Actual game-watching is kind of in a funk right now, as the Bulls are taking care of business playing awful teams (continuing in Charlotte tonight), and since the performance is expected, the attention drifts to injuries and playing time more than performance.
But there's some off-court stuff that's piled up the past few days:
- Luol Deng, All-Star. Still sounds great. Sam Smith has the requisite schmaltzy ode to the long-time Bull, and though it has some questionable historical accuracy I quite enjoyed it. Kelly Dwyer has the same feelings I do on the matter, maybe Luol isn't the absolute most deserving, but he's fairly close to the others and I'm definitely happy he got the nod. The point is also made that while the Bulls are good enough to theoretically have 2 all-stars, their team strength is more of an absence of bad players than a top-heavy construct.
- If you need more reason for Luol Deng love, here was his Wednesday post-game anecdote for the Will Ferrell introductions, as told to Aggrey Sam of CSNChicago:
It's the 1st time I've ever seen Thibs smiling before a game...I told him (Thibs), 'Yo, let's be serious, man. You can't be smiling out here
I like this most because it further affirms that Thibs is a crazy-person. Also it's important to give extra cred to the Ferrell introductions as it mildly irked a Heat beat writer as the Jackie Moon character was based in Miami.
- Doug Thonus at Bulls Confidential brought up a possible wrinkle in the Deng selection:
When Luol Deng signed his extension years ago, he had incentives in the contract which could raise the total value to 80 million. While I don't believe those incentives have ever been spelled out, one of them was likely an all-star appearance.
It's quite possible this all-star appearance will cost the Bulls and put them into or near the luxury tax [also quite possible it will cost them nothing as I'm only guessing since the information hasn't been reported]. My belief is that if the Bulls were a Deng all-star appearance away from hitting the tax that they would have taken appropriate steps to waive Scalabrine/Lucas in order to get under it though as they're pretty thorough.
It's also worth noting that if he has an all-star incentive the fact that he made it this year means the incentive will officially be "likely" next season and therefore his cap number next year will start off higher.
- Another Bull hoping to head to All-Star Weekend is CJ Watson for the 3-point contest. I'd think Kyle Korver is a better bet, but CJ is certainly doing more work campaigning, which led to this interview by SBNation Chicago, part of their robust Bulls notebook post. There's also an accompanying podcast discussing the interview.
- Apparently this is old news to some, but I always wondered why there's been no All-Star Game in Chicago since 1988 (long before the United Center was even built), whereas Houston was just awarded their 2nd in 6 years. Melissa Isaascon, who has impressive access to Jerry Reinsdorf, received confirmation that Bulls ownership doesn't like how the league handles the ASG, and it's because he just loves his season ticket holders that much. Uh, ok.
- And here's your regular reminder that you want Dwight Howard on your side. (via TBJ)
I was wondering about
any all-star bonuses in Deng’s deal when I heard the news of his selection. I didn’t know how it would carry over to the future years as ‘guaranteed’ bumps or ‘need-to-duplicate the selection’ bumps in his salary. Curious to know what percentage increase that would be.
Also, I think the Bulls know they could pull off some trades to get under the tax if they don’t pull off a deal to acquire a superstar. Easy to dump a contract like Korver which is only 500k guaranteed next year (although he is playing well of late) or an expiring deal to avoid the tax.
kingj41 - February 10, 2012
the possibility that deng might be an all-star
has been in affect for at least a week. So the bulls management indeed did have the time to wave scal/lucas….plus i thought bonuses were given after the year was over.
and then theres this paragraph….
So because deng didnt make all-star last year, his contract probably still didnt have all-star as a “likely to be achieved” status, and because of that whatever salary increase would never be put into this years contract. But because he made all-star this year, next year the salary will be reformed to include that bonus, and a “likely to be achieved” stipulation. I think….if im reading it right….
https://webfiles.uci.edu/lcoon/cbafaq/salarycap.htm#Q64
piccolomair - February 10, 2012
Why would we waive our 3rd ptguard, or 5th big?
Esp with injury issues. Makes no sense. Makes even worse sense to speculate that….
Trey23 - February 10, 2012
Because the Bulls are close to the tax
with the team as it’s currently constructed and Reinsdorf has refused to go into tax territory for a team not hoisting the O’Brien trophy.
No one knows if his opinion is that a team making the conference semis is deemed tax-worthy.
kingj41 - February 10, 2012
But then if we get an injury we would have to sign someone again
Allstar incentives are generally what? 100k, 500K?
Trey23 - February 10, 2012
this is so ridiculous
JR has already said he’d pay the tax if he thought we were true contenders, then later in the season remarks that he expects us to win “multiple titles” with DRose. Great job of ownership putting unnecessary pressure on Derrick and not following through with the necessary support.
