Starting to Look Familiar

The more things change, the more things stay the same.  That appears to be the theme for the Bulls ever since they exited the playoffs.  Besides changing head coaches and drafting Bobby Portis, very little has changed.  We can say that with further confidence now that they're bringing back Aaron Brooks on a one-year deal.

Brooks played well as the backup point guard on last year's squad (11.6 points per game).  Having joined a long list of productive players in that role during Tom Thibodeau's tenure, he was thought to continue that during the playoffs.  Instead, he disappeared with only 4.5 points per game, putting more pressure on a still-recovering Derrick Rose.  After that, his days in Chicago looked to be numbered.

Instead of grabbing a point guard in the draft, the Bulls decided to go big with Portis, leaving everyone to believe they'd sign a veteran at the position in free agency.  However, those on the market were either out of their price range, less than ideal or chose to sign elsewhere.  Perhaps Gar Forman and John Paxson felt their hands were tied here, but the move seems to indicate they have full confidence in the team that took LeBron James to six games in the playoffs instead of their usual five.

Does GarPax really believe Thibodeau was responsible for the team flaming out against Cleveland or do they believe Fred Hoiberg is the coach who can push them over the top?  Not since the championship years have we seen so little roster turnover in this organization.  The consensus was the Bulls needed to shake things up so they can get further along in their journey and soon.  However, with a new coach typically comes new players and none seem to be arriving barring a trade in the days and weeks to come.

Is there a move in the works we don't know about?  Not likely since Taj Gibson, their best tradeable asset, won't see basketball action again until roughly the start of the regular season.  Mike Dunleavy and Jimmy Butler have already been locked up while Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah are aging and injured respectively.  Heck, everyone will be a year older, so that's not very exciting when other teams look at guys they might want.

While other contenders are moving players around and signing free agents, thus getting better, the Bulls seem content with those they already had.  Will this be a "slow and steady wins the race" situation or one that comes back to "you snooze, you lose"?  Either scenario could play out, but most people are probably looking at the latter.  If the Bulls fall behind because they couldn't/wouldn't find outside help to correct their problems, people will be calling for GarPax to be tarred and feathered at the Michael Jordan statue.

It's possible GarPax spent a good portion of last year picturing how Hoiberg would have handled the team they had in place.  Would he have sat guys more, as is typically the case in today's NBA?  Would fewer injuries have come from that?  Would that have meant a stronger showing against Cleveland?  As much as I'm sure they'd like, they're never going have the answers to those questions.

Defying the turnover that defines today's league is a practice only the best teams can get away with.  If the salary cap doesn't force you to mess with a good thing, you won't.  The Bulls have yet to prove their a real championship contender as constructed.  If there was ever an offseason to define GarPax, this would be it.

UPDATE: The Butler Signed It

Maybe I should have waited until later in the day to write a post about all the moves the Bulls have made this week.  But so much was happening, I had to recap it all quickly.  I figured Jimmy Butler finalizing his new five-year, $90 million contract was inevitable, although I didn't anticipate it happening already.  However, it has.

Already, the Bulls have checked off the biggest item on their to-do list for the offseason, which was to lock up their best player of the past season for the rest of the decade.  Although Butler will have a player option for the fifth year, he's hear to stay for at least most of his prime.  Everyone in the front office is celebrating, as are the fans.  They wanted this deal done and they got it as quickly as they could have hoped (unless you count the one Butler rejected at the start of last year).

All that talk about Butler not getting along with Derrick Rose or wanting to be the only alpha male on the roster can be put to rest.  No "league source" was officially named, so until it comes out, we can't put much, if any stock in that "report".  If Butler had grown sick of Rose, would he have signed this contract knowing the former MVP would be around for at least two more years and possibly beyond?  I highly doubt it.

Even if a fraction of the reported animosity exists between the two, Fred Hoiberg will do everything he can to resolve those differences between the two.  If it doesn't, Hoiberg can focus on making that duo stronger together.  Both are still young, although Rose's knees would suggest otherwise.  If no more injuries get in the way, they can develop a chemistry that would rival whatever the Splash Brothers have working for them.

There's no guarantee Butler will have as good a season, if not better at any point in the future.  He doesn't have to be an All-Star every year, but he should at least put up solid numbers.  In 30 years of the Most Improved Player Award, none has made it to the Hall of Fame yet, so we're especailly not exactly asking Butler to do that.  He just needs to compete with the best players in the league and make the Bulls a winner.

