All Entries Tagged With: "Joakim Noah"
Would Wade-Rose work?
If the Bulls were smart Sunday, they wouldn’t just beat the Heat in their first game of the Dwyane Wade Recruitment Tour.They would clear out occasionally and let Derrick Rose work his wondrous, driving magic. They would encourage Joakim Noah to run the floor, power home a dunk and let loose one of his patented primal screams.
They would share the ball selflessly on offense, get in the Heat’s faces on defense (well, OK, maybe provide Wade a driving lane now and then) and basically do all the things Wade’s team did when he led it to the 2006 NBA championship.
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Bulls sleepers?
True Hoop includes the Bulls in their high-grade sleeper piece. They like the Bulls if Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah can continue to improve and add offensively.
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Changes coming soon for Bulls
K.C. Johnson writes the Bulls should announce the re-shuffling of the front office soon, and could be followed by some changes in the coaching staff. Ben Gordon’s future will be the focal point of the off-season as well as hopefully adding someone who can score in the paint, the Bulls were simply dominated in the paint by the Celtics bigs.
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Suns prefer Tyrus?
Mike McGraw’s sources tell him the Suns may be eyeing Tyrus Thomas as the piece they would like back for Amare Stoudemire. Apparently the Suns prefer Thomas over Miami’s Michael Beasley the number two pick in the June draft.
In a somewhat surprising development Monday, several sources indicated the Phoenix Suns do not have much interest in Miami’s Michael Beasley and would prefer Tyrus Thomas in a trade for all-star power forward Amare Stoudemire.
The chatter on Monday, though, suggested the Suns aren’t convinced Beasley would fit into their offensive system and they don’t want to take back Marion, even for less than half a season. Marion has a $17 million expiring contract and was sent to Miami for Shaquille O’Neal a year ago.
In the meantime, Suns GM Steve Kerr sees the same thing the Bulls did the past two weeks: The light bulb is starting to go on for Thomas and he may still be a long way from reaching his ceiling. Thomas just completed the best six-game stretch of his pro career, averaging 15.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2 blocks.
It appears the Suns are open to a package of Thomas, Thabo Sefolosha, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons and undetermined draft picks for Stoudemire. One question now is whether better offers will come at the Suns in the days leading up to the Feb. 19 trade deadline.
The Bulls aren’t necessarily afraid of losing Stoudemire for nothing as a free agent in 2010. All they have to do is fork out the cash and they’ll be able to make the best offer. The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement is designed to favor players staying put.
The concern is whether the Bulls could build a championship-caliber team if Stoudemire’s salary ends up rising beyond $20 million, which is a realistic possibility. Maybe he would cut the Bulls a break and sign a cheaper extension to help ensure a winning situation, maybe not.
Could a lineup of Stoudemire, Rose, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and either Ben Gordon or Kirk Hinrich pose a realistic threat to LeBron James or the Celtics? That’s a question the Bulls will ponder during the next week or so.
The Bulls would also ask to see Stoudemire’s medical records before agreeing to a trade. The 6-foot-10 power forward had microfracture knee surgery in 2005. So far, it hasn’t been a problem, but who knows what the future holds for such an injury?
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Not sold on Stoudemire?
The Bulls have made contact with the Suns regarding Amare Stoudemire, however some outlets say the Bulls may have some reservations?
It’s also unclear if the Bulls are convinced Stoudemire is a good fit, given he owns an opt-out clause after the 2009-10 season and almost certainly will be demanding a maximum contract that would run six seasons and rise from about $20 million annually.
Stoudemire, 26, also is perceived as an uninterested defender who occasionally has acted aloof with teammates, raising leadership questions.
Though Stoudemire, who is averaging 20.8 points and 8.2 rebounds, appears to have returned successfully from 2005 microfracture surgery, that knee operation carries with it the possibility of a shortened career.
What is certain is the Bulls are one of a select few teams to possess all aspects of what the Suns reportedly are seeking if they deal Stoudemire — salary-cap relief, young talent and draft picks.
In Drew Gooden ($7.1 million) and Cedric Simmons ($1.7 million), the Bulls possess two expiring contracts. In Joakim Noah, Tyrus Thomas and Thabo Sefolosha, the Bulls have three players who intrigued at least the previous Suns management of Mike D’Antoni, David Griffin and Vinny Del Negro when they were drafted. And they have draft picks.
Del Negro knows Stoudemire well from his front-office days in Phoenix, although it’s unclear if the Bulls coach really wants him. Bulls general manager John Paxson and Suns counterpart Steve Kerr long have had a close friendship and professional working relationship
Tim Mc Graw of the Herald also wonders if the Bulls will pause at the potential contract.
Speaking of Stoudemire – and everyone is – I think the biggest issue scaring prospective trade partners is how much he’ll cost salary-wise.
To make a point, here’s the list of teams that are on pace to have maximum-level cap room in 2010, when Stoudemire can opt out and become an unrestricted free agent: Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Miami, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Portland, San Antonio and a few others.
In other words, there is a good chance some team will make a ridiculous offer. If the Bulls were able to land Stoudemire in a trade, they would most likely lose him in 2010 or end up doling out a $100-plus million contract to keep him.
Could Stoudemire agree to a reasonable contract extension before hitting free agency? In theory, yes. But would he really give up the giant payday free agency might bring?
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More Amare talk
ESPN.com’s Marc Stein
The NBA trading deadline, as of Thursday, is exactly two weeks away.
