NBA Draft Lottery: The Bulls Quandary
NBA May 21st. 2008, 8:50am
We’ll tackle Chicago now; the rest of the lottery in another post.
If this photo had a caption: Mike D’Antoni’s reaction moments after getting his laywer and agent on the horn after the Knicks settled for the sixth pick in the upcoming draft, and the Bulls – the team he could have left the Suns for – landed No. 1.
Before this turns into Rose or Beasley, you have to explain what becomes of Chicago point guard Kirk Hinrich and his massive contract. He’s due $10 million next season, and then $9.5, and then $9, and then 8. Amazingly, there’s zero reference to that in this article. And here’s a pretty weak, “We gotta get Rose” effort here. (“Worry about Hinrich’s contract later.” That’s something bad teams do, Rick.) Blog-a-Bull feels Rose is the pick, too. We’d go Beasley.
Options for Hinrich: 1) Trade him. Just remember the similar salary situation when throwing junk against the wall. 2) Let Ben Gordon walk and move Hinrich to be an undersized two with Rose running the point. 3) Keep ‘em all – Rose, Gordon, Hinrich – and “worry about it later.”
If you trade Hinrich, what do you do with Ben Gordon? Present-day society demands knee-jerk reactions, but that’s what the Knicks did, and now they’re saddled with horrendous long-term deals and too many players at similar positions. Do you really think the Bulls will prosper by finding a new backcourt? The team already had crappy chemistry last season; what happens when you keep the current backcourt, and then add Rose? Disaster.
Personally, we go Beasley here, because you can pair him with Drew Gooden, Ty Thomas, or Noah up front, with Luol Deng at small forward, and Hinrich and Gordon. Were Gordon’s shooting numbers down this year because there was no post presence? That lineup gives you two agile forwards, your garbage man/defender at center, and two seasoned guards. This is a team that could quickly rise up the charts in the East.
One last thing on Rose: Historically, college freshman who leave for the NBA take some time to acclimate. Rose turns 20 in October. Chances are good even if the Bulls took Rose, they’d still be a few years away from being factors in the East.
122 Responses to “NBA Draft Lottery: The Bulls Quandary”
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May 21st, 2008 at 8:54 AM
how the hell did this happen?
hinrich at 2 guard? really think that’d work?
May 21st, 2008 at 8:56 AM
rose and beasley in the east now…terrific
May 21st, 2008 at 8:58 AM
It feels uncomfortable not having a go-to Isiah Thomas joke queued up and ready to go this morning.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:01 AM
Unless you think Rose has Iverson-like potential, you gotta go with Beasley.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:01 AM
dont forget…there is a paxson involved in the draft process here…we could see kevin love or brook lopez get picked no. 1.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:04 AM
Rose is from Chicago, so it would be nice to see him play in his hometown.
you gotta go with Beasley here if you are the Bulls. Put him at the 3 and move Deng to the 2 spot. Gordon doesnt look like he is staying in the Windy City next year.
the Bulls already have Duhon and Hinrich at the point.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:08 AM
Larry Hughes!
Fuck Chicago.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Rose or Beasly make too much sense, the real question is what overachieving hustle guy who can’t create his own shot does Paxson like.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:12 AM
Maybe Paxson can bundle this pic with some of those disastrous contracts to trade for an already established post player, maybe Elton Brand.
They haven’t really had a legit post stud since they traded away…Elton Brand.
Have fun with Larry Hughes!
May 21st, 2008 at 9:14 AM
I would try to package Hinrich with Gooden or Ty Thomas or Noah and next year’s #1 for a big, and then draft Rose. If I was unable to do this, I think I would go with Beasley.
It looks and sounds as if everyone in Chicago is saying Rose is the pick.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:14 AM
hell, they could just sign sarunas jasikevikas instead! oh wait you said overachieving hustle guy.
/not gonna lie, i just wanted to type sarunas jasikevikas
May 21st, 2008 at 9:15 AM
The Bulls will take Love because he is going to be dominant in the NBA.
