Ask Sam

Sam Smith

I don't think that the draft could have gone any better for us. We stayed put as to not give up any other resources, and I cannot believe Ayo fell to us. Got 1st round talent at a position of need. Ayo. Assuming we get a lead point guard via trade or free agency, can Ayo slot in as our #4 guard as a rookie? If so, trading Sato (or cutting him) seems like a formality now.

Don't get Sato mad before he has to play Zach and USA Basketball Saturday morning. These next few days will tell a lot about the 21-22 Bulls. The Bulls, I believe, this weekend have to make decisions on the qualifying offer on Lauri Markkanen, the Arcidiacono option and the full season guarantees on Satoransky and Thad Young. Though free agency officially begins Monday, you know teams have been contacting agents and players and at least have a sense what they can—or want to—do. The Bulls priority long has seemed to be the addition of a starting point guard, and as excited as the fans generally are about Ayo, I doubt the team sees him as their lead guard. And Coby White likely will be out from surgery into the season. So it's not a given yet how much guard depth there is with Garrett Temple and Denzel Valentine unrestricted free agents. I can see that Ayo was too good to pass up dropping to 38. I thought the Bulls would pick someone to basically train in Europe if also to have more salary cap room. Perhaps this means the Bulls will not try to unload their depth and use the salary cap exception and guarantee Satoransky and Young. The big news comes in the next week.

I'm a very old U of I grad that followed the team this past season. The only player I did not want the Bulls to draft was Ayo. Nice local kid with great Illini following (perhaps an attendance hype) but selected about where he belonged at 38, so don't expect much. He was not even the best point guard at Illinois this year and is yet another "tweener" that is decent but does not really excel/dominate at anything. Apparently all the AK sleepers were gone and AK did a why not move with an obvious lack of enthusiasm. The "we really liked his interview" comment is telling.

I will say it seems difficult to read much into Arturas' monotone media sessions given friends say he loans his personality out before he speaks publicly. Some of my friends from Illinois believe the Bulls got a steal, so perhaps I can introduce you to them. Remember, Arturas is the dean of the second round. Could this be his best ever second round pick? OK, after Nikola Jokic. There generally is a reason a player falls that far, but we see many players who do and, ooops, got that wrong, like recently guards Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon, players who stayed in college longer and weren't high fliers, but who just made plays. The pros don't always get that. They often figure you can find plenty of those guys. But there does seem to be something unmeasurable about Dosunmu. There doesn't seem anything he does that makes you look again, but his teams always seem to be better than expected and he's in the middle of it. The loss to Loyola, some might suggest, was a blueprint for how to take him out of a game with pressure into his dribble. But he's also made too many big plays at too many times for that to seem just an aberration. I didn't watch the U. of Illinois much, so you alumni can debate it for now.

Bulls get Dosunmu at #38 who you had projected in first round to Nuggets so this is really good. Look forward to Bulls decisions / actions on:

Well, there goes my Rubio/Rose backcourt. Ball/Dosunmu? Dosunmu/White? Seems like Rubio has gone to the Cavs. Sexton/White/Dosunmu? It's getting difficult to find that Markkanen sign and trade. Maybe he signs the qualifying offer and decides to play it out to unrestricted free agency and, who knows, maybe we see Markkanen of two years ago when he was dominating Porzingis. It seems like Simonovic is on the way, though the Bulls haven't announced anything yet. We should know soon once the Summer League roster is set. But let me say with Patrick Williams and Dosunmu, the Bulls should be Summer League title favorites for the first time since 2016 when Denzel Valentine was the hero of July.

According to ESPN, the first 5 picks in last night's draft include Doncic, Jokic, Mitchell, Lavine, Beal and Jalen Brown. Wow! Usually the comps are pretty out there but this year they were absurd. Which is why the Bulls trade of Vuc last year was a great one. So far we lost on Wagner... for a bona-fide star big man. If the bulls strike out on Ball, what do you think of them trading for Kemba? Who would have to go to match salaries?

It's always laughable to listen to the analysts on draft night. No one ever seems to get compared to Tony Snell. We've seen enough of that five to 10 draft range, and most of those guys are in Orlando now, I think. So, agree, it's good to see some real NBA players. Even though it didn't look so great last season with missing the play-in, it was the right move. I know fans love the draft. More so in the summer. Things have quieted on Kemba around the league, which worries you about health and his knee. Maybe it's too quiet, which always means to us Karnisovas is involved. Though I don't see Kemba for the Bulls with his scoring dominant game.

Please stop. I understand how you see the four position being more Kevin Durant, Jason Tatum style position in the near future. Which I somewhat agree with you. But Patrick Williams is not 4. He is a wing as the youngster say. A small forward who can guard up or down the lineup. We shouldn't play him full time at power forward because for every KD and JT there always will be a Zion or Giannis who outweighs and/or are inches taller. Why force him to play against players who's only out there to be bruisers? You said it's his lateral movement tell you he's a 4 (which seems nitpicky at best). But I don't believe that at all. The only thing affected his lateral movement was being a 19 year old rookie who was guarding the best player on the team if not the world. Could you explain what you see fully or respectfully "stop it". Because I see Kawhi or Kobe when watch him.

Fortunately for you I am not making the decisions. For me, too, but that's another debate. I think he can dominate moreso at the four position (however much that matters in the NBA anymore with all the switching on defense) because of his physicality. And his age, which I think means he'll get bigger. Yes, he defended a lot of the great wing players. I thought most of them beat him off the dribble. What was his highlight? Probably blocking an Ayton dunk try. I'm with you and believe he will be really good and think he can be something of a point four. But with a body that I believe will fill out, I see him being more dominant with the interior players who are not going to push him around. Again because he's young he could become a more responsive scorer/shooter. But he's still hesitant and deferential on offense. That may be who he is. The Bulls station him in the corners more now, which suggests less of a perimeter type game. Given he's still just 20, there's plenty of change to come. And even though he's "only" about 6-8, after all Zion is shorter. I see more of a need for that 3-D catch and shoot quicker wing. Williams can bruise guys. Better with targets not moving so quickly.

Who isn't getting talked about as a possible free agent target for the Bulls that you think should be? For example, I see a lot of talk saying that we need another ball-handler, someone at point guard that can be more of a facilitator for LaVine and Vucevic, and I tend to agree with that assessment. While he might not be a big 'glamour' name, I don't know why we wouldn't make an offer for someone like T.J. McConnell then - his assist numbers are good as are his defensive numbers, so he would help us on both ends of the floor without us breaking the bank. This will probably get me laughed at, but I think Kelly Olynyk is someone that hasn't been mentioned that would fit in well at the Bulls and would help to give us some extra depth and quality off the bench, again without breaking the bank.

I've gotten some mentions for McConnell, whom the Bulls thought they had with Arcidiacono. It would sort of be a disappointment to the fan base with all the talk of big money free agents like Ball, but McConnell always has been one of those guys you hate to see come in for the other team. He's all over the place and makes plays. Perhaps that's an element with Dosunmu the pros miss. After all, McConnell was undrafted. Another of those guys who doesn't do anything special, but you sure like to have him on your team. I'm not laughing, either, about Olynyk since I do think Miami missed him these playoffs. Maybe for the Bulls it comes to filling around the edges instead of winning the ESPN headline battle for a day.

Here's what I would do: Sign and trade Markkenan and include Thaddeus young to the kings for Marvin Bagely. Maybe add a pick.

Keep Colby white and Patrick Williams. Then you are set for now and the future. Does this sound legit?

I am intrigued by Bagley, though I just gave Williams his position. With Bagley on a rookie contract you can't do all that, but I do think there's some there there. The Kings are someone to watch now having drafted Davion Mitchell after Haliburton. Both are ready to play types who are tough and look like a backcourt. De'Aaron Fox seemed untouchable, and perhaps now not so much. If he comes on the market there could be a lot of interest. I'd go back to the 76ers now on Ben Simmons, who really is a small forward. Maybe that's where the sign and trade comes in with the Bulls?

Some observations from the draft night: Wonder what the Cavs do with Jarrett Allen now. Do you pay a guy 100 plus million now that you have Mobley? not to mention you still owe big money to Love and Nance.
Surprised Warriors ended up keeping those two picks. Team wants to compete for another title and I dont see Kuminga and Moody contributing much at 18 and 19 years old.
Not a fan of what the Magic did with our pick. Not really a good shooter for a supposed shooter.
Hawks took another SF. How many does that make on the hawks roster now
Wonder where Russ gets dealt 2 next offseason lol
Cant see LBJ liking his style. Sure he wanted him now but just wait. KD and Harden must be laughing.
Biggest losers Bradley Beal and the Sixers.
Gafford will be hurt the most by the Russ trade

Though you know the Lakers become the story again. Fourth team in four seasons for Russ. That usually is a sign, though the Lakers are becoming more fragile, so it was worth a shot. What they probably will do is cut LeBron's playing time (and number of games) and let Davis yell at Russ for the ball. The 76ers will do something, but despite this suggestion that Beal is OK with things I don't see it. Does he see himself as Giannis as the new model for success? Kuzma, Harrell, Caldwell-Pope? I think they also got a Holiday, though not the good one. Hachimura, Avdija, Bertans? There's a lot to wade through there. They did get rid of John Wall, so they have an idea what they are doing. Welcome, Wes Jr, you figure it out. As for the Cavs, take the best guy and then worry about it. And with the Warriors, again, we assume they are plotting. Next week should be something.

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Ask Sam: Draft Night, Ayo Dosunmu, Patrick Williams and more

Bulls.com

The Atlanta Hawks success story is one I think the Bulls can look to replicate from the dweller of the NBA to Eastern Conference Finalists. But is there concern about Vucevic's role as it translates to becoming a contender in the East? Atlanta seemed to surround Trae Young with shooters and then having Capela protect the rim. Today's NBA often is built around wing players and with Atlanta building and experiencing success around a PG, I think the Bulls can look to the Hawks on how to build around Zach LaVine. Should there be pause within the Bulls about Vucevic being the teams second best player and whether a combination of him and Zach can win at the highest level?

There's more than one way to succeed. I know most everyone, understandably, looks at success based on others'; final results. If you won, then you must be a winner and let's see if we can duplicate that. I'd say fans and media, but a lot of executives also operate that way. It was going on in the 80s with teams trying to find a 6-9 point guard because of the Lakers'; success. But everyone discovered there was one Magic. Just as there's one Curry/Thompson as everyone was busy shooting threes and expecting the same results. So the Hawks are making a run, though don’t be fooled by the diminishing returns. Would they be if Harden and Kyrie weren’t injured? If Kemba Walker wasn’t having trouble walking and Jaylen Brown wasn’t, if Embiid didn’t have a torn meniscus?

It sadly is the lost playoffs of last man standing and next man up, meaning someone’s bunch of role players could be an NBA champion. Though now it’s Chris Paul the one standing, which hasn’t happened that much. And as appealing as it seems without the usual roadblocks, that also puts a lot of pressure on teams like the Bulls. And several others to find the correct path. In the category of, “Hey, if Huerter, Bogdanovic, Capella and John Collins can start for champions,” or “If Terrance Mann, Patrick Beverley, the Lesser Morris and the Other Reggie Jackson” can carry a team to a championship, you mean you can’t!” Because everyone pretty much dismisses what occurred previously when we are celebrating the champion, some team starting a bunch of guys who might barely make your rotation will be held up as a model for next season. A dozen owners then will be asking their GMs how they can’t beat that team. It could be a nervous summer for a lot of teams. As I’ve stated, I like the Vucevic addition, especially in lieu of another 5-10 draft pick. When you have two players who practically fall into 20 points just suiting up, you have a base. With Vucevic’s expanded shooting range you have options if you want to add a rim protector instead. The best way to win is not necessarily the way the winner won.

More on AK: One thing we know about him; he’s stealthy. You’re never going to know what he plans to do until he does it. That Vucevic trade was in negotiation for two weeks and not a whisper to the press... not even Woj. And as we now know (or think we do), he had Billy Donovan lined-up well in advance too. For all we know, he’s already chatting to someone about Lonzo or Lowry. Another thing I think we know is that he’s an opportunist. He’s not going to spend years drafting &amp; trading for exactly the players he wants to build exactly the kind of team he needs to run exactly the system he believes in. He’ll strike when the iron is hot. If Simmons is actually available at all, you can bet he’ll be on the phone. I’d say Zach &amp; Vuc are off limits, but he might even deal Williams if he can get a 3rd star.

You appear to have a good read on the Stealth Chief. I do get the sense that’s how he’s operating, less from some grand plan than from some grand opportunities. I kind of like that even though Yogi Berra warned us that if you don’t know where you are going you’ll probably end up somewhere else. Repair the roof, John Kennedy said, when the sun is shining. Take advantage of your opportunities as they occur. I believe he did go into the season believing, as he said, Carter could/would be a major part of the team going forward. Until he believed he saw otherwise. I don’t sense the Vucevic trade was as much the fit with Zach as the chance to acquire a star. And the more stars you have the better your chances and the better your inventory, as it were. So Zach and Vucevic are off limits; except if they’re not. I believe Karnisovas is operating on the notion that in 11th place no one need feel that secure. I do believe next season will go forward with Zach and Vucevic. But I also wouldn’t be surprised based on what you’re noting if he trades into the first round, if not in the top half, gets aggressive in free agency and flips the roster substantially. And then if it’s not working continuing to be opportunistic. I often believed previous management could be a bit too conservative. Perhaps this management will be a bit too bold. It should make for an intriguing ride.

