McGraw: Bulls SG issues

[Clint Eastwood]

to me mayo is a lot like chauncey billups in stature and game. chauncey when finally put in the right situation to develop his niche became a studly player who affects the game greatly. and its never been with stellar athleticism. mayo fits this, but is an inch taller and can develop into what we need out of that spot. i refuse to judge him based on his usage by a stupid coach of the second worst run franchise in the nba. this is why we can get him at less value. he will for some team play all star or borderline allstar ball.

also, this nonsense about his defense needs to be stopped. if you watched him in college, when he played for a coach that preached defense, he was a great and willing defender. when he has no defense to back him up, sure he wont look as good. i guarantee he would be a better defender for us than for bogans, under the demanding tutelage of thibs.

[MAQ]

Duck is right, trading Deng for Jackson is a lateral move. Now you would have no SF. Oh wait, JJ can start now like many of you are begging. That'll sure help! Or you could move Jackson to his normal SF spot and have *wait for it* Keith Bogans starting!

If Mayo can be had for a combo of Bulls 2011 1st rounder and one of Asik/Taj/Charlotte Pick with fillers then you do it. Otherwise, the clear and ONLY choice is JR Smith. You can get him while not giving up any of Charlotte Pick/Asik/Taj. Hell you could also dump Keith Bogans in there too. Plus he creates that salary cap flexibility that everyone wants since he'll be an expiring. If he works, extend him, if not let him go and have 6 million in salary to spend on something else in the offseason. Low risk, high reward. It's the only logical move.

I think people are conveniently forgetting how much of a headcase JR really is. This guy clearly has got emotional problems wrapped up like an eggroll inside of a manically dangerous ego. Steer clear of the rocks.

Chemistry IS important to this team. There are times when you take certain calculated risks on it, as we did with Rodman some years ago. But Rodman, just as with a guy like SJax, is a real team player, a real team competitor. I don't see this at all in a guy like JR.

I think you're forgetting that JR is expiring this season. It doesn't work out, just don't resign him.

That's part of the reason why he's definitely the best option. Other reasons include his age and the fact that he'll be the cheapest in terms of assets (No Taj).

[Bulltalk]

Duck is right, trading Deng for Jackson is a lateral move. Now you would have no SF. Oh wait, JJ can start now like many of you are begging. That'll sure help! Or you could move Jackson to his normal SF spot and have *wait for it* Keith Bogans starting!

If Mayo can be had for a combo of Bulls 2011 1st rounder and one of Asik/Taj/Charlotte Pick with fillers then you do it. Otherwise, the clear and ONLY choice is JR Smith. You can get him while not giving up any of Charlotte Pick/Asik/Taj. Hell you could also dump Keith Bogans in there too. Plus he creates that salary cap flexibility that everyone wants since he'll be an expiring. If he works, extend him, if not let him go and have 6 million in salary to spend on something else in the offseason. Low risk, high reward. It's the only logical move.

I think people are conveniently forgetting how much of a headcase JR really is. This guy clearly has got emotional problems wrapped up like an eggroll inside of a manically dangerous ego. Steer clear of the rocks.

Chemistry IS important to this team. There are times when you take certain calculated risks on it, as we did with Rodman some years ago. But Rodman, just as with a guy like SJax, is a real team player, a real team competitor. I don't see this at all in a guy like JR.

That's nice and all but there's risk with every player you trade for affecting your chemistry. The thing is that if you trade for Smith and it doesn't work and he becomes a problem, you simply send him home while only losing Watson and a late first rounder. The odds that either one of those pieces lost contributes to a title team is near zero. JR Smith is also playing for a contract and isn't on a team with a ton of loose cannons. Sure there is risk but the reward of his play far outweighs it.

You don't want to make a sincere run for it now? You're not tired of waiting?

I think you're using the fact of JR's expiring contract to mask two things:

1) He IS a major headcase; he is quite capable of being a distractive bust for us in this regard
2) SJax would not be a mere rental player for this year; he can aid us in moving forward later as well, and, in the meantime (believe you me) the likes of Orlando, Boston, and Miami are A LOT more respectful/fearful of us in the playoffs with SJax than with JR or anyone else being bantered about here.

Just MO.

[MAQ]

You don't want to make a sincere run for it now? You're not tired of waiting?

I think you're using the fact of JR's expiring contract to mask two things:

1) He IS a major headcase; he is quite capable of being a distractive bust for us in this regard
2) SJax would not be a mere rental player for this year; he can aid us in moving forward later as well, and, in the meantime (believe you me) the likes of Orlando, Boston, and Miami are A LOT more respectful/fearful of us in the playoffs with SJax than with JR or anyone else being bantered about here.

Just MO.

I do believe JR is capable of being a distraction to this team, but only if he were kept here for the long term. I simply refuse to believe he could do ANY damage to our team in 5 months. Can't believe it. If there were really an issue, ties would be cut, and we'd be looking for another 2 guard with our best tradeable assets still in place.

