Chicago Bulls

The Heat put themselves into these situations quite a bit...yet also usually find ways out of them. The bastards. The Heat put themselves into these situations quite a bit...yet also usually find ways out of them. The bastards.

CHICAGO -- One of the biggest luxuries of having a successful system in place in the NBA is the ability to draft whomever you want, not necessarily bound by need as are many teams. The Bulls have been so consistent over the past three years under Tom Thibodeau that they have the ability to go in a number of directions as they get set to pick at No. 20 in the NBA Draft next week. The Bulls have developed that consistency in large part due to the types of players Gar Forman and John Paxson have selected and signed over the past few years.

Alright, here's a quotation from Dallas Mavericks owner and slightly-too-tight t-shirt wearer Mark Cuban: That is the case. The numbers are the numbers. If I'm going to talk about cap and CBA I can't BS my way around that. ... There's risk involved. If somebody falls that we think is going to be a superstar and nobody else does, then we'll make the pick. I don't think that's likely." Thus, Dallas is giving up their draft pick. As they are looking to shed salary, the Bulls are uniquely positioned to take on that salary, assuming that they are willing to spend the cash. 1. Why can the Bulls do this? Two big assets for taking on salary: A. Rip Hamilton's expiring contract. This trades for 5 million but can be waived for 1 million. B. The Kyle Korver TPE. This is 5 million in salary that we can take on. This cannot be combined with any other contracts. Thus, a team can trade us any player whose salary is less that 6.25 million and, most importantly, throw in a draft pick. 2. What are the proposed trade suggestions? A. Take on Vince Carter's contract and relieve Dallas of the #13 pick in order to facilitate this deal. The Mavericks have roughly 18,500,000 in cap space this summer without such a trade (thanks Sham!). If they make this trade, then they can offer either CP3 or DH12 a max deal. Otherwise, DH12 is out of their range and CP3 is borderline. We may need to send them a future draft pick of some type but I think that this is a good starting point for a trade. VC would actually look quite good in the Bulls rotation as he could spell Deng and be a secondary ball-handler. B. Marion + #13 pick for Rip + Hinrich. I know that I have said this before but it is too perfect, assuming that the Bulls would ever part with Kirk again. The Mav's cut 5 million in salary and get a real backup PG. We get an excellent player for our rotation and the pick. Do it! Screw Kirk and his house in the area. 3. How does this fit with the Bulls long-term plans? Famously! There are always the people going on about trading Deng to make some kind of big move, but I do not see this happening. The Bulls long-term core is here to stay. Rose/Noah/Deng will be on this team for the next 3-5 years, so get used to it. Our PF rotation is more or less set with Mirotic coming over and taking Boozer's place. Thus, long-term, we will only have two players on contracts over 10 million (Rose + Jo), two players in the 8-10 range (Taj + Lu) with Mirotic probably getting the lion's share of the MLE in 2014. Resign Jimmy Buckets in 2015 and we have a very sustainable long-term salary structure and an excellent core for championship contention. All improvement will come at the margins and this is exactly why we need to be making moves like this! This is our chance to put the team on track to win that championship. Another impact player can be picked up at #13 and be on a cheap contract for years to come. As we are seeing with the Spurs, this is the difference between winning a championship and spending your off-season in the fetal position, weeping silently. If we continue the merry-go-round of vet mins, we will never get those impact players to make that last push and the team will never develop the kind of chemistry that we are seeing out in San Antonio. We will forever be renting the Marco Bellenelli's of the NBA for 1 year periods, never quite getting 8-9 players that can compete with the best. Get us that pick Gar! Alright, here's a quotation from Dallas Mavericks owner and slightly-too-tight t-shirt wearer Mark Cuban: That is the case. The numbers are the numbers. If I'm going to talk about cap and CBA I can't BS my way around that. ... There's risk involved. If somebody falls that we think is going to be a superstar and nobody else does, then we'll make the pick. I don't think that's likely." Thus, Dallas is giving up their draft pick. As they are looking to shed salary, the Bulls are uniquely positioned to t

