Bulls News

Ben Gordon 'not bitter at all' leaving Bulls
Comment
July 3
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"It's not often a $55 million deal gets done in a day. ''But that's exactly how I wanted it to be,'' guard Ben Gordon said of negotiations Wednesday with Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars. ''Especially after the stagnant pace of [contract talks with the Bulls] the last two summers.'' So after a tour of the Pistons' practice facility in Auburn Hills, Mich., Gordon got down to hammering out a five-year contract. The deal is worth only $5 million more than the five-year contract extension Gordon turned down from the Bulls in 2007. Last summer, Gordon initially declined a six-year, $54 million offer, which the Bulls pulled when Gordon was ready to take it in the preseason. But Gordon said ..."
Bulls staring at task of replacing Gordon's 20 ppg
Comment
July 3
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Whether you consider Ben Gordon's departure from the Bulls unfortunate or necessary -- or a combination of the two -- nearly everyone can agree on at least this much: Replacing Gordon's 20 points a game will be a challenge during the upcoming season. Sure, Gordon was one-dimensional and no better than mediocre at any aspect of the game other than scoring. Scoring, though, is the most important aspect of the game. Only 22 players in the NBA averaged more than Gordon's 20.7 points last season. The 6-2 guard also was the team's best clutch performer, averaging 24.3 points during the playoffs and hitting countless big shots during his five seasons in Chicago. The easiest way for the Bulls to ..."
Ben Gordon says Bulls never made offer
Comment
July 3
Detroit Free Press
 
"A day after jumping to Detroit, Ben Gordon told a Chicago radio station today that the Bulls never made a contract offer even though general manager Gar Forman claimed re-signing him was their No. 1 priority. "I mean they didn't pursue me at all. They didn't even make an offer so it was pretty much a one-man race," Gordon told ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago. Gordon agreed to a five-year deal worth $50-plus million with the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday after leading the Bulls in scoring the past four seasons. Under league rules, that deal can't be announced until next week. The Detroit Free Press reported the five-year deal is worth $55 million. Gordon and the Bulls had tried to negotiate ..."
Has Ben: Time was up for one-dimensional star
Comment
July 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Carol Slezak
"Ben Gordon is moving to Detroit, and you just know he's going to explode for 40 points the next time the Bulls play the Pistons. And when he does, many angry Bulls fans will complain that he never should have been allowed to leave. How could John Paxson and Gar Forman let that happen? Natural born shooters are a rare commodity in today's NBA, and when you're lucky enough to have a guy who can shoot like Gordon, you must keep him. Not so fast, folks. There is another side to this debate. In truth, Gordon was often a liability for the Bulls. He has never had any interest in playing defense, his ballhandling skills are non-existent and he's too small to be a bona fide NBA shooting guard. When ..."
Gordon agrees to five-year deal with Pistons
Comment
July 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The courtship was short. The contract was sweet. Ben Gordon's whirlwind trip to Detroit on Wednesday ended with the now former Bulls star verbally agreeing to a five-year, $55 million deal with the Pistons. Gordon, who led the Bulls in scoring each of the last four seasons, was wooed by Pistons president Joe Dumars when the two met throughout the day at the team's practice facility in Auburn Hills, Mich. Dumars made it clear to Gordon he was Detroit's top priority on what was the first day of free-agency. A source said the Bulls inquired about the Detroit offer, but were not given a chance to match by Gordon and his agent, Raymond Brothers. Milwaukee Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva, a ..."
Kiss him goodbye: 5-year, $55M deal too good to refuse for Gordon
Comment
July 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"After performing a high-wire act so many times with clutch shots, Ben Gordon stayed at that altitude Wednesday, taking the high road as his five-year association with the Bulls ended. Gordon, the team's leading scorer the last four seasons, has agreed to a five-year, $55 million deal with the Detroit Pistons. The veteran guard will sign his contract once the free-agent moratorium ends July 8. The deal is slightly more than the five-year, $50 million and six-year, $54 million deals Gordon rejected from the Bulls the last two summers. "I don't have any regrets, and I don't have any bitter feelings for the Bulls," Gordon said after returning to Chicago late Wednesday. "Business is business. ..."
Sources: Pistons, Ben Gordon agree to $50M deal
Comment
July 1
Detroit News
 