Whatever happens, no one can ever take away the season Butler just had.  20.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game is a line any player would love to have.  He made everything work like clockwork and even made two clutch plays on both ends when I saw the Bulls in Indiana last December.  Even if I didn't get to watch every game as closely as I would have liked, anyone who watched the Bulls at all last year know this guy was something special.

Hope you've found a nice place to live in Chicago, Jimmy.  If you have, consider making some renovations or other improvements to make yourself feel more at home.  If you haven't, hope you find something very reasonable with the money you're about to make.  Either way, everyone's happy to have you here.

Keeping the Band Together

As NBA free agency commences, the Bulls have already heard from a couple of players that they'll return next year.  A third is also considering staying in Chicago for awhile after it was reported he was trying to get out.  Let's look at these moves chronologically.

It all began when Kirk Hinrich, to the chagrin of many, exercised his option to return for next year.  This will be the fourth year of was second Bulls tenure and 11th overall.  If the point guard known as Captain Kirk wasn't coming off his worst season ever at 5.7 points and 2.2 assists per game, people might have been more excited.

But this was strictly Hinrich's choice and even if he's in a limited role next year, he loves the Bulls too much to leave now.  We all know at age 34, he can't be the major contributor he once was, which could be detrimental to the team.  Even so, he can still show flashes of his former self on a given night, so those games will be worth watching out for.  Plus, maybe Fred Hoiberg felt bad about missing a chance to be Hinrich's teammate by a year, so he decided being his head coach would be the next best thing.

Many whispers were surrounding  Jimmy Butler's future over the past week.  He only wanted to sign with the Lakers.  He didn't like the idea the Bulls being Derrick Rose's team or that Rose got special treatment this past year.  Whether it was because of money or a desire to get out of Chicago as quickly as possible, some might have already started planning on life without Butler.

Now, the restricted free agent is mulling a five-year $90 million offer from the Bulls.  He canceled meetings with several teams to think this over.  While nothing has happened yet, this seems to seriously indicate that the aforementioned was nothing more than speculation.  Plus, the Bulls can match any offer from other teams.

Butler has stated before he wishes to remain a Bull and there doesn't appear to be any legitimate report that would suggest otherwise.  The Most Improved Player only turned down the Bulls' offer at the start of the season to see what other offers would come later.  It paid off and now, everybody is lining up to get him.  Still, it would take a sudden change of heart for Butler to play elsewhere sooner rather than much later.

In the meantime, the Bulls can rest easy knowing Mike Dunleavy has agreed to a new three year, $15 million contract with them.  The starting small forward drew strong interest from the Cavaliers, especially free-agent-in-name-only LeBron James, but Dunleavy chose to remain in Chicago instead.  As much as Cleveland would like the depth, the Bulls need him to stabilize their starting lineup and Dunleavy apparently felt more comfortable with the Bulls.  It's a two-way victory.

Dunleavy will be 35 at the start of next year, but he's proven to have the shooting and veteran leadership the Bulls need out of the three.  His 107 3-pointers were a high for the team and the offensive-minded Hoiberg will need someone like him, even as he gets older.  Shooters last awhile in the NBA and Dunleavy doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon.  Without him, the Bulls probably would have had a worse season, coming out of their worst stretches in tougher spots.

Free agency is not even a day old and already, the Bulls have been busy.  For now, the main focus is to retain the players they want who could head elsewhere otherwise.  A week from now, we'll start to see some new faces enter to picture.  Prepare to celebrate or be upset, depending on if you're a glass half-full or half-empty person.

Going Big and for the Best

Bobby Portis was projected to be a late lottery pick during Thursday's draft, so he wasn't even on my radar as I previewed who the Bulls might pick.  I fully expected the Bulls to take a guard who could score, especially with the likely remaining forwards nothing too exciting in my opinion.  Instead, Portis remained on the board until the 22nd pick the Bulls held.  They happily used it to select the power forward from Arkansas.

Gar Forman said afterward the Bulls have always sought out the player they believed to be the best available when their turn came.  This isn't like football where you might draft according to your needs.  Basketball practically thrives on talent alone, so whoever has the most to contribute will have greater chances.  The Bulls felt Portis was that guy.

The first thing you have to know about Portis is he plays angry.  It comes from a teenage memory when he stood up to his mother's boyfriend, who was about to knock her with his fist.  Portis now prepares for games as if somebody's about to hurt her again.  If only Tom Thibodeau had been able to stick around long enough to see that intensity nightly.

