Official 2008-2009 NBA Thread

[dasox24]

Kevin Love is awesome.

Absolutely... I loved that he knew who they were and the shout out about the cheese doodles. Had to have been pretty cool for those guys knowing how popular their Stephen A. bashing has become.

[GoodAsGould]

Um, Paul was much much better coming out of college. I assume you must be very very young. Paul out of high school was better than Rose out of high school. People just don't realize how much of a beast he has been for the longest.

 

Coming out of college Rose is a much better prospect than Paul was, hell Paul wasnt even the first PG taken in his draft... Now, right now Rose is just a prospect so he might not end up better or even as good as Paul, but he definitely has that potential.

[Chisoxfn]

Coming out of college Rose is a much better prospect than Paul was, hell Paul wasnt even the first PG taken in his draft... Now, right now Rose is just a prospect so he might not end up better or even as good as Paul, but he definitely has that potential.

Wasn't the big reason Paul went after Williams due to Paul having that on the court incident which led people to question his character (when he stepped on the guys groin).

[Palehosefan]

Wasn't the big reason Paul went after Williams due to Paul having that on the court incident which led people to question his character (when he stepped on the guys groin).

 

Yes, Paul had some questions about his character coming out. He punched Julius Hodge in the nuts and had a few other incidents during college.

 

Well that and Deron Williams style fit Utah to a T.

Edited June 30, 2008 by Palehosefan

[maggsmaggs]

Wasn't the big reason Paul went after Williams due to Paul having that on the court incident which led people to question his character (when he stepped on the guys groin).

That was part of it, but also the style of play that the Jazz run. They are more slow-paced, physical and ball control type game. Deron is much more physical than Paul and a better player for that slow type of basketball. No doubt in my mind that Paul is not nearly as good on the Jazz and Deron is not nearly as good on the Hornets. Those teams are perfect for those two and the style of play they use.

[whitesoxbrian]

Denver's potential deal for the Bulls' Kirk Hinrich could mean Marcus Camby is heading to Chicago

from nydailynews.com

 

Thoughts?

[Chisoxfn]

from nydailynews.com

 

Thoughts?

Rumor: Hinrich for Camby

By Jason Gage

Chisport.com

 

The New York Daily news is reporting that the Chicago Bulls have had preliminary discussions with the Denver Nuggets in a trade which would send point guard Kirk Hinrich to the Nuggets in exchange for center Marcus Camby.

 

 

GM John Paxson has to clear up the log-jam at the guard position and moving Hinrich for Camby fullfills both the need to clear the guard position as well as the need to get a second center to join Joakim Noah (with Gray as the final man on the bench). Camby is a defensive specialist who has had an injury prone career, but assuming Camby, Noah, Thomas, and Gooden can all split signifciant minutes amongst each other you’d be talking about a front-court with both upside and veteran presence.

 

I’d rather see Hinrich kept with Gordon leaving, but many analysts around the league have indicated that Derrick Rose’s slashing style of play could bring out the very best in Ben Gordon. The logic behind such statement is that as Rose develops he’ll be able to find guards on the perimeter for open shots on a regular basis and that will play into Gordon’s strength (his tremendous pure shooting).

 

Assuming the Bulls plan on giving Noah & Tyrus both 30 minutes a piece on a regular basis, I’d be a major fan of this move. The Bulls will still need to find a taker for Larry Hughes if possible and than use the exception on a veteran point-guard who can work with Rose.

 

Could you imagine a lineup with:

Vet PG/Rose

Sefolosha/Gordon

Deng/Nocioni

Gooden/Tyrus Thomas

Noah/Camby/Gray

 

Note: Larry Hughes could still appear in this lineup as well (since odds are you won’t find much of a taker on him this season or at least not until the trade deadline)

 

That lineup possesses solid veterans (which the youngest team in the NBA needs) as well as all the upside in the world. It also has shooters, post players, and defensive stoppers. In fact, I think you are looking at the makings of a legitimate playoff team which could grow into a title contender (and Camby’s contract, which last two more seasons, turns into an asset as it comes off the books in time for the 2010 off-season).

[Chisoxfn]

http://www.talkchicagosports.com/blog/?p=111

 

Vinny Del Negro and John Paxson have been interviewing candidate after candidate for the open assistant coaching positions and it appears that the Bulls have settled on three names so far: Bernie Bickerstaff, Del Harris, and now Bob Ociepka.