"The Pistons have reached an agreement with free-agent guard Ben Gordon. The Pistons offered Gordon a five-year deal worth more than $50 million. According to sources on both sides, Gordon accepted the parameters of the deal. No deal can be signed until July 8. Gordon and Charlie Villanueva showed up at the practice facility Wednesday to meet with president Joe Dumars. Negotiations with Villanueva were ongoing. Gordon and Villanueva, teammates on the 2003-04 Connecticut team, have been the top free-agent targets for the Pistons for a couple weeks. Gordon, 26, averaged 20.7 points for the Bulls last season, and was brilliant in the seven-game playoff series against the Celtics, averaging 24 ..."
Pistons agree to deal with Bulls' Gordon
Comment
July 1
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Pistons have a new shooting guard: Ben Gordon. Gordon, a free-agent from the Chicago Bulls, agreed in principle Wednesday to join the Pistons, the Free Press has learned. Teams cannot officially announce deals until July 8, but the deal is believed to be worth $55 million over five years."
Gordon, Villanueva visit Pistons; Gordon could get a deal today
Comment
July 1
Detroit Free Press
 
"Free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva flew into Detroit today for a meeting with Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars and could be approaching deals to bring their talents to Motown. Both are unrestricted free agents and their acquisitions would be significant as Dumars could then concentrate on upgrading the talent along the frontcourt. The Pistons are the clear favorite to sign Gordon and a deal could be reached as early as this afternoon as the Bulls have salary-cap issues that may make their interest in retaining Gordon moot. It's expected he will command a salary in the range of $9 to $10 million per year. Gordon, 26, a five-year veteran with the Chicago ..."
Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva visit Pistons today
Comment
July 1
Detroit News
 
"Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon and Milwaukee Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva will be at the Pistons' practice facility Wednesday, meeting with president Joe Dumars and maybe take a tour of the area and do a little home shopping. That's how serious the courtship is between the two free agents and the Pistons. There is a chance a verbal commitment could be reached soon."
Free agent weighs heavily on team's rise, with Pistons the prime competitor
Comment
July 1
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"After months of positioning and planning, teams will begin to find out today whether their hopes can be turned into reality, and players will discover exactly what their worth is on the open market. The NBA's free-agent period started at midnight, and now teams can begin negotiating with players whose contracts have expired. The deals struck in the coming days and weeks could affect the balance of power for the upcoming season. While this year's class doesn't compare with the much-ballyhooed dream-team class that can become unrestricted free agents after next season, there are some good players on the market right now. The Bulls have positioned themselves financially to be major players ..."
Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons courting Ben Gordon
Comment
July 1
Chicago Tribune
 
"A busy Tuesday for Joe Dumars began with the Pistons' president of basketball operations firing coach Michael Curry and ended with him making overtures for guard Ben Gordon as NBA free agency began at 11:01 p.m. Chicago time. The Bulls planned to contact Raymond Brothers, Gordon's agent, who has turned down offers of $50 million over five years and $54 million over six years the previous two summers. Gordon, the Bulls' leading scorer for the last four seasons, never has backed off his publicly stated desire to remain in Chicago. He reiterated that desire to close associates on Tuesday. Similarly, general manager Gar Forman consistently has said the Bulls want to re-sign Gordon. However, ..."
Pistons' free-agent targets: Gordon, Villanueva
Comment
June 30
Detroit News
 