Portis' recent sophomore season ended with him being named SEC Player of the Year.  That happens when you average 17.5 points and 8.9 rebounds over 29.9 minutes.  His 3.69 offensive rebounds per games ranked 10th in the country.  In short, the Bulls might have selected their next power forward to put up nightly double-doubles.

At 6-11, 246 pounds, Portis already has the body for the NBA.  With that, he's able to drive to the hoop without much trouble.  If that's not enough, he has a great midrange game and doesn't hesitate to contribute on defense.  So he can be very dangerous in a lot of areas.

When wondering why it took so long for him to be selected, one might point to his weak post game or that his athleticism only goes so high.  That would explain why he's not as explosive.  His footwork near the hoop will also give him trouble at first as that hasn't fully developed either.  If he truly wants to be among the elite double-double machines in the game, that will have to change.

More likely though, Portis might have fallen because teams were going after guards.  After Utah picked the 6-10 Trey Lyles of Kentucky at 12th, Portis was the next post player selected.  Wisconsin's Sam Dekker, drafted by Houston at 18th, is 6-9, but listed as a small forward.  It's a sign that the game is going small and everyone is trying to capitalize on that.

If Forman really believes in taking the best player on the board and thinks Portis was it, that hopefully doesn't mean he's blinded by his own philosophy.  Conventional wisdom seemed to say the Bulls needed a long-term solution at backup point guard instead of changing the person in that role year after year.  Instead, the Bulls will likely be shopping for one again and telling Aaron Brooks to sign elsewhere.  However, they probably preferred to take that route instead of once again ignoring an area they've largely neglected in the draft's first round in this decade.

On Opening Night, the average age of the trio of Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson will be 31.7.  Gasol's getting older, Noah never recovered from knee surgery last year and Gibson could be sidelined at the start of the season with his ankle injury.  It won't be long before the younger, quicker post players start taking advantage of that.  Portis helps address that concern and could start before too long.

This pick also means a crowded frontcourt, leading some to believe Gibson will eventually be traded.  That obviously won't happen while he's sidelined, but once he comes back, he should draw the attention of scouts, assuming he's back to being the player he's been.  Gibson has two years left on his contract and if the Bulls have faith in Portis, they'll have Gibson and the others show him the ropes.  After all, NBA players have to help rookies adjust to the league instead of just haze them.

Best of luck to Portis as he adjusts from small-time Arkansas to a big city like Chicago.  True, he's had lots of national exposure already, but he'll soon be signing a long-term commitment to stay in a major metropolitan area.  It will be up to him to ensure his ride here is a smooth one.  And it will be up to his team to give him the environment to do it in.

It's Draft Day

With the 22nd pick in Thursday's NBA draft and a roster already with quality players, the Bulls are not anticipating any serious help in getting beyond the conference semifinals, if that.  Still, every team with a pick needs to draft somebody to keep up in a league that thrives on youth.  That player may not help you immediately, but you never know when he might turn into an All-Star.  After all, who said Jimmy Butler would become a team leader in 2011?

The Bulls are looking for someone to score on either the wing or at the point.  Derrick Rose can't do it by himself, especially with his health a constant question mark.  The club would also like to find someone who might help spread the floor on the perimeter.  But with only one pick, Gar Forman and John Paxson will have to choose which area they want to address more in this fashion.  If they'd rather save one of them for free agency, they'll have to be smart with the more inexpensive draft.

A popular choice for the Bulls seems to be Jerian Grant of Notre Dame.  The point guard is quick, athletic and knows how to score.  However, it's unlikely this perfect backup for Rose will be available by the time the Bulls are on the clock.  So here are the names more closely connected to the team:

Delon Wright - G (Utah):  Many have the Bulls taking Wright and I would do the same.  He's a lot like Rose in that he can take control of an offense and finish at the rim with his athleticism.  He may not be everything Rose is and he won't have the same creative freedom he did in college, but playing both with the former MVP on the floor and behind him on the depth chart could be useful.  Selecting him would signal the Bulls are definitely ready to move on from annually moving the backup point guard.

Rashad Vaughn - G (UNLV): The Minneapolis native won't turn 19 until August 16, but he could be a good long-term solution on the bench.  He's known for scoring and if he develops his shooting to last in the NBA, he might have a great teammate in Doug McDermott to create chemistry with.  First, he'll have to learn not to force shots as he's prone to do.  A coach like Fred Hoiberg could be the perfect one to show him how to specialize as an NBA shooter and do everything else to last in the league for awhile.