The rise of the 'three-and-D' wing in the NBA over the last two seasons can be attributed to a few different factors. There was a time 20 years ago when this country was particularly adept at developing skilled low post giants in the paint, but for whatever reason there simply aren't many players in the vein of Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Shaq and Alonzo Mourning anymore. New rules implemented by the NBA in 2004 took away hand-checking and moved the league towards a more slashing-oriented, drive-and-kick style that favors proper spacing around explosive ball handlers. I also think some credit can be given to the popularization and cultural infestation of video games. The good, the bad, the fit: Gorgui Dieng How would Gorgui Dieng fit with the Bulls? Perhaps it's a point better served in football, but I think it works here, too. I would assume there are more than a few readers at Blog-a-Bull who know their way around an X-Box controller. Chances are if you fill the first criteria and are reading this post, you have a strong adoration for the NBA 2K series. Many people do. In the video game, replacing a second big man in your lineup with an athletic wing who can get to the paint and dunk and/or shoot threes is just such an obvious move. You want the speed, the spacing, the shooting. It's really a no-brainer. Now 'small ball' has never been more en vogue, and the early adopters are gaining a sizable tactical advantage over the opposition. Those teams that have been slower to adopt small ball principles (see: Scott Brooks, Oklahoma City Thunder) really seem like they are doing themselves a disservice. Everyone digs size, speed, athleticism and shooting. As this trend continues to develop, there's going to be a greater emphasis not only on finding stretch power forwards, but also wing players versatile enough to defend different types of offensive players. Jimmy Butler fills this role perfectly, and the Bulls are fortunate to have him. The more of these guys you have on your team, the better. Players that seem to fit the 'three-and-D' wing criteria are going to become even greater commodities in the draft. For some reason, North Carolina's Reggie Bullock (scouting report) is still projected to be available when the Bulls choose at No. 20. As I mentioned in the Dieng piece, this purported 'weak' draft class isn't exactly lacking if you can get a guy like Bullock in the second half of the first round. He seems like a pretty safe pick who has obvious, valuable skills that translate perfectly in today's NBA. The Good Reggie Bullock does two things very well: shoot threes and play defense. At 6'7, 200 lbs., Bullock has ideal size to defend shooting guards, small forwards and maybe even some those ever popular small ball fours in the NBA. Every bench can use a player like him, which is why it's curious most expect him to be available when the Bulls are on the clock. Bullock is a great catch-and-shoot player. He shot 43.6 percent from three last season as a junior on a high volume 5.8 attempts per game. After shooting a solid 38.2 percent on 4.9 threes per game as a sophomore, Bullock took on a greater role in North Carolina's offense last season and only improved his efficiency. This is a good sign. But does Reggie Bullock have NBA range? Oh, I think he does. Watch his Draft Express video highlights and you'll find some very deep threes. Including: So yeah: Reggie Bullock can shoot. With Derrick Rose back in full force next season, the Bulls will need shooters to space the floor and be available for kick-outs. Given the team's dire lack of long distance shooting at the moment, a player like Bullock makes a lot of sense at No. 20. His unselfishness also seems to fit right in with the Bulls, as well. This won't be a player gunning for stats. He'll know his role, he won't demand the ball and he'll likely only take shots in the flow of the offense. Add in the fact that he projects as an above-average defende

Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen reflects on the 1992-93 season which saw Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls outlast the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals to record their first three-peat

