Bulls 2012

[Dan Michler]

Time to start this thread and I couldn't be happier about that!

Schedule gets released tonight.  This season should be exciting with the compressed 66 game format.  Its going to feel more like sprint compared to the usual marathon.  With the Bulls young legs, I think it could be an advantage in the regular season with games 3 nights in a row and stretches of 5 in 6 nights.  I'm sure D.Rose is chomping at the bit for another shot at the Heat!

[stpitner]

very nice of them to schedule the first Bulls vs Heat game on Sun, January 29th, the Sunday that no one cares about in Pro Football (although they did fill it with the pro bowl last year and this year).  That will be some good stuff to watch on that Sunday   I also like that it's only 2 pre-season games.  Just get the games going!

[pdga#7648]

interested to see i the Lakers can land Dwight Howard and Chris Paul like they are trying to do.

I heard the Bulls are trying to get Vince Carter?? don't know what to think of this? he is pretty old, but could be huge off the bench!

[Dan Michler]

interested to see i the Lakers can land Dwight Howard and Chris Paul like they are trying to do.

I heard the Bulls are trying to get Vince Carter?? don't know what to think of this? he is pretty old, but could be huge off the bench!

Dude, you don't want Vince Carter.  Trust me.  We don't need a lazy, no defense playing, fall-to-the-floor-after-every-play cry-baby on Thibodeau's squad.

Best case 2 guard scenario in free agency is probably Jason Richardson.  The Bulls can't offer much money though, so their hoping somebody like Richardson will provide a huge discount to the Bulls in exchange for a shot at a title.  Obviously I would love an upgrade over Brewer/Korver at shooting guard, but if it doesn't happen I still think this team can improve from last year and give the Heat a run for their money in the conference finals again.

[pdga#7648]

I agree Dan. they don't really need any help, but Carter can score while D Rose is taking a breather.  I just can't wait for the season to finally start.

[stpitner]

wait, you guys are both Bulls fans? holy cow, we might actually have some productive conversation here lol

I love how Korver was shooting, but I agree that they really need a better #2.  I heard rumors that the Bulls were a "sleeper team" in trading for Howard, but I'm not sure how I feel about that either.

[pdga#7648]

yes, we actually have 2 things in common. 

[Dan Michler]

Chris Paul to the Lakers for Gasol and Odom.  I guess even Kobe is on board with the whole 'superstars teaming up' fad.  That should be an interesting team to watch.

I'm ignoring the Dwight Howard to Chicago rumors.  Deng and Noah have a ton of years and money left on their deals.  I don't think those are the kind of assets Orlando is looking for in return.  I hope Howard stays put, but I did notice that the Lakers didn't apparently didn't have to give up Bynum to get Paul, so I wouldn't rule out the Lakers possibly pulling off something there.  Kobe, Paul, and Howard?  Jesus, just give them the trophy and skip the formalities if that ever happened!

[pdga#7648]

isn't CP3 hurt alot?   I don't think that was a good deal. Odom and Gasol score and rebound. How much can CP actually score with Kobe??  and Bynum is never healthy.

If they do land Howard, I will agree 100% about them winning it all!

[pdga#7648]

the league stopped the trade for some reason??

[Stan the Blue Man]

the league stopped the trade for some reason??

Doug the NBA own the hornets so I believe the other owners cry to Stern about vetoing the trade

[Dan Michler]

isn't CP3 hurt alot?   I don't think that was a good deal. Odom and Gasol score and rebound. How much can CP actually score with Kobe??  and Bynum is never healthy.

If they do land Howard, I will agree 100% about them winning it all!

Doug, I think you underestimate how good Chris Paul is.  He has had a knee injury, but last season he played 80 games.  He has surpassed Nash as the ultimate guy to have run your team from the point.  The beauty of having Paul is that he doesn't need to score to completely dominate a game.  Plus he shoots 47+% and 86%FT and has lead the league in steals 3 times.  3 seasons ago he shot 50.3% from the field while averaging 23 pts and 11 assists.  Thats one of the great statistical seasons of alltime.  Kobe would love playing with him at this point in his career.  He's one of the top 7 players in the league right now, there is no way he doesn't drastically improve the Lakers.  Odom and Gasol are nice players, but they don't add up to anything close to CP3.  Plus, Odom is 32 and Gasol is 33.  These guys are entering the twilight of their career.  Paul can carry this team in the future as Kobe fades in his later years (this has already started in case you haven't noticed.

I think the owners are more pissed about the fact that the Lakers got the best player in this trade while saving $21M in payroll and another $21M in luxury tax.  Since they all have a share in the Hornets, it doesn't make sense to them to take on more payroll than they are shedding, while sending a superstar to a powerhouse team.  Stern has created a big mess here though, because Paul is going to have to be traded somewhere eventually, or the Hornets will lose him to free agency and get nothing in return, which would make no sense.

[stpitner]

based on what I heard on espn radio this morning, Dwight Howard wants to go to the Nets and they are close to getting a deal done there.  I don't know what's so intriguing about the Nets, but it is what it is.  I just hope the Bulls aren't playing chicken on deals because they overvalue their talent.  They have a lot of good players, but you have to give up a couple good ones to get a great one.

All of this stuff going on in the NBA just makes me feel more and more like it was rigged that the Bulls got that #1 pick at the 1.9% chance of getting it and picking up Derrek Rose.  I guess I shouldn't complain, but it feels like there's a looooot of shady stuff going on in the background here.

[Dan Michler]

Sounds like Rip Hamilton might be on his way to the Bulls.  I think he's still solid if he can stay on the floor.  He's always hurt though.  I don't feel like he's a big upgrade over Brewer/Korver at this stage of his career.  Sounds like we're headed for another year of shooting guard by committee.

[pdga#7648]

sounds like Detroit will buy him out, then he is able to become a Bull. If this happens, does he start or come off the bench? and who do they get rid of? Pargo, Lucas, C.J.?

[tacimala]

If Rip can play off D Rose like he did Chauncey, then he'll be a good asset. If that connection doesn't happen, he's probably going to do more harm than help since he seems to feel like he's a superstar.

[pdga#7648]

sounds like someones mad he is leaving the Pistons? 

[tacimala]

Not the case at all actually, good riddance. He's been a bum the last two years and has a bad attitude.

[pdga#7648]

D Rose signed a 5yr. 94 million extension last night!  Awesome

[Dan Michler]

Looking at the East, is there any team that has a real chance to get in the way of another Bulls vs Heat conference finals matchup?  I say no.  Thibodeau should probably pace this team a little more this year and make sure we're fully healthy for that matchup when the time does come.