So the workout reportedly went well, and McGrady gave the Bulls fans plenty to think about after the fact:
"I feel good," McGrady said at the Berto
Center. "I've been battling to get back to rare form. Still coming off
surgery. It's been a tough road, but I feel pretty good compared to my
last game that I played in New York. I was still going through the rehab
process then. I'm definitely a long ways away from what I used to look
like. But I'm very confident what I'm going to be in this coming season."I'd fit in well. I bring what I know about the game and my
athleticism and versatility. Knowing my smarts for the game, leadership,
anything I can add to get these guys over the edge. Without me, without
(Carlos) Boozer, they're a .500 club. With the guys we added, we'll be
30 better.""If
I was the player I was in a Knicks uniform, I would have no problem
coming off the bench," he said. "But I have worked extremely hard and
I'm far from that player. It's up to me in training camp to prove I'm a
starter."
There are two prevailing schools of thought on Tracy McGrady:
1: If he's really healthy now, he can become an awesome player at a minimum price, thus he's worth the risk!
2: This guy's attitude, health risk, and style of play make him a bad fit for us.
I'm going to try to approach this, like everything, from a grey area perspective.
If healthy, McGrady could add shot creation. He's the type of player who could run an offense and get his own shot off while setting up plays for other players. That's primarily Rose's job, but Rose isn't going to play 48 minutes a night. It's primarily Watson's job if Rose isn't playing, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to have a third guy on the team who could play in that role.
How effective he'd play that role is up for debate. That's where the health thing comes into play. However, it's certainly fair to say that he's likely healthier now than he was last season. Microfracture surgery takes about 18 months for full recovery. He should be around that point as training camp opens.
That all said, it doesn't mean there's no downside to signing McGrady. The downside is that while the Bulls could use a third offensive initiator, they could use a second shooter more. Right now, their second three point shooter is C.J. Watson or Luol Deng. Neither are particularly dependable options. Eddie House, Roger Mason, Romain Sato, or Keith Bogans could all provide shooting to some degree. At least, I'd expect all of them to provide it more so than McGrady.
By signing McGrady now, we won't have the option to sign one of those players in three or four months if we need to cut McGrady due to attitude reasons. So there is some downside here, missing out on those caliber players isn't significant downside though. The problem is that there isn't reallys ignificant upside either.
Lost in the shuffle of McGrady's huge per game scoring average is his terrible efficiency. In the past five seasons he's had a TS% over 50% only once. 52% is roughly the league average. McGrady's efficiency drags down a team when he's handling the ball as much as he is. Even if healthy, it hasn't been since the 2002-3 season that he really dominated the game with efficient offense. The Bulls need a low volume off the ball efficient spot up shooter much more than they need a high volume inefficient initiator in my opinion.
I wouldn't read too much into his recent comments and how they pertain to the role he'd accept on the team. While some fans may scream about how he wants to prove he can start, what else would you really want the guy to say? As McGrady himself noted, he played with Thibodeau for three years in Houston. If Thibodeau thought McGrady was pure cancer then this situation wouldn't even be on the board.
Filed under: Free Agency
Tags: chicago bulls, quotes, tracy mcgrady, workout
It all depends on the contract. If the Bulls are tied to TMAC even if his game/attitude sucks...then we are screwed. But, if we can get out of it whenever we can or it is more incentive based and we can cut him ...that's ok.
I would say we shouldn't lose out on a trade for a young SG such as Rudy Fernandez, Xavier Henry(if available) or some other guard available in Jan/Feb 2011 because that other team sucks...., then we should sign TMAC
RE post
I need TMAC to explain, in great detail, how his team (the rockets) were significantly better when he wasnt on the court. They also advnanced further into the playoffs WITHOUT him then they did with him.
No thanks, TMAC
Doug great writing. The Bulls right now are a little concerned about how they were punked out of Kirk Hinrich in the "Queen" James sweepstakes. I never thought that I would defend Hinrich! But Brewer is not a depenable outside shooter or scorer but an above average defender. When you also have the injury history with a Luol Deng, I would question whether you had enough at the three if Deng goes down. Then whom has the ability to crate from the three Korver is just a shooter. This is where Hinrich comes in. In the past when thay had problems like that they went small because of Hinrich's ability to create somewhat.
So what does that have to do with T-Mac? Well his ability to handle the ball prevents you from having to go small out of neccesity. He gives you depth at the 2 and the 3 potentially with starter's minutes if you need them to fill that role. To fit him in stricly as a three point shooter is not using him to his full ability if he's healthy again.
