http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/cs-0603060047mar06,1,3137702.column?coll=cs-columnists


Pistons role models for Bulls

Paxson seems to be following Dumars' personnel philosophy

Sam Smith
March 6, 2006

So the Pistons won't be beating that 72-10 Bulls record from 1995-96 after losing No. 11 on Saturday night to the Lakers and Phil Jackson. "I thought about that," Jackson admitted.

Still, the Pistons are cruising toward the top seed in the East while the Bulls are in the ninth spot with a shot at moving up one. Wouldn't the NBA love that for a first-round playoff matchup? The story lines are already there thanks to Rasheed Wallace's laughing at and taunting the Bulls in a December Pistons victory and Scott Skiles' suggesting the Pistons are more whiners than winners in a commentary on their complaining to referees after a Bulls loss last month. Perhaps that's where Antonio Davis is missed most on a non-confrontational team that needs the coach to do the challenging.

Yet it's the Pistons whom the Bulls seem to be emulating.

Despite all my scenarios for the Bulls to trade for a star, like Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen or Paul Pierce, it's most likely they won't have enough to satisfy other teams without feeling like they are giving away too much. The belief around the team is that the Bulls will move along carefully, using the draft and limited free agency and hoping to fall into a big-time player, like the Pistons did with Wallace.

Says Pistons General Manager Joe Dumars about the attributes that have made them successful: "There's a common bond between all of our players--they all feel like they have something to prove, each guy is completely unselfish, winning is more important than anything else [and] our guys have total respect for each other.

"I've tried to acquire guys that fit on and off the court. It's vital to your team to have good people. As far as on the court, we've tried to get guys that complement each other and understand team concept more than anything else."

This all started for the Pistons during the coaching regime of Rick Carlisle, who helped transform the team without Grant Hill into a defensive unit in 2001-02 and 2002-03. Skiles has done much the same for the Bulls. As personnel chief, Dumars is an unselfish former player who understands chemistry, not unlike Bulls GM John Paxson.

And then the Pistons were careful in acquisitions. They were both fortunate and smart in persuading Hill to seek a sign-and-trade so they could get Ben Wallace, though they didn't know how good he would become. They wanted to get younger and more unselfish, exchanging Jerry Stackhouse for Richard Hamilton. They took a chance in free agency with a modest contract on Chauncey Billups because Dumars believes you cannot build by giving maximum contracts.

The Pistons also drafted wisely at No. 23 for Tayshaun Prince and didn't give up on him when they had a chance to draft Carmelo Anthony at the same position. Though the Darko Milicic pick was a bust, they got a first-round pick from Orlando in exchange and weren't afraid to make a move that would draw media criticism for the good of the team.

It would be nice to get a star who can draw a double team and score. But if the Bulls are wise in free agency and lucky in the draft, who knows? They were chasing Detroit once and it came out pretty well.

We are talking about the same bulls team that let Elton Brand, Eddie curry, jamal Crawford, and ron artest walk. They let go of atleast 2 guys who are now in the top five at their respective positions(artest and brand), and passed on Darius Miles in the draft because they were hoping at the time to field a team with no cornrows. For some reason kraus figured cornrows+young players=thuganomics. He got over though. I think(seeing eddie curry may make you wonder).

But if that team is trying to be like us. Thats a compliment turned really bad insult.

Bulls Fan believes after drafting Bargnini, their emulation will be complete.

Hinrich=Billups
Gordon=Hamilton
Deng=Prince
Chandler=R.Wallace
Bargnini-R.Wallace

I think they should trade a couple youngsters and a couple prospects for Kevin Garnett. Something like the 'o6 NYK first round pick, 'o7 Bulls first round pick, Mike Sweetney, Kirk Hinrich and Andreas Nocioni.

Bulls Fan believes after drafting Bargnini, their emulation will be complete.

Hinrich=Billups
Gordon=Hamilton
Deng=Prince
Chandler=R.Wallace
Bargnini-R.Wallace.

They are looking to have two rasheeds? [smilie=anxious.gif] thats ambitious. and forty 3 pointers per game.

http://www.rubyan.com/politics/archives/sheed.gifhttp://www.rubyan.com/politics/archives/sheed.gif

Chicks dig the three-ball.

That's a lot of technicals/suspensions.

Scott Skiles will also come out and say that they're only winning due to complaining
to the refs and then go on to talk shit to Ben Gordon throughout their games.

That's a lot of technicals/suspensions.
David stern would have a heart attack and stu jackson would get back into coaching. [smilie=anxious.gif]

Scott Skiles will also come out and say that they're only winning due to complaining
to the refs and then go on to talk shit to Ben Gordon throughout their games.

Don't forget calling Aurora Illinois the world capitol of gang violence.