via www.nba.com The Bulls are looking for a shooting guard and a center, whether it be in the NBA draft or free agency. If they choose the latter, the free agent could make a bigger immediate impact while draftees are still developing. Here are some free agents that fit the Bulls' needs but not necessarily their salary cap: Tony Allen (Unrestricted-Grizzlies) Rumors have it that Tony Allen will finish out his career in Memphis but nothing in the NBA really goes as expected so lets take a look. Allen has said to be the best defensive shooting guard in the league but the problem is he does not quench the Bulls' need for a shooter. Due to the Bulls salary cap situation he would most likely cost the front office too much regardless. Mike Dunleavy (Unrestricted-Bucks) Dunleavy has great shooting ability that could help the Bulls if they do not hold on to Marco Belinelli. His size and willingness to run the floor could also prove to be valuable assets for Chicago. Although Kyle Korver would be welcomed back, Dunleavy could be cheaper for almost equal three point shooting and a better transition game. Ryan Hollins (Unrestricted-Clippers) With Boston for a brief stint Hollins knows some of Thib's defensive scheme but is known for his trash talking and encounters after the whistle. I don't think his athleticism and shot blocking are enough to put up with the extra baggage that comes with him. Kyle Korver (Unrestricted-Hawks) Korver is a fan favorite and can help the Bulls improve their shooting from beyond the arc but as much as I want to hear Stacey King yelling "Gimme the Hot Sauce Kyle", he is too much of a defensive liability and many other teams are willing to spend more than the Bulls. Timofey Mozgov (Restricted-Nuggets) Early in February it was rumored that Rip Hamilton was being traded to the Nuggets for a deal that included Mozgov. Kosta Koufos and JaVale McGee both signed with the Nuggets so although he is restricted, it is unlikely he returns to Denver. Mozgov has a great jumper for a 7-1 center and also has developed a solid post game. With that in mind, add his shot blocking abilities and he would be a great addition to play behind Noah. Toney Douglas (Restricted-Kings) Sacramento is overloaded with guards and Douglas has great court vision and although he is not a two guard, he was originally a shooting guard in college and could be interchangeable with Hinrich. He isn't the best three point shooter on the market but could stretch the floor if needed for the Bulls. *Great Article About Bulls Salary Cap Situation via www.nba.com The Bulls are looking for a shooting guard and a center, whether it be in the NBA draft or free agency. If they choose the latter, the free agent could make a bigger immediate impact while draftees are still developing. Here are some free agents that fit the Bulls' needs but not necessarily their salary cap: Tony Allen (Unrestricted-Grizzlies) Rumors have it that Tony Allen will finish out his career in Memphis but nothing in the NBA really goes as expected so lets take a look. Allen has said to be the best defensive shooting guard in the league but the problem is he does not quench the Bulls' need for a shooter. Due to the Bulls salary cap situation he would most likely cost the front office too much regardless. Mike Dunleavy (Unrestricted-Bucks) Dunleavy has great shooting ability that could help the Bulls if they do not hold on to Marco Belinelli. His size and willingness to run the floor could also prove to be valuable assets for Chicago. Although Kyle Korver would be welcomed back, Dunleavy could be cheaper for almost equal three point shooting and a better transition game. Ryan Hollins (Unrestricted-Clippers) With Boston for a brief stint Hollins knows some of Thib's defensive scheme but is known for his trash talking and encounters after the whistle. I don't think his athleticism and shot blocking are enough to put up with the extra baggage that comes with him.

This is cross-posted at Orlando Pinstriped Post, so feel free to take a look at what the other side of the trade is saying. I did run this through the ESPN Trade machine and it works...but I admit there's always a possibility of there being some other contract hangup that I (or the Trade Machine) didn't catch. Bulls receive: Glen Davis Aaron Afflalo 2016 Philadelphia 1st Round Pick (1-14 Protected in 2016, 1-11 in 2017, 1-8 in 2018; if not conveyed by 2018, Philly will instead convey it’s 2018 & 2019 2nd round picks) Magic reveive: Carlos Boozer 2015 Charlotte 1st Round Pick (1-10 Protected in 2014, 1-8 in 2015, or Unprotected in 2016) Bulls Rundown: The Short- and Long-term Move I’d argue this trade makes the Bulls better "right now" and gives them more long-term flexibility, at the expense of the Charlotte pick that would otherwise bolster their mid-term planning. Aaron Afflalo – A very good 3&D player, his first year in Orlando was rough due to being asked to play way out of his comfort zone. Due to the lack of talent on the roster, Afflalo was forced to play as the 1st or 2nd option on offense and create for himself. He tried his best, but he’s simply not a Kobe or a Wade. He excels at being the 3rd or 4th option, knocking down 3’s (career 38%) and using more energy on the defensive end. This is exactly the role the Bulls would ask of him, and in doing so he would likely rebound to the kind of production we saw from him in his 3 years as a starter in Denver: 13.8 pts (41.8% 3PT on over 700 attempts) / 3.8 rbs / 2.5 asts, while providing solid D against SGs and smaller SFs. As Afflalo is a better outside shooter than Butler, having him start at SG means better spacing on offense while still maintaining a strong defensive lineup on the wings. Butler can then come off the bench as the main reserve for both SG & SF, likely playing as minutes as Afflalo and Deng while allowing more "grooming" minutes in the SF role if/when Deng leaves. Glen Davis – Davis would likely battle Taj for the starter role. I'd lean towards Taj because Davis played better as an off-the-bench "energy guy", but it's not as clear cut as you might think. Davis has a more offensive game than Taj, but he’s clearly less efficient. Both are excellent on defense, and while Taj is been with the Bulls for years, Davis won a ring in Boston with Thibs in 2008...so both know the system. Whichever order you place Gibson/Davis in; overall it’s likely a slight downgrade in offense but a solid upgrade on defense for the PF rotation post- Boozer. Also, Davis becomes a valuable expiring contract after this coming season, meaning he’ll be a great trade chip if/when Mirotic comes over in 2014. As for the salaries, the Bulls save approx. $1.2 mil next year and $2.6 mil the following. They end up owing more salary total in the deal by $3.9 mil due to Afflalo’s contract length, but it’s because he has the extra year on his contract. If they trade him as an expiring deal, they end up saving money in this trade. Random side note: Davis & Nate Robinson were great friends in Boston…so making this trade could give Robinson a bit of an incentive to take less money to stay in Chicago. Probably not, but it’s worth mentioning. The Bulls do give up their coveted Bobcat’s pick, but in return they get a more complete roster and an average/consolation pick from Philly that at best would be a late lotto round pick and at worst would be a pair of 2nd round picks. Also, in this year’s draft, the Bulls now have a clear goal: Get a reserve Center. Lineup: PG: Rose, Hinrich, Teague SG: Afflalo, Butler, Hinrich SF: Deng, Butler, VetMin PF: Gibson, Davis, VetMin C: Noah, (#20 Pick), Davis/Gibson As a Bulls fan, I feel that’s a great lineup for a ring-run. Good spacing w/ Afflalo & Deng, Noah & Gibson can both hit the mid-range j

