Bulls have their sights on is J.R. Smith of the Nuggets

[houheffna]

Even this washed-up version of Tracy McGrady is way better than J.R. Smith. Anybody who believes otherwise watches way too much highlights and doesn't consider how the game is won. J.R. Smith is a terrible team player. If it was a 1-on-1 league, J.R. would be an All-Star every year. But unfortunately for him, it is 5-on-5 and he doesn't fit the build. There is no way J.R. Smith ever plays significant minutes on a championship team.

This from the guy who wouldn't trade Taj for Stephen Curry...good grief...

I have league pass my friend. I NEVER watch Sportscenter....and JR is a better player with more skills. Give me a break! Bringing up a dumb statement that you made days ago and then using a stat sheet from one game to prove an asinine point is just being silly. It was stupid then and its even dumber now. There are a lot of "me" players in the league. McGrady has always been considered one of them. Go back and read the press clippings, people don't always blame TMac's teammates for his never getting out of the first round...

Put JR Smith on the Pistons, he is the best perimeter player on the team. Put McGrady on the Nuggets...DNP-CD!!!

 

[Glide2keva]

Even this washed-up version of Tracy McGrady is way better than J.R. Smith. Anybody who believes otherwise watches way too much highlights and doesn't consider how the game is won. J.R. Smith is a terrible team player. If it was a 1-on-1 league, J.R. would be an All-Star every year. But unfortunately for him, it is 5-on-5 and he doesn't fit the build. There is no way J.R. Smith ever plays significant minutes on a championship team.

This.

People see the highlights and think he's a great player, but the reality is, he's not a great player.

He has a low IQ on the court and only seems to care about making Sportscenter every night. He got his two highlight dunks last night, but what else did he do?

Not much of anything.

 

[Glide2keva]

This from the guy who wouldn't trade Taj for Stephen Curry...good grief...

I have league pass my friend. I NEVER watch Sportscenter....and JR is a better player with more skills. Give me a break! Bringing up a dumb statement that you made days ago and then using a stat sheet from one game to prove an asinine point is just being silly. It was stupid then and its even dumber now. There are a lot of "me" players in the league. McGrady has always been considered one of them. Go back and read the press clippings, people don't always blame TMac's teammates for his never getting out of the first round...

Put JR Smith on the Pistons, he is the best perimeter player on the team. Put McGrady on the Nuggets...DNP-CD!!!

That may be true, but the Pistons still wouldn't be winning shit with Smith over McGrady.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

This from the guy who wouldn't trade Taj for Stephen Curry...good grief...

I have league pass my friend. I NEVER watch Sportscenter....and JR is a better player with more skills. Give me a break! Bringing up a dumb statement that you made days ago and then using a stat sheet from one game to prove an asinine point is just being silly. It was stupid then and its even dumber now. There are a lot of "me" players in the league. McGrady has always been considered one of them. Go back and read the press clippings, people don't always blame TMac's teammates for his never getting out of the first round...

Put JR Smith on the Pistons, he is the best perimeter player on the team. Put McGrady on the Nuggets...DNP-CD!!!

While Stephen Curry is better than Taj, he has no place on the Bulls; not financially AND he would hurt the defense.

McGrady never got out of the first round because in each time his team went against a better team. Though, in 2005, the Rockets were blatantly screwed out of that series with Dallas by the officiating.

It's hard to be a "me" player when you are a point-forward. McGrady may have been too involved with every play, but at least he tried to be a facilatator. Smith is a cancerous player. Simple as that. As immenesly talented as he is, I will NEVER say he is better than McGrady. Even here in 2011.

Of he played like a damn team player then maybe I would consider it.

By the way, press clippings are usually full of hot air. T-Mac got a lot of unwarranted criticism for never getting out of the first round.

McGrady plays on a team wing decent scorers (old Hamilton, Gordon, Prince)and yet he is the best one of the bunch.

And, duh, McGrady is not going to get minutes with guys like Anthony, Harrington, and Afflalo all playing at the 3 spot.

 

[Glide2keva]

People get sucked in by highlights. Smith is full of them.

 

[bulldog1205]

He is clearly a gamble. For a small price (ex: Bulls late 1st and fillers to match salaries) it wouldn't be a horrible gamble. This Bulls team has much better chemistry and leadership than any Nuggets team over the past few years. There is reason to think it MIGHT work. And if it doesn't, then no big deal you can just ship him off somewhere else.

