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• Selected Derrick Rose 1st overall.

• Selected Sonny Weems 39th overall.

• Traded three future second round draft picks to Portland for the rights to Omar Asik (36th overall).

As expected, the Bulls grabbed Memphis guard Derrick Rose with the #1 overall pick in the draft, and it’s tough to argue. You can make your case for Michael Beasley, but let’s face it – great point guards like Derrick Rose just don’t come around very often. That’s not to say that Michael Beasley isn’t unique in his own right, but if you have a chance at a legitimate star point guard and/or center, you take that opportunity without even thinking about it more often than not. The Bulls did just that with hometown boy Derrick Rose, and got the best long-term prospect in this draft.

Sonny Weems is nothing spectacular, but he’s a terrific athlete who’s got the physical tools to turn himself into a quality role player in the NBA. Solid pick at 39.

Omar Asik is unlikely to come over right away, but the Bulls may have acquired the rights to a long-term steal at the center position. It took three future second round picks to pry him away from Portland, but it could pay off in the long haul.

Grade: A

The Chicago Bulls hosted forward Michael Beasley for a workout this afternoon, and the Kansas State sensation offered an interview with Bulls.com afterwards.

Bulls.com: How did you feel your workout went?

Michael Beasley: “I thought it went well. I didn’t make quite as many shots as I hoped I’d make, but oh well. I had fun, and they didn’t tell me how tough some of these drills would be. Overall, I definitely enjoyed it. You’re pretty much in the dark in terms of what to expect, so you just hope to come in here and play well.”

Bulls.com: Do you have any plans to workout for the Miami Heat or any other NBA teams?

Beasley: “I actually leave tonight for Miami so I’ll be there tomorrow morning. I’m not sure exactly when they’ll have me workout, but I’ll be there Wednesday and Thursday. Right now it’s just the Bulls and Heat for me.”

Bulls.com: You took a long look at some of the championship banners at the beginning of your workout. What’s it like to be here in the position that you’re in?

Beasley: “It’s a special feeling. Everyone knows about the history here—two three-peats and the greatest player ever and another one in the top 50. Everyone knows about this team, and now to be here and see it in person only adds to the excitement.”

Bulls.com: What kind of workout schedule have you been on since declaring for the draft?

Beasley: “I’ve been working out three times a day, every day during the week. I’ve made weekends a little more optional and usually I take Sunday off. But Monday through Friday, I’ve been lifting once and working out on the court twice every day.”

Bulls.com: Is it more of a challenge to workout without any competition on the floor?

Beasley: “I think it’s fun to have somebody to go up against, and you can pace yourself a little more if the other guy is doing a drill or something like that. But I like working out on my own. It’s cool with me and it will work out better in the long run, I think.”

Bulls.com: As the draft approaches, you’re fielding more questions than ever about your character. What have you learned throughout high school and one year at Kansas State, and how far have you come as an individual?

Beasley: “I’ve learned to just be me. I’ve made a few mistakes in my lifetime and I’m not perfect. I live and learn. But I’m going to continue to be me. I’m not going to change who I am. I know when to be serious and I know when to have fun. I like to see smiles; you can’t take things too seriously all the time. I like to see people have fun and I like to smile and that’s just my personality.”

Bulls.com: How would you describe your acclimation to college life at Kansas State?

Beasley: “Manhattan was great. When I first got there, I had my doubts. The city wasn’t as big as I was used to and it took some time to adjust. But everyone in the town and on campus treated me like family. I loved it. I can honestly say that I found a new home in Manhattan and it will always be a part of me.”

Bulls.com: You truly became a star in Manhattan. Was that tough to get used to, being a guy who seems to prefer to keep a low profile?

Beasley: “I felt like a rock star at times, but it was cool. It was crazy because I’d just be walking to class or something and a random person would throw my name out. At first, I was like, ‘Who are you?’ But I got used to it and enjoyed it.”

Bulls.com: How did Frank Martin help your progress as a player and what was your relationship with him like?

Beasley: “I consider Frank to be one of my best friends. He’s just that type of coach. He wants to help you in life, not just in basketball. He taught me to bring it every single day and he also encouraged me not to change for anybody. He told me every day to just be myself and work hard every day.”

Bulls.com: What did it mean to you to lead the Wildcats to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1996?

Beasley: “It means a lot, especially now when I look back on the season. To know the history, to know we hadn’t beaten Kansas at home in 25 years, to know we hadn’t made it to the tournament in 12 years and we hadn’t won there in 24 years, it just made the whole season that much more special for us all. We didn’t go as far as we wanted to in the tournament, but overall we accomplished a lot and we did better than a lot of people expected.”

Bulls.com: Was there one particular game or moment that sticks out?

Beasley: “Beating KU at home. It was a great win for us and one that I’ll always remember. They came in 20-0 and expected to win, but we had nothing to lose. We played our hearts out and got the victory.”

Bulls.com: You go way back with Kevin Durant. What’s your relationship with him?

Beasley: “Kevin is another one of my best friends. We played on the same AAU team together, the PG Jaguars, and then we kind of parted ways. But I talk to him a lot, every couple days. We’re from the same area so we workout together from time to time. We’ve taken a similar path—both from the D.C. area, went to the Big 12, and played one year of college ball—and he gives me a lot of advice. Stay humble; that’s his main thing. Kevin is the most humble, grounded guy that I know. He tells me to stay humble because everything can all be taken away. So work hard and treat everyone with respect.”

