Without Hamilton, Bulls may need to seek trade

[clonetrooper264]

Crawford is one of the most overrated players in the NBA. He sucks on defense and plays like a ball-hogging PG on offense.

At least he plays...? Zing.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

At least he plays...? Zing.

As much as I'd love to see him play and get lit the hell up by Wade, I'd rather have Ronnie Brewer out there.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

If Crawford is one of the most, than Rip is certainly the most overrated player by the Bulls organization.

I have a hard time believing Crawford would have been a ballhog here under Thibodeau.

I think Crawford and Brewer would have been a perfect tandem for the 2 guard spot.

Maybe if they were fused together (Brewer's off-ball mindset, Brewer's defense, Crawford's ball-handling, and shooting ability) but that is not the case. Hamilton is a better player than Crawford when he's been out there- as rare as that has been the past 2 seasons.

The Bulls have made it a point to build a team of unselfish players who dedicate themselves to team defense (with the exception of Boozer). Crawford does not fit the bill.

 

[clonetrooper264]

Maybe if they were fused together (Brewer's off-ball mindset, Brewer's defense, Crawford's ball-handling, and shooting ability) but that is not the case. Hamilton is a better player than Crawford when he's been out there- as rare as that has been the past 2 seasons.

The Bulls have made it a point to build a team of unselfish players who dedicate themselves to team defense (with the exception of Boozer). Crawford does not fit the bill.

Boozer and Korver are from from defenders. They're exclusively offensive minded players. Crawford fits that description as well. I agree that Hamilton was a far better fit for us than Crawford, but all the same Crawford's offense would be a big boost for when we go through those droughts.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

Boozer and Korver are from from defenders. They're exclusively offensive minded players. Crawford fits that description as well. I agree that Hamilton was a far better fit for us than Crawford, but all the same Crawford's offense would be a big boost for when we go through those droughts.

Boozer is a bad team defender. Korver plays within the team defense but is horrendous when trying to defend in an isolation. Crawford would be a better fit on a championship team in Korver's role. As a starting SG, Crawford just doesn't work. Rose would be forced to guard Dwyane Wade for much of the game including the final minutes (I wouldn't be excited to see how that would end-up. Probably foul trouble for Rose all series).

As for the offense, sure, Crawford gives you a guy who can create for himself and even others off of dribble penetration in largely the same fashion that Rose does. However, he tends to over-dribble and take contested shots. I don't think it would've been worth it for the Bulls to go after him because he is one of those players that is honestly more likely to make the Bulls worse as opposed to a little tiny bit better.

 

[Anytime23]

Or not ever playing defense? That is also a bad option. Dwyane Wade would light his ass up.

Wade would light up good and willing defenders too. Who gives a shit? We need scoring. Can't always find two way players.

How many realistic options are out there that won't coat the Bulls a key piece?

 

[Glide2keva]

Boozer is a bad team defender. Korver plays within the team defense but is horrendous when trying to defend in an isolation. Crawford would be a better fit on a championship team in Korver's role. As a starting SG, Crawford just doesn't work. Rose would be forced to guard Dwyane Wade for much of the game including the final minutes (I wouldn't be excited to see how that would end-up. Probably foul trouble for Rose all series).

Seriously.

As for the offense, sure, Crawford gives you a guy who can create for himself and even others off of dribble penetration in largely the same fashion that Rose does. However, he tends to over-dribble and take contested shots. I don't think it would've been worth it for the Bulls to go after him because he is one of those players that is honestly more likely to make the Bulls worse as opposed to a little tiny bit better.

We have that guy already, JL3

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

Wade would light up good and willing defenders too. Who gives a shit? We need scoring. Can't always find two way players.

How many realistic options are out there that won't coat the Bulls a key piece?

Not as horrifically as he would Crawford or Rose. Bogans actually did a very nice job guarding Wade last year in the ECF. What really did the Bulls in was when Deng got into foul trouble so they had Deng guard Chalmers/Mike Miller while Brewer guarded LeBron and Rose guarded Wade. That's when Wade took over.

