I was just reading the GM survey on NBA.com and was really surprised that Derrick Rose was not mentioned much at all. Especially to see that Kyrie Irving received votes for the player GMs would want to start a franchise with over Rose. Also, I think he is the best point guard in the NBA and if he is not, Chris Paul should not be considered by that much of a margin. I understand Rose is coming off serious knee surgery, but feel like so many people forgot what the man can do.
Justin Swiercz
Some of us seem to have hit the panic button regarding Joakim. I haven't pressed mine yet but my hand is hovering above it. It just seems as though it has been a long time since he has been consistently healthy. What is the talk around the organization? Considering the way injuries have been handled in the past (a la Derrick Rose), some of us in the public might have issues trusting what the organization says.
Frank Perna
Saw this one online. What's your take? Faried, McGee and Gallinari to Houston for Asik, Lin, Jones and Motiejunas?
Wesley Davis
Neither of us are doctors but since you've been around the game a while, maybe you can enlighten me. In my 38 years on this planet, I've never seen an athlete come back from an injury that 25 years ago would have been career ending, to actually be better. Peterson came back in football to win an MVP, but you can argue he was already "as good". I know its only preseason, but my man Rose is in midseason form body wise. He's really faster and stronger and claims to be able to jump higher. He's giving it to the Bucks even as I speak. What the hell? Is Rose a freak? Am I dreaming?
Marcus Anderson
The Bulls are sweeping through the preseason and are beginning to look good for preseason favorites for the conference championship. My concern is that we are still yet to see all five starters play together. The big question is, will the Bulls be healthy this year to make the next step in de-throning the Heat for the NBA title? What does Thibs need to do to ensure the Bulls have healthy players when the NBA finals roll around? Will Bulls management place a greater restriction on players use in the season to save Thibs from over using of "The Races Horses" during the season so this doesn't becomes another broken record with the same results?
Tom Allen
Do you think that Eric Murphy and Tony Snell will get any playing time? I know Thibs doesn't trust rookies, but these two this year seem pretty special for some reason. Snell is a smooth and in-control type of player while Eric is a hustler who takes charges and plays hard and smart. With a little bit more confidence, maybe his shots will start falling too. We can't play Nazr 15-20 minutes a night, he's getting older. So what do you think? Will we actually get to see the rookies play?
Elbron Odisho
Of all the Bulls coaches you've covered while on this beat, which one had the best sense of humor?
Tom Pac
What ceiling do you see for Jimmy Butler?
Mohammad Ziny
I believe the Bulls should keep Luol, he might not be super flashy, but still one of the best small forwards out there. However, let's say he made it known he doesn't want to come back. If you were the GM, what would you do? Call his bluff and see how free agency plays out? If you had no choice but to seek out a trade, any ideas who might be a decent/fair trade partner?
Diego Moreno
Have you heard anything about Tyrus Thomas? No camp invite? no overseas deal? It's like he just vanished.
Mike Sutera
I am concerned about D Rose. I believe he's trapped within Thibs expectations and proving himself as an elite player. My concern is that he's doing too much and establishing a season long precedent. I am not concerned about his knee; rather, the season long wear and tear on his body. Haven't we (the Bulls) learned in the last 3 years that it is about the long haul? Wouldn't it be better for Derrick to facilitate throughout the game and pick his spots to excel? I am not overly concerned about the preseason injuries but with Derrick's reckless abandon to the hoop, this charted course has a familiar view I am speaking to Derrick's style as it pertains to his longevity in the league. In my opinion, he does not have to prove that he can get any shot he wants at any time. I want Derrick's Basketball I.Q. to catch up with his athleticism for his long term best interest. I am in no way suggesting that he not play, but that he share the load and take over when it is most needed.
