SB Nation User Blog: snley

There's no question Pritchard also is trying to figure out a way to get maximum cap room this...

snley — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:00:18 -0000

There's no question Pritchard also is trying to figure out a way to get maximum cap room this summer to use for a free agent or in a trade...but sources say Portland's real target is Bulls point guard Kirk Hinrich.
Enter the Blazers, who will have the cap space to absorb Hinrich's deal and put the Bulls back under the tax threshold.
Hinrich would give the Blazers a seasoned point guard, but one without the sizzle or upside of Rubio.

-Chad Ford

Boozer Rental

snley — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:45:18 -0000

I cannot believe I am proposing this. I think the Bulls should take a one year flyer on Carlos Boozer. This is assuming that Boozer does not opt out on his final year and that the Jazz would rather find a way to keep Millsap over Boozer. I do not see this move as a long term solution for the Bulls. Rather, I’d expect it to be a one year band aid that potentially puts the team in a better position to acquire a better talent during next season or next summer.

Bulls offer

John Salmons

Jerome James

#16 Pick

Jazz offer

Carlos Boozer

Ronnie Brewer

Why Jazz do it:

On paper, this trade looks terribly lopsided, I admit. As stated above, this proposal is based on the two assumptions that Boozer does not opt out and that the Jazz (who, unlike the Bulls, actually cannot afford to pay the luxury tax) would rather keep Millsap for the long term. In that situation, the Jazz need to find ways to limit what they are paying, making James’s assumed insurance covered contract key. To boot, they get a SG with the size that Jerry Sloan prefers and the perimeter shooting the team desperately needs. Plus, they get a chance to find a solid young big (Hansborough and Blair both seem Sloan’s type) to replace Boozer in the front court rotation with the 16th pick. In a contract dumping situation, this is a very good deal. Asking them to include Ronnie Brewer is probably going too far, but by brining in Salmons, they should offset that loss. Again, this is from the perspective that it is a salary dump for Utah and they should expect to take back less talent than they bring in.

Why Bulls do it:

Boozer, playing for a new contract and hopefully healthy, should help offset the loss of Gordon’s offense. Further, he provides a nice option on the pick and roll for Rose to work with. The value in Boozer, though, also comes in having an expiring deal that is actually attached to a useful player. This could make him more attractive in a deadline deal or, just let him expire and make the other necessary moves to open cap space for next summer. Brewer would at least give the Bulls a starting SG who can play defense and is decent on the offensive end. He is a terrible shooter, so he is not an ideal fit next to Rose and Deng. Plus, he is going to be an RFA next summer which could affect a 2010 plan. Still, he is another attractive asset that could be dealt if need be during the course of the season. Talk about assets, Gar would have Boozer, Miller, Tyrus, Brewer, and TiT available for trading. Anyways, here is the propose rotation following the trade:

Rose, Hinrich

Brewer, Hinrich

Deng, #26 or TiT

Boozer, Tyrus

Noah, Miller

I don't what's scarier, the fact that the Bulls were nearly eliminated because their coaches suck...

snley — Fri, 01 May 2009 21:15:56 -0000

I don't what's scarier, the fact that the Bulls were nearly eliminated because their coaches suck at math, or that it doesn't even crack the top 10 in the list of strategic blunders by Vinny Del Negro in this series.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2009/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiemInsider-090501

Bulls phenom Derrick Rose talks video games, custom systems and crossing up Andre Miller.

snley — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:55:54 -0000

Bulls phenom Derrick Rose talks video games, custom systems and crossing up Andre Miller.

Not much new other than that Rose uses the Lakers when playing NBA 2K9

Rob Portland: Thorpe why didnt my blazers give up Rudy Fernandez (or Sergio or Steve Blake) to get...

snley — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:12:19 -0000

Rob Portland: Thorpe why didnt my blazers give up Rudy Fernandez (or Sergio or Steve Blake) to get Derrick Rose? If we had Rose we could be awesome

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:44 PM ET ) You pushed and you pushed. So fine, you get your ban. Wake up Rob!

Zach (Burlington, IA): Where does John Salmons fit in on this Bulls team? Does he start and let Ben Gordon go back to the 6th man, or does he become the back up 1,2,3?

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:05 PM ET ) First guy off the bench in the short term at 2 and 3. Kirk still backs up Rose. But I'm not sure he'll be a good player in that role.