Bulls.com: Do you think your style of play is similar to his, or is there another NBA player you have tried to resemble?

Beasley: “It can be, but I tend to play with a little more power. I like to knock a guy over when I go to the basket, whereas Kevin can shoot it from about 85-feet. I like to think I can shoot the ball too, but I also like to bang a little bit down in the post. Carmelo [Anthony] is a guy I’ve watched for a few years, but it’s tough playing like him. He’s got one smooth game and he plays a lot more fluid than I do. I’d rather just play like me.”

Bulls.com: What do you feel your position will be at the NBA level? Do you feel you will be more of a small forward or power forward?

Beasley: “I think I’ll be able to play both depending on where a team needs me to play. I’m just ready to get out there and compete, no matter what position and whether it’s starting or coming off the bench. I can’t wait.”

Bulls.com: Does being left-handed give you any kind of advantage?

Beasley: “I think it does. I dribble a lot with my right, and guys sometimes forget I shoot with my left. They stop paying attention and think I’m going to go to my right, so they play me that way and then I can take them going to my left. It’s one of those things that sometimes makes it a little easier to get by my man.”

Bulls.com: What elements of your game do you feel you need to address the most in order to be a success at the pro level?

Beasley: “When you’re my age, you’ve got to work on everything. For me, it’s probably the mental adjustments more than the physical ones. From my shot to my ballhandling to my free throws, I need to get better in all those areas.”

Bulls.com: What’s your impression of John Paxson and Vinny Del Negro now that you’ve had the chance to meet them?

Beasley: “They’re real cool. I didn’t think they’d be as down to earth as they are. We had dinner [Monday night] and we’ve talked quite a bit. We talked some basketball, but it was more of a get to know you kind of thing. They had questions and I had questions. It’s been fun, and I’m taking away a lot more than I expected.”

Bulls.com: How do you think you would fit in with the current Bulls team?

Beasley: “I think I could be a good low post presence, but I can also bring that inside-outside balance. I think I’d take some pressure off the guards and grab my share of rebounds too. I’d love to come here. Chicago’s a great city with an amazing history and tradition and hopefully they’ll have a great team again soon.”

Posted By: Dustin Chapman

Bulls.com reports that the Chicago Bulls have hired Vinny Del Nergo as their newest head coach.

The Chicago Bulls announced today the hiring of Vinny Del Negro as the 17th head coach in franchise history. In accordance with club policy, terms of the contract were not announced.

Del Negro, 41, comes to the Bulls after serving as the Assistant General Manager for the Phoenix Suns. Prior to his promotion to Assistant General Manager, he served as the team’s Director of Player Personnel. Before making the transition to the Suns front office, Del Negro spent three seasons (2003-06) as a color analyst for the Suns broadcast teams. He has also served as an analyst for ESPN and the San Antonio Spurs.

“I am very pleased to name Vinny Del Negro as the next head coach of the Chicago Bulls. I have gone through the process of talking to many people since the season ended which has allowed me to hear the basketball philosophies of different candidates, and I felt very good about many of the interviews,” said Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson.

“Vinny distinguished himself from the group and I feel I have been able to identify a person who has the strong ability to lead, communicate and bring a fresh, energized approach to our young basketball team,” he added. “Vinny will be able to draw from his experiences in basketball as a player, scout and executive, and I am confident that he will be successful in this new role.”

Selected by the Sacramento Kings in the second round (29th overall) of the 1988 NBA Draft, Del Negro went on to play 14 seasons, including 12 in the NBA. During his time in the NBA, he played for five teams: Sacramento, San Antonio, Milwaukee, Golden State and Phoenix. In 771 regular season games, he averaged 9.1 ppg, 3.2 apg and 2.3 rpg in 24.9 mpg. A member of seven playoff teams during his NBA playing days, he appeared in 54 playoff contests and averaged 8.8 ppg, 2.8 apg and 2.2 rpg in 25.3 mpg.

Del Negro also spent two seasons in Italy (1990-92), where he played for Benetton Treviso of the Italian A1 League. While in Treviso, he starred with former Bull Toni Kukoc to lead the team to its first Italian league championship in 1992, and earned playoff MVP honors during the club’s title run.

“I really appreciate both Jerry and John’s confidence and support throughout this entire process. Having played 14 years at the professional level and several more as an executive in the front office, I am looking forward to this opportunity and the challenges that lie ahead as head coach of the Bulls,” said Del Negro.

“There are a lot of things to like about this young Bulls team,” he added. “My efforts are going to be geared specifically toward getting the best out of each player – whatever their particular strengths may be that make them most successful. As a guard in this league, I always felt that I was that extension of the coach. Everyone I have talked to has expressed to me that they felt the Bulls are a great organization, and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”

It is rather interesting that the Bulls decided to hand Del Negro the “keys to the car,” as he has absolutely zero coaching experience in the NBA. Initially, the consensus was that John Paxson would bring in a some experience, hence the Doug Collins discussion early on.

With that said, every coach has to start somewhere. Celtics head coach Doc Rivers is a terrific example, as he did not possess any NBA coaching experience when hired by the Orlando Magic in 1999. Nine years and one Coach of the Year award later, Rivers is now coaching in the NBA Finals.

It will be interesting to see if Del Negro pans out in that nature, as he’ll be dealt a plethora of promising young talent from the get-go.

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Posted By: Dustin Chapman

Beasley would give the team the kind of frontcourt scorer the team has lacked the past few years, but Rose can run the show and elevate those around him. I have to believe when it is all said and done that the guy who can not only be a star himself but maximize the abilities of Deng, Gordon, and Nocioni will be the direction Paxson goes with the #1.