Gene Mendel
Why are people so down on the Lakers this year? I think they could easily be a 50+ win team if things go their way, last year I was one of many who was shocked when D'Antoni got the job but this year he's got the kind of players needed to play his way. Obviously it will all depend on how Kobe comes back but if he's anywhere near where he was last year they will have a good season. How can two All-Stars (All-NBA?) and Steve Nash possibly be talked about as some kind of lottery fodder, add to that some quality role players who are proven winners and will fit D'Antoni's system I'm predicting 52 wins and a 6th seed, they'll never be worse then last year. [By the way] for the Bulls we'll finish 1st in the regular season with somewhere between 62-66 wins.
Bjorn Olafsson
About two or three weeks ago in Ask Sam you were answering someone about the last moments of the Jordan Bulls in ´98, and It cought my attention when you were talking about that Jerry Krause tried to trade Pippen several times, but Reinsdorf always vetoed that, as he did with any attempts to Jordan. Did Krause really try to trade Jordan at any point?
Valur Jonsson
Taj Gibson seems to have improved a little over the off season, but look at the market value of Omer Asik. Why, oh why, did the Bulls let him go and sign Taj shortly thereafter for same range? Where is the outrage?
Thomas Deneen
Bulls vs. Indiana was not just another preseason game. Coach Vogel really wanted this game, scratch that, [wanted to] beat the Bulls. It started in the first preseason game when he put his starters back in the fourth quarter but the bench was already in a beast mode and couldn't be stopped. Then, he rested four of his starters at the Dallas game just so he could possibly beat the Bulls but he didn't. And to add insult to injury we beat them without playing two of our starters. Not to mention that our bench still outscored theirs. If I'm an Indiana fan I should be concerned, shouldn't I?
Jackie Lane
I know it's early in the season, and early in his career, but I'm not a fan of Marquis Teague. Watching him try to run the team, it's almost like he just doesn't know the plays (I know he does), his passes are sloppy, lazy dribbling and lacks the confidence to shoot when he is open. I just don't really see much development coming through.
Daniel George
Have you seen any drop off in Dunleavy's game? He is 33 and a year makes a huge difference for a shooting guard.
Jeff Lichtenstein
What would it take for DRose to make the all-defensive team? His offensive skills are easy to observe but what are his strengths and flaws on the defensive end. Do you think that he has what it takes to be a solid on ball defender? If the Bulls needed a stop, Michael could at any given time, I've just never seen Derrick do anything like that. I see him playing good team defense but even Kyle Korver played ok defense in Thibs system. Isn't that the key to new Bulls succes to be a gamechanger on the defensive end.
Geraldo Suwu
The game has definitely evolved from say even 20 years ago. Whatever happened to most teams having a typical lineup of having a 7 footer in the middle, 6'9" rugged PF who does all the dirty work, 6'7" SF & SG who'll provide scoring and a "true" PG who runs the offense? Now we often have 6'9" guys playing at center, no Karl Malone or Oakley type of PFs and most PGs are scorers. We typically see small lineups and no team really plays consistent half court game. Players have less defined roles and are pretty much doing whatever is thrown at them depending on the matchups. No more knowing and playing your roles per position but just 5 guys playing together in a rather unorthodox manner. So with that said, would you say the game has evolved for the better and will continue to get better or can you see it coming back to the old school style?
Jay Choi
I see a lot of bloggers and analysts perpetuating the idea that the Bulls are averse to the Luxury Tax. But as far as I can tell they paid it last year and will have to pay it this year too. And further, other than not signing both Taj and Omer, I can't think of a situation in which the Bulls could have been afforded the opportunity to make a move that would put them over the cap but opted not to. Am I missing something?
Dan Schiller
According to most rumor mills, the Cavs will be looking to make a run at bringing Lebron back to Cleveland after this season. In looking at their roster commitments, it seems that they don’t have a ton of expiring deals. Could the Bulls use this to improve their team now and going forward? Perhaps the Bulls could send Deng to the Cavs for Dion Waiters and Anderson Varejao?
Adam Schechner
I know they're coming off of two straight championships so this will not happen, but would a Bosh for Asik trade work well for both teams?
Mario Persico
You think this Rose kid can make everyone forget about the loss of Nate Robinson?
Christopher Prince