CNNSI graded the February trades, including the Bulls trades with Charlotte and Milwaukee. It's not surprising the Bulls were labeled LOSERS.
I like the trades but the failing grade is to be expected, the Bulls franchise has been heavily, and often unreasonably criticized. It started when the GM didn't over pay for top scoring Ben Gorden, and the owner allegly scaring away coach DiAntoni, with his focus on defense. Signing unexperienced Vinny Del Negro as a coach seemed to be the final blow to fans and the media.
With the trade, Chicago cleared enough cap space to sign a max free agent, their GM's goal, and they kept their starting line up, something a coach has got to love. In trading away Thomas and Salmons, the Bulls received comprable players, Warrick and Murray. Thomas also netted Charlotte's first round pick while dumping Salmons salary cost two 2nd round picks.
Chicago is strong enough to make a playoff run but they traded with eastern "rivals" also fighting for a playoff spot. Every team got better. Salmons can start for Milwaukee which needed a SG, and Thomas is more than athletic enough to team with SG Jackson and SF/PF Wallace. Charlotte can be very good and *if* Thomas improves his game.
Milwaukee, Chicago, Charlotte and Miami are four teams within 2.5 games of each other and competing for the three lower playoff spots. Add Toronto, only 2 games ahead of the Bulls, and that's 4.5 game separating 5 teams competing for 4 slots. Clearly Chicago took a step back letting Salmons and Thomas go but if Murray and Warrick can fill in, they'll make that step up.
Last night, in the win over Minnesota, VDN played Warrick and Murray. Welcome to the team and the playoff hunt.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Monday, February 01, 2010
The Next 4; LAC, PHI, ATL and MIA
Bulls face the LAC and @PHI back to back.
Then there is a day off followed by another back-to-back @ATL and MIA at home.
A sweep would be outstanding. More likely the ATL game is the one they'll lose. The MIA Heat at home might be difficult but the home crowd should get the Bulls excited.
LAC are beatable and since the Bulls lost to these guys recently, I expect it's a game Chicago will not look past. No let down or surprise, Bulls are going for a blow out. That would help with PHI the next day.
PHI is team that's having problems and would like to beat Chicago to make a statement. Since it's a 2nd game in as many days and a road game. PHI is going to a test of the Bulls focus. If Chicago can blow out the LAC, then the team rests their starters for the PHI game.
The rest day would be welcome. Then to Atlanta for a tough game against a team looking to make a statement, they're #4 seed and the Bulls a likely 5th seed. This would be a game to set the table for the playoffs. ATL wants to tell the Bulls to forgetaboutit.
MIA at home is one of those games where we want to get some distance between them for the 5th seed. For Wade, it's a chance to see what a real home court advantage would look like.
Then there is a day off followed by another back-to-back @ATL and MIA at home.
A sweep would be outstanding. More likely the ATL game is the one they'll lose. The MIA Heat at home might be difficult but the home crowd should get the Bulls excited.
LAC are beatable and since the Bulls lost to these guys recently, I expect it's a game Chicago will not look past. No let down or surprise, Bulls are going for a blow out. That would help with PHI the next day.
PHI is team that's having problems and would like to beat Chicago to make a statement. Since it's a 2nd game in as many days and a road game. PHI is going to a test of the Bulls focus. If Chicago can blow out the LAC, then the team rests their starters for the PHI game.
The rest day would be welcome. Then to Atlanta for a tough game against a team looking to make a statement, they're #4 seed and the Bulls a likely 5th seed. This would be a game to set the table for the playoffs. ATL wants to tell the Bulls to forgetaboutit.
MIA at home is one of those games where we want to get some distance between them for the 5th seed. For Wade, it's a chance to see what a real home court advantage would look like.
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