NBA Draft 2013

NBA Draft is Thursday.  I don't know squat but here's my shot at a what they'll do with #20.

Drafting #20 is high for a team like the Bulls. Even in weak drafts, a player here is expected to make the team and contribute. Whoever is selected, that player will work hard and have some dependable skill, be it defense, a post-up shot, length and etc.

The past may predict the present.  The Bulls' recent draft history from Wikipedia has a stand out, James Johnson.  James was a rare miss among some very good, in hindsight, picks.

Year	Round	Pick	Name	Nationality	College/HS/Club
2012	1	29	Marquis Teague	United States	University of Kentucky
2011	1	30	Jimmy Butler	United States	Marquette University
2009	1	16	James Johnson	United States	Wake Forest University
2009	1	26	Taj Gibson	United States	University of Southern California
2008	1	1	Derrick Rose	United States	University of Memphis
2008	2	39	Sonny Weems	United States	University of Arkansas
2007	1	9	Joakim Noah	United States[1]	University of Florida
2007	2	49	Aaron Gray	United States	University of Pittsburgh
2007	2	51	JamesOn Curry	United States	Oklahoma State University

James was a high risk pick.  The pre-draft knock was 1) tweener with physical skills and a tantalizing upside, 2) questionable motivation and focus.  He was a known risk/high payoff selection that didn't work. So was Tyrus Thomas for that matter.

James' Classmate Taj Gibson at #26 was described as an older player with less upside and a hard worker.  A unexciting selection who is now a considered a late round gem. Maybe a top 10 selection in hindsight.

For the 2013 draft CNNSI suggests PF Tony Mitchell, an athletic multi-position player with questionable circumstances.  I am skeptical they'll risk another "James Johnson" pick at 20 unless Mitchell is very special with special circumstances.  Jimmy Butler is an example of a that special circumstances guy.  Bulls did their homework and he's a great pick.

Someone will fall to 20.  In a weak draft, GMs error for a pick with size.  It's possible a SG/SF with a good shot and defensive length will be there.  In the CNNSI mock draft, that guy could be C.J. McCollum.  He's supposed to go to the Bucks at #15 to replace 6'3" Monta Ellis, however I think the Bucks want size at SG.  Swapping a small SG with a less expensive 6'3" SG doesn't shakeup the Bucks back court.

CNNSI sez: "McCollum has shown during workouts that he is an NBA shooter."

and USATODAY "C.J. McCollum is serious about his college degree — the one he went back to Lehigh to get, the reason he passed up the potential for millions of dollars last summer."

That's what the Bulls need, character and shooting, on the cheap.

UPDATE
Apparently the ESPN's Chad Ford now thinks McCollum will go at #7 to the Kings. Wow.  That makes sense for this reason.  Steph Curry GSW a 6'3" hybrid SG/PG also went #7.  The new Sac Coach is former Assistant Malone from GSW and he would know how to use a player like McCollum who looks like a "Steph Curry" on paper.

So to updated: McColumn if available or Tim Harway Jr.

The 6-foot-6 shooting guard has earned a firm first round projection from just about every reputable NBA draft analyst in the business, and has drawn rave reviews from general managers for his work ethic, 3-point shot and approach to the game. - MLIVE.COM

Then in order: Reggie Bullock for his perimeter shooting and defense or Tony Snell.

The wildcard is when some F/C drops in the draft. I doubt that will happen since confused GMs pick for height in the absence of a clear choice. I expect the bigs will be selected before 20.  If Bulls grab some falling big man - the Bulls front office may be just as confused as I.

Trades

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.

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.

Mid-point 2009-2010 predictions.

At the mid-point, here are the eastern standings.
Eastern Conference Team
  1. Cleveland -
  2. Orlando 5.5
  3. Atlanta 6.5
  4. Boston 7.0
  5. Toronto 11.5
  6. Charlotte 12.5
  7. Chicago 13.0
  8. Miami 13.0

  9. Milwaukee 16.0
 10. New York 18.5
 11. Washington 20.5
 12. Philadelphia 21.0
 13. Indiana 21.5
 14. Detroit 21.5
 15. New Jersey 32.5

The four lower tier playoff teams will consist of ...

• The Larry Brown coached Charlotte with StackJack.  They're improved since the trade and Brown's a demanding coach who will keep the team together.
• Miami, with Beasley, O'Neal and Wade.  They have enough talent and star power to close out strong.  If Wade gets hurt, it's all over.
• Toronto,  with Bosh this team has done well enough to stay near the top of the lower half most of the season.  
• Chicago, Rose is a recognized all-star, Noah will become one with a solid playoff run this spring.  Taj is enough of an addition in the post to get this team over .500 and make up for pouting Tyrus Thomas.

Of course there will be trades and all bets are off if any key player is moved.

Hack Job

Why is this a hack job?

The invective ...

Del Negro, who stumbled upon a winning formula as the 8th seed in last year's playoffs (go small and run, run, run!), spent most of his first season rolling out head-scratching lineups and poorly-drawn plays that made Don Nelson look like he wasn't daydreaming about scotch. Most coaches progress year after year, but Del Negro has mirrored his team (or perhaps the team has mirrored their soon-to-be-fired coach) in taking a clumsy step backward. 

As a sidenote, VDN's hair certainly isn't helping the situation either. 

And Del Negro knows it. He's been feisty with the media who have suggested that his leash is pretty much at the last link right now. After stories haphazardly leaked on ESPN that Del Negro had been fired, he was quoted as saying the reports were "just funny." He's also lashed out in his own defense at the media in weeks prior, showing both his immaturity with the media and the complete lack of leadership at the club right now. That cuts to the core of the problem: Confidence

Re-read this and then ask yourself, exactly who lacks confidence?

The guy's eventual point?  Bulls should trade Loul Deng for Stoudemire, then,if it doesn't work out Stoudemire can walk away leaving salary cap space.

Stoudemire's contract expires at the end of the season as well, so if the experiment works, he's already in a big free agent market, on a rising team, in an easier conference, dramatically increasing the likelihood of him re-signing. 

Stoudemire's been available for two years on a struggling team, yeah he's worth Deng.

Nice Surprises

It's far enough in the 2009-2010 season to evaluate the current NBA rookie class.   According to an NBA scout, the Bulls got lucky.

Taj Gibson, Bulls."A large percentage of his points is off putbacks, which makes him a good blend guy. He's not a particularly good jump shooter and he's not going to be a household name, but he's a guy who's going to give you spirited minutes."

So maybe Taj works on his jump shot this summer.

Bulls 2010

Posting real soon now.

Jackson calls out Pierce

It's not just Phil.

Jackson questions Pierce's injury -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

BOSTONCHICAGO - Paul Pierce's dramatic return was compelling theater, one of those defining, Willis Reed-type moments.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who had front-row seats at both events, wasn't so impressed.

"If I'm not mistaken," a cynic and sarcastic Jackson said Friday, "I think Willis Reed missed a whole half and three quarters almost of a game and literally had to have a shot, a horse shot, three or four of them in his thigh to come back out and play. Paul got carried off and was back on his feet in a minute."

Nate Thurmond and Sidney Moncrief were on TV and made the same observation. Both thought Pierce's injury was high drama. You get hurt, you go to the bench. When you go to the locker room, you'd better be out.

Bulls *still* looking for New Coach.

This search is getting old.

Casey could push Collins aside for Bulls job

With a strong second interview this week, former Minnesota coach Dwane Casey may have jumped ahead of Doug Collins for consideration to become next head coach of the Bulls.

Tales of Two Cities

Ben Wallace is a Bull (real soon now) and whether this intra-division move is good or bad depends on how you measure value.

Detroit offered 48 M and the Bulls something like 60 M. Chicago won. Detroit did not budge on their offer.

Detroit says the Bulls overpaid for an aging and waning player. They'll retool knowing the NBA rules favor perimeter shooters, athletic slashers and pogo stick post players.

Chicago now has the tough center they needed to establish a post game and anchor their defense. They'll make a run at the title now, no more rebuilding or waiting.

Who is right?

We'll find out -- but remember this: Chicago blew up the aging Bulls championship team and retooled and drafted and retooled and drafted. It was a disaster. Why? They lost players who defined the team's tough character and it took three coaches and new GM to bring back the work ethic by assembling the right kind of players.

Chicago has that new NBA style team with slashing players, outside shooting and ball movement yet this modern style NBA team sought out old-school Ben Wallace.

Do not pAnIc!!!!

I think teams get close to being good or great and they identify a free agent who will make or break them. The guy is good and fills a need but multiple teams want him. A bidding war begins and the winner overpays; loaded with a large, long term contract. The team gets better but never best. After a few frustrating playoff losses, they blow up the team and start over.

