Chicago bulls : What is the plan?

[DASMACKDOWN]

I basically think any move is a lateral one.

If anything though, its just a chance for us to reset the makeup of the roster to have more balance. We obviously need a center so that will probably be priority.

[sco]

I tend to think that the plan is just to wait and see who becomes available and make a decision based on each situation. They'll have 2 bites at the apple. At the deadline this season is their best shot IMO. They'll have Coby to put out there along with all of the expirings and a bunch of picks. They'll have a bunch of cap space next offseason to try to nab a FA or take on bad contracts to get a star or more picks.

Is that a plan? IMO it is. We have 2 players to build around in Giddey and Matas. We may have Coby depending on his season and the market...best case he makes another leap this season and becomes a legit MAX player. We have an unknown with potential in Noa. Seems like flexibility is a good plan.

[dougthonus]

I tend to think that the plan is just to wait and see who becomes available and make a decision based on each situation. They'll have 2 bites at the apple. At the deadline this season is their best shot IMO. They'll have Coby to put out there along with all of the expirings and a bunch of picks. They'll have a bunch of cap space next offseason to try to nab a FA or take on bad contracts to get a star or more picks.

Is that a plan? IMO it is. We have 2 players to build around in Giddey and Matas. We may have Coby depending on his season and the market...best case he makes another leap this season and becomes a legit MAX player. We have an unknown with potential in Noa. Seems like flexibility is a good plan.

From a strategy perspective, the Bulls seem pretty rudderless, but their execution has been better which is a big improvement and overshadows the lack of strategy. From a strategic perspective, you know you are starting over, you should have been collecting assets, but you didn't. You held on to guys way too long, even following the "I hate draft picks" mantra, they could have simply moved guys like DeMar / Vuc earlier and better positioned themselves.

From an execution standpoint, they're negotiations seem better and more thoughtful, I like their general choices / contracts on the team right now, and I like the guys the picked in the draft with their picks even if they didn't get extras. The nice thing is that from a real practical perspective, if they execute well enough it really doesn't matter if they have a strategy. Like if you draft two stars in Matas/Noa out of picks that shouldn't be stars, it doesn't matter that you didn't juice your odds with extra picks or whatever else.

When looking at the pieces they've put together though, we're still malformed, we would seem to desperately need a rim protector to tie this whole thing together, and we added a crap ton of guards. Maybe that will be part of a long term strategy to move one later. I do think guards/wings will carry more trade value as the season goes on.

[sco]

I tend to think that the plan is just to wait and see who becomes available and make a decision based on each situation. They'll have 2 bites at the apple. At the deadline this season is their best shot IMO. They'll have Coby to put out there along with all of the expirings and a bunch of picks. They'll have a bunch of cap space next offseason to try to nab a FA or take on bad contracts to get a star or more picks.

Is that a plan? IMO it is. We have 2 players to build around in Giddey and Matas. We may have Coby depending on his season and the market...best case he makes another leap this season and becomes a legit MAX player. We have an unknown with potential in Noa. Seems like flexibility is a good plan.

From a strategy perspective, the Bulls seem pretty rudderless, but their execution has been better which is an improvement.

They know they are starting over, and they haven't added any additional long term assets. They are only rolling forward with their own draft picks and players. They managed to clear Zach's salary one year early, and have added a bunch of pedestrian short term contracts. They have a lot of flexibility to do unimportant things. Their best hope is that they win on pure execution with no real strategy (ie, we haven't put in a holistic plan, but we Matas / Noa become stars out of picks unlikely to be stars, and we have a stud team anyway).

I'll say that if I was picking their strategy for this season it would be:

1) Develop Matas - get him in a position to be our clear 3rd option this season

2) Assess the White/Giddey pairing - put as much defense around them and Matas to see if their defense can be covered up

3) Look for an upgrade a C at the deadline - take advantage of our expirings while we have them

4) Develop Noa - if possible follow the Matas script

I keep repeating this, but an important task to achieve the first 2 items would be to not start Vuc. Won't happen, but it is so obvious to so many.

[dougthonus]

I'll say that if I was picking their strategy for this season it would be:

1) Develop Matas - get him in a position to be our clear 3rd option this season

2) Assess the White/Giddey pairing - put as much defense around them and Matas to see if their defense can be covered up

3) Look for an upgrade a C at the deadline - take advantage of our expirings while we have them

4) Develop Noa - if possible follow the Matas script

I keep repeating this, but an important task to achieve the first 2 items would be to not start Vuc. Won't happen, but it is so obvious to so many.

To me that's business as usual, not a strategy. A strategy is about transformation and asymmetric returns. This is just standard stuff: Develop your draft picks, try to fill your holes, evaluate your players. That's just normal management. Being really good at basic management can be more important than strategy, so I don't want to undersell it, but ideally you'd have both.

