Both the Knicks and the Suns have announced their coaching staffs. D'Antoni took his brother (Dan D'Antoni) and Phil Weber with him from the Suns, while retaining Herb Williams,  the Knicks version of our own organizational lemming, Pete Myers. The Suns retained Alvin Gentry while adding Bill Cartwright, Dan Majerle, and Igor Kokoskov.

I guess there are a couple names there that are somewhat interesting in regard to our own assistant coaching search. Specifically Cartwright had recently expressed interest in coming back to be an assistant with the Bulls. But in a general sense this is important because the available candidate pool shrinks by a few names... even though a few of the new hires (certainly D'Antoni, but also probably Weber and Gentry) were likely never really considering the Bulls' positions anyway.

[From the Diaries. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving. Isiah could be a short-term boost over the dysfunctional chemistry that Brown had with that bunch. He'll at least let them run and gun, which won't get them to the playoffs but maybe enough wins to keep from getting another top10 pick. -Matt]

It's official... Larry is done in NY. I have to imagine this is in our best interest... I mean having a guy who hasn't done anything exceptionally well in a basketball sense since retiring as a player (aside from drafting pretty well) take over another primary aspect of an already fledgling franchise seems like a great move to me. Remember when Isiah took over for Bird in Indiana he produced a team that went way under expectations after getting to the finals the year before. At any rate... at least Ivinston300 and the rest of us have another reason to tune into Knicks games on League Pass...

Interesting results from the NBA predraft camp athletic tests:

             rank  no step vert. max. vert.  bench  lane agility   sprint
Aldridge    68       26.5             34             8      12.02        3.43
Brewer      2        35                41             19     11.32        3.14
Carney      5        32                38.5          10     10.57        3.06
Roy          30       34                40.5           6      11.13        3.27
Thomas    21       34                39.5           8      11.36        3.2

These are just a couple of the guys I picked from Chad Ford's analysis (http://tinyurl.com/m7rnz)... but clearly a couple things stand out... Brewer and Carney are impressive athletes and I'm starting to think some of the discussion a few of you have had about trading the 16th and Sweetney or Duhon to move up and get one of them (especially Brewer given his size) is warranted... but what team in the 8-12 range makes that trade?... Roy tested better athletically than I think many would have thought given his predraft website label as average... particularly his vertical is actually on par with Thomas which is surprising... actually I sort of thought Thomas would have had more impressive numbers given what everyone says about his athletic abilities... Aldridge pretty much did what was expected... not the best not the worst.

Obviously all of this needs to be taken with a grain of salt as people perform differently in game situations... but still I think this generally makes me question how "off the charts" Thomas is... and also just how "average" Roy is.

anyone else read Chad Ford's posts on Raps GM & Bargnani:

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=ford_chad#20060615
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2006/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&id=2484931

There's actually a bit more substance there to his take on Bargnani than most of the other stuff online... and specifically his game and pre-draft experience in comparison to Skita's a few years back... as well as his recent play in game 1 of the Euroleague finals. Also just the time investment he indicates Colangelo is (and has) personally putting into scouting Bargnani makes it seem like the #1 is Bargnani's to loose. It just seems like the Raps are spending much more time on Bargnani than any of the others... Who knows though...

Interesting aside... Ford notes that Bargnani actually got pushed around in the paint by none other than... get ready for this... Dalibor Bagaric. Ford also insinuates that Bargnani way outplayed him in all other aspects... but still... made me chuckle.

According to hoopshype the Bulls are bringing in Hassan Adams, Maurice Ager, Quincy Douby, and Shawne Williams today.

I think it's really interesting that Paxson brought in Williams with this group of guards. He's the youngest of them by far, but he also has the most potential (according to most draft sites anyway). But he's 6-9 and played anywhere from the 2 - 4 slots for Memphis last year in a swingman laden system, and has been projected (again by most draft sites) to play the 3 in the pros. But if Paxson feels he could be the M2GwcDaS, how nice would it be to have a 6-9 guy to throw at Lebron and Wade... could be like having Prince actually if he could grow deffensively.  

here's Williams' nbadraft.net profile (draftexpress doesn't have one for him yet that I could find anyway):
http://www.nbadraft.net/profiles/shawnewilliams.asp

So first... I think obviously if TT is there we take him... and baring a Toronto trade I believe most think he likely will be. The only thing that scares me a bit about TT is that he came out of no where this year... I know he red-shirted his 1st year... but still... all the scouts were amazed at his progress over just one year... either he'll continue at that rate... or the progress was an anomaly... either way hopefully we'll be the ones to find out... because I think he has the potential to be on the level of Amare.

