Larry Hugh-ARE YOU? Not Kirk Hinrich...

Is anyone else loving the fact that since Captain Kirk's return, Larry Hughes has warmed up more than he has logged in actual minutes?

I know I am. I forgot what ball movement looked like. I forgot what 'chucker-free' basketball looks like. The extra-pass is a wonderful thing.

I also forgot how much of an impact Kirk Hinrich does make when he's on the floor.
Sure, he's not the best PG or the best shooter, but he is effective. He is no D. Rose, but he can run the point. He's no BG shooting-wise but can score or at least distribute to people where they can.

We all know Kirk is Pax's main guy. Pax takes a huge amount of pride in one of his first picks as GM. But now Pax has a nice little problem...well, I wouldn't call it a problem but more like an issue. It was brought to my attention by this ESPN article you can read HERE.

What to do with Rose and Kirk in the same backcourt? What do we do with BG? When does Thabo see minutes?...

Lets hope Vinny and Pax figure this out before too long. But for now, lets hear you the reader sound off. What do we do with Kirk, BG, Rose, Thabo, Hunter, and yes...Larry Hughes?

The D. Rose 'Freeze Out' ; Pax be on the HOT SEAT?

The Bulls loss to the OKC Thunder on Saturday probably didn't get much traction from the people in Bristol, CT who shove everything East Coast down our throats. But in Chicago, and to the few people still watching the games (all be it to watch Rose) that loss wasn't just another one in the loss column. It was an eye opener.

I could probably sound off on the loss in a lengthy post, but whats the point? There will be many more games like this. All I am going to say is:

Are players freezing out Derrick Rose? Why no pass back on that 2 on 1 break Larry? What about you BG? Your turn to take a shot? Yes, I know you need to "get yours" but this is embarrassing. Props to Stacey King and Neil Funk on the telecast to actually bring this up on air.

Things didn't get much better on Monday night in the loss to the TrailBlazers (No this game was nowhere near the 92 Finals type of games). You KNEW that the game was Portlands all the way. There was no chance the Bulls were going to make a run. Maybe if this game was played earlier in the season you might have seen a little more fire out of the home team, but not this time. Funny how yes, teams in the NBA have runs...yet can someone tell me the last time the Bulls went on at least 10-0 run?...ughh. And what about the Defense? Maybe Bob Babich is coaching the Bulls too.

What's happening at the UC?

It's taken 10 years, too many first round drafts picks, a few locker room cancers, expensive free-agent signings and Joke-im Noah (who actually got BOO-ed last night) for attendance to finally drop on the West Side. So essentially the free-pass Pax has is losing momentum. Or is it? He is one of Jerry's boys...The Pax Watch is on...and you heard it here first on TradeJN&TT.

One of my MAIN MEN is Laurence Holmes from The Score. (if you haven't guess by now I am a Scorehead except for M-F 12n-2pm). I am posting this 10am hour right HERE because it's that good. He hits it all on the head, so instead of me blabbing about how bad this team is, listen to LH sound off for a bit, I bet you listen all the way through.

L-Tres

Back in the nuh nuh nuh nuh HEY! days

So all that youtube searching got me reminiscing over the glory days. Here's a pretty bad quality video but since you know what happens, its still awesome to watch. I think my fav is #8.

Anyway, you can watch it HERE.

L-Tres

Holidays are Over, TT and JN are still on the team

Been a while, but the Holidays took a toll on several things including updating the blog. But we are back...

Bulls GM John Paxon was on 670 The Score this morning. You can listen to it HERE.
If you listen towards the end, my main man Brian Hanley asks a real good question, which Pax, as usual dodges ever so slightly. When asked about the development or UNDERdevelopment of Tyrus and Joke-im, Pax slid his way into talking about their consistent minutes they have been getting.

No John. Forget the minutes...what about the inconsistent PLAY? Granted, consistent play cant come before the minutes, because if you don't have minutes, you don't have play, but if I were to continue, this would be a chicken before the egg argument.

