Examining the Roster

Let’s take a look at the Bulls’ roster as it stands today and see what kind of team Chicago fans might be looking at in 2009-10.  The most likely starting five includes Derrick Rose at the point, John Salmons at the two, Luol Deng at small forward, Tyrus Thomas at power forward and Joakim Noah in the middle.  That’s a solid starting five, though it lacks significant scoring in the post.  The Bulls have been a perimeter-oriented team since they traded away Elton Brand in 2001.  Thomas seems to fancy himself as some kind of hybrid wing player, and until that mentality changes he’s going to have trouble scoring from the power forward position.

Kirk Hinrich and Brad Miller will probably be the first two guys off the bench for Chicago.  Miller can provide some scoring from the five spot, while Hinrich can play both guard positions.  Rookie James Johnson should see significant minutes at the three and the four, while Taj Gibson might have a reduced role until he puts on some weight.  Jannero Pargo will be available to hit big shots off the pine, while Lindsey Hunter will be there to defend in crunch time.  The team is looking pretty solid and should be a threat come playoff time.

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Praise From Simmons

ESPN’s Bill Simmons recently praised the Chicago Bulls for their signing of Jannero Pargo to a one-year deal this summer, describing Pargo as “a poor man’s Ben Gordon who catches fire off the bench every so often.”  ”Chicago, don’t do anything else!” he continues.  “You had a nice run this past spring and created an identity for yourself, and you have Luol Deng coming back to take Gordon’s minutes.  Let this thing breathe.  Let the kids run around and do their thing.  You have plenty of time.”

I think Simmons is on the right track here.  “According to NBA history, the Bulls will struggle coming out of the gate as this season’s enticing ‘Watch out for these guys!’ team that surprised in the previous playoffs, receives a little too much attention and briefly self-combusts the next season (copyright: 2007-08 Warriors),” Simmons explains.  ”Again, let it breathe, Chicago.  Thank you.”  There is definitely something to this.  We’ve seen it a number of times.  Think back to the first year after the Bulls got Ben Wallace.  They were supposed to make the leap to the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference, but it ended up sparking the end of that era of the Bulls.

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Rose Working on His Shot

Bulls point guard Derrick Rose appears to have it all.  He surpassed lofty expectations in his rookie season and established himself as the Bulls’ franchise player.  He had a huge performance in his first playoff game and looks poised to be one of the league’s biggest stars.  A lot of men his age would be content with where they’re at right now, but Rose is a tireless worker.  This summer, he’s been working on his jump shot, one skill that needs some improvement.  If Rose is able to develop a reliable outside shot, it will make his lightning-quick first step even more deadly than it already is.

“Rose takes about 500 jumpers six days a week when he and [trainer Rob] McClanahan are in the gym with other players like Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook.,” it said on By the Horns.  ”When they’re alone, that number doubles.”  Rose did not shoot the ball well from distance last season and adding a three-point shot to his arsenal could have huge results.  He’s already incredibly difficult to guard as it is.  The sky is truly the limit for Rose and he has the potential to develop not only into one of the best point guards in the league, but one of the best players.

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Deng Focusing on Health

After spending the last two seasons battling injuries, Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng is putting his physical rehabilitation ahead of playing for the British National team.  Deng is still recovering from a stress fracture in his right leg that he suffered last February.  Britain will be attempting to clinch a spot in the 2012 games.  “It’s a very tough decision not being able to play but it was just a tough year last year with my injury,” Deng said Monday.  ”The fracture of my leg was such a serious injury that I need all summer in order to go full speed and I’m not full speed yet, but I’m almost there.”

It was not too long ago that Deng was viewed as the team’s franchise player.  The Duke product was awarded a huge contract a couple of summers ago, but things have really changed since then.  He’s been battling injuries and less-than-stellar play since, and the team has found a new franchise player in Derrick Rose.  All is certainly not lost for Deng, though, as he can still be a starter and major contributor for this team going forward.  He’s right to focus on getting healthy this summer in an effort to get his career back on track.

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Who Designed the Chicago Bull?

The Chicago Bulls’ logo is one of the most famous sports logos in the world. When Jordan, Pippen and the rest of the 1990s-era Bulls were winning championships, the Bulls were one of the most popular and respected sports franchises in the world. Their merchandise was selling fast, and the Bulls logo become synonymous with success. We bet you never knew that Theodore W. Drake designed the Bulls logo- the red bulls head one.

Did you also know that Teddy Drake designed the Notre Dame Fighting Irish logo? While the Bulls’ head is fairly standard, the Irishman, in fighting stance and leprechaun uniform, has been somewhat of a controversial subject because of its stereotypical depiction of the Irish, midgets and violence. Now you know. Make sure to bring this up with your friends when you’re watching the Bulls warm up at the home opener.