[League Circles]

I'll say that if I was picking their strategy for this season it would be:

1) Develop Matas - get him in a position to be our clear 3rd option this season

2) Assess the White/Giddey pairing - put as much defense around them and Matas to see if their defense can be covered up

3) Look for an upgrade a C at the deadline - take advantage of our expirings while we have them

4) Develop Noa - if possible follow the Matas script

I keep repeating this, but an important task to achieve the first 2 items would be to not start Vuc. Won't happen, but it is so obvious to so many.

To me that's business as usual, not a strategy. A strategy is about transformation and asymmetric returns. This is just standard stuff: Develop your draft picks, try to fill your holes, evaluate your players. That's just normal management. Being really good at basic management can be more important than strategy, so I don't want to undersell it, but ideally you'd have both.

At this point there isn't much they can do that would be transformational other than:

1. Make a big trade - we have some pieces
2. Play differently from a scheme perspective. To me the most obvious thing to try is to play full court defense which I'm thrilled to read AK apparently mentioned.
3. Have a significant rotation change - Vuc being demoted and Noa, Okoro and Ayo (being back) are the notable things to watch there.

[DropStep]

...
3. Have a significant rotation change - Vuc being demoted and Noa, Okoro and Ayo (being back) are the notable things to watch there.

This belongs in another thread, but my impression from summer league was that Noa is basically a big quivering unformed blob of protoplasm. He may evolve into something good, and he did flash some talent, but he seemed further away from playing regular season games than Matas ever was to me. I don't really remember an overall impression from the board after summer league, but just based on my own instinct I'm not sure he plays half as many minutes as Buz did.

[kodo]

Yep. Giannis averaged 6 ppg 3 rpg as a rookie 19 year old and certainly didn't help Milwaukee win any games (15 win season).
Going to be 3-4 years.

The other guy Noa got comps for was Siakam, who averaged 4 ppg at 22 and 7 ppg at 23. He didn't really start becoming a factor til he was 24, which is 6 years away for Noa.

People really need to buckle in for the long haul with a pick like Noa.

[dougthonus]

At this point there isn't much they can do that would be transformational other than:

1. Make a big trade - we have some pieces
2. Play differently from a scheme perspective. To me the most obvious thing to try is to play full court defense which I'm thrilled to read AK apparently mentioned.
3. Have a significant rotation change - Vuc being demoted and Noa, Okoro and Ayo (being back) are the notable things to watch there.

I'd say #2 and #3 are not executive strategy, they may be strategy pieces at Donovan's level.

It's not like there are tons of strategies, but fundamentally, at a management level, if you are bad you want to collect good long term assets and get off short term assets.

There are some important strategic decisions coming up with all your expiring contracts, short term contracts, and glut of guards. You have the opportunity to likely add something vs let some pieces you won't bring back next year leave for nothing. That's the type of stuff we should have been doing at the margins for years but failed at.

[Chi town]

I'll say that if I was picking their strategy for this season it would be:

1) Develop Matas - get him in a position to be our clear 3rd option this season

2) Assess the White/Giddey pairing - put as much defense around them and Matas to see if their defense can be covered up

3) Look for an upgrade a C at the deadline - take advantage of our expirings while we have them

4) Develop Noa - if possible follow the Matas script

I keep repeating this, but an important task to achieve the first 2 items would be to not start Vuc. Won't happen, but it is so obvious to so many.

To me that's business as usual, not a strategy. A strategy is about transformation and asymmetric returns. This is just standard stuff: Develop your draft picks, try to fill your holes, evaluate your players. That's just normal management. Being really good at basic management can be more important than strategy, so I don't want to undersell it, but ideally you'd have both.

I think their strategy is obvious: pace. 9-10 players that can fly. Last year we did it offensively. This year we add pace to our Defense. Probably play more players and try to outrun everyone and wear them out in the 4th quarter. This could certainly make the Bulls a team no one wants to play, especially vets that are older and conserve energy.

Also target young players overlooked on their team ala Giddey and Okoro.

[Evil_Headband]

I'll say that if I was picking their strategy for this season it would be:

1) Develop Matas - get him in a position to be our clear 3rd option this season

2) Assess the White/Giddey pairing - put as much defense around them and Matas to see if their defense can be covered up

3) Look for an upgrade a C at the deadline - take advantage of our expirings while we have them

4) Develop Noa - if possible follow the Matas script

I keep repeating this, but an important task to achieve the first 2 items would be to not start Vuc. Won't happen, but it is so obvious to so many.

To me that's business as usual, not a strategy. A strategy is about transformation and asymmetric returns. This is just standard stuff: Develop your draft picks, try to fill your holes, evaluate your players. That's just normal management. Being really good at basic management can be more important than strategy, so I don't want to undersell it, but ideally you'd have both.

I think their strategy is obvious: pace. 9-10 players that can fly. Last year we did it offensively. This year we add pace to our Defense. Probably play more players and try to outrun everyone and wear them out in the 4th quarter. This could certainly make the Bulls a team no one wants to play, especially vets that are older and conserve energy.