Either way the real argument here is WHAT are YOU going to do with this team Pax. When Kirk comes back, you are going to have 6 guards on your roster(thank the heavens for Lindsey Hunter), Your front court consists of your two high draft picks that clearly have not understood the game on a professional level. Drew Gooden is your best front court player, and although a decent ball player, if he's your front court option, you have problems. Aaron Gray is somehow in the league still, though I would argue he can be a backup center just to have a body in there and take up minutes. Luol Deng is constantly hurt, and according to Pax when we take quick shots down the floor we are playing to Dengs weakness. In other words, Deng needs a few more passes before he can be effective. Well Mr. Deng, if we werent paying so much money it wouldn't be a problem...Oh! thats right...we are. So lets slow down the offense for the 2009 NBA Underachieving player of the year so he can become effective. Yes, lets take Rose's speed and quickness which is his strength and slow it down.........

NO PAX! What are you saying?! What are you doing?! None of this makes sense, and you know it! This team is beyond repair right now, and why are you waiting for Kirk to come back? Once he's on the roster again you can go back to work?? You can start to make calls about the plethera of wings you have?? WHAT? NOOOO PAX. What because 1 guard comes back, now it makes it 1 too many and you HAVE to make a move? HUH?!

I know that Larry has a huge price tag on him, and he complains about playing time. So what?! LET HIM. He's not in your long term plan so who cares?! He's a grown man making 13 million a year...

I remember that 3 pointer you hit in Pheonix Pax. I can see the whole thing. The beauty of that play wasn't just because is was in the Finals...it was because every single person on the floor at that time touched the ball once. I remember the outlet pass to you. I remember 3.9 left on the clock after you nailed it. I remember you running straight over to Scott Williams arms and jumping on him...which I've been meaning to ask...why him? Anyway, MAN-- THAT WAS BASKETBALL. Don't you want to reach that again? You tell me you do, but what you do...doesn't.

Last time I checked you were the GM. You tell Vinny what to do, you create a team for him to put on the floor...you created this disaster. You created the UnwatchaBULLS.

Cheers buddy.

L-Tres

Back 2 Back Champ- er, I mean OT games

Apologies are in order for lacking on the posting. Truth is, I've missed a few games, but was able to watch the last 2 OT games in which both games ended the way they weren't supposed to.

Since the last post, a few things have happened...or have they?

Seems to me Loul Deng continues to "struggle" in finding his shot. Better yet, where he belongs in the scheme of this D Rose lead offense. Last night he went 3 for 9 shooting, 9pts , 5 boards. Stellar for a guy who is getting paid for what seems like forever. I really dont know what to make of him. In Charlotte he posted 15 and 6...yet they have to have been the most quiet 15 pts ever. I hardly ever remember his buckets because he is nowhere to be seen in critical moments or at the end of games.

Two years ago Deng looked to be well on his way to NBA stardom. Shooting, rebounding, slashing, finishing...my man averaged 18 and 8 and coincidently it was the last time he was healthy and played 82 games. Now we are talking about a non factor, 13 and 6 guy. But why?

Maybe its because Ben Gordon is getting a majority of the shots. Thats something that BG does well, he moves and creates space for himself to get to the ball. Uses the screens well and has a quick release which helps him out tremdously.

Seems like Deng waits for the ball to get to him, AND THEN, he has to square up his feet or square up his defender mostly at the elbow of the paint. Which to me is really an awkard position on the floor that not many players dominate from except for really good ones (KG comes to mind-when hes not barking at people).

But even if BG is getting the shots, I dont see or havent seen a play designed for Loul. You see iso for D Rose, you see hi-low double screen for BG, even a pick and roll for Gooden once in a while, but what for our offseason multimillion dollar signing?

In other problems: TT seemed to have a great game in Charlotte. Only to be be knocked out of the game with a concussion. That stinks, cuz I thought maybe he'd get on a roll.

Joke-im......well...whatever.

L TRES

No Minutes for Joakim; 5 min too many for Thomas?

Even after all the extra work, sometimes you aren't rewarded, because really...you shouldn't be.