It all beings with some needed piece and the GM panics.

John Paxson, Don't panic!

If the Bulls are eager to sign Joel Przybilla, they need to move quickly.
[...]
Przybilla ranks high on the Bulls' wish list. The Blazers want to
re-sign Przybilla but can offer him only the midlevel exception of
about $5 million because they are above the salary cap.

Show your respect

Free agency has begun. The Bulls will contact each available free agent in sequence, not according to priorities, but following the status of each professional player and his agent. Ben Wallace is the best big man available and then Harrington. Their Agents are under pressure to deliver so Paxson's call means he recognizes talent is available and the Agent has gotten the Bulls to show interest. Detroit's Ben Wallace may never sign elsewhere but there was interest in signing him from some top teams with available money. Someday his Agent will do Chicago a favor in return.

Source: Bulls targeting Wallace as top priority

A source close to the Bulls said the team has targeted Detroit big man Ben Wallace, 32, as its top priority. Wallace, an unrestricted free agent, was expected to be a lock to remain with the Pistons until he and coach Flip Saunders had a late-season falling out.

If the Bulls are unable to land Wallace, Atlanta forward Al Harrington (unrestricted) and Seattle power forward Chris Wilcox (restricted), 23, are next on the Bulls' list of front-court free agents.

Draft Comments

The draft is over but the new financial year (and trades) being July 1 and while teams and free agents can talk, signings must wait until July 12.

Contrast two teams: Chicago added two defensive forwards and a tall, defensive guard. Golden State added two young 7'0"+ Centers.

GSW will have to move one or more front court players given they have far too many to use but I don't see Chicago in the same situation. The Bulls can opt to not resign a few players - Harrington (PF) is a veteran but is aging and optional. Eddie Basden (G) and Livingston (F) are gone. These are three players the Bulls can cut to absorb their three new players. GSW will need to move some of their stockpiled talent at PF/C. They have too much invested in their players (or long term $$ contracts) to cut anyone without getting value for the player. GSW will be active in trade talks.

Free agent candidates for the Bulls are Darius Songalia (PF) (He elected to be a free agent but will be a re-sign priority) and Nazr M. or Joel P. (C) are priorities *if* they are not over-valued by other suitors. Paxson will not panic and over-bid for a player. GSW GM, Chirs Mullin already did panic last year -- he overbid to get Derek Fisher (PG) and overpaid to resign Foyle (C).

Draft: My Secret Admirer

Secret Admirer: Is Paxson hiding his interest in Bargnani? Say Toronto is thinking of trading down to pick him at #4 or #5 -- maybe Paxson is psyching out Colangelo. All this attention to Thomas and Aldridge maybe a smoke screen.
From the http://www.dailyherald.com:

No Berto for Bargnani: The Bulls will not be hosting Italy’s Andrea Bargnani at the Berto Center before the draft, even though his season ended Tuesday with Benetton Treviso winning the Italian league championship.

“My understanding is he’s going to New York to get a physical this weekend and if teams would like to see him, they can go and talk to him,” John Paxson said.

Paxson went on to say he doesn’t think he needs any more time with the 7-foot Bargnani, who averaged 11.6 points for Benetton during the Italian league regular season.

“I went over in January and saw him practice a couple times, saw him play a couple times,” Paxson said. “Just recently, (European scout) Ivica Dukan and (assistant coach) Ron Adams were over there for the Treviso big man camp and they spent some time with him. We feel very comfortable in knowing what we need to know about him.”

I have a hard time believing the Bulls will pick a project with the #16 but they do have cap space and Paxson has to think long term, and not only re-tool for the season. Here’s a project that isn’t capably of playing yet but could probably swat some NBA shots right away.

Bulls eye tall project: One player who has received some attention in the prelude to the NBA draft is Saer Sene, a 7-foot center from Senegal. His wingspan was measured at 7-8¨ at the Orlando predraft camp, with a standing reach of 9-5.
….
“We had him in and he’s a really intriguing kid,” John Paxson said. “I have confidence in our staff that we have the setup and the ability to help players become better.

“Those type of deals are a bit of a roll of the dice. But I know this for a fact: In the three years I’ve been here, there hasn’t been a kid walk through these doors that has the length that that kid has. So you have to look at it.”

Again, any team interested in Saer is going to leapfrog the Bulls at #16 *if* Paxson telegraphs his interest. Paxson is not telegraphing his preferences to anyone.

This upside-down draft and the following trades this summer will be very interesting.

NBA Draft 2006

NBA Draft 2006

Chicago Bulls will use both their #2 and #16 picks. Guessing who they pick is a crapshoot.

Their ideal #2 would be PF/C Aldridge over PF/SF Thomas but there’s an outside chance of Paxson picking SG Roy, or SF/PF Bargnani. Paxson has to keep his priorities secret or someone could trade up to #1 and get the player he’s targeting.

At #16 there’s no telling who will be available. Someone is going to fall and someone they need will be available. I say Paxson picks the best player available – the best asset. He can trade assets at a later date and if no favorable trade happens before the season, well Coach Skiles does use players with a deep rotation. All things being somewhat predicable, the Bulls will select the best two front court players available. Why? It's easier to trade a "big" for a "small". A promising, decent front court player is a better asset. John Paxson manages assets.

Paxson would avoid selecting a "project" player at #16 unless he demonstrated one NBA level skill, has a huge upside and drew a lot of interest.

Two New Bigs

We have two new bigs - Allen is 6-10 and Songaila and Harrington are 6-8.

ChicagoSports.com - Curry's role may fade: "
The team's long-term concerns about Curry and, to a lesser extent, the aging body of the soon-to-be 37-year-old Antonio Davis, were tackled with the off-season signings of Malik Allen and Darius Songaila and the re-signing of Othella Harrington."
...
"Davis did a nice job of it, making the 15-footer," coach Scott Skiles said last week. "We'll have big guys who can spread the floor. Hopefully, our perimeter game will be much improved. People will have to honor those guys more."

Knicks want Curry - Let 'em go

Let him go.

I sincerely think he's ill and worse - lazy and immature. Will he change? Someday, but the Knicks have former Bull Jamal Crawford and he's still shooting poorly and is questionable as a PG. We'll see what Larry Brown does with him.

ChicagoSports.com - Knicks continue to pursue Curry: "Curry has until 11:59 p.m. Monday to accept the Bulls' offer of $5.14 million for the upcoming season, preparations for which open Tuesday with the start of training camp workouts. Originally, the cutoff date for qualifying offers was Saturday, but it was changed to coincide with a weekday. The Bulls can extend the deadline further at their discretion.

A source close to the negotiations said the Knicks still are offering to send Tim Thomas and Michael Sweetney, which is unsatisfactory to Bulls general manager John Paxson. Contracts for Thomas and Sweetney, valued this season at $13.5 million and $2.1 million, respectively, expire next spring. Paxson is said to be seeking a draft pick.

It seems unlikely that the parties will reach an agreement."

Golden State signed 7-foot-1-inch center Deji Akindele of Chicago State.

Never heard of him.

ChicagoSports.com - Pargo accepts Bulls deal: "- Golden State signed 7-foot-1-inch center Deji Akindele of Chicago State. Last season as a sophomore he averaged 12.0 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks and was Mid-Continent Conference defensive player of the year."

Attorney: Curry won't take DNA test

It's war.
Curry is going to walk next year - so his lawyer sez.
Eddie should take the DNA test but his belief is the test is not reliable.
No test is.

Eddie isn't sure he has a heart condition.
He isn't sure he doesn't have one
Eddie wants a contract based on his potential, and assuming he is healthy.
He should accept the risk of illness himself and have a clause in his contract .
Eddie wants a full contract and if his heart is bad - he wants to keep all the money and effectively ruin a franchise for the duration of his contract.
Eddie needs to accept respoinsibility for his health.
Eddie should take the test or retire.

ChicagoSports.com - Attorney: Curry won't take DNA test: "

Paxson fell short of saying the Bulls will refuse to play Curry if he doesn't agree to be tested, but that's the direction the team appears ready to take, even though they have no intention of voiding his contract.

'We don't plan on failing him if he doesn't take it,' Paxson said. 'But I'm telling you that it's going to be very difficult for us to put him on the floor if he doesn't take it.'

If nothing else, Milstein offered clarity on Curry's future in the long term.

'The bottom line is that Eddy Curry will be playing for the Bulls this season and then for someone else,' he said."

Finally, Songaila signs with Bulls

What a favor!

