Swirsky believes Bulls forward Drew Gooden is capable of a double-double year this coming season
Chuck Checks In: Chicago | September 15, 2008
In 18 games with the Bulls last season, Drew Gooden averaged 14.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.
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Posted by Chuck Swirsky | 09.15.08 | 3:15 p.m. CT
There are lots of e-mails on Ben Gordon and there is nothing new to report. Trust me, when the time comes, you will read about it on Bulls.com. In fact, things are just plain slow these days in the NBA. Not a lot going on.
On to a few NBA thoughts…
Good move by the Cavs locking up a solid combo guard in Delonte West. The Cavs will be favored to win the Central.
Raef LaFrentz has made millions as an NBA player watching games rather than playing in them. He's out for the year with a shoulder injury.
If I ran a team that was a bit thin at the point, I would take a look at Shaun Livingston.
Oklahoma City has embraced the Thunder as the team announced it has a waiting list for season seats. Impressive.
You know it's slow when the basketball web sites are running major stories on Michael Beasley changing agents.
Other thoughts...
Congrats to Carlos Zambrano on his no hitter. I didn't see this one coming. The Sox remained focused and took care of business. The last two weeks of the season should be exciting for those who are following the Sox-Twins Central battle.
After two weeks, I'll take 1-1 for the Bears but like everyone else, I am shocked Matt Forte didn't get a touch on the last series. Flat out stunned.
Isn't it time the Lions shake up their front office?
Why would anyone want to coach the Raiders?
Got to give some props to the Bills after the first two weeks.
Tough night at the office for Brett Favre.
I won't get excited about the Cardinals until they beat a good team.
Mike Shanahan has plenty of job security and he showed why near the end of the Broncos-Chargers game.
After last year's successful season the Browns could be headed in the opposite direction this year.
Not a Cowboys fan, but I admit when they're on, I watch.
I survived a very wet weekend and caught plenty of sports as my beloved Michigan Wolverines fell to Notre Dame. Michigan needs a quarterback and they need linemen. The Wolverines will remember this game in more ways than one, believe me.
ABC/ESPN covered the USC-Ohio State game like it was a Super Bowl. USC is the best looking college football team I've seen in a long, long time.
The last time I saw a coach get rolled like Charlie Weis was Dan Devine breaking his leg in his first NFL game coaching the Packers against the Giants.
Will Red Sox fans out number Rays fans in a crucial series starting tonight in Tampa? For the record, the Rays are 26th in MLB averaging 21,440 per game. This for an exciting, first place team…
E-mails…
Unknown e-mailer: I'm a big Bulls fan from the Philippines. I really miss the days when Michael Jordan played in Bulls' uniform. I love Ben Gordon. Are the Bulls trading him? If he will be traded, the Bulls should ask for a big man. They should have traded Gordon for Pau Gasol or Kevin Garnett in the past. And also, what do you expect from Derrick Rose this coming season? Will he be a Chris Paul-like player?
Chuck: I think the Bulls fan base needs to be patient with Rose. He is a gifted player with a chance to be a special player, but I don't foresee Isiah Thomas rookie numbers. I would love Rose to turn in to a Chris Paul talent but for now let Derrick Rose be "Derrick Rose." Not sure who and what was discussed between the Bulls and Memphis/Minnesota, but that is in the past, so let's deal with the present and future. Thank you for the e-mail.
Andrea from Alsip. IL: Chuck, I love the Bulls but if I'm lucky can only get to a game or two each season. I am a single parent raising a young 12-year old boy who is undersized and plans to try out for his school team. Any advice on what to tell him? I hope he makes, it but if he doesn't what do I say?
Chuck: Encourage him to do his best; that's all you can ask. If he makes the team, great. If not, suggest he connect with the team as a manager or perhaps as a statistician, play intramurals or a park district club. I was cut from every team I tried out for at every level of organized school sports. But I was determined not to feel sorry for myself or play the blame game. I became the school's public address announcer and assisted the team any way I could. I love basketball. It is a fantastic team sport that uses team work, selflessness and passion as its building blocks. I can relate to where you're at Andrea. I was raised in a single parent home and had it not been for the kindness of a high school coach, Alex Pizzalato, and his son, Alan, I wouldn't be an NBA announcer today. I will be more than happy to speak to him personally to take him through the highs and lows of maturing through challenges in sports.
Sheldon from Beachwood, OH: Chuck, you're a GM and you have the first pick of any player in the NBA. Who is it?
Chuck: Kobe, followed by LeBron.
Lynn from Cherry Hills, NJ: Is Vince Carter a Hall of Fame player?
Chuck: At this point in his career, no. If he puts up Carter-like numbers over the next four or five seasons one has to believe he will get plenty of consideration.
Issac from Chicago: Chuck, big Bulls fan and thank you for the passion you have for the team and city. How many wins are you looking at?
Chuck: No predictions but most pre season picks have the Bulls listed between 35-40 wins.
Rajeev from Toronto: Chuck, you will always be Mr. Raptor in my book. Do you think the Bulls would be interested in dealing Andres Nocioni to the Raptors for Anthony Parker? Parker is from Chicago so that would be good for the Bulls.
Chuck: It's been my policy from day one, never to discuss potential trades involving the team I cover for obvious reasons. Nocioni has great value around the league and I love the way he plays. I am a huge Parker fan but teams don't acquire players based on their hometowns.
Steven from Mobile, AL: Chuck, do you think Drew Gooden will have a double-double year?
Chuck: Yes, he can do it and remember, he is a free agent at the end of the year so the timing is right for Gooden to record a 13 and 10 type season.
This item from the Associated Press…
“LeBron James wore a Yankees' hat and fraternized with Terrell Owens before the Browns played the Cowboys in Cleveland on Sunday.
‘It didn't bother me,’ said Braylon Edwards. ‘As I've gotten to know LeBron, LeBron isn't a Cleveland guy. LeBron only plays for the Cavaliers, and who knows if he even likes the Cavaliers? He doesn't like the Indians. He doesn't like the Browns. He's a guy from Akron who likes everybody but his hometown.’
‘I don't know how that's possible, but it is what it is, and he is who he is. You know, it's LeBron.’
CCI Question of the Week: Should it matter that James is a Cowboy/Yankee fan? Is he disrespecting the Indians and Browns?
E-mail me your thoughts and questions on the Bulls/NBA at cswirsky@bulls.com.
Always a pleasure.
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