Now I'm for signing him. His TS% doesn't bother me because I'd divide his time on the floor with Rose and Watson with Korver. That way he doen't have to handle the ball as much. They thing WILL be is, IS HE DURABLE to handle the pounding. 20-25 minutes is where you want him as a scorer off of the bench. But I will say this. If he closer to what he once was, he may threaten Brewer as a starter. But only as a 25-30 minute per game starter. He is an old 31. You have to treat him like an old car. You know what he can take, and you know what he can't take. So I believe the Bulls will go into this with their eyes open.
He HAS to prove form now until the end of camp that he can play. If he can't play effectively, he'll be gone.
Al, I agree with you 100% man! He's willing to prove it and seems confident, which is what is exactly what us Bulls fans should be hearing, and not going all crazy on him for being an ego maniac. Sign him up!
We got another one on board for TMAC:
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=5411485
2 mil and you can have TMac on your bball team....why the heck wouldnt you do that. Even if hes 70% he is still better then a big majority of the league. ....we arnt asking him to come here and be a superstar either. He can just sit at the 3 pt line an receive wide open shots from Boozer, Rose, Watson and Deng. Sign Him
The newest Bull in an offseason of change would like to see Tracy McGrady follow him to Chicago.
Kurt Thomas, whose signing was officially announced by the Bulls on Monday, said the two-time scoring champion would be a good fit in Chicago.
"If he has taken the time to really let his body heal, that's the key," Thomas said Monday on "The Afternoon Saloon" on ESPN 1000. "The problem with me early in my career when I was injured, I was rushing back. I think he's been able to really rest his body and let his body heal. He has enough talent. He's shown it over the years, and I'm pretty sure he has enough left in the tank to help us."
vedo,
CHOO...CHOO...everybody get on board the TRACY MCGRADY love (fest) train...haha.
I'm staying neutral. It's safer...wink.
The main question will be whether he is healthy as 3 years ago when the season starts. If he could prove it at the workout today, I think he is worth taking the risk.
There is one reason to that IMO: Bulls are in win now mode as of now and we are nowhere near the level of the Lakers, Heat and probably Orlando and Boston too. Even if healthy, Boozer will start declining in two years and we will carry his contract as a burden. Rose and Noah will be near or close to their prime by then but the overall payroll will also leave us little room for a major upgrade if we are still short of being contenders. We need to give a shot at a guy that could still be a Top 25 player (and Top 10 SG) if he is over 80% of the athletic player he was, given his size, ball handling and court vision skills. By sharing the backcourt with Rose (less/better quality possessions) or facing 2nd units, his TS% can be improved dramatically and go over 50%. The Bulls with such a player would be a real legit contender
At this stage he knows that having played only 65 (awful) games in the past two years, he won
Doug,
I believe you left out MOTIVATION and ACCOUNTABILITY.
He seems MOTIVATED to succeed. It certainly isn't about the $. And everything is on him.
It's up to him whether or not he wants to get back and stay in the league for awhile.
Honestly, we do need a shooter but do we need a play maker more, which is what Mcgrady is.
I feel having Mcgrady as a playmaker makes us a better team than having just a spot up shooter in Eddie House.
I am not anti or Pro tmac, But if he makes this team better at that price, then why not give him a shot.
Per K.C
Tracy shot the ball well but showed some mobility issues.
http://twitter.com/KCJHoop
Well I dont think its as bad as it comes off in the tweet. Korver has terrible foot speed. Rose has issues as well. IDK about Watson but I dont think its as big an issue as people want it to be.
I hope not. K.C and actually most of these reporters don't seem to show TMAC any love so I'm hoping it went well. I really think he could come back this season and really help us out.
QUESTION:
Is Tracy McGrady a CHEMISTRY KILLER or just frustrated at not winning?
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcgratr01.html
He was pretty much doing it all for Orlando and Houston, while the best players around him (Grant Hill and Yao Ming) were constantly injured.
It's just a thought up for debate.
I think he's been there for his teams. Come playoff time, he put everything on his shoulders and he tried his best. His average is 28.5 ppg in the playoffs. He's shown up!
Vedo,
It seems he wanted out of Orlando, because they were TERRIBLE.
People bag on him for that, but that really isn't warranted.
* He left Toronto to play back HOME and left Houston because of injury. I don't see how certain people can say he is a cancer or wouldn't be good for chemistry. There isn't alot out there that justifies that opinion.
