Wizards @ bulls.

[qwerty]

and pike 

 

He is coming back anyway.

[Mr. Showtime]

Harrington too.

 

Q, did you see that Marshall was at the game tonight? I know he still has a home here, think there's a chance Pax tries to bring him in?

 

Would've been nice to have a guy like him in this series.

[Jordan4life_2007]

Q, did you see that Marshall was at the game tonight? I know he still has a home here, think there's a chance Pax tries to bring him in?

 

Would've been nice to have a guy like him in this series.

 

 

We're set at sf with Deng and Nocioni. What I would like to see the Bulls add is a big 2 guard.

[qwerty]

Q, did you see that Marshall was at the game tonight? I know he still has a home here, think there's a chance Pax tries to bring him in?

 

Would've been nice to have a guy like him in this series.

 

He is gonna cost the whole mle which means harrington is not coming back. What i would rather do is cut williams and reiner for sure. Then spread the mle around with raja bell type signings. Bell is gonna be very nice bargain player that can guard both shooting guards and small fowards. He is one of the better perimiter defenders in the league too with the ability to post up and shoot at a pretty high percentage. Then just bring in another big body just to have sit around in case he is needed. Once davis's and robinson's contract comes off the books we will be able to make a big spalsh in free agency.

[Jordan4life_2007]

He is gonna cost the whole mle which means harrington is not coming back. What i would rather do is cut williams and reiner for sure. Then spread the mle around with raja bell type signings. Bell is gonna be very nice bargain player that can guard both shooting guards and small fowards. He is one of the better perimiter defenders in the league too with the ability to post up and shoot at a pretty high percentage. Then just bring in another big body just to have sit around in case he is needed. Once davis's and robinson's contract comes off the books we will be able to make a big spalsh in free agency.

 

 

Nice, Qwerty. I never even thought about Raja. I wouldn't mind him at all. Do you have a list of all the free agents that will be available this summer?

[qwerty]

Point guards.

 

1. Marko Jaric (Restricted)

2. Sarunas Jasikevicius

3. Antonio Daniels (Player Option)

4. Gary Payton

5. Brevin Knight

6. Earl Watson

7. Damon Stoudamire

8. Jeff McInnis

9. Chris Duhon (Restricted)

10. Damon Jones (Player Option)

 

Notes: Is this the year Sarunas Jasikevicius finally makes his way back to the States to play pro ball? With such an incredibly weak crop of free agent point guards and his eye-opening performance at the 2004 Olympics still fresh in the minds of many NBA front office personnel, he could garner a substantial contract offer. ... Brevin Knight appeared ready to pass anonymously into retirement before this season, but a phenomenal comeback season in which he finished second in the NBA in assists may get him a nice offer from a team looking for a true distributor on the cheap.

 

11. Nick Van Exel (Team Option)

12. Dan Dickau (Option Declined)

13. Tyronn Lue

14. Darrell Armstrong

15. Jacque Vaughn (Team Option)

16. Howard Eisley

17. Tony Delk (Player Option)

18. Steve Blake

19. Keith McLeod (Restricted)

20. Milt Palacio

 

Notes: Like Knight, Dan Dickau resurrected a career on life support. There's something to be said for putting numbers on such an awful team bereft of any talent ... and it's not exactly positive. But Dickau showed enough offensive spark for a team to consider him a viable complement to a much larger guard who dominates the ball. ... A right ankle injury derailed Steve Blake's second season and perhaps a shot at a healthy contract this offseason, but his best days are ahead of him and figures to kickstart offenses off the bench for several years to come.

