The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Chicago Bulls. All opinions expressed by Sam Smith are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Chicago Bulls or its Basketball Operations staff, parent company, partners, or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Bulls and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
I greatly admire how this current team wins through unselfish play, determination, and team chemistry. I sort of believe them when they say they play for each other, for the team and not for selfish agendas. It's very satisfying for many fans to root for a team and a coach that overcomes adversity and plays with such purpose. I don't know if I really want to see this team blown up and become "hollywood as hell" if they decide to accumulate stars to "win championships." I might enjoy being able to tell my kids these Bulls play the right way a little more even if I have to endure the occasional 28 turnovers and 2/13 from the 3 pt. line night.
Ed Holden
I was wondering, exactly what do you think is the ceiling for this Bulls team? We are seeing a team right now which is clearly better and healthier than last year's team. We are seeing Noah slowly transform into a superstar and Taj has been great all year. The Heat (and people can say all they want about how they aren't turning it on until the playoffs but I'm not buying it) just don't seem to be all there this year and Wade is resting too much for a superstar player that is only in his early 30s. They, as well as the Pacers, seem to be stumbling across the finish line in very poor form. Can this Bulls team, assuming we get past the first round which is no easy task, pull off a shocker in the second round or the Conference Finals? I wouldn't be surprised. They seem very motivated.
Elbron Odisho
Realistically D.J. will be starting somewhere else for at least four million a year, if not more. However Jimmer does not have four million a year coming to him this offseason. Plus, is there a better defensive teacher than Thibs? What are the chances that Jimmer resigns with the Bulls? Jimmer would be valuable, especially if we let Kirk and others go, to go after Anthony or another star. Then again Jimmer wants to play, but why not get a full season under Thibs before he takes his talents elsewhere. We could use him, he could use us.
Kevin Jones
With the Bobcats first rounder going to Chicago this year, the Bulls should have two mid-first round picks. The mock drafts that I've seen have Doug McDermott going between the sixth and thirteenth pick or so. I think that it would be a fair trade on both sides for the Bulls to package both first rounders for someone picking McDermott. What is the chance that it will happen?
Joe Webster
While there has been some talk about most improved for Gibson, and rightly so, I haven’t heard Noah mentioned for this award. I know he was already an all-star, but doesn’t the jump to MVP vote winner at this stage of his career makes him worthy of consideration?
Peter Johnson
Do you think D.J. Augustin have a chance to be in the running for Sixth Man of the Year along with Taj Gibson? With Jamal Crawford missing numerous games, I can only see one of the Morris' twins winning that award.
Jermaine Clark
Is there a better candidate for “Most Improved” than D J Augustine? Gibson should certainly be in the running, but D J has come from further behind.
Joe Lavely
Why do coaches shorten their rotations in the playoffs? If a team has a deep bench then why not exploited this advantage in the postseason just as in the regular season? I would think that many starters would appreciate their regular minutes of rest especially around the conference finals.
Daniel Gomez
I would actually prefer to see Bulls easing minutes on their starters and Gibson in the final week of regular season, or even give an off to Noah, Gibson and Hinrich for the final match of the playoff. Because if they are going to face the Nets, It is going to be a very tough and grinding series that will end with 6 games at least. We need our Power houses fully charged.
Nakul Vaid
Do you think trading Granger had that big of an effect on the Pacers? Could losing a guy like that who played such few minutes have that big of an effect on the team?
Gorav Raheja
I'll put it down plain and simple: how in the world do the Pacers manage to have a 55 to 60 wins season? Please help me because I've been watching them quite a bit this season and I can't figure it out. I get they play terrific defense because they have athletes who give their all but they are terrible on offense: it's all one-on-ones with the only reliable scorers being George and West. The bulls shoot terrible and have droughts but at least they share the ball and try to run stuff though Noah or from the pick'n'roll situations and are all very smart players.
Cosimo Sarti
What you think is the reason that the Pacers and the Heat aren't playing their best game right now? I was watching some of their last games and both teams seems very inconsistent. Do you think they started the season at max level and while other teams improved they were already at the max and many teams now know how to counter them?
Felipe Tronic
While you and I disagree on the Constitutionality of the NBA’s restraint-of-trade on age limitations, the fact is the NBA rule isn’t going to change until it’s challenged in court. In the meantime, what do you think of this? The NBA sets a 2-year waiting period for entering the league. Meanwhile, allow NBA teams to draft players coming out of high school. Create a set pay scale and put their salaries into an escrow account while the players develop for 2 years in college, with some allowance for a stipend. Then, when the players become eligible, they collect the escrow money. This solves several problems: 1) It makes the NBA responsible for taking some of the risk of young player development; 2) It removes risk from being placed completely on the shoulders of young athletes; 3) It gets college players a stipend without requiring universities to pay them; and 4) players enter the NBA with better skills and the overall game is improved.
Christopher Prince
Let's say gambling is legal. And that you wager from time to time. What odds would you have to be given to wager $100 on the bulls to win the title? Currently it's 75 to
1.
Victor Wisel
What kind of role will Ronnie Brewer have with the Bulls?
Israel Rocha