After Derrick Rose shredded his ACL in the first game of the 2011-12 playoffs, Chicago Bulls management decided the injury shredded the team’s chances at competing for a title and proceeded accordingly. From the instant the front office decided to jettison useful contributors from the famed “Bench Mob” in favor of lesser, slightly cheaper approximations, the 2012-13 campaign was a bit of a throwaway season. Rose seemingly got the message and took it as an opportunity to sit out the entire season
Evening News: Bulls to start Butler; Thunder favorites for Mike Miller; Rockets add shooters
Hello and welcome to the Evening News. As free agency continues, we’ll keep you updated every night. What’s happening today? [Read more…]
Ladewski: Bulls should pursue Al Jefferson in sign-and-trade
CHICAGO – After the hated Miami Heat bounced his team from the playoffs earlier this week, Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose was nowhere to be found at the team’s practice facility. Once again, he left coach Tom Thibodeau and a few of his battered, beaten teammates to answer questions about his decision to sit out the entire 2012-13 season. Then again, some things are best left unsaid. For Team Try Hard, it was a season of sprained body parts and unfulfilled promise, one
Bernucca: Who is stepping up in the postseason?
One of the most intriguing elements of the NBA playoffs is what the spotlight reveals about certain players – especially those who weren’t expected to be in the spotlight at all. We expect established superstars such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant to welcome the pressure of the postseason and elevate their play. That is part of the reason they are among the game’s best players. It is also not that surprising to see very good players such as Stephen Curry and
Fantasy Spin: 26 Wins & Counting For Heat, With Magic Up Next
None of the previous 25 was any easier than Miami’s 26th consecutive win. LeBron James (32 PTS, 10 AST, 8 REB, 3 STL, 3 BLK) played 34 minutes — way more than expected or even necessary — and Chris Bosh (15 PTS, 6 REB, 3 BLK) was the only other regular to get involved, as Dwyane Wade was given the night off to rest a tender knee. [Read more…]
Sheridan: Five Potential Trades That Make Sense
We are 48 hours away from the NBA trade deadline. Deals are being discussed, deals are going to happen, and deals are going to fall through. Happens every year. What makes this year different is the new collective bargaining agreement, with harsher luxury tax penalties on the horizon beginning with the 2013-14 season. The luxury tax line is going to act as a hard cap for all but the wealthiest owners – like guys who own gold mines in Siberia. So expect to
Most Improved Player Rankings: Week 14
In case you don’t subscribe to the opinion that this column is one of the five most important literary works of our time, I refer you to Super Bowl XLVII. [Read more…]
Bernucca: Time for NBA referees to snap out of it
Having coached high school basketball for the last two seasons, I have gained a true appreciation for the quality of officiating by NBA referees. Until this week. This was a bad week for the league and its referees, as the NBA admitted there were blown calls that changed the outcome of two games. [Read more…]