I hope I’m wrong but it’s difficult to grasp the Bull’s ability to make much of a significant upgrade for the 2021/22 season. They have limited cap space, no #1 pick and few excess tradable/valued assets. Young is too trade expensive at over $14 mil, White is an unknown/undervalued because of injury and Lauri is only a salary match. Perhaps AK can seize on some other teams misevaluation/mistake but it would appear that the Bulls realistic window for change is really for 2022/23. What is your perspective?

I hope you’re wrong, also. I’m going with the Vucevic model as suggested above mostly attributed to Horace—not Grant—Carpe Diem, to seize he day, to respond to an opportunity. I believe the new management will shake things up since I doubt they were satisfied despite the circumstances with finishing in 11th place. That opportunity is there now perhaps as much as ever with yet another short offseason and the example of teams being able to make huge leaps, like the Suns, of course, but also the Hawks and Knicks. It seems the way LeBron reacted to all this he and likely other stars will ease their way through next season with the notion that it will enable them to be healthier for the post season. So with a few creative tweaks—point guard possibly is the most favorite—and a commitment to playing and playing everyone, next season is a good chance for a lot of teams to make unexpected leaps because that may be the new NBA math. Why not us? Why not now?

I’d do this trade: Kemba Walker, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort for LaVine, Aminu and Sato. LaVine has same stats as SGA.

I checked your trade machine analysis you sent and John Hollinger rated it for the Bulls declining by 10 wins. Numbers only don’t make the man. SGA is very good and if you could get him, I’m for that. But hardly for that. Walker’s name comes up a lot because of apparent issues in Boston, but with chronic knee issues and a chronically high salary I don’t see the Bulls going there. Though we do know Billy Donovan loves Lu Dort. He used to mention his name for comparison in virtually every Zoom call early in the season until a reporter asked why he mentions Lu Dort so much. Meanwhile, OKC still is in tank mode. With all the draft picks, they’re not moving out of there for a while as evidenced by their sending some of their best players (Al Horford) home for the season.

I’m still confused by Kawhi’s diagnosis. And then I saw this, that Kawhi was unhappy with the Clippers medical staff because he felt they misdiagnosed and underplayed the extent of this knee injury.

Here we go again? Kawhi to the Bulls? I’ve gotten mail and heard from friends they like these playoffs (I did until this round) because the super teams are gone. And then in the next breath it was how we could get Kawhi and Chris Paul. I’ve got it figured out: People hate super teams unless it’s their super team. It’s always difficult to figure out Leonard since, you know, he doesn’t speak. I have to assume even though, yes, he can opt out of his $36 million for next season, that he will remain with the Clippers for at least one more season to see if they can do better in the playoffs if, you know, he actually plays. No fault of his, but they certainly were in good position to get to the Finals if he wasn’t hurt. After all, Paul George, known as a weak playoff performer, and four guys who barely could make the Bulls rotation took the Suns to six games. I’m also guessing Steve Ballmer can be persuasive. And with Paul making his first Finals trip with a young team and able to pick up $44 million next season and still do insurance commercials, I doubt he moves on. Leaving the Bulls and most teams to be just super creative.

Why is everyone jumping ship on Coby White? Every time I see speculation on the Bulls’ roster moves I keep seeing talk of them definitely doing something at the point guard position. But why? I think Coby White is developing really nicely, especially with the run he went on near the end of the year. Personally I feel like the most important move is to get a new forward. A strong forward filling out a starting five of White, Lavine, Williams and Vucevic sounds like a recipe for success to me.

I can see why you’d look at it that was as there’s always talk about adding a point guard, including from me. No one is “jumping ship” on Coby as he seems to be part of the hull of LaVine, Vucevic and Williams with more to be named later. The point about the point with Coby and point guard is he’s more of a scorer, which often leads to LaVine handing the ball more than necessary. Thad Young helped some with that, and now with Vucevic perhaps we’ll see some different elements given his playmaking ability. The sense most get from at least the hints management has given is they’d like to add a player to set up LaVine, Vucevic. And Coby. White has proven he's an NBA scorer, and those guys are valuable. Also it’s not so easy. Suddenly, Reggie Jackson in the playoffs turned himself into a valuable player, and Coby White is younger and plays much like that as a titular point guard. Coby has earnestly tried to be the point guard the team feels it needs, but it’s really not a position as much you learn as you feel. Coby can play off ball screens, which is a valuable ability in the NBA. The more players you have like that the better you are. Maybe the Bulls cannot find their ideal point guard, which could make White part of a committee for that position. In any case, I see him as a big part of the team’s voyage.

What do you think it would take to get Wiggins from the Warriors? Lauri, Sato, and Troy Brown Jr? Lauri seems like a good fit next to Wiseman down low. Warriors have some expensive decisions to make soon. Wiggins looked like he was starting to hold his own on defense.

I also believe Zach has a lot of the abilities to do that. Sort of like Devin Booker did in Phoenix, scoring big and making plays. And then they found a true point guard who also could make shots. And the Suns went from missing the playoffs for 10 straight seasons and five led by Booker—who had a lot more stability than LaVine not being traded and not having to rehabilitate from an ACL—to going to the NBA Finals. No one is saying that's next for the Bulls because no one necessarily sees the next Chris Paul, and a newly renovated one who just a few years ago supposedly was one of those guys with a contract you couldn’t trade. So good for him. But Zach matches Booker (check the stats since Zach is better in every category), Vucevic matches Ayton. And you’d think they could find a Jae Crowder and Mikal Bridges lying around. Probably tougher than it sounds, but you get the idea. A lot seems possible these days.

Dennis Schroder reportedly wants $100-$120 million. If I am spending 100-120 mil on a PG it better be Ball even though I don't think he's even worth it. It's actually crazy that Dennis is only 27, I feel likes he's been in the league for so long. The rumblings also are Donovan is unhappy in Utah. Tough. Teams should stop letting these guys with long term deals put fear into them.

Dinwiddie, Rose, Lowry, Conley, Rubio, and yes Ball and Schroder. I’m sure we’ll be hearing rumors about all of them and the Bulls. And now Reggie Jackson with his playoffs, though he’s also not the point guard type I envision. Ball seems more so, though the latest is New Orleans will match, which is what they all leak to scare off offers. I assume the two you mention are up there on the Bulls list, which likely is a long list. There’s also a difference between what you want and what is available for you to get, the perennial dilemma for children and parents. OK, we’ll take Donovan Mitchell then. Though I’m guessing new investor Dwyane Wade will get in on that one.

Does it make sense for the Bulls to pursue Demar Derozan in free agency? He quietly had a good season with the Spurs. Maybe add Kyle Lowry to the wishlist and reunite the 2 in Chicago for a title run.

As romantic sounding as that might be, it’s not financially feasible. I’ve gotten suggestions about DeRozan, who did raise his assist totals dramatically, though is not the facilitator the Bulls mostly need. But at some point you want good players. I’d rather see another star level player and try to figure it out instead of settling for a supposed point guard because that’s the need. Enough good players generally can figure out how to play. The Nets don’t appear to have someone you’d say was historically called a facilitating/organizing guard.

Vooch is a great player and great addition to the team and makes for a great offensive duo with Zach. But... if the Warriors offered Wiggins and Wiseman for Vooch... Would you take that deal? Do you think Lavine would approve of that?

As for Zach, one thing I like about him like Derrick Rose is they’ll play with anyone. Again, fans and often media repudiate the so called super teams and players conspiring to join together. And then ask why players from their teams are not recruiting big names more seriously. Zach’s with the Olympic team this summer, but my sense from him is whomever management adds he’s good with. Similarly with Rose, that they’re so confident in their abilities they can play and succeed with anyone. Well, anyone good, at least. Having seen Zach and Vucevic play just a few games together, I’m for giving it at least, say, a half season. Let’s see how they do. After all, the community long has demanded another All-Star. OK, got one. While I like Wiseman, exchanging hm for Vucevic is starting over again. I know fans love the young guys. Let’s try guys this time who have had success and know a box out from a box of doughnuts.

Two things have been driving me crazy in these playoffs. Maybe I’m looking at these games differently because I’m not looking at them through Bulls-colored glasses. It seems like a ballhandler is able to take five, six, seven steps in the lane – maybe to go to the basket and maybe to pass out for the three. Isn’t there supposed to be a rule against that? The other habit that I guess isn’t a written rule is for the PG to let the ball roll in the backcourt. Sometimes it feels like it rolls back there for five minutes, but I guess it’s closer to five seconds. I suppose it’s a way to let players (on both sides) catch their breath before the clock starts. I’ve seen CP3 do it a few times; Ice-Trae does it quite a bit, but that’s seems to be part of his moxie. Is my memory that bad? Have these things been happening for the past few decades without me noticing?

The rolling ball thing is annoying and I’m always rooting for someone to either steal the ball or the offensive guy to kick it out of bounds. Since most teams don’t pass much or run many plays looking for the first three, I’m not sure what purpose there is to starting the 24-second clock when you’re near halfcourt. As for the travel, it used to be two steps. Now with the pros it’s sort of three. But as everyone is palming the ball it doesn’t much matter. Fortunately after that egregious ruling the other night when they broke down Zapruder film stop action to see whose fingernail the ball went off the officials seemed to stop asking for those who’s-it-off rulings and just put the ball back in play. Someone in the league much have told them because every ball deflected off last touches the guy with the ball. Regular reviews would overturn every out of bounds call. Remember, the officials just are enforcing league mandates. We all have our rules issues, and the TV broadcasts do get tiresome questioning every call—just as the players do with their pantomimes—but the worst are how the offensive players either throw themselves into the defense to draw fouls (remember, not on drives but jump shots) and how they fall down every time they take a shot. Mercifully, the officials don’t fall for that one much. Though it gives us something to talk about instead of trying to figure out how DeMarcus Cousins and Reggie Jackson got in the conference finals.

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Ask Sam Mailbag: Building around players, AK draft moves, and more

Do you think Kris Dunn is worth bringing back? I definitely do. I think his ceiling could be like Marcus smart who was definitely in contention for defensive player of the year. Look at what Dunn did to Luka in Dallas in January. Luka wasnt scoring at will when Dunn was on him. He didn't start going off until Dunn got into foul trouble. I think we really just need a Center and find out which PF Carter/Lauri can shine the best in the starting unit. For the first time since Butler/Rondo/Rose years I'm excited for the Bulls.

Now only if the NBA ever lets them play. But there now seems some room, at least, for optimistic anticipation. Dunn can be a restricted free agent, none of which we know what it means with the season maybe being played in Orlando in secret or who knows if enough players will show up. But let's fantasize about a traditional NBA. Thad Young's inadvertent knee ended Dunn's season in which Dunn to his credit had remade himself into one of the elite Marcus Smart/Patrick Beverley types. They are valuable players. So I agree that despite Dunn not being the all around point guard the Bulls hoped for, he has become a unique specialist who was on the way to being named all-defense. The Bulls don't have a lot of those guys. Actually when I look at the Bulls personnel—and I don't see major changes this summer with new management in analysis mode and the league (maybe) playing into October—I see the potential next season for a unique two-unit team that reminds me some of the early 2000s Pistons who were 50-win high level playoff type teams with a bench Jon Barry named "the alternatorz" that rivaled its starters. They started several non scorers, like undersized Ben Wallace and Michael Curry, and used a strong bench they often finished games with and a mixture of scorers. When the Bulls were wining 60 games with the Derrick Rose teams, they had one of the best reserve groups in the league while leaving the scoring to Rose. As the Bulls starter can do now with Zach LaVine. Remember those reserves of Taj Gibson, Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer, C.J. Watson and Kurt Thomas? Most had been starters. They accepted their roles and the team benefited. Rather than forcing players perhaps not quite at that level into starting roles and larger minutes, I can see the Bulls playing two units with perhaps Dunn, Coby White, Thad Young, Otto Porter and Wendell Carter as a high level reserve unit to complement starters like LaVine, Markkanen, Valentine/Satoransky, perhaps Gafford and a point guard maybe through the draft or a veteran distributor through a cap exception. Then let that second unit take advantage of the opponent's bench since having studied the analytics, I learned they still do add the points from all quarters. And figure out a finishing group from the two units. That could also produce some internal competition and perhaps a better team spirit regarding success as opposed to entitlement.

I want to briefly mention one thing that has really been bothering me in past discussions of Wendell Carter Jr. I routinely see casual fans talk about how Wendell is undersized for a center, but I don't think that is true at all. While Wendell is below 7 feet in height, he has a 7 foot 5 inch wingspan. Surely, when we are talking basketball size, what matters is not your height but how high your arms reach. This is why Jokic called Wendell "long" when they faced each other in Wendell's rookie season (an OT game in which Wendell was an absolute monster, by the way). Despite a relatively "short" height for a center, Wendell can reach higher than most taller centers. If he beefs up a bit, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he can be the same defensive force in the paint that Omer Asik was (while being much more useful on offense).

