[SALO]

"I'm fine," Williams said.

But the Bulls chose caution over curiosity, making sure Williams is healed before unveiling the latest addition to a growing stockpile of young talent.

"It was like putting a noose around him," said general manager Jerry Krause, who told Williams he would be sitting out. "He kept coming up to me on the airplane saying, 'I can play, I can play.' I thought he would call me in my hotel room [Friday] morning and keep begging.

"If this was during the season, we might take some chances. But we want to make sure he's completely healthy."

Williams practiced Saturday and said he will play Sunday when the Bulls face Phoenix.

The Bulls aren't merely playing undrafted free agents. They're preparing a good portion of their regular-season rotation for next season.

"This is serious stuff," Myers said. "I want to see Jamal push the ball up the floor. I want to see Tyson and Eddy focus under duress. Too many times last season, those guys got into foul trouble four to six minutes into the game because they were fatigued."

Curry didn't disappoint early. All eight of his first-quarter points came on crowd-pleasing dunks, including an alley-oop from Crawford that brought a standing ovation and a Dallas timeout.

"Coming in here with basically three or four starters, we have the attitude that we should win every game," Curry said.

"I know I'm going to get defense from Trenton, but I thought Jamal was really active defensively," Myers said. "He got up on guys. He talked to guys. He did a really nice job."

Second-round draft pick Lonny Baxter contributed eight points and eight rebounds in 12 minutes, hitting all four of his shots.

Fellow second-round pick Roger Mason Jr., like Williams, missed a chance to make his debut after mildly spraining his right shoulder in Friday's morning practice. He didn't practice Saturday and is questionable for Sunday.

Layups: Krause said the Bulls never made Scott Williams a formal contract offer. The veteran free-agent forward signed with Phoenix on Friday. … The Bulls still hope to work out a sign-and-trade deal for free-agent point guard Travis Best, whose latest suitor is Milwaukee. The Bucks' Darvin Ham and Greg Foster would interest the Bulls.

For complete article go here

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.../cs-020720bulls.story?coll=cs-bulls-headlines


- Mason had a shoulder problem before the draft. Hope it doesn't become a lingering problem throughout the year. And I would love to bring in Darvin Ham as our defensive small forward. Greg Foster just sucks, plus I hate when he would do the "throat cut" taunt against the Lakers bench after the Jazz used to beat on em a few years ago.

 

[pduh02]

Thanks for the article man!

Its glad to hear Jay is ok and hopefully Roger Mason Jr be fully healthy so I can study his game what he's worth.

I be glad we can end up a sign and trade with Travis Best I don't mind picking up Ham which he's a good defender that we desperatly need. But Greg Foster to the mixed?!? You be kidding me! Hell no!!!!! I don't want Greg Foster he's suck period they are better option then Greg Foster.

 

[settinUpShop]

Originally posted by SALO
"I'm fine," Williams said.

But the Bulls chose caution over curiosity, making sure Williams is healed before unveiling the latest addition to a growing stockpile of young talent.

"It was like putting a noose around him," said general manager Jerry Krause, who told Williams he would be sitting out. "He kept coming up to me on the airplane saying, 'I can play, I can play.' I thought he would call me in my hotel room [Friday] morning and keep begging.

"If this was during the season, we might take some chances. But we want to make sure he's completely healthy."

Williams practiced Saturday and said he will play Sunday when the Bulls face Phoenix.

The Bulls aren't merely playing undrafted free agents. They're preparing a good portion of their regular-season rotation for next season.

"This is serious stuff," Myers said. "I want to see Jamal push the ball up the floor. I want to see Tyson and Eddy focus under duress. Too many times last season, those guys got into foul trouble four to six minutes into the game because they were fatigued."

Curry didn't disappoint early. All eight of his first-quarter points came on crowd-pleasing dunks, including an alley-oop from Crawford that brought a standing ovation and a Dallas timeout.

"Coming in here with basically three or four starters, we have the attitude that we should win every game," Curry said.

"I know I'm going to get defense from Trenton, but I thought Jamal was really active defensively," Myers said. "He got up on guys. He talked to guys. He did a really nice job."

Second-round draft pick Lonny Baxter contributed eight points and eight rebounds in 12 minutes, hitting all four of his shots.

Fellow second-round pick Roger Mason Jr., like Williams, missed a chance to make his debut after mildly spraining his right shoulder in Friday's morning practice. He didn't practice Saturday and is questionable for Sunday.

Layups: Krause said the Bulls never made Scott Williams a formal contract offer. The veteran free-agent forward signed with Phoenix on Friday. … The Bulls still hope to work out a sign-and-trade deal for free-agent point guard Travis Best, whose latest suitor is Milwaukee. The Bucks' Darvin Ham and Greg Foster would interest the Bulls.

For complete article go here

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.../cs-020720bulls.story?coll=cs-bulls-headlines


- Mason had a shoulder problem before the draft. Hope it doesn't become a lingering problem throughout the year. And I would love to bring in Darvin Ham as our defensive small forward. Greg Foster just sucks, plus I hate when he would do the "throat cut" taunt against the Lakers bench after the Jazz used to beat on em a few years ago.

what they fail to mention is that that dunk was the third of three consecutive alley-oops from Curry. It was something to watch! All three came from the same angle too! What pisses me off is the way Curry dunks. He puts the ball through the hoop. He looks like someone dunking on a non-breakaway rim! Chandler layed a power dunk down in the second half that shook the building. If Curry made the same motion and thew his body into it, he could have brought the house down! Why he doesn't do that, i don't understand. it would elecrify the crowd and bring an emotion surge to their team. Of course failing on your assignments and making stupid fouls also tend to reverse the momentum of a game. I guess these are the growing pains of drafted high schoolers.

 

[DickieHurtz]

If there's going to be a sign and trade between the Bulls and Milwaukee, the rights to Dan Gadzuric have to be included. He's got length, athleticism, and a desire to excel.