John Paxson Acknowledges Bulls Need To Improve Athleticism, Three-Point Shooting

Post #1 » by **RealGM Wiretap** » Sun Dec 25, 2016 4:28 pm

John Paxson addressed the state of the Chicago Bulls publicly for the first time since media day.

“The area we really do need to improve is with our athleticism,” Paxson said. “That’s been evident this year. We’ve got some vets who know how to play and can score. But when you look around the league and the way the game is now, that’s an area we have to address. That is a part of the plan. We’ll try to do that obviously through the draft and free agency if we can. You always have the trade option. Right now, our roster is what it is.”

In general, Paxson acknowledged the inconsistent bench play and lack of 3-point shooting have hurt the Bulls.

“One of the things I see and Fred (Hoiberg) has talked about is we get in fourth quarters and we really stop pushing the pace and the ball stops moving. That’s been one thing that has really hurt us. It’s been a point of emphasis. We need to get on the practice floor and keep finding ways to do it. You have to find a way to move the ball and make defenses shift. And the other thing is we’ve just really gotten inconsistent play from the guys coming off our bench. Losing Doug for that period of time with a concussion really did hurt us. It messed with our rotations a bit.

“(The lack of 3-point shooting) has hurt us. There’s no question about it. We’re last in the league in 3-point shooting in a league that needs it. We acknowledged that going in that that would be an issue. We did think---and still think---that Niko and Doug have the capability of being 40 percent 3-point shooters. That’s what they need to be.”

Via David Schuster/WSCR (via Chicago Tribune)

JordansBulls · Post #2 » by **JordansBulls** » Sun Dec 25, 2016 5:22 pm

Basically Fred isn't getting fired

Ballerhogger · Post #3 » by **Ballerhogger** » Sun Dec 25, 2016 6:18 pm

Maybe Rondo was poor rental choice at point guard then...

donaldtrump_00 · Post #4 » by **donaldtrump_00** » Sun Dec 25, 2016 6:25 pm

JordansBulls wrote:Basically Fred isn't getting fired

No he never was. How that came up is crazy anyway. He didn't put this roster together, paxson and gar did. Him approaching the media to say this is a slap in the face. He knew last year this team needed athletic ability and three point shooting. This has gone on way to long. These are issues from last year. The year before that. And before that year. We had a chance to let dunvealy walk 2 years ago but resigned him when there were younger and more athletic players available like gerald green who we all wanted all year.

He addresses both those voids and adds a scoring threat. They bypassed on him. They brought aaron brooks back also. They could've searched harder and faster for a pg who doesn't give up so much on defense. Bobby portis sure didn't address defense or athletic ability. All guys paxson and gar aimed for. I can understand mirotic. He was a can't miss player. But he just didn't work out like they hoped. Mcdermott was a good pickup but they gave up two picks for one and would've been much better right now with nurik and gary harris. Its those poor moves that they suck in tg.he areas they do. Him talking about in 2016 is the main reason he should be fired. Its his mess.

You give away rose and why. To get younger and more athletin? Rose was 27 and very athletic. Come back with lopez? Grant,calderon???.then rondo. Wade was a pure last second move out of him choosing chi due to jimmy butler. Paxson is a joke. This franchise is becoming one. Its the same bs over and over again.if you want talented players you gotta pay extra. Plain and simple. Waiting for the cheapest offer and playing it safe. Strategy hasn't worked ever for him. Yet he believes in it. Rose saved his job in 2008 and nothing more. Look how they treat him.

Future Coach · Post #5 » by **Future Coach** » Sun Dec 25, 2016 6:36 pm

JordansBulls wrote:Basically Fred isn't getting fired

He was signed to a contract that is guaranteed for 5 years at nearly $25 million. He sucks as a coach, but he isn't getting fired.

I've always hated the Bulls front office (Paxson, Bert, etc.) for their lack of proactiveness, and the "our roster is what it is" comment f'n typifies that.

And in the 4th quarter, where the Bulls typically run pick-n-rolls or iso's with Butler or Rondo, other players (like Wade) literally just stand in the corner and don't move. This is the game plan. Hoiberg often just stands their silent with his arms crossed like he is contemplating something, but really he is just a helpless fool who has foolishly been granted the privilege of walking onto the court.

:nonono:

ChokeFasncists · Post #6 » by **ChokeFasncists** » Sun Dec 25, 2016 7:47 pm

Rondo's inability to shoot is a big liability in today's game

Would have been better if they went after Lin instead.

spree2kawhi · Post #7 » by **spree2kawhi** » Mon Dec 26, 2016 2:11 am

And... Water is wet.

Alex DeLarge · Post #8 » by **Alex DeLarge** » Mon Dec 26, 2016 6:12 am

Anyone who acquires post-Mavs Rondo deserves to be fired.

ChokeFasncists · Post #9 » by **ChokeFasncists** » Mon Dec 26, 2016 9:29 am

Thx for GitDinJiggyWiddie

Makaveli2 · Post #10 » by **Makaveli2** » Mon Dec 26, 2016 10:50 am

Right because what happened in Dallas with rondo was all rondo's fault and the mavs are doing so much better now that he's gone. Oh wait aren't they like close to last place in the west?

Alex DeLarge wrote:Anyone who acquires post-Mavs Rondo deserves to be fired.

Alex DeLarge · Post #11 » by **Alex DeLarge** » Mon Dec 26, 2016 2:06 pm

Makaveli2 wrote:Right because what happened in Dallas with rondo was all rondo's fault and the mavs are doing so much better now that he's gone. Oh wait aren't they like close to last place in the west?
Alex DeLarge wrote:Anyone who acquires post-Mavs Rondo deserves to be fired.

What a bizarre response.

Please point out where/how I 'blamed' Rondo for "what happened in Dallas", or the Mavs current predicament.

The fact is Rondo now sucks in every way. Talent-wise there are worse PGs in the league, but they at least pretend to accept backup roles. Rondo is no longer good enough to be a starter, and his ego will prevent him from being a quality mentor/backup. The Bulls were stupid to sign him, and Pax should be held accountable.

HotelVitale · Post #12 » by **HotelVitale** » Mon Dec 26, 2016 7:06 pm

donaldtrump_00 wrote: You give away rose and why. To get younger and more athletin? Rose was 27 and very athletic. Come back with lopez? Grant,calderon???.then rondo..

Throwin shade the wrong way here. Paxson's made a lot of mistakes and shouldn't have a job any longer, but Rose is not a good player now. He was really really bad last year and he's been pretty bad this year; he's still reasonably athletic but nothing like back in the day, and he also has terrible IQ/decision-making, remains a bad shooter and a very bad defender, and rates as a negative player in every metric. He was definitely not a solution to any problem, and at the very worst that deal was a wash.

HotelVitale · Post #13 » by **HotelVitale** » Mon Dec 26, 2016 7:10 pm

Alex DeLarge wrote:Anyone who acquires post-Mavs Rondo deserves to be fired.

I agree that Rondo sucks now, but he's on a relatively cheap one-year deal that he signed late into the summer. He was basically a no-risk deal after the Bulls couldn't find a better PG option. Can't fault the Bulls' FO too much for signing him, hoping he would recover a little bit and then just cutting bait if/when he doesn't. Think they were hoping to play Canaan and MCW more, or even have Wade taking turns at the 1, and that thinking was the real fault in this plan.