The Bulls need to be patient if they aren't going all in for Dwight Howard and hope for the best in regard to Rip. Draft picks are bound to pop-up and trades will present themselves over time. This is the team the Bulls need to move forward with unless they can actually get a solid wing player who fits their needs like Batum for instance. Crawford is not going to realistically get you past Miami. We will end up regretting him more than Boozer.

 

[Cloud 9]

Not as horrifically as he would Crawford or Rose. Bogans actually did a very nice job guarding Wade last year in the ECF. What really did the Bulls in was when Deng got into foul trouble so they had Deng guard Chalmers/Mike Miller while Brewer guarded LeBron and Rose guarded Wade. That's when Wade took over.

The Bulls need to be patient if they aren't going all in for Dwight Howard and hope for the best in regard to Rip. Draft picks are bound to pop-up and trades will present themselves over time. This is the team the Bulls need to move forward with unless they can actually get a solid wing player who fits their needs like Batum for instance. Crawford is not going to realistically get you past Miami. We will end up regretting him more than Boozer.

Hope in one hand and shit in another and see which fills up faster. We've been more then patient with Rip, and now it looks like he's seriously injured. We're handing Miami the eastern conference title if we just sit on our hands and hope something comes to us. C'mon man nobody wants to go out of their way to help us, We'll have to be the aggressors in a potential trade. While I agree Crawford isn't an ideal fit, I think you gotta consider him. Trust me I've hated him since his first time around with the Bulls, but he's an excellent ball-handler and he's one of the most clutch offensive players in the league. I've read recent interviews from Jamal and it looks like his ego has been put to the side, he wants to win. He would provide the spark we're lacking, I'm just not sure he gets us past Miami.

And Batum is beyond unrealistic to mention in trade talks, I know it was an example but still. As if Portland didn't already value the hell out of him, he's been one of the most productive players in the NBA as of recently.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

Hope in one hand and shit in another and see which fills up faster. We've been more then patient with Rip, and now it looks like he's seriously injured. We're handing Miami the eastern conference title if we just sit on our hands and hope something comes to us. C'mon man nobody wants to go out of their way to help us, We'll have to be the aggressors in a potential trade. While I agree Crawford isn't an ideal fit, I think you gotta consider him. Trust me I've hated him since his first time around with the Bulls, but he's an excellent ball-handler and he's one of the most clutch offensive players in the league. I've read recent interviews from Jamal and it looks like his ego has been put to the side, he wants to win. He would provide the spark we're lacking, I'm just not sure he gets us past Miami.

And Batum is beyond unrealistic to mention in trade talks, I know it was an example but still. As if Portland didn't already value the hell out of him, he's been one of the most productive players in the NBA as of recently.

Getting Crawford is not getting the Bulls passed Miami. Who would have believed that MN would give up KG for Al Jeff and trash? Nobody. Who would have thought that Memphis would give up Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown and an unproven draft pick? Nobody. Batum is about to be an unrestricted free-agent. If the Bulls threw in Jimmy Butler and C.J. Watson, that might be enough to get a trade done.

 

[Cloud 9]

Getting Crawford is not getting the Bulls passed Miami. Who would have believed that MN would give up KG for Al Jeff and trash? Nobody. Who would have thought that Memphis would give up Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown and an unproven draft pick? Nobody. Batum is about to be an unrestricted free-agent. If the Bulls threw in Jimmy Butler and C.J. Watson, that might be enough to get a trade done.

The Blazers are notorious for over valuing their players. They would laugh GarPax off the phone if we said "hey how bout you throw us that Batum kid, he's going to be a UFA anyways, we'll let you have Jimmy Butler and CJ Watson" What good does that do the Blazers? None. Let's be honest. I expect a post like this from SP94, not you.