I'm pretty sure the Bulls won't be able to get him for that low of a price though. If they have to give up anything more they should just move on.

 

[houheffna]

while stephen curry is better than taj, he has no place on the bulls; not financially and he would hurt the defense.

Mcgrady never got out of the first round because in each time his team went against a better team. Though, in 2005, the rockets were blatantly screwed out of that series with dallas by the officiating.

It's hard to be a "me" player when you are a point-forward. Mcgrady may have been too involved with every play, but at least he tried to be a facilatator. Smith is a cancerous player. Simple as that. As immenesly talented as he is, i will never say he is better than mcgrady. Even here in 2011.

Of he played like a damn team player then maybe i would consider it.

By the way, press clippings are usually full of hot air. T-mac got a lot of unwarranted criticism for never getting out of the first round.

Mcgrady plays on a team wing decent scorers (old hamilton, gordon, prince)and yet he is the best one of the bunch.

And, duh, mcgrady is not going to get minutes with guys like anthony, harrington, and afflalo all playing at the 3 spot.

stuckey is a better player then mcgrady right now!!!!! Prince is better! How do you comment on this stuff and you don't know anything about it? Ben Gordon right now is a better player than McGrady...stop the madness. If you don't want Smith, you don't want Smith. Fine. But you only indict yourself by making stuff up.

Your reply to the suggestion that McGrady is selfish is "McGrady is a point forward"? So people who comment on McGrady and a WHOLE ORGANIZATION wanting to rid themselves of him is not an indictment of him as a player? Not an indictment of his attitude? Give me a break.

The Curry argument you make...is pretty damn stupid. Why go after Mayo as they are rumored to be doing if they are not willing to go over the luxury tax potentially to sign these young players to extensions? Why talk about possibly getting Jackson from Charlotte? Curry is signed through 2012 for approximately 3mil a year...and you worry about salaries NOW?

We went though this in 2007, everybody wanting to attain and retain boy scouts...then what happens? Rasheed Wallace and the Pistons mop the floor with the Boy Scouts in the playoffs...because they weren't talented enough. Your formula does not work! The league is full of bad boys. Including Jackson, Mayo, and most other players you bring in to bolster the shooting guard position.

 

[houheffna]

People get sucked in by highlights. Smith is full of them.

Stop with this highlights stuff. You act like he gets as many highlights as Blake Griffin or something...

Who on here that advocates for Smith to be here is sucked in by highlights? Highlights showing a young player with great athleticism? I watched him play over the last 5 years. His best years were a few years ago. But even now, he is better at 25 years old than any of the Bulls players not named Rose. That is very obvious.

And if Smith is an absolute train wreck what does that mean? The Bulls will probably not go to the ECF...which is no different really than there odds are now of going there. Thibodeau can't whip this guy into shape? So who do you want? What boy scout is available? I don't know any...

 

[WindyCity7]

:clap:

 

[Glide2keva]

Stop with this highlights stuff. You act like he gets as many highlights as Blake Griffin or something...

Who on here that advocates for Smith to be here is sucked in by highlights? Highlights showing a young player with great athleticism? I watched him play over the last 5 years. His best years were a few years ago. But even now, he is better at 25 years old than any of the Bulls players not named Rose. That is very obvious.

And if Smith is an absolute train wreck what does that mean? The Bulls will probably not go to the ECF...which is no different really than there odds are now of going there. Thibodeau can't whip this guy into shape? So who do you want? What boy scout is available? I don't know any...

I wasn't saying you. It was a general statement.

But yeah, you're absolutely right. The Bulls do need J.R. Smith. He's a great player, he is the thing we need to put the Bulls over the top and make them contenders.

 

[houheffna]

I wasn't saying you. It was a general statement.

Understood, but I think you should give others on here the benefit of the doubt too. I haven't heard anybody talk about any highlight plays or even post any from JR Smith. Maybe they saw Smith play against the Lakers where he did what he typically does, go hot and cold. But he defended Kobe fairly well, and had a few decent games in that series. NOBODY was calling him cancerous or a bad player, NOBODY was calling him a trouble maker. He was JR Smith. He is the same guy now. Karl had the same issues back then with Smith. Just now, he has Affallo instead of Dontae Jones and Affallo is a better player than Jones. I just get tired of people wanting to look around for boy scouts. You have one leading the team! If everybody was like him, he wouldn't be unique!!! That is my point. I heard this crap over Kobe and Lebron possibly coming here. It was crazy talk then and its crazy now. All the guy wants to do is play. Can you blame him?