Scott Skiles will also come out and say that they're only winning due to complaining
to the refs and then go on to talk shit to Ben Gordon throughout their games.

Don't forget calling Aurora Illinois the world capitol of gang violence.Good call.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-060329bullsbrite,1,3953185.story?


Paxson: Thomas delusional

By Marlen Garcia
Tribune staff reporter

March 29, 2006, 10:01 PM CST

Bulls general manager John Paxson reached a boiling point Wednesday and fired back at one-time Bull Tim Thomas for saying he could have helped the Bulls win 20 more games this season and advance to the playoffs.

On a morning radio show, Paxson responded by calling Thomas "delusional" and said the ninth-year forward reported to training camp out of shape in October.

Thomas, now with the Suns, made the remark in a published report, and it wasn't the first time he has criticized the Bulls. He spent less than two months with the Bulls before Paxson asked him to stay home until he could be traded or waived.

Paxson didn't back off his comment when he spoke to reporters at the Berto Center after Bulls practice.

"I am not going to apologize for us having a certain standard," Paxson said. "That's what it comes down to. He didn't fit into that standard. He can say whatever he wants. He's entitled to that. But so can I.

"I'm not going to apologize for asking our players to work hard and be in shape and those types of things. It's really as simple as that. If he thinks we would have won 20 more games with him, then I used the right word this morning on the radio."

In his short stay with the Bulls, Thomas had his work ethic questioned by the staff. In the past, Paxson had softened his words to describe the falling out between the team and Thomas. That wasn't the case Wednesday.

"We like guys who want to be on the practice floor and try to get better," he said. "With a young basketball team, that's important. In the last couple of years, we have gotten rid of players who didn't fit that model.

"You can say whatever you want about us not winning as many games. That's fine. But we're trying to build something here and we're going to build it the way [coach Scott Skiles] and I want it built, and with the type of people we want to build it with. And it's as simple as that."

Thomas was acquired in October from the Knicks in the Eddy Curry trade but played in only three games before the Bulls asked him to stay home. He was waived March 1 and signed with the Suns, for whom he is averaging 11.4 points per game.

Skiles declined to comment.

"I'm sure John's comments speak for themselves," he said.

LOL! For once I agree with Paxson.

I can see where Thomas was coming from - 51 wins right now with him in the lineup isn't that far fetched. It's too bad Dumars couldn't get ahold of him so we could be undefeated to this point in the season.

Sorta off-topic, but not completely.

What if Chicago offers a max year max money deal come the off-season?? I could see them doing so, because they want that work ethic example and it would be hurting the Pistons at the same time.

I know Ben is loyal to the Pistons, but I also don't believe he could turn down such an offer unless we were in the ballpark, and I don't know if Davidson would be willing to enter that ballpark. Is Dumars and Co. willing to give the 32 yr old Ben Wallace a five yr $70M+ contract?? Business is business.

Does Skiles really want them to be like us and bitch about
calls all the time? LMFAO@Skiles. What a douche.

Sorta off-topic, but not completely.

What if Chicago offers a max year max money deal come the off-season?? I could see them doing so, because they want that work ethic example and it would be hurting the Pistons at the same time.

I know Ben is loyal to the Pistons, but I also don't believe he could turn down such an offer unless we were in the ballpark, and I don't know if Davidson would be willing to enter that ballpark. Is Dumars and Co. willing to give the 32 yr old Ben Wallace a five yr $70M+ contract?? Business is business.

Pistons are used to winning. Ben doesn't like to lose after winning for so long. Older players conserve more money then younger players (old money vs young money theory), so they need less money to stay comfortable. I highly doubt at this point in his career that ben is going to take more money, over the chance to cement himself in nba history. Entering your 30's is the time you start thinking about leaving a legacy behind, not starting anew. Ben isn't going anywhere, he doesn't even want an agent involved in his negotiation with the Pistons, just a Lawyer to explain to the legal term details and get it done.

Chauncey on the other hand, is a more up in the air situation. I could see him being wooed by a team like Denver, being that it's his hometown. I don't think he'll be going anywhere either though.

Sorta off-topic, but not completely.

What if Chicago offers a max year max money deal come the off-season?? I could see them doing so, because they want that work ethic example and it would be hurting the Pistons at the same time.

I know Ben is loyal to the Pistons, but I also don't believe he could turn down such an offer unless we were in the ballpark, and I don't know if Davidson would be willing to enter that ballpark. Is Dumars and Co. willing to give the 32 yr old Ben Wallace a five yr $70M+ contract?? Business is business.

Ben no longer has an agent. He fired him and told Joe D to prepare a fair contract for him to sign. Ben already elected not to exercise an option a couple years ago which allowed him to void this deal and become an UFA, I don't think he's looking to leave over cash.