 

 

Former NBA head coaches Bickerstaff and Harris are already in negotiations with the Bulls. Negotiations with Bick have gone smoothly while there has been a minor hold-up in the discussions with former Lakers head coach (and Mavs assistant) Del Harris.

 

Ociepka has years of experience and is considered a sharp “X’s & O’s” assistant. Below is his bio:

 

Bob Ociepka begins his 17th season as an NBA assistant coach and his first season with the Timberwolves. He spent the three previous three seasons (2003-06) as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks.

 

Ociepka has also worked for seven other NBA franchises: Indiana Pacers (1989-93), Los Angeles Clippers (1993–96), Philadelphia 76ers (1996-97), Cleveland Cavaliers (1999-2001) and the Detroit Pistons (1998-99, 2001-03). He also served as the Orlando Magic’s advance scout during the 1997-98 campaign.

 

A native of Chicago, Ociepka played college basketball at Quincy (Ill.) College. He began his career in the NBA with Detroit in the 1980s as a part-time volunteer scout while coaching high school basketball. In the early ‘80s, Ociepka was one of the Chicago area’s most respected prep coaches at Gordon Tech and York High Schools. On May 4, 2000, his coaching efforts were recognized as he was inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame.

 

Ociepka has authored two books on the game of basketball. His first effort, “Basketball Playbook: Plays From the Pros,” which was published in 1995, gives an overview of NBA strategies. His second book, “Basketball Playbook 2: More Plays from the Pros,” was published in 2001.

[Brian]

Wouldn't getting Camby create a log jam down low? Maybe not. I like Camby's defense down low.

[DBAHO]

Yeah would be a good move for both sides IMHO.

 

Camby's what 34 though, but then you could use Noah off the bench in the Varejao role.

 

Really if this happens, there's no excuse if the Bulls aren't at least in the top 6 in the East next season.

[whitesoxbrian]

Yeah would be a good move for both sides IMHO.

 

Camby's what 34 though, but then you could use Noah off the bench in the Varejao role.

 

Really if this happens, there's no excuse if the Bulls aren't at least in the top 6 in the East next season.

But Camby can still get it done- a DPOY candidate every year. BTW- I think they could do a lineup of Rose, Deng, TT, Camby, Noah.

 

And, there is a way- Rose doesn't live up to potential ROY hype, Deng has another 15 ppg year, TT doesn't progress, and Camby turns into Ben Wallace (with more scoring).

[lostfan]

Is Elton Brand at all feasible for the Bulls?

[DBAHO]

But Camby can still get it done- a DPOY candidate every year. BTW- I think they could do a lineup of Rose, Deng, TT, Camby, Noah.

 

And, there is a way- Rose doesn't live up to potential ROY hype, Deng has another 15 ppg year, TT doesn't progress, and Camby turns into Ben Wallace (with more scoring).

I mean with Camby yeah he'd been a DPOY candidate consistently, but he's a pretty soft center still, so he can get scored on quite a bit, although he'll explode every now and then block wise, and he's a top rebounder.

 

I look at the East right now, Boston and Detroit are the obvious top 2.

 

Then a group of Orlando, Cleveland and Toronto. The Bulls could easily join that group next season if they play to their potential.

[whitesoxbrian]

Is Elton Brand at all feasible for the Bulls?

Possibly. I heard he'd only accept a trade to Miami, or else he wants to stay in LA. We'd probably have to offer them TT, Gordon, and Hinrich- plus, maybe a first rounder in the future.

[lostfan]

Possibly. I heard he'd only accept a trade to Miami, or else he wants to stay in LA. We'd probably have to offer them TT, Gordon, and Hinrich- plus, maybe a first rounder in the future.

I might consider that trade, it changes the dynamic of the team a little too much IMO. Although Deng at the 3 and Brand at the 4 would be pretty sweet, I'd miss all the Rose-Thomas alley-oops, and I'm not a big Larry Hughes fan so I'd be leery of getting rid of both Hinrich and Gordon (he is only here because his bad contract is better than Wallace's bad contract).

[SoxFan1]

Rose, Deng, TT, Camby, Noah.

That lineup is disgustingly bad. Like, in all facets of the word. Rose is a rookie, Deng is not good enough defensively to guard 2's, Tyrus sucks on both ends of the court, Camby is all defense, and Noah is all defense as well. If we want to score 60 points a game with out starting lineup, than that is a great option.