Which makes this an ideal time to pass along five fresh dribbles of trade chatter from discussions with team officials and player agents plugged into the front-office grapevine:
Can we really expect an Amare Stoudemire trade in the next two weeks?
Sources say it’ll happen in-season only if the Suns can find a deal that delivers a mixture of top young talent and payroll relief. Which won’t be easy.
Two examples (stress examples) of what we’re talking about: Stoudemire to Portland for Travis Outlaw, Jerryd Bayless, draft considerations and Raef LaFrentz’s expiring contract is the first, based on the assumption that the Blazers will not be surrendering LaMarcus Aldridge even for Stoudemire, followed by Stoudemire to Chicago for Joakim Noah, Tyrus Thomas, draft considerations and Drew Gooden’s expiring contract.
We repeat: These are not known to be active trade discussions. Although things could certainly change as the deadline gets closer, sources with knowledge of the Blazers’ thinking and the Bulls’ thinking maintain that (A) Portland has been unwilling to include Bayless in any proposed deal this season and that (B) Chicago is growing increasingly reluctant to part with its best youngsters after some promising play since team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf’s recent blast that the Bulls’ first half was “a disaster.”
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Difference makers make Gooden expendable?
K.C. Johnson wonders whether Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas recent play has made Drew Gooden’s expiring contract a trade commodity?
What should the lineup be for the rest of the season? And what about longer-term? Without getting too dramatic, could the sudden effectiveness of Noah and Thomas hasten a trade of Gooden’s expiring salary before the Feb. 19 deadline?
“Tyrus and Jo are difference-makers,” Del Negro said. “When they play the way they’re capable of and we get them involved, we’re a different team.”
Thomas is averaging 13.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks on this trip, while Noah is contributing 10.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.8 blocks.
They also are averaging about five complimentary mentions from appreciative teammates per game.
“It’s huge for us the way they’re playing,” guard Kirk Hinrich said. “They’re playing to their strengths more and playing with a lot more confidence. Their contributions are changing us and helping us win.”
Because Thomas won’t bite on explaining his efficiency, Del Negro suggests Thomas and Noah have put in plenty of extra work and have a better understanding of what he wants from them.
Noah doesn’t disagree, and he adds another reason.
“We’re moving the ball really well and running plays a lot more where everybody touches the ball,” he said. “Earlier, we played a lot more high pick-and-roll. Our offense is different now compared to earlier in the year.
“Plus we’re getting more stops and running in transition. Our game is definitely better when we play up-tempo. That’s when we’re at our best. So it’s on us to improve our defense.”
Another challenge to improve. That’s something with which Noah and Thomas are familiar.
“We’ve had tough times early in the season, and Tyrus and I are just trying to make things better,” Noah said.
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Bulls “certifiably soft”, Hinrich not available, Nets want Noah or Thomas?
New York Post says the Bulls are not making Kirk Hinrich available, and the potential deal ivolving Larry Hughes and Bobby Simmons hit a snag. The Nets want the Bulls to include either Tyrus Thomas or Joakim Noah.
Feeling the need for a small forward better than Bobby Simmons and the urge to break up their backcourt so Vince CarterVince Carter
and Devin Harris stop competing against each other for points, the Nets actively pursued Larry Hughes as reports claimed; Carter would’ve moved to the frontcourt. However, the key to signing off on such a deal – unmentioned in everything I read – was Jersey’s insistence either Tyrus Thomas or Joakim Noah be included.
From what I’m told, Kirk Hinrich is not available, as numerous outlets continually speculate. The Bulls are a better team now that he’s back in the mix, a forward observer underlines.
“He is the closest thing to a leader we have. His tough play along with Andres Nocioni brings out the best in the others who are certifiably soft.”
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Noah at it again?
Is Joakim Noah living up to the rumors we heard earlier in the year? Rick Morissey wants to dump him.
The one Bull who can least afford to be making waves was at it again last week, splashing around, rocking the boat and doing everything but cannonballs in the murky waters of the red, white and black sea. Joakim Noah, Tyrus Thomas and Larry Hughes were fined after reacting poorly to coach Vinny Del Negro’s reminder that Bulls players are not allowed to eat in the locker room before games. The fine, of course, had nothing to do with food and everything to do with who is running the show. Noah seems to have a problem with the concept.
The scouting report on Noah is that he provides “energy.” Some of us view it as bogus energy, sort of like the guy who pretends he’s talking on the phone at work in order to look busy. When Noah does get his points, it’s normally because a defender has forgotten about him.
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Noah a cancer?
Some things we’ve heard regarding the Bulls:
There is no market for Ben Gordon. There was a rumor recently that had Gordon going to Miami in a deal that would include Shawn Marion. The money part could not be worked out. Gordon is just pricing himself out of getting dealt.
An NBA assistant coach recently told us that Gordon is the hardest working player on the Bulls. He is the first player in the gym and the last one out. The coach also said Gordon sees himself as a starter, but believes Gordon has no real position.
Joakim Noah is pretty much a cancer at this point, according to a Bulls source. The coaches apparently are livid over his lack of conditioning coming in to camp. This in addition to his marijuana possession, public drinking charge, and being suspended last year, voted on by teammates.
There is some concern (including his own) over Derrick Rose’s ability to develop his shot. Rose was easily defended in the summer league. Rose, however was impressive with his ball distribution skills.
Tyrus Thomas is also working very hard and giving the Bulls coaching staff some cautious optimism regarding the third year forward.
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