Finally, Songaila signs with Bulls: Give an assist to the Sacramento Kings for helping the Bulls land forward Darius Songaila, who signed a two-year contract Thursday that will pay him $2.2 million this season.
...
"Closing the deal proved to be as complicated as agent Mark Bartelstein originally anticipated. Songaila was a restricted free agent, which gave the Kings -- who had their own salary-cap issues -- the right to match any offer sheet tendered to the 6-9, 248-pounder.

'We got Sacramento to rescind their qualifying offer, which made him unrestricted,'' Bartelstein said. 'It's kind of an unusual maneuver in this business. But [Kings operations chief] Geoff Petrie and I have a really good relationship, and Darius was really highly sought after. The first day of free agency, we probably had 15 teams that wanted to get him.''

Had Songaila been unrestricted from the start of free agency, Bartelstein suggested his client could have commanded a five-year deal worth up to $35 million."

Curry and the GS Warriors

I guess internal talks means talks within the GSW organization, around a table, with coffee and donuts but not making any follow-up phone calls or inquiries.

Finally, Songaila signs with Bulls: "NOTES: The Contra Costa Times reported that the Golden State Warriors have had 'internal'' talks concerning Bulls restricted free-agent center Eddy Curry, whose options have been limited by the heart troubles that sidelined him late last season.

Bulls GM John Paxson, however, said there was nothing new to report concerning Curry, who is expected to sign the Bulls' one-year, $5.14 million qualifying offer by the league's Oct. 1 deadline. Curry then would become an unrestricted free agent after the season."

Daily Herald | Chicago Bulls Notes

Daily Herald | Chicago Bulls Notes: "Negotiations between the Bulls and restricted free agent center Eddy Curry are already messy and may only get messier.

The team is exploring what options it has to require Curry to take a DNA test before practice begins Oct. 4, whether Curry eventually accepts the Bulls’ contract offer or signs the one-year qualifying offer worth $5.14 million.

“There’s new language in the collective bargaining agreement in terms of what we can do in a physical (exam),” Bulls general manager John Paxson said. “I can’t say anything beyond that.”
...
So far, Curry has refused to submit to a DNA test."

Curry had better hire a lawyer to look over the new collective bargaining agreement. If Paxson can require a DNA test then Curry has an all-or-nothing proposition. For the last three years, the Bulls paid for an underachieving, teenage center. There is no way Chicago owes him if he turns out unfit for the NBA. He has no claim to any support beyond the Bulls' qualifying offer for this year. What a dope.

ChicagoSports.com: Source: Knicks want Curry

The Kick's GM I.Thomas is playing a game. He knows Paxson will not let Curry go nor will Paxson commit to a long contract without knowing Curry's heart condition. Thomas also knows Curry's agent, Rose, is under pressure to produce an offer and that Curry is desperate for a deal. So Thomas floats an huge offer knowing Rose will run with it, Curry will want it and Paxson will stand tight. Thomas runs little risk of signing a sick Curry to this huge offer (or any) since Paxson has had no reason to sign and traded Curry this year. If Curry turns out healthy, he'll be on the market next year. Thomas can play the good guy next year, tell Curry he made a good faith offer and was willing to accept the risk when Paxson wasn't and also and blame Paxson for not taking the offer and hurting Curry. Thomas will try to land a healthy Curry next year but if Curry is ill, Thomas' offer is a fadded memory.

ChicagoSports.com: Source: Knicks want Curry: "Source: Knicks want Curry
Bulls won't budge on offer to center
By Marlen Garcia
Tribune staff reporter

September 18, 2005, 1:06 AM CDT

Eddy Curry's agent said Saturday he has found a team that is a willing buyer in a sign-and-trade for the Bulls' center. The agent, Leon Rose, declined to name the team, but sources familiar with the negotiations said it was the Knicks.

Bulls general manager John Paxson said he would not pursue the proposal, which Rose said he made about a week ago.

'Unless there's a deal out there I want to make, I'm not making it,' said Paxson, clearly angered by Rose's announcement. 'I'm not going to give Eddy Curry away.'

Worse for Curry, a three-year offer from the Bulls appears to be off the table, leaving him with only the one-year qualifying offer of $5.14 million.
"

Curry is desperate. His whole life is centered aroud BBall and he is entitled to the big bucks of an NBA center. This illness is unacceptable - Curry is in denial and will not get a definitive answer since mey be negative. Unfortunately, the Bulls own him this year so if he is sick, the Bull's offer is the best thing he'll ever see - it is three year's worth of money. Curry is too scared to take a DNA test so he is probably his best offer and hoping for it.

I'm also skeptical a healthy Curry is in any kind of shape to play this year. Curry is wishing away his future. Show up flabby and the first half of the season is lost. He best chance will be to pull it together and finish strong. NBA will be asked to make an large commitment on a guy who can't put together a single season after four long years.

Advice to Curry - Sign!

Dear Eddie;

We want you in Chicago and you will do well playing here. Pax and Skiles are offering you a chance to play for your home town team and fill a role. The GM and Coach both played BB and were respected for their hardnose play by two of the NBA's all time best - Jordan and Shaq.

If you are ill, you'll need the long term contract the Bulls are offering - it is the best offer you'll get without proving yourself. If you're not ill - you're healthy - then you were foolish for not taking a DNA test and putting doubts to rest. No long term offer is coming without proof you are healthy.

Sign with the Bulls. Pax gave Jason Williams a generous gift after he hurt himself riding a motorcycle he was not skilled enough to control. Rather than play hardball with Jason, Pax let him keep several million dollars and he didn't put Jason on the spot. Jason kept money and his good guy reputation.

Eddie, take their long term offer. Stop dreaming of mega bucks and settle for being a multimillionaire. Get in shape and play hard nose basketball. If it's an incentive laden contract then you have a fair chance to make big bucks if you're healthy.

Think this situation is unfair? Call Rick Brunson - he'll tell you to "never exhale."

We've got no chance

Babcock is Toronto's GM and he's made some controversial decisions - like giving up Vince Carter for next to nothing.

He thinks the team will not improve on last year's record and he's right.

Why is it stunning that he is so candid? I'm curious if the team will show promise or if the younger players are as problematic as last year's #1 BUST - Rafael Araujo who player 12 min a game averaging 3.3 points and 3 rebounds.

I want them to do well. I think Babcock isn't as stupid as his critics suggest.

SLAM! Sports - Basketball Toronto Raptors - We've got no chance: "Raptors fans may be shocked to learn that Rob Babcock does not see his team improving this season.

At least in terms of its won-loss record.

In a frank and rather stunning assessment, the Raptors general manager told the Toronto Sun yesterday he does not expect his club to improve on its 33-49 record from last season, given the influx of young players on the roster."

Curry seeking sign-and-trade

Eddie Curry day in the Chicago Press. Lots to read.

Bottom line for Eddie Curry is his heart - how dedicated he has been this offseason. If he is in shape for this fall then he'll eventually get what he wants. If he's out of shape for the preseason camp, he'll never get the kind of offer he wants.

ChicagoSports.com - Curry seeking sign-and-trade: "Meanwhile, questions continue to surface about Curry's weight and whether he's in shape. Earlier this summer he said he wasn't playing full-court because he didn't want to risk an injury while negotiating a contract. He has been drilling and lifting weights under the guidance of Tim Grover, Michael Jordan's former trainer."

One more note:
The guy blew it with Atlanta. They would have made him an offer Paxson probably would not have matched given everyone's concern over Eddie's possible heart condition. If Eddie had showed enthusiasm for Atlanta, they'd take the risk and sign him as a player who could turn their team around. He has that much potential if he were motivated to use his talent.

Sadly, Eddie left Atlanta early to attend a wedding and it it seems when he was there, he clearly didn't encourge them (or anyone else watching how he behaved) he was mature enough to take the risk to sign him. Eddie really is a big kid and he demonstarted that to the NBA when he left Atlanta early and his agnet had to explain it afterwards.

Eddie Curry has a heart problem, the one in his chest isn't the biggest problem.

Musing

This is "slow dance" time for the NBA.

Some significant free agents are still available and a teams have unmet needs but events unfold slowly as players and team match up based on priorities and salary cap. As players sign and teams spend cash, the pool of available players and salary cap space diminish and both free agents and teams move on and match up, often compromising on salary and expectations. Finley for example really did hold up a lot of teams from spending their mid-level exception. Now that he is gone, teams can spend that cash on other free agents. It is a slow process.

The Bulls haven't done much - relative to previous years and to other teams in their conference. They began with a good, young roster and are beefing up their front court looking for big men who can shoot - Bill Wennington style. They should improve and are hedging against Curry getting ill.