 

21. Travis Best

22. Frank Williams (Option Declined)

23. Erick Strickland

24. Jannero Pargo (Restricted)

25. Rick Brunson

26. Kenny Anderson

27. Tierre Brown

28. Keyon Dooling (Player Option)

29. Anthony Carter

30. Jamison Brewer

31. Eddie Gill

32. Andre Barrett

33. Luis Flores (Restricted)

34. Lionel Chalmers (Restricted)

35. Junior Harrington

36. Mateen Cleaves

37. Omar Cook

38. Quinton Ross

39. Mike Wilks

40. Anthony Goldwire

 

Notes: Watch out for Jannero Pargo, who put up some nice numbers down the stretch as a reserve combo guard for the Bulls. Chicago has a lot of decisions to make on their free agents and Pargo may come last on the list. A late contract offer could steal Pargo from the cash-strapped Bulls at that point. ... You could do a lot worse with $700,000 lying around than Andre Barrett. The Seton Hall product's diminutive stature will prevent him from ever being a starter, but he showed he's capable of being a primary backup in this league with his ability to run an offense, score a little and maintain possession.

 

Shooting guards.

 

1. Ray Allen

2. Michael Redd (Player Option)

3. Larry Hughes

4. Joe Johnson (Restricted)

5. Cuttino Mobley (Player Option)

6. Eddie Jones (Player Option)

7. Bobby Jackson (Team Option)

8. Kerry Kittles

9. Latrell Sprewell

10. Ronald Murray (Restricted)

 

Notes: The player who may command the most attention on the market is Michael Redd. As a good, but not great player, Redd won't receive any maximum contract offers, but his ability to knock down open jumpers will have him on every team's wish list. ... The Kings will face several decisions in their backcourt. Is it worth picking up Bobby Jackson's contract option when he's missed 124 regular season and playoff games the last three seasons? Will they have to if Cuttino Mobley declines his option to test his value on the open market? Or will they pass on both to go young by re-signing Maurice Evans and giving more time to No 1 pick Kevin Martin?

 

11. Willie Green (Restricted/Early Bird Rights)

12. Jon Barry

13. Casey Jacobsen

14. DerMarr Johnson

15. Juan Dixon (Option Declined)

16. Raja Bell

17. Keith Bogans (Restricted/Early Bird Rights)

18. Maurice Evans (Restricted)

19. Kareem Rush (Option Declined)

20. Shandon Anderson

 

Notes: A change of scenery to anywhere will be in Willie Green's best interest. Philadelphia head coach Jim O'Brien refused to put Green and Allen Iverson on the floor together in the final four months. Given that AI put in 42 minutes per game, Green was left to waste away on the bench ... unless Iverson missed the game, in which case Green actually started. Talk about mishandling a player. Green took it in stride, though, and actually averaged 18.1 points and 3.9 assists when he got 30+ minutes after Jan. 1. He should be a prolific combo guard for the next decade. ... The same cannot be said for Kareem Rush, a former No. 1 pick who couldn't separate himself from a sub-standard set of shooting guards in Charlotte. Rush averaged 11.5 points as a Bobcat, but shot below 40% from the field. A one-dimensional shooter who can't actually shoot is not going to be in big demand.

 

21. Dajuan Wagner (Option Declined)

22. Anthony Peeler

23. Matt Carroll

24. Damien Wilkins (Restricted)

25. Richie Frahm (Restricted)

26. Ron Mercer (Player Option)

27. Eddie House

28. Laron Profit

29. Erik Daniels (Restricted)

30. Tamar Slay (Team Option)

31. Romain Sato

32. Greg Buckner (Player Option)

33. Steve Smith

34. Wesley Person

35. Horace Jenkins (Restricted)

36. Qyntel Woods

37. Adrian Griffin

38. Kedrick Brown

39. Dion Glover

40. Cory Alexander

 

Notes: Is Dajuan Wagner just not an NBA player or have the myriad of health problems he's endured sapped a promising career? We're sure the various ailments have hindered his growth, but his alarmingly bad 36.5% career shooting accuracy and mismatched body/game don't bode well. ... Damien Wilkins did just about everything wrong while in college -- leading him to go undrafted -- and just about everything right since to gain entry into the NBA. Wilkins' tremendous summer league play got him a deal with Seattle and his play this season even got him seven starts when various Sonics went down with injury late. The results were mixed -- his shot proved maddeningly inconsistent -- but the highs (21 vs. Portland, 20 vs. Sacramento) and his better-than-advertised versatility may lead him to riches after taking the road less traveled to the NBA.