Also target young players overlooked on their team ala Giddey and Okoro.

I'd like to see something like a 12 man rotation without big minutes for anyone. I know you guys will think this is crazy.

[sco]

To me that's business as usual, not a strategy. A strategy is about transformation and asymmetric returns. This is just standard stuff: Develop your draft picks, try to fill your holes, evaluate your players. That's just normal management. Being really good at basic management can be more important than strategy, so I don't want to undersell it, but ideally you'd have both.

I think their strategy is obvious: pace. 9-10 players that can fly. Last year we did it offensively. This year we add pace to our Defense. Probably play more players and try to outrun everyone and wear them out in the 4th quarter. This could certainly make the Bulls a team no one wants to play, especially vets that are older and conserve energy.

Also target young players overlooked on their team ala Giddey and Okoro.

I'd like to see something like a 12 man rotation without big minutes for anyone. I know you guys will think this is crazy.

I think Billy mentioned that he'd consider going 10-11 deep.

[MrSparkle]

We do have a definitively young team… and not like OKC, with 1 MVP and 2 supporting all-stars. More like 0 all-stars, barre incredible growth. I’d be ok with this direction if their draft strategy/record was really sharp.

But i don’t know - burying your new 12th pick in the densest forward rotation we’ve had since we contended seems counterintuitive. Seems like a cop out and excuse for not drafting very well. I still don’t know of any perennial all-star who couldn’t crack the rotation on a non-playoff team. If Noa has a Dalen Terry season, I’m not going to be happy. At that point, you wonder why the Pelicans/Queen trade wasn’t considered (altho honestly I see NOP making the post-season, albeit risky). Unplayable rookies don’t become stars. They might become good starters, but you shoot for stars with the lotto pick. Maybe if Patrick and Terry had a slither more success, I’d support AK’s long term strategy.

[sco]

We do have a definitively young team… and not like OKC, with 1 MVP and 2 supporting all-stars. More like 0 all-stars, barre incredible growth. I’d be ok with this direction if their draft strategy/record was really sharp.

But i don’t know - burying your new 12th pick in the densest forward rotation we’ve had since we contended seems counterintuitive. Seems like a cop out and excuse for not drafting very well. I still don’t know of any perennial all-star who couldn’t crack the rotation on a non-playoff team. If Noa has a Dalen Terry season, I’m not going to be happy. At that point, you wonder why the Pelicans/Queen trade wasn’t considered. Unplayable rookies don’t become stars. They might become good starters, but you shoot for stars with the lotto pick. Maybe if Patrick and Terry had a slither more success, I’d support AK’s long term strategy.

I think that Noa was a project pick with high upside. I think he'll definitely get the Matas treatment. They'll find a few entitlement minutes in most games, but will likely have a short leash on mistakes. I'm not sure if Noa's make-up is similar to Matas, but it worked to get the corrections that Billy was looking for. There will likely be changes post ASB that will free up more minutes. What's good about this approach is that it puts the carrot and stick out there, but also recognizes that most rookies hit the wall, so keeping early season minutes down pushes back the wall without any negative impact. IMO, Noa will need to earn his minutes on the defensive end. Billy noted that he has issues guarding guys one-on-one.

[Infinity2152]

A 10-11 man rotation is realistic this season. There's nobody who commanding 36+ minutes, our average starter will probably be around 30-32 minutes. Run a 10-11 man rotation, your top 12-13 players likely get good minutes, inevitable injuries to the top 10 over a season. Who's in front of Noa at forward: Matas, Okoro, Williams? He might have to compete with Phillips, and I wouldn't object to that. Phillips, Terry, Carter, and Smith look like the guys who will get the least minutes, imo.

Most of our bench guys are so close in level and potential, with so many expiring. Would prioritize minutes for Noa over those bottom four, unless they really show something. Add Ayo to that list unless they plan to trade him and want to showcase him.

[Chi town]

I think their strategy is obvious: pace. 9-10 players that can fly. Last year we did it offensively. This year we add pace to our Defense. Probably play more players and try to outrun everyone and wear them out in the 4th quarter. This could certainly make the Bulls a team no one wants to play, especially vets that are older and conserve energy.

Also target young players overlooked on their team ala Giddey and Okoro.

I'd like to see something like a 12 man rotation without big minutes for anyone. I know you guys will think this is crazy.

I think Billy mentioned that he'd consider going 10-11 deep.

I think he will go 11 to start the season if Noa can earn a 5 min first half run. That’s how Buz started. If he played well he would usually get another stint in the second half.

Also think Billy will go with the hot hand with the mins each night. I kinda love this. Keep it very competive all season for mins.

Also think there will be lots of small injuries playing at our pace and with much more physical game which means 12-13 guys will get mins over the season.