 

Possibly. I heard he'd only accept a trade to Miami, or else he wants to stay in LA. We'd probably have to offer them TT, Gordon, and Hinrich- plus, maybe a first rounder in the future.

That is SEVERELY overpaying for Brand, especially coming off an injury. Hinrich/Gooden or Hinrich/Thomas could possibly be enough for him. With that said, I am TOTALLY in favor of bringing in Brand. He makes our team incredibly dangerous, especially if you keep Gordon.

 

PG Rose

SG Thabo (with BG off the bench)

SF Deng

PF Brand

C Noah

 

That's a team in the playoffs no doubt, and pending Rose's development, that team could be DAMN good.

[whitesoxbrian]

That lineup is disgustingly bad. Like, in all facets of the word. Rose is a rookie, Deng is not good enough defensively to guard 2's, Tyrus sucks on both ends of the court, Camby is all defense, and Noah is all defense as well. If we want to score 60 points a game with out starting lineup, than that is a great option.

 

That is SEVERELY overpaying for Brand, especially coming off an injury. Hinrich/Gooden or Hinrich/Thomas could possibly be enough for him. With that said, I am TOTALLY in favor of bringing in Brand. He makes our team incredibly dangerous, especially if you keep Gordon.

 

PG Rose

SG Thabo (with BG off the bench)

SF Deng

PF Brand

C Noah

 

That's a team in the playoffs no doubt, and pending Rose's development, that team could be DAMN good.

Deng would be fine guaring 2's. Sure, he is kind of slow but with his height and long arms, I think he is a better defender then what he gets credit for. Also, Camby averaged 9 points this year so that isn't ALL defense. Plus, Noah averaged 5-5 in 20 minutes this year. Give him 35 minutes and he'll average 10-10. That's pretty good for a "wasted 9th overall pick in the draft clown". However, I agree on Rose and Thomas.

 

The Clippers will want more then that for Brand and they will get that much for Brand, whether it's from us or another team. Seriously, if you were the Clippers' GM, would you take Craptain Kirk, a bad player, and TT, a long athletic bum, for an automatic 20-10 guy? Come on.

[lostfan]

PG Rose

SG Thabo (with BG off the bench)

SF Deng

PF Brand

C Noah

 

That's a team in the playoffs no doubt, and pending Rose's development, that team could be DAMN good.

I would absolutely love that team. If the Bulls managed to get Brand with Hinrich/Gooden (doubtful), that lineup there (Hughes in the mix too, who knows about that guy) can eventually compete with Boston and Detroit. That'd be one of the best defenses in the league, easily.

Edited June 30, 2008 by lostfan

[SoxFan1]

Deng would be fine guaring 2's. Sure, he is kind of slow but with his height and long arms, I think he is a better defender then what he gets credit for. Also, Camby averaged 9 points this year so that isn't ALL defense. Plus, Noah averaged 5-5 in 20 minutes this year. Give him 35 minutes and he'll average 10-10. That's pretty good for a "wasted 9th overall pick in the draft clown". However, I agree on Rose and Thomas.

 

The Clippers will want more then that for Brand and they will get that much for Brand, whether it's from us or another team. Seriously, if you were the Clippers' GM, would you take Craptain Kirk, a bad player, and TT, a long athletic bum, for an automatic 20-10 guy? Come on.

First off, Deng CANNOT guard SG's, plain and simple. He just doesn't have the lateral quickness. Second, even with extremely gracious predictions, that lineup blows.

 

Rose - 15 ppg (gracious)

Deng - 17 ppg

Tyrus - 10 ppg (very gracious)

Camby - 9 ppg

Noah - 10 ppg (won't happen)

 

That's still only 61 points.

 

Oh, and "Craptain" Kirk is not a bad player whatsoever. Bad players don't get picked to play for their country internationally.

[whitesoxbrian]

Oh, and "Craptain" Kirk is not a bad player whatsoever. Bad players don't get picked to play for their country internationally.

Actually, he is. They didn't ask CP3 to play last year because he hadn't really produced last season. Hinrich was on the team because they needed another PG and he almost went to Duke so he and Coach K are friends. Now that they have CP3, Williams, and Kidd, Hinrich wasn't even asked to go. He committs dumb fouls, he shoots too much, when he shoots it doesn't go in, and his defense is solid at best.

