7 the next.And say what you want about that 20 and 10 he did it on a team with AI so it’s not like he was just getting the rock and chucking.
Oct.4 at 3:57 pm
Bryan says:
DEATH!
Oct.4 at 3:57 pm
white hot eboy says:
Shia, I’m a big C-Webb fan. I loved him at Michigan, his quick tenure in GS, as a Bullet/Wizard and then as a King. When he went to Philly, you had to think he wouldn’t gell with AI because he had just left the most “team” oriented group in the league at the time. Detroit was a shi*ty fit for him because of the perimiter oriented game they play offensively. And their defensive system put him on an island that Rasheed couldn’t help with since his defense is questionable, at best. Webber with Wallace would cover some of C-Webb’s physical deficiecies, but as Russ pointed out, he’ll probably be the 10th man on the Pistons this season.
Oct.4 at 4:02 pm
Bryan says:
I love Chris Webber that 51 and 27 was badass.I really thought he would do well with the sixers from the high post hitting cutters and what not.He should go to the lakers, they specialize in old power forwards (see Green,A.C., Grant,Horace).Although the Lakers and Webber were sworn enemies so I know that it will never happen I just think it would be a decent fit.
Oct.4 at 4:09 pm
yo-yo says:
chapu’s value is that he force’s the opponent’s 4 to come out and guard him on the perimeter. he’s physical enough to play post defense, and skilled enough to create mismatches on offense. also, by going out by the three-point line, it opens the lane for the guards to penetrate. c-webb? the guy’s playing on one leg. howard? too old. these guys can’t keep up with the bulls. they already play fast. if noah can play and ty can stay on the court, they’ll run teams out of the gym. like phoenix runs. FAST. exhausting. and versatile. like i said, noce can play the 4 and run small. also, if deng can play 2 and thabo can handle the ball, the bulls could go really big, with thabo, deng, noce, ty, and wallace.
Oct.4 at 4:25 pm
jbn74sb says:
The best mid-range jumper in the L? Sam Cassell and Richard Hamilton would like a word with you, Russ.
Oct.4 at 4:36 pm
Tommy Patron says:
Deng seems to be a real modest dude who works real hard at his game. If he didn’t go down with that wrist injury he’d already be an all-star. I saw flashes last year, like he had been working on post moves in practice, but still wasn’t comfortable enough with that to really go that way too much in game action. I agree he has one of the most reliable mid-range games in the L, and I think he’ll continue to forgo the three, and now show some real post action. He already has shown he can drive to, and finish with, either hand, so that bodes well for back to the basket potential.
Oct.4 at 4:37 pm
Tommy Patron says:
Sam Cassell can’t even move around anymore.
Oct.4 at 4:40 pm
Tommy Patron says:
Russ-what do you think about Tyrus Thomas’ NBA All-Defense potential. He clearly showed superior instincts and anticipation in playing passing lanes last year, not going for the okeydoke ball fakes and waiting until the passer committed before making his runs. We don’t need to even elaborate on his shot blocking ability. I’m anxious to see how much burn he can get, which would be necessary to make an All-Defense.
Oct.4 at 4:41 pm
Donn says:
Good stuff Russ… I’m certain the Bulls will look a lot of different next year when Kobe arrives..
Oct.4 at 4:42 pm
jbn74sb says:
Newsflash - The founder of slamonline has posted The Links on consecutive days. Check it out.
Oct.4 at 5:54 pm
Jermaine O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal!!! says:
Hey, how about me? according to realgm.com, you can get me for Ben Wallace and Thabo. in reality, Pax doesn’t have as much flexibility as we think - as all the Bulls’ young pieces are still on their rookie deals, and newly re-signed Noc and JSmith cannot be traded until Dec 1st. But Jermaine is the obvious target. Apart from getting Brand back, of course…
Oct.4 at 6:30 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Rip Hamilton, yeah. Sam Cassell is so far past his expiration date he comes out in lumps. Agreed on Tyrus’s defensive ability. Hopefully Skiles is willing to give him plenty of minutes–and he can avoid foul trouble. I fear we’re gonna see an awful lot of Joe Smith, though.
Oct.4 at 6:52 pm
tike says:
Nice piece Russ….i like the Bulls but no championship not yet!!
Oct.4 at 7:13 pm
jbn74sb says:
A friend of mine just ran into Cassell at a high-end gorcery store in SB. Unfortunately, he did not stand on the adjacent aisle and pull an “E.T. phone home” crack.
And Sam will outshoot Deng on midrange jumpers from his grave. Dude’s game was never too reliant on athletic ability.
Oct.4 at 9:59 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I don’t know about Jermaine. I doubt the Pacers would trade him to a division rival (at least without forcing them to take either Murphy or Dunleavy as well). And Jermaine’s making $20 million a year? Forget that.
Oct.4 at 10:11 pm
soup says:
PJ had an ugly stroke, but he somehow shot 78.7% from the stripe last year, and is a 79.5% career charity guy. i think we should all be glad that he didn’t spontaneously crumble into his constituent atoms. glass half full
Oct.4 at 10:23 pm
bengordon7Fan says:
BENGORDON4MVP
Oct.4 at 10:23 pm
bengordon7Fan says:
BENGORDON4MVP
Oct.4 at 11:30 pm
Ed says:
Decent article but the free throw comment is stupid. PJ’s a great free throw shooter. Do you homework before you make dumb ass comments. He’s a career 79.5% ft shooter. I’d also like to say that the East is going to be far stronger this year then last year. Teams like the Bulls, Pistons, & the Celtics will have a legit chance of winning the title this year. I’m also interested to see if the Raptors make any strides with Bargnani, Bosh, Parker, & newly added Kapono together. That team if they make improvements over last year could be huge. Teams in the west aren’t getting any younger.