/This is sarcasm because I think Love is going to be Brad Miller at best, which is just shit.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:16 AM
The Bulls have been looking for a dominant inside scorer for 3 decades. Beasley is the choice.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:16 AM
Elton Brand would make sense. Chris Wilcox maybe?
May 21st, 2008 at 9:17 AM
I want Beasley. Pam Beasley.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Mags…i think youre being a little pessimistic. short, unathletic, fat, slow guys almost ALWAYS succeed in the NBA.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Trade Heinrich to the Knicks…
What do you mean they have Isiah locked in a broom closet!?
May 21st, 2008 at 9:20 AM
Dantoni nearly said “Fcuk” when they announced the Knicks at the 6 spot. His lip shook and he just clenched his teeth. It was awesome to watch.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:20 AM
Neither of them fits the Bulls, what kind of value can you get for a #1 pick without Zeke as a GM in the league?
May 21st, 2008 at 9:24 AM
If the Bulls do take Rose why do they have to trade Hinrich or Gordon? You realize the more good players you have the better?
May 21st, 2008 at 9:25 AM
The Bulls are still going to be a shitty team no matter what they do
May 21st, 2008 at 9:27 AM
May 21st, 2008 at 9:27 AM
The Bulls were supposed to challenge in the east this year. they started off terrible and fired Coach Red Ass. I think this team can really turn it around next year with the #1 pick, if they take Beasley. Why would you want Beasley AGAINST you in the east when he could play FOR you? The pick is Beasley.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:28 AM
The Bulls SHOULD take Rose because he’s more talented and the safer pick, but they WILL take Beasley (not Pam, besides she’ll be Pam Halpert soon enough) because it’s the only way they’ll get the offensive PF they’ve craved for years… you won’t get a PF that’s worth a damn in return for who they can trade.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:29 AM
How is he safer?
May 21st, 2008 at 9:32 AM
he wears a condom.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:33 AM
It was 23 years ago. Czabe discussed this again today.
Don’t know why I thought of this when I heard the Bulls got the first pick…
May 21st, 2008 at 9:33 AM
What’s a condom?
/Travis Henry
May 21st, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Rose is definitely NOT “safer” than Beasley.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:36 AM
@magglio- first, please change that disgusting logo. Second, who are the Bulls going to outdo in the East next year if they pick Beasley?
May 21st, 2008 at 9:36 AM
useless.
/shawn kemp
May 21st, 2008 at 9:38 AM
Yeah there’s no way he’s safer than Beasley. Beasley can step in right now and be an elite rebounder. That’s one skill that translates very well to the NBA. So you know at worst, you’re getting a good rebounder.
Rose is a poor shooter. Beasley shot better from 3 than Rose did by a wide margin.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:38 AM
Draft Rose, trade Hinrich and his ridiculous salary to Denver for Iverson and his salary. Maybe Denver has to throw in Kleiza also. It gives Chicago a veteran that they desperately need, and Denver gets a point guard they desperately need. Disclaimer: I have no idea how that trade works with the cap.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:40 AM
Give up Iverson and Kleiza for Kirk fucking Hinrich?
Keep dreaming.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:41 AM
Draft Beasely resign Deng and Duhon. Trade Gordon.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:44 AM
@Irish
I dropped the logo it should be a sweet Rod now. I actually like that Bulls team. They are young and I think they have a few four year college guys, who usually end up (on average) better than your one and done guys. Meaning for every one Kobe or KG there are a bunch of Amir Johnson’s. For the most part the four year college guys are decent in the NBA far more than the one and done college types. I think the Bulls could contend in the east because they would have a good team, not a good individual.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:44 AM
draft rose, keep hinrich and gordon, start all 3 along with duhon and deng…and have them all give paxson the middle finger for missing out on KG and Kobe because of luol fucking deng.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:44 AM
All right, maybe just AI straight up for Hinrich. Hinrich clearly isn’t near the player Iverson is, but he’s younger, and Denver desperately needs a point guard. Chicago needs a veteran with some balls.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:45 AM
Luol Deng = Boris Diaw
May 21st, 2008 at 9:47 AM
Don’t give up on Deng.
