Sam Smith mailbag

The play of Nikola Jokic tells me that Tom Boerwinkle played in the wrong era. Who would you nominate for the Norm Van Lier Award (presented to the scrappiest player)?

Tom couldn't shoot like that. Maybe Jerry Lucas. But that's a good idea for the Van Lier award. Obviously, Arcidiacono is scrappy. But he hardly plays enough to make the impact. I'd select Thad Young. I rarely seen anyone retrieve his own team's turnovers as often, though unfortunately many of his own. I doubt there's a good statistic for that. Young is amazing the way he can get back in transition and retrieve his own—or others'—mistakes. Also, the way he can find rebounds in the middle of three taller guys, though it helps that players today seem to believe boxing out is a foul. He also is uncanny keeping balls alive; those things you don't see in the box score stats. Which makes me wonder some about his fate. It seems for now the Bulls have a Core Four in LaVine, Vucevic, White and Williams. And the next lottery pick if they get lucky and then free agency. I'm guessing Karnisovas wants to be a major player in free agency given the way he pursued Vucevic. There's really no more development, as well, the way players like Garrett Temple played so much. Neither Young nor Satoransky is fully guaranteed for next season; so they could be sacrificed in the name of cap room for a free agent. Remember, beloved captain Kirk Hinrich once was. There are plenty of decisions to make with Lauri Markkanen a restricted free agent and possibly stretching of contracts. So there's no way to even really guess for now. The notion is a team like the Lakers or Nets needs a player like Young. And even if the Bulls are not them next season, I don't believe they are going to be what they've been. Having a savvy veteran player like Young is valuable. I'd hope they can figure out a way to keep him. And maybe even get him that first Norm award.

Not sure if you noticed the mini Twitter frenzy (Twenzy?) last week, but Nick Wright (FS1) claimed that if Jokic wins MVP, he'll go down as the worst MVP in the last 35 years. There's a bit more context there, but his point was that when Jokic's career is eventually completed, it will be the least accomplished compared to the careers of the previous 35 years' worth of MVPs. Though he's wrong, I'd like to expand the question to you on a more historical level. If you're a betting man, do you put your money on Jokic's career success (subjective, I know) ultimately surpassing which previous MVP winners? I mean, he's not touching guys like MJ, LeBron, Wilt, Kareem, Russell, Magic, Duncan, Kobe, Oscar, Bird, Moses, Hakeem, Shaq, Steph, and KD obviously. And he has next to zero chance of matching guys like the Admiral, Barkley, Malone, KG, Nash, Pettit, Giannis, Cousy, and Dirk. But do you think he might have an outside shot of reaching the levels of some of the remaining guys, like Rose, AI, Russ, Harden, Cowens, Walton, McAdoo, Cowens, Willis Reed and Unseld?

A twitter frenzy? I thought Trump was off that. I understand media today is often about someone saying (or writing) something zany and then having everyone debate and comment about it. Jokic will be a deserving MVP because he's been the combination of best/most impactful this season with good attendance. There's always this Hall of Fame debate about Derrick Rose. I believe he deserves to get in because it's a combination of all your accomplishments and not just the NBA (college title runner up, USA Basketball gold medals, prep titles in a major market) with multiple All-Star appearances and at least a conference finals. These rankings are, of course, arbitrary. I could contest Nash because his play was exaggerated because of D'Antoni's high scoring system. Dirk was a one-trick pony type whose defense was so poor his own coach called him Irk. You know, no D in him. If it were a two-way player award, no Nash also and likely no Curry. Probably no Barkley. McAdoo always is the low standard because Rick Barry should have gotten it then, but no one liked him. That's when players also voted. It's irrelevant to rank their careers because it's a one-year award. Walton may have become better than Kareem if he remained heathy. Jokic could have an amazing career because he's obviously not at risk of losing athleticism. By the way, what's FS1? Is that a streaming service?

These are my last Lauri comments for the season. I am just wondering why Donovan is really having Patrick at start up. His training has really cost the Bulls ending season. Having that same trust on Markkanen he would have made triple of the points easily. They have lost nearly every game already in the first 4-8 minutes. Then they claim that "we have had good 4th period when we nearly won the match. But that is just fooling yourself. Opponents are just giving a little up and when Bulls are close they start to play seriously again and win nearly every time. I just wish all the best for the Bulls next season and I really hope that Markkanen will have a better team to join. Bulls will not be that team, unfortunately.

It doesn't seem like it for Markkanen as his role has continued to diminish. It seems apparent in the organization that one of the priorities for this season was to get Williams as much playing time and experience as possible. So Lauri has suffered. Then came the trade and the addition of Theis, also a power forward. Probably that Lauri didn't fight back was part of the problem. Yes, he was being a good teammate. But if it were someone else they might have started ripping Williams, Theis and management to make a bid for their position. Maybe they wanted Markkanen to do that. So his value probably decreased, which may make a sign and trade more difficult. But then because his market value diminished maybe he'll take a qualifying offer to return. But maybe he or they don't want to. It does seem like the end here for Markkanen, but you never say never in the NBA.

This week, the league acknowledged and celebrated Russell Westbrook on breaking Oscar Robertson's all-time triple double record that stood the test of time. Personally, I'm having a hard time accepting the feat because it feels "unauthentic." In the old NBA, players had to box out and position themselves for rebounds. With 5 guys spaced out on the three point line, a missed shot falls right into your lap. To credit an assist, your teammate scores directly from the pass. Now, an assist counts after the pass and the receiving player makes a move (including dribble.) Westbrook is a phenomenal player and person, taking nothing away. The current gameplay promotes stat inflation.

Ah, the good ol' days. You are correct, especially about the assists. But others will counter there were more missed shots back then and chances for rebounds. The assist scoring has changed. As I also recall, if the receiving player put the ball down it wasn't an assist. The other factor was no one was much counting stats back then like now. Other than points. And that was all Wilt. Triple double wasn't even a thing. If you ask Oscar—and I once did—if he knew it would matter would he get more, he said sure he could have. Heck, they never even counted blocks during the careers of Wilt and Russell. Oscar might have averaged 20 assists with today's scoring. And as great a rebounder as Westbrook is—and credit him for going for them when most stand around watching shots—little guys trying to get rebounds then mostly found themselves staring up on their backs. But times change and you're best to accept them and at least you have your memories.

With the way Coby has been playing along Zach and Vooch, do you still see a new starting PG as the biggest offseason need? What available PG's would you have them pursue? Lonzo seems like the only free agent PG that's definitely worthy of starting over Coby, and even that's questionable. Coby might play off Zack and Vooch better than Lonzo, who is most effective when he's controlling the ball. I'd rather they sign sign TJ McConnell for half the price, maybe D-Rose, resign Theis, or another defensive big, and add another wing player. Kyle Lowry?

Coby has solidified his future with the team, I believe, but I still believe point guard is their offseason priority. Donovan has done some good things to enhance White recently in limiting his dribbling and decision making. The spacing pairing with Vucevic has likewise worked well for Coby's shooting. So he's been in a catch-and-shoot position or head down going to the rim. Those are his strengths, and those are good and valuable things. If you'll remember, the much guarded Karnisovas let slip last draft about the need for a point guard. Williams, apparently, became too good to pass up. But the Bulls still need someone, as coaches say, to organize the offense. Make plays for others, get the ball out of the hands of guys who aren't great at it, and have scoring as their third priority. I liked Mike Conley for that a few years ago, and still do, though most believe he'll opt to stay in Utah. But he is injured often and thus risky. He's from Indianapolis; maybe he want to be closer to home. Lonzo has been the big speculation, but New Orleans can match. And they play him a lot for a guy they'd let go. I like Lowry. He's been out hurt a lot also, but you can't tell if that's been the team tanking for the draft. He's not the classic facilitator/scorer you'd want, but more scorer/facilitator. Which would be OK if he's healthy. He's one of the toughest guys in the league, and the Bulls need someone with that edge. Coby as sixth man and combo guard with the reserves is a significant role. It would be great to retain Theis. I assume the Celtics now feel the same way. Maybe the Bulls get lucky and get into the lottery and get their point that way. It just seems the point this summer is about that point guard.

