Were Bulls fans "cheated?"
When I spoke to Ben Gordon late Wednesday, after he agreed to a free-agent deal with Detroit, one comment he made was that he felt Bulls fans had been “cheated.”
He didn’t elaborate, but I think he was referring to how the Bulls have given away some quality players in recent years to keep the payroll modest. Tyson Chandler, J.R. Smith and Thabo Sefolosha left for little in return, while some players criticized the decision to send Tim Thomas home during the 2005-06 season. Of course, Bulls’ home attendance has been very strong throughout the decade.
It’s unlikely that any of those players would have turned the Bulls into champions. Like every professional franchise, the Bulls have made some good calls and questionable calls. But the best way to win in the NBA is to land a superstar player and that usually happens by pure luck.
The Bulls got some of that luck by landing Derrick Rose, so they have a great chance to keep moving forward.
By all accounts, the Bulls had no problem at all with Ben Gordon. They appreciated his work ethic and felt he was a team player.
The Bulls thought they gave him competitive offers the past two summers and if he had signed, he’d still be here. But knowing Gordon could leave as a free agent this summer, they found a potential replacement in John Salmons last February and decided to hang onto Kirk Hinrich, a better defensive player.
Whether this turns out to be the right or wrong move, Bulls fans should appreciate the thrills Gordon provided during the past five seasons. He was fun to watch and will be missed.
COLLINS BACKS AWAY FROM COACHING PISTONS
ESPN.com reported late Wednesday that Doug Collins is no longer a candidate to coach Ben Gordon in Detroit. Former Dallas coach Avery Johnson is thought to be the front-runner.
So Salmon at shooting guard makes the Bulls a better team?He has been in the NBA for several years,until last year he did nothing.He is no kid.About 30 years old.If the Bulls had signed Ben , Salmon would still have been on the team,and until Deng proves he is back ,Salmon is the best small forward they have.There are a few stars to be free agents in 2010.Who,with the Bulls personel now on their roster would want to come here?and if he did,would make them a top 4 team?These guys are getting a little long in the tooth too.I love Duane Wade,but with the shape his body is in,another year on him.He will just not be worth the big long term contract.How good will Rose be?How many 3s did he make last year,and what was his percentage?Michael didnt shoot a lot of 3s with a high percentage,but Rose is no Michael.The Bulls woudnt win a title with Ben,but they sure wont win without him,and will be a worse team.
I didn't say Salmons was the long term answer but at 28 and under contract for atleast 2 more years he is the relatively short term answer. They are going to play deng they have to attempt to justify a 70 million dollar contract for him. That said Salmons at SG gives you a complete basketball player not a one dimensional shooter. Bulls will be much improved defensively and Gordon has long ago lost his knack for last second shot making so that won't even be missed. Long term yeah it will hurt if they can't find a player worthy of a big paycheck next summer. Bulls made the same offer two years running and Gordon in his infinite wisdom turned them down he is just lucky the one team interested was willing to pay the same price.
Rose was a rookie! Why are you questioning his game when he was the hands down rookie of the year? He will develop his shooting just look how much better he was at the end of the season verse the beginning.
Can someone tell me why Gordon was so quick to sign the deal with the Pistons? It is virtually the same deal the bulls have made each of the past two seasons only to be turned down...
Doesn't make any sense. Then some media outlets are saying Gordon got the big payday he wasn't able to get out of the Bulls... NBC had that gem.
Paxson gives away way too much talent though Gordon nailed that one!
Gordon got $55M for 5 yrs. Bulls offered $50M for 5 yrs or $54M for 6 yrs. I guess that $5M made the difference. I don't think he should bash the Bulls when the offered him only $5M less. Most people try to get a home town discount. I'm glad he's gone. Now we can have 5 guys playing on the defensive end.
Since the Bulls drafted Ben I have been telling everyone that the Bulls should find a tall point guard to start with him. If that didnt happen then they should have traded him. If the Bulls had drafted Brandon Roy instead of Ty Thomas we wouldnt have Derrick Rose but that would have been one hot backcourt. It has worked out for the best IMO as the Bulls now have a dynamic point guard and a tall shooting guard in Salmons who is a good defender. Hinrich should excel as the third guard who gets lots of minutes and plays both point and shooting guard. This is good for everybody that is if the Pistons find a tall point guard to play with Ben. Lets hope not.
I thought that too until this season when he and Rose didn't play that well together when Kirk was out. Maybe he and Stuckey will be a good fit. I think Charlie V was a good pickup for them. Gordon doesn't look to be a good fit though we will see. As for the Bulls I think Salmons starting at SG makes them a better team.