SBNation.com User Blog: 2lf6reedyt

What do the Bulls Have in Butler?

2lf6reedyt — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:19:11 -0000

With all the trade deadline talk and speculation about what the Bulls might or might not do, I figured I'd start a thread about an exciting player that is actually currently on the team. While it's fun to talk about who the Bulls could acquire and differnt trade scenarios, the likely scenario is that the Bulls stand pat and see what they have once Rose returns. I could see a minor move for salary and/or frontcort depth, but not much else.

All that being said, given the Bulls are likely to hold on to the players they currently have, what do they actually have in Butler? Is he a better long term fit as a SG, SF, or do-it-all 6th man as Sam Smith has suggested? Can he be an all-star if he improves his shot?

I tend to think, or at least hope, that he will develop into an all-star one day. With his work ethic and athleticism I can see his shot improving each year and his ball handling improving as well.

With Butler's emergence, Mirotic in the pipeline, and the Charlotte pick to go with a nucleus of Rose, Deng, and Noah just coming into their primes, I don't see any bold moves ahead. Thoughts?

Getting Excited for Future Lineup

2lf6reedyt — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:32:39 -0000

I know it's no certainty that all of the Cubs young players pan out or continue to play at the level they have so far, but it's exciting to think of what might be by just next year, or even later this season. I especially like the left handed pressence and speed that we haven't had in a long time.

1. L-Campana- CF (If he can get on base at a .350+ clip he can wreak havoc)
2. L-Jackson- RF (Has started slow at AAA, but has 5 tools and a nice game yesterday. Avg. is creeping up)
3. R-Castro- SS (Perrenial .300+ hitter. Would like to see his power and defense improve, take a few more walks)
4. L-LaHair- LF (Can he hit over the course of a full season??? If so, look out)
5. L-Rizzo-1B (Tearing it up in AAA, but did that last year. Will it translate to the majors? If so, look out again)
6. L-Stewart- 3B (Victim of some early season tough luck. Will be given every opportunity to keep 3B job)
7. R-Soto- C (Could have put Clevenger and/or Castillo here. Will be interesting to see what his future holds)
8. R-Barney- 2B (Don't know if he's the answer here either, but for now there's no heir apparent.

Three Way Trade Idea: Bulls, Lakers, Suns

2lf6reedyt — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:54:55 -0000

I know this is far-fetched but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway. With Steve Nash's proclamation over All-Star weekend that he'd be open to a trade, I tried to think of a way for the Bulls to get involved and improve the team. So, with the Lakers being the playoff team with the biggest need at PG, I see an opportunity for the Bulls. The Lakers don't have enough to offer the Suns to make it worth parting with the face of their franchise, even though they are going nowhere with him.

How about a trade like the one below where the Bulls include the Charlotte pick going to the Suns.

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7fz7qpx

The Lakers down grade at PF with Boozer, but get a massive upgrade at PG. Boozer is also a great P/R player who would probably be more effective playing with Nash than he has been with Rose. The Lakers definitely do this deal.

The Bulls get an upgrade at PF offensively and defensively at the cost of a young asset in Butler and the future Charlotte pick and a vey solid back up PG. I see the Bulls pulling the trigger as well.

I could see the Suns taking or leaving this trade. On one hand, they are doing Nash no disservice by sending him to a title contender not too far from his home and getting some nice pieces in return. On the other hand, you could say that the Suns could get much more for the HOF PG. However, what other deal is out there? PG has become a very strong position in the league, and what title contending team could offer more?

Let know your thoughts, thanks.

How about a trade like the one below where the Bulls include the Charlotte pick going to the Suns.

Let know your thoughts, thanks.

ESPN Trade Machine

2lf6reedyt — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:35:43 -0000

It looks like it's back up and running with the new CBA and salaries updated. I noticed it has Noah and some other newly signed players unavailable to be traded. What restrictions does Noah still have on him from being traded at this point, and when will it be lifted? I know he probably has some sort of BYC restriction beig this is the first year of his extension but I couldn't find the date that this would expire.

Rose's 3pt. Shooting

2lf6reedyt — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:20:05 -0000

This is my first post on this blog and I just wanted to get this off my chest. I hate when people who don't watch the Bulls play say Rose hasn't really improved his outside shot becasue his 3pt% is low. I did a little homework to see how many last second, half court heaves Rose has attempted this season, and the number is 7. If you take those out, his 3pt% is 35%, which doesn't even account for all the other bailout shots he has to take that aren't at the end of a qurter and from half court or beyond. I've also heard people say that many star players have that affect on their shooting percentages, but that is just flat out not true. From most of the non-Bulls games I've watched and the Bulls opponents, many players will either opt not to shoot if it's from too deep, or will act as though they are trying to get a shot off, but the horn sounds before they do. Also, Thibs' rotation for Rose often has him playign the entire 1st and 3rd quarters, so he's on the floor to close most quarters, where as it's common for other star players to sit with a few minutes remaining in the 1st and 3rd. Anyway, I know this is not a huge deal for all the true fans, but I'm just happy that our star player really means it when he says all he wants is to win and doesn't care one bit about his stats.