It's hard to integrate and sum the net effects of all the changes - mostly teams look like they improve but not every team can have a better record. It is a zero sum game.

Some guesses: The Pacers and Detroit will be tough this year. I'm guessing less so for the Pacers. Why? Gut feeling and the lack of old R. Miller.

Baby Bulls

What about the two Chicago free agents, the Baby Bulls?

Da Bulls sign Chandler. I'm happy they kept him for ~64 million over
6 years. However, an incentives laden contract is a mistake. He's
too young and will pout when he doesn't start or get 'enough' playing
time to earn his incentives. Chandler is a guy who has grown up with
so much unearned attention and privilege that playing for incentives
will distract him from team basketball. I hope I am wrong.

Da Bulls haven't signed Curry – yet. IMHO Curry has a heart condition
and he doesn't want to hear or know about it. He is unprepared for a
life outside the NBA. I am betting that Curry's rosy take on his
health isn't going to allow him to accept the Bulls are offer. He is
going to take the 5.3 million qualifying offer and try for a big,
guaranteed contract next season.

Central projection (Aug 2005)

Last year

Central
Det.	42	23	.646	---
Clev.	34	30	.531	7 .5
BULLS	33	31	.516	8 .5
Indiana	33	32	.508	9
Mil.	27	38	.415	15

This year's forecast

1. Detroit
2. Bulls
3. Indiana
4. Cleveland
5. Milwaukee

Why? Let's work our way bottom to top.
Milwaukee has a new coach and rookie big-men always struggle.
Cleveland has shoot first Hughes and their resigned Center will have foot problems - yes I'm guessing.
Indiana is going to underperform - Artest is nuts and will blow up - again.
Bulls will fine tune last years team and their two big men will be playing for contracts/incentives.
Detroit - gotta respect them util you beat 'em!

Why Avery Johnson Signed Diop

Well, Avery Johnson, GM for Dallas, had a reason for signing Diop for three years , he thinks he did see something from Diop this summer.

Star-Telegram | 08/19/2005 | Mavs reboot with Christie, Diop signings: "However, Diop showed significant improvement in the summer league in Las Vegas, progress that got the attention of the Mavs.

'There were a lot of NBA players there, including [Indiana's] Jermaine O'Neal,' Diop said. 'We did a lot of drills, and a lot of one-on-one stuff, and I did pretty good.

'After that, Dallas started talking to me.'

As the price to sign Dale Davis increased, and as Philadelphia signed Steven Hunter, the Mavs' pursuit of Diop intensified.

'He had a real strong summer,' Johnson said. 'A couple of years ago, I probably wouldn't have done this deal.

'But he came in, I worked him out personally, I evaluated him personally, and he looks to be ready to make a move in his career right now.'
"

A Mav Player to Watch

A classmate's of Curry - selected 8th and did nothing for four years. From what I can tell - he's been lazy and lacked pride. He's one reason Jim Paxson was let go from Cleveland. Not getting any miutes nor making free throws is a sign of immaturity.

Well The Mavs wanted a Center and took a chance on the guy. I think it's a mistake - unlike K.Brown who signed with LA, this player never showed anything in the Pros - ever. If he can do something then he'll be a deal as useful NBA Centers average 8 million.

Keep an eye on the guy - Dallas saw something. Right?

Mavs get Diop for 3 years: "Center DeSagana Diop, who never came close to matching the expectations that caused former Cavaliers General Manager Jim Paxson to make him the eighth pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, will sign a three-year, $6.4 million free-agent contract with the Dallas Mavericks today.
...
Diop, 7-0 and 270 pounds, was bothered by injuries throughout his career. He averaged just 1.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and .8 blocked shots a game in 193 games over the past four seasons. ... Conditioning was a problem at the beginning of his career, but getting in better shape and learning more about the game did not translate into more minutes later in his career."

Kendall Gill is a mad man.

The Bulls signed Eddie Basden to fill their need for a tall SG but they could have resigned Kendall Gill. He's a fitness nut - the anti-Curry.

After Vargas wins, entourage rumbles: "'He's had no firm offers. But, hopefully, we'll get one. If [an NBA team is] willing to put their money on a determined, elitely conditioned, highly motivated athlete, they can.

'I'll tell you what, I have a list of two-guards up on my mirror that I look at every day,'' said Gill, who starred at Illinois before playing 14 seasons in the NBA. 'I'm going to look at them like they're my [boxing] opponent. I see all those guys with $90 million contracts and everything and I'm hungry. Just like I've gone out and [fought], I'm going to go out and get this.''"

UK sez "Deng's gonna be like Mike"

I forget that Deng is from the UK and he's known there and increasingly admired.

Scotsman.com Sport - Top Stories - Deng's gonna be like Mike: "Deng's inaugural campaign brought him sufficient plaudits to earn a spot on the NBA's All-Rookie First Team, an honour which provided some consolation for the wrist injury which brought his participation to a premature close and saw him miss the Bulls' first play-off run since the departure of Michael Jordan. 'I never had an injury like that before where I had to sit out for a while. My rehab is going well. I'm back to playing now, since about three weeks ago. It was a tough spell, the longest I've ever been away from the game.'

Perversely though, it has had its plus points. 'When I got hurt, I had to start using my left hand so now it's stronger than it was before and I'm a better player as a result,' he reveals. 'It's something I've been telling the kids about - how unbelievable the things that you can do are, if you just stop doing only what you're already good at.'

As a role model, Deng fits the bill perfectly. While Nike has hinted at raising his profile still further, he is certain to be recruited as one of the faces of London 2012. Potentially, the UK could field a team in seven years time which could hold its own among the world's best. The Scottish pair of Kieron Achara and Robert Archibald will then be in their primes, while another Brixton prodigy, seven foot teenager Eric Boateng, will succeed Deng at Duke next month and is certain to join him in the NBA."

ESPN.com - NBA - Warriors outlook

ESPN.com - NBA - Kreidler: Circus atmosphere out West: "The Warriors don't stink: At least, that's the popular thinking. With Chris Mullin calling the shots and former Stanford coach Mike Montgomery doing the X-and-O thing, Golden State came dangerously close last season to getting back into the thick of things in the West -- no mean feat when you consider that Phoenix and Seattle also seemed to come out of nowhere to grab newsprint in the same campaign. Now Mullin's gambling that the Baron Davis experiment can work long term, the W's have decided that scoring is a lot more fun than not scoring, and Oakland once again is becoming a place where other NBA teams aren't sure they want to stop. For the right reasons."

Grant gone

I haven't any expectation the Bulls can sign an amnesty player now that Grant's gone to Phoenix. The Suns are loading up.

If there was a chance, it might be junk yard dog Williams from the Knicks but I don't see them offering him a multi-year contract and he's not a outside scoring PF.

Tom Gugliotta is reported to be favored by Skiles from a previous coach/player relationship.

The team will have a competitive training camp - I think Chicago has earned a reputation for keeping and playing productive players regardless of their pedigree. They should attract players who feel they can succeed if given a fair shot. A problem is there are fewer open slots on this year's roster.

Bulls eye Grant to beef up at power forward

Bulls eye Grant to beef up at power forward: "According to an NBA source, Paxson and Bulls coach Scott Skiles contacted Grant shortly after the power forward was waived by the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

Grant, 33, is coming off the worst season of his 11-year NBA career -- he averaged 3.8 points and 3.7 rebounds while missing 13 games because of tendinitis in both knees -- but is exactly the kind of veteran big man the Bulls are looking to add."

Will any amnesty free agents play for Chicago ? The team has only 2.2 million to offer if they sign Chris Duhon.
What would Grant gain by playing for Chicago? It's a top sports market; a team good enough for the playoffs but eliminated in round one; team with a controversial coach (albeit less so since he turned this team around); a player who's a good citizen and undoubted likes a structured, no nonsense environment.

BTW, Rumors said Finley would be released and play for Miami.

Bulls & Duhon

Bulls: "
Bulls general manager John Paxson's initial offer to Duhon was for three years in the $6 million range, but he said Monday he was 'highly likely' to match the Raptors' offer without divulging the terms.

Toronto GM Rob Babcock acknowledged the probability of Paxson matching the offer.

'If I had to guess, I'd guess they would probably match,' he told the Star. 'We understand there's a likelihood they'll match, but there's a little chance they might not. You have to be aggressive and see what happens.'
"

Hat's off to Babcock for trying. He's forcing Paxson to spend a significant portion of the mid-level exception salary on Duhon.

TheStar.com - Raps want Duhon

Toronto made a move for Bulls PG Chris Duhon. The Raptors are probably tapped out at 2.5 million so the Bulls will match their offer and keep Duhon. If Chris developed an outside shot this off-season, he'll be worth every penny.