Jake (VA Beach): So are you a fan of all the Bulls' moves as much as Adande and Mashburn?

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:09 PM ET ) No.

Debbie (Monterey Park, CA): Who are you interested in seeing now: new-look Knicks, new-look Bulls or new-look Kings?

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:11 PM ET ) Bulls probably.

Jake (VA Beach): So not a fan, but interested to see the Bulls. So care to elaborate a small bit?

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:13 PM ET ) I'm not convinced that they 2 Kings will make a huge difference. I'm interested to watch and see if I'm wrong.

Dean (Chicago): Not allot of insight in an answer "No" on if you like the bulls moves. It would be nice to get clarification, afterall people do appreciate your insight.

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:14 PM ET ) Salmons is as much of a ball-stopper as BG, and a lot more whiny when he does not start. Miller is not a low post option on offense, and has not been healthy for a bit. Salmons also overrated as a defender.

John, Switzerland: Do you think Thabo can succeed with the Thunder and is he going to start? Is Mason really out for the season?

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:22 PM ET ) Yes, I think Thabo could be a long term starter there. He fits in great with KD, Green, and Westbrook.

Romeo and Illinois: Mr. Thorpe, with the bulls making these two big deals, do u see them as a serious contender for one of the 2010 prize free agents? there are rumors Chicago is Bosh first option....

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:24 PM ET ) I'm sure Bosh will consider all options. No way he's locking in on any one target now.

Brian (Jersey): You and Hollinger are my two favorites, which is why I love it when you two disagree. He says Hughes cant pass or shoot, which makes him a bad fit for Mike D's system, you seem more positive on the move. Thoughts?

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:38 PM ET ) He won't be the first guy to play better in Mike's system.

Sean (Chicago): I know Salmons isn't an ideal fit, but can he be a passable fit at SG next year if the Bulls lose Gordon as expected?

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:50 PM ET ) Possibly, but he's basically been a 3. And he's no BG as a scorer.

Sean (Chicago): I know he's not BG scorer but hopefully he's not a BG defender either (I know Gordon isn't as terrible as some suggest but he's not good either). The Bulls just need someone to stand at the 3pt line in that spot, maybe slash now and then. Ideally Rose and Deng should be the focus of our offense right now.

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:54 PM ET ) Good point. BG always has to be a focus on offense, he's amazing at that end.

Chris (San Diego): Love the chats Mr. Thorpe! Bulls moves - no superstars, but it seems like the players they acquired fit much better. Miller isn't going to launch 20 footers all day (Gooden)and Salmons currently is a much more efficient player than Nocioni. Just seemed like the moves improved fit without hurting long term goals.

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:57 PM ET ) Great point about Miller. Deng should get an extra bucket a game from Brad on a slash to the rim.

Jeff (NYC): Regardless of what happens in 2010, I'm pretty impressed with Donnie Walsh as a GM. He managed to trade Jerome James!!!! Tell me that isn't amazing Thorpedo!

SportsNation David Thorpe: (12:59 PM ET ) He's obviously good at what he does

Thorpe's Bulls tidbits from today's chat, put the Portland quote at top for emphasis

Blazers Threaten Lawsuit if Miles Is Signed

snley — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:45:34 -0000

Blazers Threaten Lawsuit if Miles Is Signed

Couldn't Miles have a lawsuit of his own against the Blazers stemming from this e-mail? After all, it appears they're directly interfering with his opportunity to get a job.

But the real gem is Chucky Atkins, whom the Thunder also received in the trade. Believe it or not,...

snley — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:53:09 -0000

But the real gem is Chucky Atkins, whom the Thunder also received in the trade. Believe it or not, he is going to be a major trade chip this summer. His deal counts as $3.4 million on the books for trades, but only $760,000 of that is guaranteed. As a result, he'll be a target for any team dancing with the luxury-tax line -- they can deal a contract worth up to $4.5 million for Atkins, waive Atkins while eating the $760K guarantee, and end up clearing about $3.5 million off their books. Thus, he is likely to generate more assets for the rebuilding Thunder in a second trade.

