Stumbled across a nice piece about rookie orientation in the NY Times, focusing on Noah's questions for Bill Russell.  I would have liked some more details, but it was great to see Noah being engaged and seeking to learn from the best in order to become the best, etc.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/19/sports/basketball/19araton.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin& amp;ref=sports&adxnnlx=1190228104-AWxKxBQCDziF442DF+LqqA

While trolling the internets for any whiff of Bulls news, I came across this article at Cavalier Attitude:  http://mvn.com/nba-cavaliers/2007/09/12/lets-not-insult-scottie-pippen/

I found it to be a real nice homage to one of the NBA's all-time great players, and there is a pretty sweet YouTube reel at the end.  During the last two championship seasons in particular, I remember having lively debates about whether Pippen was actually better than Jordan as an all-around player.  THAT'S how good he was.  Respeck.

I don't want to make a political statement or anything, but I did come across the story about the Bulls' participation in Luol Deng's efforts to raise money for nets to protect people (mostly children) from insect bites that spread malaria.

In case anyone here wanted to make a donation, here is the link:  http://www.nothingbutnets.net/chicagobulls

This is a nice little story about the Bulls' latest Top-10 draft pick.  And on a side note, I am seriously contemplating an alter-ego on blog-a-bull named "Joakim's Man-dress" as an obscure homage to "Othella's Moustache" -- is he still around these parts?

http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/ny-spnoah195338203aug19,0,814129.story?page=1

Poll

And now a poll (in homage to Joejoe, who I do hope returns): if you had the opportunity to buy a Joakim Noah autographed super stylish man-dress, and you decided to purchase it, how often would you wear it?

14%

To my ex's wedding

5 votes

22%

Casual Friday

8 votes

5%

Every day

2 votes

31%

I would never but that thing you dipsh*t

11 votes

17%

I would sleep in it

6 votes

8%

Only to away games

3 votes

35 votes | Poll has closed

ESPN is introducing a new feature today:  Hollinger's NBA Power Rankings.  Its a pretty cool idea -- our man John came up with a formula that weighs various stats he contends are a better indicator of the true strength of a team than its win-loss record.  The rankings are updated automatically every day as the games are played.

The Bulls, believe it or not, are ranked NUMBER 5.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/powerranking

[From the Diaries. Nobody was truly worried here, right? This looks like a very fair deal from the Bulls end. -Matt]

Hey -- just saw this in the Trib:

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-061031bullshinrich,1,1971030.stor y?coll=cs-bulls-headlines

With the deadline for the negotiating window expiring at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Hinrich decided to sign the five-year deal rather than become a restricted free agent next off-season.

League sources said the deal is worth $47.5 million and starts in the 2007-08 season at roughly $7.8 million. The deal will pay Hinrich approximately $11.42 million during its final season in 2011-2012."

Nice -- one less thing to worry about.

There is an article in the Daily Herald today discussing players the Bulls should NOT trade for.  Most of them have already been tossed around on this site at one time or another, but since it seems to be a slow Bulls day today, I thought I'd throw the question to the blog-a-bull community:  Which players top your list of the players the Bulls should not try to acquire?

A blurb in the Daily Herald, mainly commenting on that British Deng story about the fictitious $79 million extension, states:

"The only problem is that's quite a bit more than the Bulls will be willing to pay when they're allowed to talk extension with Deng, which won't be until July.

That's when they'll get down to business with Kirk Hinrich, as well."

Is this another instance of a reporter not having a clue about what he's writing, or have the Bulls decided not to sign Hinrich to an extension before the season begins?

I am a very busy man.  Very busy, I tell you.  I come to Blog-a-Bull at this time of year so that I can read any nugget about the Bulls that appears anywhere, even crazy, ill-informed articles from across the pond (see Luol Deng diary below).