TheStar.com - Raps want Duhon: "Rob Babcock has identified a free agent he wants but it appears he won't get him.

The Raptors general manager, according to several NBA sources, has made an offer to sign Chicago's restricted free agent point guard Chris Duhon, but the Bulls seem ready to match it.
...
There were no specifics available but given Toronto's obligations, it's likely to have been less than $2.5 million (all figures U.S.) to start. The Bulls had offered him about $2 million in their original negotiations, according to published reports.

Duhon is coming off a solid rookie season in which he started 73 of 82 regular-season games and five of six playoff games. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder averaged 5.9 points and 4.9 assists as a rookie with Chicago."

Toronto GM Babcock has criticized for over paying marginal talent. I'm not as skeptial as others about the roster Toronto GM Babcock has assembled. His 1st round pick last year - a Center - was a bust. It is not clear that the lumbering player will get that much better - ever. This year's pick however is athletic but seemingly redundant with PF Chris Bosh and many thought he reached down into the draft. The player will play a mix of Center and PF and it's reckless to trade down to get the player he felt he needed. Get what you want and not try to second guess other GMs in the increasingly unpredictable draft.

Forum: GS 'can' win Pacific, 2nd place up for grabs.

Forum: "
A[nswer].
Can the Warriors win the Pacific? Of course. But they'll have to win on the road. I still think Phoenix is the best team in the Division, but second is up for grabs. For the first time in a long time, the Warriors are in the mix.

Marcus Thompson 8/05/05"

So much rests on Baron Davis and the improvement of 2nd year coach Mike Montgomery. The Warriors don't have a proven coach like the Bulls' Scott Skiles. Monty is a college coach who, in his first year, has made mistakes with his line-ups and misused his bench.

The Warriors finished 18-8 with Davis, a promising ending to a long season.

Inside Bay Area - Mullin and his "mistake" Fisher

It's been called one of the ten worse free agent signings in the NBA - ever. It ranks at #10 and it is Warrior's GM Chris Mullin signing PG Derek Fisher and Center Adonel Foyle to large, long term contracts. Well look at this, Fisher is wanted by a lot of teams and they are hoping the Warriors will release him under the amnesty rule because the conventional wisdom was/is that Fisher is overpaid.

Maybe the contracted Mullin offered was not that bad.

The argument against Fisher's contract is the length and amount. He'll cost the team salary in the later years of this long contract (Foyle too) but not be as productive. One factor for Mullin's decision is that both guys were courted by other teams and both guys are outstanding, and coachable characters.

Maybe in the later part of the contract, paying an older Derek Fisher seven plus million to play backup point guard and spot-up shooter is too much. It is becoming clear that the Warriors have a gem today and Fisher is wanted by teams looking to win a title, not just make the playoffs.

If signing Fisher stopped the cancer in the locker room and helped turn this team into a hardworking unit, then the pissing and moaning about the future burden of Fisher's contract is short sighted thinking.

Inside Bay Area - Sports: "Releasing Fisher and the $31.9 million he's due over the next five seasons would allow the Warriors to sign a significant free agent this summer. So the question becomes: Is there one out there that warrants throwing away that kind of money? The answer is no.

First off, understand if the Warriors were to lose Fisher, they'd be sacrificing not only their best catch-and-shoot perimeter marksman but also their chief insurance policy should Baron Davis get hurt.

Without question, Mullin immediately would have to replace Fisher with ... well, another Fisher. Preferably an upgraded model.

The only player who's close to qualifying among the available free agents is Memphis guard Earl Watson, a very popular commodity on the market right now.

It would cost the Warriors about $29 million to get the former UCLA standout, which in essence would be $60 million when you factor in the amount owed Fisher.

Watson isn't worth that kind of money. Neither is Gary Payton, Latrell Sprewell or Nick Van Exel — other big-name free agents.

Shaquille O'Neal wants Fisher in Miami. Phil Jackson needs him back in Los Angeles.

Sorry, guys. This isn't the 'charity'"

Bulls Roster Changes

Hmmm.

Out of the running

It's no surprise former Illinois star Frank Williams will not return to the Bulls next season. Bulls staff members were dissatisfied with Williams' effort in his one season here. Ex-Iowa center Jared Reiner also will not return.

Frank Williams is not a surprise. He came to the preseason camp out of shape. SG Eddie Basden will take Williams' place.

I was curious about Jared Reiner. He was a dark horse last year - possibly he made the team given Chandler and Curry were such unknowns. The Bulls will entertain a different big man and may think their strong showing last season means Chicago can attract a better, veteran player for 2005-06.

Malik Allen, Michael Finley, Tom Gugliotta and Toni Kukoc all have piqued Paxson's interest, according to a source. While Finley, once a star at Proviso East, is probably the most attractive, he also may be the hardest to get because several teams are expected to pursue him.

Finley will be available assuming Dallas releases him under a new stipulation in the collective bargaining agreement that does not include the player's salary in the team's luxury tax.

Finley is a loooooong shot - Dallas will probably not release him fearing he will play for the rival Suns. If released, he probably will want to play for a sure thing, not a rebuilding team like Chicago.

Kukoc is the most popular of the remaining names but he might be as useful an aged Scottie Pippen - not that useful at all. He is a smart player, a good passer but often injured.

IMHO Gugliotta is too old and hampered by past inhuries. I don't know if he can shoot well but he played for GSW and didn't impress me (yet who does while at GS?).

Allen is probably the more likely candidate Paxson is looking at since he's the least known of the former and is thus is not mentioned to show respect to a veteran player or for making points with an player's agent. Public flattery can help make an agent look good and in turn he'll help the team when he can.

IMHO, Finley would do well as an "NBA personality" playing for Da Bulls. He'd be a fan favorite and credited with putting Chicago over the top if they did well in the playoffs. Given Chicago is a deep team, he'd also get reduced minutes but play at critical times. Dallas wouldn't have to face him in the playoffs unless both teams made the finals.

Is Finley necessary?

Yes!

Playing Gordon (SG) and Finley (SF) would make a small back court but with Hinrich at PG it would place three high scoring perimeter players on the floor and open up the paint for Chandler and Davis (or Curry). Starting Hinrich and Finley as guards, Loul Deng would be at SF and Curry at Center.

So what about the PF position?

The PF position is still open. Chandler is best used off the bench and so is high energy Nocioni. Da Bulls currrent PFs are short 6-9 Harrington, bean-pole Chandler, Agressive-but-undersized Nocioni and possibly slow-but-steady A.Davis. Possible additions for the Bulls are 6-9 Mario Austin, free agent Allen (see above) or a TBD veteran.

The PF position is still the most interesting aspect for this team.

Da Bulls roster dynamics in mid-July

A good summary of the Free Agents from the Bulls 2005 roster.

Backup point guards C.Duhon is starting his 2nd year out of Duke.  J.Pargo is a Chicagoian and a few years out of school who played in the NBDL and stuck with Chicago when Skiles was hire late in the 2004 season and shuffled the roster to add hungry NBDL players who would hustle in pratice. Pargo is a scorer, Duhon plays good team defense in Skiles' system. 

One of Chris Duhon's representatives insists the two sides are close to agreement on a deal worth about $6 million for three years. But first, Duhon's camp wants to make sure no other team is willing to offer more. The first-year point guard was expecting to visit Orlando this week.

Jannero Pargo is the Bulls' fourth restricted free agent and he's getting feelers from the Lakers, among other teams.

Griffin is a SF and a mid-career veteran who works hard and plays smart.  He has heart than talent and he's stuck in the NBA by working 100%.  Harrington is an older, undersized PF from the Knicks who played well for Skiles and has an outside shot. He and Griffin want to come back. Skiles plays his bench and keeps them in the game if they are producing.

The two unrestricted free agents the Bulls plan to bring back are Othella Harrington and Adrian Griffin. The two veterans will most likely have to wait until Curry, Chandler and Duhon's deals are settled.

Basden is a 6-5 SG senior who plays defense, passes well and scored 15 ppg in the summer league. I never heard much about Pasalic.  Basden is probably going to be a good defensive player who will let Hinrich play and defend the PG position.

The only free agents the Bulls are seriously pursuing are undrafted rookies. Guard Eddie Basden should sign later this week and the Bulls were also impressed with 6-11 Drago Pasalic, a 21-year-old Croatian, during the Las Vegas summer league.

Chandler and Curry will be courted by the Hawks.  If they want too much and Atlanta offers it then I say let them go and play for a loser team in a city that could care less about BB. 