2. Heat- Michael Beasley  PF 19 years old; 6′9″; 220 lbs. Kansas State, Freshman

If Riley is serious about shopping the pick, then I do not imagine him having a hard time finding a suitor. Memphis has three young point guards and the fifth pick that they can package. Seattle, New Jersey, and Sacramento have strong desires to add a frontcourt scorer along with pieces to put together an impressive package. Regardless as to who ends up with the pick, Beasley will go no lower than second.
3. Timberwolves- Brook Lopez  C 19 years old; 7′0″; 260 lbs. Stanford, Sophomore

O.J. Mayo or Jerryd Bayless are possibilities should they go with a guard, but Foye and McCants are capable guards. As pleased as they must be with Ryan Gomes and Craig Smith, they force Al Jefferson to play the center spot. One can stand to reason that Kevin McHale will try to get help for Al Jefferson up front so he can play more at his natural position.

4. Sonics- O.J. Mayo  PG/SG 20 years old; 6′5″; 195 lbs. USC, Freshman
Much of the drama that surrounds him overshadows the fact that he is a tremendous basketball talent. A Durant-Mayo combination on the wing could give them a formidable duo for the next decade. The rest of the roster, however, will still be a work-in-progress.

5. Grizzlies- DeAndre Jordan  C 19 years old; 7′0″; 260 lbs. Texas A&M, Freshman

Even before the rumors started circulating that he has received a top five promise, Jordan-to-Memphis made sense to me. They are sitting in what really is point guard/combo guard row with Bayless, Gordon, Westbrook, and Augustin probably being the most impactful players on the board. With Conley, Lowry, and Crittenton on their roster (as well as Juan Carlos Navarro being a restricted free agent meaning they can match all offers), the last thing they would need is another smallish guard. Jordan, while not ready to play right away, could develop into a big time center. They could work him into their rotation slowly like the Warriors did Andris Biedrins. Given that they are in the loaded Southwest, they are going to need to be patient anyway. If they don’t go Jordan, I can see them take Randolph.

6. Knicks- D.J. Augustin  PG 20 years old; 5′11″; 175 lbs. Texas, Sophomore

I am going to throw caution into the wind and bank on the Knicks making the right decision. If they are going to commit to Mike D’Antoni and his system, then how can they pass on the best pure point guard on the board who is tailoring his game after Steve Nash? They could go with Eric Gordon or Bayless, but I do not believe that either would fit as well as Augustin.

7. Clippers- Jerryd Bayless  PG/SG 19 years old; 6′3″; 199 lbs. Arizona, Freshman

With Shaun Livingston’s knees in question and Corey Maggette able to opt out, the Clippers need to upgrade their backcourt. If Bayless is still available, the explosing scoring guard should make their decision easy. If not, then they will probably either go Gordon or Russell Westbrook

8. Bucks-  Eric Gordon  PG/SG 19 years old; 6′3″; 215 lbs. Indiana, Freshman

With John Hammond and Scott Skiles taking over the Bucks, I expect the team to try and change the culture. The team does not lack for talent or scorers, but they have been an extremely poor team defensively. This will likely result in a number of players being dealt this summer or in the next year. A talented and versatile player who will get after it defensively like Gordon will help the transition.

9. Bobcats- Anthony Randolph  SF/PF 18 years old; 6′11″; 220 lbs. LSU, Freshman
With the Bobcats sitting in the middle of the lottery once again, I would not be surprised if Michael Jordan and Larry Brown decide to deal the pick for a veteran like the team did last year. Charlotte fans are not as patient with the Bobcats building as they were with the Hornets the first time around, and getting to the playoff next year is the goal. If, however, they get stuck with the pick, I expect them to go with a versatile wing who can defend bigger players on the perimeter meaning they can either go with Randolph of Darrell Arthur. Randolph’s length and athleticism often draws comparison to Chris Bosh, but is not expected to be a major impact player right away. Arthur is more NBA-ready, but not his ceiling is not as high. For the moment, I’ll go with Randolph.

10. Nets- Kevin Love  PF 19 years old; 6′9″; 255 lbs. UCLA, Freshman

Another pick that could be on the move if the rumored deal that would send Carmelo Anthony to New Jersey goes through. Given that I have a difficult time believing the 50-win Nuggets would deal their 23-year-old superstar, I am going to assume the Nets still have the pick come draft night. New Jersey has not had a big man who could score on the block since Derrick Coleman was playing so Kevin Love figures to fill a need.