Pay the damn tax Jerry.
slowmotion - February 10, 2012
Additionally if he cuts someone for approaching the tax, he'd actually be punishing the Bulls for getting better
Does anyone else realize how hypocritical this situation is?
Jerry is suggesting cutting a player and making our team undeniably worse and less likely to win a title as a result of Thibs developing an all-star, even though developing all star talent MAKES US CLOSER TO A CHAMPIONSHIP.
Okay I’m done ranting about what a cheapass JR is… for now.
slowmotion - February 10, 2012
mhm... Bulls ream strength
sounds potentially dangerous.
dantheman3k - February 10, 2012
LOL, fixed
your friendly BullsBlogger - February 10, 2012
So JR, why is it ok for other owners, and other season ticket holders?
Its league event, 3,000 is better than nothing, what bad costs is he talking about?
Trey23 - February 10, 2012
Yeah, its a pretty weak argument
“Well, only 20% of you would get to go, so we’ll stick with 0%.”
JeffD - February 10, 2012
as a season ticket holder, I agree with JR
I would be pissed if I wasn’t able to go.
kpd - February 10, 2012
As a season ticket holder, I disagree with JR.
I’d be happy to see DRose and other Bulls all-stars get national love during all-star weekend at the UC whether I got to go to the game or not.
bleigh82 - February 10, 2012
you would be pissed if you didn't get to go
so you want to prevent the possiblity of ever going (in Chicago) from happening? Yeah, that doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Basketball Smurf - February 10, 2012
Yeah, I never got that either
It’s the All Star game, not a Bulls game. It’s not like Bulls’ season ticket holders automatically get to go to the game when it’s in Orlando. To me, it’s the same as the UC having a concert, or the circus or something.
Juiceboxjerry - February 10, 2012
yeah I'm thinking JR is full of it
he probably doesn’t like how the revenue is split between the owners of the stadium and the NBA.
darksmokepuncher - February 10, 2012
exactly
there’s more to it than what he’s saying, because his argument makes no real sense.
I hate JR.
NormVanBeer - February 10, 2012
That sounds as reasonable as anything I can think of.
Yeah it’s pretty obvious he likes income and fans suffering makes no sense at all. I don’t know why he would think his avoiding the ASG in the United Center would do anything though. The league isn’t hurt by it all …why would they ever change the way it is handled?
Sandberg's evil twin - February 10, 2012
The Dwight video..
visual evidence of LBJ choking, condensed into a ten second clip.
docks - February 10, 2012
new provision in contracts, hit Lebron in the neck
25,000 K bonus
Trey23 - February 10, 2012
Make Lebron cry: $40k
cubbybear - February 10, 2012
is there any incentive for making bosh cry?
WindisBlowingOut! - February 10, 2012
demand not high. happens too often.
RM. - February 10, 2012
so glad atleast one of these guys actually panned out
Belize - February 10, 2012
and luckily
it’s the one still on our team!
Jaina - February 10, 2012
I'm more glad that contract panned out haha
just so much and i don’t think anyone didn’t haven’t second thoughts about that but ill gladly pay him every cent for what he brings to the team on and off the court
RM. - February 10, 2012
"Alright guys, on the count of three, do you best Scott Skiles impression!"
Juiceboxjerry - February 10, 2012
Also, some other great news
link
Option27 - February 10, 2012
Hey guys, have you heard the news about Rip?!?!? It is exactly what you thought it was but in completely non-specific terms!!!!!!!
THEKILLERWHALE - February 10, 2012
I took that to mean that he would just be re-joining the team after being away for family matters, not that he would be playing soon
Although, obviously the latter would be much better news, so I hope you’re right
Juiceboxjerry - February 10, 2012
yeah
would be nice to get a real update on his progress..
Jaina - February 10, 2012
I'm just hoping and assuming that he won't play til after the All Star break
Other than a couple games against Boston, and a game against the Hawks, our schedule is pretty easy (and it’s debatable how tough the Celtics are at this point). I think now is a great opportunity to really rest thing up. And hopefully that’ll be the end of it
Juiceboxjerry - February 10, 2012
yeah
it’s kind of a bummer i won’t get to see him play on sunday, but at this point i will be lucky if rose is even somewhat normal! he didn’t play in the last game here either, so i wouldn’t have seen him anyway – unless i get a chance to go to chicago late in the season, or if we end up with the celtics in the playoffs.