 

Small forwards.

 

1. Grant Hill (Player Option)

2. Bobby Simmons

3. Kyle Korver (Restricted/Bird Rights)

4. Vladimir Radmanovic (Restricted)

5. Bonzi Wells (Team Option)

6. James Jones (Restricted/Early Bird Rights)

7. Luke Walton (Restricted/Early Bird Rights)

8. Eddie Griffin (Restricted)

9. Devin Brown (Restricted)

10. Gerald Wallace (Restricted)

 

Notes: Is anyone really available in this pedestrian group of small forwards? The only player who teams will have a clear shot at is this season's Most Improved Player, Bobby Simmons. Simmons has always been a rugged force, but his sudden offensive advancement is what's going to get him a substantial new contract. He can now score from outside, in addition to his traditional garbagework on the inside and at the line.  ... The Bobby Simmons of next season will be Devin Brown, an impressive athlete and energetic presence off the bench whose shooting skills are now ready for prime time.

 

11. Glenn Robinson

12. Bostjan Nachbar (Option Declined)

13. Walter McCarty (Player Option)

14. Jason Kapono (Restricted/Early Bird Rights)

15. Brian Scalabrine

16. Scott Padgett (Player Option)

17. Lee Nailon

18. Chris Crawford

19. Matt Barnes (Restricted)

20. Rodney Rogers

 

Notes: Bostjan Nachbar seems to routinely have moments of greatness that make you wonder if he's getting closer to putting it all together. The shooting skills are strong enough to make him worth the gamble that some coach is going to get him to play at both ends one of these days. ... Scott Padgett's maturation made it easy for Houston to part with Nachbar. Padgett is a hybrid forward with a knack for catching fire from outside and does an adequate job on the boards. A solid 7th man worth a couple mill.

 

21. Josh Davis (Restricted)

22. Ronald Dupree (Player Option)

23. Matt Bonner (Restricted)

24. Nikoloz Tskitishvili (Option Declined)

25. Calbert Cheaney (Player Option)

26. Devean George (Player Option)

27. Toni Kukoc

28. Ryan Humphrey (Option Declined)

29. Darvin Ham

30. Rodney Buford

31. Theron Smith

32. Ryan Bowen

33. Pape Sow (Team Option)

34. Jamal Mashburn (Player Option)

35. Donta Smith (Restricted)

36. Stacey Augmon (Player Option)

37. Damone Brown

38. Chris Jeffries

39. Bryon Russell

40. Jerome Beasley

 

Notes: Rookie Matt Bonner quietly finished 6th in the NBA in FG shooting and 10th in 3-Point Shooting amid the turmoil in Toronto. We're not sure where you play him, but there's always room for a guy who can hit shots at that rate. ... Skita, we hardly knew ya. While Darko Milicic has become the whipping boy for the misguided infatuation with International players a few years ago, Nikoloz Tskitishvili has been just as disappointing. The No. 5 pick in the 2002 Draft -- ahead of Amare Stoudemire, Nene, hell, even Jared Jeffries -- was such a monumental disappointment that Denver passed on picking up his option just over two years after seeing him as a future franchise player. He's still only 22, but his head-scratching lack of production may have back on a plane to Europe instead of remaining in the NBA.

 

Power fowards.

 

1. Shareef Abdur-Rahim

2. Antoine Walker

3. Tyson Chandler (Restricted)

4. Stromile Swift

5. Keith Van Horn (Player Option)

6. Udonis Haslem (Restricted/Early Bird Rights)

7. Donyell Marshall

8. Reggie Evans (Restricted)

9. Danny Fortson (Player Option)

10. Kwame Brown (Restricted)

 

Notes: Despite averaging 19.8 points per game over nine seasons, Shareef Abdur-Rahim STILL has not made the Playoffs. Will that scare off some GMs? Given the way big men who can score and rebound are valued in this league, we doubt it. ... A seemingly hot commodity last season, Stromile Swift settled for a one-year tender contract from Memphis and did nothing to raise his value over the course of another disappointing season.

