[SoupMan32]

I have been reading some of the posts on here, and it seems that a lot of people want to go after a sg/sf. Why? We have Jamal Crawford,Jalen Rose, Trenton Hassell, and Eddie Robinson who can play either 2 or 3. Plus if we resign Best...Jay Williams can play the 2 spot at times.

We need a backup center. And I would go after Keon Clark or Rasho Nesterovic. Both of those guys I consider "vets" and they have "playoff experience" I think they can help out this team.

 

[HAWK23]

the reason we're talking about SF and SGs is that is what we're hearing rumor reports etc etc

 

[Fizer Fanatic]

I agree that we need another center, but hope we can get an old guy really cheap as I'd still like for Bags to be able to get some minutes. He's got some potential even though he looks very slow and ackward most of the time. I hope we can get both the C and the SF/SG.

Clark or Rasho would be valuable additions for us, but I think they will find better teams to go to than us where Eddy will have the starting job for many years to come. Plus, the teams might match the offer anyway. A career backup guy like Mike Doleac is intriguing to me as are Kevin Willis and Scott Williams. I just hope we can get one of them cheap.

My concern with the 2-3 positions is that Rose is our only proven starter at those positions and Eddie was hurt most of the past season. Jamal, Eddie or even Trent might step up and prove themselves to be legitimate starters at the SG position which would help us a lot. However, if that doesn't happen, or if Eddie has another injury plagued season, we'd be very happy to have another SG/SF in the mix. Plus Erob and Rose are kind of smallish SFs, so I'd like (if possible) to have a bigger/stronger defensive SF to be able to throw in there if needed. I'd be happy with a lot of different options here, including Harpring, Posey, Devean George, Walter McCarty, Monty Williams, Ricky Davis and several others. I'd also be happy with a trade of 2 guys for a proven starter to play next to Rose so we don't have to wonder who will step up next season. I'd just about be happy with just about anything so long as we do something to try to upgrade those positions.

 

[SoupMan32]

id say give crawford,e-rob, and hassell a chance. all three have loads of potential. we also have (as 3rd stringers) norm richardson,roger mason, and fred hoiberg.

I seriously feel we will be fine their.

I do agree that it would be nice to get both a center and a sg/sf
i hope the rumors arnt true and the bulls go after a center and not a sg/sf first.

I suggested Keon or Rasho Nesterovic because they were both backup centers as well, and can help Eddy Curry develop. Curry is still learning the ropes, and still developing. He is not at the top of his potential yet. Plus, what if Curry gets in foul trouble??? At times last year, he only played 10-15 minutes and still had 4-5 fouls. who we gunna have to back him up? Bagoric??? Id feel much safer if we had rasho or clark.
scott williams,kevin willis, and doleac will not help the bulls much. i see an oakley-like performance from any of those three. they will be cancer in my opinion.

 

[Showtyme]

We can have two backup C/PF types, especially if Fizer takes off.

I think a good center to look at is Art Long. He filled in nicely in Seattle, starting 27 games. 4.5 ppg and 4 rpg in 16 mins are good numbers, and I remember that Seattle was doing well during his starting stint. He's capable, and better than Bags, a little. Long is a bit undersized, but he has a big frame and 253 lbs speaks more of his ability inside than his 6-9 height... plus, he could fill minutes at PF.

Bags isn't that bad, it's true, and he's somewhat improving...

For comparison...

Art Long actually managed to grab three double-doubles last season. Dalibor Bagaric managed to get two single-doubles (once with 16 points, the other with 11 boards).

He can be signed for cheap.

 

[HJHJR]

Looks like the Bullies are targeting three free agents...Matt Harpring, Popeye Jones, and Scott Williams. They'd like to sign all three and all three are interested in coming to Chicago. Adding these three FA's would age the roster nicely with experienced players who can still contribute, and all three know how to play defense.