Looks like the Bulls are all but out of the play in race. If they get lucky in the draft and get somewhere in the top 4 could you see a possible trade that would help the team to win now rather than adding another teenager which it seems like you are against? For example out of the top 4 projected I am assuming the Bulls wouldnt want to draft Evan Mobley given the trade for Vucevic so could they trade the pick again or is that against NBA rules? If they would be allowed to trade the pick what do you think a suitable trade could be?

Not yet. And the Raptors in full absence have passed the Bulls in potential lottery odds if the Bulls don't make the playoffs. Hey, stuff happens. The Bulls are now eighth with about a one in four chance for a top four pick. Point forward Cade Cunningham is the consensus No. 1 and point guard Jalen Suggs is close. I'd rather trade, also, but you usually don't get enough offered while teams with the pick always fear the guy becoming the next LeBron. So they ask for too much. If the Bulls get top four, I assume they use the pick for Cunningham or Suggs if they get the chance in probably the top three. I wouldn't be opposed to Mobley, either, as the Bulls don't quite have a championship eight deep quite yet. You can always use more talent.

What are the possibilities of Devon Dotson getting more action on the Bulls? He was thought of as a "steal" in the draft but has not seen much action. Is he too small?

The Bulls have been playing it out more than development, and they still are. So it seems unlikely. I can't tell yet what kind of player he is as little as I've seen him. He looks in those glimpses like a small scoring guard first. Very quick with some possibilities. The NBA looks like they are resuming Summer League in August, so if he stays with the Bulls I assume we get a look then.

Five years ago I thought Boston was on the verge of another Dynasty. Talk about a train wreck. How did they screw that up? More and more I'm thinking the greatest thing a champion has have going for them is luck.

It is the magic ingredient. Maybe Theis gets an MVP vote the way things have gone there. It also seems like Tatum might have suffered some aftereffects of having Covid—they were hit badly by it and it shows how amazing Zach has been—since Tatum has displayed little energy in so many games. Especially those losses to the Bulls. He was a walking statue. Remember they basically lost Kyrie, Gordon Hayward and Al Horford and didn't get anything in return. You need luck and then take advantage when you get it, like with the pile of draft picks they got from the Nets. They didn't get quite lucky enough, though Tatum was a great pick. And it also seems ownership has limited them some financially. So make it the end of another Celtics era with fewer banners this time. Hey, that's almost as good as a 40-year Knicks drought.

This is getting ridiculous. Six of the nine winning teams last night scored 130+ points, none of them in overtime. Two losers did, too.

It's why for all the talk of two-way players and defense—and no one is opposed to that—you have to score in today's NBA to be successful. Serious defense (we'll see if that changes for the playoffs) basically has been legislated out of the game with the lack of perimeter contact, favoring the offense when shooters jump into defenders or just flop around. Sure, there's the Knicks, who do have the trick of shooting late in possessions and slowing the game. If you want to seriously compete in this NBA, you need to score. Perhaps this changes as there's been talk about your objections and somehow eliminating the easy corner three. Which is another reason I like the Vucevic trade. He's not regarded for his defense, but you don't endure that way in this NBA. Which is why the Nets are the favorites, why the Suns are coming fast. How have the Jazz gotten better? Shooting threes and playing faster. So for the Bulls, a scoring point guard and a shooting wing. And then unleash the beast!

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Ask Sam Mailbag: Questions about Coby White, the MVP race, Devon Dotson, and more

When talking about best pure scorers - not shooters - and nothing else regarding their strengths and weaknesses, say among top 10 or 12 points per game leaders, shouldn't the single most important stat be PPS, Points Per Shot?

It should not matter what combination of 2 PT, 3PT or FTs give you your points, the productivity of how many points you score per shot taken seems clearly to be the most telling factor.

With Zach at 4th in scoring right now, his PPS is better than McCollum, just about exactly the same as Steph and just a tad below Beal.

I say that if he stays in that vicinity with those guys, he should be hailed as an elite scorer who is at least solid to decent in most other areas, with the exceptions of TOs, which he does need to work on. All Bulls fans who think that he should be traded, should think again.

I believe Zach is starting to get more credit and at least a grudging pause from Bulls readers to allow him to stay with the team a bit longer. He's been more efficient using mid range shots, which were discouraged last season. He's fourth in scoring and sixth in field goal attempts, as you note, and averaging just below 20 shots a game. Of course, Michael Jordan didn't shoot the three like LaVine does and had a higher shooting percentage, but he averaged fewer than 20 attempts just once in his Bulls career. LaVine is hovering around 50 percent overall shooting this season, by far his career best. Though too often people don't appreciate what they have until they don't. If he misses a game winner this weekend I assume I get the trade emails again. Though the advanced stats are nice to make various cases, you should also know Adrian Dantley, Alex English, Charles Barkley and Marques Johnson were among a number of players with better point per shot averages than Jordan. LeBron isn't even close. Nyaah, nyaah, nyaah, Jordan is better, see.

I take back everything I said about blowing up this team, they look like fighters now! And can we finally put an end to the trade Lavine chorus in the mailbag? He is obviously part of the solution not the problem. If anything he needs to be more aggressive and shoot more...

The Bulls win against the Lakers if anyone would have had enough guts to call a foul on LeBron, but hey I remember MJ getting away with a foul or two because he was MJ; so I'm not complaining about that.

With this type of effort, team D and ball movement the wins will come.

I don't think Arturas is a reader so your earlier suggestion is safe with me. Good MJ perspective by the way. The greatest get some great breaks; it's why you always want a great one. But it's a chicken and egg thing also: Do they get the calls because they are great or because they are so good, so fast, so ahead of others that others are reacting more slowly and just fouling them? Or do they eat more chicken and egg sandwiches? I remember all the lamenting around the league about favoritism for Jordan. Jealousy? Resentment? Adidas wearers? Michael was always consistent when he knew he got away with one. He'd say if the official didn't make a call, there wasn't a foul. You'll enjoy the game more if you watch with that in mind. The NBA is different than football or baseball and certainly soccer in that you have plenty of time to make up for an incorrect call because there are so many scoring possessions. Very rarely do officials' calls determine the true winner. Plus they generally make fewer mistakes in a game than the players and the coach. The Bulls were almost good enough against the Lakers and Clippers. So they need to be a little bit better as Donovan appropriately has pointed out. Don't make so many second quarter turnovers and maybe you don't have to rely on the official with 40 seconds to go. Life and basketball are about taking responsibility. Lecture over, class dismissed.

This is why the NBA is great. The three biggest ball hogs are all on the same team. I wish I was a Nets fan. All those draft picks are a little risky though. It's funny history repeating itself. Also, the players should have all the power, people don't pay to see the coach, GM or billionaire owners. NFL players need to figure out how to get more power. How do you see the Nets working out? One of those 3 players is gonna have to play some defense. On the other hand they have the 3 best one on one players in the league, so they might out score everybody.

Before I get to trade analysis, this is not good for the intellectual abilities of people from my home town. It was the same franchise with the same kind of future negating deal, though last time with Pierce and Garnett we were able to blame the Russians. I do have one issue with player power, which I am unequivocally for. Unlike many, I liked Kevin Durant's move to the Warriors. He played out his obligations and made his choice. Why aren't journalists condemned for going to the New York Times or Wall Street Journal or lawyers to the richest law firms or doctors to the Mayo Clinic? Or Matt to the Bachelor? Well, maybe they are.

There have long been players who have pushed their way out of teams for whatever reason, though Harden's putsch I believe was bad for the players. It's like with unions, which were a desperate need to balance the imbalance of the Gilded Age and the Robber Barons. Until the unions became too powerful and menaces on their own with corruptive practices.

I fear NBA players are pushing this independence too far in an irresponsible manner like the way Harden did the infant's version of holding his breath (refusing to score) until they did something. Seriously, how egregious does your behavior have to be to offend DeMarcus Cousins? I don't believe the Nets thing will work, but I understand and don't disagree with what they did. Sure with Harden and Kyrie they have two incurable ball dominators, though I believe Harden will be more amenable this time because of the way he forced himself out. Three "great" players often doesn't work unless they also fit, like in Golden State where Steph and Klay weren't selfish. Scottie fit Michael like a gear locking in place. The Nets did give up a remarkably high number of picks and exchanges, though I can understand and might have done the same. I don't believe their title window is long with Irving's erratic nature and Durant's injury history. Achilles is a bad one. Having invested in them, they have to run it out now and try to get at least one title or the trip to the Finals. Stars win in the playoffs. But also teams as Golden State needed Iguodala and Shaun Livingston and sundry others for ultimate playoff success. The Nets bench, especially with Dinwiddie also lost to injury, is not the stuff of success. You figure they'll refill with veteran buyouts. They're all on the clock now. Management can't have done more for them.