Too bad the Bulls don't have anything close in value to get this done. It'd sure help clear some room to resign BG

Reasons for Hope

snley — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:48:42 -0000

A day later, and I still cannot bring myself to look at the final score from the Blazers game. That was one of the worst performances I have ever witnessed. I could not turn away until VDN mercifully pulled Rose out late in the third. That must be what it looks like when I try to play a basketball video game really drunk. I have no idea what I am doing on the offensive end and it just keeps turning into easy buckets for the other team. When you play that poorly, the momentum is all on your opponent and there is nothing you can do to make a run.

After that debacle, it is very easy to give in and say "this team's screwed as presently constructed." I took Matt's advice, though, and treated the game like it never happened. Doing so, I remembered how excited I was about this team's development before the game started. The reason we are all so upset about that loss was not just because of how garish it was. When the Bulls got whipped by the Celtics, most around here seemed willing to accept that that was just the way it was supposed to be. The Blazers game, though, presented a chance for the Bulls to grab a victory on the Circus Trip. (Did anyone else catch Jon Barry saying "they affectionately refer to it as the Circus Trip". There is absolutely no affection for that trip by the organization or its fans. This is not like the Spurs' annual rejuvenating "Rodeo Trip" tour.) At the very least, it should have been a competitive game.

While much of the blame for what happened should be heaped on VDN, I think there are still plenty of positives to take away from his young tenure. Certainly, some of these are only positives if you hold up as comparisons to his predecessors or his own previous decisions. However, I am still very optimistic that the quality of this team, even if as presently constituted, will be much greater by March. Anyways, here are some reminders of things to like so far.

- This is already Rose's team. While his talent is so obvious that even Skiles likely would have handed him the reigns, it is nice to know the head coach does not feel he has to put a rookie point god in his place.

- Ben Gordon is starting. It took some time and Hinrich's injury for this to develop, but it seems VDN realizes Gordon is the best fit in the backcourt next to Rose.

- VDN keeps looking for answers in the frontcourt. Some of these answers have been horribly wrong. Unfortunately, Tyrus's shaken confidence and Noah's lack of conditioning have forced VDN to look elsewhere. Until those 2 get their stuff together, we all are going to have to accept that right now Deng, Gooden, and Noc are the best frontcourt players.

- Tyrus and Noah keep getting chances to play. Again, it is on the two of them to force VDN to give them consistent minutes. At this point, neither deserves more than the cursory looks VDN gives them each game. At least he is willing to put them out there early and stick with them through a few mistakes. When he has pulled the plug on either one for a game, it has been disappointing yet feels different than when it happened under Skiles or the other guy.

- The team is currently 12th in defensive efficiency after playing the toughest opening schedule in the NBA. Of their 12 games, 9 have come against teams currently in the top 12 of Hollinger's Daily Rankings. With almost no interior defensive presence, they still are producing on that end. The offense is mired near the bottom at 26th. As the schedule begins to even out, we should see the team rise in both rankings.

- They found a way to get Deng involved. There was plenty of concern, and rightfully so, that Deng did not fit Rose and/or this offense. Either the offense was adapted to Deng or the coaches helped him adapt to it. Either way, this is probably my greatest source of optimism.

There are plenty of things I want to see done differently. I want to see a lot more out of Tyrus and Noah. I want to see a lot less of Hughes. This season was supposed to be a work in progress.

The team is already much further along than I thought they would be at this point in the season. Much of that is attributable to the way Rose has busted out of the gates. I think the team's other rookie, though, has shown some flashes of promise himself. If Rose had been struggling with turnovers, we all would have been calling for patience, let him learn how to not make those mistakes. VDN deserves the same patience. Let him work through the mistakes he is bound to make in terms of rotation. Let him get a chance to work with a confident Tyrus and a played-into-shape Noah. Let him realize that Hughes is a succubus. VDN was given a team with plenty of questions and a ridiculous opening schedule. All things considered, this season could be going a lot worst.

Hollinger's "Stop Shooting All Stars"

snley — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:42:02 -0000

Hollinger's "Stop Shooting All Stars"

OK, I'm ready to join the Hollinger haters now. How the hell did Hughes not make this list?

Shamsports Previews Skiles's Bucks

snley — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:19:29 -0000

Shamsports Previews Skiles's Bucks

While it's a preview of the Bucks, I think this can also be used a source of something to be thankful for. At least Skiles and Boylan are no longer here to potentially scar yet another young player.