I agree about Wendell's ability to match some big men with his reach. The problem is most of those 7-2 guys have a long reach, also. It was one of the issues with Elton Brand, who had that enormous reach, but was a better fit at power forward. The problem now is the shooting range required of power forwards. And while Wendell has talked about being perhaps natural at power forward, he's also in the same breath said how much he enjoys playing center with his physical abilities. He's sort of that tweener, a little too small for center and not quite the scorer/shooter for power forward. Which is why I believe in a high level reserve role with fellow players of a high level he could find a spot that fits playing less against the towering Embiid guys, produce and thus force teams to match to him more often with his quickness and ability to shoot mid range, which he obviously was warned off last season. It's an ability of his that the Bulls can exploit much better. There's no shame being part of a great bench. Look at those bench guys from the 2010 Bulls and how many continued to have great careers for years with Korver even becoming an All-Star. The Bulls have too much overall talent (despite the record last season) to play some guys 36 minutes and others 12.

How weird is it going to be for the players playing without fans? Are we going to hear them cursing since it's quiet? Are they going to be able to listen in on the coaches conversations with players? Will we hear what exactly they're telling the refs? Fun questions I think.

It does present some unique situations as I cannot wait to hear sneakers squeaking again. I understand it's an unprecedented time and I cannot fully weigh in because I'm not going. I would like to if only to compete in the ping pong singles (no doubles). The NBA, obviously, is taking exceptional precautions that seem to me even more protective than any of the players would experience being at home. They've made it clear more than half will be gone in a much shorter time. And, after all, it is a world class resort. Still, I'm fine if some players don't want to play. It seems to me most do, and like Thad Young said, he's not worried about himself regarding the virus given his age and training and health as compared with his family. No one is immune. But between the NBA's enhanced safeguards and that basically all the pro athletes who contracted the virus recovered, it would seem to be as safe a situation as they can experience anywhere else. Sure, something can happen. But things happen even when there is no contagious virus. I trust the NBA to be cautious, careful and considerate. Who ever has witnessed Adam Silver not doing the best for player safety? So I do believe the NBA will get through the so called bubble season and that once players start playing they will recover that edge and competitiveness. Which is why I've been so concerned about the Bulls. It's seemed obvious with so many of the NBA players, the longer they didn't play and stayed away the more their competitive DNA suffered. You also know from those microphones the TV networks put in the huddle, mostly coaches say, "Let's go!" Probably good, though, Thibs is out for this given his dialogue with officials.

Of the 22 teams that will play, it's entirely possible and probably likely the worst of the 22 teams, the Washington Wizards (24-40) could lose their way to a worse record than the Bulls. The Wizards will only be playing teams with better records and Phoenix isn't could also fall below the Bulls. Will the lottery positions be redone after the modified regular season ends?

No one is jumping past the Bulls in the seventh spot for lottery odds no matter how many games the Wizards and Suns—two teams with no business being there if the Bulls are not—lose in their few weeks. The league did decide, as inconvenient as it probably was to acknowledge it really does have 30 teams, no one will gain lottery position by losing their way home as the Wizards figure to do.

Kyrie Irving "proposed" in a group chat with Nets that players could start their own league. I guarantee you this man will never ever win a title in Brooklyn.

Well, at least I can still fondly remember the '55 Dodgers. Heck, and we thought after his flat earth observations that we'd heard the most erratic comments from him. Hey, he does create conversation and debate, and there's nothing really wrong with that. We can't say Kyrie never will win a title because, well, he did win a title. And he did make the big clinching shot. But I tend to agree there's no chance even with Durant. Maybe pre-Achilles Durant. Irving did get himself run out of a chance to win again in Cleveland. And he sure made a lot of Celtics players happy by leaving. He's a special talent, but he's obviously not your great leader type. I'd probably have done the same if I were the Nets with the chance to attract two players with that level of talent. The NBA is a top talent league. But I think you might be able to get yourself a Spencer Dinwiddie (sorry, he's not really a point guard, either) or Caris LaVert because they don't seem like guys who will buy into Kyrie's ball domination game. I will say it's a team I want to watch, however.

I read this: Is Victor Oladipo impending free agency in the 2021 offseason cause for anxiety? Indy wasn't planning on losing Paul George either right? But they did. So Indy could be vulnerable to a trade offer of they have some legit fears of losing victor for no compensation. As was the case with Paul George. Maybe Oladipo at point guard.

With his injury and coming back the middle of last season, the usual routine is a fuller return to health the following season. But we should get a good look at Oladipo this summer with the Pacers in the tournament. It's seemed to me he loved it there (he played at Indiana U.) the way they took a chance on him as his third team and they have tried to build everything around him. Given his injury issues, he's a question mark for other teams. But I cannot at this time fathom a situation in which the Pacers lose him. Plus, he plays the same position as Zach. The Bulls have many other issues.

I recently listened to the Bulls' talk podcast and one of the topics was whether or not Derrick Rose's number should be retired. It's a no brainer in my opinion that it should be considering the impact he had on the Bulls and Chicago in general. He's not the only player either. I believe the Bulls have been much too selective in this area. Not to say they should be like the Celtics but just off of the top of my head, Chet Walker, Horace Grant, Dennis Rodman and Luol Deng should all have their jerseys in the rafters already. Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah as well once they retire. Who do you believe should have their number retired by the Bulls?

It's been a long campaign of mine and I'm hoping the new management guys study team history. Horace really should be honored because he was part of the original championship Big Three with Jordan and Pippen. Every team with championship success like that has honored those guys. But given team history, I'd say Chet Walker and Norm Van Lier first. I worked with Derrick on his autobiography, so I'll stay out of that one as much as I can make a deserving case. I wouldn't do Rodman given his short (three seasons and missing 47 games) tenure. Probably Jo before Deng.

I didn't know that Jordan was also underpaid during a large part of his career; even Vin Baker was earning more than Jordan. I am really impressed by his patient stance on the issue; Pippen didn't handle properly his contract issue. Jordan respected his signature and didn't complain. I strongly believe that the usual negative portrayal of Jordan's character doesn't tell the whole truth. This guy has some values (regardless the fact that he was insanely competitive) and of course I totally admire his respect for the game. Another interesting point of your book There is No Next is the beginning of Jackson's career as a head coach of Bulls. Jordan didn't trust him and the triangle offense in the beginning due to the many early losses. This year was really difficult. My question is when and how did Phil earn Jordan's respect and when did they bond? The first championship was the main facilitator? Their relationship is unique and rare for Jordan; he was more than just a coach he respected.

Second straight week with a book plug. You know I'm doing this for the public interest since restaurants still are mostly takeout. It often was noted that Jordan had so much endorsement income he could afford to be patient and that the Bulls did pay him his basketball $4 million annually when he played baseball. But Jordan does deserve a lot of credit for never making his contract an issue until he was a free agent. He did say many times he signed a deal and would stand by it. He'd joke if the Bulls wanted to change it, he'd be OK with that. But there never was a serious renegotiation. Though he did receive a Bulls-inspired and rare renegotiation during his rookie deal for eight years/$25 million after Magic Johnson renegotiated his original deal for a $25 million total (over more years). So, yes, when the Bulls were winning 72 games and the title in 1996, I don't believe Jordan was in the top 50 in salary. Though he probably brought in more money to the league than the top 50 salaried players combined. The Jackson relationship with Jordan was intriguing because, yes, Michael was no great fan to start. But something Phil did (or didn't do) seemed to resonate with Michael. Phil never asked Michael for anything. Everyone was pulling Jordan in every direction back then whether it was autographs or appearances or time. Jordan was as accommodating as any player, though he often privately seemed to resent everyone wanting something. Phil never asked for an autograph, a signed shoe, anything. Even when Phil's kids asked, he'd say no. It seemed to make an impression with Michael that here was a guy who was interested in helping Michael and not himself, that what Phil was suggesting was in Michael's best interests to help Michael get what he wanted most, which was a title and a way to succeed. When it worked, Michael seemed convinced. And when you have Michael's loyalty, it was unwavering. He seemed to recognize Phil was most concerned with Michael's and the team's best interests. Maybe Michael should finally send him a picture.

It would seem unreasonable for the NBA to not allow some type of competition between the eight teams, Making the #1 pick the prize. I admit, its more an incentive for the owners, but who wants to watch them play. A legitimate goal especially for a team like the Bulls who appear to want to get better. I'm pretty confident their going to work something out for the infamous eight.

I'm not optimistic given so much player pushback and uncertainty over the bubble concept in Orlando. If the NBA can't fully persuade players of the safety and viability of the Orlando experiment, how are they going to come up with something for those other guys without making it look like a second class situation? And you know all the league's energies are going to be directed at and in Orlando through October. Heck, those eight teams probably would be lucky to get anyone at the league to answer the phone.

Look forward to a column by you on Bulls June Voluntary workouts: Which players and coaches are there? How are workouts structured? What is the vibe?

This is all you're getting. Last September in Chicago when the Bulls were raving about all the players in early and all the workouts and then started 3-7 with most everyone healthy should be a signal about workouts. You have to play against others, and it doesn't look like the Bulls are getting that chance. Still, they seem to be doing what they can. The problem—and we understand—is the rules the NBA has set for these workouts, which are basically shooting drills. The league or city or state given the virus (I'm not fully sure) has mandated a maximum of four players at any one time in the Advocate Center. The coaches in attendance wear masks and gloves and stay some 12 feet away. I think basically what is happening is four players come in, do some lifting or injury/health treatment. Then they get at a basket and do some shooting and an hour later another group of four comes in. The Bulls seem to have gotten some good attendance. I've heard Coby White, Wendell Carter Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Kris Dunn, Chandler Hutchison, Ryan Arcidiacono, Luke Kornet, Shaq Harrison and Max Strus have been in at various times, though I don't know how often or whether all are staying in Chicago. They're obviously motivated players and it seems they'd like to be in Orlando. Perhaps if some team among the Beloved 22 only gets one or two players to commit, as seems theoretical with all the questions being raised, the league will ask to attend one from the Unloved Eight. Like going to the prom. I was ready, also.

It's more or less accepted Stephen Curry is the greatest 3pt shooter ever. But I noticed our very own former Bull Eddy Curry went 2/2 on 3's in his career. So I'm wondering: who's made the most 3's in a career without a miss?

I guess Steph was, eh? Now that's something I didn't know. So I'll go with Eddy the leader. Certainly at worst tied for best overall percentage. But what it also does suggest is how great was Eddy's talent. Eddy, of course, suffered some horrible tragedies in his personal life that had to impact his career. But what an amazing talent. You could see why Jerry Krause was so enamored, a seven footer that light on his feet with a soft touch and huge body. Eddy coulda, shoulda, woulda. We all, including me, probably expected too much from Eddy, which you could see looking back was part of the problem. Eddy was probably that kid who was so big everyone made him play basketball when it probably was the last thing he ever wanted to do, a nice kid "burdened" with the physical gifts that most of the world begs for. And he probably wished he could give it away. But especially when you come from a tough background it also becomes the way out. Basketball, instead, seemed to become a prison for Eddy, struggling against everyone's expectations. Eddy didn't seem to want to be a star and avoided the spotlight as much as possible. I recall him telling Scott Skiles it was OK to leave him out of games; maybe bring him off the bench. But even as indifferent as Eddy was, he was so talented that 2004-05 Bulls team was about to shock the league after a 4-15 start. There was win streak after win streak, five games, seven games, nine games before Eddy had to go out at the end of that nine gamer in March with a heart scare. The Bulls had been preparing a huge extension for Eddy and then it devolved into a medical debate and trade to the Knicks after a 43-20 finish to the season. The Bulls drafted Joakim Noah and went for Ben Wallace to recoup and had some success, but there was that amazing what if had Eddy not had the heart scare. But what if he were that motivated competitor? Instead of just a nice kid with an immense talent he probably wished someone else had?

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Ask Sam Mailbag 6.19.20

My idea for the teams like the Bulls who won't continue their season: Organize an eight-team tournament to decide NBA draft positioning for this year only. This would collect some of the lost TV revenue, give the guys a reason to play organized ball, act as a test for future NBA mid-season tournaments, and it would provide real incentive for winning… at least for the front offices. Sure, a higher draft spot might not be the most motivating thing for players but at least it gives guys a chance to earn some of their salary. Warriors would most likely win if they have Steph/Klay play, but they have the best lottery odds anyway!

I really like that idea. Which reasonably assures it never will occur. But it does answer a lot of concerns regarding giving players from those teams a chance to play—don't they always say how much they love to play?—and getting that tournament test like the Broadway shows that do previews in other cities to work out the uneven parts and test reactions to certain elements before going to New York. The only way it would work is if they also did it in Orlando in the "bubble," which actually seems large enough to accommodate eight more teams. But then why did they leave them out in the first place? If they don't do that and just have a tournament, it would apparently be with lesser safety precautions than in Orlando. And thus establish that two-tier league that the NBA did in its prima facie case with the eight teams, that they are a second division like soccer.

Is the league still working with the 8 teams who were left out of the "season"? I'm hoping to hear they set up their own bubble and get a couple months of work in.

