[truebluefan]

JR was interviewed on the Tony Kornheiser radio show on ESPN Radio. Was interviewed at 11:00 am cst. I took notes and will now try and tell you what was said.

First of all Tony asked him a lot about the white sox. Since i am a cardinal fan and not a cubs fan and white sox, i listened but just as a casual fan. Then came nba talk.

Tony asked him about MJs return. First of all he said he didn't want MJ to retire in the first place. He knew that when and if he came back, he would play for Washington since he was in ownership capacity with them. He is glad he came back. Said MJ would of woke up one day in his early 50s and would of questioned himself about not coming back when he had the chance. He said on a personal level he was pleased but he also said he didn't think it was good for the franchise! The team was better with him but not THAT good and having MJ play for them cost them some draft positions.

Tony asked him if he considered blocking MJs return to the court and have him play for the Bulls? JR said, and i quote,"No. MJ in the twilight of his career would not of done anything for us." That being said he said the last time he talked to MJ. MJ hinted that he won't be coming back. But then that was that particular day. MJ could and probably will change his mind. He said he hopes he comes back. But looks for it to be a part time player type of thing.

Tony asked, "Why did Phil leave?"

JR said Phil wanted to step away from coaching for a while. Once Phil left, MJ told us he was burned out! He worked harder than he ever did to get us where we were. He was losing sleep at night. He told us he had to get away and we respected that. Once MJ left, it made no sense to resign all the FA we had. Kerr, Longly, pippen, Rodman etc especially considering their ages. He said look at their careers after they left the Bulls and you can see we made the right decision. Then both Tony and JR gave more praise to MJ saying MJ made these players better. So in that sense he was even better than most people give him credit for.

Tony asked him if he ever wakes up at night and think to himself ,"Gee! Look at the run we had here and look at us now! I wish we were still mnaking runs" JR laughed and said no not at night! But sure, he thinks of those teams oftern and how fortunate he is for having been associated with those teams. He then immediately switched gears to this team. He said he is energized now. Said this team that is being put together is a couple of years away from being "awesome". He mentioned Rose, Tyson, Eddie Curry and Williams then said "Awesome club"

Tony Asked "why did you trade Brand?" JR said toget chandler! He said Tyson is going to be a major defensive force in this league for many years to come. He said they knew when it came time to resign Elton that the team would not of been that good. So they traded him to get chandler. Pure and simple.

Tony asked him what he tells people who knock JK. He said that is the in thing these days. JR asks the people what it is they don't like about JK. Most of the time its looks or his style. People need to remember JK had a lot to do with those 6 teams. MJ didn't do it all by himself. Keep in mind those were not the same players every year. JKs track record speaks for itself. JR said he doesn't care how a person looks or what close he wears as long as he does his job.

 

[Kneepad]

I've said it before and I'll say it again... Jerry Reinsdorf is the best owner in sports.

 

[RealFan]

Truebluefan,

Thanks for the recap. It is much appreciated.

Kneepad,

I'll agree that JR is one of the best owners in the NBA - but let's not talk about my beloved White Sox. I think JR could do a lot more there.

Anyway, as it concerns the Bulls, JR has stayed the course and allowed JK to patiently rebuild into a true title contender. I'd rather have it that way than be stuck in the middle.

 

[settinUpShop]

Thanks for the summary TrueBlue. JR seems to be reiterating what he said a few months ago on Bulls.com:

Part 1: http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/reinsdorf_020402.html
Part 2: http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/reinsdorf_020405.html

The future is very bright with this young group. Remember how much fun it was to see the Bulls come of age with SPippen, MJ, HGrant. Remember the heart ache and pain of watching them get beat year after year by the Pistons, until finally they broke through... This is an exciting time to be a Bulls fan, because we will have the same kind of growth and progression from year to year that we experienced at the beginning of the Original Dynasty. Only this time, I think we actually have the potential to be even better. We're still a ways off, but the foundation is there.