 

So who's going to spend millions of dollars on a guy whose development has been completely arrested? A team that's swung and missed on several more attractive free agents and will settle for Swift late in the offseason.

 

11. Darius Songaila (Player Option)

12. Brian Grant (Player Option)

13. Chris Andersen (Player Option)

14. Othella Harrington

15. Austin Croshere (Player Option)

16. Tony Battie (Player Option)

17. Mark Madsen

18. Robert Horry (Player Option)

19. Alan Henderson

20. Christian Laettner

 

Notes: Is Darius Songaila simply a product of the prolific Kings offense? The 27-year-old forward has impressed whenever given significant minutes (10.5 points, 6.0 boards in 21 starts) but given the track record of ex-Kings Chris Webber, Doug Christie, Vlade Divac and Scot Pollard upon leaving Sacramento, Songaila may not want to mess with a good thing and pick up his own option. ... Robert Horry will turn 35 by the start of the 2005-06 season, but he may be worth one last multi-year contract. Horry did an admirable job filling in for Tim Duncan, showing he's not just a late-game spot-up shooter. He can hit the glass ... and of course, fill it up from outside.

 

21. Malik Allen

22. Michael Ruffin

23. Sean Marks

24. Aaron Williams (Player Option)

25. Tony Massenburg

26. Bo Outlaw

27. Jahidi White

28. Lawrence Funderbukre

29. Jackson Vroman (Team Option)

30. Marcus Fizer

31. Brandon Hunter (Restricted)

32. Jabari Smith

33. Samaki Walker

34. Tom Gugliotta

35. Zendon Hamilton

36. James Thomas

37. Jackie Butler (Team Option)

38. Jerome Moiso

39. Ben Handlogten

40. John Thomas

 

Notes: Just how bad did things get in Toronto this year? Whether or not Aaron Williams opts out of his contract will speak volumes. Williams, one of the tougher guys in the league, saw his minutes evaporate last season down to 7.2 per game in Toronto. Certainly someone could use the blue-collar Williams, but he won't get the $3.4 million deal he has waiting for him with Toronto. Playing time or money? What would you do? ... Rookie James Thomas is certainly in Williams' mode ... a rough-and-tumble rebounder with no offensive skills. Thomas was a rebounding machine at Texas and showed he can get after it in a brief stint with Portland. Worth a Training Camp invite at the least.

 

Centers.

 

1. Shaquille O'Neal (Player Option)

2. Eddy Curry (Restricted)

3. Zydrunas Ilgauskas

4. Samuel Dalembert (Restricted)

5. Dan Gadzuric (Restricted)

6. Jerome James

7. Zaza Pachulia (Restricted/Early Bird Rights)

8. Clifford Robinson (Team Option)

9. Steven Hunter (Player Option)

10. Peja Drobnjak (Team Option)

 

Notes: Given that Shaquille O'Neal leaving a $30 million option on the table would be the upset of the century and Eddy Curry's heart problem have scored off many potential suitors, Sam Dalembert may get the most heat from other teams this offseason. A sure breakout season was derailed by Jim O'Brien early, but his performance since the All-Star break and thus far in the Playoffs has made him a hot commodity once again.  ... Another guy who's raised his stock dramatically in the postseason has been Seattle's Jerome James, currently averaging 18 points and 12 rebounds through two games. The physical skills and talent are there with James, mental focus and resolve are harder to come by. Supposedly, he's renewed his dedication to the game and acknowledged alienating teammates, but we need to see it for more than a few games before offering him our millions.