 

[Glide2keva]

Understood, but I think you should give others on here the benefit of the doubt too. I haven't heard anybody talk about any highlight plays or even post any from JR Smith. Maybe they saw Smith play against the Lakers where he did what he typically does, go hot and cold. But he defended Kobe fairly well, and had a few decent games in that series. NOBODY was calling him cancerous or a bad player, NOBODY was calling him a trouble maker. He was JR Smith. He is the same guy now. Karl had the same issues back then with Smith. Just now, he has Affallo instead of Dontae Jones and Affallo is a better player than Jones. I just get tired of people wanting to look around for boy scouts. You have one leading the team! If everybody was like him, he wouldn't be unique!!! That is my point. I heard this crap over Kobe and Lebron possibly coming here. It was crazy talk then and its crazy now. All the guy wants to do is play. Can you blame him?

No I don't blame him, and I don't want him to be a boy scout, that's a little extreme.

What I DO want from him is to be coachable and play within himself. He can be an explosive player, but his problem is getting too excited and making dumb mistakes. To me (and this is my own opinion based on what I've seen from him) he only seems to care about his own highlights.

Granted he can put some nice one's up, but we need a player to understand that this team goes through Rose and not through him. Watson had that problem early in the year and I think he gets it now. Would Smith be so willing?

He just seems like a moron that doesn't get how talented he REALLY is and is relying on his athleticism and not on his skills and BB IQ.

I could be wrong, but that's always been the impression he leaves with whenever I see him.

 

[Dont You Noah]

JR smith would be a good pick up for our team. i think that him and rose would work well together.

 

[WindyCity7]

jr smith would be a good pick up for our team. I think that him and rose would work well together.

this

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

stuckey is a better player then mcgrady right now!!!!! Prince is better! How do you comment on this stuff and you don't know anything about it? Ben Gordon right now is a better player than McGrady...stop the madness. If you don't want Smith, you don't want Smith. Fine. But you only indict yourself by making stuff up.

Your reply to the suggestion that McGrady is selfish is "McGrady is a point forward"? So people who comment on McGrady and a WHOLE ORGANIZATION wanting to rid themselves of him is not an indictment of him as a player? Not an indictment of his attitude? Give me a break.

The Curry argument you make...is pretty damn stupid. Why go after Mayo as they are rumored to be doing if they are not willing to go over the luxury tax potentially to sign these young players to extensions? Why talk about possibly getting Jackson from Charlotte? Curry is signed through 2012 for approximately 3mil a year...and you worry about salaries NOW?

We went though this in 2007, everybody wanting to attain and retain boy scouts...then what happens? Rasheed Wallace and the Pistons mop the floor with the Boy Scouts in the playoffs...because they weren't talented enough. Your formula does not work! The league is full of bad boys. Including Jackson, Mayo, and most other players you bring in to bolster the shooting guard position.

Look... I actually did say that I "probably wouldn't even" trade Taj Gibson for Stephen Curry. But I stand behind that because I do believe that Ronnie Brewer is a very good fit at 2-guard, and I believe, because of that, we would end up overpaying for a guy like Curry. I'd rather see us draft that Jimmer Fredette kid from BYU (and pay less) than go all out for Curry.

I meant as a wing scorer. T-Mac is definitely a better wing scorer than Prince. Gordon... I'll give you some leverage on this because of BG's shooting ability. But I still think T-Mac is a better wing scorer than Gordon, as well.

I don't care that Smith is a "bad boy." I just care that he has a bad shot selection. He could have been one of the best players in the NBA if he wanted to be, but it's his choice to be the way he is. He would not start on the vast majority of NBA teams and that is for a reason.

I'll grant you that the worst "best" is very subjective. But I do feel as though McGrady is better than Smith despite not being as good of a shooter, not being able to jump as high, and not being as fast. McGrady is still a pretty decent shooter, picks his spots well, is a better passer, a better rebounder, just as good of a defender (because of his length and quick hands), and as good of a finisher under the rim as Smith.

