Axl Rose
and I knew the silence of the world
- Joined:
- Oct 11, 2011
- Posts:
- 12,161
- Liked Posts:
- 4,434
- Location:
- a distant shoreline
Pax: Luol off the court representation was great, Bulls love him, etc. etc. It was a difficult decision
Pax: Bulls had high expectations coming into this season. NBA Finals expectations. Derrick got injured. Had to broaden focus on future and not focus on today. We're competitive people, so that is tough to do.
Pax: As year has gone on, kept open idea on retaining Luol. Discussions on extension didn't go anywhere. Last 5 or 6 days, decided to make offer to Luol. Offer they felt was competitive and very reasonable. Would allow Bulls to continue to build.
Pax: Offer was rejected - which was Lu's right and prerogative. Players have a right to become free agents and it is an opportunity they understand he would take. Over weekend, realized just how far apart they were. Jerry, Mike Reinsdorf, Gar, Pax and Tom talked. Ended up making the deal
Pax: Bynum contract was a unique situation. Any money saved today will go back into the team and used in the future. Will take resources and financial flexibility and put it back into the team in terms of players and trying to get better. Possibility of picks is nice. Ideally, the picks would be unrestricted - but Luol is unrestricted as well, so it's a tough sell for other teams.
Bottom line: Felt they were too far apart. Deal made sense for Bulls. They believe it will put them in position to be aggressive going forward. And they will. (direct quote)
Pax: Want to make it clear how difficult decision was, because of respect and admiration for Luol Deng
---------
Q: How do you reassure fans you aren't tanking?
A: Reality is that we still have some really good/competitive guys. And a coach that prepares our team daily better than any other team in the NBA. Toronto made deal that everyone perceived would hurt them and they played better. Our guys will go out and play to win. Fans come to watch Bulls because they are loyal.
Snell will get minutes. Dunleavy finding his rhythm. Won't discount what team can do this year.
---------
Q: Given all this, isn't it a signal of rebuilding?
A: Rebuilding is not a word you use with Noah, Rose on team or coach like Thibs. Going in a different direction. When Rose got hurt, had to look at things more broadly. Came to conclusion over time between injury and Deng negotiation. Reiterates attempt to resign Lu. Lu had the right to say no, and he did. No bad feelings. Rebuilding is a word you have to be careful about using, especially with guys in the locker room. Given ourselve the opportunity of flexibility and putting together a complete roster - with depth - that will play well with Derrick.
---------
Q: Conflict between coaching staff and front office with these moves?
A: No, relationship is good. Not realistic to ask Tom and Staff to be happy with this move. Understand what he's facing. Not asking anyone to stand up here and be happy about it. What has to happen in an organization, as a group you have to align together and move forward. Decision now is to how best use the advantages of what we've just done. Respect Tom a lot. Spoke to him this morning - he's the head coach of the Bulls, this makes it more challenging and we know that. Tom wants to win. (editorial: in other words, Thibs isn't happy)
---------
Q: Will Derrick be back 100%?
A: Surgery was a success, tear wasn't extensive. Know how badly Derrick wants it and is committed to getting better. Don't have a crystal ball, can't predict future injury. Hard situation to deal with. We believe he'll be a terrific player for us when he suits up next year.
---------
Q: Reports that Derrick would be upset at Lu trade. Did you speak to Derrick re: trade?
A: Jerry and Gar talked to Derrick. Not going to ask player to choose sides. Jerry said he had a really good convo with Derrick last night. (interesting that Jerry talked to him...). Sometimes you have to make difficult moves. These are not easy days for organization. Have to focus on, moving forward, that.....(Pax is kind of going all over the place here)....if we stay healthy we'll compete every night
---------
Q: Asking about spinal tap situation with Lu last year
A: You learn alot from situations. We didn't handle that as well as we could have or should have. Didn't understand the gravity of the situation from his perspective. Over the summer, apologized to Lu and his agent. Said they dropped the ball. On other injuries(wrist) - feels Bulls have been really supportive. Allowed Deng to see his own specialist for that issue. Always tried to keep in mind the players' preference and how they want to be treated
---------
Q: Question about the Eastern Conference (i.e. how much it sucks)
A: Unusual amount of teams <.500 and the freak injuries. East is an open field. Our team will play hard and expect them to win games and do what they can.
---------
Q: Taj was mad, Noah mad. Are you concerned players will tank and not try as hard?
A: Not realistic to ask players to not have emotions about this. Have been friends/teammates with Lu for years. Male bonding, blah blah blah. It's their right to be upset. We'll talk to the guys. Believes in the character of the locker room. They play.
---------
Q: How conflicted are you looking at lottery and future vs. the pride of the locker room and winning now?