But today, nothing, zip, nada.  Now, I think to myself, c'mon, there's gotta be something out there to read at this time of the year.  So I look around.  Well, first I found there's a two-part Bulls.com article on Paxson's biggest moves to create a contender, and then I found an article picking Hinrich as the young player most likely to follow Wade in the quest for a title.

Now, really, neither of these things is brand new.  One of you people should already have this diary up.  Slackers.

Saw this today at nbadraft.net:  

http://www.nbadraft.net/mcchesney004.asp

Interesting expansion of the "superstar theory" discussed previously here:  

http://www.blogabull.com/story/2006/8/13/214531/769#comment_form

Notably, the writer gives the Bulls and Pax high props, and implies that Big Ben MIGHT even be a qualifying superstar-type to get us into real contention.

Discuss.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_17689.shtml

Does anyone know anything about this new "non-leather composite" ball design that the NBA is introducing this year?

Why would they do a thing like that?

Is it supposed to be an earth-conscious "save-the-cow" initiative?  A simple marketing gimmick?  Is it supposed to actually perform better than the current ball?

The hoopsworld article says it will decrease shooting percentages.  Not a good thing for a jump shooting team.  

Where that post player at?

From ESPN's Mock Draft:

"Don't be surprised if the Bulls shop their two picks for a veteran."

Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought there was a rule that a team cannot go without a first round pick for two consecutive years.  Since the Bulls traded their #1 pick last year, doesn't that mean that they have to keep one of their 2 first rounders this year?  Either that, or if they trade them, they would have to acquire another first rounder from someone else, right?

In which case, shopping both picks doesn't really help, unless the Bulls are trading up or down in the draft with at least one of them.

[Bumped up from the Diaries. Good way to get the ball rolling on draft talk. -Matt]

Okay, so now that the lottery is over and the picks are set, the mock drafting has begun in earnest. The first one I saw was Ford's on ESPN, where the Raps take Bargnani and the Bulls take Thomas, which is the direction the blogging community seems to favor.  Here is a link:
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2006/insider/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=MockDraf t-050623

However, I then visited DraftExpress, where they have the Raps taking Aldridge, and the Bulls taking BARGNANI, even though Thomas is still on the board.  In fact, they have Thomas falling all the way to the Celtics at number 7.  The link:  http://draftexpress.com/mock.php?y=2006

So now my curiosity is piqued (this was briefly mentioned in the Thabo Sefolosha diary as well).  So I went to nbadraft.net to see their take.  Well, lo and behold, they also have the Raps taking Aldridge and the Bulls taking Bargnani.  Link here:  http://www.nbadraft.net/

So two questions:  (1) does anyone have any idea where the speculation about the Bulls taking Bargnani over TT is coming from? and (2) is there a way to form a central repository of the main mock drafts so we can all follow them as they develop?

Enjoy -- the season of speculation has begun!

Draft Express now has the Bulls taking this guy with the second pick.  http://draftexpress.com/mock.php?y=2006

Name:Thabo Sefolosha
Height:6' 7"
Weight:205 pounds

Anyone know anything about him?

The next player after him is Temple's Mardy Collins, a 6'6" PG, who is supposed to be real solid.

Both guys seem like they would be a nice fit.  Any thoughts in advance of the Lottery?

When the Bulls lose a big game, I find it therapeutic to put it out of my head and think about the draft.  In checking out DraftExpress (http://draftexpress.com/mock.php?y=2006), I noticed that they now DO take team needs into account, except for the top 10 lottery picks.  

This makes their mock of the Bulls second pick of some interest.  They have the Bulls taking Cedric Simmons from N.C. State.  Anyone seen him play?

He's 20, listed at 6'9" 233 lbs.  From the little I read (they don't have a full profile up), he is strong, blocks a ton of shots, and has at least a basic post game.

I know the predominant view on this site is to take a SG with the second pick, but would 2 bigs really be a mistake?

What about 2 bigs in the draft and overpaying for Jared Jefferies or someone to fill the big 2 guard slot?

