Sam Smith Mid-Term Grades for Kirk and Salmons

[Fred]

I'm a huge fan of Sam Smith, but here's another example of what I've been harping on for years...the constant excuse-making for Kirk Hinrich:

Sam Smith's Midterm Grades:
Kirk Hinrich: C+. He missed six games with a left thumb sprain and probably came back too soon, which hasn’t helped his shooting. It has been a career low this season, though improving of late. But the team got better when he went into the starting lineup and facilitated better ball movement. Plus, he usually defends the best guard.

-- John Salmons: C-. It’s been a disappointing season for Salmons, who has shot well below his career averages and lost his starting job replacing Gordon. Salmons hasn’t fit as a shooting guard and seems more comfortable at small forward. He’s also shot better of late and, like Hinrich, can improve that grade with a better second half, which he had last season when he came to the Bulls.
http://blogs.bulls.com/chicago_bull...eed-to-improve-in-first-half-report-card.html

As a former shooter, and a pretty good one at that, I'm puzzled by the reasoning behind these grades for Hinrich and Salmons. The left thumb does not effect a well-shot jump shot. It shouldn't be touching the ball. That's the thumb Hinrich injured. Kirk even admitted as such, when he said:

1. Dec. 4, 2009 - "He probably said that because I was optimistic," Hinrich said. "I've been shooting and stuff every day. But I still can't handle the ball. Plus, if it gets hit, I'd be set back."
http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2009/12/bulls-hinrich-out-all-weekend.html

2. Dec. 10, 2009 - “I’m able to handle and catch now,” Hinrich said. “Shooting never was the problem.”

http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2009/dec/10/sports/chi-10-bulls-bits-chicago-dec10

In almost every measurable stat, offensively AND defensively, Salmons has performed better than Kirk. (1 exception being assists). When you factor in Hinrich's contract of 9.5 million, should we expect bigger things from the Captain? I'd give them both D's. But there's no excuse for how bad Kirk's shot the ball. 38/35/69 does not cut it, even remotely.

 

[??? ??????]

I'd give them both somewhere between D- and D's for midterm grades. They probably deserve some type of C grade, maybe low B for their second quarter of the season play though.

 

[jsain360]

I give them both D's as well, I expect more from Hinrich, since he is an untouchable.

 

[RC_Skinny22]

I agree with all of Sam´s grades except Brad Miller´s C. I would give him a D!

 

[pinkizdead]

I give hinrich an A+. i love him. i cant imagine this team without him. he's the glue that holds this team together. he's awesome, however, in case any gm's read this post, I GUESS WE WOULD TRADE HIM FOR A SHOOTING GUARD/POWER FORWARD? i mean if we had too, we'd let him go. his talents are simply not being used here.

( i think if the bulls and entire city of chicago adopted that attitude, we might get someting of value) outside of rose, deng, and noah hinrich is our greatest asset ( besides the expiring... i guess that's kinda sad. )

 

[Shakes]

I agree with pink, I don't understand why people get so upset that our players are being over-rated. It's a good thing if we want to trade them.

 

[Hendu0520]

Kirk should definately get a D. He really hasn't done a thing, the starting thing is just the schedule being favorable (home games) and DRose starting to play like the 4th best PG in the league! Kirk Hinrich has meant absolutely nothing to the stupid 8-4 record since he's started. Actually Salmons has shot better and been a much bigger contributor to victories than Trainwreck.

Salmons should get a C-, I agree with Smith. He has played solid defense and yes he struggled with his shot but it is getting better. I think he hit 3 3's in a row in that GS game. He just needs to learn how to catch and shoot also, damn he always gives up wide open shots and dribbles into a contested one(DRose should be averaging 10apg)I don't think JSalmons shooting better has anything to do with coming off the bench, just start the guy again please VDN.

VDN: D-. I didn't give him an F because Noah and Rose have both showed improvement and he seemed to have kept control of the team even though it seems like he is a lame duck coach. Vinny has not shown any improvement over roster rotation and sooo many times seems to not even be watching the game. I judge coaches by how many times I say: "Is this coach even watching the game?" I say that way to much with VDN, he needs to go at the end of this season or earlier I wouldn't care.

Luol Deng: A. I have no doubt that this is as good as Deng can play so I have to give him an A. My problem with this is that he is a cleanup complimentary guy who Bull's management banked on being a go to guy. Horrible, this is it, all we can hope for Deng, please do what ever you can to get rid of him.

Brad Miller: Has to get a D-. Smith didn't even say one good thing about him in his write up and then gave him a C. LOL, I started laughing as soon as I saw that.

All other gredes I pretty much agree with Smith.

 

[pinkizdead]

i'm pretty sure i'd give brad miller an aaron gray? is that a grade?
When brad comes on the floor, i start to cringe. i'm almost wishing the bulls play super small with taj and tyrus on the floor instead of brad.

 

[Shakes]

Tyrus, outside of a few games, has been pretty useless too. It's not pretty when Noah isn't in the game, no matter who gets put in.

 

[clonetrooper264]

So if the world overrates Kirk, wouldn't that make it easier to trade him? It seems like everyone here can't wait to be rid of him forever. I'm actually surprised I haven't seen any F's for the almighty Trainwreck/Crapton. If he's been as useless as everyone says, he should be getting F's. Since you're at least passing him, has to be doing something right. I will say that Salmons should get a higher grade than Kirk regardless of what that grade is since he has played better.

 

[clonetrooper264]

And one more thing...Brad Miller gets a C? Really? He's played far worse than Kirk or Salmons has. Age is a horrible thing sometimes...Brad Miller gets a D- from me.

 

[Shakes]

I didn't read the full article before ... just looked and Chuckero Pargo got a C-, and Old Man Hunter got a D. In relation to that, Salmons and Kirk's grades look low, not high.

 

[Diddy1122]

Perhaps it's time for Sam Smith to retire. There's so much wrong with these grades I don't even know where to begin. My favorite is James Johnson getting a C because Sam thinks his martial arts skills scared away Lebron n the Cavs when they got into it with Noah. I nearly choked on my slice of Giordano's after reading that.

 

[pinkizdead]

what'd you get on giordanoo's?

 

[TheStig]

pinkizdead wrote:

what'd you get on giordanoo's?

He got it from Pizza hut

 

[Hendu0520]

clonetrooper264 wrote:

So if the world overrates Kirk, wouldn't that make it easier to trade him? It seems like everyone here can't wait to be rid of him forever. I'm actually surprised I haven't seen any F's for the almighty Trainwreck/Crapton. If he's been as useless as everyone says, he should be getting F's. Since you're at least passing him, has to be doing something right. I will say that Salmons should get a higher grade than Kirk regardless of what that grade is since he has played better.

Trooper, IMO, I did my ratings based individually whether that player is playing up to his capabilities, not whether we should trade him. I gave Deng an A and I hate him and think he is worthless. I just think that he is playing the best that he can and ever will play. And that SUCKS, because of all the money he makes. Trade Deng and Hinrich! (which I have been saying fo 2 years now)