And I think you're underselling SJax's potential to be a distraction. He has always had a rep as a good teammate, but good teammate doesn't mean you're not a distraction. I can totally see the SJax thing nose diving b/c of a decline in skill.

I don't think the difference between SJax and JR is that huge. For the playoffs, it would definitely be better as we will be a team built on defense, and there is no question about SJax's commitment to defense, but I can definitely see JR being as impactful as SJax on a given night.

[illiance]

I think people are conveniently forgetting how much of a headcase JR really is. This guy clearly has got emotional problems wrapped up like an eggroll inside of a manically dangerous ego. Steer clear of the rocks.

Chemistry IS important to this team. There are times when you take certain calculated risks on it, as we did with Rodman some years ago. But Rodman, just as with a guy like SJax, is a real team player, a real team competitor. I don't see this at all in a guy like JR.

That's nice and all but there's risk with every player you trade for affecting your chemistry. The thing is that if you trade for Smith and it doesn't work and he becomes a problem, you simply send him home while only losing Watson and a late first rounder. The odds that either one of those pieces lost contributes to a title team is near zero. JR Smith is also playing for a contract and isn't on a team with a ton of loose cannons. Sure there is risk but the reward of his play far outweighs it.

You don't want to make a sincere run for it now? You're not tired of waiting?

I think you're using the fact of JR's expiring contract to mask two things:

1) He IS a major headcase; he is quite capable of being a distractive bust for us in this regard
2) SJax would not be a mere rental player for this year; he can aid us in moving forward later as well, and, in the meantime (believe you me) the likes of Orlando, Boston, and Miami are A LOT more respectful/fearful of us in the playoffs with SJax than with JR or anyone else being bantered about here.

Just MO.

I want to make a run for it right now. I just don't think another high-volume shooter really helps things much when his efficiency is near equivalent to JR Smith's. I also like JR's versality of being able to play off the bench and be the primary playmaker when playing with back-ups. Granted Jackson is a better and more complete player but when factoring in the salary, the fact that there's two years left (if things don't work out), and the fact that we wouldn't give up a rotation player that plays more than 12 minutes, JR Smith is clearly the better choice. I personally think JR + Charlotte Pick + Taj > Jackson - Taj - Charlotte Pick is better short term and in the future.

[Bulltalk]

You don't want to make a sincere run for it now? You're not tired of waiting?

I think you're using the fact of JR's expiring contract to mask two things:

1) He IS a major headcase; he is quite capable of being a distractive bust for us in this regard
2) SJax would not be a mere rental player for this year; he can aid us in moving forward later as well, and, in the meantime (believe you me) the likes of Orlando, Boston, and Miami are A LOT more respectful/fearful of us in the playoffs with SJax than with JR or anyone else being bantered about here.

Just MO.

I do believe JR is capable of being a distraction to this team, but only if he were kept here for the long term. I simply refuse to believe he could do ANY damage to our team in 5 months. Can't believe it. If there were really an issue, ties would be cut, and we'd be looking for another 2 guard with our best tradeable assets still in place.

And I think you're underselling SJax's potential to be a distraction. He has always had a rep as a good teammate, but good teammate doesn't mean you're not a distraction. I can totally see the SJax thing nose diving b/c of a decline in skill.

I don't think the difference between SJax and JR is that huge. For the playoffs, it would definitely be better as we will be a team built on defense, and there is no question about SJax's commitment to defense, but I can definitely see JR being as impactful as SJax on a given night.

We'll just have to agree to disagree. That's all.

[Sonny_D1]

Houston has a glut in the backcourt, and Battier is expiring. Houston wouldn't do Deng for KMart but maybe expanded to something like this:

Deng, JJ, Watson, Asik for KMart, Battier (or something along those lines)

I think KMart's game would fit in great with this team.

[dice]

Also, is any CBA agreement going to come to pass which is going to go drastically against the best interests of certain key owners/franchises and their best interests? I tend to think not.

the very existence of a luxury tax tells me that parity/widespread financial health is more important to the league than key owners. ask mark cuban about how much his best interests have been coddled

if it takes significantly reducing the cap to keep low-income franchises viable the league is gonna do whatever it can to get that done

[EastBayFJ]

Also, is any CBA agreement going to come to pass which is going to go drastically against the best interests of certain key owners/franchises and their best interests? I tend to think not.

the very existence of a luxury tax tells me that parity/widespread financial health is more important to the league than key owners. ask mark cuban about how much his best interests have been coddled

if it takes significantly reducing the cap to keep low-income franchises viable the league is gonna do whatever it can to get that done

Yup.

I think this is bang on the money.

The "greater good" argument will prevail.