Check out this tidbit from mybulls:

Mr. Efficient
NBA.com uses a formula to evaluate all players' efficiency on a level playing field, no matter how many minutes played. Through all playoff games on May 1, Andres Nocioni ranks third among all players in postseason play. Nocioni's efficiency rating of 26.0 is outdone by only Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki (31.3) and New Jersey's Vince Carter (29.8). Kirk Hinrich's 22.2 rating ranks 12th.

Pretty amazing -- Noc is playing at a true all-star level.

Tough loss.  Great play until the end.  The curse of a young team.  Most important happenings could be Wade's gimpy leg and Haslem's potential suspension.

Any thoughts on how many games, if any, Haslem gets suspended for that ridiculous mouthgard toss at Crawford?                                                                                      
I'm guessing 2 games?  But who knows, I've never seen that before.

Poll

For how many games does Haslem get suspended?

0%

Five

0 votes

53%

One

14 votes

7%

More than Five

2 votes

11%

Two

3 votes

3%

Three

1 votes

3%

Four

1 votes

19%

None

5 votes

26 votes | Poll has closed

Okay, so the Bulls have clinched the 8th seed!  Awesome.  And they have the same record as Indiana and Milwaukee.  What is the tie break situation vis a vis those teams?  Do the Bulls lose the tie break against both if they end with the same record?  What about the Pacers vs. the Bucks?

As a New Yorker, I am fantasizing about the Bulls getting the 6 seed, so I can head out to
Jersey and root our boys on.

So what has to happen for my dream to become a reality?

nbadraft.net now has the Bulls taking Aldridge and Shelden Williams.  What do you think of those picks?  It could work -- Williams will be more ready to contribute, Aldridge has greater potential to be a big-time player.

C:  Chandler/Allen/Othella
PF: SWilliams/LAldridge/Songaila
SF: Deng/Noc
SG: Gordon/FA? (M2GWCDAS)
PG: Hinrich/Duhon

I assume Sweetney, Pike, Schenscher, and Livingston are gone under this scenario.  Do you keep Basden or Pargo around?  

If not, that's only 12 guys.  Who would you like to get (who could conceivably be a possibility via free agency or a trade of the pieces I have assumed are gone) to fill out the roster and/or become our other 2 guard?

Ok, now that the trade deadline is past (whew -- no bad moves, well done, Pax!), what do the Bulls do with their open roster spot (or spots if they buy out TT)?

Is there anyone out there that we think would help a playoff push?

Does anyone know where Penny is health-wise?  Would he be a reasonable veteran 2 guard to add?

I'm not sure I think he would be, but I just noticed the Magic waived him and it got me thinking . . .

Thoughts?

Anyone have any thoughts on Sam Smith's latest invented trade rumors?

Namely, from today's Trib:

The Bulls need post play and a big defensive guard. One GM said he has heard the Bulls remain interested in Atlanta's Al Harrington, a post-up frontcourt player who also can rebound. He was the player the Bulls tried to get by trading for Phoenix's No. 1 draft pick in 2004. But the Pacers pulled back on the deal and the Bulls selected Luol Deng.

Harrington is with the hopeless Hawks and says he'll leave as a free agent after this season. Atlanta needs a point guard, given that Tyron Lue plays there now. So how about Chris Duhon and an expiring contract, like Eric Piatkowski's? Otherwise, the Hawks could lose Harrington for nothing. And Kirk Hinrich could return to his natural position, point guard.

In the other part of the deal, how about making a run at Golden State's Mickael Pietrus to play with Hinrich? It would cost the Warriors a fortune in luxury tax to re-sign Pietrus after they re-signed Mike Dunleavy. The Bulls looked hard at Pietrus before drafting Hinrich, and he's the kind of big, defensive shooting guard they need. Certainly, either the Bulls' or Knicks' No. 1 picks the Bulls own will be in the lottery. Wouldn't one help the Warriors' pursuit for a big man with another expiring contract thrown in?
---------------------------

I do like Pietrus, but is GS really going to let him go?  I'd love to see TT + the lesser of the Bulls 2 picks for Pietrus.

