More Thibs/Bulls talk. Latest Rumors.

Merely a rumor on twitter at this point in time but we have been hearing about relationship issues for quite some time now regarding Thibs and the front office. The Bulls have been on a tear ever since the Deng trade (and Noah’s silence) and have really been playing harder and more together. The Rose injury might have brought them down and torn them apart, but the Deng move might have brought them together and gave them something to fight for. I believe the front office values what Thibs brings but this rumor wouldn’t really surprise me all that much with the way Gar/Pax have operated over the past few years. (See: calling and asking Deng why he’s not playing while he is on his death bed almost).

 

  I probably wouldn’t have even chose to discuss this issue if it weren’t for my feelings last night during the end of the Bulls game. In a year that truly doesn’t matter after the Rose injury and the Deng trade, in a game against the worst team in the league, Jimmy Butler,who is clearly hurt and limping, is playing? Deng averaged 38 minuts a game his last 3 years and Thibs is a madman, and while this is been in the back of my mind for some time now, last night was the first time I ever said out loud that I wouldn’t be mad if This was fired or was no longer the coach of the Bulls. Last night I was saying for over a quarter that Butler should not have been playing, and sure enough he was injured with only a minute to go. (As I am writing this I hear the news Butler is out tonight.)

 

I understand the importance of having a mind set of never stop and giving it your all, at all times, but this is ridiculous. History has shown a dramatic decrease in production after the 24,000 NBA minute mark. Thibs, as an NBA coach should be considerate of that if he wants prolonged success. As many injuries as the Bulls have had over the past few years you would think he would do something different. Cavs fans should be weary. How often does a 28 year old 2 time all=star get traded for 3 2nd round picks? I have heard him categorized as the oldest 28 year old in the history of the NBA. Bulls fans might also take heed if Thibs remains. The philosophy of ever game is equally as important doesn’t hold true for basketball. Football, maybe, but not for sports with longer seasons. Thibs and this mentality are killing his players. 

 

Also – 

 

Bulls might be the most talked about team lately but the Kings and Rudy Gay have getting play as well. These two teams now have a conection with the Bulls owning the King’s 1st round pick. The past few days I thought that pick would always remain a 2nd round pick but I am questioning that idea. I would never put my trust in Rudy Gay, or a young Cousins, but it wouldn’t be that crazy if the Bulls do see that turn into a first rounder. The Kings don’t even have to make the playoffs, they just have to finish with a better record than the East’s bottom feeders in order for the Bulls to receive in the late lotto. 

 

This is a fun thing to do as a Bulls is think best-case scenario for next year and imagine the Bulls have the 11th (Bobcats) 13th (Kings) and another relatively high pick of their own. Stop Tank Losing (A Bulls win)! I doubt any team would do this but they could possibly move those picks to get into the Top 6 in an effort to land that franchise player and real player to go with Rose, finally. I know most people would think Parker in this case but I am more inclined to go with Exum or Embiid. Those picks are some solid assests in nothing at all. Even if the 2 picks end up being just in the 15-22 range, and the Kings pick becomes a 2nd round pick in 2018. I was recently killed by a member for suggesting Sam Dekker and Montrezl Harrell as possible draft ideas, and that the Bulls need to shoot for the fences. Obviously the truly best possible best-case scenario would be LeBron. That isn’t going to happen. The above article would knock out the notion of Melo coming to Chicago. Bulls would have to clear up a lot more $ to sign either of them. There is a great possibility that those picks will end up being in the later range and they will have to settle for not being in competition for a franchise changer because no team would trade 2 picks above 15 in exchange for a top 6 player in THIS draft. Dekker and Harrell are two guys that I really like and the best options where they will be most likely slotted. 

 

It could be several rough the years for the Bulls if Rose isn’t the same, Mirotic is below average, and these picks don’t work out in there advantage. At least the front office isn’t delaying that process with an attempt to stay with Deng and pay him big dollars. I just wish they were trying harder to improve their draft pick this year.