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Bulls News And Notes

The Chicago Bulls finished 3-2 at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, closing the week with three consecutive wins. Most of the attention was on first-round draft pick James Johnson, who averaged 16.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists in the five games. The 6-foot-8 forward from wake Forest demonstrated he can handle the ball well. He often got a defensive rebound and headed up court with the ball. The only negative thing with Johnson is that his outside shot could use some work. The Bulls’ other first-round draft pick, 6-10 forward Taj Gibson, averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds. Gibson missed the last three games due to a sore foot. The forward also racked up 19 fouls in the two games he played in, but that could be because the foul-out rules are relaxed for the summer league. Guard Demarcus Nelson had a good week in Las Vegas. He managed to  get 13.8 points. “For the second time four years, the Bulls have bid an early farewell to F Tim Thomas. The veteran agreed to a contract settlement and was released July 14. The 6-foot-9 Thomas joined the Bulls from New York as part of the Larry Hughes trade last Feb. 19, but played little during the rest of the season. He was due to make $6.4 million next season, but the Bulls felt he was expendable because they have a similar expiring contract in Jerome James, which could be used in a trade. Thomas’ buyout also gave the team roughly $2 million in extra room beneath the luxury tax threshold.”

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Bill Murray, Bulls Fan

Who is the most famous Chicago Bulls fan? Bill Murray is probably up there. You can see Bill Murray at Bulls games throughout the season, but he’s most likely to show up when the Bulls are in the playoffs. In fact, during one of the mot critical games of Michael Jordan’s career, his 1994 championship matchup with the Monstars, Bill Murray provided several key passes (including a behind-the-back) which helped Jordan eventually seal the game with an improbable half-court dunk. Check out the video.

Bill shows up to Celtics games as well, but most people associate him with Chicago-area sports, as he was born in Willamette, Illinois and also attends Cubs and Bears games. Bill goes to University of Illinois basketball games, and is even part owner of several minor league baseball teams.

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Phil Jackson Quotes

In case you haven’t heard, Phil Jackson was coach of the Chicago Bulls for a long period in the 1990s (actually from 1989 to 1998), where he took teams guided by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen to NBA Championships in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998. He’s famous for his philosophical approach to the game, and he’s often times referred to as the “Zen Master.” Here are a few quotes from this living legend of a coach. Bulls fans, you can use these quotes (from BrainyQuote) to find your center or pump yourself up for whatever you have in store.

“Always keep an open mind and a compassionate heart.”

“Approach the game with no preset agendas and you’ll probably come away surprised at your overall efforts.”

“I gave it my body and mind, but I have kept my soul.”

“If you meet the Buddha in the lane, feed him the ball.”

“Love is the force that ignites the spirit and binds teams together.”

“Wisdom is always an overmatch for strength.”

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Bulls Work Out May

The Bulls, always in search of frontcourt scoring, recently worked out former North Carolina standout Sean May.  May was drafted in the lottery by the Charlotte Bobcats in 2005, but injuries and conditioning issues have hampered his career thus far.  He’s a skilled big, though, and could provide some scoring off the bench on the low block if he’s healthy.  May won a National Championship in 2005 with UNC on a team that featured fellow NBAers Raymond Felton, Marvin Williams and Rashad McCants.  He was named the Most Outstanding Player in the Final Four that year.

May looks to serve as a backup plan to a potential Carlos Boozer trade, but it doesn’t sound like that deal is totally dead.  It’s been reported that Utah will match the four-year, $32 million offer sheet that Portland offered Paul Millsap, all but assuring that the team will move Boozer this offseason.  The Bulls have attractive bargaining chips in Tyrus Thomas and Kirk Hinrich, and the fact that it would be the Blazers losing out on Millsap helps facilitate the three-team deal that had been previously rumored.  The Bulls could definitely use some help in the post and it’s good to see that they’re exploring all options.

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Bulls Fall to Bucks

The Bulls fell to 0-2 in the Vegas Summer League yesterday after suffering a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks’ summer squad.  The Bulls were outscored in every quarter save the first, falling 87-72 in the end.  The thing that strikes me the most after the Bulls’ first two summer games is that Taj Gibson looks like a much better rebounder than I initially thought.  Despite his slight frame, Gibson is averaging 10 rebounds through his first two summer league games, grabbing eight yesterday.  He did amass 10 personal fouls in less than 25 minutes, though, which is the limit in the summer league.

James Johnson struggled from the field in this one, shooting 4-15 from the floor, but made up for it by getting to the line for 11 free throws.  He finished with 16 points and four rebounds, but turned the ball over six times.  It’s going to be a rollercoaster ride with Johnson, as one of the knocks on him is his inconsistency, and we’ve already seen it in two summer league games.  The Bucks received solid contributions from Brandon Jennings, Joe Alexander, Jodie Meeks and Amir Johnson.  Jennings is showing himself to be a true playmaker and could end up being a steal for the Bucks.

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