"The Pistons would love to sign Carlos Boozer should he decide today to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Jazz and become a free agent. Why wouldn't they? He's 26 and one of the elite power forwards in the game, capable of averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds. However, if Boozer opts out, he would leave $12.6 million on the table in Utah. Thus, there is a good chance Boozer, as has been widely speculated, would look to start his next contract at $14 million or $15 million. If that is the case, the Pistons most likely would walk away. The Pistons expect to have between $17 million and $19 million of available cap space (the exact number will be determined within the next ..."
'Other' first pick brings intensity
Comment
June 30
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"When Bulls fans heard top pick James Johnson came from a military family, many immediately thought ''discipline'' -- yea! When the same teeming herd learned that Taj Gibson -- the team's second first-round draft pick -- came from Brooklyn, many undoubtedly thought, ''Sebastian Telfair'' or ''Stephon Marbury,'' both aka ''trouble.'' Other than recite more eloquent presidential speech passages from memory, there was little that Gibson could have done during his first face-to-face with Chicago media Monday at the United Center to turn any nagging entrance doubts around. ''I'm blessed to be here and looking forward to the season in a great city with a great young team,'' said Gibson, a 6-9 ..."
Johnson adds many positives to Bulls' framework
Comment
June 30
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Chicago, meet your James Johnson. His pedigree is more sociologically exotic than street. He appears more mobile than menacing. It is his feet of fury rather than his fists that interest the Rose-rage Bulls and their re-energized fandom now. Johnson -- the team's top draft pick -- met the local media for the first time Monday, joining fellow first-rounder Taj Gibson of USC and general manager Gar Forman at the United Center. Johnson is the dashing forward/martial-arts ace most recently of Wake Forest by way of a keenly competitive African-American/Samoan family that hangs its black belts and kick-sass trophies in Cheyenne, Wyo. If the projections of Forman and team master John Paxson prove ..."
Bulls draft picks James Johnson, Taj Gibson ready to get to work
Comment
June 30
Chicago Tribune
 
"Seemingly every time Taj Gibson boarded the elevator at the downtown Chicago hotel where the NBA staged its predraft camp in late May, James Johnson's smile greeted him. Little did Gibson know the same smile would be flashing next to him from a United Center dais Monday morning, when the Bulls unveiled their new draft picks at a news conference. "He's a funny guy, and I've already grown close to him," Gibson said. "I like the way he carries himself. I look forward to working with him." Work seemed the operative word as both Johnson and Gibson talked like benchwarmers rather than first-round picks poised to sign guaranteed two-year contracts. "I'm going to come in early, get situated, work ..."
Taj Gibson a work in progress
Comment
June 28
Chicago Tribune
 
"Taj Gibson has made many transformations, from a furniture mover in Brooklyn while playing street basketball to a non-physical skinny forward to a first-round NBA draft pick. But that's all behind Gibson now because the Bulls drafted him 26th overall in Thursday's NBA draft. Gibson can forget the home schooling, the days playing with older guys on the street courts, the different high schools far from home and the frenetic attempt to become eligible at USC when some credits wouldn't qualify. Gibson has the mentality to succeed in those situations. "He's a happy kid, he's fun to be around and yet when it came time to work, he worked," USC assistant coach Phil Johnson said. "He had a real ..."
First-round forwards wake-up call for Tyrus?
Comment
June 28
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"A day after the draft, the consensus was the Bulls did well with their two first-round picks, choosing Wake Forest forward James Johnson and USC forward Taj Gibson. Others saw the Bulls trying to rectify the damage done in 2006 draft, in which they took LaMarcus Aldridge with the second overall pick and traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers for Tyrus Thomas and Viktor Khryapa. While Aldridge has been a starting forward for the Blazers the last two seasons, Thomas has been in and out of the starting lineup and was benched late in games in the Bulls' playoff series against the Boston Celtics. Aldridge's averages for his three-year career: 15.4 points per game, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 32 ..."
Notre Dame's Zeller goes to Bulls for summer league
Comment
June 27
Indianapolis Star
 
"Luke Zeller said Friday he has been added to the Chicago Bulls' summer-league roster. The 6-11 forward from Notre Dame, who wasn't drafted Thursday, will try to make an NBA roster as a free agent. "I'm excited to be able to have the chance to play on a summer league team, and hopefully show them what I can do," Zeller said. "To make it to that next step and have these workouts is great. "I know I've got work to do and everything, but it feels great to make a summer league team.""
First-round forwards wake-up call for Tyrus?
Comment
June 27
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"A day after the draft, the consensus was the Bulls did well with their two first-round picks, choosing Wake Forest forward James Johnson and USC forward Taj Gibson. Others saw the Bulls trying to rectify the damage done in 2006 draft, in which they took LaMarcus Aldridge with the second overall pick and traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers for Tyrus Thomas and Viktor Khryapa. While Aldridge has been a starting forward for the Blazers the last two seasons, Thomas has been in and out of the starting lineup and was benched late in games in the Bulls' playoff series against the Boston Celtics. Aldridge's averages for his three-year career: 15.4 points per game, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 32 ..."
Bulls' new forwards add to team's versatility
Comment
June 27
Chicago Tribune
 
