Chuck Checks In: Chicago | October 6, 2008
Chuck Swirsky chimes in after watching a few of Vinny Del Negro's practices in his first week of training camp as head coach to discuss who might be the Bulls "X" factor this year
Rose, Deng and the Bulls will tip-off their eight-game preseason schedule on Thursday when they host the Dallas Mavericks at 7:30 p.m.
(Randy Belice/NBAE/Getty Images) |
I had the pleasure of attending a few practices this past week at the Berto Center and came away thoroughly impressed with Head Coach Vinny Del Negro's detailed preparation and communication skills. The true test of course will be how the team absorbs a new system—and remember, please be patient! Not an excuse, just a fact.
Derrick Rose is one intense competitor. I love it.
The majority of e-mailers believe Tyrus Thomas is the "X" factor for the Bulls this season. This kid has a ton of talent and athletic skill and hopefully he'll have a bust out year.
Another "X" factor is Thabo Sefolosha. His length and athleticism are two areas of his game that stand out. If he can knock down his jumper, he has a chance to contribute in his third season.
Ben Gordon elected to sign a one-year qualifying offer, thus making the veteran guard an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
There is a playing side and a business side. For now, it's all about basketball, not dead presidents. Selfishly, I wish Gordon had accepted the long term offer—a generous one at that—but it's his right to go the one year route.
The Bulls "bigs" were hit with injuries this past week, as possible starter Joakim Noah will miss time with an eye injury. Gordon is playing through ankle pain.
Whether Roger Powell makes the Bulls or not, the truth is he's one of the nicest young men I've had the pleasure of meeting in pro sports. As a kid, he would attend Bulls game at the Chicago Stadium and cheer for some guy wearing jersey #23.
Bulls will take on the Mavs at the United Center Thursday night to tip off preseason play.
NBA thoughts:
I know it's just preseason, but to actually see scores of an NBA game is great news to a basketball junkie like myself.
The Pistons beat the Heat as Rodney Stuckey performed well, as did Michael Beasley of Miami (16 points, 6 rebounds).
The Hornets edged the Warriors with David West stepping up.
Message to the Knicks... lock up David Lee long-term.
Should I take the Clippers seriously? I didn't think so.
If I ran the Utah Jazz, I might be proactive and move some players before they become free agents.
I'm expecting big things out of Andrea Bargnani this year.
Look for Rudy Gay to go crazy for the Grizz.
I'm pulling for Bucks GM John Hammond to succeed… with the exception of four times this year.
Something tells me if Larry Brown had to do it over again, he would have stayed at Kansas.
My gut tells me Bob Knight isn't finished as a head coach.
Got a lot of responses on my take on Denver as a 44-48 win team. I guess I'm in the minority. Heard from many people who believe they're good for 55-plus. We'll see.
Speaking of Denver, OK I get it, Marcus Camby. You're upset over being dealt by the Nuggets to the Clippers. Get over it and move on.
Not sure what went down with Randy Pfund in Miami, but I wish him the best. He's a good man and an excellent basketball executive.
Doc Rivers is giving high praise to rookie Bill Walker out of Kansas State. The kid has a chance to contribute as a rotation player.
Other thoughts:
Major bummer for the Cubs. Incredible, just incredible. They looked awful in their three games against the Dodgers. Give L.A. credit. They were the superior team but the Cubs had a "deer in the headlights" look. I am stunned. Jim Hendry needs to find some outfielders.
Regardless what happens to the Sox, I got to give them props for hanging in. Of the four A.L. playoff teams, they would rank fourth overall, but just getting there is an accomplishment. Ozzie Guillen can flat out manage.
Major props to Vandy football.
How good was Juice Williams on Saturday? Wow!
Oklahoma looks more impressive by the week.
I think it's very possible the Lions could go 0-16.
I'd hold off buying a house in San Diego, Norv Turner.
I'm not going to throw the Seahawks a funeral, but it sure looks like Mike Holmgren's final year in Seattle is a recipe for disaster.
If I ran the Houston Texans, I would be boiling mad... real mad, after their implosion Sunday against the Colts.
Yes, that's me on the Redskins band wagon, thank you very much.
Are the Titans for real? Yes they are!
Let's go to the CCI mail bag at cswirsky@bulls.com...
