"This is the NBA: No Boys Allowed. Big boys don't cry. But, if you're going to do it, do it in the toilet where no one can see"
- Phil Jackson on the Heat crying following the loss to Chicago

Send them back to Mardi Gras with tears in their eyes!!!!

Nice W today!!!!

All I want for Christmas is a classic showdown between two surging teams with a storied rivalry....
"Everytime a bell rings a Scalabrine gets its wings"

Melo combined with Rose, Boozer and our supporting cast is enough to give us a legit shot to get to the Eastern Conference Finals. This deal needs to get done. Of course we dont want to give up Joakim but you cant get something for nothing and this one is just too good to pass up.

"The Chicago Bulls are interested in trading for the Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony and are discussing internally including Joakim Noah as part of the deal, according to a league source.

According to the source, the Nuggets are hesitant to take back Luol Deng as part of a deal with the Bulls because Denver is leery of taking on long-term contracts with the collective bargaining agreement set to expire on June 30, 2011. Deng is two years into a six-year, $71 million contract.


Noah will make $3.1 million this season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. He would become a restricted free agent next season unless the Bulls extend his contract.


Yahoo! Sports reported Wednesday that an NBA source with knowledge of Anthony's wishes told him Anthony still hopes to convince Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri to trade him, and he prefers a move to the New York Knicks or Bulls.


The Nuggets offered Anthony a three-year, $65 million extension through 2014, but if he rejects it, the team will have to consider trading the forward who has guided them to seven straight playoff berths.


"I think I'm going to convince him to be a Nugget," Ujiri said on Aug. 31. "No, I don't know, I can't make a judgment on that. Like I said, it's a process and until he tells me that ... we want him back, the city wants him back, ownership wants him back."


Anthony has never come out and said he wanted to be traded, however.


At his basketball camp this summer, Anthony dismissed all the speculation of his impending departure from Denver: "I've been hearing that for five years. I'm a Denver Nugget. I'm here, I'm with the Nuggets. I don't become a free agent until next year, if I decide not to take that extension."


Anthony, 26, has averaged 24.7 points per game in his career, including 28.2 last season."



http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=5550421

Also mentions Bulls still trying to get Rudy but Blazers are holding out

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=5530266

Players demand a trade because they have (for the most part) been pampered their entire lives and careers, surrounded by people always kissing their asses.
It begins in high school. You want free shoes?... here you go... in fact take some extra for your family and friends.
Then college. You want a sports car?... here you go. Oh and you cant wear jacked up clothes in your new car so here's some nice clothes to go with it.
Then the pros. You want a multi million dollar contract to buy your gigantic mansion, you got it.

OH WAIT!!!! I have the money but now I want a shiny trophy and a diamond encrusted ring the size of my head.... I WANT OUT!!!!!

The point is that sooner or later they start thinking they can have anything they desire. They think things are owed to them and completely stop appreciating things.

They want a championship.... and what do spoiled little kids do when they want something??? They whine until someone gives them what they want.

Truth is that players have more pull than coaches in the NBA at this point as witnessed by LeBron, Bosh and Wade's antics this summer and also by what Melo is doing in Denver.

It makes me sad about the state of the game.

Did Magic Johnson or Larry Bird ever demand a trade? I can't picture Bill Russell ever having a post game rant to reporters about practice "PRACTICE!!!! WERE TALKIN BOUT PRACTICE!!!!"

I cant see Walt Frazier telling the Knicks he cant take their multi-million dollar deal because "he has to feed his family".

I cant see Dr J making his "Decision" to make his jump from the ABA to the NBA or Bob Cousy tweeting during halftime of a playoff game.

This athlete worshipping, money hungry, social media obsessed generation that we live in is out of control and has really gone to the dogs if you ask me.

Now I'm not saying I'm perfect but the more I learn about modern day athletes and their antics (including from sources close to our beloved Bulls) the less I respect them.

I would say the Ewing dunk but it will probably be something similar to MJ's with Pip schooling a couple of no name players. Looking forward to seeing it up close when its done!

DO YOU REMEMBER HOW NASTY SCOTTIE PIPPEN USED TO BE???

EWING DOES!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rhd0ZFrb7y0

Scottie talking about the legendary dunk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D9Zf6uMdDk&NR=1

2010 Hall Of Fame Inductees!!!!! Excerpts From Malone and Pippens Speeches
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CTVIYaw55Y

Congratulations Pip!!!!!!

Knicks set to sign Roger Mason for 1 yr/1.4 mil but they also refused to give up their future number 1 pick to land Rudy Fernandez which might open the door for the Bulls. Shannon Brown signs with the Lakers for 2 yrs/4.6 mil.

Seems like it will happen quickly no matter where he lands...

"At the urging of Rudy Fernandez and his agent, the Trail Blazers have engaged in accelerated trade discussions to deal the disgruntled, once-popular shooting guard to one of three Eastern Conference teams.


Boston, Chicago and New York are all in the running to land the 6-foot-6 Spaniard, who set an NBA rookie record two seasons ago by making 159 three-pointers."



http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbe...g_for_a_fa.html

Bulls in trade talks with Blazers for Fernandez
July 27, 2010 10:17 PM
By K.C. Johnson

The Oregonian reported Tuesday night that the Bulls are among three teams engaged in trade talks with the Trail Blazers for swingman Rudy Fernandez.

Fernandez, long rumored to be available, also is being linked to talks with the Celtics and Knicks, the paper reported, citing Fernandez's agent, Andy Miller.

The Bulls are still seeking to add outside shooting for their 12th contracted player after witnessing an underwhelming workout by Tracy McGrady on Monday. The Bulls also have had conversations with representatives for shooting guards like Keith Bogans, Roger Mason Jr. and Eddie House, sources previously told the Tribune.