11-60 accelerated…

11. Pacers- Russell Westbrook PG/SG 19 years old, 6′ 3″ 187lbs. UCLA, Sophomore
12. Kings- Darrell Arthur  SF/PF 20 years old; 6′9″; 215 lbs. Kansas, Sophomore
13. Trail Blazers- Danilo Gallinari  SF 19 years old; 6′9″; 209 lbs. Armani Jeans Milano
14. Warriors- Donte Greene SF 20 years old, 6′ 10″ 220 lbs. Syracuse, Freshman
15. Suns- Chase Budinger  SG/SF 20 years old; 6′7″; 190 lbs. Arizona, Sophomore
16. 76ers-  Marreese Speights PF/C 20 years old, 6′ 10″ 245 lbs. Florida, Sophomore
17. Raptors- Kosta Koufos C 19 years old, 7′ 1″ 245lbs. Ohio State, Freshman
18. Wizards- Joe Alexander SF 21 years old, 6′ 8″ 200 lbs. West Virginia, Junior
19. Cavaliers- Brandon Rush  SG/SF 22 years old; 6′7″; 211 lbs. Kansas, Junior
20. Nuggets- Nicolas Batum  SG/SF 19 years old; 6′8″; 214 lbs. Le Mans
21. Nets- Roy Hibbert  C 21 years old; 7′2″; 272 lbs. Georgetown, Senior
22. Magic- JaVale McGee PF/C 20 years old, 7′ 0″ 237 lbs. Nevada, Sophomore
23. Sonics- Ty Lawson  PG 20 years old; 5′11″; 175 lbs. North Carolina, Sophomore
24. Jazz- J.J. Hickson  PF 19 years old; 6′9″; 242 lbs. N.C. State, Freshman
25. Rockets- Ante Tomic C 21 years old, 7′ 2″ 220 lbs. KK Zagreb
26. Spurs- Bill Walker  SG/SF 20 years old; 6′6″; 225 lbs. Kansas State, Freshman
27. Hornets- Chris Douglas-Roberts  SG/SF 21 years old; 6′7″; 200 lbs. Memphis, Junior
28. Pistons- Robin Lopez PF/C 19 years old, 7′ 0″ 250lbs. Stanford, Sophomore
29. Grizzlies- Victor Claver SF/PF 19 years old; 6′11″ 217 lbs. Parmesa Velencia
30. Celtics- Luc Richard Mbah A Moute SF/PF 21 years old, 6′ 7″ 224lbs. UCLA, Junior
31. Timberwolves- Serge Ibaka PF 18 years old, 6′ 10″ 220 lbs. L’Hospitalet
32. Sonics- Alexis Ajinca PF 19 years old, 7′ 1″ 210lbs. Hyeres-Toulon
33. Trail Blazers- Nathan Jawai  C 21 years old; 6′10″; 282 lbs. Cairns Taipans
34. Timberwolves- Nikola Pekovic  PF/C 22 years old; 6′11″; 243 lbs. KK Partizan Belgrade
35. Trail Blazers- Jason Thompson  PF/C 21 years old; 6′10″; 235 lbs. Rider, Senior
36. Clippers- Keith Brumbaugh SF/PF 22 years old, 6′10″ 215lbs. Hillsborough CC, Sophomore
37. Bucks- Joey Dorsey  PF 24 years old; 6′9″; 260 lbs. Memphis, Senior 
38. Bobcats- Mario Chalmers PG 21 years old, 6′ 2″ 170lbs. Kansas, Junior
39. Bulls- DeVon Hardin  C 21 years old; 6′11″; 250 lbs. California, Senior

40. Nets- Courtney Lee  SG/SF 22 years old; 6′5″; 200 lbs. Western Kentucky, Senior
41. Pacers- D.J. White  PF 21 years old; 6′9″; 230 lbs. Indiana, Senior
42. Kings- Lester Hudson  PG/SG 23 years old; 6′3″; 190 lbs. Tenn. Martin, Junior
43. Sonics- Davon Jefferson  SF/PF 21 years old; 6′8″; 195 lbs. USC, Freshman
44. Warriors- J.R. Giddens SG 23 years old, 6′ 5″ 200lbs. New Mexico, Senior
45. Kings- Trent Plaisted PF/C 21 years old; 6′11″ 240 lbs. BYU, junior
46. Jazz- Jamont Gordon  PG/SG 21 years old; 6′3″; 225 lbs. Mississippi St., Junior
47. Spurs- Omri Casspi SF 19 years old, 6′ 8″ 220 lbs. Maccabi Tel Aviv
48. Wizards- DeMarcus Nelson  SG 22 years old; 6′4″; 200 lbs. Duke, Senior                                                                                                                                                                 

49. Suns- Pat Calathes SF/PF 6′10″ 210lbs. Saint Joseph’s, Senior
50. Sonics- Omer Asik  C 21 years old; 6′11″; 230 lbs. Fenerbahce Ulker
51. Mavericks- Derrick Caracter  PF/C 19 years old; 6′9″; 265 lbs. Louisville, Sophomore
52. Heat- Kyle Weaver  PG/SG 22 years old; 6′6″; 201 lbs. Washington State, Senior
53. Trail Blazers- Rudy Mbemba PG 20 years old, 5′ 11″ 176lbs. Deutsche Bank Skyliners
54. Jazz- Giorgi Shermadini PF/C 7′1″ 220lbs. Makkabi Tbilisi
55. Rockets- Shan Foster  SG 21 years old; 6′6″; 205 lbs. Vanderbilt, Senior

56. Spurs- Rodrigue Beaubois PG 20 years old; 6′3″ 180 lbs. Cholet
57. Sonics- Deron Washington SG/SF 22 years old, 6′ 7″ 205lbs. Virginia Tech, Senior
58. Pistons- Gary Forbes SF 23 years old, 6′7″ 220lbs. Massachusetts, Senior
59. Lakers- Sonny Weems SG/SF 21 years old, 6′ 6″ 201lbs. Arkansas, Senior
60. Celtics- Malik Hairston SG 21 years old, 6′ 6″ 200lbs. Oregon, Senior

Two schools of thought. First, if Paxson still believes in the core that he assembled going into the 2007-08 season, then Beasley is the pick. He might not be the kick it into the post player from day one, but he has the potential to be a big time front court scorer. If he develops into a star, then the Hinrichs, Gordons, Dengs, Nocionis, and Noahs can fall into the roles they are supposed to play. They are supposed to be complementary pieces who support a star. On a really good team, Deng is a 3rd or 4th option. Gordon does not have to be the go-to guy. Hinrich does not have big men zoning off making it difficult to drive because the Bulls big men don’t need to be guarded. This would be the optimistic door.