Do you still get emails about Derrick coming back to the Bulls? If not... Here's one! I know Karnisovas/Eversley don't have a history with Derrick but what are the chances of him coming back? I would hate to see him come back at the end of his career. How about a trade built around Porter Jr for D Rose? Williams and Hutch could get all the minutes at SF while D Rose can help mentor White and Dotson... Plus, Derrick can still play! I wouldn't mind watching Lavine and Rose in the same backcourt!

Yes and None. The Rose Return emails have slowed given that the Bulls do have a nice veteran mentor guard in Garrett Temple, and if Satoransky gets past the spell someone put on him he was playing very well. Actually, I can see Derrick as a buyout candidate for the Nets. Derrick always has said he wants another taste of being deep in the playoffs and the Nets decimated their depth with the Harden trade. Derrick's contract is modest, though who knows the way this NBA season has gone with the Covid absences what will happen regarding buyout or trade deadline dates. There's been speculation of Rose going to the Lakers, but I don't see that as much as the Nets, where you also never know if Kyrie will be around. The Nets also could use more size, and with Jarrett Allen going to Cleveland in that deal, perhaps Andre Drummond becomes a buyout candidate in his free agent season. The Cavs certainly don't need him and are doing their own rebuild. Though Drummond hasn't always been the most motivated, and may just hang around, as Rasheed Wallace used to say, to CTC, Cut the Check.

Regarding the Harden trade: 1. All three head cases have an opt out after the 21-22 season. They better win either this season or next season because the rebuild is going to take twenty years with 4 first rounders gone and 4 first round swaps. They have no bigs now except an aging DJ and an unproven and hurt second year guy in Claxton. The bench is so thin that they will have to play Jeff Green at center at times. Rockets got no players besides a damaged Oladipo and Exum. Let him walk at the end of the season. I rather have had Levert. Great deal for Indy. Cavs getting Allen means they will let Drummond walk. Has anyone had as much bad luck as Exum has had? Crazy he is only 25. Honestly Nets should give Noah a call. Sean Marks may be the next Billy King in a few years.

The Indiana part also is interesting. We'd all been hearing a lot of stuff about trading Oladipo and were wondering what that was all about other than a slow return from injury and reluctantly playing last summer. He apparently must have told them he was leaving and the rumor is he intends to sign with Miami. I hope Miami knows. The Pacers are a very stable organization, and when you hear something like that with Oladipo you figured there was something going on. Similarly with Turner, though it seemed they really wanted Haywood and that might have been the price. Though we don't know exactly. If Boston could have gotten Turner in a Haywood sign and trade rather than letting him go it's surprising they didn't. Unless Haywood figured like in Boston there were just too many other scores like him in Indiana. This not being at games is damaging my rumor and trade speculation business. Noah Nets; yeah, I can see that, also.

I can't get this out of my mind: One of the headlines in my news feed was about "rumors" of possible trades of Coby to Philadelphia. Tell me the article was the start and finish of those rumors. I have rooted for the Bulls since their first season. I have seen them play in the Coliseum.

I believe Coby is going to have a HOF career and cannot think of any player or players in Philly I would rather have.

Embiid? No, White isn't going anywhere, though your problem is your news feed. Humor me a bit here. Let me get this straight with all the specious fake news talk of recent years and assaults on journalism. The only people you can believe are credible journalists from traditional organizations, newspapers you know the name of, TV networks. Not blogs and podcasts and news feeds. Because of accountability. Not the president, not the Speaker of the House, not the majority or minority leader in the Senate. Maybe your doctor, I hope. Because they can lie and not lose their job. You make up a story at the Chicago Tribune or Sun Times or Daily Herald or New York Times or Wall Street Journal and you're fired immediately (yes, bulls.com, also). And not only that you never—ever—get to work in the profession again. I'm fairly sure you didn't read that in a responsible publication. You can relax, though there are some 76ers I wouldn't mind having.

The honeymoon is over in NY. Knicks looks putrid. They had a good 3 game run.

It's always reassuring in the world these days that you can count on something.

I know you just love all the trade proposals you get from fans that have no idea what they're talking about, so I thought I'd give you another.

I've always liked George Hill's game--solid career 3 point shooting (around 38%, multiple seasons over 40%), decent defense, solid playmaking. He would give us a true, veteran point guard off the bench (he has lower career averages in assists than Sato, but also a good amount lower turnovers, and almost double the points) along with a lot more experience than Sato. I think Hill would be good for Coby White to learn from as well.

What would you think of trading Sato for Hill? The caveat is obviously that Hill is 5 years older than Sato. Also, just a throw in, Thad for Ariza? Similar salary, better shooter, more true SF, and could clear some of the log jam in the front court.

I know this season is more about observing what we have than making any actual moves, but it's always fun to play the hypotheticals.

This season, in case you didn't know, is more about observing what we have than making any actual moves. Oh, right, you heard that. I do appreciate the effort, though I tend to sound like Michael Jordan's media appointments secretary: No! I prefer Satoransky even being one of the unluckiest men in the NBA Covid world, and since Oklahoma City is more rebuild than the Bulls you can be sure they'd be demanding draft picks for anyone. Hill seems like another buyout candidate with only a potential partial guarantee for next season. If the Bulls were to do any trades, I assume it would have to be less for veteran advice—they have that better than most teams with Temple and Young—than someone who fits in for the future long term. Ariza actually may be retired for all we know. I recall him opting out last summer for personal reasons and don't believe he's played this season. You hope he's OK. Try again.

Well it's happened again, a team is forced into submission by a player and the team come out with a big fat nothing! Yes it's the NBA of today and I hate it! I wrote to you earlier that the Bulls should have made a move and the media are always banging on that 'well you need to mortgage everything to get him'. Ummm no you don't!

Seriously I don't know what on earth Houston actually got from this deal. About 4 future draft picks, not guaranteed 1st rounders and from who, the Nets, who are going to now be in the conference finals for the next 3 years so looking at a 27+ round pick for the next 3 years. Good luck with those draft picks to rebuild on.I hate Harden, always have, based on his style of play and now his antics to get traded. We didn't have to package up Otto, Carter, Lauri, Sato and 2 first rounders. We could have served up the same ordinary package of picks that the Nets did and could have gotten him. Not that I like or wanted Harden, I clearly don't but what I'm trying to point out is that the Bulls need to put themselves at the table for the next star on the market.

I get it, though there seems to be some contradiction there since you didn't want Harden. Maybe the Bulls didn't, either. Plus, you're really not in position for these kinds of deals—seriously, it was four first and four swaps, meaning you don't control your pick for eight years; that's not a lot?—unless you are on the verge with stars. You send a guy who is making $40 million per year and is furious about it—Harden's the guy who invests in stock but says he'll only buy the ones that go up—and are going to add him to a team that didn't even get invited to the bubble? The Bulls are making good progress, but until they are in the mix competing at a higher level, there's no point pursuing a player like, say, Bradley Beal.

I'm excited for the new era back court pairing of Coby and Zach, and definitely think they will be able to score. I'm not even as worried about Coby as a playmaker, as I don't view the modern NBA as needing a true PG in the traditional sense. Since the big names are mostly off the board for 2021 free agency, you still want to maximize that space, potentially by trading for a star player. I believe you mentioned Bradley Beal as a potential trade candidate, and the more I think about it, I really like the idea. Pairing Beal and Lavine would form an elite backcourt. I actually think the bulls have a ton of tradable assets: cap space, another likely pick in a strong draft, and enough young intriguing talented players to keep those who fit and trade those who don't, but have value to other teams.