I'm not a head coach obviously, otherwise I wouldn't be trying to make it in the blog-world, but I do know that sometimes even after you think you've done whats expected of you...one doesn't always bear the fruits of your actions.

Saturday nights win over the Wizards was a victory that Noah watched from the bench as Aaron Gray started over the 2nd year first-round Florida Ayer...I mean Gator. When asked why he didn't play, Noah motioned over to VDN and said "Ask him".

WHOA! Simma' down Joakim. What in recent memory has granted you permission to play at all?

Finally, VDN took a stance and answered the question as blunt as possible. To sum it up he thinks Joakim is rarely in position, he hurts the offensive flow, doesn't know the plays, lacks burst of speed, among other things. Well....looks like someone is reading
http://tradejoakimnoahandtyrusthomasrightnow.blogspot.com/ (Yes, that's a shameless plug and no Vinny probably doesn't read the website....but if ya do Vin, feel free to comment, drinks on the house my man).

As for high leaping freakishly amazing athlete with little to show for NBA productivity Tyrus Thomas' stat line read something like:

0-1 from the field. 0 rebounds, 0 points, 0 blocks, 1 assist, 5 minutes too many (If that was an NBA stat).

Again we see TT, not building on previous games, completely inconsistent, and completely not in the rotation. At least he blamed it on matchups and didn't piss and moan like Joakim did and blamed it on the head coach.

Thanks for keeping the blog alive and well boys. Much success.

Yo Andre how your ankles doin?

I know we are a tad late on this, but this still has to get posted.

D Rose ankle breaking crossover on Andre Miller.

Gotta love Stacey King's reaction.

Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nonsHIZcIhI

Joke-im Noah: The Breakdown

I'm not picking on a 7-foot NBA player. Nah, how can I? He's getting paid millions and as I stand at 6'1 maybe with no chance of ever reaching his income...I have nothing else to do than go to work, get my bi-weekly paycheck, pay some bills, watch some sports, and back at it again the next day.

But! thats not all. It also grants me permission to talk about my teams. So lets break this guy down, criticize and poke fun at him because he's on the Bulls, and every once in a while, I take my hard earn money and pay for a seat at the UC.

So last year, once he became part of the Bulls, it was on. I had good expectations. Maybe like a Dennis Rodman-esque hustle rebounding type of player. Obviously, I was wrong 1.5 yrs into his career, but hey there's still a chance. Or so I tell myself.

But lets break this terrible draft pick down.

Joke-im 's basketball athletic ability on a scale from 1 to 10? I'd say about a 3. Here are 3 reasons for the 3 points.

1) He's tall. If I was 6'11 and weighed 230 pounds I would......do this.

2) He has some basketball IQ from playing 4 yrs of college ball which helps him get by with fundamentals at times, like making the right pass, or boxing out (a little)

3) He hustles or at least tries to. Most NBA players dont if its not the playoffs, so kudos.

Now the other 7 reasons for the 7 points that he's not athletic enough to play NBA ball:

1) Bad Feet. His footwork is beyond terrible and I am not sure if its just his coordination or if this can be worked on but I dont remember Bill Cartwright, who was also goofy and as tall being this uncoordinated...or maybe I do

2) His shot. Anything outside the paint...eeeee....Enough said.

3) His freethrow form. Like I said, anything outside the paint...eeee....Enough Said.

4) Post up? What post up? No back to the basket moves, or faceup moves. Is he even working on developing one? Actually why bother my man.. as Stacey King would say Play to your strengths...whatever those may be.

5) His Attitude. Im not saying he doesnt try, but from arguing with a coach, to his teammates lashing out at him last year, to having to be reminded that he's no longer in college, Joke-im talks to much, clowns to much and did I mention talks to much, with little to back it up.

6) Development. I really do wonder if after every game he takes away something. I know everyone isnt D. Rose, but you can tell from game to game that D. Rose actually takes away something from every game, possession or situation he is in. I see Joke-im making the same fouls, getting caught in no mans land, and trying the same ineffective things.

7) The Hair. Your not Samson dude. Lose it.