Looks like TT's questionable attitude is getting less questionable. . .  Any bets on whether he survives the trade deadline?

From the Trib:

Down and out

Tim Thomas didn't play against the Spurs. Bulls coach Scott Skiles said he had intended to use Thomas but matchups turned unfavorable for the 6-foot-10-inch forward.

Skiles also said Thomas, acquired in the Eddy Curry trade, still is playing catch-up.

"We're playing at a level right now, in practice and in the games, that I haven't seen Tim get to yet," Skiles said. "It's pretty much up to Tim."

Thomas had little to say on the matter.

"That's his opinion," he said. "I'm ready to play."

From Part I of the Sports Guy's NBA Season preview on ESPN:

THE FIVE DUMBEST ISIAH THOMAS MOVES OF THE OFFSEASON (IN REVERSE ORDER)

5. Jerome James for $30 million
So predictable, I even predicted it. Maybe the first lucrative free-agent signing whose confidence was completely shot before the preseason even ended. On the bright side, at least he has a weight problem.

4. Larry Brown for $60-plus million
He's one of the best five coaches of my lifetime. There's no question. But Brown has clearly established himself as a certain type of coach -- someone who takes over an underachieving team with quality veterans and teaches them how to win. He's notoriously impatient with young players, whether it was Detroit (Darko and Carlos Delfino), Athens (Carmelo, Wade and LeBron), Philly (Larry Hughes) or even Indiana (Jalen Rose and Travis Best). Well, have you taken a look at the Knicks? Not exactly a veteran team -- they're mostly rookies, second-year guys and young players who have driven their coaches crazy. Why is this a good situation for him? What's different between this situation and the '97 and '98 Philly teams that won a combined 60 games? Remember, those teams had Iverson, Hughes, Tim Thomas, Derrick Coleman, Theo Ratliff and others ... it took Brown three years to turn things around and five to make the Finals.

(Side note: If you're scoring at home, Larry Brown is 65 years old. When my father turns 65, I don't even want him shoveling snow anymore, much less coaching guys like Crawford, Marbury, Richardson and Curry and dealing with 3 a.m. phone calls from Isiah like, "Good news, I just traded four first-rounders, Penny Hardaway and cash for Zack Randolph!")

3. Kurt Thomas for Quentin Richardson and Nate Robinson
Classic "quarter for two dimes" trade. Everyone needs to settle down on Robinson, by the way. He's 5-foot-7 and he's not a point guard. That's a problem. In the NFL, he would be one of those exciting kick returners who makes only two or three plays per year but seems 10 times more dangerous than he really is. Watching Nate run an offense is like watching Michael J. Fox run the show in the final game in "Teen Wolf," only without the ridiculous edits. He's a shooting guard trapped in a point guard's body. On the right team, this could work. On a team with two other shoot-first point guards, it's a mess.

2. Channing Frye with the 8th pick
I was lukewarm on this one when it happened ... and then Isiah spent $90 million on two guys who play the exact same position as him. Four steps beyond completely illogical. That reminds me...

1. Eddy Curry
If it works out, Eddy gives you a low-post scorer who doesn't rebound and peaks in the first quarter every game. If it doesn't work out, he could die on the court and you're stuck with his uninsured $60 million contract. There's no in-between.

Actually, this wasn't dumb; it was more creepy than anything. Let's roll the dice with him ... if it doesn't work out, we'll just clear him off the court and put in Jerome James. Unlike Tedy Bruschi, he wasn't cleared by the Bulls to play and nobody really knows how bad his heart condition is -- the whole situation is somewhat disturbing, if you ask me. There's a reason they don't show Hank Gathers' final game on ESPN Classic.