Oct.5 at 2:13 am
Solito says:
Russ: you wanna know what Tabo was up to? He was taking care of business back home. Putting basketball on the map in Switzerland. First time ever, that a Bball game was shown life on Swiss-German Televison prime time. He was working very hard. Only Loul Deng’s UK stopped them. Here are some highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiPwJHQfwlI
Oct.5 at 11:09 am
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Being both European and playing both basketball and football (or soccer as you call it ) I have to resent all this anti-flopping-talk, yes you are right it’s a form of cheating and not the most honourfull thing to do - and the game (any game) would be better off without it. But get real this is professional sports, you use and abuse the rules to your advantage to get one over the other teams.. Spurs did it, Lance Armstrong did it, Stockton did it (those picks weren’t exactly textbook), Barry Bonds did it, Mike did it, and don’t even get me started about the US-athletic program (Marion Jones latest example) or the Patriots. Therefore it’s both ignorant and naive to pinpoint this as a European problem and/or something that doesn’t belong in pro sports. Realise it, it’s here to stay and you americans will sometime down the road start to realise that outsmarting the other player (and the refs) has a certain beauty to it, even if it’s cheating. Let me give you a good example: Mike’s push on B.Russell before the championship-clinching-shot.. Classic sports moment (I’m sure you all agree).. But nevertheless a classic sports moment that wouldn’t have happened if the refs have had the sac to call the foul and/or the greatest player ever wouldn’t be using every advantage he could get.
Recognize it as a part of the game. Period.
Oct.5 at 12:46 pm
white hot eboy says:
LZ, MJ’s shot against the Jazz and the actions preceding the shot are not called cheating. In America it’s called creating space. Something that American ball players are taught when a defender tries to crowd you because their skill level doesn’t meet your own.
Oct.5 at 3:19 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
w h eboy. I’m not labeling it all-out cheating, I’m as big a Jordan (and Slam for that matter) fan as you will find, I’m just saying that all these small tricks be it creating space or flopping are part of the game. In Europe players are taught to flop when an offensive player aggresively try to create space, judging from the last couple of world cups and olympics, one could argue what is most effective.. The fact is that the NBA has gotten so soft lately, that flopping is too easy to execute (see Ginobili, Nocioni amongst others - by the way they are from Argentina and thus not European)that players are used to getting calls from the smallest contact, you can not seriously try to resent that some defenders (Americans too Bowen, Battier) try to use this as an advantage. In Europe defenders don’t get called for fouls nearly as easy, therefore there are not nearly as many incorrect offensive fouls - and flopping going on, the refs simply doesn’t fall for it, thus leaving the defenders looking like fo0ls laying on the floor. I guess the softness of the NBA game is also the reason that Americas superior talented teams have gotten their behind wupped in international competion the last years, no matter how good they are at creating space, they simply get outsmarted by the international teams. Hopefully this will change with the new US-team assembled, I also prefer that the most talented teams prevail, and truly enjoy the great players of the NBA. I’m just missing the glory days of the 90′ties where physical play was allowed, instead of the refs being called (the Sterninator) on to call the puniest fouls, to inflate scores and attendances. Which by the way further demonstrates the average NBA-fans (not talking about you guys posting in this fora, you obiously know the game)lack of understanding of the game - if scores are not high and superstars are not promoted people simply don’t come to the games. I’m sorry but in Europe, the arenas are full even though the scores are in the 70′ties and you only see 1-2 dunks per game. My point is that Americans should remember that the game is about passion, teamplay and winning (even if this envolves flopping) instead of showboating, shots and big contracts. Why have the Spurs had so much success the last years, well they simply have an international way of approaching the game. Hence everybody hates them and call them boring (I’m not a Spursfan) but it’s ignorant to deny that they are the best team around. By the way international players know how to create space too, just looked at what Ginobili’s elbow did to Nash’s nose - Manu had plenty of space the rest of that series if I remember correctly.
Oct.5 at 3:29 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
By the way w h eboy. Guess LeBron (the best ballplayer on the surface of earth right now in my perspective)forgot that American ball players are taught to create space when inferior ballplayers crowd them, this past June. Because Bowen sure had him by the horns in that series. Stop being so nationalistic, every ballplayer (who isn’t coached by Isiah - he teaches them to crowd interns instead) in the world are taught to create space.
Oct.5 at 3:49 pm
white hot eboy says:
LZ, when you said I have mail, I didn’t expect to find a thesis. Cool. Thank you.
Oct.5 at 4:05 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Hehehe my pleasure I’m currently in Brasil, working here is optional. Would still love a longer respond though, nothing like discussing basketball and getting paid for it.. Wait a minute, maybe playing basketball and getting paid for it beats it..
But unfortunatly that doesn’t happen to a lot of 6′1 Danish PG’s with no jumpshot and a bad menicus. So I guess I have to settle for discussing..
Oct.5 at 4:30 pm
nothin _personal says:
It’s a shame that Russ’s piece will be tied in comments with anyone, so I had to add this. In other news, Marck Jackson will be playing in Greece this year.
Oct.6 at 3:36 pm
fuji says:
pau gasol + bulls = championship