"So the Bulls have, like, 10 forwards on their roster now, right? Actually, it only seems that way after Thursday night's drafting of forwards James Johnson of Wake Forest and Taj Gibson of USC. The actual number is eight, with Joakim Noah also able to play center, John Salmons also able to play guard and Linton Johnson III probably not re-signed. "We like our versatility," general manager Gar Forman said. That versatility includes Johnson's ability to play small or power forward and Gibson's ability to defend multiple positions. "For a 6-foot-10-inch guy with a 7-4 wingspan, Taj can really move his feet," Forman said, recalling when Gibson switched onto and stopped guard James Harden in ..."
James Johnson's work ethic, versatility impress Bulls
Comment
June 26
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"James Johnson's journey to the Bulls began in earnest at the start of last season, when Gar Forman, then the Bulls director of player personnel, scouted the 6-8 Wake Forest forward for three consecutive days at a tournament in Anaheim, Calif. It ended when when the Bulls selected Johnson with the No. 16 overall pick in the draft Thursday, three hours after Forman, now the Bulls general manager, had a final predraft telephone call with Wake Forest coach Dino Gaudio. ''We talked to Dino a number of time, but we actually talked to him [Thursday] about 5,'' Forman said. ''Asking him about a couple of his players in this draft. The one thing he said is James would compete every day in practice ..."
Forward as team selects James Johnson of Wake Forest, Taj Gibson of USC with two first-round picks
Comment
June 26
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Bulls tested the waters Thursday in efforts to move up in the NBA draft but wound up settling for a double dose of depth at power forward. They selected James Johnson, a 6-8 sophomore from Wake Forest, with the No. 16 pick of the first round and followed that up by taking Taj Gibson, a 6-9 junior from USC, with the 26th pick. Johnson, an undefeated kick-boxer (21-0) with one MMA match under his belt, has plenty of upside. The Bulls have liked Johnson for some time, and the decision to take the former Demon Deacons star was made easier after guards Terrence Williams of Louisville and Gerald Henderson of Duke were selected earlier by New Jersey (No. 11) and Charlotte (No. 12), ..."
Chicago Bulls' top pick a real fighter
Comment
June 26
Chicago Tribune
 
"For James Johnson, fighting is a family thing. The Bulls' affable first round NBA draft pick detailed Thursday how he grew up the middle of nine children in Cheyenne, Wyo., surrounded by black belt kickboxers. Johnson's father, Willie, is an ex-marine who won seven world kickboxing championships and runs J & P's Martial Arts school in Cheyenne. Eight of Willie's children, including James, are black belts in the sport with only James' 10-year-old sister currently sporting just a blue belt. Johnson said he went 20-0 in kickboxing bouts before "retiring." "I stopped competing after I was recruited by Wake Forest," Johnson said. "I still help my father with his gym. But I think about fighting ..."
Chicago Bulls NBA draft profiles
Comment
June 26
Chicago Tribune
 
"James Johnson Position: Forward Height/weight: 6-7 3/4, 257 Birthdate: Feb. 20, 1987 High School: Cheyenne (Wyo.) East College: Wake Forest Projected strengths: Potential to create mismatches. Ability to score in a variety of ways. Ability to run the floor. Can score with either hand. Solid ballhandler after playing point guard in high school. Projected risks: Known to take possessions off. Has battled conditioning and weight issues. Doesn't possess great lateral quickness and poses defensive question marks. Taj Gibson Position: Forward Height: 6-9 3/4 Weight: 214 Birthdate: June 24, 1985 High School: Calvary Christian (Pacific Grove, Calif.) College: USC"
Chicago Bulls take Wake Forest forward James Johnson 16th
Comment
June 26
Chicago Tribune
 
