One of the really great parts of this season is going to be seeing who that second unit becomes. No Asik might the be biggest factor in changing the complexion, maybe entirely. Is it going to be a [Golden State] crowd of shooters, Phoenix screen roll flowing offense, old New York Knicks put-the-clamps-on-'em-and-run bunch? They've got shooters, don't know if they can rebound and run though. Gibson will. The other guys? not so sure. Butler can help here and if Robinson chips in. Who looks like principal distributor on second unit? I'm not buying Robinson for that. Asik did what I would have done, Bulls did what I would have done. Sometimes players are just not worth the price. See: Joe Johnson. Pete Zievers
Once Derrick Rose is back and in the starting line up again do you think Hinrich will be the starting shooting guard or will Rip stay there? It might be more beneficial to have a combo guard like Hinrich off the bench. Nate Shaw
What happened to Malcolm Thomas? Watching all the Summer League games it seemed like he at least had a chance to get a look in training camp? I checked every NBA roster and don't see his name. Did something happen for the Bulls to sour on him? He seemed to be the type of guy that Thibs would love; defend, rebound, know his role and excel at it. Jeff Shapiro
Since Bulls' backup center Nazr Mohammed is, let's say elder, who's going to play heavier minutes when needed? Taj is 6'9 and Radmanovic... can't. I was wondering are the Bulls still looking for a big to sign? There are some available like Sean Williams and Hassan Whiteside. Both are defensive minded and Williams has a nice mid range jumper as well. I understand they brought Kyrylo Fesenko in just for training camp and I hope the GM is not looking to sign him or any other of them for the season (nothing personal, but we deserve better). Toomas Sepp
How do you correctly pronounce Nazr Mohammed's first name? Should it be "Nazeer" or as Stacey King called him "Nazee"? Just wanted to find out, so I can yell his name whenever he gets those offensive boards again. Ning Liu
Richard Hamilton missed much of last year with injuries and, from the outside as a fan looking in, it never seemed like he fit in with the tight knit Bulls roster that had mostly been together for a couple of years. This season the roster has many new players with the dissolution of the "Bench Mob". Do you think that the influx of new players on the Bulls may help Hamilton to feel more comfortable and, if healthy, produce on the court? Cameron Watkins
On Deng. I know people like to say bad stuff about him. And in the comments below your article its clear there's no sympathy for Deng from all, but for me this guy is one of the Bulls best and I really hope he could stay with the team after this contrat. One of those guys I really don't want to see with another uniform. Like with Hinrich. I think not always a great icon of the team has to be the best in the game. Hinrich proved loyalty coming back and I love that he is back. Way more then Ben Gordon who I like but not has a Bulls icon, just a player who passed. Kirk is Captain Kirk. Deng is Deng. And hope Noah can be too. I love these three guys and their willingness to defend and play as a team is remarkable. I know it's obviously soon to talk about that, but do you see them raising a banner for Deng? Even without a champion title for the Bulls? Rui Dias
Sam: There’s always been a lot of ambivalence about Deng, in part because of the promise (overrated) of that group with he, Ben Gordon and Hinrich and him coming fast early in his career before his stress fracture issues. In some respects like with Boozer, people often want Lu to be who they want rather than who he is. He’s a hard working, fundamentally sound valuable player. Because you are paid like Kobe Bryant or Kevin Durant doesn’t mean you are. Good for Deng for negotiating a good contract for himself. That’s not his fault. Under Vinny Del Negro, he wasn’t part of the offense. That’s tougher with a player like him because he doesn’t much create his own shot. Also, like his scouting report coming out of Duke, not a great athlete. He relies on team play, so he’s blossomed under Thibodeau. But he’s also good for a team. I wrote that story about him because quietly by being around as long as he’s been he’s becoming a career franchise leader. That means something. And it’s not just about attendance. But he will need some titles to be on one of those rooftop banners, I assume. Not many get there.
So the Heat are finally going to play LeBron primarily as a point power forward. Correct me if I am wrong, but weren't you saying that they should have been doing that from the very beginning? Spoelstra's got nothing on you! Or anyone. Patrick Murphy
Let’s say your are the Bulls GM. It is November 1st and Taj has not signed an extension. Knowing that little value will come in return, would you trade him or you wait and risk losing him for nothing? William Blanco
I’m confused about the salary cap. I keep reading articles about the Bulls being affected by a Hard Cap they can’t exceed. Then I read articles about other teams and Luxury taxes if the go over the cap. Are the Bulls held to a hard cap and if so why and why not the Lakers who I read are way over the Luxury tax cap? Bob Schilmiller
The Bulls cannot include Nikola Mirotic in any trade package. The guy is just too good. The Raptors played an exhibition game against his Real Madrid team for their pre-season opener and he did very well - 17 pts, 12 reb and 3 blks. He didn't shoot great (5-13) but was perfect at the free throw line (6-6). It might be exhibition play but those are stats against proud, professional NBA players. Ateeq Ahmed
Sam: Yes, he had an impressive weekend in the NBA. I wrote about him against Memphis. I think now everyone can see he’s an NBA player, and I think he’s probably as untouchable as anyone on the roster now. The larger question might be if you could get an All-Star for him now would you do it? What if Minnesota offered Kevin Love? What if Oklahoma City offered James Harden? What if Charlotte offered Tyrus Thomas? Well, you get the idea. At this point I think it would take a lot to get him after what we all saw last weekend.
I read your piece on Mirotic and saw the box score from last night against Toronto. Man, I wish we could get this kid over sooner! He looks like he is going to be a legit player, should be extremely developed when he gets over here too. Michael Koltun
What are the chances that NBA jerseys will carry advertisements on them and when would that happen? Also please tell me that the Bulls will not sign Fesenko. Did you see him trip over his own two feet in the preseason game trying to inbound the ball against Memphis?! Megan Wong
When will people realize that Rose hasn't recruited certain players because he didn't want to play with them? I think it was obvious Rose didn't want to play with LeBron. I'm glad LeBron didn't come this way, and I'm sure Rose is too. Rose recruited Hinrich because Rose respects him and his game. Rose seems to be more old school... he wants to defeat his main enemies, not join them. Victor Devaldivielso
Do you think playing without Rose for several months will help some of the Bulls learn to create their own shots more? I don't think he's stifling anyone. I'm just wondering if him not being there will force some people to step up. David Beer
Looking at that preseason box score, I could see where the Hornets could be a really nasty team to play this year, with Lopez and Davis protecting the rim and some rugged guys coming off the bench. What do you think of their prospects for the regular season? Kirk Landers
Will they be sending Marquis Teague to the D-League (after all, Tom Thibodeou doesn't coach rookies remember?)? He'll be a waste of time on Chicago's roster now even if Hinrich and Robinson are running the show. Kieron Smith
I hear people in the Knicks organization are raving about [John Shurna]. Saying he's been one of the best in camp. A more athletic and higher motored Novak. Now if this is true and he makes the team this makes Novak a 16 million dollar waste. Mike Sutera