All Entries Tagged With: "Vinny Del Negro"
Thomas not happy not starting
Speaking calmly yet passionately and without rancor or even a hint of unprofessionalism, Tyrus Thomas eloquently detailed why he should be the Bulls’ starting power forward.
Popularity: 5% [?]
Some within Bulls want Tyrus moved?
Barry Rozner says the Bulls missed out on opportunities to rid themselves of certain players or line up potential replacements for others. Rozner cites Kirk Hinrich’s contract and Tyrus Thomas (wanted gone by some in the organization) as two pieces that should be moved, or looking to replace Ben Gordon as a priority for the Bulls.
What’s certain is that after passing not once, but twice on Pitt’s DeJuan Blair in the first round, they’re still weak down low.
They also failed to land a replacement for their top scorer and shooting guard in Ben Gordon, who can depart once free agency begins next week, and they still haven’t moved the bad contract belonging to Kirk Hinrich.
So what you have is a lot of question marks within the roster of a team that showed a lot of heart in taking an old and injured Boston team to the limit in the first round.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Shaq to Bulls?
Arizona Republic reports a rumor of Shaquille O’Neal going to the Bulls for a package revolving around Luol Deng. Apparently the Bulls are interested in O’Neal’s expiring contract for you guessed it, 2010. All rumors were focused on a deal that would send Shaq to Cleveland.
There also were rumors that O’Neal might be headed to Chicago in exchange for Luol Deng, Tim Thomas and at least one other player.
The Bulls would want O’Neal so they could dump his contract at the end of next season and create cap space in 2010 to go after Dwyane Wade or some other member of that epic free-agent class.
It seems unlikely, but Deng would appear to fit into the Suns style.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Bulls losing Del Harris
K.C. Johnson reports the Bulls are losing one of Vinny Del Negro’s veteran assistants, and could be looking for a replacement at the predraft camp.
The venerable coaching career of Del Harris will end shortly with the announcement of his retirement after 50 years, according to a league source.
Harris turns 72 next month. His departure creates a vacancy on Vinny Del Negro’s coaching staff, which could be filled by holdover Pete Myers or another candidate.
League sources said former Bulls guard and current Sacramento Kings assistant Randy Brown interviewed with Del Negro here at this week’s NBA predraft camp, although indications are Brown could be hired in a player development role rather than coaching.
Myers, whose contract ends after June, had been relegated to a behind-the-bench role with little input last season. Still, sources indicate Myers remains in good standing with the organization and that attempts to have Del Negro expand his role could be made.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Bulls want PG
K.C. Johnson wonders if the Bulls want a point guard to give them insurance if Ben Gordon signs somewhere else, or if Kirk Hinrich is traded.
Darren Collison might not remember Vinny Del Negro’s name, but it’s a safe bet the reverse isn’t true.
“I had a chance to meet with the coach from the Chicago Bulls,” Collison said Friday at a downtown hotel as part of the NBA’s predraft camp. “He was real laid-back and cool. I had my best workout for the Bulls. They said they were really interested.”
For the second straight day, a point guard insisted the Bulls have expressed major interest in him. That UCLA’s Collison followed Syracuse’s Jonny Flynn with such words means either the players are cocky and excitable, the Bulls want insurance in case Kirk Hinrichis traded or Ben Gordon signs elsewhere or Derrick Rose is a bust.
And yes, the last guess is a joke.
This is serious, though: Point guard is the deepest position in the June 25 NBA draft and the Bulls, should they remain at No. 16 and No. 26, are confident they can find a solid prospect if they want one.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Is Thomas a three or a four?
Mike McGraw wonders whether the Bulls and Tyrus Thomas are on the same page when it comes to his role on the team?
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Gordon on Del Negro: “Room for improvement”
Ben Gordon visited the “Waddle and Silvy Show” this morning and besides Gordon’s future, Ben talked about first year coach Vinny Del Negro. On the subject of Del Negro, some of Gordon’s comments included: “he did a decent job”, “had a lot to learn”, “there was room for improvement”, and “overall had a pretty good year”. When pressed on where Vinny needed improvement Gordon mentioned “game time management”.
Popularity: 3% [?]
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.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Where is Vinny’s help?
Boston Globe’s Bob Ryan visited the “Waddle and Silvy Show” today, and they discussed how the Bulls have not had a timeout left at the end of either game one or two, when it was critical. Ryan questions Coach Vinny Del Negro’s assistants, namely coaching vets Del Harris and Bernie Bickerstaff on why they are letting the rookie coach make this mistake two games in a row.
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Bulls overcame personal issues
Del Harris and Bernie Bickerstaff both talk about how the Bulls overcame their personal agendas and concerns to become a team.
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Deng out 2 weeks, surgery still possible
Luol Deng found out today that he has a small stress fracture and will miss at least another two weeks. K.C. Johnson reports that Deng could face surgery if the injury does not improve by then, and would be looking at a three month rehab. There has been plenty of speculation as to whether Deng could play through the pain.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Bulls have to clear money to re-sign Gordon?
K.C.Johnson wants the Bulls to find a way to keep Ben Gordon. That would require another move being made this summer, according to John Paxson. The Bulls are about 8 million below the luxury-tax threshold for next season, not counting the two first round picks they have. Some talk has Kirk Hinrich being dealt this summer.
Popularity: 1% [?]