A: It's obvious taking Lu out, on paper, makes it more difficult to win basketball games. Focus is long term. Realized we were too far apart with Lu. What is best for the organization. (OFFICE SPACE!) Good question. Many unknowns. During the summer and looking at options, will be in a better place than if they hadn't done this.
---------
Q: Missed question - something about trade deadline possibilities
A: No deal out there that would have provided financial flexibility. (I think question was asking about holding out til trade deadline). If there were someone out there they liked, but again, less likely.
---------
Q: Kings pick: did you get enough in return?
A: Comes down to this: Lu is not under contract next year. This is best you can do. Rooting for Sacramento to win. :lol: Definitely risk involved.
---------
Q: Looking at future: how does this affect Mirotic?
A: Knew he wasn't coming over for rookie contract. (3 year wait) Not in position to talk to him right now. Still has significant 'issue' with his contract (buyout). We view him as an important part of our future. When you create flexibility, you create the ability to 'pursue things we want to pursue'.
---------
Q: Anything on the horizon? (players/trades)
A: Can't say right now. May have to bring Marquis back? (
) D-League, free agents, to be determined.
---------
Q: Free agent perception of the Bulls? (Due to Gordon/Deng contract stuff/conflicts)
A: That's our job, get people to come here. Reality is when two parties want to make a deal, they make a deal. In Lu's case, two parties had two different ideas. Reiterates that Lu had a right to walk away. Talks about the last contract they gave him, which was significant. Thinks Bulls treat people/players fairly and go about their business well.
---------
Q: Amnesty
A: It's available. It's a decision that may be made, but will not be made today. Carlos gets unfair criticism. The one player in last couple years who has practiced, played almost every game, etc. has been Boozer. Good for team and teammates. No decisions made now, doesn't need to be made today. Not worth discussing.
---------
Q: Conviced Derrick can still be the #1 guy on a championship team?
A: If you ask Derrick, he'll say don't count him out. Also know that the challenge over the years has been to find playmakers to go with Derrick. League is a superstar league. Teambuilding is underrated. Look at Pacers - great teambuilding through draft, trades, signings. Do believe Derrick will be a great player again, but can't promise anything. Challenge is putting together the right group. Might be more about building WITH Derrick vs. putting all of burden on Derrick. Gar/Scouts work hard, blah blah. We have confidence that we can get good players via draft/FA. This deal gives us flexibility to build a deep team. Have ideas about what types of players they want in future/people they want.
Pax: Bulls had high expectations coming into this season. NBA Finals expectations. Derrick got injured. Had to broaden focus on future and not focus on today. We're competitive people, so that is tough to do.
Pax: As year has gone on, kept open idea on retaining Luol. Discussions on extension didn't go anywhere. Last 5 or 6 days, decided to make offer to Luol. Offer they felt was competitive and very reasonable. Would allow Bulls to continue to build.
Pax: Offer was rejected - which was Lu's right and prerogative. Players have a right to become free agents and it is an opportunity they understand he would take. Over weekend, realized just how far apart they were. Jerry, Mike Reinsdorf, Gar, Pax and Tom talked. Ended up making the deal
Pax: Bynum contract was a unique situation. Any money saved today will go back into the team and used in the future. Will take resources and financial flexibility and put it back into the team in terms of players and trying to get better. Possibility of picks is nice. Ideally, the picks would be unrestricted - but Luol is unrestricted as well, so it's a tough sell for other teams.
Bottom line: Felt they were too far apart. Deal made sense for Bulls. They believe it will put them in position to be aggressive going forward. And they will. (direct quote)
Pax: Want to make it clear how difficult decision was, because of respect and admiration for Luol Deng
---------
Q: How do you reassure fans you aren't tanking?
A: Reality is that we still have some really good/competitive guys. And a coach that prepares our team daily better than any other team in the NBA. Toronto made deal that everyone perceived would hurt them and they played better. Our guys will go out and play to win. Fans come to watch Bulls because they are loyal.
Snell will get minutes. Dunleavy finding his rhythm. Won't discount what team can do this year.
---------
Q: Given all this, isn't it a signal of rebuilding?
A: Rebuilding is not a word you use with Noah, Rose on team or coach like Thibs. Going in a different direction. When Rose got hurt, had to look at things more broadly. Came to conclusion over time between injury and Deng negotiation. Reiterates attempt to resign Lu. Lu had the right to say no, and he did. No bad feelings. Rebuilding is a word you have to be careful about using, especially with guys in the locker room. Given ourselve the opportunity of flexibility and putting together a complete roster - with depth - that will play well with Derrick.
---------
Q: Conflict between coaching staff and front office with these moves?
