Stacey King chat @ 1PM! Fred/Kush, ask about Funk!

[anorexorcist]

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=25973

 

[Ralphb07]

Re:Stacey King chat @ 1PM! Fred/Kush, ask about Fu

I forgot who said it but they were saying King would be a National announcer soon. This might be the start of it. I actually think King is fun to listen too

 

[??? ??????]

Re:Stacey King chat @ 1PM! Fred/Kush, ask about Fu

I put in a question about BG's contract. It'll be interesting if he will bite on it.

I think King is a decent enough color commentator. The problem with the broadcast is competely Neil Funk. I think Wayne Larivee and Stacey King should be the team for WGN broadcasts and Tom Dore and Stacey King for the Comcast games (since I doubt Larivee would agree to do every game, because I know he likes to do the Packers games).

 

[anorexorcist]

Theres a real simple fix, put Swirsky back on TV where he was with the Raptors, and send Funk back to radio. Problem solved.

 

[??? ??????]

anorexorcist wrote:

Theres a real simple fix, put Swirsky back on TV where he was with the Raptors, and send Funk back to radio. Problem solved.

Why would we want Funk on the radio when we now know he's been calling the games wrong?

Also, this isn't really Stacey King going national. It's for the new ESPN Chicago project.

 

[??? ??????]

These ESPN Chats are always a mess.

SportsNation Buzzmaster: (2:00 PM ET ) Stacey will be here shortly, everyone!

SportsNation Buzzmaster: (2:32 PM ET ) We're tracking down Stacey, everyone!

This reminds me of when they were going to interview Joakim Noah, Nate Robinson, and Ron Artest on ESPN's First Take in the summer. (Why that bunch was together, no one will ever know). And all three showed up late for the interview, and then Ron Artest, while in the studio, didn't actually attend the interview because he got stuck at the candy machine.

 

[??? ??????]

Bryce (Sterling, IL): Stacy, do you think the reemergence of Kirk Hinrich has benefited Derrick Rose going into the postseason?

SportsNation Stacey King: (2:35 PM ET ) Yeah I do. It's taken some pressure off Derrick to have to do everything. His minutes are down in the second half in the last month of the season--he's not playing 40+, which enables him to get some rest. Kirk's leadership abilities have helped as well. I look for it to continue.

Johney (Detroit, MI): Stacey- would the Bulls rather face the Cavs or Celtics in the playoffs?

SportsNation Stacey King: (2:37 PM ET ) I think they'd rather play the Cavaliers. Boston is banged up and older, but Boston has experience over the Bulls--the Bulls don't play well against Boston's halfcourt game. They are more successful in a transition game, which they would see more of in Cleveland or Orlando. Boston would slow it down and make it a halfcourt game.

Stacey already wrote more words then a David Thorpe chat!

 

[??? ??????]

DeWayne(Chicago): Stacey, why doesn't Vinny Del Negro get more COY love? all the other coaches have real superstars.

SportsNation Stacey King: (2:38 PM ET ) They had such a bad start. Let us not forget, had they not made this trade, I don't know that they would have won 35 games. This trade, if anything, would be more in line for an executive of the year recognition. It didn't bring any marquee players, but it brought in battle-tested players that have been a plus for the Bulls.

 

[??? ??????]

matt , chicago, IL: do you think the bulls have the will and/or ability to play 48 minutes of consistent defense? if not is it because of the players or because of vinny not being able to teach it?

SportsNation Stacey King: (2:40 PM ET ) They haven't played a consistent defensive effort all season long. I go back to the trade that Paxson pulled off in Sacramento. He brought two tough-minded defensive players--Miller is a center who can man the post and rebound well, which takes pressure off Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah. They have defensive lapses still up front--they will get beat off the dribble and have yet to put a 48-minute stranglehold on the team. They can shut teams down in stretches and have gotten stops when they needed them.

 

[??? ??????]

Mike (Chicago, IL): I know it's early but do you see Ben Gordon coming back next year?

SportsNation Stacey King: (2:41 PM ET ) I think so. I think he likes it here in Chicago. He enjoys playing with his teammates here. It's going to come down to where he feels comfortable. A lot of these players tend to go for the highest bidder, but the grass isn't always greener. With a big payday comes big expectations, and Gordon has a comfort zone here. I don't think he'll get the huge payday he's looking for--the money is drying up a little bit these days.

