Post by KruPaxson on Mar 12, 2007 10:10:41 GMT -5
The Chicago Bulls coming off their most successful season as a franchise had a disappointing playoff appearence getting swept by
the New Jersey Nets. "Of course we were disappointed in our performance in the post season, do you think we ever want to lose?" Brand expressed to reporters. The questionable move to sit mid season acquisition Dikembe Mutombo for the first three games of the first round left the free agent big fella upset at team management. Mutombo was willing to stay with the Bulls having his agent give the Bulls a contract offer to keep him around before other teams could get a crack at him but the Bulls declined the option of the 4 year 40+ million dollar deal. This prompted the phones to ring over in NY where the team needed a mentor to newly acquired Yao Ming from China. "Dikembe knows what it is like to come into a new country with big expectations put on you and how to be successful." Knicks coach Outlawz stated in an interview.
This left the Bulls to turn to Shawn Bradley who was the starter in Chicago until Mutombo came to town. The Bulls offered him a 150% raise from his contract last season but apparently Bradley felt slighted about being benched when Mutombo came into town. Toronto GM DJ quickly saw an opportunity to lure the big man north of the border. The Raptors who were desperately in need of an inside presence opened up the wallet to give Bradley max money and job security that no other team could offer. "The environment suits me here. The people are far less demanding than the people of Chicago and the no pressure atmosphere allows me to play with more ease." Bradley told the Canadian times.
This left Vlade Divac who was the third big man of the Bulls trio. "They never asked me to stay so I went to the Warriors a winner, I like." said Vlade. Vlade was never given a contract offer by the Bulls who said his lack of intensity on the boards was a problem. Vlade worked hard in the offseason to get into better shape which has much to do with the Warriors strength and conditioning coach who has worked wonders with anyone who comes into Golden State such as Baron Davis, Vladimir Stepania, and even last years lotto draftee Dwayne Wade.
When the Bulls management was asked about how they could let these players get away ecspecially Bradley to up an coming team in their own division GM Krupinski released the following statement:
Despite being so deep at the big man position last season we feel very comfortable interchanging players at this position in our system. We've won with players Vladimir Stepania, Kieth Closs, Shawn Bradley, and even Dikembe Mutombo. It's more about keeping our core group of players in Elton Brand, Jamal Mashburn, and Manu Ginobili. Elton and Manu are reaching the end of their contracts and we are hopeful to resign each. In order to do that we had to be careful in what we offered Dikembe Mutombo who is 36 years old and Shawn Bradley, 30, who we had concerns of his long term stability because of his body breakdown. We are confident in our scouting of future talent and coaching to keep developing our younger talent to take us to a NBA championship. We are ready to turn the page in our franchise and we thank Dikembe, Shawn, and Vlade for their time served in Chicago and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors in BBS.
This statement was released just hours before the preseason where the Bulls went a league best record of 12-2. It didn't seem like the Bulls missed any of the big men as it seemed they could throw anyone at center and they did with league journeyman Dickey Simpkins. Although this did not stop GM Krupinski from improving his team as he pulled the trigger on a deal that brings league vet Tony Battie and rookie Drew Gooden to the Bulls in exchange for the Bulls most efficient bench player Hedo Turkoglu, newly acquired Jerome Williams, and unavailing Mookie Blaylock. "Sure we are excited to bring these two guys in to beef up our front line. We know we will probably have to do even more just to compete in our division not along the entire league." GM Krupinski exclaimed. Battie provides a strong interior defense which seems to be a necessity as a Bull center. Gooden gives the Bulls another athletic big man that can play three positions and will have the luxury of time on his side to develop. The sleeper in this deal could be veteran PG Nick Van Exel who will take over the backup PG position and be direct mentor to 19 year old Dajuan Wagner. Van Exel is a crafty scorer who can also distribute the ball. The Bulls feel comfortable if anything were to happen to starter Eric Snow that Van Exel could step in without the team missing a beat. Van Exel is the piece that the Bulls have been lacking on their bench the past 4 seasons, a true point guard. It should be exciting to watch the Bulls this season as they should be explosive on offense and scrappy on defense.