Exactly, this guy has put up with so much hate for nothing. Now, he's battling a serious injury and he still isn't willing to give up. I'm glad he thinks he can be a starter on this team, it just shows he's willing to work hard and move to the next level. No one would question a player after a comment like that, but for some reason when TMAC says it, everybody goes crazy. I'm not sure why that is, but I hope he proves everybody wrong. With everything he has dealt with, IDK how you can root against him.
My favorite quote? "Without me, without (Carlos) Boozer, they're a .500 club. With the guys we added, we'll be 30 better."
Well, .500 is 41-41. Add 30 wins to that... and we're talking a 71 win team!! So he makes about as much sense as McHappy's trade proposals.
Maybe he meant .800 club which is about 65 wins. Got to like his confidence if not his math skills.
In the interview he said "30 pts better." I with you that I think he was speaking of over 60 wins. People are reading way too much into what he said. If people look at the interview, he seems to be very humble with his approach to all of this. He said that he was fine with coming off of the bench. At lot of his statements were way misconscrured. He seemd very content about a limited role, but said that he wanted to prove that he could still start.
Mark,
It doesn't seem like Kelly Dwyer of Yahoo Sports is a fan of yours.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Tracy-McGrady-might-sign-with-the-Chicago-Bulls;_ylt=AhnLLzbjzRtI_GKcWZ6IFRS8vLYF?urn=nba-258189
Not digging the Sato idea.
The 1st time i heard about Sato was when Mark Deeks brought him up.....i really wonder how good he is. You would think the NBA would have already taken a shot at him.
Deeks seems to have indicated(somewhat vaguely) that Sato signed with some other Greek team.
so if we are not signing tmac then who? no ones left. its kinda funny that tmac is saying we are his top choice like he has other teams that want him!!!!!
bully,
There are plenty of trade options out there, if the Bulls' Brass would STEP-UP.
Unfortunately, they tend to be CHEAP, CONSERVATIVE and HUNG UP on their own picks.
Even if those draft picks aren't producing and prove themselves to be MISTAKES.
"You might know him as Sham from ShamSports.com, and he's better than all of us, at anything we do."
How did you conclude from that that he wasn't a fan?
vedo,
K.C. Johnson is a COPYCAT and a HATER. I wouldn't put much credence into his writing.
like i said....KC Johnson doesnt know anything about bball....he was just blasting McGrady on tv the other day
THE END IS NIGH!!!!
I see infinitely less downside than everyone else seems to with regard to signing McGrady. We have one roster spot left. We could fill it with a former superstar with something to prove, or we could go get a half-decent shooter. The problem with looking at this in such a black and white way, is that any shooter we get at this point would likely play very few minutes, and really only play more if the Bulls had foul trouble or the injury bug bit. At which point, we'd be in trouble anyway and victory would be out of reach anyway. So why not take a low-risk shot and see what T-Mac's got? He can't hurt you unless you play him a lot. And he won't play a lot unless he's playing well. So what is the downside? Before anyone gets upset about missing out on a Roger Mason, or some equivalent, just remember that those guys are a dime a dozen and eventually end up a footnote in most NBA seasons.
Or a better example might be Pargo last year. For the most part, he was god-awful. And when he wasn't making, which was often - although known as a shooter - he was a complete drain on our team. With McGrady, you at least get phenominal court vision and passing, ball-handling, etc.
I just don't see a debate between signing a scrap heap 'shooter' for 10 minutes a week over a versatile former superstar with something to prove. If it doesn't work, cut him. Your roster is virtually unimpacted. With your available spot, go sign Derrick Byars just so Mr. Happy will shut up. Everybody wins.
Several things I don't like already about his comments. 1) He's talking as if he's a Bull, which he is not. 2) He says "Without Me" first when making his comments about how the team would improve. 3) He even said he doesn't want to come off the bench. "If I was the player I was in NY I will", okaaaay. Wrong thing to say. He should have said "I will accept the role I am given but I'm going to fight like hell in practice to win that starter's spot." Personally, I'm with Doug on this one. I'd rather have an efficient spot up shooter to round out this roster. However I understand the low risk, high reward if it works, but based on the comments T-Mac has already made I'm really doubting the low risk part.
thats pretty funny
NO,NO,NO,NO,NO. He is a player that wishes to prove how great he still is. He will disrupt the progess of this team. He is askes to be a role player, and tells you in his interview that he is not that player. His shooting has tapered off the last three years he was healthy. High reward,low risk, thats bullshit. He will play and shoot 40% and disrupt the offense and not play defense. He will whine and cry for not getting the minutes he deserves as a great player. I wish we sign him to show all you idiots how bad he will be for this team, but that would not be productive as we will miss out on a spot up shooter that is a 20 minute role player and that will hurt the team. All you need to know is how well the Rockets played after he got hurt, they acually player team basketball. Hey if he was 2003 McGrady, I would take him, he is not!