Drew from Rockford, IL: Hey Chuck I am glad to see you with the Bulls. This is for you poll questions from Monday 09/29/08.
How many wins are you predicting for the Bulls this year?
I hope the win them all, but to be honest some where in the area of 38.
Will the Bulls make the playoffs?
I hope so, but the East has made moves this year that make them better than last year. If we do make it the Bulls will be in the bottom half.
Who is the Bulls' "X" factor?
Tyrus Thomas, I fell if he continues to improve on his decision making and shooting touch the sky is the limit for him.
What Bull will have a breakout year?
I think a lot of Bulls players are ready for a break out, especially Derrick Rose, but if I had to choose one it would be Aaron Gray. I was at the last game of the season last year for the Bulls and he had a double-double (either in the first quarter or in the first half I don’t really remember which), but I fell he can develop into a 14 and 10 kind of player if he gets the chance to.
What is the key to the season?
I think last season started bad and just got worse as the months rolled on (we all know about drama, I don’t need to repeat it again). The key, to me, would be to jump out of the gates with a couple of wins to bolster everyone’s confidence and maybe20this would allow for Derrick Rose to get some extra PT on the court to develop.
E-mailer Contrell:
1. I predict forty-five wins for the Bulls this year.
2. Of course the Bulls will go to the playoffs with Derrick Rose playing the point.
3. Luol Deng is the Bulls "X" factor
4. I believe Noah will have a breakout year.
5. Playing defense for 48 minutes will be the Bulls key to success.
Brandon from Grayslake Illinois:
1. I'm thinking about 47 wins only if the team can play together as a unit and have Derrick Rose as a dominant rookie otherwise about 40 wins.
2. Again only if the Bulls can play as a unit and D Rose will be dominant in his role as a PG so my predictions are yes but not by much.
3. The "X" factor will be how well the players play together last year it seemed that there was a lack of communication and didn't have a commanding presence on the floor. So for a more precise answer I will have to say communication between the players and the coaches.
4. The player I think will have a breakout year is Thabo Sefolosha. I love this guy, 6-7 and plays great defense but needs to improve his offense which showed spurts of late in the year when Skiles left so if he can control those spurts of good play throughout the season which I know he can then the Bulls will have a future star in their hands and hopefully they can keep him throughout his career.
5. The key to this season well of coarse communication and the development of the young stars we have. Thabo I think can be an all-star in 3 years if he can keep up his defense and work on his shot to be more consistent and he will become a major factor for the Bulls franchise. Tyrus too he needs to excel of off D Rose and his abilities and be able to control his body on the floor and not bounce around everywhere. Also Del Negro, I love how he and Paxson have gotten an amazing cast of coaches around him to help him throughout the season and to develop him into being an amazing coach and hopefully he does.
P.S. I'm tired of hearing my dad and uncle rant on about the Jordan days. It’s over now, let’s win us a championship in the Rose days.
Nathan from Decatur, GA: Chuck, thanks for bringing us CCI, it is a great addition to the Bulls web site, which is the best in the NBA. I love your opinions on the NBA and other sports. My question is about Ben Gordon. Do you think he'll be a Bull next year?
Chuck: Money talks. He is an unrestricted free agent. However, Ben likes it here and knows the Bulls are an up and coming team. There is a chance he'll be here next season. If not, the Bulls will have cap space and options to pursue. There is a basketball side and a business side. Who wouldn't want to play here? Chicago is a GREAT basketball city and the best sports city on the planet—not hype, just fact. Ben and his agent elected to leave a ton of money on the table and that's their right under the CBA. My view is that in an economical meltdown which all of us face on a day to day basis, to turn down major guaranteed money is a risk. I hope Ben has a fantastic year and a healthy one at that.
Rick from Brampton, ON: Chuck, a Raptors season is about to start and it feels weird not to hear your voice. Good luck to you and your family. We miss you and you'll be in our thoughts. My question is about fantasy basketball leagues. Do you play them; if so, who would you take with the first pick?
Chuck: I personally don't play fantasy ball, just don't have the time, but it is a terrific way for the fans to stay involved with players on a daily basis. I would take LeBron or Chris Paul for starters. Or, select really good players on bad teams because they will always get their stat sheets filled up.