There are claims from some of the teams that the league wants to/will/intends to do something, though its seeming less likely with the rumors of players concerned about the length of stay and the necessity of even playing given it's unlikely many advance toward a championship. As if most were, anyway? I guess it's easy for me to say since I would not be going to the Orlando compound given the limited attendance and the questionably legal concerns about barring those over 65. Though I think the coaches backing Popovich, D'Antoni and Gentry made that a quick non starter. You wonder what all those lawyers at NBA headquarters were thinking to let that one come up. I would go if I could (or write about a team that was there), and yes three or four months on the road is a long time. But, seriously, didn't any of these guys go away to college? Oh, right, no one stays long. You know when you're in the service, they don't let your parents come with you. To the Peace Corps, either. It's a Disney resort! Not Fallujah. And you're playing for something if you're playing. That's the point. Most everyone doesn't win and the large majority never have a chance. It's about the game and your job. That said, if a player were seriously concerned for his health or had an underlying condition, I'd say to stay home without any recriminations. It's OK. But just don't ask to be paid. Workers in all fields take unpaid leaves. Players certainly can afford it. No one should ever be forced to work if they don't want to or have to or have fears. Guys get injured in the playoffs all the time. The games continue. Golden State almost made it despite that last year. But the league is always bigger than any player or group of players. The league needs to continue, and it seems they are being extra cautious and responsible. At least for 22 teams.

I am extremely excited about the NBA's return. Do you think the format is gimmicky, as MJ may have suggested? I personally do not, especially considering the circumstances. Also, how far do the Heat go? Sorry, I'm going with the Heat. I always root for the East, and I am going to root for Jimmy and Nunn. Coach Spo has been underrated the last two years.

I'm still deciding if I'm excited. Or even interested. I believe it's vital the NBA play, and certainly try depending on the health circumstances. It's difficult to maintain momentum in any business if you ask your customers to get accustomed to you not being there. Baseball was devastated by the 1994 strike, and it's tough to see a Sosa/McGwire NBA savior. But the way the Bulls and those other teams were treated, it's left me somewhat empty about the NBA's long stated belief in fairness and a level playing field. I'll probably come around by late July, if only to explain why Jordan was better than LeBron. It's also why I was hoping the Bulls got in. Because I think unexpected things can occur following this long layoff. Who knows what everyone has been doing the last three months. So it's almost like seeing this season as a previous season. I believe things start over for many teams, like Portland which gets its big men back. So suddenly they look like a top four team with a sub-.500 record. I agree Spoelstra continues to emerge as one of the best coaches, but I can see them going the other way with a roster I still believe isn't as talented as the Bulls'. It's another reason I was hoping to see the Bulls. I didn't expect them to do much, but I wanted to see Coby with Zach and everyone healthy for the first time all season. Coby/Zach/Otto/Lauri/Wendell seems to me like a stronger team than Kendrick/Duncan/Jimmy/Bam/Meyers. I think with the changes in health and depending on what guys were or were not doing there are chances for what we would consider major upsets.

And here I thought the end of June. When someone told me the NBA was starting again, I immediately thought the end of June( what a relief/finally!!!), just to now find out it's not the end of June but rather the end of July. Why so late?

Waiting to throw out the first ball at a baseball game? Obviously, there has to be a training camp again and then LeBron has to skip the preseason games. It's also going to be interesting to watch the load management ethic at play since they'll be trying to compress the schedule to get the season finished before the feared next virus wave and who plays and how much besides whether someone gets the virus and has to sit out awhile. It's an aberrant time for everyone in the world; so why not sports teams. It's OK to have an unconventional season and call it that because it is that. And just be satisfied with whatever the results are and appreciate that there was a season. And the champion is legitimate because they won against the same circumstances everyone else faced. There's no excuses that if the season went longer, or if there were the usual rest in the playoffs, or yadda, yadda. Play it out and the best team wins. Whoever wins was the best team for 2019-20 and just face and accept it.

The players of the team's left out will get paid for the games not played?

I think you'd have heard a lot more complaining about being left out and demands to play if they were not.

Did I miss a memo? Why is everyone so down on WCJ, We wouldn't get much for any of our players; talk about selling low. I'm willing to take another flyer with Lauri and Dunn. We should add someone of quality either through draft or trade, I think we could be good. What if Zach, Coby and Lauri start playing lights out with WCJ, Otto, Young, Gafford setting picks and going for rebounds like madmen. Add good specialty people, and you are now the next poster city for the next big free agent, hello AD?

Enough with Davis. He's not going anywhere and with the league minimizing the Bulls as it has with the exemption from the Favored 22, free agent pitches are going to be difficult for awhile. Which is why I think Karnisovas has talked extensively about development. But I agree they could be good, and much better than they were without doing much other than adding a draft choice, which Karnisovas has said will be better than advertised. And another reason why I was anxious to get at least that eight-game glimpse. I don't think the Bulls, and most importantly Karnisovas, are down on Carter. It's just that there are a lot of potential four/five players on the roster with Markkanen, Porter (perhaps more a stretch four these days), Gafford and Young. So fans and media have been speculating about possibilities because Carter is smallish for a center and the seven-foot Markkanen may actually be more useful as a transition big man like the way the Mavericks had started to use Porzingis. So actually there are multiple possibilities for using the roster different ways, which is another reason—did I mention yet?—that I wished the Bulls got that eight-game finish in Orlando. Carter has talked about playing power forward, but he's probably a better fit as a center the way Miami uses Bam Adebayo. It's also a way to get Markkanen more involved in the game than just being a stand still shooter. Markkanen's not as physical as Bam, but he's more skilled.

I have that Zach and Coby are the future of the Bulls; who would you like to see as the starting 5 for the bulls next year?

I'm not sure Coby/Zach is the ultimate backcourt. Coby might be a better fit as a Lou Williams/Vinnie Johnson three-guard rotation type player. But I believe there's more there than this season showed. It's just going to be a long wait to see it again. The draft could be big because there are a few intriguing possibilities for a point guard. Could LaMelo Ball, Killian Hayes or Tyrese Haliburton, all possible Bulls point guard draft picks, become the starting point guard? Then start one of the three with Zach in the backcourt with Coby the instant offense? Then maybe Porter at small forward with Markkanen and Carter? That's more traditional. Though even if the Bulls select one of the point guards, White probably starts with LaVine for now. Maybe the Bulls draft small forward Deni Avdija and play Porter at power forward with Markkanen at center. Maybe Porter off the bench behind Carter and Markkanen. Young remains a big question mark at power forward or small forward. He started often with the injuries, and he still considers himself a starter. He would seem the most likely to move given his potential value to a contending team and that he was among the few players healthy and productive all season.

Recently I've heard that there was a time when the Bulls management had banned players from wearing headbands in games. Reason for it being that the relationship between John Paxon and Eddie Robinson (a headband wearer) was so sour, that after Eddie left the team, John implemented the ban as an act of some kind of vengeance. I find it really hard to believe. Especially when there are players for whom a headband is a feature of their image, and any kind of emotionally driven act that could limit their ways of expression would give the team a very bad publicity and ridicule. do You know the reasoning behind such a move?

Well, there is something to the word "uniform." I don't think everyone has to express their individuality all the time, especially in a team concept. Remember, the NBA still requires players not in uniform to wear sport coats to sit on the bench. The Bulls actually are fairly informal as some teams travel in sport coats and the Bulls don't. There was an issue with Eddie, who wore a head band, though there were other personal (and injury) issues with Eddie, a poor free agent choice at the time whom Paxson inherited when he took over as general manager. Paxson hired Scott Skiles, who was for the headband ban. Skiles initially benched Ben Wallace for wearing a headband, but relented and by the next season the Bulls began to look like Woodstock. And before long players like Rajon Rondo and Bobby Porter were looking like John McEnroe and the Karate Kid.

I read this in an NBC-Chicago post, "…in a sign of Karnisovas' leadership style, he has communicated to Boylen to focus strictly on coaching and working with his staff and players, sources said. Too often last season, Boylen got wrapped up in dealing with player agents or honoring commitments on the business operations side, which sidetracked his focus." Do you know what that's all about? Is it AK telling him to stay away from agents? Or the press?

It sounds to me like Karnisovas telling Boylen to focus and concentrate on coaching after just one full season that was marred by near record injuries. Which suggests to me there's a long evaluation period about to occur, which Karnisovas has been open about promising for the entire basketball part of the organization. And he's only recently finally arrived in Chicago. So I can't see imminent changes. After all, why would you come in and describe an altered job description and then make changes without seeing how that job description is carried out?

I'm a rare die-hard Bulls fan that hasn't yet seen The Last Dance. Waiting to watch it with my dad who, as a kid born in the 80s in Chicago, naturally shared his love of watching the Bulls with his son. I know that no two players are ever the same, but I watched the GQ Sports analysis of MJ's training regimen and I believe Kobe and Curry both worked with the trainer or some protége-disciple. The physical craftsmanship of the body is a key part of each of those players' success, and I think the overall mental hunger drives that progression far further. I feel like each sparked a similar type of viewer magic fundamentally, and I know that MJ and Kobe's comparisons are fairly well-fleshed out. I also know that MJ has an insane mental drive even above the others that has never been matched. You've written about Steph before, but what would you say is the biggest difference in terms of his legacy vs MJs? I feel like from a mental and tactical standpoint there are a lot of parallels you could draw - the way they both try to dominate physically and assassinate mentally - and the obvious 73-win-season battle help push some through lines. Curry has had some marks for a resounding supporting cast, but MJ had a pretty darn good team himself most of the years. It's great to appreciate any greatness for what it is, but I like your take on what is the Jordan argument for a future "is Curry the greatest" debate?

Can't say I've been asked about that comparison before. Curry clearly had way more offensive talent to play with, which is a big part of this era and also why Jordan had to score so much. But it's also why I believe in the fantasy matchups why the 90s Bulls were superior to the 2010s Warriors: D-fence! Jordan and Scottie Pippen were two of the best ever defenders at their positions and combined with elite defenders from their eras in Grant and then Rodman. Curry's going to be an interesting discussion guy for the coming added 25 for the NBA's 75th anniversary list. He'd always be good, but likely would not be quite the elite level in the 80s and 90s because shooters who couldn't defend didn't get as much time. Jordan would be dominant in any era with any group.

I`m sitting here watching the last dance. Being from Scandinavia, we are more used to recognize each other, working as a team than your American dream philosophy. When someone are as good as Scottie Pippen, and someone are as dependent on Pippen as Jordan was, he should have gone forward and gotten him a better deal coming back from baseball. Anyway, for the last 3 championships, Pippen being number 6 on the payroll, the Scandinavians would have joined together each numbers 1-5 would have donated pay, making Pippen number 2 on the team, recognizing his ability and value. 30 out of 30 teams would have done so. Imagine that, making America great again, doing what is right and identifying talent and value of the individual.

Now that's a good one. Why didn't I think of mentioning it to Jordan when he was making $30 million per year? Of course, it's also why Americans generally lapse into panic and delirium when someone suggests sharing wealth that evolves to a discussion of socialism and social democracy. And then immediately begin to scream communism and go for their guns in anticipation of the imminent invasion. It's not the way we do things here. It was mentioned in the Last Dance how the Bulls manipulated Pippen's free agent contract with Houston for 1998-99 so he could make an extra $20 million. What was left out was when Pippen signed his deal he was the eighth highest paid player in the NBA. He balked at management's offer of three or four years and wanted eight. So the contract obviously began to become obsolete. But also left out of the documentary was that under the new union rule agreed to with the league at the time teams were prohibited from doing renegotiations. Plus, America is big on this greeting when you've made a bad deal for yourself: Sucker!

Your Hard Labor book. Wrapped it up in 3 days. Such amazing stories. Hits especially hard given today's racial climate. The efforts and sacrifices of yesterday's players need to be celebrated more. Also, I'd never heard of Tom Meschery before, and I'm fascinated! I wish more of today's players gave love to those guys. Since you wrote the book we've lost Hondo and now Unseld. The time to publicly give credit to all those players is running out. I know LeBron has given shoutouts to Jerry West and Oscar. Kobe did too. Shaq famously paid for Mikan's funeral costs. MJ always rejected the Greatest of all Time tag by saying he never got to play against West and Oscar, so it's unfair to them. I hope today's players do more, and I hope the organizations invite the older giants of the game back to participate more often.

I usually don't congratulate myself, especially since I have short arms and it's difficult slapping myself on the back. That book didn't get much initial attention, but it's more relevant these days because it did explore so many of the racial issues the players faced in an era of Civil Rights reform, but which didn't much extend to athletes. I learned with pride how players refused to play in cities where restaurants and hotels were segregated, how Elgin Baylor skipped games when a team hotel was white only, how Bob Cousy took midnight trains home rather than stay in a city where his black teammates couldn't get a meal, how Bill Russell driving home to Louisiana in the offseason couldn't stop for food or a rest room with his kids, how white players had to be beards and signal for taxis and then their black teammates would pile in with them.

The NBA was the first most integrated society. It's an amazing story. Not because I wrote it, but because of how they lived it. It resonates so much more given these times. The book focused around the Robertson free agent suit and Havlicek and Unseld were among the 13 living plaintiffs (of 14). They were seriously ill when I was doing the interviews. But it still was so important to them they agreed to interviews, which were their last. Thanks for reading. Many of today's players respect the game's pioneers. But they have no idea what they went through for the NBA to get here.