 

[nwfisch]

Getting Crawford is not getting the Bulls passed Miami. Who would have believed that MN would give up KG for Al Jeff and trash? Nobody. Who would have thought that Memphis would give up Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown and an unproven draft pick? Nobody. Batum is about to be an unrestricted free-agent. If the Bulls threw in Jimmy Butler and C.J. Watson, that might be enough to get a trade done.

Getting a 34 year old Rip Hamilton was never going to get the Bulls past Miami, and he certainly won't help being a cheerleader on the bench.

For as much fanfare as Hamilton got for taking care of his body, I'm not seeing it.

To me, this is why acquiring Howard is a big deal for the Bulls. He's the only player available that can lift the Bulls above Miami.

 

[Cloud 9]

Getting a 34 year old Rip Hamilton was never going to get the Bulls past Miami, and he certainly won't help being a cheerleader on the bench.

For as much fanfare as Hamilton got for taking care of his body, I'm not seeing it.

To me, this is why acquiring Howard is a big deal for the Bulls. He's the only player available that can lift the Bulls above Miami.

Valid point. Getting Rip didn't just magically seal the deal against Miami. It just improved our chances at knocking them off. We're the same team as last year that lost in 5 Games. The Heat got deeper and now have a season and a half of experience together.

 

[nwfisch]

And I'm glad and satisfied the Bulls signed Rip. That's what they limited to in free agency. I wish they would have given Crawford the same money they're giving Rip.

Crawford is better than Rip now, and that's all that matters for the Bulls.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

As true as it might be that Rip probably won't be enough to get the Bulls past Miami, he is still has a chance to make the team somewhat better. C.J. Watson brings you much of the same things that Jamal Crawford brings anyway for a lower cost so the point about bringing in Crawford is moot.

I'd rather take my chances with Brewer than Watson or Crawford. Brewer actually plays good defense and plays off of the basketball. Hamilton and the improvement of the team's core was supposed to give this team a chance to take Miami to the limit.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

The Blazers are notorious for over valuing their players. They would laugh GarPax off the phone if we said "hey how bout you throw us that Batum kid, he's going to be a UFA anyways, we'll let you have Jimmy Butler and CJ Watson" What good does that do the Blazers? None. Let's be honest. I expect a post like this from SP94, not you.

Raymond Felton has been absolutely terrible for Portland. And they are about to lose Batum for nothing. There is a very good chance Portland would at least scratch their heads before turning that deal down. If we offered them Asik then the deal might be as good as done.

 

[Cloud 9]

Raymond Felton has been absolutely terrible for Portland. And they are about to lose Batum for nothing. There is a very good chance Portland would at least scratch their heads before turning that deal down. If we offered them Asik then the deal might be as good as done.

I'm aware of the failed Raymond Felton experiment, but at the moment he's still a member of the Portland Trail Blazers. They would have to rid themselves of Felton before acquiring C.J. Watson makes sense for them. Which is still very likely, his expiring contract is attractive for certain teams. We'd definitely have to include one of Taj or Omer in a deal for Batum. I'm pretty sure they'd holdout for another young asset as well. Maybe then they'd want Butler, or a pick. Or both. Portland is stingy as hell. Who knows what they might try and pull.

 

[Diddy1122]

I'm wondering how many of you would be singing a different tune about Miami if Rose buried both those FT's & we beat them on their home floor, while they were at full strength & we were missing Deng & Watson, with Rip playing on 1 leg.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

I'm wondering how many of you would be singing a different tune about Miami if Rose buried both those FT's & we beat them on their home floor, while they were at full strength & we were missing Deng & Watson, with Rip playing on 1 leg.

Not me. How many minutes did their big 3 play? Not playoff PT.

 

[nwfisch]

I'm wondering how many of you would be singing a different tune about Miami if Rose buried both those FT's & we beat them on their home floor, while they were at full strength & we were missing Deng & Watson, with Rip playing on 1 leg.

If the Bulls would have beaten Miami last year and won the title, who knows where we'd be today.

I hope this team as constructed can win a title, I know they won't give up easy, and I know they'll fight to the bitter end.

I think now, they won't beat Miami, and I hope I'm wrong.