Change is the Law of Life

John Paxson may be moving on ........

John Tait to retire?.........

And thankfully,Marty Booker is gone......

This would not be allowed in the NFL.

Chicago Bulls: In defense of Tyrus Thomas and Noah.

It’s pretty easy to make fun of Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah. Sort of like taking shots at Rex Grossman. Just lob up the insults and they’ll all stick. Even I have been negligent of those unfair criticisms. Well, it’s about time I spit some logic. I bring you the truth in the usual DaChiFan bullet point format.

1. During the past 8 years or so the Chicago Bulls failed in growing the following big men: Eddy Curry, Elton Brand, Marcus Fizer, Tyson Chandler, and now, Noah and Thomas. In the cases of Brand and Chandler, these players have moved on and otherwise prospered at other teams. Using this sample size for our survey, the Bulls are 0 and 6 when it comes to producing big men.

2. I will be the first to admit that it shouldn’t be an NBA team’s job to hold the hands of its 1^st round picks. This is the NBA and players should step on the court as professionals. However, that’s a fantasy especially in the world of players jumping from high school and the current universe of one-and-done players coming out of college. In today’s NBA, you have to have organizations that teach these young men how to play ball. Based on the Bulls record, they have failed to teach and foster an environment for Big Men to prosper.

3. Of course, a lot of the blame falls on these players. I won’t stick up for Marcus Fizer or Eddy Curry here. No amount of coaching and hand holding would save those guys. But I argue that Tyrus and Noah are different. When the Bulls drafted Tyrus Thomas he was a raw, skinny tweener, one year out of high school. The Bulls knew that he would need time to grow up and develop an offensive game and professional attitude. With Noah, the same can’t necessarily be said because he came out after his senior season. But with Noah, he also had little offensive weapons and was skinny. The Bulls had to have known that both players would be projects. Remember, neither is as physically gifted as players like Shaq, Ewing, Olajuwan, Robinson or even Dwight Howard and Greg Oden. The Bulls and us fans should never have thought that either of these two would be franchise type players.

4. Some of the criticism levied at Tyrus and Noah was fair. Noah came into this year out of shape and Tyrus offered inconsistent effort on both ends. But again, they’re both project players. Moreover, they were both players that needed time on the floor to develop. The Bulls seem to think that the projects would somehow miraculously develop in the 15 minutes (or even 0 minutes) of playing time they got in their first few years. Again, we’re not talking about Olajuwon or Malone here. Both guys needed time to understand the game on the court. And with increased playing time due to Gooden’s absence, here are their numbers over the last 8 games.

5. Joakim Noah:

Min: Points- 14, O. Rebounds- 6, D. Rebounds- 4 (10) , Blocks- 8

Lac: Points- 10, . Rebounds-5, D. Rebounds-3 (8) , Blocks-4

Sac: Points- 17, O. Rebounds- 3, D. Rebounds-3(6) , Blocks-3

Phx: Points- 4, O. Rebounds-2, D. Rebounds-6 (8) , Blocks-0

Hou: Points- 2, O. Rebounds-1, D. Rebounds-0(1) , Blocks-1

NOH: Points-16 , O. Rebounds-2, D. Rebounds-7 (9) , Blocks-2

DAL: Points- 8, O. Rebounds-2, D. Rebounds-8 (10) , Blocks-1

DET: Points-12 , O. Rebounds-8, D. Rebounds-8 (16) , Blocks-1

Average: Points – 10.4, Rebounds-8.5, Blocks-2.5

Not bad for a player chosen 9^th overall in the 07 draft. I also suspect that these numbers would have been better if Del Negro played him a few more minutes against Houston and Phoenix (he only played 18 against Houston).

6. Tyrus Thomas:

Min: Points- 11, O. Rebounds-2 , D. Rebounds-7 (9) , Blocks-1

Lac: Points- 16, O. Rebounds-6, D. Rebounds- 4(10) , Blocks-1

Sac: Points- 14, O. Rebounds-3 , D. Rebounds-7(10) , Blocks-2

Phx: Points- 10, O. Rebounds-2, D. Rebounds-2 (4) , Blocks-2

Hou: Points- 14, O. Rebounds-3, D. Rebounds-10(13) , Blocks-3

NOH: Points-15 , O. Rebounds-2, D. Rebounds-8 (10) , Blocks-3

DAL: Points- 23, O. Rebounds-4, D. Rebounds-8(12) , Blocks-1

DET: Points-22 , O. Rebounds-6, D. Rebounds- 4(10) , Blocks-1

Average: Points – 15.6, Rebounds-9.8, Blocks-1.8

Pretty decent numbers if you ask me.

7. But what’s been even more persuasive is the Bulls record in those 8 games. 5 wins and 3 losses. They’re best winning margin of the year. In my opinion, Noah and Thomas are starting to mature into starting caliber players. They’re making an impact that’s translating in wins. Isn’t this what we’ve been asking for the past 2 years from these guys? They’re starting to produce. Remember they’re project players.

8. The ultimate question is whether the Bulls should trade these two (and likely a couple other players) for Amare Stoudemire. Of course having Amare would be great, but I wouldn’t be so interested in trading him for our entire front line. To me, a good deal would require that the Bulls keep either Thomas or Noah. Wouldn’t a lineup of Stoudemire and Noah or Thomas be better than Gray and Stoudemire?