QUIET DAY:
What happened to the BUSY DAY, I predicted?
- Coach K was supposed to announce his roster for Team USA today.
- I thought for sure the Bulls' brass would make a quick decision McGrady.
- TMAC himself hasn't TWEETED a thing in sometime now.
Is that CRICKETS I here outside?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQFEY9RIRJA
WAKE ME UP when something SIGNIFICANT happens. Thanks.
Don't tease us. We know you'll be posting regardless.
Just taking a nap.
I can't type...sorry.
My grammar sucks. I need more sleep and a English re-fresher course...haha.
Correction: Are those crickets I hear outside?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQFEY9RIRJA
They were supposed to go out to lunch today and they are probably still discussing things.
Guys,
Can't you see?? This is written ME FIRST all over it!!! Come on!! Let's not blow up 10 years of waiting for a team close to this. We don't need this guy. That's the problem with people like him. They see themselves BIGGER than they really are.
NO OTHER team is trying to get this guy. Doesn't it tell us something??
No ME-MAC Please!
If that's true... giddeyup- bad knees and all
Bummer, According to Sam Smith, TMAC's not coming to the Bulls.
http://blogs.bulls.com/2010/07/it-seems-doubtful-the-bulls-have-mcgrady-in-their-future/
The guy is sick...believe me...he hasn't changed
I tried to be open minded and fair about McGrady. Even though I knew he definitely hurt the Rockets, and his teammates wanted him gone.
Still, you give people second chances. His record for years even before the injury was a very mixed bag. If someone scores you twenty a game, but can't shoot threes and shoots 41% that's an inefficient drain on your team. Add in the go, and it's just plain demoralizing.
Still, I was willing to admit that as a later rotation guy he might be better then anything else out there. And maybe time has finally forced him to accpet his limitations.
But those comments today. Jesus. Talk about self-absorbed and delusional. Anybody in the McGrady camp who couldn't objectively see a problem with, "me and Boozer can bring the team [30pts/games/whatever} higher" without mentioning Luol or Joakim even first or at all?!
This is the kind of lack of any objectivity that makes these sites a joke sometimes. And I admit I have been guilty of this before, but maybe not on such a protracted scale.
Anyway, I tried to be fair to T-Mac and the pro McGrady crowd. I wish I could say the same was true of his supporters. Oh well. Maybe he can add his 30 whatever swing talents to the Heat. Riley and T-Mac, a match made in heaven.
HATER IN THE HOUSE:
http://twitter.com/KCJHoop/status/19619223874
Guess who?
lol what'd I tell you, K.C and Sam Smith hate his guts. I wonder what TMAC did to those two?
Vedo,
They must be fans of Johnson's...haha.
Who knows? I don't have much respect for K.C., but I do like Sam Smith.
I like KC better then Sam but i really dont care for either 1 of them. I dont thikn either 1 really knows much about bball. Sam Smith wanted a Monta Ellis D Rose backcourt. Great to watch....sure, is it going to win anything for you though? Heck no.
Kc Johnson.....not sure he even played ball before lol
that backcourt combo couldn't be any worse than the one we already tried, Rose and Gordon.
Agreed...I feel sorry for a guy like that...That is a cry for help!
If it makes you feel better, he made $23m last year without really doing anything.
Send him over to Boston!!!
He and Jermaine are going to put them 30 points over the top!!!
When I first heard about us working out TMac, I originally thought our chances of signing him were 50/50... After reading TMac's comments, I now think our chances are somewhere between the Vikings winning the Superbowl, and them bringing back "New Coke."
CLUELESS K.C.:
K.C. Johnson is CLUELESS.
Just because Tracy McGrady could be the 12th-man added to the roster, doesn't mean that he would be the 12th-man coming off the bench.
http://twitter.com/KCJHoop/status/19620538446
This is why I don't respect his work. He's a clueless copycat.
told ya lol the guy doesnt know anything lol i never listen to him....an i lost a lot of respect for him for bringing up that story on national television about Vinny and Pax getting into it. Does he know he made the Bulls look bad himself for bringing that story public on such a big stage? Now our Bulls front office have to answer questions about it and everything. He should of just kept it quite but whatever. I guess he wants Roger Mason Jr or Keith Bogans before Tmac. Give me a break.