RealFan - I absolutely agree with you. I think time will prove that their strategy is a model blueprint for rebuilding a franchise. They adapted to their situation when they needed to by shifting their focus from Freeagents, to rebuilding through the draft, and although we would have been contenders quicker if we had landed McGrady and JO'neal, things didn't work out for various reasons that were really beyond our control.

 

[GB]

Originally posted by settinUpShop
RealFan - I absolutely agree with you. I think time will prove that their strategy is a model blueprint for rebuilding a franchise.

I disagree---the Rockets seem to have rebuilt without putting their players or fans through 4 seasons of utter humiliation.

Jerry got a good team, but the fans were mistreated in the process.

 

[Chops]

A lot of that is because of the chances he took for this team to be great again. Like saving cap room to make a run at the best FA's. I can't really blame him for that....

 

[BullsNews]

Originally posted by gettinbranded


I disagree---the Rockets seem to have rebuilt without putting their players or fans through 4 seasons of utter humiliation.

Jerry got a good team, but the fans were mistreated in the process.

The Rockets SEEM to have rebuilt, correct- but they haven't been in the playoffs the last 2 seasons, and unless Ming has a pretty big impact as a rookie, they won't be in them next season either.

I just don't see the Rockets as a big-time contender with the players they have, barring Ming becoming a Shaq or TD or even CWebb level superstar.

We could have kept Brand and Artest, drafted Mike Miller instead of Fizer, and kept Brad Miller and Mecer, and we could have slowly increased our wins each season- but we wouldn't have Curry, Chandler, Rose and JayWill.

For me, having a Curry- Chandler- JayWill nucleus is much better than a B Miller- Brand- M Miller- Mercer- Artest that would have gotten us to the playoffs where we'd be perennial first-round losers. And having the talent we have now was well worth 4 seasons of 13, 17, 15 and 21 wins as opposed to 13, 17, 23 and 30 wins.

If these guys live up to 75% of their potential, the last 4 seasons will be loooooooong forgotten very soon.

 

[L.O.B]

Originally posted by KC
. Like saving cap room to make a run at the best FA's. I can't really blame him for that....

Besides Brad Miller's aquistion, it seems that Krause has screwed up in free agency. The Bulls have either gotten left at the alter, with Benny the Bull, or Krause has overpaid for average ball players(i.e Mercer and ERob) Maybe ERob surprises me next season but w/o having surgery on his big toe, I am expecting another injury filled season. Erob is also making 6 million and his new role is a backup. I am not even sure Erob is the 6th man on this roster.

We have saved cap room, and have overpaid for role players. Maybe it's because the Top Flight free agents didn't want anything to do with this orginization and the Jerrys. But times change, maybe soon will be able to entice the top quality free agents. Hope when that time comes, we aren't paying the money to Erob, Scott Williams and some other bench player.

 

[Chops]

Yes, I know. Quote my whole post. He tried and failed to get top notch FA's, but I can't blame him for that because he was trying to make us good really quick.... It didn't work out.

 

[truebluefan]

JK had the right idea. But the new CBA that went into affect during the strike shortened season changed everything. He had a shot at some people and if Duncan had went to Orlando, our team would of been much different than now. What i liked about JK is he tried and when he failed, he never stubbornly kept doing the same thing. Last year he changed gears and look what a difference a year makes. Very young and very talented team. We just time.

 

[L.O.B]

Kc

I only quoted what I was addressing. Sorry, I read top to bottom on these forums, I thought others do the same thing.

If the Bulls would of rewarded the players for the championships instead of patting their own backs(orginzations when championships), maybe the percieved slight of Jordan and Company wouldn't of put off quality free agents.


My point is, the Bulls overpaid for average players. I still can't believe we unloaded Mercer and his deal, now maybe we'll get lucky and unload Erob.

 

[truebluefan]

Originally posted by L.O.B
Kc

I only quoted what I was addressing. Sorry, I read top to bottom on these forums, I thought others do the same thing.

If the Bulls would of rewarded the players for the championships instead of patting their own backs(orginzations when championships), maybe the percieved slight of Jordan and Company wouldn't of put off quality free agents.


My point is, the Bulls overpaid for average players. I still can't believe we unloaded Mercer and his deal, now maybe we'll get lucky and unload Erob.