-L Tres

It's all about ME! Says BG (not the rapper) and Da Chucker

Two things are for certain:

D. Rose will be effective in this league for a very long time.

The other is that disgruntled NBA players who think they are "Stars" will always complain about money and playing time over keeping quiet for the better of the team.

Lets take for instance...oohhhh I dont know...LARRY "DA CHUCKER" HUGHES ... This guy is a former all-star and a former starter for an NBA finalist team. He used to be flashy, and terrific scorer even avereged 22 ppg in his 04-05 season at Washington. But if you notice the only thing consistant in describing him is that its all in past tense.

After the close game vs the less talented Portland Trailblazers (sarcasm)...Hughes ever so strategically stated that he wanted more playing time. SHUT UP! You just got manhandled and lost by 40 points in an embarrassing display of professional basketball and you want to talk about your minutes? Because let me get this straight... Your career average of 15 ppg would have cut the defecit to what? 25? And thats on a good night! I dont think at any point if you were on the floor Larry would it have made a difference in LA or in Portland. The only reason you are here, is because you are were a throw in of a trade and an expensive NBA veteran who only scores in contract years to get paid. And hey, like Tupac said, I aint mad atcha ... get paid son, but dont talk about how you would have made a difference, because since you have been here. You havent. And you wont.

And speaking of contract years...Guess who's up for getting paid after turning down a very nice and generous offer from John Paxson? Ohh, just a little guy we call Ben Gordon. Mr. Selfish himself, and if it wasnt for Larry Hughes on the roster, I'd give the coveted "chucker" nickname to BG. Its obvious what he is doing, and what his intentions really are. I haven't seen so much disconnect between a PG who is trying to create and a SG, who just wants to pad his stats at the cost of the team. But can you blame him? Afterall, this is a team that Pax put together with way too many guards and I cant say the Bulls are even a threat, and that means a threat in the Eastern Conference.

I dont think it will impede D. Rose from developing, but its got to be noticed by teamates what BG is doing, Shots 6 seconds into the shot clock? And when D. Rose calls for the ball...BEN YOU BETTER GIVE IT TO HIM. Go come off the 2 screens from the baseline and get an open look. No dribbling. PLEASE. Think about it, by you showcasing your ball-handling skills you are actually hurting your chances for a bigger contract. So stop the BS and play within the offense. Not Pax fault you could have been sitting pretty and under achieving like your partner in crime Luol Deng.

-L TRES-

WE HAVE OUR OWN CIRCUS

The first two games on the dreaded circus trip have been just that, dreadful. The first game against the lakers wasnt exceedingly bad, but this was only because kobe was basically sleep walking. It could have much worse if he had actually cared. His ear to ear grin throughout the entire game spoke volumes about his opinions on his opponents. However, he did underestimate the speed and athleticism of D Rose, gaving him the blow by on several occasions on his way to the cup for 25 points, while dishing 9 assists. This figure could have been more than doubled if BG and others were hitting from the outside from roses drive and kicks. It is truly sad the real story of the night was yet again not the promising play of the future superstar, but the play of Noah and Thomas. Noah was thrown around down low like a rag doll yet again. The next time he sees the weight room will be his first. There is not much to say about his performance tonight, only playing 11 minutes after gasol and bynum worked him continueously in that short amount of time to the tune of Vinny D saying hes seen enough. Enter Tyrus Thomas..... His performance against the Lakers is the more frustrating than Noah's eventhough he played much better than his fellow high draft pick. Several blocked shots, soaring rebounds over taller players, steals, mayhem, an amazing pass to BG for an easy dunk, and flashes of his potential were all on display. While some may get excited over this play, to me, this is where the biggest frustration comes in, and where i get the most upset. I know with one game of good hustle(although he still gets beat down the court by his slower counterpart) and spectacular play, also comes confidence. This unwarrented confidence, i guarantee, will bring terrible play the next night. Welcome to Portland! And a Welcome is what they gave us, well more like a welcome you get from your drunk, evil, in-laws during the holidays. I hope the rest of the league wasn't watching this welcome as portland stuck two defenders on rose the whole night and wouldnt even let him touch the ball. With rose not having the ball, this gave time for BG, Larry "chucker" Hughes,(WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT PLAYING TIME A DAY AFTER A 42 POINT BLOW-OUT, GOOD TIMING!) NOC, and Thomas all time to shine, and when i say shine, i mean take terrible, contested jump shots early in the shot clock, and then not getting back on Defense. When they did get back on Defense, they had no clue who they were even guarding. Well, lets face it, they had no clue about anything this night against a drastically more talented team. A team with Brandon Roy and Lamarcus Aldgridge, names sound familiar Pax? ON A SIDE NOTE. it was brought to my attention that Deng threw one of his many charity events this weekend, giving away food for the holidays at his food drive. Many bulls help in this great cause, except one was missing, one who promised of his attendance. ANY GUESSES? JOAKIM NOAH, who was probably smokin a fat one and eating a turkey instead of becoming a professional nba player and helping out other people in need. PAXSON, dont let rose be dragged down by the rest of these clowns. either trade them, or get rid of rose. but dont let this group knuckleheads ruin a TURE SUPERSTAR!