The second door is that the core was exposed and that even if they get a frontcourt scorer, Beasley would effectively be David West without Chris Paul. Rose has all the makings of a franchise point guard who can elevate the games of those around him. The guy who gets Gordon, Deng, and Nocioni the ball in rhythm or throw the alley-oops to Tyrus Thomas. But if they draft Rose, will the lack of a scoring big man still be the missing piece keeping them from being a championship contender?

It is a question without a right answer, and if there is a problem it is a good one to have.

The reason I am surprised is that there is no point in crying over spilt milk. D’Antoni is gone. The degree to which the Bulls were willing to commit to D’Antoni’s style will now never be fully known. They have to move on to Avery Johnson, Tom Thibodeau, Michael Curry, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson or whoever else may be on their radar. If they want to run, Keith Smart is in the process of being groomed by Don Nelson in Golden State and is probably more willing to accept a defensive-minded assistant. Regardless, D’Antoni will now always linger over the next Bulls coach. He will always be viewed as the 2nd option. While college football is not the same as the NBA, I would think part of the reason Tyrone Willingham and Mike Shula were so quickly fired was that they were the 2nd choices at Notre Dame and Alabama. Every fan and media member knew that they were the backup plan. Any media member looking for an easy story that will sell papers could write an article saying that Coach X is the wrong guy for the job, Team Y deserves better and not some fall back. So-and-So is the solution. Well, the problem now is that the Bulls are without a coach, and missed out on two coaches they interviewed. Rick Carlisle was hired by Dallas, and any interest in him will be forgotten tomorrow.  The headlines of being “misled” and D’Antoni being “rude” will live on. When the Bulls face the Knicks, it will be brought up over and over again.

For that reason, I am not sure how attractive the Bulls job would be for a coach with a solid track record like Avery Johnson or Jeff Van Gundy. Will they have a fair shot? What if Mike D’Antoni is able to draft Derrick Rose or D.J. Augustin and show marked improvement with the Knicks playing a highly entertaining style of basketball? Is the comparison always going to be there in the eyes of the media? If constantly brought to their attention, how will the players - who were rumored to like the idea of playing in D’Antoni’s system- respond when they are playing a traditional half court style. I tend to think that Johnson and Van Gundy will be able to see that they are highly regarded enough that they should not have to take a job where they are viewed as a backup option. While coaches who have no head coaching experience will not have that luxury, they will still have to overcome the spectre of D’Antoni. With the Bulls coming off a season where they lost their identity and played every game at a pace dictated by the opposition, this is not going to be an easy job. I just tend to think Reinsdorf could have made it a little easier by simply allowing D’Antoni to pass in the night. It would have been good for business.

Obviously, the decision will center on what kind of style Paxson wants to implement. If he wants to go back to being a defensive-minded half court team, then Avery Johnson should be the guy. If, for whatever reason, Johnson wants to take a year off, then Tom Thibodeau might be their next logical option. Most of the Bulls core have played in this style and even had success, but they fell flat on their faces this year. Could bringing in Johnson or Thibodeau and spending the summer bringing in another big men who can run the high screen and roll as well as a point guard to pair with Hinrich get the Bulls back on track? It is possible, but not necessarily likely.

D’Antoni bringing in his seven seconds or less style would be the sexy choice. It would cater to young bigs Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah whose best games came against teams who played up tempo styles. The problem would be Kirk Hinrich is not Steve Nash and with what will likely be the #9 pick in the 1st round, Derrick Rose will not be in the Bulls’ future either. D.J. Augustin would certainly be an interesting pick in D’Antoni’s system if he is still available. A true point guard who can get anywhere on the floor could go a long way in reviving the careers of Nocioni, Deng, and Gordon.  

In the end, the Knicks and Raptors might end up making the decision for Paxson. If either Bryan Colangelo or Donnie Walsh are more aggressive than Paxson, which does not require a stretching of the imagination, then D’Antoni could be off the market in a week or two. The team has already been beat to Rick Carlisle who was the first to interview for the Bulls job. Can Paxson and Reinsdorf get all their ducks in a row and reel in D’Antoni before Colangelo or the bright lights of MSG sweep him away? Either way, this should be a very important week for the future of the Bulls.

The current problem within the ranks is a result of John Paxson’s trade. When he announced after the trade, “what we’ve done is cleared an opportunity for Joakim [Noah] and Tyrus [Thomas] to get experience,” he should have simply admitted that the Bulls were not going to make the playoffs and had to plan for 2008-09. When he said that he was still wanting the Bulls to make a run for the playoffs, he created the divide between the older Bulls (Hinrich, Duhon, Nocioni, Gordon, and Deng) and the new Bulls (Gooden, Hughes, Thabo, Noah, and Tyrus). Guys like Duhon and Nocioni have had a hard time seeing that the Bulls have been so close to a playoff spot, but they are losing minutes to younger and less productive players.  They are understandably frustrated. Nothing has been worse than watching the Bulls since the trade. Seeing Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Thabo Sefolosha, and Joakim Noah playing major minutes while hold overs from the team that went to the playoffs the past three years are on the bench is painful. The Bulls have become what Hawks used to be. They have a bunch of decent players but no stars, horrible coaching, and none of them play together.