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Ask Sam Mailbag 6.12.20

childukich

I've heard they're discussing starting next season around Xmas. I guess that's to avoid casualties in case of an autumn resurgence of the virus; Not a happy thought, but probably smart. But won't that make the 2020-21 season last through August? Does that mean they'd have to delay the start of 2021-22 as well? Or would the players simply get very little time off between seasons?

I believe the NBA will get its playoffs in and champion this summer. And then begin next season December 25th because, obviously, they'll need that break of a few months. And then begin every season December 25th. It's an idea that has been suggested at times in Board of Governors (owners) meetings, and the time probably is right with the growth of the NFL and the alternation in traditional TV programming. I can see the NBA on a permanent Dec. 25 to mid August season. The NFL once was pretty much Sunday afternoons. But now there's Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights. With Friday night high school football, it's a strain on NBA ratings after the first week. The NBA with its national TV deal always needed to have a major part of its playoffs at the end of the prime time season and ratings marker in May. With so much streaming and alternatives services, the TV menu has varied. And then the NBA can own summer, which is an open time now. Though as the Jordan documentary showed when there's nothing else to watch something could get big ratings. With the NFL not starting until September and August baseball a slightly lower priority than filing your nails, the NBA playoffs in the summer gets the prime audience. No one knows virus predictions, but summer seems the safest time to do things, at least for now. Get ready for your biggest basketball memories August 7.

If the Bulls somehow get a better pick in the draft, what do you think of the idea of drafting L. Ball as a Point Forward to play with both Lavine and White? I like it offensively, but wonder if Ball can defend SF.

That's easy. No, and probably not guards, either. Of course, remember these are teenagers groomed through AAU ball and I cannot remember many in the last decade known for playing great defense. It's mostly an offensive league these days, anyway, and it could be something to watch those three on offense since Ball does seem like he could be a good scorer as well. What if the Bulls did get the No. 1 pick? Many of these mock draft sites suggest shooting guard Anthony Edwards as the No. 1 pick. If the Bulls got No. 1 and someone absolutely loved Edwards, I'd trade the pick or trade down. I'd probably go for 7-1 Wiseman No. 1 given his possibilities on, yes, defense. Athletic, quick, tall. The Bulls need those things. I'd probably then favor Ball and perhaps the Israeli small forward Avdija. I'd like to see the Bulls play a few more games, if only for the distraction. Maybe also one of those one-game elimination tournament bracket things after a few games since made-for-TV sports seems to be the alternative these days. Shaq Harrison vs Shaq O'Neal playing darts, anyone? But if the Bulls don't make the cut and the NBA goes straight to the playoffs, it's all draft all the time and time to watch Israeli and Australian basketball.

If the season starts, assume you will be staying home right? Not worth the risk. How will that even work with reporters? There are going to be so many hurdles. Just think how many people need to be onsite just for the broadcast side alone. I have always said start fresh in October and chalk this season up to a loss.

I'm for starting and concluding a season this summer if they can. I believe it's important for the future of the league, especially because there are no guarantees for next fall or winter. Once you close a business, it's difficult to get it reopened the way it was. That's also what's so devastating about this epidemic. No, I won't be there. There really shouldn't be any media there. Or broadcasters or families. If the NBA is serious about doing this and truly concerned about the welfare of the most, they'll make sure the least are there. There's this "essential" designation that seems to be colliding with the ego of many and the best interests of the game. The NBA needs to go with best interests of the game. The game always will transcend any individual. It doesn't need a documentary to declare that (Ok, promise, no other even veiled references to that). I've heard rumors of 28 people from each team in the bubble. That's way too many. Somehow the NBA for decades got along fine with traveling parties of fewer than 20 people. It should be able to do so in a pandemic. And players even getting to the arenas on their own, as amazing as that would seem to players today. The whole idea of this is to limit the number of people, which thus limits the potential infections. And keeps more safe. So why potentially expose so many? You mean to tell me you need four coaches to run several pick and rolls searching for a three? So: 12 players. If someone gets sick or hurt, there's your G-league taxi squad. They're back at your facility working out. A head coach and one assistant. There's no development going on. Players can just take out a ball rack and shoot. Then go pick up the ball. You can't get a hernia that way. OK, up to 14. A trainer for the taping and preliminary medical stuff. Let the arena supply EMS personnel like at every game for emergency. One public relations person to gather a coach and a player for the zoom post game interviews. The NBA is a media friendly league. NBA Media VP Tim Frank, like his predecessor Brian McIntyre, will defend media interests and not allow this to become a precedent to bar media in the future once there is some normalcy.

Everyone needs to sacrifice in an emergency and think of what's best for the most. We're up to 15. Broadcasters don't need to be in the arena. Heck, half the time where many sit these days they're watching the game on a TV monitor, anyway. So you have camera operators from the networks. No team executives need be there. They have TVs and the coach can call them after every game. Sixteen would be the equipment manager, perhaps as vital as the lead scorer. No one would ever know where the socks are, otherwise. What, they can't figure out how much weight to put on the bar when they're working out. During the Bulls championship years, strength guru Al Vermeil didn't travel and there were few better. And, c'mon, you can't be away from your family for a few months? Families don't go with soldiers. Didn't you ever go away to college. Who went home so much? It seems to me I'd rather know my family was safe at home instead of potentially exposed with so many people around. What, you think the kids are spending all day at Disneyworld?

Plus, what a great opportunity for really building some old fashioned team bonding without all the agents and runners and brand employees players pay these days. Hang out with your teammate and talk basketball. I know; how quaint. This is an historic aberration (we hope) for the NBA. It's vital for the future of the NBA that the league completes this season and gets a champion and can begin anew again for another season. It would be a shame if an issue developed because the league was fearful of upsetting someone's ego. Of course, as my disclaimer states, these are my suggestions. For the 12th straight year since I've been writing for Bulls.com, no one from the league has solicited my advice. I suspect my record will remain unblemished.

Like many others in my age group, I became a Bulls fan in the era of Sloan and Van Lier. In a lot of ways, that was the best of times for rooting for the Bulls. They didn't win the championship, but they did everything else, and their games and their seasons were filled with drama and pathos and tension and courage and redemption. Thanks for the memories.

I tried to do Jerry and those guys proud because they deserved it. I still speak with Chet Walker regularly and see Bob Love occasionally around the United Center (when you could see someone around the United Center). We, of course, celebrate the winner of the last game, but I've always believed it made Barkley, Ewing, Malone, Baylor and Sloan and Van Lier no less champions. We like the mythologize the winner as perhaps more deserving or skilled or worthwhile. But we often make the miscalculation of celebrating excessively those who also were more lucky or had better timing. It's been noted that dominance and dynasty sometimes means a fortuitous bounce. I never saw Jerry with those teams as losers given the way they played and how they respected the game. The losses long haunted Jerry both with the Bulls and later as Jazz coach, so it does mean something. But those guys should be no less champions to us for the way they competed as fiercely as anyone ever has.

If the NBA is to have a playoffs, Adam Silver has to be willing to take risks. After all, even if the games are all played in one arena there's no immediate guarantee that players won't get affected. No one truly knows. Will the mini tournament be balanced? What about the Bulls?

We're No. 24! I haven't seen the foam fingers yet, but it seems the Bulls currently at 24 in the overall standings are a bubble team for getting into some play-in format or end of regular season finish for the presumed July startup. There could be a 16-team playoff to start, which makes some sense given there's a significant space between No. 8 and 9 in both conferences. But with Zion No. 10 in the West, you know there's no way they just start with 16 teams. There also is the issue of fulfilling the local cable TV contracts, which require about 70 games. Most teams would need to play five to seven games, which could pose as a sort of preseason. The NHL went with a 24-team series, which sounds good, as well. Milwaukee is lovely in July. Hey, is Summerfest still on? Yes, there will be risks, as there are in life all the time. There are no guarantees no matter what you do. You take the most reasonable precautions you can and then hope things work out. In Adam We (Mostly) Trust.

Has you or anybody else asked him the very obvious question: "What would MJ the player think of playing for the Bobcats with MJ as owner?" ... and if so, what was his answer?

Michael has discovered what a lot of fans and media —and owners until they get there — don't understand. That running a team is much more difficult than leading a team. Like the great Johnny Kerr would say, "There's five guys out there running around with my paycheck." It's much easier when you can judge, as most do, based on what didn't work.

I have 2 trade ideas that should help Bulls now and in the future. The Clippers send their 1st and Green to the Bulls for Young. It looks like The Greek Freak will leave the Bucks and head to Golden State if they don't trade him. However, the Bucks won't want Wiggins contract. So the Bulls take Wiggins, G States 1st this year and the Wolves pick next year and Hills contract from Bucks. The Bulls send Lauri, Otto, Chandler H, Green, Clippers 1st and a second to Bucks. G State sends Paschal to Bucks. Freak goes to G State. The Bulls will then have 2 top picks in next year's loaded draft and 2 good picks in this year's. You reunite Wiggins with Lavine and Dunn with a new management who can give everyone a fresh start. G State gets their man, the Bucks get a 1st and too young talent in Lauri, Pash, Hutch a savy hardworking expiring vet in Otto and a 1st and second.

That made me very dizzy. Mostly, I believe the Bulls intend to give Markkanen a long, hard look and aren't going back into future drafts to restart yet another rebuilding with teenagers. I more can see Markkanen being extended by the Bulls. The Giannis part is the next big story in the NBA. Because in the NBA players participate equally with the teams regarding basketball related revenue, free agency is going to change dramatically because of the economics associated with the virus and empty arenas. Giannis is going to be a free agent after next season. With the new economics it's difficult to see a team that will have enough talent and the cap space to lure Giannis. I can see him resigning with the Bucks. He seems one of the least to chase the big city, like LeBron or Durant. And given the Bucks experience with Kareem, you figure they are going to hold onto him until the last second and not give in to take futures. Kareem from New York City found Milwaukee a bit too provincial. So he asked to be traded to New York or Los Angeles or perhaps retire or leave for the ABA. The Bucks got what then was considered a great package with a center in Elmore Smith, guard Brian Winters and rookie "blue chippers" Dave Meyers and Junior Bridgeman. But it was five years with a different group of players and new coach and management before the Bucks recovered. I'd be surprised if Giannis were traded.

Here's a move I think the new front office can make to bolster the current rebuild rather than blow this one up and restart: Call Atlanta and start with an offer of Wendell for Cam Reddish. Maybe the Hawks didn't notice that Cam looked poised to live up to his Paul George comp? Wendell should have a lot of appeal to them. Even with one less year of control, comparable rookie contract. His Al Horford comp resounds positively with this franchise, and they could use another skilled defender with Capela to keep John Collins spending his energy on offense, plus they have a log jam at SF anyway.

Reddish did have several good scoring games late in the truncated season. He didn't look very good the games we saw him against the Bulls, but—we always have that these days—he's a young guy and it's difficult to make a full determination when a team is playing so poorly. And Trae Young dominated the ball so much there. Wendell's status is a big question for the new management, especially if the Bulls can land a center in the draft. They'll likely want to give Markkanen a long look coming off a down season. Though Carter has been quoted saying he likes playing power forward, he also has been quoted saying he likes playing center. And, frankly, given how poorly he's shot and how reluctant a shooter he's been he fits more these days as a center than a power forward. That he's from Atlanta could be a draw along with his physical nature, which the Hawks mostly lack. He, too, partly because of freak injuries, has been underutilized. Coming off several losing seasons with a new front office, no one is assured a position or job. He could be appealing to several teams, but I wouldn't want to lose him too easily. He could be one of those who, like Horford, develops a few years into his career.

I recently read an article that when Jerry Krause drafted Brad Sellers in '86, he had a master plan of making him the "first 7-foot small forward in NBA history." Like Kevin Durant? How do you think Brad would have fared in today's game? Why are we just finding out how much of a mastermind Krause was? I think it's very fair to say that Sellers would have thrived in this era, not so much a superstar but potentially an all-star caliber player.

Brad was one of the most wonderful, sophisticated and gentle people I've met around the Bulls these many decades. Probably too gentle. He went on to become a top city planner and big city mayor back home in Ohio. He had the misfortune like Dennis Hopson, Toni Kukoc, Rodney McCray and Scott Burrell to be between Jordan personnel issues with Jerry Krause. Brad's issue was he wasn't Johnny Dawkins, a Jordan draft favorite the same year. Plus, Scottie Pippen then succeeded Brad and was better. Brad had a lot of the abilities Durant has, if not quite the individual game to create. Brad could shoot and even was a Big 10 leading rebounder. But it was an era when seven footers were condemned for lacking a post game or great physical rebounding ability. Krause had seen the future. The present just got in the way.

Can you help me understand the Bulls' 98/99 rebuild? I remember at the time accepting that it was inevitable but I couldn't get my head around the paltry return for such a star studded line up fresh off a 3 Championships. Pippen did a sign and trade to Houston for Roy Rogers (waived) and a 2nd round pick. Rodman was released. Harper was released. Steve Kerr went to San Antonio for Chuck Person (waived) and a pick. Longley was traded for a bunch of jobbers. Surely the Bulls could have got a lot more than that meager return?