9. Thus to my ultimate point. I believe that Noah and Thomas will excel in the NBA, whether with the Bulls or on another team. In my opinion the Bulls troubles lie more with their back court. Not Rose of course, but with the problems at the SG spot. Ben Gordon is a marvelous scorer, but his size severally limits the Bulls’ defensive ability. Kirk Hinrich is a bench player and Tabo is a role player. If the Bulls really want to make a splash, they need to get better at that position. In my mind (and this is crazy to say), I’d like Tyrus or Noah on our team. I could do without Ben Gordon, Hinrich, Tabo, or even Nocioni or Deng.

I’m being overly optimist here, but I just don’t want Thomas or Noah becoming the next Brand or Chandler on other teams.

Long Live Johnny "Red" Kerr

I sure do miss the golden days of the MJ led Bulls. Here's to hoping Red gets healthy.

Tuesday Morning Thoughts: Friday Night Lights

It's all about Smash.

Completely and totally random.

1. I don’t know what’s up with me, but I’ve been watching all the awards shows. Sunday was the Grammy’s, which has to be the worst display of music I’ve seen in a while. It’s karaoke night mixed with high school variety/talent show. Of course there is still some good music—I like Cold Play and even some of the rap—fan of TI and old-school, non-crazy Kanye. Hate, hate Kid Rock, Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers and all the country music. But what’s even more absurd is the forced combo acts. The Stevie Wonder and Jonas Brothers combo made me want to go deaf. The Miley Cyrus and cute blond girl combo made me laugh. Although, it was cool seeing David Grohl on drums with Paul McCartney. But, I could do without all the collaborations. I couldn’t understand one line of the Jay-Z, Kanye, TI, MIA Performance. Oh yeah, and did I mention that the Jonas Brothers make me want to tear my ears out?

2. The absolute best (from a comedic standpoint) was the Miley Cyrus and random country/blond emo girl combination. Miley’s facial expressions are priceless. She looks like she’s taking crap when she sings. And this makes me laugh. Also, why would anyone allow her to sing next to the above mentioned country blond girl. The blond girl actually had talent and made Miley look like an amateur. Which I guess is watch she really is. Well, at least she’s paid like a professional.

3. No real sporting events to talk about. I don’t care about the hype of Kobe/Lebron. If I wanted to watch basketball players hog the ball and show off, I’d go watch East Bank Club pickup games during lunch. I’m just not that interested for some reason. I still have some football hangover that I need to get over. With the combine, free agency and draft coming up—that may be difficult.

4. Although I did watch Bulls vs. Kings on Saturday night (Loser!!!). It’s clear the Bulls are actually an okay team if they run a pro-offense. With movement, Deng, Tyrus, Noah and Rose get off quality shots. But, once they start going to the high pick and roll and dribble, dribble offense (think Gordon and Hinrich), they lose games. Del Negro’s play calling forcing the pick and roll at the end of regulation lost the Bulls the game against the Kings. Everyone, besides Rose, was watching and doing nothing on offense during the last few minutes. From Black, please stop using the high pick and roll. It will save your job.

5. They play something called college basketball in Indiana. My alma mater, Indiana, is simply not that good. Although, I can’t wait for March Madness.

6. Turn away- futbol thought….. Arsenal tied 0-0 away at Tottenham. This is what you do when football isn’t on anymore. You get up at 7am on Saturday morning and walk over to Fado to watch a 7:25am game. It was splendid though (Corned beef, eggs, potatoes and tea). Anyway, Arsenal is not playing well. I don’t think Arshavin will make things any different in the standings. At least Chelsea is having its own problems. Now all we need is C. Ronaldo to break a hip.

7. Friday Night Lights almost made me cry. Smash’s last minute conversation with Coach Taylor was emotional to say the least. If you’ve never watched FNL- do yourself a favor and watch the first three episodes of this year. By the end episode 2, you’ll thank me. Best show on TV that will likely get cancelled.

8. FNL will get canceled and yet implausible shows like these will live on… Private Practice, Grey’s Anatomy, the Mentalist, Life on Mars, the Closer with those annoying promos of Kara Sedgwick, Desperate Housewives, something called Fringe… you get the picture. Sorry, but Heroes and Lost suck too.

9. Bill Simmons’ pod casts are actually not that bad. Some are actually intriguing and very enjoyable- like the one with the dude from Mad Men.

10. Michael Phelp’s smoked weed. And I don’t care.

Extra Random Thoughts

11. Vegas Baby, Vegas.

12. Christina Hendricks has two of these? Answer here.

13. Is this Danica Patrick thing still going on? It must be on its last legs because she starred in those GoDaddy commercials. Nope... She's in SI Swimsuit again. She is trying, really, really hard to show us her body. I have to applaud the effort. But, someone should tell her that men are just not that into her.

14. It’s basically spring outside right now and it makes me happy.

15. Amare Stoudemire makes me scared. Not in a “oh my god, he strikes fear into opposing teams” way, but scary in the sense that if the Bulls get him he will suck and continue to not play defense.

This Made me Cry

I don't know why, but this made me laugh uncontrollably with tears of joy. Watch at least until 1:23.

Captain Steroid: A-Rod was on the Juice, yet Bud Selig still has a Job.

ESPN and other outlets confirm that the face of baseball, Alex Rodriguez took steroids during this 2003 MVP run. See ESPN's story here.

All I can say is thank god I don't like baseball. Another example of the sport (especially its commissioner) letting down the fans.

On a side note: How in the world does Bud Selig have a job? How do you let this happen to a sport, without having a clue of what was going on? Selig was either complicit in this activity (likely) or ignorant (reckless). Baseball has turned into the East German Swim team. No one's more to blame then Bud Selig. Yet, he got paid over $18 Million this past year. See this story here.
Not to go all conspiracy theory here, but it sounds like Bud knew and the owners are paying him for it.