Hell if Chi doesn’t want him, the Cavs would take him. He’d instantly be our 2nd best player.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:47 AM
Ladies and gentleman, the worlds greatest understatement.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:47 AM
Condom? Never heard of him.
/CRM
May 21st, 2008 at 9:48 AM
walfredo…the LAST guy you want teaching rose how to run the point is AI. unless you want rose to jack 25 shots a game and turn the ball over 8 times.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:48 AM
Interesting, but disagree. Deng’s has a better perimeter game and a better post up game. Diaw has him in the passing category, though.
I think Deng can be a No. 2 guy in an offense … Diaw seems like more of a role player
May 21st, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Diaw has been hitting the 18-20 footer pretty significantly all season. And his post up game is what kept the Suns in games 4 and 5 (albeit against smaller defenders). He was arguably the best player in the Spurs series (again, not saying much).
May 21st, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Alright, Here’s the scene on draft day as I see it:
http://chicagobull.blogspot.com/2008/05/and-with-1st-pick-in-2008-nba-draft.html
May 21st, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Nick…ive given up on deng. sure he can still get better, but he’ll never, EVER be where Kobe or KG are right now (and will be for at least 2 more years — well, one for KG).
May 21st, 2008 at 9:50 AM
That “significantly” should be “consistently.”
May 21st, 2008 at 9:50 AM
He must write for Major League Jerk
May 21st, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Rose Rose Rose. There will be a trade market for Hinrich, and it won’t necessarily be an equally bad contract in return.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:51 AM
@ Nick
Beasley always sketched me out because it seemed like he didn’t give consistent effort. Even in the tournament he’d disappear for a half, then go 25/15 the next half. You can’t teach motor, and Rose busts his hump all day. Beasely has the skill, but I’m still not sold on him between the ears.
I don’t expect everyone to agree on that, just my gut instinct.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:52 AM
There will be a trade market for Hinrich
Isiah? When did you log into TBL?
May 21st, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Dr. C…your SAS impression was pretty spot on.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:53 AM
But spence, would KG or Kobe have turned this year’s Bulls into a champion?
KG maybe. Kobe couldn’t. Those guys are 29 and 31 respectively. The window with either would be tight.
Hinrich, Kobe, Nocioni, Ben Wallace, Noah smell like a title team?
Hinrich, Gordon, Nocioni, KG, Ben Wallace? Maybe — but heavily doubt it.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Rose will not be CP3 if that is what any of you are thinking. Beasley should be taken #1. He was the best player in the country all year on a team full of no names. He dragged his team into the NCAA tourney. H eis the better pick for the Bulls on both need and best player available.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:53 AM
who are the Bulls looking at for coaches? Pete Myers?
May 21st, 2008 at 9:54 AM
trade market for Hinrich…
we’ll take him!
/Houston fans
*** in all honesty, I like the fact that Chicago has the #1 pick. Maybe the Rockets can make a deal including Tracy McGrady/Rafer and get Deng, Hinrich and Gordon (and change) in return?
May 21st, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Who doesn’t “write” for that thing?
May 21st, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Grungedave: You turncoat. Weren’t you TMac’s biggest supporter all year? Every time I made fun of his back, you jumped on me.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Fixed in true MLJ fashion.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Who doesn’t “write” for that thing?
/made more snarkier
May 21st, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Nick…eh, theyd be better off than that garbage paired with beasley or rose.
i fucking hate meetings.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:57 AM
grudgedave, you already gave up on TMac? Did the whole “never reaching the second round” thing finally get to you?
May 21st, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Nick, I almost roght that myself.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:01 AM
The Bulls are the new LA Clippers of this decade.
Jay Williams
Elton Brand
Marcus Fizer
Eddy Curry
Captain Kirk
Ty Thomas
Choke Noah
May 21st, 2008 at 10:01 AM
D Wade’s nBa draft lottery party last night.