KC wasn't the one who made the story public.
FYI:
The USA Basketball team will have a roster announcement on Wednesday.
http://twitter.com/SpearsNBAYahoo/status/19607457436
Mitchell,
Sam Smith and K.C. Johnson say that the Bulls will NEVER offer TMAC a contract. The use of the word NEVER shows their clear DISLIKE for TMAC.
KC Johnson pretty much yelled at the whole situation on tv the other night. Saying Tmac should be no where near this team. KC Johnson and Sam Smith are haters....im pretty positive coach Thibs likes this guy. He coached him for 3 years in Houston. We will see what happens instead of listening to a out of the loop Sam Smith and KC Johnson .
IMO, I really don't like what's left. I would like to see us get Rudy Fernandez somehow, but I really don't see that happening.
Exactly Vedo lol Who the heck are we going to get? Eddie House? Bogans? Mason Jr? Give me a break lol Tmac is still better then all those guys and we only have to pay him 2 mil or so.
csharp,
I can't see the Bulls' brass going for EHOUSE, given the signing of CJ MILES. If it were up to K.C. "THE ASS-HAT" Johnson the Bulls would sign either Keith Bogans or Roger Mason Jr.
Everyone by now knows where I stand on the issue.
The Bulls' brass can trade for one of these players, if they wanted to.
- Rudy Fernandez
- Sam Young
- Xavier Henry
- Corey Brewer
- Wayne Ellington
- Courtney Lee
- Terrence Williams
We'll see if the Bulls' brass STEPS UP and goes BOLD or stays CONSERVATIVE.
Add Nick Young and DaeQuan Cooke to that list as well.
Eddie House is on the way...
fsalomon,
I say pass on getting anymore Shooting Guards under 6'3" tall.
CJ Watson is Eddie House. I'd want TMAC or Fernandez, which are both looking like longshots now.
West can defend, hit a shot AND bang LeBron's mom...
Vedo,
We'll see if Portland lessens their trade demands.
If not, the Bulls' management should move onto one of the other young kids I mentioned. Certainly, anyone of them can be had for a 1st Round pick and/or Dickey Johnson.
Id say sign him. Theres nothing out there thats better. Give him a 1 year to 2 year deal and see what happens. Whats the worst that can happen? We still end up being the 4th 5th best team in the east? Shoot im not even sure were better then the Hawks right now. Its a low risk high reward type thing. Take a chance an see what happens. If it works, you look like a genous, if it doesnt, then whatever, you signed him for 1 year.
Plus this will help make even more money for the Bulls. Bulls will probably get some more televised games, more fans etc...
csharp,
In terms of VETERANS available free-agency, there is nothing better out there.
If the Bulls' Brass would get some COURAGE, they could make a trade for a young guy.
Hey, it looks like you have a new opinion you're sharing.
No, wait. Same tired and useless opinion.
To all the people who haven't watched the TMAC interview today, please go watch it. The Tribune and Sam Smith make this guy out to be a real douche. Watch the interview and listen to everything before you go all crazy.
http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/07/mcgrady-works-out-for-bulls.html
Now we can sign Delonte West....:)
Amen brotha. Then he can bang Rose's mom.
I'm serious though, he's the best fit for the Bulls, character issues aside.
The thing is.....if Roger Mason,Shannon Brown, Eddie House and Bogans score 10 points in 1 night...thats a good/very good game for them. Tmac can average 10 ppg and score even more any given night. Were not asking him to be a superstar....we arnt asking him to be the center of our offense (probably why his shooting percentages arnt that great too, 1. he was the #1 option 2. he had to create for himself)....he has Rose (Tmac even said, he has never played with a guard as good as him), Boozer, Watson, Deng (i guess) to do all the creating for him. The guy simply just has to come here....make the right passes, hit the open shot, play decent defense and he would be a good addition to our team. He is still better then most of players in the league.... not many players can average 10ppg even with 2 good legs, Tmac did it pretty much with 1 on a terrible Knick team were all the focus was on him.
And if you guys say he doesnt have game anymore.....please go watch some highlights on youtube of his knicks game and you wont be saying that anymore. Hes not the same player he once was, no way, but he deff. better then anybody thats out there right now. Plus, were going to need some scoring off the bench anyways. Do you want that role to go to Roger Mason or Bogans? Heck no.