Ok... secondly... and hear me out on this... I know we would be getting younger... again... I know we would be giving away one of the best clutch shooters in the league, but if we traded Ben straight up for Brandon Roy we balance out our backcourt and improve the overall play of the team significantly because we take Kirk off the opposing team's 2 on defense. We would easily be giving away the better player in the trade, albeit a very nearly one dimensional player... but I think the end product would be much better. I have to think that either the Bobcats or Trailblazers (even though Roy has the whole Washington connection) would jump at the chance to get Ben for a draft pick. But I have to think that (1) over the long-term Roy is the better fit in our system, (2) if this was Ben's draft year Pax would have Roy ranked higher, and (3) Ben just isn't going to be the dominant leader on this team... it just doesn't seem to be who he is. I'm not saying Roy would be... but it makes Ben tradable I think.

So... with 4 roster spots left open (one going to the 16th pick) and a few debatable FA signings... this is what I would see as a potential primary lineup for us next season:

1. Hinrich / Duhon
   
2. Roy / Matt Harpring (unrestricted FA)
   
3. Deng / Nocioni
   
4. TT / Nocioni / Songolia (resign?) / Sweetney
   
5. Chandler / Pryzbillla (unrestricted FA)

I think starters at the beginning of the season at least would most likely be Kirk, Harpring, Deng, Nocioni, and Chandler... but I ranked them as where I see their ultimate ceilings with this team... and hopefully where they would be by the end of the year.

I've been curious about this before... but just decided to look at the past 10 years of draft order and prior season record...

Draft       #1 drafting team    prior season record rank (1=worst)
1996       Philadelphia            1
1997       San Antonio            3
1998       LA Clippers             3
1999       Chicago                  3
2000       New Jersey             7
2001       Washington             3
2002       Houston                  5
2003       Cleveland               1
2004       Orlando                  1
2005       Milwaukee               6

On average the third worst record has gotten the 1 pick over the past ten years and it has been surprisingly rare for the worst team to get the best pick... so I guess... continue to stink it up NY... just don't do it too bad.

Also... just in case some people don't do the ESPN Insider thing... here's what Chris Sheridan posted on 1/11/06.

"Imagine a free agent class that included Paul Pierce, Chauncey Billups, Mike Bibby, Dirk Nowitzki, Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis. Now that'd be something to save some salary cap space for, eh?

Well, all of those players can become free agents 18 months from now by exercising early termination clauses in their contracts, making the summer of 2007 shape up, at least potentially, as one of the greatest free agent classes in NBA history.

But for now, we have the summer of 2006 to look forward to, and let's just say that this year's class wouldn't do all that well in a pickup game against the 2007 class. What's more, there's very little chance that the No. 1 player on the 2006 list will even go on the market.

But there still are some intriguing players, and we'll take an early stab at a top 25:

1. Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons (Unrestricted)
 Don't expect Big Ben to tower over the market. Pistons president Joe Dumars and Wallace will quietly work out a four-year contract (anything longer would bring the dreaded "over-36" rule into play) likely starting somewhere in the area of $11-12 million per year. Wallace will be eligible to earn much more -- as a 10-year veteran he can get a deal with a starting salary equal to 35 percent of the salary cap ($18.2 million if the cap comes in at $52 million) -- but all indications, including his plans to have an attorney rather than an agent do the contract, point to his staying with the powerhouse Pistons.

2. Al Harrington, Atlanta Hawks (Unrestricted)
 Harrington, just 25, will have eight years of NBA service time when this season is complete. His free agent deal can be worth as much as 30 percent of the cap ($15.6 million if the cap is $52M), although few would judge the athletic small forward as a max player. Although he'll be one of the few quality free agents out there, if Chicago spends its cap space on someone else, his options might come down to New Orleans and Charlotte -- or a sign-and-trade deal to a team willing to pay Harrington's price. If Atlanta decides to trade Harrington before the Feb. 23 deadline, his new team will acquire his Bird rights and can exceed the cap to retain him.

3. Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks (Unrestricted)
 Just two years after losing Steve Nash, the Mavs could be in position to have another playmaker bolt town if the market brings Terry an offer that owner Mark Cuban would not want to match. But the Mavs have Terry's Bird rights and can give him a deal with 10.5 percent raises, while other teams could offer only 8 percent annual raises. Terry will likely succeed in getting a five- or six-year deal, and it's a safe bet at this point that the Mavs will keep him.

4. Vladimir Radmanovic, Seattle SuperSonics (Unrestricted)
 They don't come much more one-dimensional than Radmanovic, the 6-foot-11 sharpshooter who knocked down eight 3-pointers Sunday against the Knicks and somehow grabbed 12 rebounds Monday against Philly. After turning down a $42 million offer from Seattle last summer in favor of a one-year tender, Radmanovic needed to play to boost his value. He wasn't playing under Bob Weiss, but Bob Hill is starting him and drawing up new plays to get him open looks. He's only 25 and many believe he has more long-term upside than his countryman and fellow free agent Peja Stojakovic.

5. Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento Kings (Early termination option)
 Peja ranked below Vlad? Well, just look at the way Stojakovic's numbers have deteriorated from where they were two years ago -- his scoring average has dropped from 24.2 to 17.0, he's making less than 40 percent of his 3-pointers, and his overall shooting percentage is his worst since his rookie season. Maybe that's a product of the miserable season the Kings are having, or maybe it's a sign that Stojakovic's skills are already deteriorating at age 28, when he's on the verge of a once-in-a-lifetime contract opportunity.

6. Nene, Denver Nuggets (Restricted)
The Nuggets are of the belief that some team will make Nene an offer that they'll have no interest in matching, which is why they've been listening to trade proposals from teams interested in acquiring the 23-year-old Brazilian who blew out his knee the day after turning down an extension from Denver.

7. Mike James, Toronto Raptors (Player option)
It's time for the 30-year-old to cash in, having gone from journeyman to career backup to starter in Toronto, where he's the steadiest offensive player for the Raptors, with the exception of Chris Bosh. After Terry, he's looking like the best free agent-to-be guard out there.

8. Bobby Jackson, Memphis Grizzlies (Unrestricted)
It gets crowded quickly when you talk about the number and the quality of free agent point guards, and this former Sixth Man Award winner falls into the mix somewhere along with James, Speedy Claxton and Sam Cassell.

9. Joel Przybilla, Portland Trail Blazers (Unrestricted)
Portland has received steady, if unspectacular, production from the 7-foot-1 26-year old already in his eighth NBA season. A strong second half of the season could up his value past the mid-level exception.

10. Caron Butler, Washington Wizards (Restricted)
If there aren't many personnel changes in Washington between now and the end of the season, don't count on the Wizards letting go of the last asset they have remaining from the Kwame Brown pick of 2001.

11. Speedy Claxton, New Orleans Hornets (Unrestricted)
Despite being stuck all season behind Rookie of the Year front-runner Chris Paul, Claxton ranks third in scoring, second in assists and second in steals on the Hornets.

12. Sam Cassell Los Angeles Clippers (Unrestricted)
This summer will mark one of the few instances during the past decade when Cassell will not be unhappy with his contract. Believing he has been underpaid throughout his career, Sammy wants one more deal.

13. Bonzi Wells, Sacramento Kings (Unrestricted)
There remain plenty of character issues concerning Wells, who was sent home by the Grizzlies last season right when the playoffs began. He's out for the rest of this month with a torn groin muscle.

14. Michael Olowokandi, Minnesota Timberwolves (Unrestricted)
The plan when Kandi Man signed a three-year deal in Minnesota was to take a three-year chance on establishing a higher value than the mid-level exception he signed under. Three years later, he's still worth the mid-level only.

15. Nazr Mohammed, San Antonio Spurs (Unrestricted)
The dropoff behind Ben Wallace in terms of free agent centers brings us all of the way down to No. 15. Mohammed has been used sparingly behind Rasho Nesterovic this season, although that could change if San Antonio moves him before the trade deadline.