Jaina - February 10, 2012
If Rose plays against the Hornets and the Bobcats, only to miss Sunday's game
that would be disappointing, to say the least. And I would officially be convinced that they have no clue what they’re doing over there
Juiceboxjerry - February 10, 2012
yeah i'll be pretty pissed
but i mean if he’s in the state he was against the hornets it’s not really getting to watch rose. i wish they’d sit him tonight so he’ll be fresh on sunday but… guess all i can hope for is a blowout so he limits his minutes.
Jaina - February 10, 2012
Thibs said he would rest him until it was completely healed this time.
I know it’s Thibs and if you needed any doubt as to how quickly he likes bringing players back, the quotes he had about Rose sitting clear that up quickly. Still, I hope he keeps his word. Hamilton is old in NBA terms as everyone knows. He needs that rest to heal.
Sandberg's evil twin - February 10, 2012
Celtics have kinda revived
I wouldn’t sleep on them
Prevenge - February 10, 2012
I thought that too until I read the part of 'working through leg injuries'
Option27 - February 10, 2012
like re-joining after and episode of "Family Matters" on wgn????
ohh yeah that was based in southside Chicago
AFireInside661 - February 10, 2012
I love the Deng quote from that article.
About playing in the all star game-
KiLE - February 10, 2012
That's amazing
tuluse - February 10, 2012
yeah, poor deng is just going to look lost like gerald wallace was in '10.
TheMoon - February 10, 2012
There was about a week long period where I actually felt sorry for the Knicks
and kind of wanted to see them play better, because I thought the league is a little more interesting when they’re good. Then this Jeremy Lin thing happened, and today every other story is Kobe vs. Lin, and now I want to take that guy who felt sorry for the Knicks, and throw him down a sizeable hill.
Juiceboxjerry - February 10, 2012
i'm pretty sure i've never felt sorry for the knicks in my life.
Jaina - February 10, 2012
Yeah, I know. I had a moment of weakness
Juiceboxjerry - February 10, 2012
what's more amazing to me is that no one seems to be talking about Kyrie Irving
darksmokepuncher - February 10, 2012
They were
But Rubio’s “Incredible passes” (Like they never been seen before EVER) got over him….
T.Moore - February 10, 2012
i got the best nickname for Jeremy Lin
Lob GobLin
RM. - February 10, 2012
You're not helping.
Juiceboxjerry - February 10, 2012
haha
i think the shit is hilarious and i love the kid. i just hope they quit with the tebow comparisons and shit.
RM. - February 10, 2012
Yeah, I like him too. He's very likeable.
I just HATE the hype. It’s seriously insane.
Juiceboxjerry - February 10, 2012
Oh absolutely
I had like a couple day high off watching him do good (cuz I knew about him when he was in Oakland) then got buzz killed by all this media shit and tebow comparisons. But honestly after tebow hype I don’t think I’ll ever look at hype the same. Cuz nothing compares to that abtrocity
RM. - February 10, 2012
heh
one of the main differences too is that Tebow doesn’t know how to pass
Prevenge - February 10, 2012
Yeah ... Lin is great but then you get stuff like this:
http://www.postingandtoasting.com/2012/2/10/2788875/would-you-trade-jeremy-lin-for-john-wall
but still. Lin is the best, for reals.
Prevenge - February 10, 2012
Linsane to be exact
Sorry, i had to lol its one of his many nicknames floating around along with Linsanity and super Lintendo. I actually like the kid. Did you see the game last night against the Lakers? I think him running the point for the Knicks in D’Antoni’s system is a good look. I’m confident they’re still inferior to us so that’s what makes me be able to like them with no problem… For now. If he keeps it up for the rest of the season, Jeremy Lin has just earned an actual fan from Chicago
Timtation - February 11, 2012 via mobile
Reply fail
Timtation - February 11, 2012 via mobile
thats pretty good
paddyfairview - February 10, 2012
I'm excited for Thibs to be coaching the east and get into his defensive stance and get all red-faced and call a time out because Chris Bosh didn't contest a shot
kpd - February 10, 2012
I don't know if he'll play all the starters for 40 minutes,
or sit half of them in the fourth quarter because they refuse to play defense.
Tim S. - February 10, 2012
Let's be real here
Thibs can do his own recruiting in Orlando during huddles.
He’s prolly watching film of the last 10 all star games as I type this.
Option27 - February 10, 2012
Ben Gordon shouldve been an allstar first
The universe is so unfair
sin - February 10, 2012
melo should have been mvp
piccolomair - February 10, 2012
OMG..that link you posted was hilarity...
https://twitter.com/#!/LuolDeng9/statuses/167693798716088320
Belize - February 10, 2012
lol
i’m really amused watching hollinger get hammered on twitter.