the New Jersey Nets. "Of course we were disappointed in our performance in the post season, do you think we ever want to lose?" Brand expressed to reporters. The questionable move to sit mid season acquisition Dikembe Mutombo for the first three games of the first round left the free agent big fella upset at team management. Mutombo was willing to stay with the Bulls having his agent give the Bulls a contract offer to keep him around before other teams could get a crack at him but the Bulls declined the option of the 4 year 40+ million dollar deal. This prompted the phones to ring over in NY where the team needed a mentor to newly acquired Yao Ming from China. "Dikembe knows what it is like to come into a new country with big expectations put on you and how to be successful." Knicks coach Outlawz stated in an interview.
This left the Bulls to turn to Shawn Bradley who was the starter in Chicago until Mutombo came to town. The Bulls offered him a 150% raise from his contract last season but apparently Bradley felt slighted about being benched when Mutombo came into town. Toronto GM DJ quickly saw an opportunity to lure the big man north of the border. The Raptors who were desperately in need of an inside presence opened up the wallet to give Bradley max money and job security that no other team could offer. "The environment suits me here. The people are far less demanding than the people of Chicago and the no pressure atmosphere allows me to play with more ease." Bradley told the Canadian times.
This left Vlade Divac who was the third big man of the Bulls trio. "They never asked me to stay so I went to the Warriors a winner, I like." said Vlade. Vlade was never given a contract offer by the Bulls who said his lack of intensity on the boards was a problem. Vlade worked hard in the offseason to get into better shape which has much to do with the Warriors strength and conditioning coach who has worked wonders with anyone who comes into Golden State such as Baron Davis, Vladimir Stepania, and even last years lotto draftee Dwayne Wade.
When the Bulls management was asked about how they could let these players get away ecspecially Bradley to up an coming team in their own division GM Krupinski released the following statement:
Despite being so deep at the big man position last season we feel very comfortable interchanging players at this position in our system. We've won with players Vladimir Stepania, Kieth Closs, Shawn Bradley, and even Dikembe Mutombo. It's more about keeping our core group of players in Elton Brand, Jamal Mashburn, and Manu Ginobili. Elton and Manu are reaching the end of their contracts and we are hopeful to resign each. In order to do that we had to be careful in what we offered Dikembe Mutombo who is 36 years old and Shawn Bradley, 30, who we had concerns of his long term stability because of his body breakdown. We are confident in our scouting of future talent and coaching to keep developing our younger talent to take us to a NBA championship. We are ready to turn the page in our franchise and we thank Dikembe, Shawn, and Vlade for their time served in Chicago and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors in BBS.
This statement was released just hours before the preseason where the Bulls went a league best record of 12-2. It didn't seem like the Bulls missed any of the big men as it seemed they could throw anyone at center and they did with league journeyman Dickey Simpkins. Although this did not stop GM Krupinski from improving his team as he pulled the trigger on a deal that brings league vet Tony Battie and rookie Drew Gooden to the Bulls in exchange for the Bulls most efficient bench player Hedo Turkoglu, newly acquired Jerome Williams, and unavailing Mookie Blaylock. "Sure we are excited to bring these two guys in to beef up our front line. We know we will probably have to do even more just to compete in our division not along the entire league." GM Krupinski exclaimed. Battie provides a strong interior defense which seems to be a necessity as a Bull center. Gooden gives the Bulls another athletic big man that can play three positions and will have the luxury of time on his side to develop. The sleeper in this deal could be veteran PG Nick Van Exel who will take over the backup PG position and be direct mentor to 19 year old Dajuan Wagner. Van Exel is a crafty scorer who can also distribute the ball. The Bulls feel comfortable if anything were to happen to starter Eric Snow that Van Exel could step in without the team missing a beat. Van Exel is the piece that the Bulls have been lacking on their bench the past 4 seasons, a true point guard. It should be exciting to watch the Bulls this season as they should be explosive on offense and scrappy on defense.