 

11. Alonzo Mourning

12. Vitaly Potapenko

13. Dikembe Mutombo

14. Andrew DeClercq

15. DeSagana Diop (Restricted)

16. Zeljko Rebraca

17. Francisco Elson

18. Ervin Johnson

19. Scott Williams

20. Greg Ostertag (Player Option)

 

Notes: DeSagana Diop's body type, skill set and, possibly, career path closely resemble Jerome James'. A change in scenery to a more professional organization would be a blessing. And since there aren't too many 23-year-old guys with his size and agility on the scene, he's worth rolling the dice on. ... 7-footer Francisco Elson's ability to get up and down the floor and defend makes him a perfect fit on Denver, but there's just too many good players ahead of him on the depth chart. A decent offer could rescue him from the Nuggets and land someone a solid backup center on the cheap.

 

21. Mikki Moore

22. Dale Davis

23. Jake Voskuhl (Player Option)

24. Jared Reiner (Restricted)

25. Elden Campbell

26. Obinna Ekezie

27. John Edwards (Restricted)

28. Paul Shirley (Team Option)

29. Daniel Santiago

30. Michael Bradley (Player Option)

31. Kevin Willis

32. Vin Baker (Player Option)

33. Vladimir Stepania

34. Wang Zhizhi

35. Bruno Sundov

36. Ha Seung-Jin (Restricted)

37. Cezary Trybanski

38. Michael Stewart

39. Jelani McCoy

40. Jamal Sampson

 

Notes: The fact that these 20 guys make any top 40 list is a condemnation of the NBA's lack of talented centers. ... Mikki Moore certainly doesn't look like much, but his 13 points and 6.5 boards in four starts this year proves that he can play if given the opportunity. outstanding in spot duty. ... After being released by New Orleans, Dale Davis resurrected his career with a terrific run filling in for the injured Jermaine O'Neal. The familiar surrounding may have spawned his comeback, but more likely it was actually being able to play in meaningful games. He's got a few more games left in his body and would do well on a contending team next year.

Edited May 5, 2005 by qwerty

[Jordan4life_2007]

Thanks, Q.

[rangercal]

wow, would you look at that. Eddy curry ranked ahead of Z

 

 

1. Shaquille O'Neal (Player Option)

2. Eddy Curry (Restricted)

3. Zydrunas Ilgauskas

[SleepyWhiteSox]

just got back from the game.............        

        :crying       

    :

 

All I can say about the Bulls is...thank goodness the Sox are winning.

[rangercal]

All I can say about the Bulls is...thank goodness the Sox are winning.

it was the best game ive ever been to and the worst, at the same time. How is that possible?

 

 

 

 

Thank you white sox! thank you! Early game 2mrrw should help.

[ZoomSlowik]

wow, would you look at that. Eddy curry ranked ahead of Z

1. Shaquille O'Neal (Player Option)

2. Eddy Curry (Restricted)

3. Zydrunas Ilgauskas

 

Eddy would be a better guy to sign to a long term contract. He's seven years younger than Ilgauskas and hasn't reached his peak potential yet. Ilgauskas right now is a pretty good player but not a stud, Curry is a guy with some holes in his game that might turn into a superstar in the future.

[WHarris1]

Way worse than this.

 

Was it tough to have them come back and to tie it, just to have it taken away a minute later?  Yeah.

 

But is the series over?  No.  There's a reason you need to win four games, not three.

Maybe it's the not winning in Washington since 01.

Maybe it's the improbability of a young team having enough confidence after such a back breaker.

Maybe it's the Wizards fantastic play over the last 3 games.

Maybe it's our lackluster defense over the last 3 games.

 

I just am not feeling it Friday.

[T R U]

Maybe it's the not winning in Washington since 01.

Maybe it's the improbability of a young team having enough confidence after such a back breaker.

Maybe it's the Wizards fantastic play over the last 3 games.

Maybe it's our lackluster defense over the last 3 games.

 

I just am not feeling it Friday.

 

agree with wee

 

series is over..

[southsider2k5]

I just can't believe how big of a choke job the Bulls pulled off. For 2 full games, and 98% of another, they looked like the 0-9 Bulls. Flat, listless, confused on defense, lost on offense, committing bad foulsl... I am embarassed for them.

[WHarris1]

What I want to know, how...in a game of that magnitude in front of your HOME FANS how do you come out so flat? How?