Don't give up on e rob just yet. Lets see what he does this year. I broke my big toe this last week. I cant hardly walk let a lone run! I am sure that affected his game all season. You can't push off or make cuts like like you normally do. Im sure that affected his shot because he might not of jumped as high as he normally did on shots. I am going to wait to before i pass judgement on him.

Its funny i am having almost the same conversation over at realgm. But the guys arguement is, trust him he smells like poo poo. OMG.

 

[L.O.B]

My other beef with Krause is, he intentionally set up a team that was capable of winning the lottery, not basketball games. IMO you never, ever want to introduce losing into the equation. A losing mindset is a cancerous thing. I remember a roster that's 2nd best player was Mark Bryant.

 

[Chops]

No kidding TB! I broke my big toe about a year ago and I can tell you that people underestimate just how important that toe is. I couldn't barely even walk, except with heavy padding and wrap in my shoe and I still walked with a heavy limp. It took me months before I was really back to normal and even more time before I could go back to running and playing ball... I understand E-Rob's pain!

 

[truebluefan]

Originally posted by L.O.B
My other beef with Krause is, he intentionally set up a team that was capable of winning the lottery, not basketball games. IMO you never, ever want to introduce losing into the equation. A losing mindset is a cancerous thing. I remember a roster that's 2nd best player was Mark Bryant.

Your right LOB. But i dont think he did it on purpose. I think three years ago he wanted mcgrady/jones and got fizer to trade for O'neal. It that had happened, we wouldnt of drafted just to lose. HE had a bunch of FA that needed contracts so he cleaned house. I think this team this year will be below .500 again but somewhere in the 30s in wins. They are growing and will learn how to win now.

 

[L.O.B]

re: the big toe

Maybe last season's injury plagued season didn't give us a good look at Erob's worth but he's still gonna be a 6 million dollar backup with Rose on the roster. We're spending more than 16 million dollars on small forwards and the Bulls are talking about spending another 4 million exception on a defensive 3. huh?

 

[truebluefan]

lol yeah KC. I did.

 

[Dr. Kerr]

I dont think Houston really rebuilt that fast. They won championships in 1994 and 1995. It is 7 year later and they were a lottery team with the number one pick.

Luck is definitely part of the equation. If Steve Francis wasn't such a loser-baby, then Houston would be in a totally different position. What did they give up to get him?

They are also "lucky" like the pre-duncan spurs that francis had his medical problems so they can get the #1 pick. As the spurs did to get duncan when drob was injured.

The bulls last championship was in 1998, so in three years lets see how much ahead houston is.

The pacers too may be argued to be a "rebuilt" team. But i think they tore it up prematurely. They lost to the championship bulls in the Eastern finals in 1998. But then they traded davis for harrington, the other davis for oneal, jalen for our bulls.


So instead of reaching their peak with their veterans, they blew up the team prematurely to make room for the future.

So who really rebuilt??? Maybe the Lakers. But I think the whole Shaq free agent thing was lucky. just because he wanted to be Mr. Hollywook, Shaq went to LA. It was also fishy. LA traded their only center in Divac for Kobe Bryant before Free Agency started. But it seemed that they would only do that trade if they knew Shaq was coming.

Maybe the Celtics are the only ones to rebuild??? And how long did it take between playoff bearths. But they did have some Bad luck... Reggie Lewis, Len bias, Rick pitino.....

So I think Krause is doing a reasonable job. Remember Free Agents dont just refuse the bulls, they only choose one team, so they are rejecting 28 other teams...

I dont find it unreasonable that Duncan wanted to stay with a team he won a championship ring with and also stay in a warm climate.

Or McGrady to play at home and potentially become the next mJ/scottie with Grant Hill. Too bad the magic are going nowhere if grant hill doesnt return. Imagine if it where Mcgrady with and inside defensive presence like ben wallace (who was in the trade for grant hill).

 

[Kneepad]

...the Rockets seem to have rebuilt without putting their players or fans through 4 seasons of utter humiliation.