 

[Songcycle]

Its a realistic list HJ. Harpring has wonderful rebound numbers for a 3, Popeye Jones can help out and if Scott Williams stays healthy (big if) he will also contribute. If we get all 3, playing time will be at a premium. The main thing is we need experienced vets who can play to help the kids.
An interesting point is that the midlevel exception can only be used every other year. If Best leaves, we have about 5 and a half mil under the cap to use, but I don't see Keon Clark coming here to back up our kids. I wouldn't be surprised to see Best being used in a sign and trade as I am not sure 6.1 mil in exceptions will be enough to sign these three. If we use the midlevel this year, it is unavailable next year, but after all the moves we have made, roster stability for a couple of years would be an excellent thing. Then retool in 2 more as needed, We have the base ingredients and need to see how they play together on the court.

 

[pduh02]

It be nice to add Nadejra to the list. Krause should take a look at this guy he be nice great fit for this team plus adding veterans.

 

[Sir I Gotta Go]

Why dont yall check out my trade that would bring in Rashard Lewis?

 

[HJHJR]

Originally posted by pduh02
It be nice to add Nadejra to the list. Krause should take a look at this guy he be nice great fit for this team plus adding veterans.

pduh02,
As Song described, there's just so much money to go around. We'd have to bid against Cuban to get Edwardo, and he'd probably match us anyway. Now we've got a failed attempt at signing the Dallas SF, and Harpring feels like a second banana when the Bulls come knocking. Besides, between Harpring and Najera, Matt is the superior player, particularly as a rebounder and offensive threat.

Make no mistake, Harpring is the Bulls' #1 FA priority. They are not going to be caught short (litterally) at the SF position again should ERob's toe prevent him from playing. Cartwright wants the flexability to slide Rose to the SG spot and insert Harpring at SF against teams with physical or high scoring SF's. And if it turns out that both Matt and Eddie are playing well, that's something the Bulls would have the luxury of sorting out by the trade deadline.

Our best shot at taking Jones from the Wizards may not be how much the Bulls offer him the first year, but what kind of a multi year package they're able to put on the table. Washington wants to avoid multi year deals so they can be a major FA player in 2003. As a result, the Wizards may only want to offer Popeye a one year deal. The Bulls, I'm sure, would be willing to put a three year deal on the table.

Scott Williams probably won't be offered more than the million dollar (actually it's now closer to $1.4 mil.) exception to play in Chicago. But it will probably be enough because he really wants to return to Chicago and I believe his wife has family in the Chicago area.

What we're looking at eventually is a starting lineup of J. Williams, Robinson, Rose, Chandler and Curry. They'd be backed up by Crawford, Hassell, Harpring, Jones and S. Williams. The active roster would be rounded out by Bags and Mason (who they're very high on). That makes it fairly apparent that Hoiberg (ending contract) and Fizer could be dealt, possibly to offset Harpring's deal (if they're certain of signing Jones). Remember, the Sixers don't have much at PF beyond the aging and injury prone D. Coleman. BTW, I hope Lonny Baxter keeps a pocket translator handy, because I think the Bulls may ask him to spend a season or two overseas.

So, for what it's worth, that's sort of the direction I see the Bulls heading in this summer. A couple of side notes...unlike previous seasons when they were under the cap, I look for the Bulls to sign JWill to his rookie contract before they head to Utah and the Rocky Mountain Review. Also, IMHO, I tend to believe Krause when he says he has no interest in trading Crawford. I think he's very interested in seeing how Jamal and Jay work together in the back court.

 

[Dan Rosenbaum]

What about Hassell?

HJHJR:

You have Robinson starting at SG, Rose occasionally sliding over to the SG spot, and Jamal and Jay together in the backcourt. Unless the Bulls are going to play six guys at a time (we would surely make the playoffs), I don't see much of a role for Hassell. If Harpring is signed, we have 144 mpg at the 1-3 positions. I think we can conservatively count Rose for 35 mpg, JWill for 30 mpg, and Harpring for 20 mpg (otherwise, why does he come here?). That leaves 59 mpg for Robinson, Crawford, Hassell, and Mason (assuming that Hoiberg is traded). From what you are saying, it sounds to me that the future plans have Hassell playing less than 15 mpg if Harpring is signed. That would be a shame, IMO.