I knew I had some Beal trade suggestions, too, which is not happening, either. One thing teams have done with players who have been loyal, which Beal has been and has backed the team, is to get them to where they want to go if they are deciding on that famous other direction. You don't see many stars being traded to Minneapolis or Utah. So Brad, we may not be a playoff team even though we have a former MVP in Russell Westbrook; maybe you should go to the Bulls, who don't have anyone on the roster who ever has been an All-Star. How do you think that conversation would go? It is always good to dream. If Houston got eight potential draft picks for Harden, what do you think Washington could be thinking about Beal, who is leading the league in scoring and is a great teammate, if things don't turn around there?

I read this report Daryl Morey and the Philadelphia 76ers made an offer to the Houston Rockets for James Harden that included Ben Simmons, Matisse Thybulle and some form of draft compensation. While it had been widely believed that the Rockets sought a young franchise cornerstone in a trade for Harden with Simmons fitting the bill, Houston instead went with a package from the Brooklyn Nets that included four future first round picks and four pick swaps. Harden had long preferred a trade to either the Nets or 76ers.

That's interesting and if true suggests the Rockets weren't dealing with Daryl Morey, which isn't difficult to believe. I get it that the picks were a lot, and picks sound great, but when Boston made that deal with the Nets the first time and got all those picks it didn't amount to nearly as much as they believed it would. Simmons is a young star point guard; I'm not so sure I wouldn't rather have had him with a pick or two. I doubt Morey and the 76ers end up with any draft picks, anyway, in his tenure. It will be one of those I-told-you-sos we can get to in about five years.

After this week's massive trade, I was imagining the Bulls going big before the trade deadline. This trade could give them a good core and financial flexibility going forward. There's probably a little work to do around the edges for the cap guys.

Bulls Get: Bol Bol (DEN), Gary Harris (DEN), David Wiseman (GS), Andrew Wiggins (GS)
Nuggets Get: Lauri Markanenen (CHI) Satoransky (CHI) Damion Lee (GS)
Warriors Get: Zach Lavine (CHI), Wendell Carter Jr (CHI) Daniel Gafford (CHI) Arcidiacono (CHI), Christian Feliciano (CHI)

OK, maybe I just want to get Bol Bol on the Bulls.

Thought I'd publish this one if only to show some of the cumulative emotional effects self quarantining is having on some people. Way too much time on your hands. Read a book. So the core of Gary Harris, Coby White, James Wiseman, Andrew Wiggins and Patrick Williams? By the way, Bol Bol is not an NBA player.

This has (was a) successful west coast trip. Not only were they able to steal one in Portland, but the Bulls played against the champs and were competitive.

The defense is not anything to write home about, but I figured that will take time. The offense, on the other hand, has been purring. Best offense I've seen in the past 5 years for the Bulls.

It seems the players have bought into the system (maybe more on the offense side) and that is good. But, how do we get from being competitive to stringing some W's together? Where do we go from here?

Oklahoma City? I know, lame. It's 11 games, it's a process, yadda, yadda. Everyone wants to win games, including the teams the Bulls are playing against. If this season is about development and improvement and analysis, it seems to me the Bulls are exactly on form to do what they said they would this time. Because of the virus absences and wild roster and schedule changes the Bulls could be a playoff team. No one is promising that, but for now they are interesting and often exciting to watch. That seems to be a major development. And after all, with some 200 possessions in the game they've been basically one or two away from winning several of those games recently. I'm going with the better bounce or two for now, though I've seen this team as an offensive oriented team that wants to play faster because of its talent. Thus I don't see any substantial defensive improvement, which is OK to me. I'm still a believer if defense is not your strength, go with what is and 135-130 still wins. Defense becomes a factor in the playoffs. You know, worry about it then.

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Ask Sam Mailbag 01.15.21

I know the focus right now is the head coach and the draft, but are there any free agents you have your eyes on? I know the draft will alter the teams needs and determine what roles will still need filled. Regardless of draft, AK and Eversley should be be thinking about free agent PG's and SF's, probably on one year deals (veterans or 'prove it' type guys).

5 SF's to watch:
Josh Jackson
Davis Bertans
Evan Turner
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (especially if we lose Dunn)
Jae Crowder

5 PG's to watch:
Goran Dragic
Jeff Teague
Reggie Jackson
Emmanuel Mudiay
Jordan Clarkson

Side note: I feel like Fred VanFleet is going to cost too much, Nerlens Noel could be a good fit at backup C.

Hey, we're talking actual NBA players! Appropriately because the NBA is finally going to allow the Bulls to play some, too. The Bulls, Monday, begin a week of Covid testing for the 'Eliminate-Eights' who then start their own bubble workouts once there's a week of successful tests. They're back?

Anyway, as for dreaded free agency, the Bulls, once Otto Porter Jr. opts in, will be over the salary cap. Even if they renounce potential restricted free agents like Kris Dunn and Denzel Valentine, they're not far enough under the salary cap to pursue a top free agent until after next season. So they'll likely stay just above salary cap to use the mid level exception, which is significant depending on what happens with the cap and the pandemic effects. So if estimating a starting annual salary of about $9 million, it extends to a contract close to $40 million. You should be able to add a good player.

This is difficult to say with a straight face, but the Bulls are pretty deep for a team 20 games below .500. No. really. They should get a good draft pick, a player who would be on the edge of starting. So then it becomes more about how the new management intends to build the roster with what style and philosophy. None of which we've heard anything about. Which actually complicates adding someone because it's not really about next season. One can speculate that the Bulls could use a point guard, a small forward or a center. But they're likely to start Coby White at point guard, Porter at small forward and Wendell Carter Jr. at center. So you're not looking at adding a starter with Zach LaVine at shooting guard and Lauri Markkanen at power forward. At least the way it seems now before any trades. Seriously, how were they 20 below .500? Plus, the Bulls have at least another season each with Tomas Satoransky and Thad Young, both quality veterans who are as good as the free agents you'd get with an exception. And the big man trend in the NBA is to smaller, more active sub-seven footers. So Daniel Gafford fits that definition. Hey, maybe they are ready for a run at the Finals next season. OK, I'll take a breath.

The big names, like Anthony Davis and Brandon Ingram, are restricted free agents and seemingly certain to return to their teams. Given the changing economics and perhaps cap reduction, it's doubtful any of the big name potential opt out players, like Gordon Hayward, DeMar DeRozan, Andre Drummond or Mike Conley will test the market. In addition to Van Vleet, you assume free agents like Danilo Gallinari, Montrezl Harrell and Goran Dragic are out of the Bulls financial range. I don't see the "prove it" one year types being Bulls targets since I don't think it's so much about next season or shoe horning in a veteran with guys like Young, Porter and Satoransky needing playing time. We'll see if there are trades.

I'd like to get one of the Morris brothers because the Bulls are missing that sort of toughness on the offensive end to take a big shot or force contact. Maybe if you can put together a deal for a young guy who can shoot as I do like Davis Bertans. Versatile big man veteran Serge Ibaka probably also is financially out of range. Josh Jackson was one of those top five picks who busted out. A third team a charm? Needs to find that shot, though, and wouldn't cost much. Same, I presume, with Evan Turner. No shot, but maybe a shot to come home and add a little toughness for the youngsters? And Denver when Karnisovas was there when they drafted Mudiay, who's just 24 although he seems like he's been around longer. Maybe take a look for a reasonable price? Hey, LeBron's a free agent after the 2021-22 season. Midwest could be more livable by then. Could 12 years later be the lucky charm?

Wanted to get your take on the case of Enes Kanter, who as you may have read is basically an international fugitive and can't return to his homeland of Turkey, how he's seriously looking over his shoulder as a target of the government, and how his father was apparently finally released from captivity but also can't even communicate with his family.This is serious stuff, and Kanter, to his credit, has been very outspoken about using his platform to speak out against the injustices of the current regime in Turkey, and he's been doing it long before the meltdown/reawakening of 2020. It's certainly troubling that it's not only Turkey now, but Poland and Belarus also have borderline dictators in charge (not counting Russia). I think it's interesting how in the U.S. we've been sheltered for so long without having to deal with such unrest, and how this region is such a fertile ground for some of the best players in the NBA. The 30 for 30 with Vlade and Drazen Petrovic was heartbreaking, but this is reality for most of these players and their families, literally having their countries torn apart.