"About 90 minutes before the NBA draft began Thursday, a Bulls official strolled the court at the Berto Center, looking about as relaxed as a vacationer. "Seems like a quiet night," a bystander said. "It will be," the official replied. Those fans clamoring for the Bulls to engage in trade talks for high-profile movement around the league like Shaquille O'Neal to Cleveland, Vince Carter to Orlando and Amare Stoudemire possibly departing Phoenix might be upset. The Bulls apparently weren't after adding Wake Forest forward James Johnson with the 16th pick and USC power forward Taj Gibson at No. 26. The Bulls believe the players can contribute as rookies while not upsetting the team's financial ..."
Draft night only a start for Bulls
Comment
June 25
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Derrick Rose will never be a superstar the way Michael Jordan was or the way LeBron James, Dwyane Wade or Kobe Bryant are. That's not to say he isn't a franchise player capable of winning multiple championships and becoming a Chicago icon worthy of his own bronzed likeness outside the United Center. But he will have to achieve that differently than Jordan, Bryant and Wade have done and as James is trying to do. Rose may prove to be the first point guard in history with his combination of speed, strength and jumping ability, but he's a distributor, and therefore more in the mold of a Jason Kidd with more offensive ability. That's no knock on him. You can easily build a championship team ..."
Down year for Chicago-area hoops talent
Comment
June 25
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Chicago long has been a hotbed of NBA-level talent, but there's no Derrick Rose-caliber star in this year's draft. No Chicago-area players are expected to be among the early picks tonight, but seven -- including three Chicago natives -- are among the top 100 prospects, according to ESPN's Chad Ford. ''As far as I'm concerned, I could not have asked for a better basketball foundation than playing in Chicago," said Jerel McNeal, a 6-3 guard who starred for Marquette. ''It's a place where you face top-notch competition night after night. I played for Hillcrest High School, but I still played all over the Chicago area, especially in the summer. Chicago-style basketball makes you tough ..."
Chicago Bulls' picks at 16 and 26 an unimpressive lot
Comment
June 25
Chicago Tribune
 
"Simmie Hill, Cliff Pondexter, Ron Artest and Rodney Carney (who became Thabo Sefolosha), come on down! Sam Worthen, Ricky Frazier and Mark Randall, there's room for you on Memory Lane too. As the only No. 16 and 26 draft picks in Bulls history, this underwhelming group, barring trades, will be joined by names club Vice President John Paxson and general manager Gar Forman hope will be more lasting and memorable. (Although Artest, being Artest, is pretty memorable.) As Thursday's NBA draft finally arrives, with the Bulls making their first pick around 7:20 p.m., the question remains whether legitimate No. 16 and 26 picks will join the above names or if the Bulls engineer a trade to move up. ..."
Bulls open to moving Thomas; Hinrich on Portland's radar
Comment
June 24
ESPN.com
 