You also have to wonder if the Heat get Beasley, how will he react to D Wade wanting Rose?
May 21st, 2008 at 10:02 AM
I think you have to take Rose.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:05 AM
@ Spence: Thanks
@ GrungeDave: As much as I wanted the Bulls to deal for McGrady this year, he gets “hurt” way too often. Plus I’m sure the Rockets would not trade Tmac without getting Deng in return. No deals there
May 21st, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Re: Rose v. Beasley, I actually think both will be excellent NBA players. But while I think Beasley may be able to contribute in the League a bit sooner, Rose is the pick here. From a roster standpoint, the Bulls have a stockpile of young forwards and I don’t think Beasley is going to give you anything that the Gooden/Thomas/Noah combo won’t, and they have plenty of shooters. What they don’t have is an elite PG, which Rose is/will be very soon. I see Rose as a CP3 or Deron Williams type player and I don’t think the Bulls can pass on that. I mean seriously, they’re not the Hawks right?
May 21st, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Tim McCarver is that you ?
May 21st, 2008 at 10:13 AM
When the hell was I T-Mac’s biggest supporter? I support him because he’s a Rocket. My guys are Yao and Scola!
May 21st, 2008 at 10:14 AM
translation: *I* can bitch about the Rockets because they are like family to me. When outsiders rip ‘em, I get defensive.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Bulls draft Rose. Then how about Melo for Hinrich and Deng? Feel free to jump all over that one. I just think these two teams have to make a deal, as they are both too talented and too dysfunctional.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:14 AM
YAO SUCKS. Nice 70k contribution cheap bastard
May 21st, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Magic should have drafted Okafor over Howard.
/Sam Bowie
May 21st, 2008 at 10:16 AM
It’s too bad D-Ho’s baby mama didn’t just stick to that…
May 21st, 2008 at 10:21 AM
As a Bulls fan, I say draft Beasley. Keep Hinrich.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Hinrich stinks.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:33 AM
irish: Thanks for allowing myself to introduce myself.
P.S. I’d take Rose over Duhon/Hinrich. No one on the Bulls even likes dookie Duhon. Dump his ass and trade Hinrich for a goddamn center?
May 21st, 2008 at 10:33 AM
YAO SUCKS. Nice 70k contribution cheap bastard
That’s 70k on top of what I’m sure are insane taxes he pays to the Chinese government. one guy doesn’t have to pay for it all when you have 1.2 billion people.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:35 AM
thats a great nickname. Welcome to TBL
May 21st, 2008 at 10:41 AM
@ Maggs
http://i27.tinypic.com/vysjts.gif
May 21st, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Big, big rumor in Indiana this morn…Pacers give up Jermaine, this year’s #11, plus their #1 pick next yr for the overall #1 and cap fodder.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Jay V- Larry Legend really wants to get rid of his best player?
May 21st, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Beasley was a freshman too.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:53 AM
When I saw the lottery results after getting back from the gym (trying to sculpt TBL like guns), my only thoughts were about Rose. I loved his game last year and the Bulls clearly need a point guard. However, after thinking about it more I have no idea who they should take. It really all depends on the market for the extra pieces they now have (Hinrich, Thomas, Gooden) and what Paxson can get for them.
Really on the day of the draft you can’t go wrong with either guy, 5 years down the road I’m sure everyone will be second guessing something.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Good luck with that. Yes Irish, they need to get rid of O’Neal but they won’t be getting the #1 pick for him.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:57 AM
@diesel- I liked the Pacers when they had Artest. The Pacers havent been the same since he left. No playoffs since Artest left right?
May 21st, 2008 at 10:58 AM
@irish: ‘Preciate it.
@Rockstar: That’s priceless! I hadn’t seen the footage yet. We need to see one of him when the Bulls cashed in on their 1.7% five drawings later…
May 21st, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Can’t believe the Bulls got the first pick. They’ve picked in the top 10 how many years in a row now?