 

[??? ??????]

DeLow (Chicago, IL): Stacey - I've notice that Kirk spends WAY too much time dribbling without passing the ball. Doesn't that hurt the Bulls more often than not in the half court?

SportsNation Stacey King: (2:43 PM ET ) Sometimes. It's that Steve Nash sense--the difference is that Steve Nash has had the personnel to do that, and find someone for a dunk or whatnot. He has many more weapons than Kirk. When you dribble as much as he does, it can take you out of the flow. The Bulls are doing a much better job of working with it, however. I can't really complain about his play in a very solid offense.

 

[??? ??????]

Casey, Philadelphia: What kind of offense do you see the Bulls moving towards in the next few seasons? Many of us are frustrated that the Bulls often seem lost in their half-court offense? Besides the high pick and roll, what will they use? Thanks.

SportsNation Stacey King: (2:44 PM ET ) Right now, from what I've seen this season, Vinny is doing a cross between Suns and Spurs, because he played in San Antonio with Greg Popovich and was in the front office in Phoenix when D'Antoni was there. I don't see it changing too much...unfortunately, you don't have a Shaq or Stoudemire on the post, but they do have the perimeter players. We've seen a little bit with the Bulls where they score 115, and give up 120, so you have to think the defense will be a priority.

 

[??? ??????]

Rod (Chicago): Stacey, what was your favorite moment of the 2008-2009 Bulls season?

SportsNation Stacey King: (2:46 PM ET ) It's not one particular thing. Just the play of Derrick Rose and how he elevated his team, and how they were struggling...he's a shining star, and the way he's handled himself with maturity and leadership, you don't see players like that in this league that often. You could compare him to a Chris Paul or Deron Williams, or even Magic Johnson in the intangible impact he has had. It's all about trying to win, playing hard, and competing every night.

 

[charity stripe]

Damn it, he's not answering the Neil Funk questions!

 

[??? ??????]

Chad Boise, ID: I think the Bulls are a scary match up for any team in the first round. Do you think the Bulls have a great chance at a first round upset?

SportsNation Stacey King: (2:47 PM ET ) Yes, depending on who it is. They have two things going for them right now...they are one of the best teams at home this season, and atrocious on the road, so when you talk about a seven game series, it's a double-sided game. If they can steal a game on the road at Orlando or Boston, they could be an upset team. Were I one of those teams, I would not overlook them.

Ken, Palatine, IL: Stacey, Sorry, I am a huge KU fan and was delirious when they won the title over you and your Sooners in 1988. With that said, do you think Cole Aldrich will make a good pro, or will he end up like Big Country Reeves? I am guessing Sherron Collins will be a 2nd round pick.

SportsNation Stacey King: (2:50 PM ET ) I was just starting to get over that KU loss in '88, and I'm bleeding internally again. Thanks a lot! I think Aldrich is a big kid who could use one more year of school. He's made a big improvement from his freshman year, and if he can show he can run the court consistently and be a threat on the low post, he's a lottery pick. As far as Collins, I also think he should stay in school another year. I liken him to Will Bynum of the Pistons, who has worked his way into the lineup, and is paying big dividends. If he puts up the numbers again that he has this season, I think he'll be on the level of Ty Lawson, except Collins is much stronger.

 

[cool007]

Re:Stacey King chat @ 1PM! Fred/Kush, ask about Fu

Thanks for the recap mate.

 

[dougthonus]

Re:Stacey King chat @ 1PM! Fred/Kush, ask about Fu

Stacey already wrote more words then a David Thorpe chat!

Notice he answered about 1/3rd as many questions as a Thorpe chat as well.

 

[Ton]

Patrick Sharp, 30, has seen his career blossom ever since landing in Chicago. In 501 career games in the Indian head, Sharp has scored 183 goals while adding 187 assists. The three-time 30 goal scorer has proved his worth to the Blackhawks with his versatility, leadership, and talent, earning him a five-year contract extension that begins this season.



Last year, Sharp arguably had his best regular season all-around with 33 goals, 36 assists, and led the team with a career best plus-28 in 74 games. In the playoffs he didn't see much success with only a single goal in six games and really didn't contribute much else. The last two years he has hovered awfully close to the point per game mark, which has been on an upward trajectory throughout his career. No matter where he ends up, center or wing, he has proved that he can produce at the same level that helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2010.



