The Bulls signed Dj Augustine on Dec 13th and won 39 games after that. They also traded Deng on Jan 7th, so I have no doubt that after trading Deng (who was barely playing anyway) they would have lost at least half of the games they won if they had kept Marquis Teague and let him run the team. They would have had at least the #9 and #16 pick to move up 4 spots to #5 and ensure they get one of the best players in this draft. Even if they didn't want to move up, it would be much easier to make an agreement with another team to draft the lottery player they want and then trade him to get Melo/Love.
Just because YOU say tanking is dumb and not an option, doesn't make it true. It has worked multiple times for the Cavs, its worked for Orlando, it worked for the Spurs to get Duncan (from 59 wins -> 20 wins). The Bulls just have bad management who can't figure out how to work the system and an owner who doesn't give a damn if they win as long as people keep filling up the stadium.
You are full of misinformation.
The Bulls signed DJ on DEC 13 and were 9-13.
The Bulls traded Deng on Jan 6th and were 14-18. They played 500 ball for a month.
After trading Deng the Bulls went 33-17.
So how is what you are saying true at all. It isn't. DJ did not save the Bulls season. The trade of Deng backfired and Noah went on wild. He went from ~3 Ast to ~7 and from ~12 to ~13.5 PPG. He also went from ~43% FG to ~50%.
Everyone wants to stroke DJ, like that is what saved the Bulls season. When all of the data shows it was really Noah who took this team over after the trade and carried them to the record they had. DJ helped, but he did not add 20 games.
The only way the Bulls tank is trading Noah. When people say they want to tank, that is what they are saying.
That is why this is so freaking idiotic. This idea the Bulls could have tanked without moving Noah is just ignorant. Nothing points to that at all. If you think trading Noah to get the ~8 pick is worth it just say it. Keep in mind that the Bulls would also not have the 19th pick season either. Also the Knicks make the playoffs since the Bulls are out and that may keep Melo in NY.
Just because YOU say tanking is dumb and not an option, doesn't make it true. It has worked multiple times for the Cavs, its worked for Orlando, it worked for the Spurs to get Duncan (from 59 wins -> 20 wins). The Bulls just have bad management who can't figure out how to work the system and an owner who doesn't give a damn if they win as long as people keep filling up the stadium.
WTF...... The Cavs have been bad after tanking for years. They have never won a ring. What have the Magic ever won? The Spurs had 20 wins. You think that the Bulls with 9 wins on Dec 13th could have won 11 more all year if they had not signed DJ???????
The Bucks had 15 wins. 15 wins. 5 teams had 25 wins or less. That means that the Bulls could not have had a top pick unless they fell in the one spot that won the lottery or had fewer than 25 wins. DJ did not add 23 freaking wins this season.
Yes what you are tanking is pure ignorance. We can look with hindsight and see what it would have taken to get a top 5 pick and we can easily deduce that the Bulls would have to gut their roster to get their. Noah at a minimum. Possibly Gibson too. That is on top of the Deng trade. That is a lot to lose to to get the 4th pick in the draft. There is no way they win under 20 games.
It is stupid for more reasons though. Tibs has less value. You drive a larger wedge between Tibs and management. The team has a smaller change to attract FA. The change you move everyone and still pick 6+ is still very high. You lose multiple quality NBA players, and Noah is at one of the hardest positions to fill.
Yes, the tank talk is asinine.
You point to random team X that it worked for. How many teams have tanked and been bad for ever. A lot more. Moreover, this Bulls team is not those teams. This season is not those seasons. The Nuggets won 21 games that season and 11 the following. Tanking really helped them.