If his knee is still a major problem, then fine, dont sign him. But if we dont want to sign him because he's older and not the same player as he use to be....we are idiots. He will probably end up landing in Miami and playing with their squad since thats 1 of few teams he would play for. Riley has been calling him non stop according to hoopshype.
The Bulls are not that stupid. It is probably for the reason you just mentioned...his physical issues. With all his other issues(used to being a #1 option, trying to be a starter, can he be an energy shooting guy from the bench and then guard the SG? etc..), it adds up to him being not worth the risk. Just look at Iverson(without any major injury) on how he lost his effectiveness after playing 10/12 years and was kicked out by 2 teams in half a season. Even though TMAC is young, he has been in the NBA for a long time as we all know and plus has gone through a major injury.
So for all the reasons you like, there is a lot more reasons for him to be a distraction for the Bulls. That's why he is probably not coming. The Bulls might surprise us by trying to lower his demands(maybe he is asking for a guaranteed contract) and then sign him.
We should just move on as he is definitely not going to be a difference maker even if you think so...The Bulls are probably focussed on getting a complimentary player for Brewer(energy guy from the bench for the SG position)...
The knee is the only reason i see not to sign him. If it is truly that bad still, then fine dont sign him. But if goes and joins the Heat and is a productive player for them....were dumb and we will look like idiots lol. Maybe we are trying to lower his asking price even more...who knows. He will just have to turn his game into a more crafty/smarter game like MJ did when he got older. He can hit wide open shots, he can post up still, his pump fakes still get alot of people in the air....an he still can draw fouls. But ya i agree, the bulls arnt that dumb. If he isnt signed...its becuase of the knee imo.
+2 i agree Doug
+2 i agree Doug
Tracy McGrady? 2nd String, Chance at 1st String
I guess McGrady was great once, not anymore.
I am a little concerned by his media posturing with how he would be such a great help to the Bulls, and he hopes to be 1st string.
When you contrast the media comments of Tracy McGrady to that of Kurt Thomas, you see a fading star compared to a valuable NBA journeyman.
Kurt Thomas readily admits he's "got their backs" for his new teammates. A little honest humility wouldn't hurt Tracy McGrady.
Perhaps he could say, "I'm here to help in anything the Bulls need. I want to win a championship before I retire."
I'm guessing the Bulls don't choose Tracy McGrady. Bulls management doesn't normally like media posturing on players with other question marks.
He even said in the interview...if im still the same player as i was with the Knicks i have no problem coming off the bench. Since when has competition for a starting position been a bad thing? If he proves he is better then Brewer....then start him. If he isnt better then Brewer in summer camp (which i think is very likely)....then bench him.
Even Swirski agrees on how much hate there is for this guy....
http://twitter.com/swirsk054
Vedo,
Thumbs up to Swirsky for telling everyone to CHILL on the McGrady hate.
To steal a phrase from Doug...K.C. Johnson is an ASS-HAT.
No he isnt a chemistry killer or locker room problem....Thib coached him in Houston...and if he was any of those...im pretty sure he woiuldnt be going after him now. Its 2 million dollars....who would you rather give it tooo Tmac or Eddie House?
If you havent watched the interview....i really think you should....he was very humble in it and very confident. Good watch.
you got a link csharp?
He is a 2 time scoring champ who averaged 25+ ppg....he should be drilling wide open jump shots. An thats why im in favor for signing him....he should see plenty of wide open j's when teaming up with Rose and Boozer.
Who?
Mitchell,
Too old and too small.
Mitchell,
EHOUSE can't defend bigger guards.
They Bulls have been there and done that with SMALL BACKCOURTS in the past. How did that work out for them?
Top 5 defense in the league with Kirk, Duhon and Gordon? I would say pretty good....
And those 1st Round exits were great.
Beating the snot out of Miami was great...you forget about that?
Even though I agree height is very important...if the player is talented enough,that's ok to be not super tall. Wade is not very tall but is extremely talented to play the SG. I wouldn't dismiss Eddie House if he can provide instant offense. That's all we need for now.
schaum,
Let's not compare EHOUSE to DWADE okay.
Doug/Mark/Bulls Fans...
What do you guys think about goin' after Delonte West?? Assuming he'd be waived by the T'Wolves after 2nite's trade, he may be one of the more talented 2 guards left on the market. Obviously his character is an issue, which leads me to believe mgmt won't be goin' after him... but any thoughts on that?
Sgt.,
Not happening. Delonte West has way too many issues on and off the court.
He's an ugly ****er, but as I stated above I would take him. He always seems to be effective against us...
