One of my two least favorite Bulls is about to be an ex-Bull. During the Atlanta game, Tyrus Thomas lost what infinitesimal amount of composure he has and launched a profanity tirade at Vinny. Note to Tyrus -- swearing at your head coach during a game is not the best way to increase your playing time. Vinny had little choice but to suspend him for one game (which they won).
So now Tyrus is almost assured to be an ex-Bull before too long. It's no secret that the Bulls have been trying to trade him for quite some time and have not gotten much in the way of offers. This recent incident will only lessen his already low trade value. But at least he will go! If they can't trade him, I expect they will simply release him.
Let's flashback to the 2006 draft for a laugh. Bulls had the second pick, and I, along with almost everyone else on the planet, expected them to pick LaMarcus Aldridge. I was tempted by Brandon Roy and Rudy Gay, who in retrospect look like the best picks in that draft, but I was settled on Aldridge. And so, when the Bulls picked Aldridge, I was satisfied. But then they immediately swapped with Portland, who took Tyrus Thomas with the next pick. At first I had flashbacks to the awful draft-day Elton Brand for Tyson Chandler swap, but I was hoping that the Bulls had done their homework this time and really got the athletic stud they claimed they had in Tyrus.
It very soon became very apparent that the Bulls most definitely did not do their homework. Yes, Tyrus is an athletic marvel, but he's also a hyper-emotional idiot who is completely devoid of both common sense and basketball talent. Meanwhile, Aldridge, after an excellent rookie season, has proven to be the outstanding front court player the Bulls so very desperately need.
As far as dumping Tyrus in a trade, I expect the Bulls only chance it to include him as a package deal with a good player, such as Hinrich. Lots of rumors have these two going to Boston for Ray Allen and his large expiring contract. If the Bulls could somehow manage to include Tyrus with Deng, that would be my dream trade! I'm also all for the plan of dumping players for expiring contracts and targeting either Dwayne Wade or Joe Johnson in free agency next year.
Bulls seem to have stepped back over that thin line between winning and losing and are back to their usual fourth quarter collapse script. It doesn't help that Noah is hurt. All-Star break is a perfect opportunity to trade and heal.
Facebook comments:
ReplyDeleteJeffrey Dubin
That's right, sucker, we got Aldridge and Roy. Doesn't help when 75% of the team is hobbled.
Mon at 6:56pm ·
Brian Sullivan
I think the mass dumping of players and coaches is overdue. If we got Wade, what would happen to Rose?
Mon at 7:23pm
Matt Donath
Rose plays the 1, while both Wade and Johnson play the 2 spot. Rose would do much better with an offensive first option at the 2. Bosh is a bit over-rated, while Wade and Johnson are not. I would target Bosh third, ahead of Amare, but behind the two All-Star shooting guards.
Mon at 9:19pm
Michele Dodd
The GM should be the first to go . . .
Mon at 9:41pm ·
Jeffrey Dubin
As wise as you are, I disagree. Look at Bosh's numbers this season and look at what he has to work with. If Rose is destined to be the Bulls leader, how do you think that will sit with Wade? Wade is awesome, one of my favorites and a darling in Chicago but it' s all about what you need and chemistry. To that end a the Bulls need a big who does not need to be head honcho. Sorry. Now if they could get Wade and maybe Rasheed 5 years ago, that would be a potent combo.
Mon at 11:01pm ·
Brian Sullivan
Michele's right...stop hiring former players from the glory days and find the best people out there. Also, the Bulls seem to favor the guys who came up in Chicago. So, how about Isiah Thomas as GM? He'd keep things interesting.
Or, more seriously, how about Bill Laimbeer as coach? Rebuild the team with scrappy, physical players. The finesse guys are not getting the job done.
Yesterday at 7:42am ·
Matt Donath
I think step one is to actually get a head honcho, and that isn't Rose or Bosh. If they had Wade or Johnson, role-playing bigs would be forming a line in front of the United Center to sign up. Don't get me wrong, I like Bosh and would love to have him, but he's not a good defender and he isn't a leader.
LOL - Isaiah as GM with Paxson above him... See More! They would immediately make trades with the Wiz and NJ for the worst players imaginable. And the Bulls already know how to play like girls, so they don't need Laimbeer.
Yesterday at 7:52am