Evan from Arlington, TX: Chuck, I am long time Mavs fan. I maintain Mark Aguirre was a better player than Dirk. Your thoughts? CCI is a bookmark on my computer.
Chuck: I saw Aguirre play at DePaul and of course in the pros and he was a load. A flat out stud. Excellent player. However, I would take Dirk. Different skill set and different games but Dirk is a Hall of Fame talent. That's not to take anything away from Aguirre, who at 6-6 was a force in the low post. On behalf of all us on that work on Bulls.com, we appreciate the "bookmark."
Steve from Galena, IL: Chuck, can Thabo Sefolosha deliver?
Chuck: Vinny Del Negro and the staff will give him every opportunity to succeed and play this year. The rest is up to the player. I have not seen a lot of Thabo the past two years but I can tell you that pro personnel people love his upside and athleticism. He should be able to thrive in Coach Del Negro's system.
David from Carmel, IN: Chuck, my friend Robert and I got in to a debate about the "shelf life" of an NBA coach. What would you consider a good run in today's volatile pro sports world?
Chuck: Great stuff. It depends on the relationship the coach has with his GM and the type of team he is working with. Bottom line is you have to win. But the Hawks were patient with Mike Woodson. The same can be said of Toronto and Sam Mitchell. If a coach is employed by the same team over a five-year span, I would say good things are happening with that franchise.
Stan from Des Moines, IA: Chuck, do the Bulls do clinics or camps here in Iowa?
Chuck: Got to get back to you on that one. During the season, no. Off-season? That might be an individual thing arranged by an instructor or school. The off-season is a great way to promote your product and I while I am not a player, I would love the opportunity to spread the word of the Bulls to our fan base in the Midwest during the summer. Thank you.
Vince from St. Charles, IL: Welcome back, Chuck. Your enthusiasm for the Bulls is appreciated. I've got the Bulls down for 41-41 and major work in store next off-season. My question is about the personalities of some of the players. Are they serious? Who is out going?
Chuck: I am just now getting to know the players. I love Drew Gooden's enthusiasm about everything. Joakim Noah seems to be a person who doesn't take life too seriously and at 23 that's probably a good thing, as long as all the players bring it and play hard on the court and are professional off the court, understanding they are public figures. We're all wired differently and I respect and appreciate that. My basic principals are: play smart, play hard, respect your coaches, teammates, staff and fans. Chemistry is vital to winning.
Trevor in Banff, BC: Chuck, our family will miss you on Raptors telecasts and hopefully they will put you on TV when the Raptors play the Bulls. Do you believe the Eastern Conference is wide open or is Boston still the heavy favorite?
Chuck: Boston will go in to the season favored to repeat, however as we all know the landscape of professional sports can change rather quickly. I think the Celtics, Cavs, Pistons and Raptors will finish in the top four with clubs like the Bulls battling for a playoff berth in the month of April. No predictions for the Bulls. As long as they play hard and get after it nightly, the rest will fall in to place. The Bulls are thin up front so look for Coach Vinny Del Negro to play some small ball this season.
Nathan in Aurora, IL: Chuck, glad to have you return to Chicago. Are you familiar with your analyst, Bill Wennington? After ten years working with the same broadcasters in Toronto what are you expecting from Bill? How do you think Neil (Funk) will do on TV?
Chuck: Bill is tremendous. Great guy and great sense of humor. He knows and understands the game and isn't afraid to voice his opinions. I look forward to working with him and I anticipate no problems. I totally respect him. Neil is an outstanding broadcaster and one of the best in the business and he'll do a great job working with Stacey King.
Stan from Charlotte: Chuck, former Chicagoland resident now working here in North Carolina. I've been here for five years and caught a few Bobcats-Bulls games the past few season and also saw Raptors games on NBA League Pass. You brought the passion! Will Michael Jordan get it done here or do you think he's over his head?
Chuck: We'll see how things work out for MJ after a so-so experience in DC. I do like D.J. Augustine, the Bobcats number one pick out of Texas. Big fan of Gerald Wallace and J-Rich. The jury is still out on Adam Morrison and Raymond Felton. Okafor signed a whopper of a deal. He's a good player—not a great one though. The Bobcats should be improved but they are not a playoff team.
Keep logging on to CCI for more Bulls information. Got a question or comment? E-mail me at cswirsky@bulls.com.
Always a pleasure.
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