He would help us a lot in the playoffs against the Heat. He would just sit on the bench alongside LBJ's mom and stare LeBron down. That would take care of LBJ and Brewer would take care of Wade. Bosh doesn't really scare me.
Doug,
This is his LAST SHOT to get things right.
That's good MOTIVATION. We'll see though.
Mitchell,
That's a CHEAP SHOP at McGrady.
I'm not on board with signing him nor EHOUSE.
Everyone knows who I want on the Bulls. He can defend, run the break, rebound, score and fit in nicely with the team, as well as the city.
EHOUSE is a back-up PG, which the Bulls already have.
Mitchell,
It's not.
I was the one who wanted DWADE, remember?
Mitchell,
It's a waste of time to even bring up Delonte West's name.
He doesn't fit with the Bulls' culture of building a roster of high character guys. You should know by now that the Bulls' management follows that agenda.
Mitchell,
I think SETTLING FOR THE BEST AVAILABE VETERAN is a stupid approach. It won't help them in the short-run or long-run. I hope they SHOCK me and make a trade.
Oh my!! This is my first post EVER!! I just had to say that this has been TOTALLY blown out of proportion. First, I think T-Mac can be a great addition, and give the Bulls that player (along with Rose, Noah, Boozer) that has the skill/confidence to play/beat Miami, Boston, Lakers, ect. Second, after watching the interview, I realize that all T-Mac meant, was...the Bulls were ALREADY a .500 club, before the additions of Boozer and himself. So, he's saying that w/Boozer and himself, it will only get better. I, myself, I really like this guy's confidence, and if that's really what it is, and not a form of denial, then I think he will be a GREAT fit. My only concern is his health. OK...I feel better now. haha
Congrads for popping your cherry! :)
I don't view any 12th man as a scream from the soapbox debate, and neither is McGrady
What if we were discussing Iverson?
I'm not suggesting that McGrady would be anywhere near Iverson, but if he turns out to be healthy and just not very good, I am worried about his attitude. We don't seem to have any bad seeds at this point, I'd rather not risk picking one up.
haha...thanks, evilhoban...I think. haha
wow. That last article is kind of grim, Mitchell...but, the jumpshot being on point is a huge plus. I think it should be expected that the man will have to keep working to get in NBA shape, but that's just my 2 cents. I'll go out on a limb and say the Bulls will sign him later this week. If it doesn't work out, it wouldn't be a HUGE loss. I just don't think it will be all that bad. Maybe...just maybe, he will develop a Reggie Miller complex behind all of this, and become motivated by all the naysayers.
The idea that we're comparing Tracy McGrady to Eddie House and Delonte West is laughable. At this price the Bulls might do well to sign him for multiple years just in case he does actually get better. GMs don't get superstar walk-ons everyday.
If he can be half as productive as Grant Hill we should sign him. No matter what this is Derrick's team even an immense ego like McGrady's can accept that. The guy is a weapon and one we can use. Let's not be bothered by superstition.
That is why I keep suggesting trading JJ and cash(about $1.7 million) for Henry. That way it costs a money conscious team(like Memphis)nothing to test him out for a year.
HOw can they not go for it, they are quibling with Henry over $300,000 or so that they want to make an incentive instead of a guarantee.
All anyone has to do is look at the stupid shit eating grin look on McGrady's face to know that we don't want him and his shitty attitude anywhere near this team.
Yeah, I brought him up :D
Was just curious to see what yall think is all. Not attached to West by any means nor do I think its likely mgmt pursues him b/c of that character.
I'm stunned Sam admitted that. He is of course one of basketballs great fiction writers LOL!!!
It was fool's gold. Once they got to the playoffs, they tended to be too small, could not match up defensively and at times a bit slow. I would cringe watching the Bulls running screen after screen to free up Ben Gordan.(He's that slow) Then I would scream because they had no inside presence, they would shoot themselves out of games when teams just backed off. So it was a double edged sword of sorts. But lestd remind folks why they beat Miami? Shaq fell off of the map. That was the beginning of his great decline. Antoine Walker really got bad. Riley held on to too many players he should have let go. Age and declining skills got them rather than the Bulls....
According to John Jackson of the Sun-Times,"During his workout Monday at the Berto Center, Tracy McGrady showed he has made physical progress since last season and is capable of being a contributor this season, according to a source.While McGrady vows not to make waves, he's confident he can perform well enough in training camp to earn a starting job, which could be the issue giving the Bulls pause." So it's not his physical issues? This is very different from what KC and Sam Smith were saying..