The only complaint that can be made when it comes to Sharp is his consistency level. He tends to score in bunches throughout the season and dries up at certain times, sometimes the wrong times. He's not exactly an elite winger, or center, but he does have a very important role on the team that extends outside his production which helps boost his value.



[float='left']Related Content

Player Evaluation: Patrick Kane

Player Evaluation: Jonathan Toews

Player Evaluation: Brent Seabrook

Player Evaluation: Marian Hossa

Player Evaluation: Duncan Keith

[/float]There's no wonder why Sharp's name comes up in the rumor mill so often, but at this point in time it's nothing but chatter. Unless there is a significant offer on the table, Chicago would be crazy to move their assistant captain that has spread his roots in the fans (mostly the ladies) hearts as well as the locker room.



At this point Sharp is in the prime of his career, he may never sort out the consistency factor but if he heats up at the right time it could be another special year for Chicago. If not, the team could be in trouble if they are expecting a strong push throughout the post-season.



If the Blackhawks don't acquire another center, Patrick Sharp should get another opportunity to play in the middle instead of Patrick Kane, but Joel Quenneville has not shown any intentions to do so because it's speculated that he'll give Marcus Kruger another chance at #2 pivot. Either way he'll see plenty of time in the top-six as well as significant power-play time and shouldn't have a big problem scoring over 30 goals again if he can remain healthy.



PREDICTION: 78 GAMES | 37 GOALS | 29 ASSISTS | 66 POINTS | PLUS-14



Click here to view the article

 

[the canadian dream]

So what's the truth here about Sharp playing center. I always get mixed reasons as to why he isn't slotted there much anymore. One side says its coaching and the other side says Sharp doesn't like playing the center position and prefers LW. Obviously the holes on LW and C the last 2 years make the debate more interesting. Without Sharp on LW there really has been nothing else to go to at that side. There really hasn't been any other options than to play him there.



I like Sharp. I like him a lot. But I liked him better when he got dirtier than he does now. Sharp used to scrap incase anyone forgot. He used to throw his body around a lot more. I miss that part of the game from him. Sure he may have developed into a more offensive weapon (with help of the talent around him) but when the team needs physicality Sharps not there anymore. Sort of saddens me sometimes.



Other than that there isn't too much to Sharp I really question. I agree with the consistency issue also Ton. He goes MIA for long periods which is frustrating (esp when he starts holding his stick tight and starts taking stupid shots and missing net by miles). However when he is MIA on the scoreboards his defensive game really never slides far with it. He is a fairly stable defensive forward (better when he was more physical). First round playoffs last year was an acception as he was downright horrible in them. Worst hockey of his career in my opinion. I will honestly say he was the worst Hawk against the Yotes. Even worse than Crawford...yah I said it.

 

[Ton]

You're right, he doesn't really get involved in the dirty areas anymore -- but I think he still plays physical, if not more physical than he did before. He didn't exactly take the easy path into the NHL, he made his name as a Hawk by showing an edge but it was sometimes reckless. I've noticed he has stayed away from the "after the whistle" stuff -- which is really where you notice the chippy attitude of players, as a result he cut his PIM's down... I don't think he's less physical though, just smarter. Last year he had 80 hits, 76 the year before... his first full season he had 49 hits and 74 PIM's. I hate to be a stat-monkey but sometimes it helps when you can compare.



I do agree in a sense, he doesn't bring energy when the team needs someone to step up and take one for the team -- but there's a reason for that. Who knows, maybe Q told him to stop the crap after the whistle because we need him on the ice instead of in the box. That job is reserved for others now. Otherwise, he's still physical, just not at the expense of his ice-time to give energy to the team (sounds selfish but ultimately I think it's more of a coaching thing).



He gets a lot of great looks with Kane, Toews, and Hossa feeding him. He likes his spot, parked at the bottom of the hash marks, similar to Stamkos. I really think if he's healthy (and there is a full NHL season, not counting on it, but if) then he'll finally crack 40 goals this year, or next if there is no season.



He was really bad against Phoenix. Looked like someone who was lost, trying to figure out the system and acquired at the trade deadline. Almost like Oduya.