ChicagoDawg1991
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from KC Johnson of the Chicago-Tribune:
Just over two years after getting traded from the Chicago Bulls to the Washington Wizards, sources said free-agent guard Kirk Hinrich has verbally agreed to return to the franchise that drafted him.
Hinrich, who spent his first seven seasons with the Bulls, is expected to sign a two-year deal worth just over $6 million, one source said, though details were still being finalized. The free-agent moratorium ends July 11.
Hinrich solves the Bulls' primary need for a combo guard who can start at point guard while Derrick Rose rehabilitates from knee surgery, then slide over to shooting guard to back up Richard Hamilton and play alongside Rose eventually.
Hinrich, 31, averaged 6.6 points and 2.8 assists on 41.4 percent shooting in 48 games for the Atlanta Hawks last season. He has averaged 12.5 points and 5.4 assists on 41.7 percent shooting in nine NBA seasons.
Though he has been slowed a bit by injuries and age, Hinrich is still considered a strong perimeter defender who can guard multiple positions. Hinrich, drafted seventh overall in 2003 as John Paxson's first pick as Bulls' general manager, has kept an offseason home near the Bulls' training facility. He told the Tribune in March he'd be open to a return.
My response? I'M ONE HAPPY CAMPER!!
Looks the Bulls will need to scalp the #12 jersey for Kirk when he lands in Chicago! As mentioned in a previous thread, bringing back Hinrich would make sense considering the circumstances surrounding Rose and 1st round pick Marquis Teague, the Bulls needed to sign a veteran that was capable of playing the Point and 2 guard positions and Kirk Hinrich is that guy.
Sure lately he has been plagued with injuries, but when he came back, but he showed the same intensity on the defensive side of the ball and still shot over 40% from the field but also a career low 34.6% from beyond the arc which is understandable considering the injury required shoulder surgery and that the Atlanta Hawks used 2 points guards as their starting backcourt with Marquis Teague's older brother Jeff running the point.
Now he'll be back with the Bulls to run the point, mentor the younger Teague brother and also should be making crafty passes to former teammates Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and Rip Hamilton off screens, posts, pick and rolls. What about when Derrick comes back? Hinrich will be Hamilton's backup and should be out there with The Windy City Assassin often when coach Tom Thibodeau makes changes on the floor.
What do I expect out of Captain Kirk? Just run the floor and be the leader he's always been. Do I wish we had the Hinrich who was a consistent 10-15 points a game? Absolutely but that won't happen, unless he comes out like a bat from hell and just delivers every night. I don't see it happening but hey stranger things have happened right?
Even though the Bulls have been quite in free agency, this signing is making a buzz among Bull fans both positive and negative responses. Many are saying that this season is a wash because we don't have our star point guard. Well as a faithful Bulls fan, I will not accept that idea and I hope we come out and surprise people! Only time will tell Bull fans, just stay strong!
Just over two years after getting traded from the Chicago Bulls to the Washington Wizards, sources said free-agent guard Kirk Hinrich has verbally agreed to return to the franchise that drafted him.
Hinrich, who spent his first seven seasons with the Bulls, is expected to sign a two-year deal worth just over $6 million, one source said, though details were still being finalized. The free-agent moratorium ends July 11.
Hinrich solves the Bulls' primary need for a combo guard who can start at point guard while Derrick Rose rehabilitates from knee surgery, then slide over to shooting guard to back up Richard Hamilton and play alongside Rose eventually.
Hinrich, 31, averaged 6.6 points and 2.8 assists on 41.4 percent shooting in 48 games for the Atlanta Hawks last season. He has averaged 12.5 points and 5.4 assists on 41.7 percent shooting in nine NBA seasons.
Though he has been slowed a bit by injuries and age, Hinrich is still considered a strong perimeter defender who can guard multiple positions. Hinrich, drafted seventh overall in 2003 as John Paxson's first pick as Bulls' general manager, has kept an offseason home near the Bulls' training facility. He told the Tribune in March he'd be open to a return.
My response? I'M ONE HAPPY CAMPER!!
Looks the Bulls will need to scalp the #12 jersey for Kirk when he lands in Chicago! As mentioned in a previous thread, bringing back Hinrich would make sense considering the circumstances surrounding Rose and 1st round pick Marquis Teague, the Bulls needed to sign a veteran that was capable of playing the Point and 2 guard positions and Kirk Hinrich is that guy.
Sure lately he has been plagued with injuries, but when he came back, but he showed the same intensity on the defensive side of the ball and still shot over 40% from the field but also a career low 34.6% from beyond the arc which is understandable considering the injury required shoulder surgery and that the Atlanta Hawks used 2 points guards as their starting backcourt with Marquis Teague's older brother Jeff running the point.
Now he'll be back with the Bulls to run the point, mentor the younger Teague brother and also should be making crafty passes to former teammates Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and Rip Hamilton off screens, posts, pick and rolls. What about when Derrick comes back? Hinrich will be Hamilton's backup and should be out there with The Windy City Assassin often when coach Tom Thibodeau makes changes on the floor.
What do I expect out of Captain Kirk? Just run the floor and be the leader he's always been. Do I wish we had the Hinrich who was a consistent 10-15 points a game? Absolutely but that won't happen, unless he comes out like a bat from hell and just delivers every night. I don't see it happening but hey stranger things have happened right?
Even though the Bulls have been quite in free agency, this signing is making a buzz among Bull fans both positive and negative responses. Many are saying that this season is a wash because we don't have our star point guard. Well as a faithful Bulls fan, I will not accept that idea and I hope we come out and surprise people! Only time will tell Bull fans, just stay strong!