Probably, but Krause again was in the vanguard of what fans have demanded in recent years to "tank" and get those high draft picks. Jordan, I'm sure, didn't intend to return. And neither did Pippen, who obviously was estranged from the organization. Without Jordan and Pippen why would you not only overpay role players, but how much were you getting for spare parts? The view was to get bad for a few years, accumulate those draft picks and then luck into a star. The Bulls did a good job of that. Which also is the fatal flaw of that theory. The Bulls got No. 1 in 1999 when there was no star and traded for No. 2 in 2001 when there was no star. And then mistakenly used six picks in 2000 when there also were no stars. Which cost Jerry Krause his job. Then LeBron came along in 2003 and the Cavs improved by 18 games in one season and GM Jim Paxson was an executive of the year candidate.

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Ask Sam Mailbag 5.29.20

Obviously the Blazers get killed for passing on Jordan, but we never hear about Houston? Yes Olajuwon was great but could the case still be made that they also blew it?

Only in hindsight, which we know is 20/10. No one in the NBA or elsewhere other than perhaps the North Carolina locker room believed the Rockets had made a mistake. Bulls GM Rod Thorn has reiterated over the years he would have taken Olajuwon No. 1 without hesitation. In fact, the whole reason for the start of the draft lottery in 1985 was so many teams losing on purpose down the stretch in 1984.. All to get at Olajuwon. Though draft picks built dynasties, like with Magic and Bird, they were not as prized then as they are now. That was the genesis of the so called Stephen Rule that prevented teams from trading No. 1s in consecutive seasons. There was virtually no TV revenue, so box office supported teams. Which meant competing all the time; no time for rookies and rebuilds. So teams were trading off No. 1s routinely.

If you want to condemn someone for 1984 it was the Pacers. They traded a future No. 1 for journeyman center Tom Owens in 1982. It became the No. 2 pick in 1984, which Portland used for Sam Bowie because they had Clyde Drexler from the prior draft. Few considered that a mistake then because Drexler also projected as a Hall of Famer. And the Bulls were talking about Jordan as merely a perennial all star within the next few years. There's wonderful history here. The NBA destroyed the incoming ABA teams in the 1976 merger, and the Pacers were only just coming out of it in 1981. They got to the playoffs with their first winning NBA season, but center James Edwards left with the new free agency rights. In attempting to continue the momentum, they went for Owens, who lasted one season in Indiana and the Pacers fell back. It was a center dominated league then with Kareem, Parish, Moses. All the best teams had top big men. With 7-4 Ralph Sampson from the 1983 draft, the belief around the NBA was the Rockets would be a dynasty adding Olajuwon. And they did go to the Finals by 1986. The move in retrospect would have been to trade Sampson to Portland, who wanted a big man, for the No. 2 pick to select Olajuwon and Jordan in that draft. I spoke many times with both Bill Fitch of Houston and Jack Ramsey with Portland and neither said it was ever seriously considered by either team.

Was wondering about what would be the best Chicago Bulls roster of all time. I'm 40 years old so I didn't have the chance of watching the teams from the seventies but I know the Bulls have two numbers retired from that time so I believe they were good. I also dismissed some players who played for the Bulls but not when they were at their best, like Dwayne Wade, Pau Gasol or Ben Wallace. Just 15 players (3 PG's, 3 SG's, 3 SF's, 3PF'S and 3 C's). Here's what I came up with:

PG: Derrick Rose; Norm Van Lier; BJ Armstrong
SG: Michael Jordan; Chet Walker; Jerry Sloan
SF: Scottie Pippen; Bob Love; Luol Deng
PF: Horace Grant; Dennis Rodman; Toni Kukoc
C: Joakim Noah; Tom Boerwinkle; Bill Cartwright

It's a list. Though with some notable omissions. Jimmy? Plus, Chet played with Sloan and was more their power forward in Dick Motta's front court offense. So I'd probably have Chet No. 1 among power forwards. After all, he's in the Hall of Fame, though he did spend half his career with Wilt's 76ers. Probably Sloan after Jordan because of his Mr. Bull status and Reggie Theus, who was a Hall of Fame level player at shooting guard. Zach LaVine is coming for them. We hope. Then we move Jimmy Butler to top three small forward, though I do agree Horace ahead of Rodman for the first three peat run, which was tougher. Derrick and Norm for sure at point guard, though I'd have to go with Paxson for all the big time shots. For talent, probably original Bull Guy Rodgers, though he only played two seasons. Artis Gilmore bumps them all back at center.

I understand as a Bulls fan that when reliving the Pistons/Bulls series, we often focus on the cheap shots like the Dave Corzine headlock or the slap of Ed Nealy. But what often gets lost is how good the Pistons were. They had a dominating HOF backcourt (Thomas, Dumars) very similar to Golden State. The bench could have easily had starting roles on other teams (Salley, Edwards, Johnson, Rodman) and somewhat of a trendsetter with a perimeter shooting big man in Laimbeer. This team did advance to 5 straight conference finals. Is it fair to say that they are the most hated and least appreciated team in NBA history?

I'd say least appreciated great team. They are condemned for a style of play that in today's viewing was horrendous. I thought it was interesting in the documentary the way Rod Thorn stammered over why the league wasn't protecting players. Those Pistons were a great team that was perhaps two or three plays from winning four straight titles. There was Laimbeer's phantom foul on Kareem at the end of Game 6 in the 1988 Finals when the Pistons could have won the title. And the year before there was Bird's amazing steal and pass to Dennis Johnson to save that series for the Celtics, who then went to the Finals. Rodman wasn't a provocateur then and Salley never was. Their three guards were one of the best trios ever for versatility, offense and defense. But the NBA also validated their play. Sure, there'd be a technical or flagrant foul here or there. But there weren't suspensions, and the NBA was marketing the Bad Boys theme. It was even played up when the Lakers wouldn't let the Piston use their facilities in the Finals and the Pistons went to the Raiders for help, the other black hat guys.

Chuck Daly was a great, all time coach who they picked for the Dream Team. GM Jack McCloskey was a top executive. Their franchise was first class as they were the first team to use a charter aircraft, which forced the rest of the league to upgrade. Sure, Laimbeer was dirty. But the NBA never stopped him. Isiah was bothersome, but anyone from his Chicago neighborhood understood about being a survivor. Same with Mahorn, the kind of guy hockey celebrated in that era. And Detroit probably was a hockey town first. In arguably the greatest era of the NBA, the Pistons got by Bird and Magic in their prime and Jordan when he was winning MVP awards. There aren't many franchises in history that can match that.

Even though it happened a long time ago, the fact remains that MJ played for one season under the Washington Wizards, and i'm sure that the head coach wasn't Phil Jackson. So why was Jordon playing for that team? Makes me wonder if that ought to be mentioned in that series ‘The Last Dance', or not really? Maybe a separate documentary needs to be made that Michael Jordon went on to play for a coach who wasn't Phil.

Good point. I'll check with ESPN and the filmmakers, but I'm guessing they're moving on. It's why I've always believed the title and theme were something of a false positive. Good theme, however. Of course Michael could have played for another coach since, you know, he did. And he could change his mind as he did about being 99.9 percent sure of not playing again. Never say never, after all, as Phil counseled. But like Mike Royko once joked (I think he was joking) when he counseled me one day at The Tribune when I was asking him about something he'd written to never mess up a good column with the facts. Another guy who was brilliant about having the last word.

I know Cartwright was a force in his own way, but when you consider the ferocity of Oakley and the band of mediocre centers they had for the 2nd 3-peat, You've got to wonder. I know He loved his jumper and made poor decisions on taking it, but he was a whole different kind of trouble for opposing teams. I would've felt a whole lot better With Oak going against the bad boys and then again the Knicks.

Well, it did work out, after all. This was another one of those where Krause was reluctant and against the idea, and as stubborn as he could be, he was the one who agreed to the trade. As hard headed as Jerry could be, he did in his own way eventually listen to others in a coordinated way. Jerry loved Oakley for everything Jerry believed about scouting and players, the way Oakley played, his build, the hands, the shoulders, the family. Jerry always said to look at the mom for how the players would fill out. And that he was Jerry's first draft pick as Bulls general manager for the second time. Yes, second time.

Many forget Jerry had a brief run as Bulls general manager in the mid 1970s. That after that debacle he got another chance is one of the more amazing stories in Chicago sports. Jerry had scouted for the Bulls in the early 1970s with, like all of them, some big hits and big misses. He had a bad early 70s run as an advocate of Larry Cannon who went to the ABA, and first round busts like Jimmy Collins and Kennedy McIntosh. But he found Cliff Ray and Norm Van Lier in the third round and would have had Robert Parish if he has more status with the Bulls that first time around. But an apparent coaching offer to Ray Meyer became an embarrassment to Meyer and eventually cost Krause the job after a year. Management overruled him in that draft to take Scott May over Parish. Jerry said you could build around Parish. He was right. Jerry's speciality was the overlooked, small college guys like Parish, Norm and Earl Monroe when he was a Bullets scout. Known as "the sleuth" for his raincoat and hat scouting garb and usual place behind a pillar at a small college gym, Jerry spent the time to find the guys no one wanted to wasted time on. But he'd fall too much in love with his guys.

Bulls coach Dick Motta always introduced Jerry as, "The guy who talked me out of drafting Nate Archibald (for Collins)." Like how Krause found Scottie Pippen when no one else knew the way to Central Arkansas. But in that same draft Krause was insistent on taking Joe Wolf over Horace Grant. Doug Collins was adamant about the athlete. Krause was unconvinced, but Doug and the staff were all on one side. Jerry accepted their view, as he did a few years later when the staff was unanimous the Bulls needed a physical seven footer because it still was a center league, especially in the East with Parish, Ewing, Daugherty, James Edwards and Laimbeer in Detroit and Moses Malone. Jerry accepted their wisdom. Michael Jordan later acknowledged despite his anger about the trade and losing his best friend and body guard, Oakley, the Bulls probably would not have beaten Detroit without Cartwright.

How big was Rodman to the the second threepeat? Could they have won it without him ?I think You once wrote that you didn't think Dennis deserved the hall (though the piece you wrote about him after his hof speech is one of my favorite articles you've written). Did you think he didn't have the longevity or didn't do enough in stats?

I've evolved and matured from my one time view about Rodman's Hall of Fame candidacy, especially as there have been more admittances in recent years. I'd had a higher standard for the consideration of the all around game. I'll also admit I didn't believe his antics were worthy of immortality. Not because of the hair or the outfits, but the suspensions, acting out, the mockery of the game. But as I got to know Dennis better and watch him, I realized his personal conflicts along side the work ethic. Like with Laimbeer, I didn't believe his antics with the Pistons merited acclaim. And then sabotaging what could have been a Spurs championship team. And while I believed the Bulls would have been just as good in the regular season those years without Rodman because they were unable to count on him (missing 45 games those first two seasons), I don't believe they would have won championships without him because of his playoff play against Shaq, Karl Malone and Shawn Kemp.

Owner A:
Win Percentage: .416
Years in Lottery: 7
Seasons: 14
Playoffs: 3
Division Titles: 0

Owner B:
Win Percentage: .410
Years in Lottery: 14
Seasons: 21
Playoffs: 6
Division Titles: 1

A is Jordan, B is James Dolan. Why do we never hear anything about Jordan being an atrocious NBA owner, one of the worst in sports? Are NBA media members afraid to criticize him? For all the abuse he gave Krause, who knows more about building a winning team? Never drafts well, never gets big free agents, and is there a more irrelevant franchise in sports than the Charlotte Hornets?

Sam: Sounds like a promising documentary project. Maybe a good time to check with ESPN.

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Ask Sam Mailbag 4.29.20

Since I don't have ESPN, I won't be able to view "The
          Last Dance". Does the truth come out as you see and does either Phil or Michael actually speak it?

Sorry to learn you won't get to see the show; it's a
          great memory lane nostalgia journey. They seem to be doing a good job and raising the salient points and
          asking the appropriate questions. But like with all made for TV dramas, there's also some point of view story
          stuff. As I've written,
          there may have been some dramatic license or various interpretations taken to mold the story. No problem with
          that since there's never one "truth" when it's not about a fact, but about a supposition. That the Bulls could
          have continued and won at least another championship or even stayed together if left to their own desires.
          Which probably makes it even better because you also get to make up an ending if you don't like the one
          they're heading toward.

I just watched the first 2 episodes. Not exactly like
          what was touted, which was an all access behind the scenes look at the team. More like a conventional
          documentary. Still entertaining though.

I also thought it would include more of the footage
          from the 1997-98 season, of which we saw some, because the camera crew was around pretty much all season. But
          let's not get carried away and think this was going to be an expose. This was not going to be news but
          entertainment, which it has been to start. It's auld lang syne and not oh my god. But neither is HBO's Hard
          Knocks or any of those embedded microphone revelations we hear from sideline players. Of course, there's also
          80 percent of the show to go. But they did show several interviews from that season. Actually, a lot less than
          you think goes on in locker rooms. It's not that interesting. They get taped, chat and get dressed. Michael is
          somewhat superstitious and made it a practice to always go to the toilet right before the game. I'm personally
          grateful they are not showing that.

MJ mentioned in the documentary that Scottie was
          being selfish by delaying surgery in the 1998 season, and insinuated that the team was upset with him. Steve
          Kerr came out and said that Scottie holding out was understandable and no one was upset about it. Who is
          telling the truth?