16. Latrell Sprewell, Minnesota Timberwolves (Unrestricted)
Former teammate Rick Brunson told the New York Daily News that he spoke recently to Sprewell and expects him to sit out until March before signing with a contender.

17. Tim Thomas, Chicago Bulls (Unrestricted)
Look for Thomas to be dealt by the deadline or bought out after afterward so he can reestablish some value before going on the market. The Bulls are paying him, but have told him they don't want him around.

18. Keith Van Horn, Dallas Mavericks (Unrestricted)
There's going to be a huge pay cut for Van Horn, the No. 2 overall pick in 1997. He's making $15.7 for the Mavericks.

19. Matt Harpring, Utah Jazz (Unrestricted)
There will end up being a job someplace in the NBA for Harpring, who is being limited to 25 minutes per game while working back from a knee injury.

20. Chris Wilcox, Clippers (Restricted)
One of the few players who might actually end up playing for the team with which he signs an offer sheet next summer, since the Clips won't match anything too long. Los Angeles might trade him before the Feb. 23 deadline, however.

21. Lorenzen Wright, Memphis Grizzlies (Unrestricted)
The Grizz are still waiting for some consistent production from the big man whose numbers peaked a half-decade ago.

22. Trevor Ariza, New York Knicks (Restricted)
The Knicks will likely match any offer for the youngster from UCLA derided as "delusional" by coach Larry Brown just a few days ago.

23. Melvin Ely, Charlotte Bobcats (Restricted)
Another player who could be moved before the trading deadline. 'Cats likely won't be interested in paying him what he'll get on the open market.

24. Jorge Garbajosa, Unicaja Malaga
Not a true free agent, as his Spanish League contract has only a buyout clause, but would be the most sought after big man coming out of Europe if he could manage to get out of his current contract.

25. Drew Nicholas, Benetton Treviso
He has been called a poor man's Eddie House, an undersized shooting guard (from Maryland) who's currently leading the Euroleague in scoring at 18.8.

Others:

Unrestricted: Chucky Atkins, Wizards; Marcus Banks, Celtics; Jon Barry, Rockets; Tony Battie; Magic; Rasual Butler, Hornets; Kelvin Cato, Magic; Reggie Evans, SuperSonics; Devean George, Lakers; Lindsey Hunter, Pistons; Toni Kukoc, Bucks; Flip Murray, SuperSonics; Jannero Pargo, Bulls; Gary Payton, Heat; Nick Van Exel, Spurs; David Wesley, Rockets.

Restricted: Keith Bogans, Bobcats; Antonio Burks, Grizzlies; Francisco Elson, Nuggets; Drew Gooden, Cavaliers; Jared Jeffries, Wizards; Fred Jones, Pacers; John Salmons, 76ers; Jiri Welsch, Bucks.

Player options: Derek Anderson, Rockets; Ryan Bowen, Rockets; Greg Buckner, Nuggets; Eddie House, Suns; Mark Jackson, Nets; Jeff McInnis, Nets; Mikki Moore, Sonics; Ruben Patterson, Trail Blazers; James Posey, Heat; Darius Songaila, Bulls; DeShawn Stevenson, Magic; Maurice Taylor, Knicks; Chris Webber, 76ers; Eric Williams, Raptors."

Right now I'm of the opinion that the Bulls don't need a superstar yet (e.g. no Paul Pierce)... they need to evaluate if anyone on their young roster will develop into one.. Deng & Gordon are still barely showing what they will be capable of in their primes.

One move that may make sense is to deal for Chris Wilcox. Sheridan writes on ESPN today that the Clippers likely won't match anything long-term for Wilcox this summer... and they are only giving him ~13 min / night anyway... so maybe the Bulls could give them one or two expiring contracts (Othella/Piatkowski & Pargo maybe) of greater total value than Wilcox's to cut the Clippers salary a bit more over the summer (admittedly only ~1M based on Wilcox's current salary and the trade guidelines). Bulls would get a chance to get a better look at a player drafted 8th who they may be interested in as a FA over the summer... Clippers get basically the same production plus the space next summer.

One other note... I didn't realize till Sheridan put up his FA list on ESPN today that Caron Butler is a restricted FA this summer. I thought his contract was extended. He may be interesting as a sixth man / elusive tall 2-guard?