I've followed Kanter since his attempt to play college at Kentucky, and after he was denied due to not being an amateur, he still wanted the college experience and basically served as a practice player (he was allowed to practice) for an eventual final four team, which I thought showed a lot of character. And P.S. is he hurt? Why hasn't he played? I know his defense isn't great but he's a big body and knows how to score. Speaking of European players, I love guys unknown guys like Theis, who's playing very well and surely wasn't on anybody's draft chart. Kanter played big minutes in OKC with Adams as a strong frontline on the team that got Golden State down 3-1.

Talking about your free agents, he isn't one yet. But he has a fairly small opt out at about $5 million. He is someone who intrigues me at 28 years old. He isn't playing for the Celtics mostly because of Theis and what the NBA has evolved to regarding big men. And with Miami's success with the mobile 6-9 Bam Adebayo, I don't expect to see Kanter in this series. I can see Kanter opting out and someone who might be interesting.

Coaches apparently have not played him because of defense. And he is a little slow laterally. But he might be the best big man in the NBA on the offensive boards, a lost art. I don't know that you always have to do what everyone else does. Just because everyone is running down and pulling up for threes all the time you don't have to. There are other ways to win. If that method is not your strength, you pursue something else. It's been the flaw around the NBA of trying to duplicate Golden State's success. You need Curry and Thompson. Kanter has a unique ability to get the ball on the offensive glass and score inside, which also potentially inhibits fast breaks. And as offensive as it may seem to some, two points also adds up when you are counting. Kanter's been one of the league's best per minute scorers.

I also love his activism, by the way, for standing up for his beliefs and against authoritarianism despite the obvious personal dangers and threats. It demonstrates character and commitment. And he's basically doing it alone, which perhaps also suggests he's not easily intimidated. I know Kanter some and like him. I knew a previous agent of his and had breakfast with him before his rookie season and spent some time with him that year. As potential free agents go if it comes to that, he seems like someone who might be able to give a team something different.

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Ask Sam Mailbag: Potential Free-Agent Targets

I've checked a few mock drafts on the web and they're all over the place, not only for the Bulls' pick but the top 3 as well. I don't think I've seen Edwards out of the top 3, but Wiseman and Ball both as low as 6th and Avdija as low as 8th. I've also seen Edwards, Wiseman, Ball and Avdija going #1 in various mocks. As for the Bulls, I've seen mocks having them pick Toppin, Ball, Avdija, and one where Wiseman falls to #4. Toppin was probably the most common Bulls pick I saw, but there is nothing like a consensus at all. Nobody has been able to scout and there is no reliable ‘common wisdom'. It's always a bit of a crapshoot, and you never know who will – or won't – develop beyond what you see... or who will get hurt. But this year is even more so. Usually, opinions consolidate somewhat as we approach the draft. Not sure that'll happen this year; maybe even the opposite.

That's an apt summary of this draft when perhaps scouting, perspicacity and luck will be the Big Three. Bulls executive Arturas Karnisovas has insisted it's a better than advertised draft. Especially since it's advertised as not that worthy of an advertising campaign. Which also makes it a very difficult draft to get right and a treasure for second guessing with so many young players who haven't even played in college, let alone a tournament, and a collegiate season unfinished and workouts basically eliminated. Under this sort of scenario, Scottie Pippen in 1987 would have been a fourth round pick along with Jack Haley.

There have been less talented drafts: 2001 with Kwame Brown and Tyson Chandler 1-2, 2007 with Andrea Bargnani, LaMarcus Aldridge (Bulls traded rights for No. 4), Adam Morrison, Tyrus Thomas and Shelden Williams and 2013 with Anthony Bennett, Victor Oladipo, Otto Porter Jr., Cody Zeller and Alex Len. This draft reminds me more of 1989 when pre-draft analysts variously had six different players as the No. 1 pick. Bulls broadcaster Stacey King went No. 6 with the Bulls, though the Kings were close to taking him first. It also shows how different careers can be depending on your team. King was a scoring machine in college and with the undisciplined offensive oriented Kings, he probably would have averaged 20 points and perhaps been an All-Star. But he wouldn't have any championship rings. Shawn Kemp at No. 17 and Tim Hardaway at No. 14 were the top players in that draft. The first six were Pervis Ellison, Danny Ferry, Sean Elliott, Glen Rice, J.R. Reid and King. I believe this year's top six will be better than 1989s. But who know where the best players will be picked? Check back in four years.

This feels like one of those drafts where in a few years in the inevitable "redraft column" scenario, the 12th or 14th player drafted will be "redrafted" as the top pick. Regardless, what do you think of Will Perdue's idea to package the 4th pick with Wendell Carter for the 2nd pick to select James Wiseman? Wiseman runs the floor really well for his size and has much better size than Carter. Though Carter seems like he better positions himself as a defender. Golden State gets a more NBA now ready player at a position of need plus another top pick. I haven't seen enough of Wiseman to really have a definitive opinion.

Seeing Will's name in trade speculation makes me smile, and not necessarily because he helped build the Bulls last three titles being traded for Dennis Rodman. I think about 1994 and 1995 when General Manager Jerry Krause, believing like many of us that Jordan was serious when he said he was done with basketball, was trying to trade Perdue. And others. Krause was good in the draft, but not so much in trades because he wanted to make the other team look bad. Like Michael, he was competitive, too, and wanted big wins. He never articulated it quite as well. As I recall with Horace Grant gone and Phil Jackson begging for a replacement power forward, Krause was trying to get Brian Grant. He was offering Perdue. Kings General Manager Jerry Reynolds was unimpressed. He's got three championship rings, Krause said of Perdue. So does your trainer, Reynolds responded. Yes, I digress.

Wiseman generally is regarded top two in talent for this draft and I think he will be very good. I don't see him as a franchise talent, so that's too much for me to give up. It's also a bad time for the Bulls to trade because I think their players are terribly undervalued with the poor season and absence from the bubble. Though most of the discussion about Bulls players who regressed is around Lauri Markkanen, I think Carter suffered the most from the way the team played. Eight games into his career as a rookie, he had a game in Denver with 25 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. A month later against Andre Drummond, he exceeded that with 28 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. Once Jim Boylen took over from Fred Hoiberg and especially this season with the emphasis on three-point shooting, Carter never had a 25-point game again around several injuries. He'd often be five feet from the basket, hesitate and look for someone to shoot a 25 footer. I wouldn't give him up now. And not basically two lottery picks for Wiseman in an era when centers are no longer the dominant player. I'd draft Wiseman if he fell to four, which is possible in this draft, because the Bulls need that seven foot athletic guy. But like with Zach and Coby, I still want to see Wendell unleashed. And they're getting a good player at four. I'd keep the pick.

The Nuggets miss Harris and Barton. Jazz just scoring at will. MPJ is so stiff on the defensive end. He looks like he is afraid of getting hurt on that end.

It does look like Porter's Hall of Fame enshrinement won't be this year. He's good, but I still see a lot of Mirotic. The Nuggets basically take him out at the end of every game because his defense is so poor. And that's with a team that doesn't defend much. The Nuggets are (somewhat) surprisingly down 3-1. Hey, maybe Mike Malone will be available. Nah. But we do look for signs of what Arturas Karnisovas will do as the new Bulls lead executive. Will the Bulls be the Nuggets? They've been very good, but just that. They shoot a ton of threes and don't defend much. Though no one in the bubble has been the last few months, so it's a sliding scale. Out in the first round would be disappointing underachieving season.

Though we look for clues with the Nuggets, it's really not possible because Karnisovas wasn't the final decision maker. It's his first time in that position and he already looks good with the Bulls best lottery since 2008. But he must be wincing for his former team, which is being chewed up by Donovan Mitchell, whom the Nuggets drafted and traded to the Jazz for a lower first round pick and former lottery pick Trey Lyles. It seemed to make sense at the time and was similar to the Bulls two-for-one deal of the rights to No. 2 (LaMarcus Aldridge) for No. 4 and Viktor Khryapa. Hey, he went back to Moscow and played pretty well. Two starters for one seemed to make sense. To the Nuggets as well. Good for the Utah, where Mitchell has become a star and the playoffs leading scorer so far. Lots of isolations by him, which seems to work in this non-defense bubble. Remember way back when the playoffs were physical and lower scoring? You know, last year.

