Fred
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- Mar 29, 2009
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We’re almost finished the first quarter of the season, and needless to say, it’s been a disaster even beyond my low expectations for this team. Before the season, I predicted 39 wins due to the departure of our leading scorer. As of today, we’re looking like a bottom-5 team, lottery team. Here are my quarterly grades:
1. J. Noah, A- * Noah is surpassing most expectations, especially mine. He started the season playing better than any frontcourt player we’ve had since Elton Brand. He’s a great offensive rebounder with a high motor, and if he continues to improve, he’ll enter the race with Rose to become our first All-Star since the Jordan era. He has slowed down a bit lately, but it’s primarily due to his mounting frustration with our continued losing. Noah is not the problem…he’s one of the few answers.
2. Luol Deng, B * If Luol continues to attack the offensive boards with reckless abandon and still manages to stay healthy, he’ll almost live up to his contract. If Tyrus attacked the boards like Deng has so far this season, he would be an annual member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Vinny has Deng leading the team in minutes played, which is dangerous considering Luol’s injury history. But it’s expected when you consider that James Johnson can’t guard 3’s, and Salmons plays mostly at the 2. Overall, Luol has played well, but I’m still disappointed in his offense during the last 5 minutes of a game. (Especially in the losses against Miami and New Jersey)
3. Derrick Rose, B * Derrick’s really turned it on recently, probably since he’s finally getting healthy. Management did nothing in the offseason to help him, and he hasn’t complained. He’s now facing a much more difficult road to the hoop with Gordon’s departure and the struggles of Salmons/Hinrich/Miller. When you consider how dehabilitating a foot injury can be for a player who depends on explosiveness, I’m content with Derrick’s performance.
4. Taj Gibson, B- * Taj has been a pleasant surprise. He’s been the only remotely positive move by Gar Foreman so far. It was still a mistake to pass on Blair with this pick, especially when you consider the massive front lines of Cleveland and Boston. Taj would have a higher grade if he wasn’t so awful at the free throw line: 46.3%
5. Brad Miller, C- * I expected more from Brad than 42.2% shooting. He’s still our most sound fundamental interior defender, but he’s deteriorating before our eyes as a solid NBA center. Memo to all you youngsters out there: That’s what happens when you hit your mid 30-s. Enjoy your youth.
6. John Salmons, D * Salmons is #2 in minutes played, but he’s arguably last on the team in terms of performing up to expectations. He’s #2 on the team in shot attempts (254), and he leads the team in 3-point attempts (85) by a large margin. Unfortunately, he’s shooting 39% overall and 32.9% from the 3-point line. I believe these numbers are an aberration, and I’m certain we’ll see improvement from John. As I said on that episode with Houheffna, I expected John’s numbers to retreat closer to his career averages. I didn’t expect them to retreat to Bryce Drew’s career averages. He doesn’t get an F because he’s 11th in the NBA in steals.
7. Jannero Pargo, D * 36.8% shooting overall (tied with Kirk), 31.6%. Funk and King like to portray him as a poor man’s Gordon. Funk especially likes to orgasm over the rare Pargo scoring outbursts. In reality, he’s only a poor man’s Gordon if we’re referring to Gordon from Sesame Street. If Pargo were 1/10th as good as Ben, Neil would be acting like Meg Ryan at the 52 second mark of this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nNhOH4Y0bI&feature=related
8. Aaron Grey, F * Aaron should retire and start a new career as Bigfoot in those Beef Jerkey commercials. He’s far too slow to play in the NBA. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXsHz87_Tr8&feature=related
9. James Johnson, D+ * He’s shooting 34%, 22% from the 3-point line. This is unfortunate when you consider he’s actually been worse on the defensive end. He looks completely lost, and you can’t blame all of that on Vinny. MEMO TO BULLS’ MANAGEMENT: His college coach didn’t think he could guard 3’s in the ACC. What would possibly lead you to believe he could guard 3’s here? Get him in the weight room and make him a 4.
10. Lindsey Hunter, F * He’s shooting 15%. I don’t care if he brings leadership, honesty, integrity, hope, justice, love, and a catered lunch to the locker room. He’s shooting 15%. He’s a disaster.