Monta

GSW rookie and 42nd draft pick Monta is getting complemented by other coaches/GMs. He is playing hard and getting noticed. He's defending, scoring and one GM said 'is playing with heart' and is unselfish.

At 6-3 he's a well sized PG and is quick enough to get off his own shot. Monta is skinny and young but he's shown toughness on defense.

Watch for him in the spring as a backap to Davis and Fisher.

Monta

GSW rookie and 42nd draft pick Monta is getting complemented by other coaches/GMs. He is playing hard and getting noticed. He's defending, scoring and one GM said 'is playing with heart' and is unselfish.

At 6-3 he's a well sized PG and is quick enough to get off his own shot. Monta is skinny and young but he's shown toughness on defense.

Watch for him in the spring as a backap to Davis and Fisher.

Monta

GSW rookie and 42nd draft pick Monta is getting complemented by other coaches/GMs. He is playing hard and getting noticed. He's defending, scoring and one GM said 'is playing with heart' and is unselfish.

At 6-3 he's a well sized PG and is quick enough to get off his own shot. Monta is skinny and young but he's shown toughness on defense.

Watch for him in the spring as a backap to Davis and Fisher.

Hawks' interest in Curry seems genuine

Hawks' interest in Curry seems genuine: "Curry's agent, Leon Rose, is hoping to get a multiyear deal paying Curry between $8 million and $10 million a year.

What is uncertain is whether Knight at least put in an opening bid while Bulls operations chief John Paxson apparently is waiting to make sure Curry's heart is insured."

I've read that 8 million a year is about the average salary for a starting NBA center. If Curry's agent will take 8 million then I say pay it. Currys an asset given his playful personality and at times he can be unstoppable. You have to ignore the past when setting value with a kid like Eddie and look to the future. Eddie is going to be an efficient scoring center who can't rebound and doesn't finish games. He probably will get better than this bu thow much is unclear and he will have his downsides. That's an 8 million dollar man - no more. Pair him with a defesive powerforward and keep a serviceable backup center and you'll have a good front line up.

GSW Summary

Several articles in the Bay Area papers carry encouraging news for the GWS 2005-06 season. 

1. Young Vets: The restricted free agent signings of PF T.Murphy and SG J.Richardson were criticized in 2004 as costly but in 2005's market place they now look like bargains.  Reporters have acknowledge they were wrong!  As free agents both would command millions more than they got in last year's contracts. 
   
2. All Rookies: All three GSW rookies are playing well in the summer league.  Mullin says he has lectured each that they are responsible for their own success and emphasized hard work as key for them doing well.  So far he's pleased with what he has seen.  
   
3. 2nd rounders: Mullin noted that he vastly underestimate SG/PG Monta Ellis' skills.  This high schooler was selected 2nd by GSW (42nd pick overall) and is considered raw and a only shooter but so far he has played good team defense and shows mature PG skills.  Note that Mullin expected so much of Monta that he was selected over PF C.Taft who himself was a previous top 1st round PF who slid badly on draft day and was picked with the Warriors 3rd draft pick. C.Taft has played very well - he's strong and has a smooth shot. He looks and plays motivated. He also just hurt his lower back - oof.
   
4. Ike:  The 1st round rookie is playing well as expected. 
   
5. Euros: PF A.Biedrins and PF/SF Z.Cabarkapa are both 6-11 and skinny.  A.Biedrins was last year's #11 pick and is very young but shows some defense skills and aggression on the boards.  Z.Cabarakapa is a 2 year player who needs cut down on turnovers and can play PF but would rather fill in behind SF M.Dunleavy. Both guys are being squeezed by the vets ahead of them and the rookies behind them.  They fell it and it's good both are playing in the summer league.
   

ChicagoSports.com: Bulls' Curry, Hawks to talk

Sure, we need a big, scoring Center but part of me wants Eddie to move to Hot-lanta for money and continue to lose basketball games. He's got a great chance to be a poster boy for losing. Somehow, after losing a few seasons, Thomas would trade from him.

ChicagoSports.com: Bulls' Curry, Hawks to talk: "Eddy Curry has scheduled a visit to Atlanta for Monday-Tuesday, making his first official move in the free-agent market.

The Hawks, who are aggressively pursuing a big man, have close to $20 million of salary-cap room.

Contacted about the visit Saturday, Curry said his first preference remains to stay with the Bulls but that his interest in Atlanta is genuine."

I like Ike

More on the GS Warriors top draft pick.

After reading the article I thought GS had a great draft. There are three top big men selected in 2006 #1, #8 and #9. They have character, are diligent and played ferocious while in college. Two of the three are humble: Andrew Bogut, Channing Frye and Ike Diogu.

Diogu's game begins with character - and education:

"Ike Diogu is special.

His parents, Edward and Jane, knew it the day he was born on Sept. 11, 1983. They stared at him lying in his hospital bed. So vibrant. So dark. So huge.

'He came out 11 pounds and 24 inches long,' Edward said. 'When we saw him lying down in that crib the first day, we thought we had a three-month-old baby.'"
...

Ike Diogu is ferocious.

Washington guard Nate Robinson, now a New York Knick, said it best after his Huskies were nearly upset by the Sun Devils on Diogu's 31 points and 15 boards: "He's just a grown man playing college basketball. He's like a train going down hill. You just hope to slow him."
...

Ike Diogu is diligent.

That was evident during a practice between road games at Stanford and Cal in January. Coach Evans stopped practice and told the team to take a water break. The players scurried to the nearest liquids. Not Diogu.

Still a bit frustrated about going 13-for-22 from the line the previous two games, well below his usual 80 percent clip, Diogu took a ball and walked to the free-throw line. While his teammates quenched their thirst, he quenched his crave for perfection.

Probably what makes Diogu so productive on the court is his combination of talent and determination. He enhances his domineering size and array of skills with a willingness to put in the work.
...

Ike Diogu is humble.

During a post-game interview after a close loss at Arizona in January - in which he totaled 23 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks - Diogu explained how he heeded advice on attacking a zone, which the Wildcats used to try to stop him. A local reporter asked Diogu who specifically gave him the advice. Diogu would only say it was a friend of Arizona State coach Rob Evans.

It took some prodding before Diogu revealed the identity of Evans' friend. It was Charles Barkley.

So what's the down side? He lasted until #9.

1. Point guard mania - Three point guards were selected and expected to upgrade the play of the entire team.
2. Perennial Promise of Potential - Some guys are freaks and likely to be the next Scottie Pippen so teams draft for positional need and the future.
   
3. Tweener - He's not likely to overpower NBA players like he did in college, is too small for the PF position and too slow to play SF.
4. Is that all - He's physically not going to develop that much beyond where he is today.
   

#1 and #2 are hard to argue - teams have different needs - while #3 and #4 are debunkable. His character, competitiveness and dedication to the game and self-improvement will allow him to adapt to the NBA and fully use the talent he has to win.

Unathletic winners like Chris Mullin and John Paxson understand that's enough.

Bulls sign Eddie... Eddie Basden

Good news, despite the headline.

Curry's hurry irritates Paxson:
...
"As for finding a big shooting guard, the Bulls have signed undrafted free agent Eddie Basden, who averaged 15.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.3 steals at Charlotte last year.

'I'm a defensive-minded player, and I'll do whatever it takes to win,'' Basden said. 'They said they wanted a bigger shooting guard that can fill that position, and that's kind of been my niche.''

Last season, Coach Skiles proved he could play "mature" rookies and win. He worked underaged players (one year experienced L.Deng and three year Ben Gordon) in as a integral players off the bench. New addition Eddie Basden sounds mature in interviews and could be a decent reserve who'll be a defensive necessity if injuries slow Hinrick. What's promising is the combo of defense and size. Eddie is an NBA 6'5". In his career, he hasn't been used as a scoring guard and learned to get college minutes by playing defense. Well, a 15.3 scoring average for a tall "defensive" minded guard is sweet.

Hinrich is a big PG who also defends and sometimes plays SG so putting Basden at SG allows Hinrick to play and defend the point. Hinrich is a big, scoring PG who can shut down the opposition and Basden can be expected to hold his own at SG* given his size and interest in defense. This "big" backcourt changes the entire composure of the team. There are more front court player combinations. Consider Deng, Harrington and Curry as the primary scoring options while Davis, Chandler and Nocioni are best for rebounding/defenders. Mix and match from the two knowing that the guard positions can defend and score.

A good line-up balanced in defense and scoring would be:
Hinrick, Basden, Deng, Nocioni & Davis.