They have to take Beasley, Hinrich’s no bum.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:07 AM
What exactly IS Hinrich then? He’s not very good, if that’s what you’re implying.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:08 AM
I think they may have grabbed an 8th seed, but nothing major. The franchise hasn’t been the same since the Detroit brawl.
Hinrich isn’t real good either, he certainly is not an NBA point guard. There are too many unknown factors right now to be able to say exactly who Paxson should take.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:10 AM
@diesel- after i wrote that, i was thinking the same about the Detroit Brawl. Fucking pistons fans lol
May 21st, 2008 at 11:22 AM
I am saying he is good, imagine that Swandong, I don’t have to agree with what you say.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Just wondering what your qualifications are for that moniker then? What makes Kirk Hinrich ‘good’ in your eyes? His floor leadership? His assist to turnover ratio? His average turnovers per 48 minutes played? His slumping averages the last couple seasons? Are you expecting him to turn into Steve Nash all of a sudden when he turns 30? I’m just looking for an explaination to that statement.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:48 AM
You gave no explanation for why you didn’t think he was good, why do I owe one?
He’s not terrible enough where you would need to completely start over at point guard. It’s not like they have Delonte West as their point guard, you can’t go wrong with either Rose or Beasley, the Bulls just have a greater need for Beasley than they do for Rose.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:51 AM
What is so fucking hard about trading a contract that’s 4yrs-$37 million
That’s pocket change for Billionaire owners…
And I’ve heard that Miami wants Rose and if he’s gone they may trade the pick… Memo to Bulls: Draft Rose and get-busy in the Free-agency market
May 21st, 2008 at 11:57 AM
A perfect world has Paxson working a sign-and-trade for Elton Brand, then drafting Rose. Considering the Bulls won the lottery with a 1.7% chance, who knows what could happen.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:59 AM
How do you figure they need beasley more than rose? Have you seen cp3 or deron williams play lately? did you see them nearly single-handedly lead their teams to deep runs in the playoffs? do you not recognize the game is moving back to the point? steve nash isnt that important of a player? we are talking about the possibility of a legit floor general, one that wont wet the bed everytime he gets a foul called on him. the kid would make the whole team better, rather than hinrich turning most of the team into a bunch of complaining crybabies. I asked for an explaination. you didnt. i offered mine, so why is hinrich a good player? i think he’s bad cause he’s terribly inconsistant, his ball handeling skills and decesion making are average at best, he is overrated as a defender, his jumper sucks, he whines to the refs constantly, and he turns the ball over way too much for a point guard. starting 5 next year, rose, sefalosha, deng, gooden, noah, w/ hughes, gordon, thomas, nocioni off the bench with aaron gray. package the rest.
May 21st, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Well put Swan, that sums up my feelings about Hinrich very well.
May 21st, 2008 at 12:11 PM
You’re really comparing someone who hasn’t played a single minute in the NBA to Chris Paul and Deron Williams? Whining makes you a bad player? I guess every player in the league sucks then.
Also, I didn’t know losing in the second round constituted a deep run in the playoffs. Chris Paul single handedly led the Hornets, the Jazz weren’t single handedly led by anyone.
Have you not seen Shaq win 4 titles, Duncan win 4 titles? I am talking titles, not second round exits in the playoffs. A dominant big man is more important than a point guard. You can win with a dominant big man and a serviceable point guard. You can have an amazing point guard and a serviceable big man and I doubt you get the same result
May 21st, 2008 at 12:22 PM
I think that’s a terribly old fashioned way to view things. If you think Deron Williams isn’t responsible for the Jazz West Finals appearance last year, and a semi-final, 6 game series this year, then i guess you weren’t watching. I know Boozer is a killer, but without D-Will, they aren’t competing in the west. CP3, well, I mean, he has david west and a bunch of role players, and im pretty sure they had the second best record ina totally stacked western conference this year. not to mention he took your lame loverboy, duncan to game 7 this year, in only his 3rd season, in which he averaged 20 and 10. Whining yes, it makes you a bad player. if you don’t buy that, you could certainly agree that it doesn’t make you a good player, and hinrich certainly whines more than most players i see.
