Irrelevancy....now I'm not saying he's not in the mix for Team USA, but in this lengthy article where tons of names are dropped, he's nowhere to be seen.

Colangelo says he's looking at Brandon Jennings, Blake Griffin, even Kevin Love.....

Now, I'll bet Rose still gets an invite to the 25-player minicamp but could he make a 15-man Team USA roster right now?

Probably not.

It's even more telling that he's suddenly not * in the conversation * about players to watch.

And while we can all say he's a rookie, he's developing, he needs time, the world -- including players his age and younger -- keeps moving forward...

Just kidding about that bye-bye thing ; >

But the NBA itself is hoping we'll all log onto THEIR new site when watching games for in-game video highlights and social network type stuff....

Here's more:

Looking to tap into the growing number of people who use TV and the Internet simultaneously, NBA Digital is tipping off a toggling computer companion to the pro basketball league’s telecasts. NBA Digital officials say NBA TV Companion on NBA.com is a first-of-its-kind, live-game complement designed to enhance the TV viewing experience for fans, with both national games and local/regional telecasts. The new full-screen feature aspires to provide an in-arena experience, along with social media integration and video highlight packages that complement every live NBA telecast.

The application is accessible through NBA.com for all nationally televised games on ABC, ESPN (NYSE: DIS), TNT and NBA TV, while team sites will feature club-specific versions of the TV Companion that will automatically become the default homepage when that team is in action.

Among the elements that will be available to users: pregame media notes, real-time stats, 3D shot charts and play-by-play analysis. There will also be halftime and postgame reports that include video highlight packages, updated box scores, leader boards, and interactive shot tracker feature.

For all you got-a-link BaBers, apparently you can now get seven teams (rather than the whole league) in an NBA League Pass for broadband for $89.95 (early bird pricing).

Not sure why you can't choose just ONE team to purchase, but hey, it's the NBA and the cable industry we're talking about here.

This RealGM ranking is a good idea, since whether or not you're positioning for a championship run is what ultimately matters. They rank the Bulls 10th in the league behind obvious next-year contenders like Lakers, Magic, Celtics and upstarts like Blazers, OKC and stretches like the Knicks (!).

That feels about right, but if we had a better front-office with Rose and possible cap space we should be higher -- but then BaB has covered the 2010 "whiff" worries all summer...

From the NY Times Thursday:

"I want to be in Miami, and I hope everything works out that way," Wade said Thursday. "I want to be one of those players that stays with one franchise for his entire career."

"Next year will be a big year for myself and for the team, but the plan has always been to stay with the Heat, and that’s still the plan," he said. "I think everything will work out."

Original source, Chicago magazine.

Interesting because it includes so many would-be/could-be Bulls including Boozer, Bosh (!?!), Camby, Birdman (for Tyrus compare), CP3 (for DRose compare) and our own Brad Miller, described as "tough as the Pillsbury Dough Boy."

Don't agree with them all but good pot-stirring.

No, of course that quote isn't from VDN but Kevin McHale after getting blown out by Warriors last night:

"That's as bad as you can play and there's no excuses for that," McHale said. "That's my fault. The guys weren't ready to play and that falls on me. We didn't get back. We didn't defend. We didn't do anything. That can't happen."

Vinny by comparison today:

"I didn't like our demeanor. I didn't like our effort. No toughness, no urgency. You have to come ready to do your job. We didn't do that. Our guys weren't ready from the jump ball. That's not good enough. When you bring new guys in, guys have to adjust. There are no excuses. We have to play hard and together."

I'd check out on this guy too, nothing's ever his responsibility...

Paxson has to *make something happen* NOW, over-offer if he has to:
What are the chances of Amare Stoudemire getting traded before the deadline?

Chad Ford: Last week I said 10 percent. But I think that was low. The more people I talk to in the league, the more I think it's something in the neighborhood of 30 to 40 percent.

Chad Ford: I can't speak to the veracity of Stephen A. Smith's report. However, the word around the league is that Bosh wants to leave. Even if it's never been said, isn't the writing on the wall?