All five are above average NBA defenders. Hinrick and Deng are reliable scorers and make their own shot. Davis and Nocioni rebound and score off of put-backs, opportunistic jumpshots and cutting layups. Basden is a wild card. He probably can't make his own shot but will benefit from Hinrich's penetration and passing. Opposition defenses will have to stop Hinrich, that will offer Basden opportunities for making uncontested shots and assists.

One last thought, former Bull Trenton Hassell was a college scorer who turned into an NBA defender. His scoring and shooting average dropped - the defending tired him. Maybe Eddie Basden can do better as a college defender who learned to defend and shoot in his last year. Basden would be a perfect complement if he is not asked to shoot often but is capable of making a high precentage of uncontested shots.

* Sure there are some formidable SGs like Allen, Kobe, Redd. Basden isn't superman but he's not 6'1".

Vegas Summer League - Game Recap - Orlando Magic vs Chicago Bulls - July 8, 2005

Potential Bulls SG has a good game. Known as promising defender who isn't a scorer, Eddie Basden led the summer league team in scoring....

Vegas Summer League - Game Recap - Orlando Magic vs Chicago Bulls - July 8, 2005: "The Bulls were led in scoring by Eddie Basden's 17 points (6-11 FG) and five rebounds. Drago Pasalic had 15 points (7-11 FG) and six rebounds in the losing effort. Chicago finished the game shooting 47 percent (33-71 FG)."

Mullin says "tall enough" but critics say "tweener"

I've read that Ike, the GSW #1 draft pick (#9 overall), is 6' 6.5" in bear feet but has the wingspan of a much taller (7'4") person. This claim is based on the "normal" ratio of a arm length to leg length. Ike seems to have a disproportionate longer arm length for his 6-7ish height.

Well, we know most NBA players list their court height which allowd for extra inche(s) due to shoes, socks (and etc). They easily add 1.0 to 1.5 inches. A 6'6" NBA player may be 6' 4.5"

Ike Diogu, the Warriors No. 1 draft pick, will attempt to become the next. Asked how tall Diogu is without shoes, Warriors vice president Chris Mullin shrugged and rattled off a list of height-inflating devices. Whatever cushioned sneakers, extra socks or orthotics players wear, Mullin said Diogu measures a solid 6-8 on the court.

Diogu is tall enough, Mullin says / At 6-8 (maybe), new Warrior is a tweener at power forward: "Brand was the NCAA Player of the Year when he left Duke after two seasons in 1999. Much like Diogu, Brand dominated his college counterparts. Yet word spread during team workouts that Brand stood only 6-6, possibly even 6-5. It wasn't until he measured 6-8 in shoes at the Chicago predraft camp that the jitters subsided.

Brand, of course, can now be counted on for 20 points and 10 rebounds a game for the Clippers.

In league history, several undersized power forwards have made their mark, none greater than Charles Barkley. Though he was listed at 6-6, those who saw Barkley in person swear he was closer to 6-4."
....
Rob Evans, Diogu's coach at Arizona State, put it more bluntly: "Ike Diogu is not going to have any trouble scoring on people, inside or outside. He just scores."

Still, there will be doubts about Diogu's effectiveness, mainly because of his size. His father, Edward, has some advice for those stuck in the "tweener" mentality.

"I tell them to wait and see," the elder Diogu said. "Seeing is believing. "

So Ike is a long-armed, wide-bodied, instinctive rebounder and prolific college scorer. He is also smart, disciplined and well-socialized. Sounds like an guy who very well could be an "Elton Brand" class player.

The Bulls traded Elton for Tyson Chandler because Elton wasn't potentionally a freakishly outstanding player like Tyson. Elton was "only" going to be a reliable 20 pt/10 rb a night guy.

You can bet Chris Mullin wouldn't have made that trade. He drafted for the same type of guy the Bulls picked at #1 and won "rookie of the year". Wadaya think? Will this guy be a monster or will he be buried in a 11-man rotation?

Projected GSW 4 & 5 starters: Ike and Troy

I would agree. For a lineup focusing on scoring, rebounding and ball movement paring these two would be good. On defense they're both suspect. Current Center A.Foyle is a better defender at and Ike was drafted as a rebounding PF so these two could play in lineups when the GWS backcourt is scoring.

Forum: "I think by the second half of the season, Diogu will be the starting power forward and Murphy the center.

Marcus Thompson 7/01/05"

GWS Too Deep

Forum: "Q.

Hi Marcus, I would like to dissagree with you about the Warriors Logjam at the 4 position. Zarko Cabarkapa is a 3, and Andris Biedrins is a 5, leaving only Murphy at the 4. The warriors can now bring in Diogu as a back up for Murphy. This move, now makes the team 2 deep at every position with Cheaney, White, Tskitishvili, Taft, & Ellis rounding out the final 5 roster spots!
Joe B, Pleasanton 6/30/05

A.

First off, Tskitishvili has been gone. White is now gone. Secondly, Biedrins is a center because that is the only position he can play right now, and the only place he can get time (because there were two other power forwards, not including White who could play the four in a small lineup). Cabarkapa plays like a three but he is a four. He played more five than three. Remember the Houston game, when he kept knocking down 3-pointers because Yao Ming wouldn't come out on him? The Warriors played a lot of small ball, and in small ball he is the power forward. Even if he is a small forward, who backs up Dunleavy, Pietrus or Cabarkapa? Pietrus normally came in for Dunleavy? You say let Pietrus come in for Richardson and Cabarkapa for Dunleavy? Where does that leave Fisher, who Montgomery likes better off the ball? No matter how you cut it, unless you move someone, there is going to be another crunch for minutes like there was at the beginning of last season, which got Montgomery in a lot of trouble. Two deep at every position is not good. It's too much on a young inexperienced coach to be trying to divide minutes. He will lose the locker room again. Plus, With Cabarkapa, Pietrus, Fisher and Diogu coming off the bench, when is Biedrins going to get time to develop?
Marcus Thompson 7/01/05"

Eddie II

2006 Needs: Chicago listed a PF who can shoot outside (like D. Marshall) and a taller SG.
So, an undrafted player will join Bulls summer league.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=2051777&prov=st&type=lgns

Eddie Basden G 6' 5" 215 lbs

POSITIVES: Basden is a mentally and physically tough player who loves being in the thick of plays. He will get his uniform torn and rumpled with his no-holds-barred style. He is more likely to score by slashing to the basket, but his perimeter game improved markedly his senior year. He has some point guard attributes as well, but his chance to stick in the NBA is with tough, chest-to-chest defense.

SHORTCOMINGS: Basden is not one of the better shooting guard prospects in the draft. Some teams want their 2-guards to do little more than shoot a perfect jump shot coming off a screen. Basden can do just about everything in basketball better than he can shoot.

Game 2 Preview

Let me help you

Game two anticipation keeping you up at night?

Let's break it down and make a prediction so you can get some sleep tonight.

Guards:
C.Duhon just earned a himself a big contract next year with his game 1 stop of G.Arenas. Arenas acknowledge Duhon in his post game interviews. If he can repeat and hold Arenas below his scoring average, the series is in the bag.

K.Hinrick needs to shoot a little higher percentage than 8-23. He was The Player of The Game in Feb's Wizards-Bulls face off so expect more. (See he's got his game face on). He should score in the 20's next game.

E.Piakowski was 1 of 7. He'll need to shoot better and I'm picking him to do that in game 2.

B.Gordon vs. L.Hughes in game one goes to Gordon for doing his scoring in the late part of the game. Hughes took advantage of Gordon early on so there's the potential for Hughes to get revenge in game two.

Front court:

I thought K.Brown would redeem himself after game one when he played beyond his season average, but it looks like his knee is hurt and he may be out of the next game (or more).

Chandler and Co. were all in foul trouble. He played well in the end - a sign of a smart player. Look for him to be a bigger factor with his classmate Brown out of the game. (Chandler was #2 and Brown #1 pick in the draft).

Davis and Harrington played well and as veterans with a long rest between games, they'll continue to play well. The forwards will contribute more in Game 2.

Chapu - he earned that silly nickname - was awesome.

Chapu is going to get a lot of attention from A.Jamison. Both can play SF and PF but only Chapu defends like a mad man. Jamison isn't a slouch and so he'll rise to the occasion but Chapu brings his "A" game every night, every game.

Game 1

Da Bulls win a difficult game. Their "Bigs" *all* got into foul trouble and remember, E.Curry is missing. The Wizards Bigs performed well. K.Brown Especially played well and he could be an series X-factor. Conversely classmate T.Chandler could be expected to contribute more than he did in this game - statistically as least.