:D
Jaina - February 10, 2012
Yeah, I don't have much of an issue with him not thinking he's an All Star, but I do find it funny that he
feels the need to single him out. I mean, give the guy a break. He’s played on the best team in the league record-wise for two years now, and the thing that he does the best (defense) is not gonna show up in PER. Just seems lame
Juiceboxjerry - February 10, 2012
yeah, exactly
there were a number of guys with good cases, and i can understand picking some of them over others. wouldn’t be surprised if the votes were pretty close across the board. but then talking about rondo and mentioning games missed was just retarded.
Jaina - February 10, 2012
im pretty sure he just trolls bulls fans
all the drose fanaticism disturbs his logical little world
paddyfairview - February 10, 2012
OT: Anyone watch WestDumbass screw the thunder again?
Glorious
T.Moore - February 10, 2012
Westbrook-
not sure it works that way brah….
piccolomair - February 10, 2012
Yea
I think Derrick would have to say, “Why can’t Westbrook be like me?” for the question to have any results-generating power.
jpx7 - February 10, 2012
I hear skip saying
That he wants to be like Derrick…And honestly I believe it lol
T.Moore - February 10, 2012
exactly
He defenitely is watching what rose is doing and is trying to emulate it. The best way to explain his game to me is a really talented athletic kid who’s just immature and doing it for all the wrong reasons. U can just tell when he’s on the court he is thinking of top plays, ankle breakers, buzzer beaters, and being the hero instead of winning, and being a good team mate etc.
RM. - February 10, 2012
That guy is really something to behold
When he’s scoring and going well, he’s maniacally happy, making faces and shit. And when he’s playing poorly he just starts making dumb fouls and he looks like he wants to jump off a tall building. And this is all regardless of whether they’re winning or losing
Juiceboxjerry - February 10, 2012
check out durants gs game winner
watch westbrook, He makes this one cut, gets open, doesnt get the ball….durant gets it, hits the shot, entire team cheers save one….russel westbrook moping that he didnt get the shot
piccolomair - February 10, 2012
Yeah, I don't even know how his own teammates could like that guy
And it’s funny how him and Derrick are friends. Would never guess that
Juiceboxjerry - February 10, 2012
well, it might be the guy off the court has a decent attitude, his attitude on court is shitty...
Geo4MVP - February 10, 2012
It really just seems like he has no idea how to play point guard
it’s like if he thinks he’s in position to score, he’s going to try to score, no matter what.
Stacey_Is_King - February 10, 2012
It makes you really appreciate that selfless killer instinct that Rose has.
I hope it grows as he matures like MJ did and find ways to develop his game into being even more dangerous. He already seems ok with letting his teammates win a game if there’s a good opportunity for it.
Sandberg's evil twin - February 10, 2012
yea i can't stand Westbrook
i think he’s poison. i honestly think the thunder would be a better team without em.
RM. - February 10, 2012
its too late now due to contracts
but boston and okc should have always traded pgs, boston fans were blind to realize the reasons, and now if you check out their site you see a bunch of people suddenly realizing “wait a minute…rondo cant shoot!”
piccolomair - February 10, 2012
Better off with Maynor
T.Moore - February 10, 2012
it was a terrible turnover, but man how fun is sacto's crowd? they blew up when thornton hit those threes
i hope they dont move to anaheim, anaheim would have horrible fans
paddyfairview - February 10, 2012
Same thing I was thinking!
T.Moore - February 10, 2012
not sure if this is true
but i heard on the radio just now that mirotic and gar were supposed to be on espn1000 at 4….its possible it was just gar, That Jirko guy likes to say mirtoic’s name. Also they talked about how before luol deng was drafted John Paxson showed carmen DeFalco and Silvy video footage of luol deng playing at duke and said that Paxson had always been high on Deng. I know theres many here who, for whatever reason, hate Paxson, but…dude knows how to draft
piccolomair - February 10, 2012
i always liked paxson...
he did an awesome job building a strong team around rose and that should be enough to consider him as one of the best FO guys in the NBA.
Geo4MVP - February 10, 2012
yea i think paxsons biggest weakness was
that he was too attached to things. The players, his ideal (hard working blue collar players), his staff.
piccolomair - February 10, 2012
He certainly didn't choke much in the draft, that's true.
Choking his subordinates, however …
jpx7 - February 10, 2012
it was just vinny
i mean…we all wanted our turns to choke vinny….okay….i wanted a turn to choke vinny
piccolomair - February 10, 2012
I'd rather have flayed Boylan than choked Vinny.
jpx7 - February 10, 2012
So much better to show up to a party with one of your boys
especially when most of the people there are hollywood as hell
BigforkBullsFan - February 10, 2012
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