By the way, the reason Houston wanted to rid themselves of T-Mac was because of his lingering injuries. It didn't sit right with Rick Adelman that McGrady would have to come back to the Rockets in a backseat role. And that is why he was dealt to the Knicks. Being inserted and taken out (over and over) was causing chemistry problems for the Rockets and they decided to try and get some value for him before his contract expired last summer.

 

[houheffna]

Look... I actually did say that I "probably wouldn't even" trade Taj Gibson for Stephen Curry. But I stand behind that because I do believe that Ronnie Brewer is a very good fit at 2-guard, and I believe, because of that, we would end up overpaying for a guy like Curry. I'd rather see us draft that Jimmer Fredette kid from BYU (and pay less) than go all out for Curry.

I meant as a wing scorer. T-Mac is definitely a better wing scorer than Prince. Gordon... I'll give you some leverage on this because of BG's shooting ability. But I still think T-Mac is a better wing scorer than Gordon, as well.

I don't care that Smith is a "bad boy." I just care that he has a bad shot selection. He could have been one of the best players in the NBA if he wanted to be, but it's his choice to be the way he is. He would not start on the vast majority of NBA teams and that is for a reason.

I'll grant you that the worst "best" is very subjective. But I do feel as though McGrady is better than Smith despite not being as good of a shooter, not being able to jump as high, and not being as fast. McGrady is still a pretty decent shooter, picks his spots well, is a better passer, a better rebounder, just as good of a defender (because of his length and quick hands), and as good of a finisher under the rim as Smith.

By the way, the reason Houston wanted to rid themselves of T-Mac was because of his lingering injuries. It didn't sit right with Rick Adelman that McGrady would have to come back to the Rockets in a backseat role. And that is why he was dealt to the Knicks. Being inserted and taken out (over and over) was causing chemistry problems for the Rockets and they decided to try and get some value for him before his contract expired last summer.

Okay, so you crapped on your whole "McGrady isn't selfish" argument with that last paragraph...Gordon, Stuckey and Hamilton score better from the wing than McGrady does. That is just a sad, losing argument that needs to be given up.

Who gives a damn about Freddette? He can't come here now! We are talking about now, not the draft. Now. And what can Freddette do that Curry can't on the NBA level? One is a shooting guard who plays point, the other is a.....point guard who plays point guard in college. Derrick Rose is on the team! What is the point? I already explained that Curry is going to make 3mil a season through 2012. Jimmer Fredette...now who is watching highlights?

McGrady is not as good a defender as JR Smith because he is not as mobile, he is not as fast and not as strong as Smith is at this point in his career. If McGrady was on JR Smith's level, he wouldn't have had to wait until the season started damn near before finding a place to play.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

Okay, so you crapped on your whole "McGrady isn't selfish" argument with that last paragraph...Gordon, Stuckey and Hamilton score better from the wing than McGrady does. That is just a sad, losing argument that needs to be given up.

Who gives a damn about Freddette? He can't come here now! We are talking about now, not the draft. Now. And what can Freddette do that Curry can't on the NBA level? One is a shooting guard who plays point, the other is a.....point guard who plays point guard in college. Derrick Rose is on the team! What is the point? I already explained that Curry is going to make 3mil a season through 2012. Jimmer Fredette...now who is watching highlights?

McGrady is not as good a defender as JR Smith because he is not as mobile, he is not as fast and not as strong as Smith is at this point in his career. If McGrady was on JR Smith's level, he wouldn't have had to wait until the season started damn near before finding a place to play.

Sure, McGrady was/is selfish. He thinks he's a lot better than he is. But he still takes high percentage shots while Smith doesn't. That's the main reason I like him more.

I've honestly never seen Jimmer Fredette play in my life (other than highlight, and I was not impressed by them). And considering the past talent that has come out of BYU, I don't have high hopes that he will become a star player. But I honestly feel as though both Rose and Curry are too small to defend the 2 guard position against the elite teams. I'd rather just wait and use the CHAR pick to get a SG from college (not necessarily J.F.).

That's why I don't want to bother with Curry. I think there has to be a better transaction (this year) for CHI out there other than trading someone of value for Curry. It may have some benefit but I don't think it's what the Bulls should be focusing upon.