The Bulls have been offering 2009 first-round pick James Johnson all offseason, although the Trail Blazers have shown little interest in Johnson in the past and other parts would be needed to make those salaries match.

Fernandez, 25, has shot 38.7 percent from 3-point range in his two NBA seasons since leaving his native Spain.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/...-fernandez.html

I want McGrady simply because the upside is HUGE.

Look at the careers of Steve Nash and Grant Hill.
People thought they were past it and then they found a second wind in Phoenix and Orlando that gave new life to their game. These guys still both contribute to their team. T-Mac for 3 million is a daring investment and worth the reward should he somehow find the fountain of youth at the UC!!!! Playing in MJ's house night in night out should inspire him to dig deeper. Pull the trigger and call it an offseason!

Thanks for the memories big fella!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5388602

Great move by the Bulls again once the Redick deal got matched. Brewer has the ability to really help on the defensive end and can score where needed. Another solid acquisition!

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=5384815

For arguments sake the players positions are as listed by Yahoo Sports -

POINT GUARD

TEAM NAME AGE FA STATUS 09/10 SALARY
Chicago Acie Law 25 U $2,216,160
Chicago Flip Murray 30 U $1,990,000
Chicago Jannero Pargo 30 U $1,990,000
Denver Anthony Carter 35 U $825,497
Detroit Chucky Atkins 35 U $825,497
Detroit Will Bynum 27 R $825,497
Golden State CJ Watson 26 U $1,000,497
Indiana Earl Watson 31 U $2,800,000
L.A. Clippers Bobby Brown 25 R $736,420
Memphis Jamaal Tinsley 32 U $738,091
Memphis Marcus Williams 24 U $825,497
Miami Rafer Alston 33 U $475,875
Miami Carlos Arroyo 30 U $825,497
Milwaukee Royal Ivey 28 U $1,050,000
New Jersey Chris Quinn 26 U $1,050,387
New York Eddie House 32 U $2,932,708
Oklahoma City Kevin Ollie 37 U $825,497
Oklahoma City Mustafa Shakur 25 R $112,629
Orlando Anthony Johnson 35 U $2,062,800
Orlando Jason Williams 34 U $825,497
Philadelphia Allen Iverson 35 U $645,830
Portland Travis Diener 28 U $208,802
Portland Patrick Mills 21 R $457,588
Washington Earl Boykins 34 U $752,659
Washington Javaris Crittenton 22 U $1,477,920
Washington Cedric Jackson 24 R $26,917

SHOOTING GUARD

TEAM NAME AGE FA STATUS 09/10 SALARY
Atlanta Mario West 26 R $451,596
Boston Marquis Daniels 29 U $1,990,000
Boston Michael Finley 37 U $194,235
Charlotte Stephen Graham 28 U $825,497
Charlotte Larry Hughes 31 U $160,244
Chicago Devin Brown 31 U $1,159,693
Indiana Luther Head 27 U $825,497
L.A. Clippers Mardy Collins 25 R $1,867,742
L.A. Lakers Shannon Brown 24 U $1,990,000
Memphis Ronnie Brewer 25 U $2,717,161
Milwaukee Jerry Stackhouse 35 U $422,460
Minnesota Aleksandar Pavlovic 26 U $1,500,000
Minnesota Damien Wilkins 30 U $3,630,000
New Jersey Trenton Hassell 31 U $4,350,000
New York J.R. Giddens 25 U $1,028,880
Sacramento Ime Udoka 32 U $786,650
San Antonio Keith Bogans 30 U $825,497
San Antonio Roger Mason 29 U $3,780,000
Toronto Antoine Wright 26 U $1,800,000

***** Also the Bulls seem to be interested in T-Mac as another option at the 2 spot. Richard Jefferson, Josh Howard, Matt Barnes and Bobby Simmons are on the market too but all classified as small forwards.

Good for him as far as the playing time goes and I do see your point but I think from a financial standpoint it was a move that we should have pursued. He still has that potential your talking about and even with limted minutes he could have fit in. Practising against Derrick would only make him better too. No use crying over spilt milk though...

Shaun Livingston has agreed to a 2 yr / $7 mil deal with the Bobcats. Should have been the Bulls!

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/07/14/bobcats...ls=iref:nbahpt2

Shrewd move by Bulls front office to make Orlando pay double if that is really the case. We could end up with a really decent shooting team if we pull this off. I had JJ on my fantasy team last season and he was good for about two three's a game. He also shot 86% from the free throw line. Nice to have on your bench to strengthen your secondary unit.

Livingston or Arroyo

Great move by Bulls management!!!! Forget LeBron and his king-sized ego. We have improved greatly by adding Boozer and Korver. They provide simple fundamental basketball that will allow Rose additional freedom to distribute and attack the rim because they will spread the defense more. Korver's perimiter shooting is a much needed adrenaline shot for our offense!!!
A couple players I think we should add to this mix would be Flip Murray (played well for us last year and can help fill in as a role player) and possibly Shaun Livingston who only made $228,226 last year for the Wizards. This homegrown kid could be a steal and play the former Thabo Sefolosha role of oversized point guard off the bench. With Wall, Kirk and Arenas in Washington now they dont really need him and he could fit well with the Bulls. Others worthy of a look are Boston's Tony Allen, Orlando's JJ Redick, LA's Shannon Brown, Miami's Carlos Arroyo and Golden State's Anthony Morrow.

The Big 3 In South Beach Is Official..... time for us to sign a SG....

Not ideal by any means but since Amare and Bosh are already gone it will work as his numbers are pretty solid. I still would have personally preferred Lee but I am hopeful that this be the deal that lands us LeBron tomorrow night!

Nice move, we're headed in the right direction.... now lets go get a superstar!