I’ve also seen shaq win and duncan win, but fact of the matter is, shaq was the only dominante one of the two, duncan is just lame and a guy that must be accounted for or he’ll get ya, but without parker AND ginobli, or david robinson back when, duncan doesnt get a title himself, nor does shaq without kobe in LA or dwade in Miami. I saw the Bulls on the other hand win 6 in 8 years, or what would have been 8 in 8 years, without a real big man once. bill cartwright, luc longly, and bill wennington are great guys, but dont exactly qualify as great big men, yet the bulls were able to overcome their lack of interior dominance somehow?
May 21st, 2008 at 12:24 PM
i see joakim noah and aaron gray being more than serviceable to fill the “big guy that can hit the 8 foot baseline jumper and grab 7 or 8 boards a night” guy.
May 21st, 2008 at 12:25 PM
@Diesel… Miami been talking about getting Brand for the last 2 years
I’m pretty sure they would have a better chance at getting Artest back and he would be much cheaper than Marion and Josh Smith
Bottom Line there are going to be PLENTY of options this off-season and the Bulls need to start acting like a Real NBA franchise and Get-Involved
May 21st, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Don’t like Duncan in the least, hate Shaq even more, just don’t argue with proven success.
I guess we will know who is right in a few years, like I said neither player would be a bad choice, but I think Beasley makes more sense.
Your beliefe that whining makes a player bad makes you hate the entire NBA, I hope you realize that.
May 21st, 2008 at 12:36 PM
NO, there is a difference between making your case like an adult to the refs, whom are trying to be in the spotlight enough as it is, and crying like a little bitch when you don’t get the calls a legit superstar gets when you’re guarding him.
May 21st, 2008 at 12:39 PM
There is whining and then there is Kirk Hinrich whining. It doesn’t make him a bad player, just more annoying than his Frodo like self already is. The only two guys in the NBA who have never committed a foul are Hinrich and Duncan.
May 21st, 2008 at 12:47 PM
@Swandong: My thoughts exactly on Rose. No, he hasn’t played in the League yet but if you watched him in the NCAAs this past season you can tell he’s got what it takes. Beasley probably does too, but Rose has the potential to make an entire team better AND take over games. Just look at the way he handled himself around all those Memphis thugs last season. Cool, calm and collected at 19 year old all the way to the Championship game. As for his jumper, there have been plenty talented players not known as shooters that come through and improve and become deadly; it’s not a big deal. Rose is the pick. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s from Chicago.
May 21st, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Diesel (11:57) : exactly what I thought. Draft Rose, sign and trade Brand for Hinrich (Clips desperately need a PG) and Noah or Thomas or Gooden (or 2 of them, don’t know, don’t care), and both teams fare quite well (considered the K-Man was much much better this year).
May 21st, 2008 at 12:48 PM
You are kidding right? Playoffs the past three seasons…swept Miami last year.
I want the Bulls to draft Rose no matter what, but the best case situation for the Bulls is to somehow get rid of Larry Hughes. If you sibtract Hughes, the logjam in the back court is gone. You play Rose at point, Hinrich and the 2, let Duhon walk because he is AWFUL, BG is the first guard off the bench and you have Sefolosha there as well. Hinrich may be slightly undersized to play the point, but as things stood (prior to getting Hughes) Hinrich was the one that guarded the taller guards anyway and was pretty decent agaisnt them. He’s a good defender and without utting for the energy running the point, I’d imagine he’d do a better defensive job.
I don’t know if the Bulls would be able to trade Hughes, but they could always give him the Tim Thomas treatment and just send him home. Ben Gordon is much better than Hughes and deseres his minutes. If you think Gordon struggled last year, imgagine how good he’ll be when he’s not getting double teamed constantly.