BLOW IT UP PAXSON, BLOW IT UP NOW!

in tonights game against the pacers, it was yet again another lackluster performance from the clown and TT. more of the same, no hustle, stupid fouls, not running back on D, and simply put....KNUCKLE-HEAD PLAY. the bulls took an early lead with rose runnin the show along with BG bangin from the outside with the rest of the team being aggressive and not settling for outside jumpers. ENTER TT........3 terrible shot selections very early in the shot clock, including a twisting, spinning out of control layup going up against two defenders, a dumb foul, and a lack of intensity throughout a 6 minute span is what we saw out of TT again tonight. and that wasnt the worst part, but i will get to that later. for now, on to J-bozo the clown. not a terrible game from jo, but again he has to be taken out because he is winded?!?!?!??? you get paid to do this shit. how the hell are you out of shape? dont smoke during the season, thats not to much to ask. put down the bowl and get on a treadmill, do what you do-hustle and rebound. and maybe get in the gym, YOUR SOFT. i saw mike bibbys little 6ft nothin, 180 frame push you underneath the baseline and get a board over you the other night. but now on to the part that really pissed me off. 58 seconds left to go and the bulls with a commanding lead. Vinny D calls timeout and gets some subs in the game, camera rolls to the huddle, coach points to TT and tells him to go in. he looks pissed off and points at gooden to see if he wants to go in. his body launguage looked like you just told him he had to eat liver, clean a toilet, or sleep with sonya kukalo, not enter and play a game that he supposedly loves and gets paid millions of dollars to do! he proceeds to slowly take his warm ups off and walks on the floor with a smerk on his face, like hes to good for this. newly acquired l hunter brings the ball up the floor on 2 seperate occasions and calls for a screen at the top of the key. thomas then points to another big, cedric simmons, to set it instead of him, while he just fucking stands there. i should stop here before i punch a whole in my monitor. IM OUT. more to come

Knuckleheads

I'd like to start if off with a simple welcoming introductory post. 

I am going to go by L Tres on the blog and my fellow co-author will go by D. Neave.  We've been Bulls fans for years. Through the Dynasty of the 90's and the embarrassment of the Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry circus. 

This year we have entered a new era, (so we like to believe) and so far so good. (Thank you D. Rose). However, as you know a few rotten apples can ruin the rest of the basket. Enter Tyrus (TT) and Joakim (Clown)...I will refer to them together as the Knuckle-heads.

 We are not exactly dedicating this site to them, because they dont deserve a site... but more like pointing out reasons why they shouldn't be on the Bulls roster any longer. Yes, they are young, have a lot of upside, yadda yadda... I get it. But when I watch these 2 first round draft picks I cant help to wonder "what did Paxson see in these guys?" and I cant help the frustration I feel on wasting not 1 but 2 high draft picks. 

Anyway, thats kind of what its about...if ya feel the same way, feel free to comment on the postings, and what not. 

I'm going to let D. Neave have the honor of the first actual post, till then, Go Bulls and GOODNESS, cut that hair NOAH!