 

[dsouljah9]

Well this is my first post here:grinning: . Hope that I enjoy posting here.

Here's my two cents: I think that Harpring should be signed. He would bring scoriing, defense and rebounding to this team, something that it sorely needs. Rose is Has the ability to play thre positions on the court (PG. SG. Sf), therefore he is interchangeable. E-slob is unreliable because you never know what will happen with his toe and whether it will act up again. HE has also said he prefers to play the two guard spot. He also has no D. Hassell is a good ball player, but he was forced to play at SF because we were shorthanded at that spot. He is also a 2. In a league where SF are 6'7" and above, having a 6'5" Hassell at the two spot just isn't smart.CRAWFORD?!!! you must be joking. He is underiszed and underweight at 190lbs(when I last checked) and would get lit up like a Christmas tree constantly. The kid is a PG/SG NTO a SF!!

Travis Best was expendable as soon as we drafted Williams, so he will be dealt, hopefully we get something good in return. Clark is not worth hte money he is asknig for (6yrs 40mil reportedly) and we already have similiar and potentially better player in Chandler.

 

[truebluefan]

Originally posted by dsouljah9
Well this is my first post here:grinning: . Hope that I enjoy posting here.

Here's my two cents: I think that Harpring should be signed. He would bring scoriing, defense and rebounding to this team, something that it sorely needs. Rose is Has the ability to play thre positions on the court (PG. SG. Sf), therefore he is interchangeable. E-slob is unreliable because you never know what will happen with his toe and whether it will act up again. HE has also said he prefers to play the two guard spot. He also has no D. Hassell is a good ball player, but he was forced to play at SF because we were shorthanded at that spot. He is also a 2. In a league where SF are 6'7" and above, having a 6'5" Hassell at the two spot just isn't smart.CRAWFORD?!!! you must be joking. He is underiszed and underweight at 190lbs(when I last checked) and would get lit up like a Christmas tree constantly. The kid is a PG/SG NTO a SF!!

Travis Best was expendable as soon as we drafted Williams, so he will be dealt, hopefully we get something good in return. Clark is not worth hte money he is asknig for (6yrs 40mil reportedly) and we already have similiar and potentially better player in Chandler.

welcome to the board

 

[HJHJR]

Re: What about Hassell?

Originally posted by NCBullsFan
HJHJR:

You have Robinson starting at SG, Rose occasionally sliding over to the SG spot, and Jamal and Jay together in the backcourt. Unless the Bulls are going to play six guys at a time (we would surely make the playoffs), I don't see much of a role for Hassell. If Harpring is signed, we have 144 mpg at the 1-3 positions. I think we can conservatively count Rose for 35 mpg, JWill for 30 mpg, and Harpring for 20 mpg (otherwise, why does he come here?). That leaves 59 mpg for Robinson, Crawford, Hassell, and Mason (assuming that Hoiberg is traded). From what you are saying, it sounds to me that the future plans have Hassell playing less than 15 mpg if Harpring is signed. That would be a shame, IMO.

NC,
Here's the deal. Nobody knows the condition of Robinson's toe. I suspect we won't find out until the season begins and it's subjected to back to back games over and over. The Bulls will be upfront with Harpring. They'll also offer him a multi year deal he'll be satisfied with financially. They'll also probably include some sort of caveat the way they did with Brad Miller to make a "best effort" to trade him by the deadline should Robinson blossom into a 35mpg player and Matt isn't getting the playing time he'd hoped for.

As for Crawford, the jury's still out as to whether he and Williams will be compatible in the back court. We're also talking about another player with legitimate health concerns. Going into his 3rd season he has yet to prove he can endure an 82 game schedule. He's also got to prove that he's a better 2 guard than Hassell. There are alot of questions that still need to be answered about Jamal.