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau was among those on hand at a sold-out United Center for the Blackhawks opening game of the Stanley Cup finals on Wednesday, a marathon 4-3 win over the Boston Bruins in triple overtime. It was the first Blackhawks game he’s attended in person since being hired by the Bulls in 2010, two weeks after the Blackhawks claimed their last Stanley Cup with a 4-2 series win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Needless to say, he came away impressed. “It was an incredible game and obviously they’ve had an incredible season,” said Thibodeau of the Hawks. “They got off to a great start and have been remarkable all year long. They’ve shown great togetherness and toughness. They may get down, but they never quit. They keep coming at you. They attack at both ends of the ice and they’re a lot of fun to watch.” “They may get down, but they never quit. They keep coming at you,” said Thibodeau of the Blackhawks. “They attack at both ends of the ice and they’re a lot of fun to watch.” It almost sounds as if Thibodeau was talking about his own team – a resilient group in its own right – which perhaps explains why the Blackhawks’ effort has resonated with him. As for the atmosphere at the United Center, Thibodeau said the intensity of the 22,110 fans in attendance provided a lift. “In the third period when they were down, there was the lull,” said Thibodeau. “But when they scored the second goal to make it 3-2, you could just feel the building. And then when they tied it up, it was tremendous. But that’s been the mark of their greatness all year—when they get down, they find a way in the end to put themselves in the position. I think that’s what makes them so enjoyable to watch.” Raised in Connecticut and having coached for the Boston Celtics from 2007-10, Thibodeau knows what it’s like to live in places where hockey has a presence. He watches games on TV when time allows with an appreciation for the competition, especially that which exists in the postseason. Furthermore, Thibodeau credits the Hawks for winning the Cup in 2010 and remaining an elite team with an opportunity to do so again despite facing some difficult decisions surrounding the salary cap following their championship season. “I have great respect for what Joel Quenneville has done,” said Thibodeau. “He’s a great guy and I can see why he’s a great coach.” “Joel Quenneville has done an unbelievable job coaching the team,” said Thibodeau. “Stan Bowman and John McDonough provide great leadership, and of course their players, who have tremendous talent. I sat down low and watching the speed the game is amazing.” As for whether or not he’s torn over who to cheer for in this year’s Stanley Cup finals matchup, Thibodeau acknowledged he followed the Bruins while attending Salem State University and had diehard hockey playing roommates who cheered for Boston. “But I’m more of a Chicago fan now,” said Thibodeau. “I have great respect for what Joel Quenneville has done,” added Thibodeau, who became familiar with the Blackhawks coach from when he grew up in Connecticut and Quenneville played for the Hartford Whalers. Thibodeau speaks with Quenneville on occasion and said he’s not surprised by his success. “He was real big in our area,” said Thibodeau of Quenneville. “He’s a great guy and I can see why he’s a great coach.” With the Hawks and Bruins series set to resume Saturday night, the stage is set for another raucous crowd for Game 2 at the Madhouse on Madison. And Thibodeau has no doubt the Hawks, as well as the fans that support them, will be ready. “The city itself is just a great sports town,” said Thibodeau. “Whether it’s Hawks, Bulls, Bears, White Sox or Cubs, the fans get behind their team. So it’s a lot of fun. With how the Hawks have played my three years here – of course I got here right after they won that first Cup – they’re a model of consistency and they’re going to play their style no matter what. It’s a credit to them and we’re all proud o