Now where do they go from here?

Jim Boylan

Dead man walking. He never really even experienced a honeymoon period. The Bulls never really gave him that little initial burst that usually comes after a coaching change. The only thing that changed that the players felt enpowered and were unafraid to walk all over Boylan. I have to believe that he will get his walking papers shortly after the season ends.

I’m not sure who are the best options. Jeff Van Gundy is available, but the fact that he is a great analyst should not make us forget that he coached a lot of underachieving team. Larry Brown is looking around but he has never showed much patience with young players, which is probably a job requirement. Keith Smart and Jay Humphries intrigue me. Smart is in the process of being groomed by Don Nelson, and Humphries is the Assistant Head Coach in Phoenix. Either one could probably implement a high octane offense that the Bulls should probably adopt. With the development of Noah and Thomas being seemingly important part of the successor’s job, a coach who can open up the game would be tayloring the game to their strengths. Of course, then the Bulls might have to deal with problem of whether the Bulls have the guards to succeed in that style, so nothing appears to be fit perfecctly.

Kirk Hinrich: Owed $36.50 million over the next four seasons. 12.1 PPG, 6.1 APG, 1.1 SPG.

The team cannot feel good about the way Hinrich has regressed this season. His numbers are down across the board. Defensively, he has gone from All-NBA Defense to a liability capable of being lit up by Travis Diener. And while he flew under the radar, it has been rumored that he played as a big role as anyone in Skiles getting fired. The problem would be if they move him this summer, he could easily come back to burn the Bulls like Tyson Chandler has. His trade value could not be any lower, and with four years and more than $35 million owed to him, any deal would simply be a dump for another bad contract. While Hinrich will never be a star, everyone has seen him be an extremely productive player on both sides of the floor. They certainly should look to draft a true point guard in the draft or pursue one in free agency where Jose Calderon and Beno Udrih will be available, but they might have to bring Hinrich back and hope that he bounces back.

Andres Nocioni: Owed $29.50 million over the next four seasons. 13.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.2 APG

The most surprising loser from the Ben Wallace trade was Andres Nocioni. His minutes has dropped. The team no longer uses him in the role where he has had the most success as the undersized four because they want to play Gooden and Thomas. In the month of March, he has been playing 18 minutes per game. He might be the most tradeable player on the Bulls. While his contract will limit who the Bulls get in return, good teams would love to get a hold of him. Is it possible to think that the Bulls could swing a deal with Nocioni going to the Lakers for Farmar and Radmanovic? What about to Phoenix for Boris Diaw? Nocioni and Gooden’s expiring contract for Kirilenko?

Ben Gordon: Restricted free agent with $6.40 million qualifying offer. 19.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.0 APG

Ben Gordon knows that he will get his money. The only question is whether it will be this summer or next. If the Bulls don’t ante up, some team will be dumb enough to give him the money he wants. Players who can score the way he does can find some desperate GM to gamble. The problem is the Bulls sent a strong message to Gordon when they dealt for Larry Hughes that they will not be bullied. Hughes can serve as a capable replacement for Gordon, but alienating proven scorers when they have so few is not sound business. My guess is that the Bulls find a sign-and-trade partner for Gordon and get little in return. Orlando or Toronto would make the most sense to me given that they do not have great play at the shooting guard position. Maybe Brian Cook, a rehabbing Tony Battie and a future 1st rounder could work. In a couple years, Orlando has to figure their first rounders will be well into the twenties so maybe they are willing swap one. Toronto could probably work a Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, and either Joey Graham or Jorge Garbjosa deal for Gordon and Nocioni.

Luol Deng: Restricted free agent with $4.45 million qualifying offer. 17.5 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.4 APG

The Bulls would not trade him for Pau Gasol, Kevin Garnett, or Kobe Bryant, but were surprised he turned down a discounted deal for a player they deemed untouchable. How does that look now? Nobody benefitted. Deng’s flaws have been exposed. He is no longer the flavor of the week who could net a big star in a trade, but he can get a big contract offer. If Corey Maggette and Shawn Marion opt out of their contracts and sign elsewhere, restricted free agents like Deng, Andre Iguodala, and Josh Smith should find an interesting market bidding for them because then the Clippers and Heat will have money to spend. I can’t imagine that the Bulls won’t match any offers on Deng, but then they’d likely have just another bad contract. The again, if Marion and Maggette stay put, then teams would be bidding against themselves and Deng might be best served by simply taking the qualifying offer and look to next summer for his big score. Either way, Deng’s situation should be interesting.

Chris Duhon: Unrestricted free agent. 5.8 PPG, 4.1 APG, 1.8 RPG

They have been seemingly wanted him to be gone ever since they matched the Raptors offer sheet a few summers ago. Now he will be gone, and likely will sign on to be the backup point guard on a playoff team. Point guards with 3:1 assist to turnover ratios aren’t without jobs for long. Given that he won’t fetch more than the mid-level exception, it is unlikely that the Bulls will be able to use him in any sign-and-trade deals.

Drew Gooden: Entering final year of contract and will make $7.1 million. 14.0 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 1.5 BPG (in 15 games with Bulls)

I don’t really like his game, but the Bulls do. For me, his greatest value is in his expiring contract. But I think Paxson likes him, and I fear that he might be a part of the Bulls future. Why else would they keep playing him 30+ minutes? They can blow 2nd half leads with him or without him.