Mentioning Mitchell also reminds us of this debate we were having of where Lauri Markkanen fit in that draft. We were saying third after his second season. Now it's up to Markkanen to show that form again. It didn't help the Bulls never got the chance in Orlando. That 2017 draft, too, is another example of how difficult and capricious the GM job can be. We were assured Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball and Josh Jackson would be elite. Now they're all reserves. If you ranked that 2017 draft now, would it look like this? Jayson Tatum (3), Donovan Mitchell (13), De'Aaron Fox (5), Bam Adebayo (14), John Collins (19), Kyle Kuzma (27), Lonzo Ball (2), OG Anunoby (23), Jarrett Allen (22), Luke Kennard (12). Where would Markkanen fit? Based on his first two seasons? Or last season? Where will he fit in two years?

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Ask Sam Mailbag: No Consensus Top 4, Trade-Up Scenarios, and the Denver Nuggets

I'm pretty excited! So, who do we take? We have a lot to look forward to. New management's first decisions, new coach, 4th pick. The offseason will be an exciting time.

Ball, Avdija, Haliburton or Toppin? Want to vote?

Tough decision but nice place to be in for the Bulls. I'm a Knicks fan and they are snake bitten. I really love Obi, but you have Porter, Carter etc. ...I would definitely seriously consider Halliburton. Just hope he is more than Dunn with an outside shot, although that combination might be an All-Star. Obi would be incredible, also but I think Bulls have a lot of that skill level already. Deni might be the Dave Debusherre / Biil Bradley missing key to the Bulls equation

Sounds like a '70 Knicks fan. It's been a tough half century. I'm looking at Avdija, of course, with the classic American expertise of never having seen him play. I guessed a few months ago with a wink after Arturas was hired that it was now international guys for the Bulls. I'm sure Arturas won't show his cards and we won't know until the draft who's his ace. But without major trades in the picks ahead of the Bulls, it seems like Avdija would be there and could be a nice fit with the Bulls young guys and semi-vet Zach. I'd certainly like to take a look at Coby, Zach. Deni, Lauri and Wendell. That seems like much more than 28-win talent. Though I've said before. Would help to find a Walt Frazier type, though.

Warriors send #2 to Knicks for 8 and Mitchell? If that's your proposal, hmmm, I think Wiseman as a rookie will be better than Robinson will be in year 3. Robinson is a nice defender but hard to keep on the floor because he fouls too much, also not much of an offensive game besides lobs and putbacks. Toppin? I get Boozer vibes. Been there done that for us.

Toppin seems much more active and athletic and more aggressive; after all Boozer was a second round pick. The Warriors centers like JaVale McGee, etc. have been defensive role players. Like Mitchell. Then they get a lottery pick, too. They seem the most likely to try to turn it into two players.

Do you feel that the Knicks would trade a pick and contracts for Lavine considering they are stacking up on young players?

There's been that LaVine speculation to New York or Brooklyn. But the Knicks have so little. Now we know the Knicks have No. 8, which is not nearly as good as No. 4. Something they probably know even in the New York public school system. Thibs had Zach, after all, and traded him. Can't see anyone on the roster other than Barrett I'd be remotely interested in for Zach, who, by the way, is better than Barrett.

The search is on. What are some key things Bulls management should be looking for in their new coach? Atkinson, Unseld Jr, and Udoka seem to have the best odds. I'm hoping they get a more offensive mind as head coach. Could D'Antoni be a name to watch if he can't agree to an extension with Houston? Whose currently available with head coaching experience? Maybe someone like Alvin Gentry, Dave Joerger, and Mark Jackson.. Joerger would be the most appealing to me from that list. I've seen Ty Lue's name pop up as a candidate, but its hard to judge somebody that won with LeBron

Though I hear Lue is going to the Pelicans. That's the job everyone wants with Zion, Ingram and all those picks. Unseld and Udoka are the most popular names for now given they worked with Karnisovas (Unseld) or Eversley (Udoka). Plus Udoka has big Spurs stuff on his resume having played and coached there. It still counts. Maybe until they miss the playoffs twice in a row. Atkinson also is frequently mentioned because he's available and the Nets were viewed as overachievers. Karnisovas has shown he's careful, deliberate and thorough. And the Bulls aren't playing for months. Though there's a camp of sorts in September, I hardly see any urgency to have a coach by then given there's not much players will be doing beyond conditioning and perhaps an occasional scrimmage. There'll be another more serious training camp before the 2020-21 season starts, whenever that may be. Another potential coaching name that might come up and hasn't is Chris Finch. He's known Karnisovas for a long time as a European player and coach and was with him in Houston and Denver, the latter where Finch was Mike Malone's associate coach for offense. He had that role for Alvin Gentry last season in New Orleans. My guess is it's a long list. This does not seem to be a management team that makes hasty decisions.

Whom do you like for HC for the Bulls? For the type of game that's being played now, I feel that Mark Jackson should become our new HC. He helped shelter in this current Warriors team. They've made it to the Playoffs when he was coach there in Golden State. Also too, we should look into Brian Shaw. Run the triangle with this Bulls Team. Or Mike Brown. LBJames 1st Coach?

Mark has been a favorite of a lot of fans, and maybe it would get Pete Myers back with the Bulls since he was close with Mark in Golden State. It's an interesting dichotomy with Mark in Golden State. He featured Curry and Thompson when many doubted it would work and they became a 50-win team. Then Steve Kerr in that A to B to C thing took over and they were a 70-win team with essentially the same personnel and a game with more movement. Still, the Bulls are at A. Whatever the Bulls do, it's apparent especially watching games now that offense, movement and wing play have dominated and that's where the Bulls need improvement.

Fred VanVleet is my favorite player of all time. He is the most intelligent hard nosed player in the nba. He doesn't gloat. He doesn't disrespect anyone. He's getting paid. My guess is the Bulls go after him. He's a winner. In his whole life, he's risen to the occasion. Does what's needed for the greater good of the team. That's a PG. The NBA is positionless at the highest levels. If you think he goes to a team like the Bulls and doesn't immediately run the team and take them to the playoffs, you don't know basketball.

I'll admit VanVleet has surprised me, though apparently a lot of NBA people as well since he wasn't drafted. And college guys, too, since he didn't get any real major college offers. So good for him. He makes about the NBA average salary and having played for a championship Raptors team that remarkably could repeat he's going to be a top free agent. Obviously the Bulls over the cap once Otto Porter opts in aren't involved. I assume he resigns with Toronto as the Bird exception will give most teams their flexibility. But Toronto's payroll could be massive with Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol free agents, also. I have my doubts how much market a six foot combo guard has given VanVleet works so well because the Raptors system of play is so evenly divided. When he started the season fast there was talk he's a $25 million to $30 million annual player. I doubt that. Obviously good for him for a good kid from Rockford. He'll be an intriguing test case in the new NBA economics to come which is going to be a surprise to a lot of players.

I think the bulls have one of the strangest rosters for any Bulls team I remember. No idea if any of these pieces fit together well, who is good or bad, and what they are going to do with it. But whatever the case, thank goodness they made the decision to move on.

The sentiment obviously was for change, a familiar theme in sports, business and politics. Karnisovas has insisted the roster is better than its record, and I tend to agree. And not only because I had the Bulls making the playoffs last season. OK, but I didn't the season before. There are some significant job openings, perhaps mostly at point guard. Though Portland has looked good with two scoring guards taking turns in the backcourt. And the way Miami plays with Adebayo isn't much different than the way in this era the Bulls can use Carter. And there's no way last season was really Markkanen. I do think Karnisovas' vision is accurate and he gets the Bulls more organized moving and more efficient no matter who is coaching.

Did you watch the Clippers vs. Mavs? Joakim only played 1 minute. Do you think Joakim still is the defensive athletic where he could've helped guard Porzingis and prevent him from scoring most of those 20-some points?

We're still rooting for the Clippers for Jo. He's obviously there for emergency with Harrell out during the seeding games and Doc Rivers enamored with Zubac. But things change quickly when things go badly. Rivers never has been afraid to take chances with personnel and I wouldn't be surprised to see Jo out there if only to give Porzingis a different look with his size. Like the late 90s Bulls, maybe it's time for the three-headed monster.