The Chicago Bulls head into this offseason with two spots to fill: backup wing and backup center. These were roles were filled admirably last season, I suppose, by Marco Belinelli and Nazr Mohammed. No one knows if either will be back. Belinelli was playing for the mini mid-level expection last year, a one year deal worth $1.9 million. He wasn't great, but the signing still worked out about as well as the Bulls could have hoped, especially given the price tag. Belinelli shot only 40 percent from the field, but had plenty of big games and gave the Bulls some direly needed long distance shooting. Mohammed was serviceable as a reserve center once Tom Thibodeau finally gave him a consistent chance in March and April thanks to Joakim Noah's bout with plantar fasciitis. Mohammed was far from an ideal replacement for the dearly departed Omer Asik, though. For one, if he would have showed up in better shape and gained Thibs' trust sooner, perhaps Noah wouldn't have been tasked with averaging 40 minuets a game the first three months. The best thing you can say about the soon-to-be 36-year old is that he's a professional. Tony Mitchell would give the Bulls home run potential Tony Mitchell: the good, the bad, the fit. If the Bulls are hoping they can find a way to bring Belinelli back on another cheap one-year deal, they're also hoping they can find an upgrade at backup center. Considering how cash-strapped the Bulls are going to be in free agency, the best way to fill the need might be through the draft. There are a few good looking big men who might be available when the Bulls pick rolls around at No. 20, but my favorite by a rather significant margin is Louisville's Gorgui Dieng (scouting report). The Good This draft has been roundly criticized for being weak, an opinion perhaps amplified by what's looking like the best draft since 2003 coming into the league in 2014. And while it's true that high school players could have gone 1-2-3 if they were allowed to enter the league and make their millions, that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of players that can help teams in this draft. The fact that Dieng is still largely projected to be available at the No. 20 pick speaks to that. There's no reason a player of Dieng's caliber should be available at No. 20. If he is, the Bulls will be very hard-pressed to pass on him, regardless of my Tony Mitchell daydreams. I don't think Dieng will develop into a player as impactful as Asik, but he should be able to lock down backup center for whatever team drafts him. It seems like a player like Dieng could help every team in the league. There are a lot of things to like. Despite playing the game for only six years, Dieng is considered pro-ready. At 6'11, 245 lbs., he's one of the few big men in this class I believe has the strength necessary to play the five in the NBA. While the 2.5 blocks per game he averaged isn't all that impressive compared to the 3.9 blocks per game averaged by Jeff Withey, Dieng's superior athleticism and length would seem to make him a much better bet as a rim protector at the next level. You can make an argument that center is the most important defensive position in today's NBA, and doing it well takes a ton of repetition and coaching. There's reason to believe that a little Thibs dust could help Dieng reach his potential on that end. Dieng broke out during Louisville's run to the national championship this spring, and the title game against Michigan showed what makes him such an intriguing NBA prospect. He has the foot speed and agility to hedge screens recovery quickly. When he switched onto Trey Burke at one point in the championship game, Dieng was able to deter his drive before blocking his shot. The offensive end seems to have some potential, too. Dieng is regarded as a good passer with a developing face-up jump shot. It's always hard to project which players will continue to develop their skills and which will flatline once they reach the NBA,

CHICAGO -- Chicago Bulls Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen said Bulls guard Derrick Rose didn't deserve to be criticized by fans for sitting out the entire the 2012-13 season while rehabbing from a torn ACL in his left knee. Read the entire story.