I can't even fathom how you come out with a lack of energy in last nights game. Well the Bulls pulled it off. Just like the last 3 games. Change that or you're going home. That simple.

 

If we can jump out on Washington early in game 6 to show them we are not done, we got a shot. If not, it's baseball time.

[rangercal]

agree with wee

 

series is over..

you're not fooling anyone you're not even a bull fan. you hate the bulls. so of course you agree.

[southsider2k5]

What I want to know, how...in a game of that magnitude in front of your HOME FANS how do you come out so flat?  How?

I can't even fathom how you come out with a lack of energy in last nights game.  Well the Bulls pulled it off.  Just like the last 3 games.  Change that or you're going home.  That simple.

 

If we can jump out on Washington early in game 6 to show them we are not done, we got a shot.  If not, it's baseball time.

 

That is the one reason I would support Ben Gordon starting over Chris Duhon. I think Du is the much more complete player, and should split time right now... just for his presenece on the D end. But I can't tell you how many games this year where the Bulls are down 10 points in the first quarter. Its almost like we need that instant offense over the good defense.

[rangercal]

That is the one reason I would support Ben Gordon starting over Chris Duhon.  I think Du is the much more complete player, and should split time right now... just for his presenece on the D end.  But I can't tell you how many games this year where the Bulls are down 10 points in the first quarter.  Its almost like we need that instant offense over the good defense.

I think gordon starting would be great. one thing.... what happens if he gets in early foul trouble ?

[southsider2k5]

I think gordon starting  would be great. one thing.... what happens if he gets in early foul trouble ?

 

Then we have Duhon like we usually would. My theory is with all of the bad starts, how much worse could it be? They have got to do SOMETHING about the first 12 minutes of their games.

[WHarris1]

I would actually rather start Pargo.

If Pargo hits his 1st shot, he tends to go off.

 

Have him put up a few early shots, then ride him till hes cold. Then find a new weapon.

 

We need someone to spark the scoring.

 

 

I would also like to say.

Antawn Jamison-1

Andres Nocioni-0

 

Game 1 truly was his birthday. As much as we got upset with what Tawn said he was on to something...

[rangercal]

Then we have Duhon like we usually would.  My theory is with all of the bad starts, how much worse could it be?  They have got to do SOMETHING about the first 12 minutes of their games.

2nd quarter ben was getting hot , hit a few shots includin a 3 pointer. Right after the 3 he picked up his 3rd foul and skile sat him. Situtations like that are so frustrating.

 

key to game 6: kirk, tyson (or any big guy) and ben, need to stay out of foul trouble. Which will be hard on the road. :banghead

[rangercal]

I would actually rather start Pargo.

If Pargo hits his 1st shot, he tends to go off.

 

Have him put up a few early shots, then ride him till hes cold.  Then find a new weapon.

 

We need someone to spark the scoring.

I would also like to say.

Antawn Jamison-1

Andres Nocioni-0

 

Game 1 truly was his birthday.  As much as we got upset with what Tawn said he was on to something...

noch needs to f***en show up friday. take some shots that at least make contact with the rim. I think the wizards got into his head.

 

 

good call with pargo. I like the idea. Qwert may argue the same can be done with pike

Edited May 5, 2005 by rangercal

[southsider2k5]

2nd quarter ben was getting hot , hit a few shots includin a 3 pointer. Right after the 3 he picked up his 3rd foul and skile sat him. Situtations like that are so frustrating. 

 

key to game 6: kirk, tyson (or any big guy) and ben, need to stay out of foul trouble. Which will be hard on the road.  :banghead

 

That problem needs to solve itself at the point of attack. Most of the Bulls fouls have been picked up either way to far away from the basket, or have been other players fouling someone to bail out a teammate who got beat on defense. They have got to keep their players in front of them.

[WHarris1]

After a major gutsy effort by Duhon last night, Skiles just pointed out on AM 1000 that Duhon is about a 35-40% shot to play tomorrow.

 

for a gutsy ass effort by Duhon last night.