I realize there may be some bias here related to the 76ers wobbly playoff performance and what they might do in the future, but it occurs to me that the Bulls are a natural fit as a trade partner should they decide to build their team around Embiid and trade Simmons, especially with Marc Eversley's connections to that organization. Playing around with the trade machine I'm having a hard time seeing a loser in a deal built around Lavine (scorer on a good contract), Thad Young (back-up big + return to PHI) and Otto Porter (3+D and in the last year of his Contract if he opts in) + 2020 1st rd pick for Simmons (Bulls get their *star*) and Horford (Bulls swallow the overpay for Horford for the next 4 yrs). Thoughts on the 76ers current roster and whether this might be something the new FO might be pursuing?

They have said they are committed to making the team better, and Simmons certainly would. I know the Bulls never could stop him. I'm sure we'll see plenty of break up Embiid/Simmons stuff once the 76ers are out of the playoffs, but it hardly seems to me two All-Stars (even if Al is a few years removed) for two expiring contract role players and Zach wouldn't exactly thrill a tough fan base. If the 76ers were to move Simmons, they'd want shooting around Embiid. Certainly Embiid would since he told Simmons to shoot more. My guess is they keep them together for another season perhaps with a different coach. There's no hurry to get rid of stars. Zach is good and underappreciated, but probably plays a little too much like Josh Richardson and Tobias Harris for the 76ers to jump on something like that. Better get back to that trade machine.

Bulls get: Simmons, whatever bad contract (Horford)

Sixers get: Lavine, Lauri, pick, and prob Otto's expiring to balance out the money Lauri and Lavine would prob fit with Embiid quite well. Simmons is great. What do you think? Bring back trading Sam. He's a 23-year old two-time all star. you play him like Giannis and surround him with shooters.

Now the 76ers would have to think about that. Zach and Lauri for shooting and the No. 4 pick? That is a lot to give up. It's sort of the Jimmy deal in reverse. Can Simmons be your Giannis? The NBA is about stars, and Arturas has acknowledged you're as good as your star, as the Nuggets are with Jokic. Take a chance? Would the Bulls be better? And who are the shooters after getting rid of the two best in LaVine and Markkanen? Simmons, Coby, Otto/Hutchison, Carter and Gafford? I have the draft getting the Bulls Avdija and I like him with what the Bulls have now. Though I do see a lot of trade talk/possibilities/speculation for this draft and Ask Sam. Golden State is one, of course. But say the Cavs want local guy Toppin and he's available to the Bulls. Flip a point guard and an exchange of picks? The Knicks likely want to move up for a point guard. They have a few, like Elfrid Payton, and they're not doing much with Kevin Knox. And maybe Arturas likes someone at eight. He's been creative and daring with the group in Denver with second round picks, chances on players like Michael Porter Jr. and often trading draft picks. And then what if the Bulls grab someone like Toppin? Then they have power forwards who can be attractive in trade. This, after all, may be a more interesting fall than with the games. Which the commissioner indicated in an ESPN interview before the lottery may not occur again until into 2021.

Kenny Atkinson's name is the one for Bulls coach from the Vegas guys. They get a lot right. Looking back at the articles published when Atkinson was fired, a lot of people were "shocked". You hear more about Kyrie, but I suspect KD was in on it too. I've also read that Atkinson didn't like them any more than they liked him. Interesting that Atkinson is characterized both as 'tough' and 'player friendly'. To me, that translates to a guy who can drive them hard but still keep Their trust &amp; respect... which describes most of the coaches we admire, like Phil, Pop, and both Reds.

He seems to be one of the leaders in the proverbial clubhouse, though I suspect that is more speculation than reality since it's been obvious that Karnisovas is crafty, cautious, calculating and canny. I think in the end he chooses someone he knows well. After all, that's really what it is all about when a new management takes over. And understandable. They want their own people. As is appropriate. So someone he (or Eversley) knows well and is comfortable to work with. Karnisovas has a long history with multiple organizations and countries, so some on the list could be unfamiliar. One of the bigger debates/questions to me is whether the Bulls go with training wheels again and someone who never has been an NBA coach or experience. NBA head coaching inexperienced Tim Floyd and Jim Boylen didn't work; Tom Thibodeau did. Experience doesn't guarantee success, either, because it means that guy was fired. Probably more than once. Maybe Arturas needs one of those cool slogans like, Yes We Can or Four More Years. Though perhaps with Change he can say Happy Days are Here Again.

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Ask Sam Mailbag: Who should the Bulls take at #4, Head Coach candidates, and NBA Playoffs

Do you still believe that the Bulls, if they win the draft lottery, should take James Wiseman over LaMelo Ball? I do but the most recent mock drafts I've seen still have Ball as the 1st pick for the Bulls.

As long as they don't get eight or nine, right? We can always hope. The caveat I offer is I'm never quite certain since I haven't seen any of these guys play. Of course, the way things have gone this season with the virus and many college players, like Ball, even leaving the country hardly anyone has seen anyone play. Wiseman seems like a difference maker, which is what the top of the lottery generally is about if you get that chance. The Bulls have done about as well as they could the last three drafts given having the No. 7 selection. It's not like they made huge oversights. Sure, Donovan Mitchell has been good, but Lauri Markkanen until this past season's mishaps was trending as favorably from that draft. And Coby White looked ready to break out. I'd be OK with Ball at No. 1 since he trends exciting, which the team needs, and especially needs a point guard. It just seems like there are fewer seven-foot athletic types like Wiseman with offensive potential. I know it's a wing/three-point shooting era, but a more complete version of Rudy Gobert looks good.

This draft has no consensus anything. As the old days show consensus picks get you fired. Or cripple a franchise. Hasheem Thabeet. Toppin....he's a cant miss starter. Surefire top 5. Ball....elite passing, elite size, his brother shows defense at least is a possibility. Surefire top 5 as well. Edwards. He can score and he has the size and athleticism. Likely top 5 if i got to see more. The Israeli guy.....was mvp of some good league at 18. Looks like a better version of Saric. Killian Hayes.....good passer, good ball handler.....not concerned about his shooting woes as he's over 90 from the stripe. He's big for a point guard. I see him possibly being the best player in the draft down the road. Other guys id take before wiseman who may or may not be any good in the 6-9 range, Haliburton, the auburn defender who looks like PJ tucker…Okoro, One of the Florida state guys, Nesmith.

Well, that should give the Bulls a chance to get Wiseman at 11. I know some, especially in Houston, believe there's no use in the game today for tall guys, particularly if they can't run the court, break down guys off the dribble and shoot. Though I still think you have to guard Embiid, Towns, Jokic and even guys like Jarrett Allen. The Bulls haven't been able to. The Warriors had those impressive shooting lineups, but they always had some big guys around. I don't see Wiseman as talented as Embiid. But part of the issue with this draft is I don't see sure all-pro types otherwise. Someone could emerge. They usually do, like Pascal Siakam. The new management is said to be strong in scouting and evaluation. The Nuggets, where Arturas Karnisovas was a top executive, have done well outside the lottery. So perhaps he will bring that expertise to the Bulls. I like those top five guys you mention, though I'm not sure about Hayes. Since I don't see a Durant type scorer, I'll break the tie for No. 1 with size and defense. Though just barely.

If you believe that Ball is "disinterested" in playing defense and he is a poor shooter, especially from 3, he is absolutely not a player the Bulls should pick given, as you say, most of their best defensive players are poor scorers and It would not be unfair to say that, so far in their careers, Lauri and Zach and maybe White seem to regularly be "disinterested" as well. Secondly, since AK was a significant part of the Nuggets team which drafted Jokic at 41st, Morris at 51st and last but certainly not least, MP Jr at 14th - who, if his back does not ruin his career - is a surefire All-Star; he just may have a better insight in who the Bulls best two picks should be than the vast majority of those suggesting them, especially given that people like you -and myself - freely acknowledge that we do not watch all that much college bball.

