SB Nation User Blog: JSlakov

[UPDATE (8/31): McGraw says the report is bogus, and credit to him for being the only beat guy...

JSlakov — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:32:01 -0000

[UPDATE (8/31): McGraw says the report is bogus, and credit to him for being the only beat guy following up on it at all. -ed.]

Arroyo to the Bulls? On Saturday, El Nuevo Dia, a newspaper out of Puerto Rico, reported that (Carlos) Arroyo was close to signing a deal with the Chicago Bulls. According to the report, the agreement would be for one season and $1 million.

True Hoop

Joe Smith Signs One Year Deal With Hawks

JSlakov — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 18:44:03 -0000

Joe Smith Signs One Year Deal With Hawks

Solid move for the Hawks. I don't see the Bulls passing them this year.

"Ross Siler (Jazz reporter): I continue hearing that a trade with the Bulls involving Kirk Hinrich...

JSlakov — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:16:47 -0000

"Ross Siler (Jazz reporter): I continue hearing that a trade with the Bulls involving Kirk Hinrich is the most likely outcome of this whole mess"

Hoops Hype

Hollinger Praises Pargo Signing

JSlakov — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:30:34 -0000

Hollinger Praises Pargo Signing

"Signing Jannero Pargo to a one-year deal was a great coup for the Bulls for a few reasons. First of all, they needed a fourth guard now that Ben Gordon left for Detroit. And since Derrick Rose and Kirk Hinrich are both big point guards, he can play off the ball with either and switch assignments on defense.

Second, the one-year part is crucial. Chicago needs to preserve as much cap space as possible for a year from now, when they could potentially make a run at Chicago native Dwyane Wade or some of the other juicy free agents. That's also why you're hearing Tyrus Thomas' name so much; Chicago can only get big cap room if it doesn't make him a qualifying offer, so better to trade him now and get something in return than be left high and dry a year from now."

Lindsay Hunter Picks Blair and Ellington in Player Mock Draft

JSlakov — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:18:17 -0000

Lindsay Hunter Picks Blair and Ellington in Player Mock Draft

Pretty interesting article, getting the player's take on who their team should draft and then occasionally responses from the draft pick, which leads to some funny quotes from those who think they dropped too far.

Here's the picks from Lindsay Hunter for us:

16. Bulls/Lindsey Hunter select ...

DeJuan Blair, C/PF, Pittsburgh

"He's just a flat-out beast inside," says guard Lindsey Hunter. "He brings that brute force that could help us down low right now, on offense and defense. I saw him play UConn, and he owned Hasheem Thabeet. But I like his soft touch around the basket. He's got the potential to score, too."

Doug Says: "His knees are definitely a question, but Blair is a beast."

26. Bulls/Lindsey Hunter select ...

Wayne Ellington, SG, North Carolina

"He's by far one of the best shooters in the draft," says reserve sniper Lindsey Hunter. "Coming off a pick, stop and pop, or catch and shoot, he's going to knock it down. He was great at Carolina, but now he'll have to create off the dribble. If he can do that, he'll be a force."

Random Trade Idea (Bogut)

JSlakov — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:33:54 -0000

Was having trouble sleeping last night and came up with this in my head:

Chicago trades:

Kirk Hinrich

Joakim Noah

Cap Filler (Roberson, Nelson, Johnson)

Milwaukee trades:

Andrew Bogut

Luke Ridnour

2009 First Round Pick (#10)

Proof it Works

Why the Bucks Do It:

Skiles gets reunited with his erstwhile protege, someone who can step and start for the Bucks right away without having to be taught how to run Skiles offense and play D, like the rookie point guards they have been eying.

Noah is the defensive minded center that Skiles would love and who would fit nicely alongside Villanueva if they decide to resign him.

Why the Bulls Do It:

We would lose Noah, a great young defensive center, but gain Bogut, an offensive threat in the front court we dearly need, somewhat like a young Brad Miller, who could work well paired with Thomas.

We would get rid of Hinrich and replace him with Ridnour, a lesser player across the board but one who's salary is up in 2010, which, with a little wrangling and depending on what happens with Gordon, could still have room to sign a big 2010 FA. If we targeted Amare or Bosh we would still have Thomas to dangle in a sign and trade.

We would gain a third pick in the draft which would give us lots of trade possibilities to move up and take possible Gordon replacements (Harden, Evans)

What say you?

The Bulls seem to be the latest team trying to move up in the draft. They've talked to several...

JSlakov — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:45:49 -0000

The Bulls seem to be the latest team trying to move up in the draft. They've talked to several teams in front of them in the draft with an offer of the No. 16 and No. 26 picks in the draft. It sounds as if the Nets have been their target and it might make sense for the Nets to jump on the deal.

They could still get a player like Tyler Hansbrough at 16 and pick up another player late in the first.

-Chad Ford

Q: I'm watching the Bulls-Celts game -- can I nominate Vinny Del Negro for a new Pantheon Face?...

JSlakov — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:28:32 -0000

Q: I'm watching the Bulls-Celts game -- can I nominate Vinny Del Negro for a new Pantheon Face? It's the Shooter from "Hoosiers," "I can't believe I haven't had a drink for 12 hours, and I'm a head coach" face.
-- Ryan, Weymouth, Mass.

SG: Done and done! I had been watching Vinny for two weeks, trying to figure out where I'd seen that glazed, slightly terrified, I-might-pee-my-pants look on the sidelines, and you're right -- it's Shooter in "Hoosiers" right after Gene Hackman gets ejected and hands him the clipboard for the first time. Bingo. I demand we call him Vinny "Shooter" Del Negro from now on. The real shame is Derrick Rose has exceeded all expectations and looks like a potential franchise guy ... and he's being coached by "Shooter" instead of Mike D'Antoni. I can't get over that.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/081114

ESPN Eastern Conference predictions

JSlakov — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:13:50 -0000

ESPN Eastern Conference predictions

Bulls in at #9... Better that I'd expect them to predict but hopefully worse than how things really turn out

Speculation: Gordon Sign and Trade to the Jazz

JSlakov — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:35:32 -0000

Speculation: Gordon Sign and Trade to the Jazz

Just a Utah beat writer pulling a Sam Smith here, but nonetheless some interesting ideas. I personally would be pretty happy with a Gordon for Kirilenko swap without anything else added in because he's versatile enough to play with any of our front court guys and can do so many good things on defense. The idea he proposes of Gordon/Nocioni for Kirilenko/ Ronnie Brewer would really be a dream deal.