[ELCIDz]

After this season I hope we take a stab at 2 guys. JRich. Offer him full MLE. slim chance he takes it because he will get better $ elsewhere but its worth a shot. Afflalo. After Melo bolts DEN may be willing to take the Bobcats pick and filler if they decide to aggressively pursue rebuild. They probably wont as Afflalo is young enough to be a part of the rebuild, then again he's a role player not a centerpiece so they may decide its worth losing him to get a potentially high lottery pick. After that I guess we puruse also rans like Pietrus.

[bullsnewdynasty]

After this season I hope we take a stab at 2 guys. JRich. Offer him full MLE. slim chance he takes it because he will get better $ elsewhere but its worth a shot. Afflalo. After Melo bolts DEN may be willing to take the Bobcats pick and filler if they decide to aggressively pursue rebuild. They probably wont as Afflalo is young enough to be a part of the rebuild, then again he's a role player not a centerpiece so they may decide its worth losing him to get a potentially high lottery pick. After that I guess we puruse also rans like Pietrus.

Yep. Richardson would be ideal, but unless it's an Artest type discount, it won't happen.

[Bulltalk]

Also, is any CBA agreement going to come to pass which is going to go drastically against the best interests of certain key owners/franchises and their best interests? I tend to think not.

the very existence of a luxury tax tells me that parity/widespread financial health is more important to the league than key owners. ask mark cuban about how much his best interests have been coddled

if it takes significantly reducing the cap to keep low-income franchises viable the league is gonna do whatever it can to get that done

The "league" really is the ownership in such regards. Stern is hired and represents the owners first and foremost. There is a fine line between representing the interests of the lesser-heeled franchises, and representing the cash-cow franchises of the NBA. It's dangerous to go too far in either direction. You don't want to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. Let's face it, the Lakers, Bulls, Knicks, and Celtics are a lot more important to the fortunes of the NBA than the Timberwolves, Grizzlies, Bobcats, and Hornets.

That's all that I'm saying. The NBA is a different animal than the NFL in this way.

[cot2]

What you need to remember is that there are 30 owners, so you have many more small market guys stuggling, compared to a few big markets, that can support large payrolls. The players can not be able to hold out as long as the owners. There will be big changes, and a couple owners that are willing to pay more will get voted down, with the majority willing to hold out missing an entire season if neccessary to get parity, with profitablity for most the teams.

[ElPolloLoco]

JR Smith is basically an upgraded version of Marcus Thornton but comes with alot of baggage. I would hope that Thibodeau would start him if he came here but if Bogans is still here after the trade I have a hard time seeing him being demoted as hilarious as it sounds. If he played it smart, Smith would start and become another play maker next to Rose on the team. He's not a bad passer and can setup some plays for others at times when he's not chucking. That's the biggest thing with him. If Thibodeau could make him become a more heady player and take shots in the flow of the offense, he will be a great pickup. He is one of the guys that at times can carry an offense with his shooting and all around scoring.

I want JR

[Bulltalk]

What you need to remember is that there are 30 owners, so you have many more small market guys stuggling, compared to a few big markets, that can support large payrolls. The players can not be able to hold out as long as the owners. There will be big changes, and a couple owners that are willing to pay more will get voted down, with the majority willing to hold out missing an entire season if neccessary to get parity, with profitablity for most the teams.

Parity is pretty damn hard to engineer in the NBA. At some point you soon get diminishing returns in an attempt to do so. Such a star driven league. Perhaps limits being put on contract lengths would help in moving in that direction. I wonder what the NBA would look like in a ten year period with a 3 year limit being put on contracts, and certain inabilities to extend them before a certain time?

[ELCIDz]

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune writes that reports of the Bulls pursuing Denver's J.R. Smith are false. In addition, Detroit's Richard Hamilton and Charlotte's Stephen Jackson carry lengthy contracts.

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Duh.

[Bulltalk]

No surprise that the rumor of them pursuing JR is false. He's way too much of a headcase for this organization.

[jStuNNa]

KC shoots down EVERYTHING and is a constant pessimist. According to him, the Bulls never have talks with any team about any player.

[Ron Harper]

i understand shorter contracts allow for greater flexibility in the future, but if we really need a SG to be a contender, does it matter?

[puma0821]

I know this has been covered ad nauseum already so I didn't want to start a new thread... Why not give Flip Murray another chance? .... It's not like he's doing anything right now. He cant be too expensive. Although he wasn't great last year, I though he did a serviceable job last year(surely better than bogans for 15 min a night). Does this new staff have something against him?

Also, when are teams allowed to start giving 10-day contracts, I'd rather go that route for Flip or Weaver, ect than give up crazy assets/players for SJAx or Rip.

Of course for Mayo, I say those assets(Taj/Char pick) can go and a cheap JR deal is good too. but these deals are going to take time, probably close to the deadline. Anyways I digress why not Flip(for a cheap or unguaranteed deal)?

Thoughts?