11. Kirk Hinrich, F * In the 13 games before his injury, Kirk shot 36.8%, and 32% from the 3-point line. In Chicago, he’s adored like a poor man’s Steve Nash, and he playing like a poor man’s Steve Blake. He played in 3 straight blowout losses before he hurt his thumb, albeit against good teams. But for 9.5 million, he should have a greater impact in keeping 1 of those games competitive. He’s sucked so far; he’ll come back, play average every other game, and probably get his shooting percentage up near his career mark of 41%. I’ll endure Funk comments and listener emails about his overrated defense, overrated leadership, and overrated career. I could go on, but why should I? Drones are immune to logic.
12. Vinny Del Negro, F * That’s an “F” as in “Fired”. To get my feelings on Vinny, please read my article from earlier in the year at the Bullpodcasters.com. I still feel the same. Regardless of how Vinny’s tenure with the Bulls ends, it was a mistake to hire a member of the Suns front office with no coaching experience of any kind. We’re one of the 4 most historic franchises in the NBA, along with the Celtics, Knicks, and Lakers. He really tried to improve the team defensively this year, but it’s not working. Despite the improved play of Noah and Deng, this team is clearly worse than the playoff team that challenged the Celtics in April. That will happen when management lets your leading scorer walk for cap space. That said, Vinny is still committing the same mistakes. He should be fired this week.
13. Gar Forman, F: The Bulls refused to trade Hinrich for expiring contracts and a bag of donuts before the trade deadline this past spring. In refusing to trade Captain Clunk, you made Gordon’s departure inevitable, and sentenced the fans to a year of watching this incredibly inept offense. You’ve also stunted Rose’s growth on the offensive end. (Rose after the Toronto loss: “There’s no room to drive.”)
Gar, please write on the chalkboard 1000 times:
1. Excessive fouling puts the opponent in the bonus earlier in the quarter and forces a coach to make unwanted lineup changes. THIS IS DETRIMENTAL TO WINNING.
2. An inability to draw fouls will keep your team away from the free throw line and the opponent out of foul trouble. THIS IS DETRIMENTAL TO WINNING.
Gar, It’s not surprising that suburban adolescents prefer Kirk over Ben, but it’s inexcusable that you would. Granted, Hinrich’s overrated defense is better than Gordon’s. The disparity in their offensive ability is much greater in Gordon’s favor than the difference in their respective defensive abilities. Your choice is a severe condemnation of your abilities to judge talent. This move will forever define your tenure, and it’s put this organization back to a Krause-era level.
1. J. Noah, A- * Noah is surpassing most expectations, especially mine. He started the season playing better than any frontcourt player we’ve had since Elton Brand. He’s a great offensive rebounder with a high motor, and if he continues to improve, he’ll enter the race with Rose to become our first All-Star since the Jordan era. He has slowed down a bit lately, but it’s primarily due to his mounting frustration with our continued losing. Noah is not the problem…he’s one of the few answers.
2. Luol Deng, B * If Luol continues to attack the offensive boards with reckless abandon and still manages to stay healthy, he’ll almost live up to his contract. If Tyrus attacked the boards like Deng has so far this season, he would be an annual member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Vinny has Deng leading the team in minutes played, which is dangerous considering Luol’s injury history. But it’s expected when you consider that James Johnson can’t guard 3’s, and Salmons plays mostly at the 2. Overall, Luol has played well, but I’m still disappointed in his offense during the last 5 minutes of a game. (Especially in the losses against Miami and New Jersey)
3. Derrick Rose, B * Derrick’s really turned it on recently, probably since he’s finally getting healthy. Management did nothing in the offseason to help him, and he hasn’t complained. He’s now facing a much more difficult road to the hoop with Gordon’s departure and the struggles of Salmons/Hinrich/Miller. When you consider how dehabilitating a foot injury can be for a player who depends on explosiveness, I’m content with Derrick’s performance.
4. Taj Gibson, B- * Taj has been a pleasant surprise. He’s been the only remotely positive move by Gar Foreman so far. It was still a mistake to pass on Blair with this pick, especially when you consider the massive front lines of Cleveland and Boston. Taj would have a higher grade if he wasn’t so awful at the free throw line: 46.3%
5. Brad Miller, C- * I expected more from Brad than 42.2% shooting. He’s still our most sound fundamental interior defender, but he’s deteriorating before our eyes as a solid NBA center. Memo to all you youngsters out there: That’s what happens when you hit your mid 30-s. Enjoy your youth.