Agreed. You need to be a super-pressimist to even CONSIDER the idea of Ben Wallace leaving Detroit.

Mike, Houston TX: What are the chances that the overrated Ben Wallace does not re-sign this offseason with the Pistons?

Chris Sheridan: (1:26 PM ET ) I spoke with Ben about it on Tuesday night. He's doing his deal without an agent, which has to mean he's going to stay in Detroit. If he was going to play the market, he's have an agent do it. He's more concerned about not having to pay an agent four percent of his contract at this point in his career.

Ben owns Yao.

Mike, Houston TX: What are the chances that the overrated Ben Wallace does not re-sign this offseason with the Pistons?

Chris Sheridan: (1:26 PM ET ) I spoke with Ben about it on Tuesday night. He's doing his deal without an agent, which has to mean he's going to stay in Detroit. If he was going to play the market, he's have an agent do it. He's more concerned about not having to pay an agent four percent of his contract at this point in his career.

This is probably just some bullshit posted by a Spurs fan. According to this guy he is overrated and yet he is worried enough about the Piston's keeping him that he went on ESPN to ask about it.

Thats not Mike from Houston, that's fucking Cow from wherever the hell that tard lives.

I believe he had an agent, however the agent tried to pull a fast one, so Ben fired him and is going to do the contract himself. I sorta remember Ben saying that he might go to law school when he retires as well...

UPDATE (Jay Mariotti)

http://www.suntimes.com/output/mariotti/cst-spt-jay05.html


No comparison with Pistons

They have good complementary players. What they lack, as Paxson acknowledges, is a star to revolve around. It would be a grave mistake to think the Bulls are building a role-melding masterpiece similar to the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs, as Paxson and chairman Jerry Reinsdorf have suggested. Last I looked, the Spurs have revolved for years around future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan, and the Pistons have several high-level studs. If the Bulls project a similar future from Gordon, Hinrich, Nocioni and the boys, bless them.

Because, in all honestly, they have no idea where this is going.

''I don't think it's appropriate to comment on what we need,'' Skiles said. ''We have a good, hard-working group. We need to add some pieces to it.''

For all we know, the Bulls have topped out as a 45-to-50-win team that won't reach a conference final. To advance to the next level, they need to seek a franchise player, either this summer or next. Will Kevin Garnett be available? Wouldn't you package Gordon, Chandler and the No. 1 draft choice the Bulls are getting from the New York Knicks -- which could be the top pick -- for Garnett? The Minnesota Timberwolves say they won't deal him, but things could change this summer, especially if Garnett continues to voice disappointment.

Of course, it takes two to swap. If Garnett stays, Paxson won't have many big-name options even if he has close to $20 million in cap room. He can use the No. 1 pick on a big man like LaMarcus Aldridge, a potential all-around star like Tyrus Thomas, a defensive stud like Joakim Noah (if he comes out) or a scorer like Adam Morrison or Brandon Roy. There's also an intriguing 6-11, 240-pound Euro named Andrea Bargnani. But none will make the Bulls appreciably better.

Al Harrington, who is 6-9 and 245 and averaged 19 points and seven rebounds in Atlanta, might help as a free agent. But you may have to wait until the summer of 2007, when the Bulls again have New York's No. 1 pick -- no, I don't miss Eddy Curry, despite Thursday's ugly numbers -- and, with proper luck, may end up with the next great big man.

Reaching the first round is decent stuff. But it's not very rewarding when six banners hang in the rafters. How do they get better? ''More talented players?'' Gordon said. Bingo. Let the most important summer of Paxson's executive life begin.

UPDATE (Jay Mariotti)

http://www.suntimes.com/output/mariotti/cst-spt-jay05.html




''I don't think it's appropriate to comment on what we need,'' Skiles said. ''We have a good, hard-working group. We need to add some pieces to it.''


1) Jay Mariotti is a douche.

2) I heard this comment. The reporter asked him something along the lines of "Who's not comming back next year?" and Skiles said something like "Look, these guys gave me everything all season and even more this series. Its a slap in the face to them to sit here 5 minutes later and talk about kicking them out the door." It was a very cool thing from the little asshole.

Agreed. You need to be a super-pressimist to even CONSIDER the idea of Ben Wallace leaving Detroit.

Quoted for truth.

That was so weird seeing Ben leave.

And Kilo nailed it:
Sorta off-topic, but not completely.

What if Chicago offers a max year max money deal come the off-season?? I could see them doing so, because they want that work ethic example and it would be hurting the Pistons at the same time.

I know Ben is loyal to the Pistons, but I also don't believe he could turn down such an offer unless we were in the ballpark, and I don't know if Davidson would be willing to enter that ballpark. Is Dumars and Co. willing to give the 32 yr old Ben Wallace a five yr $70M+ contract?? Business is business.

P!

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