In my mind the biggest reason for drafting Rose is that he instantly makes every player on the Bulls better. I already mentioned Gordon. Tyrus Thomas will be throwing down at least two alley oops a game…think of CP3’s effect on Chandler. Hinrich will no longer have the ball in his hand constantly, cutting down his turnovers. Plus, Rose’s ability to drive and penetrate the lane will allow Deng, Hinrich, Nocioni and other shooters open looks.
And someone mentioned it before, but Deng can NOT play the 2. He is two awkward and slow to do it.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:07 PM
@jeeves- so who would play the 2 spot if the Bulls get Beasley? Gordon is a free agent and probably wont be in Chicago next year. Beasley is a SF, Dengs position. So your telling me, that the Bulls would rather have Deng come off the bench then to play the 2 spot? Beasley will start over Deng eventually during the year
May 21st, 2008 at 1:12 PM
Jeeves no I’m not an idiot, because all of those years they made the playoffs they had top ten picks from trades with the Knicks, suck on that.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:15 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bulls
Still think I’m kidding, look at the bottom.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Rose, Sefalosha, Deng, Gooden, Noah
Bench: Gordon, Hughes, Nocioni, Thomas, Gray
What’s the problem here people? Is this not a contender in a year?
May 21st, 2008 at 1:18 PM
@swandong- gordon is a free agent. What makes you think he wants to play again for the Bulls? they had him coming off the bench right? Who is your starting center, Noah? cmon he will get hurt banging with the big boys
May 21st, 2008 at 1:18 PM
I dont know, man – points are going to be difficult to come by in the postseason. Cavs/Celtics was low-scoring; ditto for Pistons/Celtics. Even though Pierce won a game 7, and LeBron carried the Cavs, you need an inside presence at the offensive end.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Gray, Thomas, and Hughes all suck, that’s a crappy bench.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:22 PM
fair enough cbh49ergivesblumpkinstoLeBronJames, I thought you were implying something else, my bad.
@irishmafia – If the Bulls go with Beasley, that opens up a different can of worms. Rather than a jam up at the guard positions, they’ll have too many front court players. So it’s a matter of who they want to give up. Drew Gooden has an attractive expiring contract, though it would be bad for the Bulls to give him up. If they were to give up Gooden, then Beasley at 4, Deng at 3 no problem.
The Bulls definitely don’t want Deng coming off the bench, but honestly he is too slow to guard the 2. He will get his pants pulled down constantly.
And as far as Gordon is concerned, there’s a fair chance he’d be back with the Bulls. He’s a restricted free agent so he could just sign for the QO and then make big bucks after what would amount as (hopefully) a bounceback year, though obviously there are no guarentees.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Gooden isn’t an inside presence? I can see Rose elevating his game the most along with Tyrus and Noah. To me, that’s exactly the reason you get Rose. he makes Inside scoring a consistant possibility whether he drives and creates or kicks it out of penetration dribble. Someone mentioned 2 oops to TT each game. Not to mention the others to Deng, Noah, etc. I dunno. Beasley is only 6′8”. This team already knows how to play solid defense, and to me it looks like a Chris Paul situation. If Beasley was 6′10”, this would be a whole different story. But Rose is the complete package from the looks of things. Besides, can’t you package Hinrich with some other fluff to get a decent inside scorer? I still like the idea of gooden, gray, and noah being the big guys. all the dinosaurs are on the outs.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:25 PM
@jeeves- true. I didnt know gordon was a “restricted” free agent.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:29 PM
Regardless of what we all think, I think the picture will clear up once the off-season starts. The Bulls have a logjam in the front and backcourts, so whatever moves they make will probably help us figure out which way they’re leaning. Plus, once te measurables are out, it’ll help clear thigns up. Like Swandong mentioned, if Beasley is really closer to 6′8” then that’s a strike against him and if Rose isn’t really 6′4” that’s a strike against him.
My buddy sent me this and it makes me covet Rose even more
May 21st, 2008 at 2:06 PM
I just wet myself