Everyone, of course. I think Michael was probably a
          bit more upset because that meant Dennis was his sidekick, and that's not necessarily someone you wanted to
          depend on regularly. I believe Michael, although he played along with the breakup for dramatic effect,
          understood how close the end was. And there was Scottie lost for at least the first half of the season. How
          would you feel no matter the circumstances? But players generally hold little animosity toward teammates
          pursuing their financial interests because next time it might be them, and a rising tide raises all boats.
          Hey, if Scottie gets a new deal then maybe I do, also. Similarly like when Scottie didn't go into that game in
          the 1994 playoffs, some teammates were upset, notably Bill Cartwright who scolded Pippen after the game. But
          within a day they were rallying behind him. Especially that 1997-98 season with the antagonist Jerry Krause
          and management for the supposed premature end of the dynasty, the arrows always were pointed in that
          direction. I don't believe Michael's pique lasted long, and he welcomed Scottie back in January more
          enthusiastically than anyone. Dennis; well he was not as thrilled.

If LA wins this year, I think we can not be sure if
          AD will still look at his career with the same pair of eyes. I think winning the championship will change him.
          Do you think that can give us a better chance of signing him? With Karnisovas and The Last Dance intrigue, I
          hope a miracle happens.

Of course, that wasn't going to take long. New
          executives. Open the doors. The free agents are going to be falling over themselves as they scramble into the
          Bulls locker room. We've lunged for that brass ring around the carrot too often. Karnisovas seemed to state it
          correctly when he spoke with media a few weeks back. He's concentrating on the draft, development and likely
          trades after seeing how the players fit together. He'll be aware of the free market since that's what Paxson
          and Forman were doing with the 2021 payroll, which seems to have ample room to add free agents. We don't know
          how much that will change with the declining revenue due to the league shutdown. But Paxson and Forman had the
          Bulls in great position for 2021, which is why the Bulls job was considered very attractive. Even if there is
          a playoffs and the Lakers were to win, who knows how that would be viewed going forward. If the 1999 lockout
          season was an asterisk, what will this title be? Davis was reported to have sold his LA mansion, which
          suggests to me he's looking for a larger LA mansion with a better view. Plus Davis's career arc has been
          clear. He's not a No. 1 guy. He's a great supporting No. 2. Get him someone at LeBron's level and perhaps he
          moves on. We saw in New Orleans when he was No. 1 they were barely No. 8 as great as he was.

I'm excited about Karnisovas from his background as a
          player, talent evaluator, and mostly that he seems "connected" with the league. I'm excited about most of the
          names thrown around as gm. But for all the talk of Paxsons truthfulness I don't buy the narrative of him
          suggesting to his bosses he needed someone to take his place. That has happened never in sports. Just months
          ago he was holding individual sessions with reporters to tame the flames.

Of course, that was his job months ago. I always find
          it amusing that people prefer to believe the conspiracies that aren't true than the ones that are.

We are all in anticipation as the rest of the month
          plays out and into May hopefully Adam Silver will announce the upcoming future plans for the league. Are you
          in favor of the NBA attempting to play out the remainder of the season (17 games or so remaining) or should
          the NBA focus on setting up a playoff format at this point to crown an NBA champion and move on into the NBA
          off season?

Do I need my not a doctor disclaimer first? There's
          been talk the NBA wants to get in some sort of end to the regular season to satisfy TV contract agreements and
          understandably give players training time to prepare. Considering his leadership during this period, I believe
          Adam Silver will have the right answers. In Adam We Trust. Plus my attempts to try to revive the frog in high
          school biology suggests I'm unlikely to add to scientific knowledge. But given the massive day to day
          uncertainty and our Illinois officials still talking about months of limitations, I'd gather the 16 teams in
          the playoffs now. They've played 65 games. Like soldiers going on assignment or executives off to an extended
          overseas trip, it's OK. People leave their families for work. Plus most NBA players are single, anyway, and
          really just need their video game consoles with them.

So get the 16 teams into a closed bubble-style place
          to start workouts. Anyone examined and ill or showing signs doesn't go. Check regularly. Then get the playoffs
          going and as teams lose those guys go home and the population shrinks. If anyone fears participating, that's
          understandable. There should be no shame or penalty. But if considerable precautions are taken as they are in
          many places where people are working now, the NBA also should be able to function and finish its season and we
          can enjoy some normalcy with the games. It seems a reasonable compromise between the opening of tattoo parlors
          and remaining in the basement until there is a vaccine that may never come.

Several players have tested positive and recovered.
          Seems like an opportunity for them to raise some money for charity by playing some 3on3 on tv since they are
          now presumed to be immune.

I think the NBA mostly is trying to figure out if
          they can get everyone on the court. Three on three remains contact, though from the little I've seen there's
          ample social distancing on defense in those games. I think that three on three summer league still is trying
          to find a remote island for the wonderful experience of seeing Charles Oakley coaching.

Prior to the 1997-98 season, the Bulls traded Dickey
          Simpkins to Golden State for forward Scott Burrell. A few months later at the trade deadline, the Bulls
          shipped Jason Caffey to Golden State for David Vaughn and...Dickey Simpkins! Considering the Bulls quickly
          waived Vaughn, I found this maneuver extremely odd. Was there some under-the-table agreement between the Bulls
          and Warriors, that if the Warriors weren't satisfied with Simpkins, the Bulls would restructure the deal,
          albeit months after the fact?

More great names. The documentary not only has been
          nostalgic, but has provided a wonderful forum for some where are they nows and don't forget about me. I heard
          a local radio station this week promoting an interview with Rusty LaRue. What, they couldn't get Keith Booth?
          That was a mysterious transaction that wasn't that significant. The stated reason at the time, as I recall,
          was to keep Rodman and Kukoc in better rhythm with more time, though I think it had to do with some concern,
          real or not, about Caffey off the court. It seemed more a rumor than a reality, though Caffey did have some
          legal problems a few years later when he was in Milwaukee. Which came after he signed a huge free agent
          contract after being traded by the Bulls. Caffey was a popular teammate and you never got the sense Phil was
          all in on Vaughn. That he basically never played seemed an indication. The Bulls then claimed Simpkins on
          waivers after trading him and he finally made it into a playoff game after being inactive with the team in
          1996 and 1997. I see Dickey around Chicago occasionally as he's been active with some broadcasting and
          corporate work. I'd guess that subject probably is not going to be one of the remaining segments of the
          documentary. Dickey's Last Stand?

If Phil had stayed for one more, I think Jordan
          would've too. He always said that they deserved to defend the title until they lost it. In a perfect world. I
          think that's what he would've liked to do. That being said, I think 98-99 would've been that time. Pippen was
          done, physically &amp; mentally. Rodman was going nuts. Phil &amp; Jordan knew the odds were slim. They might've
          talked each other into giving it one more go, but they would only do it together. That's my guess, Supported
          only by the fact that they both came back.

Like I wrote last week, I believed both Phil and
          Michael for different reasons knew it was their last seasons with the Bulls. But that each saw a way to use
          the circumstances as a motivation and message for getting through what they knew would be a long journey, as
          Phil would have said. Because they'd seen it before in 1992-93 and how it wore out Jordan. They returned to
          basketball for different reasons, Phil because he always knew he would but after a sabbatical and not in a
          rebuilding situation. And Michael because he believed he was going to be able to buy into the Wizards and to
          enhance the value of his investment. But the Wizards then pulled back the offer when Jordan finished playing,
          leaving him feeling he was double crossed whether he was or not.

Crumbs brought him in from the CBA, gave him the
          opportunity "nobody else would" Phil's rise and success was amazing. Maybe too amazing for Krause? Was it as
          simple as Krause wanting, needing and demanding "credit" and Phil never gave him enough? Could he have ever
          given him enough? Were Krause's ego and insecurities so great that this was nothing Phil or anybody could have
          ever done to satiate him?

There you go. You've got it. It's the John Kennedy
          line about victory with a thousand fathers and defeat an orphan. Success finds a lot of people trying to nudge
          their way into the spotlight. Like it or not, it's always going to be focused on Jordan as it probably should
          for what he meant to everything. Krause did excellent things as general manager and whether it was his idea or
          not—he bitterly fought the Rodman addition—the bucks stops there. He was GM and eventually agreed. So you sit
          back and enjoy the fruits, like watching your kids succeed. You don't try to take credit for that, too, as
          their father. Jerry never fully grasped that. Who knows what personal demons he fought from his youth and his
          appearance. But when he believed he did something for you, he believed you owed. It's true no one else was
          giving Phil a chance. But Phil also did the job Jerry needed for the Bulls. I'd say that makes them even.
          Jerry never thought so, and it was also why late in life his list was long of those who failed to pay the
          proper homage to him. Phil tried and tried, but eventually you give up and accept that if someone welcomes
          anger that easily, then let it become their partner. Not yours.

Watched the first two episodes and I can't say I'm
          disappointed. In fact, I think they've done a great job. I
          like how they ended the first hour on opening day of that season. Of course, we're getting as much of the
          Michael Jordan story as the Last Dance itself. I'm hoping that we'll get a little more background on some of
          the
          other players as well (since I know most every detail about MJ already). I think they were mostly fair to
          Jerry
          Krause, painting him as a guy whose personality got in the way of his genius. They used the clip of him
          explaining the "organizations win" quote and how the one word "alone" was left out and changed the whole
          meaning. I couldn't help thinking, "If he only had a sense of humor…" When Jordan was teasing him about "pills
          that keep you short" or lowering the net so he could shoot with them, if Krause had the presence of mind to
          have
          a comeback for him, or at least a smile, things may have gone just a little smoother. Who knows? In
          retrospect,
          trading Pippen for Mcgrady makes a lot of sense. They wouldn't have won in '98, but if Phil &amp; MJ remained
          committed, they might've been back in a year or two. That's a big if, of course. They would've had to replace
          (or ‘tame') Rodman too.

Verbal retaliation was as effective with Michael as
          physically standing up, as Steve Kerr famously did that he often reflects was a principal reason Jordan would
          trust him to make that winning shot in the 1997 Finals. Jerry, unfortunately like many people, wasn't quick on
          his feet. Likely not on the dance floor, either. I'd be with him on that one watching the cool kids in high
          school from the sideline. Like Jerry probably did, I stayed home, also. Like Kerr also was quoted about
          Krause, he couldn't get out of his own way. I was standing with Jerry that media day in 1997 shaking my head
          and rolling my eyes, as we often did with Jerry, when he muttered about the organizations. He never really
          said only, but it was clear what he meant, as he bumbled along mentioning the training staff he was proud of,
          his assistants, and others in the basketball office. It didn't help we all were reading the unnecessary press
          release of Phil being done no matter what. By then Phil finally felt the freedom to pile on as well, saying
          that's typical of Jerry. Michael always skipped media day. So he had time to consider the commentary and slam
          dunk the rest of it the next day. Phil handed off and Michael landed from the top rope. So the aborted Pippen
          trade gets overlooked. But it probably would have made sense. Pippen turned out not particularly essential
          that season. He famously missed that first half after the late surgery. And then his back went out in the
          Finals and he was a liability the last two games, scoring in single digits, shooting poorly and unable to
          finish in Game 6. With McGrady, another lottery pick and a player off the Celtics roster, I don't believe
          Michael or Phil would have returned, anyway. But the Bulls wouldn't have had to endure the worst four years in
          NBA history. And who knows what free agents might have come in 2000 with McGrady in board. But we wouldn't
          have had the title for the documentary and theme of that season. So maybe it is better this way. Did you
          consider that without the shared nemesis to motivate and guide them maybe the Bulls don't won in 1998?

Some people think this documentary was approved by
          Jordan to manifest his status in the GOAT debate. You think this might be true? Not that it would matter but
          my opinion is LeBron might be the better player, taller, stronger, better court vision, but MJ would find a
          way to beat him. He is the ultimate competitor and I do not see LeBron that way.

Maybe they can settle it in that ESPN HORSE game for
          the final episode. Though one reason I always favored Jordan was the way he put himself on the line for every
          challenge, which LeBron never has. Kobe did. LeBron's never gotten into a dunk or three-point contest. Michael
          never was a good three-point shooter, but he got into the contest one year. That he finished last wasn't the
          point. It's why Jordan was different. Part of being the top guy is walking into and taking every challenge.
          Michael did; most don't. It's true two of the chief executives of Michael's company are the executive
          producers of the documentary. But it seems to me ESPN isn't being kept from asking all the questions of
          Michael. Does he need this to be the greatest of all time? I believe he still was winning that debate. And
          this new virus NBA, unfortunately, is going to change the arc of many careers and records, including those of
          LeBron.

Totally missing basketball! I watched the first two
          episodes of Last Dance and now I'm reliving my anger that the organization wouldn't let the team play it out
          and go out on their terms. I remember the arguments of not wanting them to become the Pistons or Celtics, and
          yet I feel Chicago was cheated of never knowing. Chicago has never had a team like this dynasty. The
          Blackhawks strung together a few wins over several years, but otherwise we are grasping for one hit wonders. I
          think they left one championship perhaps two on the table, we will never know. Maybe we could have seen the
          Bulls vs San Antonio? That would have been a test for sure!