6. John Salmons, D * Salmons is #2 in minutes played, but he’s arguably last on the team in terms of performing up to expectations. He’s #2 on the team in shot attempts (254), and he leads the team in 3-point attempts (85) by a large margin. Unfortunately, he’s shooting 39% overall and 32.9% from the 3-point line. I believe these numbers are an aberration, and I’m certain we’ll see improvement from John. As I said on that episode with Houheffna, I expected John’s numbers to retreat closer to his career averages. I didn’t expect them to retreat to Bryce Drew’s career averages. He doesn’t get an F because he’s 11th in the NBA in steals.
7. Jannero Pargo, D * 36.8% shooting overall (tied with Kirk), 31.6%. Funk and King like to portray him as a poor man’s Gordon. Funk especially likes to orgasm over the rare Pargo scoring outbursts. In reality, he’s only a poor man’s Gordon if we’re referring to Gordon from Sesame Street. If Pargo were 1/10th as good as Ben, Neil would be acting like Meg Ryan at the 52 second mark of this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nNhOH4Y0bI&feature=related
8. Aaron Grey, F * Aaron should retire and start a new career as Bigfoot in those Beef Jerkey commercials. He’s far too slow to play in the NBA. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXsHz87_Tr8&feature=related
9. James Johnson, D+ * He’s shooting 34%, 22% from the 3-point line. This is unfortunate when you consider he’s actually been worse on the defensive end. He looks completely lost, and you can’t blame all of that on Vinny. MEMO TO BULLS’ MANAGEMENT: His college coach didn’t think he could guard 3’s in the ACC. What would possibly lead you to believe he could guard 3’s here? Get him in the weight room and make him a 4.
10. Lindsey Hunter, F * He’s shooting 15%. I don’t care if he brings leadership, honesty, integrity, hope, justice, love, and a catered lunch to the locker room. He’s shooting 15%. He’s a disaster.
11. Kirk Hinrich, F * In the 13 games before his injury, Kirk shot 36.8%, and 32% from the 3-point line. In Chicago, he’s adored like a poor man’s Steve Nash, and he playing like a poor man’s Steve Blake. He played in 3 straight blowout losses before he hurt his thumb, albeit against good teams. But for 9.5 million, he should have a greater impact in keeping 1 of those games competitive. He’s sucked so far; he’ll come back, play average every other game, and probably get his shooting percentage up near his career mark of 41%. I’ll endure Funk comments and listener emails about his overrated defense, overrated leadership, and overrated career. I could go on, but why should I? Drones are immune to logic.
12. Vinny Del Negro, F * That’s an “F” as in “Fired”. To get my feelings on Vinny, please read my article from earlier in the year at the Bullpodcasters.com. I still feel the same. Regardless of how Vinny’s tenure with the Bulls ends, it was a mistake to hire a member of the Suns front office with no coaching experience of any kind. We’re one of the 4 most historic franchises in the NBA, along with the Celtics, Knicks, and Lakers. He really tried to improve the team defensively this year, but it’s not working. Despite the improved play of Noah and Deng, this team is clearly worse than the playoff team that challenged the Celtics in April. That will happen when management lets your leading scorer walk for cap space. That said, Vinny is still committing the same mistakes. He should be fired this week.
13. Gar Forman, F: The Bulls refused to trade Hinrich for expiring contracts and a bag of donuts before the trade deadline this past spring. In refusing to trade Captain Clunk, you made Gordon’s departure inevitable, and sentenced the fans to a year of watching this incredibly inept offense. You’ve also stunted Rose’s growth on the offensive end. (Rose after the Toronto loss: “There’s no room to drive.”)
Gar, please write on the chalkboard 1000 times:
1. Excessive fouling puts the opponent in the bonus earlier in the quarter and forces a coach to make unwanted lineup changes. THIS IS DETRIMENTAL TO WINNING.
2. An inability to draw fouls will keep your team away from the free throw line and the opponent out of foul trouble. THIS IS DETRIMENTAL TO WINNING.
Gar, It’s not surprising that suburban adolescents prefer Kirk over Ben, but it’s inexcusable that you would. Granted, Hinrich’s overrated defense is better than Gordon’s. The disparity in their offensive ability is much greater in Gordon’s favor than the difference in their respective defensive abilities. Your choice is a severe condemnation of your abilities to judge talent. This move will forever define your tenure, and it’s put this organization back to a Krause-era level.