Larry Hughes: Owed $24.48 million over the next two seasons. 14.5 PPG, 4.0 APG, 1.8 SPG (in 15 games with Bulls)

I cannot imagine that any team would want to take on the money Hughes is owed over the next two years. While not worth what he is making, he can be a valuable player on a team that lacks scorers and big guards.

Tyrus Thomas: Will make $3.75 million in third year of rookie contract. 6.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.1 APG

Not being a fan of his, I would see if anyone still believes that Tyrus is worthy of the Bulls #2 overall pick. It is now painfully clear that Paxson was blinded by his athleticism and missed on the fact that he doesn’t have the skills, intelligence, or desire to be a great player in the NBA. I fear they will being him back and team him at the power forward position with Gooden for another season.

Joakim Noah: Will make $2.30 million in second year of rookie contract. 5.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.0 APG

With Wallace out of the picture, Noah is going to be the starting center next year. No one can be sure if he is capable of handling that load, but apparently we are going to find out. With so many talented centers possibly coming out in the draft this year, the Bulls might have made their commitment a year too soon.

Thabo Sefolosha: Will make $1.93 million in third year of rookie contract. 6.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.7 APG

The Bulls appear to be much higher on Sefolosha than I am. While he has probably benefitted the most from Skiles being fired, I am still not convinced Thabo will ever be anything more than a backup shooting guard on a good team. His shot is inconsistent, his decision-making is less than impressive, and his ability to create off the dribble is not anything special. Unfortunately, I think the Bulls appear willing to move Gordon then let Hughes and Thabo man the two.

Aaron Gray: Will make $711K in final year of contract. 3.8 PPG, 2.4 RPG, .6 APG

I just want to know whether he can lose twenty or thirty pounds, and would he be willing to do so. True 7-footers do not grow on trees, but being 7-feet is not a guarantee of NBA success. He has some skills that are impressive, but he is just too slow to be anything more than a 2nd quarter sub. Yet for some reason, the Bulls seem to love the guy. A team can live with Gray as a 3rd string center, and I hope that is the role he is in next season.

Cedric Simmons: Will make $1.74 million in third year of rookie contract. Has played in four games with Bulls.

One of the extras in the Ben Wallace trade, Cedric Simmons has now been on three teams in two years. His length continues to wow teams, but games aren’t won with tape measures. He has to learn to play.

Shannon Brown: Unrestricted Free Agent. Has played in six games with Bulls.

The Proviso East product might get a look now that the team has no chance of making the playoffs. He might catch on with the summer league team and get a training camp invite, but it does not appear he has a future in Chicago. He has, however, played extremely well in the NBDL averaging 27 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal per game.

Demetris Nichols: Unrestricted Free Agent. Has played in four games with Bulls.

Nichols was a mid-season acquisition who never really got a chance to show his abilities with the Bulls. He spent a good part of the season in Des Moines playing with the Iowa Energy where he averaged 19 points per game over 14 games. Much like Brown, I’d be surprised if he is back next season.

JamesOn Curry: Team holds option for $711K. Has not played in a game this season.

I thought Curry was going to be a steal. Despite appearing buried behind Hinrich and Duhon, I thought Curry was worth the risk as a 2nd rounder. After starting the season on fire with the Iowa affiliate averaging 20 PPG and 6 assists per, Curry pissed away his season. He was cited for public urination in Boise, and then had season-ending surgery on his thumb. I would like to see the Bulls give Curry another look next year as a cheap option at the end of the roster. I’m not confident that will happen.

They are led by a young small forward coming into his own. Maybe he isn’t ever going to be the best player on an NBA champion, but Andre Iguodala gets it done on both ends and has gotten better every year he has been a pro. Much like Deng last spring, it is hard not to fall in love with Iguodala’s game. And one cannot go on without noting, AI is a vastly superior athlete to Deng giving him even more upside.

The point guard position features two contrasting players who enable the 76ers to give multiple looks. They have the true point guard who makes all the right passes and puts his teammates in position to succeed, and a sneaky athletic backup whose quickness makes up for the fact that he is more of a combo guard than a point. Like the Bulls with Hinrich and Duhon, they can be used interchangably or in tandem with Williams playing the two against smaller lineups. Unlike the Bulls, Miller and Williams are playing at a high level and exhibiting a great deal of professionalism on and off the court.

Willie Green plays the role of a poor man’s Ben Gordon perfectly right down to the high arcing shot that could result in him scoring 30 or 5. Neither will ever be confused for being a force defensively or a point guard despite the fact that they are often the smallest player on the court, but on a team with limited scoring options are very important to whether their teams wins or lose.

Thaddeus Young is what Tyrus Thomas should be. He is a long athletic freak of nature who creates mismatches. The problem for the Bulls, of couse, is that Tyrus used his athleticism for show while Young uses it to help his team. He hasn’t realized how to harness his abilities in a manner to help the team win basketball games.

Samuel Dalembert and Reggie Evans work up front like everyone hoped Joakim Noah and Ben Wallace would. While neither is at all a threat with the ball in hand, they go hard to the glass, fight for loose balls, get after it defensively, and take whatever garbage points they can get. The problem is while Dalembert and Evans accept their roles, Noah and Wallace believed that they should be more.  

Rodney Carney and Thabo Sefolosha share the same story. Both are long athletic guards who have moments where they look phenominal, but it took unforeseen circumstances to get them on the floor. Carney appeared buried on the bench until Philadelphia management gave away Kyle Korver for cap room, and Thabo until a series of injuries to Hinrich and Gordon created an opening. Both have a long way to go if either is to ever be more than a backup, and certainly have a long way to go in their development as offensive players, but their athleticism and youth is a reason for optimism.