My view is they left nothing on the table. Could they
          have gotten to the 1999 Finals? It was an aberrant season with the lockout and the season not starting until
          February. Jordan certainly would have been out of shape, at least. He sustained a serious finger injury to his
          right hand that offseason on a cigar cutter and couldn't grip the ball and would have had trouble shooting.
          Pippen as we saw was leaving as a free agent. The Bulls actually helped him with a sign and trade they didn't
          have to do and which cost them so he could make $30 million more. Rodman went to the Lakers and was a
          destructive force, able to start just 11 of the 50 games. Longley also was a free agent and was taking his
          talents to Phoenix. The Bulls actually did present Jordan with the possibility of naming his own coach and
          getting a one-year deal with raise and comparable deals for everyone else. He wasn't interested. And Phil had
          long made his travel reservations as he spend much of the lockout in Australia and traveling the world. I
          believe they understood all along exactly what was going on and that it was working best for them. Save the
          last dance for them.

ask-sam-mailbag-4-24-20

Ask Sam Mailbag 4.24.20

Let's talk 70's era Bulls teams. I was born in the 80's so it's all just stories for me from my dad and grandpa. I know you have often mentioned the toughness and grit of guys like Jerry Sloan and Red Kerr, which was legendary, but I was a bit surprised to hear you talk about how talented those teams were as well and how they could have possibly won a title or two had things gone a little differently. Could you tell us more about those 70s era Bulls teams and guys like Artis Gilmore and Bob Love.

OK, kids pull up a chair. Grandpappy Sam has a story to tell you.

Once upon a time, the Bulls assembled perhaps the greatest defensive team in NBA history. Until maybe the champion Bulls of the 1990s. For most of the early 1970s, the Bulls just about every year made up 30 percent of the NBA all-defensive team with Norm Van Lier, Jerry Sloan and Bob Love. In a league with 17 teams and 12 players per team. So more than 200 players not including various callups from the high level Eastern League and players coming back from the ABA. Yet the Bulls dominated the list of best defensive players. They weren't the most athletic players, and the backcourt wasn't celebrated like the famed Gail Goodrich and Jerry West or Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe. But the backcourt of Sloan and Van Lier was the most feared in the NBA. West and Frazier would routinely complain to the league about how rough and unfairly they were treated and admitted Chicago was the only place they hated to play. As great as the champion Bulls were, because of the elegant Jordan they weren't the blue collar team the community most likes to claim. There was no elegance with Sloan and Van Lier. They were stockyards tough, Pullman rigorous, steelworks rugged. They came at opponents with a relentless ferocity that produced the best five-year run in franchise history that missed the ultimate destination because the Bulls were in the Western Conference—then the power, like lately—having to beat Kareem's Bucks or Wilt's Lakers. They gave those teams some of their best series between 1970 and 1974, losing in seven to the Lakers in 1971, to the Lakers again in 1972 when center Tom Boerwinkle was injured for the playoffs, in seven again to the Lakers in 1973 and then to the Bucks in 1974 when Sloan was injured in the previous series win over the Pistons. Sloan had been an expansion draft selection in 1966 when the Bulls coached by Johnny Kerr went on to become the only expansion team ever to make the playoffs. They collapsed the next season and Kerr was fired.

Bulls marketing/do everything Jerry Colangelo took over the new Phoenix franchise and brought Kerr to Phoenix. Where he would have been coach of the decade if the Suns instead of the Bucks won the then coin flip for top draft pick Abdul-Jabbar. But the Bulls began making moves. They acquired former minor league player Love from the Bucks. And in the big move before the 1969-70 season, acquired Chet Walker from the former champion 76ers. Though Love also became a high scorer, Walker became the closer as a version of Elgin Baylor with his twitches and fakes. The Bulls drafted Van Lier about the same time, traded him to Cincinnati in pursuit of a big man (Walt Wesley), but then reacquired him. Their best chance turns out to be in 1975 with Wilt gone and Kareem hurt. Leading 3-2 in the conference finals at home. But the Bulls blew a Game 6 lead and lost to Rick Barry's eventual champion Warriors in Game 7 and the team came apart the following season with retirements and injuries. There was a brief return, the famed 20-4 season close for the Miracle on Madison Street with Artis Gilmore from the ABA dispersal draft in 1976-77. They lost the deciding playoff game in overtime to the eventual champion Trailblazers and Bill Walton. There was one more breath until the Jordan run when Jerry Sloan became coach in 1979 and put together an underrated tough group with Ricky Sobers, Bobby Wilkerson and Gilmore with Reggie Theus for some flair. They lost to the eventual champion Celtics in the 1981 second round. Financial issues crippled the team with Wilkerson leaving as a free agent, rookie holdouts and Sloan frustrated by the inscrutable Larry Kenon. Sloan was fired 50 games into the 81-82 season with GM Rod Thorn becoming interim coach. Thorn then cleverly kept the team bad enough for another two years in order to draft Jordan.

As Neil Diamond wrote and Mickey Dolenz sung, I'm a believer. I said I was doing grandpappy stuff this time. Look it up! Like most everyone else in basketball, we knew two things about Williamson: He was vulnerable to injury because of his relatively compact size combined with that amazing explosiveness. It's not clear the human body can absorb that. And that you had to take him No. 1 in the draft. That's why they had all those bad games on TNT the first few months. He's probably the biggest attraction in the game (LeBron? Been there, seen that). Pelicans staff sounds like what you heard from the late 90s Bulls and recent Steph Warriors about crowds waiting at hotels after midnight and screaming at team buses. Zion doesn't have a mature game yet given the lack of shooting, which is vital in this era. But his power, strength and interior quickness with the way they judge contact these days makes him an automatic 20 points per game. He's willing to pass, so can play against pressure. It's like watching a great ensemble cast in a show. There's generally one character you can't take your eyes off, and it's Zion.

Great news about Joakim signing with the Clippers. Very happy for him. Was there any truth to Rose almost being traded to the Lakers? Imagine them going against each other in the playoffs. I couldn't root for one over the other but those games would be so fun to watch.

I'm not sure they would have been defending one another, but it would be prime viewing for us. The Lakers were interested, but the Pistons were not. The Pistons probably could have gotten a first round draft pick, which you'd say was worthwhile for a rebuilding. But Rose's renaissance has been so impressive for them that the word is the Pistons want Rose as a major part of their rebuilding. And why not? Even without his amazing explosive play before his first knee injury, Rose's quickness and daring still makes him one of the more exciting players in the NBA to watch. And having a veteran who can be in the middle of the action takes a lot of pressure off young players while giving fans of a losing team something to watch and enjoy. It's great for two of the best guys who have been with the Bulls organization.

When the 1995 expansion draft took place, did the Bulls along with other teams submit a list of players left unprotected for Toronto and Vancouver to choose from? Was there any chance that Armstrong would have returned to the Bulls the following season or were the Bulls expecting to lose him in the draft or free agency?

It was a sore point for BJ for awhile, though he and Phil Jackson got past it. It proved a surprise to all of us when BJ was left unprotected by the Bulls a year after being a starter on the 1994 All-Star team. But when Michael Jordan returned in 1995, things changed for Armstrong. He was more of a ball dominant guard and the Bulls decided to opt for more perimeter spacing shooting around Jordan, like with Steve Kerr. They had made a big financial commitment to free agent Ron Harper, which had gone badly to start and were trying to work him into the triangle offense. And Kerr didn't cost so much as the Bulls were also coming into having to pay Jordan and maybe satisfy Scottie Pippen's financial concerns. Plus, Armstrong was seeking a bigger role, and roles were being reduced with Jordan and soon to be Dennis Rodman. Armstrong became the Raptors first pick, but quickly told GM Isiah Thomas he didn't want to play for an expansion team. He was traded to Golden State and eventually had a little bit of a run and one big shot against the Bulls in the playoffs for Charlotte.

I was a young kid in the early 90s, can you refresh my memory? I noticed what a big role Ron Harper had in the Clippers' offense, but his minutes and shots went down drastically when he joined the Bulls. Sure, Pippen was "the guy," but in LA Harper was contending for shots with Manning and Wilkins and still dropped 20/game. I only remember the facilitator/stopper Harper. Was it injury? Faith in B.J. Armstrong?

BJ, as I noted above, was on the way out as both had some issues with the offense, BJ sometimes breaking it and Ron having difficulty adjusting to it. After Jordan "retired" in 1993, the Bulls had their true miracle season in 1993-94 winning 55 games with an MVP-level Pippen. But Horace Grant, who also was Pippen's closet friend, left after that season as a free agent for the Orlando team that may have been the greatest ever never to win with Shaq and Penny Hardaway. Which left the Bulls most vulnerable without a rebounding and defending power forward. But Pippen lobbied the team hard for his buddy Harper, who had come back from serious knee injuries. Though Harper was no longer the great athlete. But the Bulls wanted to do right by Pippen. Harper had relied on dominating the ball, which was anathema in the triangle. Plus, the Bulls still had BJ, and Pete Myers knew the offense better, further pushing Harper down the rotation in what then seemed to be a disastrous signing. Plus, Harper was a poor three-point shooter, which BJ and Kerr did well. To Harper's great credit, he reinvented himself without ego as a defensive player and facilitator to support Jordan and Pippen. And with a gregarious and engaging personality with an often severe stutter he became a part of Jordan and Pippen's Breakfast Club of pregame workouts through the championship seasons. The investment eventually paid dividends for the Bulls. Patience, patience.

Didn't they call today's NBA games "positionless basketball"? But why are they still talking point guard, small forward, etc.... in the discussions? They still do exist and in place.

All sports involve a sort of shorthand so we all know what everyone is talking about even if no one else does. It's out secret clubhouse with the handshakes (or used to be) and passwords. The so called "positionless" basketball, which is not that new since the Bulls were using it during the second three peat when Toni Kukoc replaced Luc Longley, is something of the evolution of the game with the size of players increasing. So the pure notion is then maybe you have five players all 6-7 to 6-9 who can defend all the players, so they can switch constantly giving the defense an advantage. But you obviously never have five players of such equal defensive ability. That was the secret strength of the recent champion Warriors except for Curry. With Durant, Green, Thompson and Iguodala and then some various additions like Livingston they could constantly switch on defense and have a star level defender at virtually every position. The Bulls had an element of it when they could play Jordan, Pippen, Harper, Rodman and Kukoc. But those are once a decade teams. And you still need skilled players who see the floor and anticipate and can make plays and tall people who can rebound and guard the basket. So we still need positions. Save our positions!

With the way the Bulls (were) playing and the Bulls recent lottery luck, it looks like the Bulls may end up with anywhere between the 4th to 6th worst record in the league (they're currently at 8th worse), so my question is who will the Bulls end up selecting with (again) the 7th pick?

I wrote about the potential top four picks Monday.I'll get to the following group next Monday. It seems like this outage may take awhile.

Watching classic games on the nba channel - bring back the hand check! The game was more exciting, players really had to work to get off a good shot. That ‘88 lakers pistons game 7 was FANtastic! (Remember that?) How would james harden deal with a defender draped on him? The splash bros? It would be fun to see. Also, how bout bring back the travel call?

I'm feeling like I've got the senior audience this week. Maybe just bring it back against Harden. Actually, the NBA called a lot of traveling this season, though mostly from a spin out of an isolation. Harden's four steps back are mostly going uncalled. And, really, to me that eurostep still seems like the old three-steps-is-OK in Europe. But as much as we might want to reminisce about those good ‘ol not so halcyon days, the game's opened up considerably and is emphasizing skill, which players in the 80s often begged for. Things—and pendulums—often swing too far, as the game has at times with the emphasis on the three-point shot. Too many teams have settled for too many at the expense of other elements, which we've seen in baseball with the absence of much movement, like stealing, hit and run, not having to look up from reading the newspaper except when you hear the crack of the bat. I'm not sure anyone envisioned in a game that is supposed to be without contact that holding someone is acceptable. The NBA game became too bogged down in physical play in its early history and in the 80s. If you want a basketball ballet, perhaps it's OK to help guide a dancer, but not necessarily body slam them. Of course, if anything leads to Harden not flopping his way to 35 points a game, I might have to rethink things.

John Paxson has been under intense scrutiny from us fans and most media members during the last three seasons of rebuilding. Before the rebuild, Mr. Paxson and Gar Forman where receiving tons of deserved scrutiny over the construction of those Jimmy "Buckets" led Bulls teams. Going back further, the front office was criticized over DRose's injuries and how those teams never fully reached their potential. At some point, critics united to form a popular #fireGarPax movement that has gained tons of momentum and created mass hysteria amongst fans. Ouch! Admittedly, I have an unhealthy love affair with the Bulls and I've started to wonder, "have we been overly critical of the front office? Are we too emotionally consumed with this organization and grown dramatic in displaying our displeasure? Have we taken our John Paxson and Gar Forman angst too far? Or is it all fair in love and basketball?

I'd say it's gone too far not because my work appears here and I'm friendly with Paxson and Forman, but mainly it's just the third season of a rebuild. I'm not sure anyone expected more the past two seasons. Yes, this season has been disappointing to everyone and I know no one wants to hear about the injuries. But they basically got the draft picks right; just no lottery luck. They haven't gotten tied up with long term contracts and basically said at the beginning these things last four or five years. The Bulls seem to acknowledge it's an evolving process, though I'm not sure the venom is necessary. But if not fair, all is pretty much expected in the land of social media. And, frankly, I never felt it was fair when my dates pretended it was their sister when I called back.

ask-sam-mailbag-3-25-20

Ask Sam Mailbag 3.25.20

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