[SoxFan1]

Actually, he is. They didn't ask CP3 to play last year because he hadn't really produced last season. Hinrich was on the team because they needed another PG and he almost went to Duke so he and Coach K are friends. Now that they have CP3, Williams, and Kidd, Hinrich wasn't even asked to go. He committs dumb fouls, he shoots too much, when he shoots it doesn't go in, and his defense is solid at best.

Haha, ok, his defense is solid at best. Whatever you say chief. If Kirk was a "bad player", then teams around the league wouldn't be calling trying to acquire him.

 

Also, let me just say this, Brand would be an invaluable asset to this team provided we keep Gordon. And also, Brand over Tyrus is an absolute no-brainer to me. Tyrus will NEVER consistently produce 20-10 like Brand. I can damn near guarantee that. He has no semblance of an offensive game. Him at SF would be even worse with his terribly inconsistent jumper. Put it this way, Rose-Gordon-Deng-Brand-Noah is the best offensive 5 the Bulls can put on the court this year, and I'll tell you why.

 

The scenarios for open jump shots are absolutely plentiful.

 

1.) Rose drives to the lane. Options: Go up strong, get a dunk/lay up/shot attempt OR dump it to an open big man down low because a help defender came over to block Rose OR dish it back out to an open Gordon or Deng for a jumper.

 

2.) Brand has the ball in the post. Options: Beat the defender 1 on 1 OR draw the double team and dish to the open man.

 

You've got a playmaking PG and a low post PF you can run your offense through. It's TOO perfect.

[Balta1701]

Put it this way, Rose-Gordon-Deng-Brand-Noah is the best offensive 5 the Bulls can put on the court this year, and I'll tell you why.

While I totally agree with you that your lineup there is as good of a 5 as the Bulls can put on the court this year...I'll still fire back that "The best offensive 5 the Bulls can put on the court this year" should not by any means be Paxson's goal right now. His goal should be to have the best team assembled possible for the 2010-2011 season and beyond, because you just have to assume Rose's learning curve is going to take a couple years, and trying to win now has a strong chance of hurting you down the road.

[ZoomSlowik]

While I totally agree with you that your lineup there is as good of a 5 as the Bulls can put on the court this year...I'll still fire back that "The best offensive 5 the Bulls can put on the court this year" should not by any means be Paxson's goal right now. His goal should be to have the best team assembled possible for the 2010-2011 season and beyond, because you just have to assume Rose's learning curve is going to take a couple years, and trying to win now has a strong chance of hurting you down the road.

 

Considering Brand is the only player in that lineup over 25, I don't see how that's really a concern. God forbid they make Tyrus actually EARN playing time for a contending team. Just look at Andrew Bynum, he STILL didn't get 30 minutes a game this past year when he was healthy and it hasn't exactly hurt the Lakers. He can still get a fair number of minutes (though Noc might have to go too, then you'd have only 3 legit options inside splitting 96 minutes and Tyrus still occasionally playing the 3) and you wouldn't be putting all of your eggs in one basket hoping he develops. The same goes in the backcourt with Thabo, with Hinrich gone as part of the deal there's only 4 guys splitting 96 minutes, it's not like he'll never see the floor. You can still make plenty of progress with player and chemistry development without throwing a roster out there that'll score about 90 points a game and win 30-35 again.

Edited June 30, 2008 by ZoomSlowik

[RockRaines]

Why does every person keep talking about dumping Hughes but keeping Ben Gordon. Hughes is a taller Gordon, with handles, that actually plays good defense. I would want him over Gordon on this team every day of the week, especially with a rookie starting next to him in the backcourt.

[SoxFan1]

Why does every person keep talking about dumping Hughes but keeping Ben Gordon. Hughes is a taller Gordon, with handles, that actually plays good defense. I would want him over Gordon on this team every day of the week, especially with a rookie starting next to him in the backcourt.

Hughes has a hideous contract, shoots at a hideous rate, and takes way more shots than he should in the first place. Gordon, on the other hand, is our best scorer, hands down, and is a phenomenal 3 point shooter. I agree that Hughes is better defensively though. Handles won't mean much for Hughes with Rose on the squad now.

 

And this is coming from a guy who doesn't really like Ben Gordon.