The fact is that while Krause and Cartwright want to provide both Robinson and Crawford with a fair opportunity to produce and develop, the Bulls are simply not going to enter the season unprepared for injuries to either or both players or the very real possibility that one or the other or both may not fullfill their potential. The days of watching Hassell or Hoiberg try to defend SF's is over. This summer its all about adding quality depth. If we end up with an overabundance of productive talent at a particular position, it will be to Krause's benifit to address an area of need by dealing from a position of strength.

The Bulls will continue to be patient with players like Williams, Chandler, Curry, Hassell, Mason and Bagaric. But for players like Crawford and Robinson, its time to deliver...now. If they do the Bulls will be all the stronger for it. If they don't though, this time Cartwright will have viable alternatives to turn to.

 

[BCH]

Wasn't Robinson promised a starting spot?

If so, how does that affect his situation? It is entirely reasonable for the Bulls to go after another SF, but would Robinson accept it, if he was beaten out by Harpring even if his toe was healthy?

 

[geoshnas]

Man I hope we don't get Manning.

 

[Fizer Fanatic]

Great couple of posts there HJHJR, a lot of things you said there sense to me. I'm hoping pretty much everything goes as you say, especially the no SF time for Hassell and Hoiberg. I'd be willing to take Manning as a consolation prize if the Wiz find a way to keep Popeye and Fizer is dealt in a sign & trade for Harpring. I'm not quite sure about the Baxter overseas bit, seems like we might have room for him on the IR. And with the fragile ages of Jones (or Manning) and Williams he (or somebody like Ruffin?) might be needed.

 

[BamaBull]

FOR THE LAST TIME!!!

Originally posted by Fizer Fanatic
Great couple of posts there HJHJR, a lot of things you said there sense to me. I'm hoping pretty much everything goes as you say, especially the no SF time for Hassell and Hoiberg. I'd be willing to take Manning as a consolation prize if the Wiz find a way to keep Popeye and Fizer is dealt in a sign & trade for Harpring. I'm not quite sure about the Baxter overseas bit, seems like we might have room for him on the IR. And with the fragile ages of Jones (or Manning) and Williams he (or somebody like Ruffin?) might be needed.

Fizer fanatic, IF YOU EVER mention the name RUFFIN again, I am gonna reach through this internet dial up modem and strangle YOU!!! LOL.....now.. I think we would be better off dealing for Mike Miller as a SF than Harpring. Not heard anything about Miller's health being a problem, other than somewhere on one of these threads. Anyone know of one? I think given the time and experience, Miller would be a better fit at SF than Harpring...I like em both, but Miller seems to be a better scorer, especially from the outside. I still am not sure tho, we should rid ourselves of Fizer YET. Above all, do not, I repeat Krause, DO NOT sign Danny Manning....he is one step above Michael "All i can shoot are bricks" Ruffin. GO BULLS!!!

 

[Fizer Fanatic]

Re: FOR THE LAST TIME!!!

Originally posted by BamaBull


Fizer fanatic, IF YOU EVER mention the name RUFFIN again, I am gonna reach through this internet dial up modem and strangle YOU!!! LOL.....now.. I think we would be better off dealing for Mike Miller as a SF than Harpring. Not heard anything about Miller's health being a problem, other than somewhere on one of these threads. Anyone know of one? I think given the time and experience, Miller would be a better fit at SF than Harpring...I like em both, but Miller seems to be a better scorer, especially from the outside. I still am not sure tho, we should rid ourselves of Fizer YET. Above all, do not, I repeat Krause, DO NOT sign Danny Manning....he is one step above Michael "All i can shoot are bricks" Ruffin. GO BULLS!!!

LOL, ok I'll lay off of that R word. I did appreciate his hard play even though he was quite worthless offensively. I'd be happy with Mike Miller as well if that happens. I think it's pretty hard for Krause to mess things up this off-season. We're sitting pretty good now and we just need a couple of small pieces to be a solid team. Getting a solid SF such as Miller or Harpring for Fizer along with 2 veteran role players in the post seems like a good idea, but we'd be still be in good shape IMO if we just get one role-player SF and a role-player C.