"Chicago, by all accounts, has been increasingly open in its willingness to move power forward Tyrus Thomas. Kirk Hinrich, meanwhile, is said to be prominent on Portland's wish list given the Blazers' growing pessimism about persuading Phoenix to part with Steve Nash via trade and their ability to sign Jason Kidd away from Dallas. The larger holes that Cleveland's exit in the Eastern Conference finals created on the wing and in its frontcourt rotation, coupled with the Lakers' championship run and subsequent deep desire to re-sign Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza, have increased the Mavs' confidence when it comes to re-signing Kidd, who has been linked with those two teams for months."
Pistons to push for Ben Gordon
Comment
June 24
ESPN.com
 (scroll down)
"Strong indications persist that the Pistons will go ahead with their expected hard push for Chicago Bulls free agent-to-be Ben Gordon starting July 1, even though Rip Hamilton's contract extension hasn't even kicked in yet. So you also can expect to keep hearing Hamilton's name surfacing in trade proposals, in spite of all his history in Detroit, because the Pistons can't possibly find a way to make room for Gordon, Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey. And then you have to consider the rumblings on our radar about how Rip and Pistons coach Michael Curry are not exactly sharing the same worldview."
Hinrich thinks he will go to Portland
Comment
June 24
Yahoo! Sports
 (scroll down)
"Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich is telling friends that he thinks he'll be dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers, who have interest in pairing him with Brandon Roy in the backcourt."
Big men on Chicago Bulls draft radar
Comment
June 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"That the Bulls brought back Ohio State center B.J. Mullens and Pittsburgh forward DeJuan Blair for a second workout Tuesday sheds some light on their thought process as Thursday's NBA draft approaches. But consider it a flashlight, not a spotlight. "Nooooo, no," general manager Gar Forman said with mock horror, when asked earlier this week if Berto Center workouts swayed the decision-making process. "We base what we're doing much more on the body of work as far as scouting them during the season. "A lot of these guys we've seen for two, three or four years. A workout is one small piece of the process. But really the body of work is what we're analyzing. That's why we're out all year ..."
For Chicago Bulls, it's already 'Wait till next year'
Comment
June 24
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Rick Morrissey
"Following the Bulls has become an exercise in waiting for something to happen, even if it's not quite clear what that something is. It's why their scintillating playoff series against the Celtics was so great -- and so unexpected. It sure was ... something. Even after a total of seven overtime periods in four of the playoff games, there was one overriding thought: OK, now what? The Bulls are one player away from being a contender. Unfortunately, that one player is LeBron James or Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh, and he won't be available for a year. And oh, yeah, there's no guarantee the Bulls will get him. But enough with all the happy talk. The Bulls have the 16th and 26th picks in the first ..."
Bulls have eye toward bigs in upcoming draft
Comment
June 23
Daily Herald
 
"As the clock ticks down toward Thursday's NBA Draft, the Bulls are still trying to settle on a wish list for the No. 16 and 26 picks. General manager Gar Forman wouldn't name names, but he did confirm that the Bulls are trying to schedule one or two last-minute workouts. The draft-dedicated Web site DraftExpress.com suggested the Bulls were trying to line up Ohio State center B.J. Mullens, Pitt power forward DeJuan Blair and possibly Wake Forest forward James Johnson for a Berto Center visit. All three have worked out for the Bulls once before. They're also trying to reschedule a visit by 6-10 Louisville forward Earl Clark, who canceled an appearance on Sunday, citing a hamstring injury. ..."
Blair, Mullens, Johnson on list
Comment
June 23
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"After conducting workouts which included approximately 50 prospects, the Bulls were hoping to bring back three forwards for another Berto Center session before the Thursday draft. The trio warranting a second look by general manager Gar Forman and his staff are Ohio State center B.J. Mullens, Pittsburgh forward DeJaun Blair, and Wake Forest forward James Johnson. The Bulls, who have two first-round picks (Nos. 16 and 26) might also try to schedule a visit by Louisville's Earl Clark, who cancelled a Sunday workout due to a hamstring injury. Forman said the Bulls will spend the next two days dissecting video and scouting reports on a group of ''five or six players'' they believe will be ..."
Chicago Bulls' Luol Deng back to work after injury
Comment
June 23
Chicago Tribune
 
"We interrupt NBA draft hysteria about players who might not even crack a team's rotation to talk about two who have. Bulls general manager Gar Forman said Luol Deng has started running after a stress fracture in Deng's right tibia sidelined the forward for the final 22 games of the regular season and the playoffs. "He's been [at the Berto Center] working some," Forman said. "He's starting to run some and get some shots up. So we think that's progressing well. At this point, [the training staff] is real happy with his progress." Deng, sidelined since Feb. 28, has said he is trying to avoid surgery at all costs. Forward Tyrus Thomas is wearing an air cast for two to three weeks to ..."
Bulls likely thinking 'big' on draft day
Comment
June 23
Chicago Tribune
 
"B.J. Mullens and DeJuan Blair arrived in town late Monday for an important big man workout at the Berto Center on Tuesday, affording the Bulls a second look at those players who could be joined by James Johnson and Earl Clark. So they're surely taking a big man in Thursday's NBA draft. "We may take a point guard if we feel that's the best player available," general manager Gar Forman said at a Berto Center news conference. The Bulls have held trade talks with several teams about packaging the 16th and 26th picks into one higher selection, with two league sources insisting the target is Duke shooting guard Gerald Henderson. "We've also had talks with teams about moving back," Forman said. ..."
Bulls' draft plans all center around Derrick Rose
Comment
June 22
Chicago Tribune
 