That's what they hired him for. Now it's his chance. I assume there's plenty of second guessing these days about Porter from that 2018 draft when the Bulls selected Carter at No. 7. But I doubt the Nuggets staff would have selected Porter for the Bulls. It was an ideal risk pick for a playoff team with a strong rotation and a rare lottery pick to take a chance with a player they didn't need. And remember, if Porter were with the Bulls who didn't get to go to Disney, he would now be rehabbing for two years without having played much. As an aside, the NBA for the damage its done owes these eight teams, Golden State excluded. They should adjust the lottery to make sure no team from Orlando can pick ahead of any team excluded. Adam! Help! Nice to see Zion, whom the NBA seemed to do all this for, resting in the last Pelicans game before their four to eight months off. Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

But good for the Nuggets and hopefully Porter's back isn't an issue again. It also looks like they're tiring him out as the last three games he is shooting four of 15 on threes and averaging 16 points. I still see him mostly as a straight line driver/shooter like Nikola Mirotic, who fans forget had a run of five games scoring at last 24 points in seven games late in his rookie year until Tom Thibodeau mostly benched him for the playoffs. In the last 23 games that competitive season, Mirotic exceeded 20 points nine times and averaged 18 points per game and almost seven rebounds in 28 minutes off the bench. As for Ball and defense, things can always chance given these guys coming into the NBA these days are so young. I don't expect that much will with Ball on defense. The problem is most of the other projected top picks, like Toppin, Edwards and Avdija, are considered questionable defenders. Though if you watch the NBA this month, defense doesn't seem to be much in vogue. You better be able to score.

It seems the Bulls want to keep capspace available for 2 max slots in 2021. However, I honestly think the only star level player we have that other stars would want to play with is Zach Lavine. What do you think about trading Daniel Gafford, Lauri or Wendell (not both), Otto's expiring contract, and our draft picks in 2021 to the Jazz for Rudy Gobert? I don't see why the Jazz wouldn't take it considering they've fallen short the last few years and might want to retool. Rudy and Zach would probably attract an impact free agent in 2021 much easier than Zach alone could. Plus if the Bulls really are trying to compete, the draft picks aren't much of a loss despite it being supposedly a deep draft class.

I understand the concept, which is reasonable. The Jazz could/should be out in the first round of the playoffs with a matchup against the Nuggets (you know it's tough playing Denver when they've got home court advantage). With the Mitchell/Gobert Covid contretemps from last spring perhaps they do something. I've never been a big fan of Gobert's and feel he's been much overrated with the awards but little playoff effect. Obviously, he isn't impacting the game all that much considering the Jazz' routine playoff failures, though I'm not blaming him. But he's just got one year left on his deal to become an unrestricted free agent. If the Bulls want to pursue the free agent market after next season, it's pretty much gone making that sort of trade. I know, free agency has been a problem. Hey, maybe Arturas knows something.

I thought Obi Toppin would be hard for most teams to pass up because of his scoring and rebounding abilities, but many of the mock draft sites also claim he's a liability defensively. That conjured memories of Jabari Parker's struggles here in Chicago not that long ago. As much offensive potential as he seemed to have, his on-ball defense was best described as dazed and confused, and his help defense was just as awful. If the Bulls were to draft a big man this year, it seems like the USC center, Okongwu, has more potential because of his combination of grit, power and athleticism. His high-energy defense and rebounding could bring better balance to a lot of different Bulls lineups. Speaking of which, is this the year Kris Dunn breaks out?

Toppin is very intriguing because he looks like he fits the way the NBA plays now and will be very, very good. He may even project better than the power forwards the Bulls currently have, which a year ago they were saying was their top talent with Markkanen and a developing Carter. They both had their struggles last season again with injuries. Try a new toy? But with so many other holes in the roster? All the scouts say Toppin is as close to can't miss as there is in this draft, if not an quite all-league possibility. Maybe even that, too. I'm a believer if you are athletic and care you can play some level of defense. Yes, I know, Zach. But I think he can get there, or at least better, as the team improves. But defense really is very much a team sport. And practiced, which the Bulls have had problems doing with so many injuries and personnel changes. Given the depth at power forward with Gafford and perhaps even Porter these days, I suspect the Bulls will look elsewhere in the lottery if they get lucky. If they think Toppin's the best player when they pick, then take him. I also believe good players together will figure it out. The most viable NBA slogan remains, "Talent wins."

I have watched Jaden McDaniels since he was a freshman in high school. I think it would be a big mistake for the Bulls to pass on him in the draft. He may of had some issues this past year in college, but I think his game is more suitable for the league. I think he is the most underrated player in the draft this year. What do you think the chances are that the Bulls will draft him?

I hadn't really heard of him and doubt the Bulls would draft him even if they fell, as unlikely as that is, to 11. But he has started to show up in some mock drafts late in the first round. He's really skinny. Really skinny. Which suggests a long way to go to the NBA. But intriguing with that size, maybe 6-10 and 190 pounds, and what looks like a shooting touch. You see some guys like that these days, like Bol Bol, who is taller. Those guys seem to get pushed around too much, though in the Covid NBA with defensive social distancing and no more postups there seems a lot less interest in physical contact. The Bulls may have a second rounder depending on a bunch of things, so perhaps then as with no workouts allowed for this draft there could be a lot of misses.

Say what? LaVine's availability being monitored by several teams, including Knicks and Nets, in event he asks for trade before his free agency.

Which I assume is especially why LaVine won't be traded. I hear occasional suggestions about trading LaVine; doesn't play defense, team is losing, Coby is a scoring shooting guard. But it's also why I don't see much trading by the Bulls before next season. Yes, I've harped (not Ron) on the Bulls being left out of the bubble/campus/frat house in Orlando, and it's especially hurtful for player value. Suddenly we're talking Cam Payne. OK, not all of us. But Devin Booker is now an MVP snub. T.J. Warren is about to be a known by initials only. Damian Lillard is Kevin Durant. Conversely, Bulls players not being able to engage in these statistical anomalies with the high scoring games effectively see their value decline. Which seems to me more reason why the new management's job is so much more difficult now. Teams will try to steal and thus undervalue Bulls players based on a lesser performing team season and no chance to prove otherwise in Orlando. And perhaps not until 2021. Have I mentioned how badly the league has treated the Bulls? Zach's got two years left on a contract that is very favorable given his production. So I can understand why teams would love to have him. And why I wouldn't trade him, especially because I really want to see what he and Coby can do together.

Sato is going to be the best PG on the Bulls next year regardless if they pick Ball or whoever. Running with Coby, Zach, Lauri and WCJ. That's what you're going with. Dunn, Porter, Young, Gafford and (hopefully who we get for the pick) will be a powerful second unit. We don't have a little guy out there, so we shouldn't get pushed around. But if Zach, Lauri and Coby want to win, ……they better start to play D.

It's always good advice, but there's that debate over whether you coach and play to your talent or develop and demand the way you want your team to play. Many of us—I think including new management—have posited the Bulls are more talented than they showed last season. They still have to show that with wins in a conference that's getting better: Wall returning to join Beal, Durant and Kyrie returning in Brooklyn, Thibs in New York, lots of young guys in Atlanta, Drummond in Cleveland. It will take more than just saying you should be better. As for Sato, he's suggested to European media he perhaps underestimated what he needed to do for the Bulls, especially coming off a summer of international play. This time he's really going to be ready. His addition sounded like a good idea last year. But if the Bulls pick a point guard to go with Coby White, and Kris Dunn still is around, well that may be missing the point.

Tom Thibodeau is back coaching. What do you think?

Time to do his job without letting go of the rope. He's back, back, back! And cool as ice, ice, ice. Though perhaps better next season than in Orlando in an arena with no fans and sensitive microphones. This one isn't going to be easy for Thibs, who had a team with an MVP ready Rose in the 2010 Bulls and a team ready to make the playoffs with Jimmy Butler pretty quickly. There appears no quick fix with these Knicks, who may have the league's most mismatched roster with what appears to be seven power forwards, some young players who seem to have regressed like Kevin Knox and Dennis Smith and a bottom of the league defensive rating. But Thibs is very good. He's been criticized leaving the Bulls and in Minnesota for being out of step with the league's increased offensive emphasis and lack of innovation. But he's very good at an overlooked element of coaching, a subtlety coaches call organization. He gets players in position, yes, to do their job. He does have a shot blocker in Mitchell Robinson and a defensive guard in Frank Ntilikina. There's a bunch of small power forward scorers around and RJ Barrett. I'm not sure what his shelf life is, but he makes teams better when he arrives.

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Ask Sam Mailbag: 2020 draft prospects, Michael Porter Jr., Zach LaVine, and more

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

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.

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Ask Sam Mailbag 3.25.20

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