A: No, relationship is good. Not realistic to ask Tom and Staff to be happy with this move. Understand what he's facing. Not asking anyone to stand up here and be happy about it. What has to happen in an organization, as a group you have to align together and move forward. Decision now is to how best use the advantages of what we've just done. Respect Tom a lot. Spoke to him this morning - he's the head coach of the Bulls, this makes it more challenging and we know that. Tom wants to win. (editorial: in other words, Thibs isn't happy)
---------
Q: Will Derrick be back 100%?
A: Surgery was a success, tear wasn't extensive. Know how badly Derrick wants it and is committed to getting better. Don't have a crystal ball, can't predict future injury. Hard situation to deal with. We believe he'll be a terrific player for us when he suits up next year.
---------
Q: Reports that Derrick would be upset at Lu trade. Did you speak to Derrick re: trade?
A: Jerry and Gar talked to Derrick. Not going to ask player to choose sides. Jerry said he had a really good convo with Derrick last night. (interesting that Jerry talked to him...). Sometimes you have to make difficult moves. These are not easy days for organization. Have to focus on, moving forward, that.....(Pax is kind of going all over the place here)....if we stay healthy we'll compete every night
---------
Q: Asking about spinal tap situation with Lu last year
A: You learn alot from situations. We didn't handle that as well as we could have or should have. Didn't understand the gravity of the situation from his perspective. Over the summer, apologized to Lu and his agent. Said they dropped the ball. On other injuries(wrist) - feels Bulls have been really supportive. Allowed Deng to see his own specialist for that issue. Always tried to keep in mind the players' preference and how they want to be treated
---------
Q: Question about the Eastern Conference (i.e. how much it sucks)
A: Unusual amount of teams <.500 and the freak injuries. East is an open field. Our team will play hard and expect them to win games and do what they can.
---------
Q: Taj was mad, Noah mad. Are you concerned players will tank and not try as hard?
A: Not realistic to ask players to not have emotions about this. Have been friends/teammates with Lu for years. Male bonding, blah blah blah. It's their right to be upset. We'll talk to the guys. Believes in the character of the locker room. They play.
---------
Q: How conflicted are you looking at lottery and future vs. the pride of the locker room and winning now?
A: It's obvious taking Lu out, on paper, makes it more difficult to win basketball games. Focus is long term. Realized we were too far apart with Lu. What is best for the organization. (OFFICE SPACE!) Good question. Many unknowns. During the summer and looking at options, will be in a better place than if they hadn't done this.
---------
Q: Missed question - something about trade deadline possibilities
A: No deal out there that would have provided financial flexibility. (I think question was asking about holding out til trade deadline). If there were someone out there they liked, but again, less likely.
---------
Q: Kings pick: did you get enough in return?
A: Comes down to this: Lu is not under contract next year. This is best you can do. Rooting for Sacramento to win. :lol: Definitely risk involved.
---------
Q: Looking at future: how does this affect Mirotic?
A: Knew he wasn't coming over for rookie contract. (3 year wait) Not in position to talk to him right now. Still has significant 'issue' with his contract (buyout). We view him as an important part of our future. When you create flexibility, you create the ability to 'pursue things we want to pursue'.
---------
Q: Anything on the horizon? (players/trades)
A: Can't say right now. May have to bring Marquis back? (
) D-League, free agents, to be determined. ---------
Q: Free agent perception of the Bulls? (Due to Gordon/Deng contract stuff/conflicts)
A: That's our job, get people to come here. Reality is when two parties want to make a deal, they make a deal. In Lu's case, two parties had two different ideas. Reiterates that Lu had a right to walk away. Talks about the last contract they gave him, which was significant. Thinks Bulls treat people/players fairly and go about their business well.
---------
Q: Amnesty
A: It's available. It's a decision that may be made, but will not be made today. Carlos gets unfair criticism. The one player in last couple years who has practiced, played almost every game, etc. has been Boozer. Good for team and teammates. No decisions made now, doesn't need to be made today. Not worth discussing.
---------
Q: Conviced Derrick can still be the #1 guy on a championship team?
A: If you ask Derrick, he'll say don't count him out. Also know that the challenge over the years has been to find playmakers to go with Derrick. League is a superstar league. Teambuilding is underrated. Look at Pacers - great teambuilding through draft, trades, signings. Do believe Derrick will be a great player again, but can't promise anything. Challenge is putting together the right group. Might be more about building WITH Derrick vs. putting all of burden on Derrick. Gar/Scouts work hard, blah blah. We have confidence that we can get good players via draft/FA. This deal gives us flexibility to build a deep team. Have ideas about what types of players they want in future/people they want.