"The lights came back on at the Berto Center on Sunday, even if fallout from the storms that rocked the Chicago area still played havoc with the building's air conditioning. The stifling, lit gym served as a metaphor for the franchise, one year after lucking into the No. 1 overall pick: Derrick Rose has brightened the Bulls' future, and the heat is on for all subsequent personnel moves, including Thursday's NBA draft. Has anyone stopped to think about what the Bulls' 2008-09 season might have looked like had they not parlayed 1.7 percent odds in the May 2008 draft lottery to land the right to pick Rose? Granted, other factors contributed to the Bulls recovering from the 2007-08 train wreck ..."
Chicago Bulls seeking to trade up in NBA draft
Comment
June 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"This hardly is unique for a weak draft, but league sources indicated the Bulls have had conversations with several teams trying to package their Nos. 16 and 26 picks for a single higher selection in the June 25 NBA draft. Several media outlets, including the Tribune, confirmed one of those teams is New Jersey, which owns the 11th pick. It's unclear which player the Bulls might want and believe might not be available at No. 16. Syracuse guard Jonny Flynn, Duke swingman Gerald Henderson, Wake Forest guard Jeff Teague and Wake Forest forward James Johnson are among several players who have intrigued the Bulls. Another byproduct of turning two picks into one would be the elimination of a ..."
Gar Forman ready for biggest challenge with Chicago Bulls
Comment
June 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"Thursday will mark Gar Forman's 11th NBA draft as a member of the Bulls' organization but first with the title of general manager. And if you think such a development has Forman excited, well you don't really know the person who owns the most authoritative voice in Bulls management besides John Paxson and Jerry Reinsdorf. Forman never has said that organizations win championships like the man who hired him. But just like Jerry Krause, Forman prefers a behind-the-scenes profile. The people who know him says he's content to use his calm, level-headed ways to help build the Bulls. "His work ethic is second-to-none," Krause said in a rare interview. "He has real scouting aptitude and a great ..."
Chicago rumor has Bulls' Ben Gordon coming to Pistons, Rip Hamilton traded
Comment
June 18
Detroit Free Press
 
"A blog posted this week about the future of the Chicago Bulls reads more like the Detroit Pistons' rumor du jour. Sam Smith, a former Chicago Tribune reporter who now writes for bulls.com, says that the agent for Chicago guard Ben Gordon has been talking about a promise his client has from the Pistons. Apparently, it's a pretty serious promise: $11-million per year for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. The writer finds it hard to believe that the Pistons would truly be interested in yet another shooting guard. But that idea winds up pointing to another rumor - this one involving a trade for Richard Hamilton. Here's an excerpt of Smith's reasoning:"
Ben Gordon ready to see what awaits in free agency
Comment
June 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"So, Ben Gordon, do you or your agent have a backroom agreement to sign with Detroit when the free-agency period begins July 1? "You can't even negotiate until July 1, so that's just rumors," Gordon said Wednesday at his basketball camp in Lisle. "I really don't know what's going to happen." Several media outlets, including the Tribune, have reported Gordon is expected to be a primary target of the Pistons, who have roughly $23 million of salary-cap space. Former Tribune NBA reporter Sam Smith took matters to another level Wednesday, writing on Bulls.com that he has "heard that Gordon's agent allegedly has been saying he has an $11 million promise from the Pistons." Even if true, nobody ..."
Marquette's Jerel McNeal works out for Bulls
Comment
June 16
Chicago Tribune
 