About Gordon... come on... he has no handle and can't raise up and shoot over about anybody... Hamilton can barely play anymore... McGrady is tons better than Rip. Stuckey... meh. He is worth mentioning but I don't think he's necessarily a better scorer than T-Mac either... but I'll give you that one.

I'll also give you that Smith has the strength and speed advantage on defense. But McGrady does have length and it seems like he has the quicker reaction than Smith. That can one go either way though.

The reason McGrady didn't find a home earlier was because teams judged him off of his horrendous stint in NY. And because they felt like he would bring that "Allen Iverson syndrome" to the lockerroom. But McGrady has actually not complained at all about his limited role and just concentrated on contributing for his team. And he has recovered from his knee injuries pretty well despite losing a lot of explosiveness and vertical over the years. He is definitely still a good player and I respect that he has put his selfishness aside. He knows he can't lead a good team anymore on the floor. I'm not sure if Smith knows that about himself, already.

 

[Shakes]

You might be waiting until 2016 to use the Charlotte pick. At the earlier we get it if it's non lotto in the 2012 draft.

If you want a SG through the draft it has to come from this year's Bulls pick (ie mid-20s).

 

[houheffna]

Sure, McGrady was/is selfish. He thinks he's a lot better than he is. But he still takes high percentage shots while Smith doesn't. That's the main reason I like him more.

I've honestly never seen Jimmer Fredette play in my life (other than highlight, and I was not impressed by them). And considering the past talent that has come out of BYU, I don't have high hopes that he will become a star player. But I honestly feel as though both Rose and Curry are too small to defend the 2 guard position against the elite teams. I'd rather just wait and use the CHAR pick to get a SG from college (not necessarily J.F.).

That's why I don't want to bother with Curry. I think there has to be a better transaction (this year) for CHI out there other than trading someone of value for Curry. It may have some benefit but I don't think it's what the Bulls should be focusing upon.

About Gordon... come on... he has no handle and can't raise up and shoot over about anybody... Hamilton can barely play anymore... McGrady is tons better than Rip. Stuckey... meh. He is worth mentioning but I don't think he's necessarily a better scorer than T-Mac either... but I'll give you that one.

I'll also give you that Smith has the strength and speed advantage on defense. But McGrady does have length and it seems like he has the quicker reaction than Smith. That can one go either way though.

The reason McGrady didn't find a home earlier was because teams judged him off of his horrendous stint in NY. And because they felt like he would bring that "Allen Iverson syndrome" to the lockerroom. But McGrady has actually not complained at all about his limited role and just concentrated on contributing for his team. And he has recovered from his knee injuries pretty well despite losing a lot of explosiveness and vertical over the years. He is definitely still a good player and I respect that he has put his selfishness aside. He knows he can't lead a good team anymore on the floor. I'm not sure if Smith knows that about himself, already.

Gordon is still a better wing scorer than McGrady...and what is this "meh" stuff? I never hear Americans say "meh"....Gordon can't handle the ball, but he can shoot very well and its his dumb ass fault for putting himself in a position where this is even an argument...Nobody says the 2009 version of Gordon is inferior to McGrady...nobody. Stuckey is the best player on the team. McGrady is not in the top 5. Which is what makes your argument so wrong. McGrady hasn't complained about his role because they told him at the beginning of the year that he was too sucky to get a lot of playing time....before he signed. McGrady doesn't have quicker reactions because he physically cannot react as he used to. He is Penny Hardaway at the same age pretty much. He has a year or two left in the league and then its over most likely. McGrady taking higher percentage shots doesn't make him a better player than Smith, if that is the case...Kurt Thomas trumps both of them...

Anyway Fredette is NOT a shooting guard, he plays point guard. I just didn't understand why you would bring him up in an argument about the position after saying Curry is a liability because of size, defense etc. when Fredette is about the same size. Made no sense.

There is no better transaction than Curry among those available. Mayo is about the same size and has similar skills, I take it you don't want him either? Jackson? Old, takes those shots you despise from JR Smith a lot. So who else? I like Mayo personally, as long as Brewer is here. I just think you are off on your assessments. You can't look at statsheets and boxscores and pass that off as 5-star analysis.

 

[Derkach77]

I welcome JR I think for one year this guy would be fantastic...He's been good so far on and off the court for the Nuggets this season.