The only thing missing is a Nocioni-clone, but who needs Noc when Iguodala does the job of both Luol and Andres and some? Make no mistake, Philadelphia will be a one-and-done team come playoff time. They aren’t very good, and unless they get one of the gems this summer in free agency probably aren’t going to get significantly better. If the future core is Iguodala, Williams, and Young, then they will probably be good enough to compete for a playoff spot, but not enough to be a legit threat- even in the East. They appear locked into the 7th spot where the only question is whether they can steal a game or two from the Pistons. 

But they are easy to like. They play hard every night, and with that effort are able to beat who they should (22-12 record against teams with .500 or worse records). The Bulls used to be able to do that, but now no one knows that Bulls team will show up. Which Kirk Hinrich is going to show up? Is the 24-10 Drew Gooden showing up or the one who can’t hit the broad side of a barn and makes three or four dumb plays that put him on the bench? Insert your Noah, Duhon, and Tyrus joke here. I want to believe that the Bulls will win tonight, they are certainly good enough to do so, but I know that the 76ers will show up and compete. I can’t say for certain the Bulls will, which is the one thing that I never would have thought before the season.

The maddening inconsistency of Kirk Hinrich from game-to-game and even quarter-to-quarter has to be the most surprising part of the season. While he has never been a true point guard, he had in previous years been reasonably consistent. His ability to play at a high level defensively and avoid costly turnovers were a big part of the Bulls success the past few years. Last season Hinrich was named to the 2nd team All-NBA-Defensive squad, and then on Wednesday  got run off the floor by Travis Diener. He has had games this season where he has looked like Steve Nash, and then the nights like yesterday where it appeared he had no business being the league. The amazing thing about it is no one can tell what Kirk Hinrich is going to show up on a given night. How should the team deal with him. I see a number of scenerios, none of which are necessarily the right answer. This is why I view the handling of Hinrich as John Paxson’s most difficult of the coming offseason.

Kirk is signed through 2012 with $36.5 million owed to him after this season. The Kirk Hinrich that has showed up this season isn’t worth half that amount, and therefore will be difficult to move. While it is possible a team like the Sonics would be willing to swap their overpaid, underperforming point guards -Luke Ridnour and Earl Watson - for Kirk and a small contract like that of JamesOn Curry, or Portland moving the bad contract of Darius Miles and one of their recent 1st round picks playing abroad - Fernandez or Koponen - for Kirk, I cannot see a scenerio where the Bulls will be able to move Hinrich that will undoubtedly make the team better unless they get lucky in the lottery and package him in a deal for an All-Star. Then again, should the Bulls get a top 3 pick, why would they be looking to deal it? After all, they are 23-35 with the youngest team in the league. Would getting a “star” player make a difference in this team competing for a championship next year? If not, wouldn’t the possibility of getting a possible future star like Beasley, Rose, Gordon, or Mayo fit better with the goal of winning a title in the future? Once again, no clear answer in my opinion. 

The problem with bringing back Hinrich is that the Bulls already have made the decision to let Duhon leave over the summer. This will force the Bulls to add a true point guard in either the draft, by using their free agent exceptions, or by way of a trade- probably in a sign-and-trade for Ben Gordon. The experiment of Larry Hughes, Ben Gordon, and Thabo Sefolosha at the point have been less than impressive. When Hughes or Gordon run the point, the most complex the offense will be is a high screen and roll or a pass to the wing so that he can either take his man one-on-one or call for a screen. I hope that Paxson, as a former point guard, will not undervalue the importance of the point guard position in today’s NBA. If they spend a 1st round pick, and right now the Bulls have the tenth worst record in the league, how long is it before Rose, Bayless, Lawson, Collison, Augustin make Hinrich an expensive backup? If Paxson does bank on Hinrich having a bounce back first half of the season, and then move him either next February or following the 2009 season? Also, should Hinrich bounce back, the Bulls likely will be in the mix for the playoffs in the East. It appears that the East will still be a weakling conference next year. Would they move a starter if the team was 5th or 6th in the East at the trade deadline?

The problem with moving Hinrich is that they will undoubtedly be getting 50 cents on the dollar. When Hinrich signed his deal, everyone thought he was giving the Bulls a discount. People regarded Hinrich as one of the better young guards in the league. Is it so far-fetched that Kirk is just having a bad year? Baron Davis had an absolutley garbage 2005-06 season before emerging as a star last year. Corey Maggette and Chris Kaman appeared to be part of the problem with the Clippers last season, and this year are the lone bright spots for their team. It is entirely possible that Hinrich can once again be part of the solution. I am not denying the possibility that his 2007 season will be the best of his career, but I don’t think that it is unreasonable that he play at the level he did in 2005 and 2006. Maybe it will require fewer responsibilities and the opportunity to play more minutes off the ball at the SG position, but if he does bounce back he can be a valuable part of a rebuilding team either as a player or part of a trade down the road.

Given that Paxson clearly has an affinity for Hinrich, my guess is that he is going to give him every chance to recover from this season. If Kirk can bounce back and have a better 2008-09 season, then the Bulls will likely have some flexibility in terms of making a move to get the team to the next level. If not, then it might just make more sense for John Paxson to buy a house in Secaucus because he is going to spend a lot more time there than anyone should. Saddled with his contract, a poorly performing Hinrich can keep this team from being good for a long time.