Last I checked, Houston won 28 games last year. Let's not consider them "rebuilt" just yet.

Besides Brad Miller's aquistion, it seems that Krause has screwed up in free agency.

One could argue that. But what key free agents have they really lost out on? McGrady, that's about it. Eddie Jones maybe. He did panic a bit and overpay for Mercer, IMO. But at least he got rid of him and his contract. The jury's still out on E-Rob. Last I heard, he was running and playing ball completely pain free-- an encouraging sign.

My other beef with Krause is, he intentionally set up a team that was capable of winning the lottery, not basketball games.

If the end result is another multi-championship team, then I am in favor of whatever means needed to reach that end. And he didn't really have much choice in the matter. He started from absolute square one after blowing up the last championship roster. Once the initial free agent crop spurned the Bulls, JK's only resort was to build through the draft-- and that takes time. And this is where the story ties back to Reinsdorf-- not many owners would have given their GM the time Krause has had to execute his plan. Most owners (and GM's) are looking for shortcuts-- the quick fix-- that almost always leaves their team short of a championship. I will always admire the Jerry's for keeping their eye on the true prize, and not settling for short term success in order to keep people in the seats. This city will reward them in the end if and when they are successful.

 

[settinUpShop]

Originally posted by Kneepad
...the Rockets seem to have rebuilt without putting their players or fans through 4 seasons of utter humiliation.

Last I checked, Houston won 28 games last year. Let's not consider them "rebuilt" just yet.

Besides Brad Miller's aquistion, it seems that Krause has screwed up in free agency.

One could argue that. But what key free agents have they really lost out on? McGrady, that's about it. Eddie Jones maybe. He did panic a bit and overpay for Mercer, IMO. But at least he got rid of him and his contract. The jury's still out on E-Rob. Last I heard, he was running and playing ball completely pain free-- an encouraging sign.

My other beef with Krause is, he intentionally set up a team that was capable of winning the lottery, not basketball games.

If the end result is another multi-championship team, then I am in favor of whatever means needed to reach that end. And he didn't really have much choice in the matter. He started from absolute square one after blowing up the last championship roster. Once the initial free agent crop spurned the Bulls, JK's only resort was to build through the draft-- and that takes time. And this is where the story ties back to Reinsdorf-- not many owners would have given their GM the time Krause has had to execute his plan. Most owners (and GM's) are looking for shortcuts-- the quick fix-- that almost always leaves their team short of a championship. I will always admire the Jerry's for keeping their eye on the true prize, and not settling for short term success in order to keep people in the seats. This city will reward them in the end if and when they are successful.

My sentiments exactly! There's so much excitement surrounding this team, and the young talent that has been assembled, and it's all to JR and JK's credit. In the past few months people around the league have begun to awaken to what this team could be capable of in the next few seasons. Matching a big, low-post player like Curry, with a lanky and athletic energy guy in Chandler is nothing short of brilliance. I liked that trade the minute I heard it, knowing that Curry and Brand have similar games to one another.

The decision to sign ERob to the kind of contract that we did can be criticised after this season. JK can't be blamed for the kind of freak injury which side-lined and hindered ERob last season. Also, there is no reason why a healthy ERob and Rose can't play together. Rose's versatility makes that possible.

The bulls averaged 102 pts in the final month of the season.
Their opponents averaged 107.6 pts.

I think we'll see more of this up-tempo type of game next season, only I'm expecting us to score much closer to what our opponents are scoring. I wouldn't be surprised if we average 105 points, which would make us one of the most productive teams offensively. Defensively I'm expecting our growing pains to continue, but by the second half of the season I wouldn't be surprised if we were consistantly shutting teams down.

Towards the end of last season, Coach BC said once Chandler and Curry learned how to defend he could see the Bulls running up 120 points in a game because of all the fast break opportunities started by their defense. I share this vision with him. Chandler and Curry swatting shots in the lane, grabbing boards and starting the break. And this team will run, run, run... Especially with JWill on the court who'll be pushing it up all the time. Few teams have big men like ours that can run the floor as well. Oh man are we going to be fun to watch next season.

Go Bulls!!