"Go ahead and count out Jerel McNeal. He's heard it before. Call the Marquette product too small to play in the NBA. Say the Chicago native and Hillcrest High School graduate doesn't have a true position. Mention that most mock drafts list him as a second-round pick, which the Bulls don't own in the June 25 NBA draft. The 6-foot-3-inch guard will show up anyway. "These workouts are unbelievable opportunities," the upbeat McNeal said Monday at the Berto Center. His 10th "job interview" -- with three to go -- revealed the same tenacious style that defined his four-year career at Marquette. McNeal, 21, is confident he'll find an NBA home. "My biggest asset would be defense -- pressuring the ..."
"Poor judgment"
Comment
June 12
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose said he used "extremely poor judgment" in posing for a photo flashing a gang sign. The NBA's rookie of the year said in a statement issued through the Bulls that the photo circulating on the Internet was taken at a party he went to while at the University of Memphis. It was "meant as a joke . . . a bad one, I now admit," Rose said. Rose said he was "guilty of being young, naive, and of using extremely poor judgment," but has never been affiliated with a gang. "I can't speak loudly enough against gang violence, and things that gangs represent," he said. "I sincerely apologize to all my fans for my mistake." Rose, the overall No. 1 pick in the 2008 NBA ..."
Kobe Bryant is almost like Mike
Comment
June 12
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Rick Morrissey
"While I was watching Kobe Bryant the other night, it occurred to me that, in essence, I was watching a tribute band. You probably have heard of groups that try to copy rock stars' music, clothes and accessories, right down to the commemorative hookahs. There are, for example, faux Beatles and cloned Doors out there trying to make a living on the road. Bryant could be the best player in NBA history, but he never will be looked at that way for one simple reason. You can't out-Michael Jordan Michael Jordan. The tribute band imagery isn't completely fair. When he retires, Bryant will walk away as one of the five best players ever to have laced on a pair of gym shoes. He's not a pale imitation ..."
Web image of Derrick Rose gives false impression
Comment
June 12
Chicago Tribune
 columnist K.C. Johnson
"It's a good thing I went to college before digital cameras were invented or there probably would be pictures posted on the Internet of me performing naked calisthenics on a major interstate near Beloit, Wis. As it stands, the ancient, film-developed photos probably -- and thankfully -- rest in a buddy's closet somewhere in New Mexico. Derrick Rose is 1 million times the public figure I am, but given that my (thankfully clothed) photo accompanies this story, my coverage of the team Rose plays for has created for me minor public recognition. And just as I'm no streaker, the Derrick Rose I know is no gangbanger. We hold our athletes to such lofty standards it's surprising our collective backs ..."
Bulls' Derrick Rose responds to photo controversy
Comment
June 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"After a standout debut season in which he was voted NBA Rookie of the Year, Derrick Rose's off-season encountered more turbulence Thursday. Weeks after he was linked to allegations of academic fraud at the University of Memphis, the Bulls' star guard issued a statement declaring his vehement opposition to gangs in response to a photo posted on the Internet that showed him flashing gang signs at a party in Memphis during his freshman year there. "I want to emphatically state, now and forever, that Derrick Rose is anti-gang, anti-drug and anti-violence," Rose said in the statement released through the Bulls. "I am not, nor have I ever been, affiliated with any gang, and I can't speak loudly ..."
Harangody works toward deadline
Comment
June 11
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"This is the point of the NBA draft process when reality begins to overtake hope and players must begin to ask themselves tough questions. For Luke Harangody, the issue to be decided in the next few days is whether he's better off staying in the draft or withdrawing to return to Notre Dame for his senior season. The deadline for players to withdraw is Monday at 4 p.m. ''Things are looking good right now; it's going to be a difficult decision,'' Harangody said Wednesday after working out for the Bulls in the Berto Center. ''There are a lot of positives from both sides. Either decision will be a good one. I'm in a good position right now.'' When asked if he was leaning one way, Harangody ..."
Luke Harangody likes his fit with Chicago Bulls
Comment
June 11
Chicago Tribune
 
"As someone who grew up in Schererville, Ind., attending Bulls playoff games at Chicago Stadium, Luke Harangody soaked up the entire Berto Center experience Wednesday. "This is neat to see the [championship] trophies sitting over there," Harangody said. "To see Jordan's number hanging up there is a really cool experience." Yet the Notre Dame forward didn't come strictly to gawk. He also came to bang with five other power forwards, including a Big East reunion of Connecticut's Jeff Adrien and Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair, in advance of his difficult draft decision. Harangody has until 4 p.m. Monday either to stay in the June 25 NBA draft or withdraw his name and return for his senior season at ..."