SB Nation User Blog: Moses Taylor

Hollinger on Deng

Moses Taylor — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 21:50:55 -0000

Deng was number 5 on Hollinger's Most Improved Team. His reasoning:

Humble pie alert: This is the only player from my preseason All-Breakout Team to also make this list (though Lee, Martin, Bynum and Biedrins got honorable mentions).

But Deng has been the real deal. The Bulls have quite possibly been the best team in the East thus far, and he has quite possibly been their best player, which means he could be headed for his first All-Star Game. He's shooting a sizzling 53.5 percent from the floor and pumping in more than a point every two minutes. One key has been abandoning the 3-point shot and getting to the rim -- Deng, a 26.4 percent career shooter from downtown, has attempted only two 3-pointers all season, but upped his free-throw attempts to over four a game.

Deng's PER last season was 15.86, this year it's 19.80. Side note: Gordon's PER last season was 14.59 and this year is 19.60.

Great Skiles quote

Moses Taylor — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 16:02:29 -0000

"I hate to think that something like that causes us to have more emotion. I guess we should try to trade a player to every team then. Guys can say, 'Oh, I'm fired up for this game.'"--Bulls coach Scott Skiles on whether playing against former Bulls Jamal Crawford, Eddy Curry and Antonio Davis would give his players added motivation against the Knicks.

Adrian Griffin

Moses Taylor — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 05:25:44 -0000

The Bulls never did sign him to be their 15th man, after it was rumored that they were going to. Well, he's off the market now. Dallas signed him before tonight's game. The Bulls didn't need him, but I do think it's interesting they haven't filled that last spot yet.

I wonder if it was initially left open for AD's potential return. It probably wouldn't hurt to add an extra body, if only for the sake of practice. Someone it wouldn't hurt to cut if there's a trade that adds bodies. Just a thought.

Bulls shopping Deng?

Moses Taylor — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 21:29:06 -0000

From ESPN Insider:

Luol Deng, Chicago Bulls. There's no question the Bulls love him, but they're also desperate for size if they want to make a serious run this season. As of now, they'll have more cap room than anyone next summer, but the best available free agent big man might be Nazr Mohammed (depending on what happens with Ben Wallace).
If they move Deng, they'll get value -- and perhaps a better big man than what'll be available next summer. There won't be any room for Deng next season if Peja Stojakovic and Andres Nocioni are the small forwards.

So, let me get this straight. This rumor is contingent on the Bulls signing Peja next year, right? I think that rumor would only come through if Deng were traded, but I don't see it happenning. Paxson has yet to move a young, cheap piece for an old, expensive piece and I don't think he's going to rush into something now. This writer is clearly overlooking Sweets's contribution. I think the biggest tip-off is the "serious run this season" comment. Pax has said several times they're waiting to use their cap space until next season.

Honestly, I'd much rather the Bulls moved Gordon than Deng. I think Gordon's trade value is probably greater than his actual value at this point, and Deng is probably a better building block.

Of course, this guy also claims the Wolves are gonna trade KG and Wally to the Knicks for AD and Penny.

Preseason Games

Moses Taylor — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 16:56:12 -0000

The Bulls had their first preseason game last night in Grand Rapids against Detroit. Similar to last season, the offense struggled to score (76 points on 33.8% shooting) and turned the ball over (16 times). However, they significantly outrebounded the Pistons (49 to 35), including the offensive boards (19 to 11). The Pistons shot 44.7%, which while good, was above the percentage the Bulls allowed last season.

Individual standouts included the new main post scorer, Sweets, who had 17 points (on only 6 of 13 shooting, but 5 for 5 at the FT line). He only had 5 boards, but that might have been Chandler's fault; Tyson had 14 boards in only 24 minutes (7 offensive). Skiles is already talking about Sweetney's weight regularly, so I hope he gets into acceptable shape by the time the season starts.

It also sounds like Gordon struggled and Thomas sprained an ankle. Deng played 20 minutes, but I haven't seen many comments about him.

Last night's game wasn't televised, but tonight's against Memphis will be. CSN is airing the game, which starts at 7pm. If those damned White Sox weren't in the playoffs still, I might actually have been able to watch it. The next televised game is Monday the 17th against the T'Wolves.