The game should have been a disaster for Da Bulls but their guards out-played the Wizards' guards, their strength. Amazing that the Wizards backcourt didn't dominate with scoring. A.Nocioni was an effective 'tweener. He played both forward positions and was a force on the boards and scoring. A.Jamison is another 'tweener, capable of both small and power forward positions. Nocioni was the better contributor this game. A.Jamison is going to impact this series more than he did in this game.

L.Hughes was tough. He scored at will but not when it counted - the end of the game. G.Arenas was taken out of his game and didn't play to his averages - he turned the ball over and was out rebounded by Duhon. A.Jamison had A.Nocioni. Jamison's going to have to work his man harder on offense to stop him fro

Wizards vs Bulls: L.Hughes

L.Hughes

Character: Unaligned
Scoring: (7 of 10) Can score at will when shot is on but less likely
to get to rim
Defending:5 (of 10) Goes for the steal but not an effective defender.
Special Powers: Quick shot and good ball handling for a SG.
Weaknesses: Defense, Sensitivity and Judgement; will shoot when his
shot is off and acts beyond his abilities when slighted.
4th Period Effectiveness: 5 (of 10) Not afraid but not as aggressive
as G.Arenas.
Cost: 7 (of 10) Well paid free agent recruit.

Wizards vs Bulls: G.Arenas

G.Arenas

Character: Chaotic
Scoring: (9 of 10) Can score at will when shot is on. Capable of
driving to the hoop when his shot is off.
Defending:5 (of 10) Goes for the steal but not an effective defender.
Weakness offset by speed on fast break and good rebounding for a guard
Special Powers: Amazing confidence and super speed pushing the ball on offense.
Weaknesses: Defense and Judgement; will shoot when he could pass for a
better shot.
4th Period Effectiveness: 8 (of 10) wants the ball at the end of the game.
Cost: 7 (of 10) Well paid but delivering value for the dollar.

Wizards vs Bulls: Jamison

A.Jamison

Character: Good
Scoring: (9 of 10) Had back to back 51 pt games.
Defending:5 (of 10) Not effective defender but offset by awsome rebounding
Special Powers: Pogo stick rebounder - scores points off of offensive rebounds
Weaknesses: Defense
4th Period Effectiveness: 6 (of 10)
Cost: 9 (of 10) In the tail end of a max contract

Lakers Lose to Warriors

Warriors crush Lakers

Golden State scored its most lopsided victory of the year on Monday night, a 126-99 rout of the Lakers in front of a sell-out crowd of 20,024 at the Arena in Oakland.

In all fairness, Center Valde Divca and Brain Grant did not contribute much to this season and PF L.Odum is out with a damaged shoulder. In short, the Lakers gave up Shaq, a Center, and the replacements, three bigs, have been hurt: Two centers out and a mid-season injury to their PF.

It's a tough season but the Lakers have a lottery pick in a deep draft that lacks a superstar.

They'll be back next year. -LA is a popular place to play and possiby a humbled Kobe will be a better teammate. Maybe Divac and Grant are too old to play next season - Divac has a disk problem and Grant his knees. Maybe Odum or Butler will be traded. Still they have some latitude to retool and come back next season with a better power line-up to help Kobe.

For thier pick, think PF. Maybe him.

Pay TV and sports

Monday Night Football' leaving ABC for ESPN.

I don't have pay TV. Maybe that's okay for the NFL and NBA because I'm not a typical target audience but there seems to be a growing number of people who are not plugged into pay TV.

Eventually there is going to be a three tiered market: NBA/NFL packages where you get it all; local packages to follow the teams and see national events; and free TV sports to keep the marketplace interested.

As they transform popular, free sports into pay events, they are making room for lower tiered sports in the free TV market and that means they are leaving room for them to catch on with the public.

One time not so long ago, breakfast cereal was king. Prices kept going up with profits until it made little sense to pay so much for cold cereal. People began to pay a bit more and get a fresh bagel or hot latte and muffin.

Point is the market switched and a cut in cereal prices didn't bring people back.

Habits change.

Monday Night Football on ESPN. Not a reason to get pay TV - not at all.

Wizards' final two games

The Wizards play the Nets and Knicks. The Knicks are slumping but the
Nets are playoff bound. Them beating the Nets would be a sign that
the Wizards are going to be a very tough team for round one and have
earned the #4 slot.

Three games

The Washington Wizards want 4th place and home court advantage.  Chicago leads them by one game.  There are three Bulls games left, if they win all three, it's over.  Chicago will have home court advantage in round one with a sweep. 

 

Wizards are looking tough.  Jamison is a pogo-stick jumper and damaging offensive rebounder.  He can wreck a Curry-less Bulls squad.  Arenas is a streaky shooter who, IMHO, uses poor judgement but he's explosive.  A steal in the 2nd round, he's no match for Ben Gordon who uses better judgement and can also be a streaky shooter.  Hughes is no match for Hinrich as a ball-handler or as a defender but he is the better shooter when he's on. 

 

Meet the Wizards

Mr. Jordan the Wizard

Ironic that the first time both franchises make the playoffs, they'll play each other in the first round.

I liked Chicago but with E.Curry and L.Deng out it's a hard pick. Jamison, Hughes and Arenas were all high scoring players at GSW but they did not defend well. I still think they'll score but maybe not enough to beat the Bulls. With scorers Deng and Curry out, that makes the Bull's job harder.

Kickin Orlando's butt

Wrong Orlando

Bulls beat Orlando by 40, 77 to 117.

Earlier this BB season Orlando was playing over 500 and Skiles was asked about their chances in the playoffs. He responded it was a long season.

He was right. Orlando is out and Chicago is in.

Penny for your thoughts

What can one infer from these two articles.

"Penny Hardaway, another player entering the final year of his contract and one that Isiah Thomas has said he will try to move, quit on the season months ago. Hardaway, upset over limited playing time, left the team three weeks ago, saying he needed time to rest a sore hamstring. In January, Hardaway took a month-long leave of absence after complaining about his role . Several players have privately criticized Hardaway's behavior."

"Every Magic fan knows the story about how Penny Hardaway orchestrated the overthrow of (Brian) Hill, the winningest coach in franchise history. Hardaway and his band of mutineers quit on Hill midway through the 1997 season -- less than a year after Hill coached the Magic to the Eastern Conference Finals and less than two years after he guided them to the NBA Finals. Still devastated by Shaq bolting to L.A. before the season, Magic management didn't have the guts to stand up to Hardaway.

Which is worth more?

K-MART is an idiot

K-Martin is an idiot:

Kenyon Martin was ejected early in the third quarter Monday night for shoving Golden State's Adonal Foyle, his second technical foul of the night.

Martin received his first technical midway through the second quarter for throwing his mouthpiece in the air after being called for a foul. Martin was tossed with just over 10 minutes left in the third when he lightly shoved Foyle to the floor after scoring a layup.

Martin yelled at official Rodney Mott for a few seconds, then ripped off his jersey and tossed it to the crowd as he left the floor. Martin also tore off the tank top he was wearing under his jersey and disgustedly threw that into the crowd.

At least he kept his pants on.

K-Mart's decision to leave NJ for more contract money in Denver was, IMHO, a mistake. The NJ market is much larger and more visible. Was NJ's offer that bad? You can only wear one pair of shoes at a time so how much money is enough? If you do want money, playing in NJ will get you more and better exposure and endorsements than playing in Denver. Either way, it makes sense to stay. K.Martin left NJ for emotional pride. He was "disrespected" by not getting a generous offer - and early on in the Season. Since BB is a business and that's a stupid reason to leave.

Until recently, Denevr missing the playoffs was a possibility. Now that Denver is playing very well, he'll at least appear in the playoffs. In NJ there was no doubt they'd be in contention.

So Denver will be seeing San Antonio which is the 2nd seed but Denver's probably going to make it to 6th place and play 3rd seeded Seattle on the road.

"Beautiful Ohio" Oxymoron

R.Miller is going to bank-roll a movie: "Beautiful Ohio".  

Old enough to fight

O'Neal sez:

If I can go to the U.S. Army and fight the war at 18, why can't you play basketball for 48 minutes and then go home?"

Amen.

Rich NBA owners want less risk during draft day but that interest does not justify an age limit. These guys are old enough for Iraq, they're old enough to play BB.

85-84

Da Bulls lose to Detroit by 1 point in overtime. A close loss can
hurt a team even more than a blow out.

Chicago matches up better against Detroit than it does Miami and I
think this team knows it. The loss is one less turnover or a better
shot taken in hte course of a long game. How Chicago matches up
against the Pacers is unknown - they are over achieving given their
shuffling lineup. Boston is beatable as is Washington.

We're in April and games matter.