But despite the seven-time All-Star being physically able to fill the secondary bench role the Bulls are looking for, the team's brass isn't yet convinced McGrady will be a good fit after meeting with him following the workout, the source said.
Doug, you mad me fall out of my seat!!! Best backcourt in the NBA without a superstar on it? What does that mean? I don't think the Bulls were very good during this period. Why? No balance and no scoring from their bigs. I agree with you on the frontcourt issue. But I remember when Pax/Skiles signed Ben Wallace, people thought their "D" was going tp propel them to the ECF. I kept asking, whose going to score? Teams had already figured out that if you can run BG off of his shot and make him drive, you beat the Bulls. They were simply a niche offensive team. Drive kick to the open jumpshooter. That's why Skiles bailed on them because he pleaded with Pax to make changes with the frontcourt and then they draft Tyrus who's a great player from the neck down and Noah who was woeful as offensive threat. The Bulls had very very average players that Pax over valued for too long. The best thing he could have done was move some of those guys sfter that Miami sweep. Oh well...
No.. No... Hell to the Naw...If T-Mac is cancer, a bi-polar gun running, Bron-Bron mama banging Delonte is better? CHILD PLEASE!
Mitchell,
Didn't I say not to waste your time talking about Delonte West?
He doesn't fit within the Bulls system of having HIGH CHARACTER players.
Agree...If they could trade JJ for a SG, they would do it in an instant. I hope they don't take MrHappy's advice and trade for a person on his list(unless it is JJ, which is not happening).
If they have to trade Taj or the Charlotte Pick for a SG, then it should be for a good caliber SG at the least approaching Jason Richardson, Stephen Jackson's ability(not those people but equivalent to their talent)..
Mitchell,
A trade is definitely possible. The Bulls have the CASH, picks and a Dickey to make it happen.
However, as I said, they tend to BELIEVE IN THEIR DRAFT PICKS too long and thus act CONSERVATIVELY in their approach to acquiring players.
Blame Gar Forman and John Paxson for that.
ON THE BLOCK:
Portland is now open to trading Rudy Fernandez.
http://realgm.net/src_wiretap_archives/68381/20100727/portland_willing_to_trade_fernandez/
Maybe the Bulls are messing around with his head and his contract. They want to make sure he understands that he is not that highly wanted as he probably envisions and should take a lesser role and contract. Even though he said all those right things...they probably figured out that he still has that "I am this big star" mentality....
I wouldn't be surprised if they sign him after a few days.
Mitchell,
You said it.
Dickey Johnson isn't an asset right now.
Unfortunately, the Bulls' Brass tried to fool their fans by saying they took the BEST AVAILABLE PLAYER in last year's draft. That simple wasn't the case.
They should have drafted for NEED, which was a SG, instead of potential. Matt Loyd or whoever made that pick, really MESSED it up.
Now, they have to scramble to find a young SG.
#1 PICK and CASH:
Nobody can sit up here and tell me that a #1 Pick and Cash wouldn't be good enough to acquire one of the young SG's I listed.
They should just give it up, because most likely they will be picking in the 20's for sometime to come. If Dickey can be included, then great.
To add to that: As discussed before, Portland always overvalues their players a lot more than most other franchises.
Plus, they might be holding on to Rudy for a Chris Paul trade as one of their trading chips.
I am sure the Bulls love Rudy but there is a probably a good reason they haven't done it until now. So...let's hold of on our fantasy hoops ideas...
You're trying to reason with someone who thinks that the only reason Durant isn't on the Bulls is because management won't STEP UP and be BOLD.
Why haven't the Bulls been able to get Durant yet? Is tithe whole Batman/Robin thing?
Why are you bringing facts into the discussion?
Well put, Doug.
Mitchell,
I never said anything about Durant.
You guys act like KIDS.
Why SETTLE on a VET that is past his prime?
Be BOLD and go for a young guy, who can contribute.
Mitchell,
A trade can be made if they wanted to do one bad enough.
Have the guys I mentioned could easily go for a #1 pick by itself.
Mitchell,
That why I put Pendegraph in the deal.
Sam Smith on McGrady right before his workout:
"You could make a case that come playoff time, the game slows down and you need veterans who will stand up to pressure. It
That said, I much prefer the plan of trying to pry rudy fernandez off the blazers. I said about Shaq that the answer for this team is not going to be found in the 1996 draft and that applies as much to tmac as shaq. This Bulls squad is one player away from really contending, fernandez might be that guy depending on what we have to give up.