Kevon Looney - F (UCLA):  NBADraft.net, my go-to site for this event, has the Bulls taking this kid from Milwaukee.  He's physical and really knows how to attack the glass on the offensive end.  It would ease the pressure on Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah, but the 6-9, 222-pound forward needs to build his strength and learn how to score away from the rim to succeed.  If the Bulls would rather wait until free agency to sign scoring help, they might pick Looney, although it may not be a popular move with fans.

R.J. Hunter - G (Georgia State):  You may recall Hunter from his long 3-pointer during March Madness which gave his 14th-seeded Panthers a win and his head-coach father a good reason to fall out of his chair.  That let everyone know this kid can shoot and many say nobody in this draft class does it purely better than him.  His problem is he doesn't get open very often, so Hoiberg would really need to plan accordingly for times he's on the floor.  Still, if the Bulls are looking for another Tony Snell, they can't possibly do better than Hunter.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson - F (Arizona):  He can be seen as a more physical Butler who uses his body to take explosive runs at the basket.  Hollis-Jefferson could at least compete with players like LeBron James and Paul Millsap down low as he tries to win the little battles.  However, he could also morph into Tyrus Thomas 2.0, meaning a limited offensive game, particularly outside the paint.  If the Bulls want to take him, he might have to settle into a Nazr Mohammed role until he can contribute more to Hoiberg's game plan.

Justin Anderson - G/F (Virginia):  This is the all-purpose NBA player.  Anderson is best when he can take advantage his athleticism and wingspan, but if you ask him to do something, chances are he'll do it.  There's not one aspect of his game that stands out though, so don't count on him ever approaching All-Star status.  Even so, most rookies have no choice but to abide by the role their coaches give them until they really show their potential, so Anderson could adjust to any assignment Hoiberg gives him.

I'm not too fond on the pure forwards that could be on the board late in the first round, so I would go for scoring help in the backcourt.  When Rose and Butler can't cut it at certain times, somebody needs to help them.  It's going to happen during an 82-game season, even for stretches longer than anyone would like.  When your star power mainly exists at guard, you have to help it.

Whether the Bulls take one of the above players or someone else, they'll need to make a selection that will help Hoiberg succeed in his first season.  After all, they went to a lot of trouble to get him here, especially after dealing with the end of Tom Thibodeau's tenure.  There's no way they would pick a player they had doubts about.  The pressure is on the front office too, so a lot is riding could be riding on this, including and especially reputations.

UPDATE:  The latest person to feel this pressure is former Bull Pete Myers, who has just been hired for his second stint as assistant coach.  While it may seem like old ideas to some, it's completely new for many currently in the organization.  It's the first sign of Hoiberg's influence starting to take over.  We'll find out later just how much impact it might have had on the upcoming draft selection.

Gibson's Gimpy Ankle

With all the talk of Jimmy Butler turning down a contract extension from the Bulls in favor of shorter-term offer sheets, Taj Gibson was barely on the radar.  Perhaps he should have with the bum left ankle that has favored him for two years.  The issue went to the forefront Friday when it was announced he had successful surgery on the ankle, but will not resume full basketball activities for the next four months.

This means Gibson will have little, if any time to prepare during the preseason and will more or less have to be ready when the real games start.  It prevents Fred Hoiberg from gaining his own perspective on what Gibson can do at full strength during training camp.  You would think if anybody would have issues coming in healthy, it would be Derrick Rose.  Instead, it's the sixth man who has led the bench during this decade.

For Gibson personally, this could be a setback in trying to gain a new contract when his expires in two years.  Teams with their eyes on him now have to more or less reset their buttons so they can see how he responds once he returns.  Gibson may not necessarily pull a Butler in a contract season and make it so everybody wants to fork over millions, but he at least wants to show he's worth something as he approaches his 30s.  The ankle problem, which he's acknowledged will be chronic, has become another challenge he'll attack relentlessly.

In the meantime, the Bulls will have to keep an eye on Gibson so he doesn't re-aggravate it and thus hurt the roster.  Perhaps it will prompt them to select a post player in next week's draft to take some of the pressure off him.  Then again, that largely depends on if Hoiberg shows far less resistance to playing rookies than Thibodeau ever did.  Free agency will be interesting in that regard too.

The good news is Gibson is in his prime NBA years and with the right work, he can brush this off and make it a non-issue like Luol Deng with his wrist a couple of seasons back.  Of course, it could also become as big as Joakim Noah's bad knee by virtue of slowed play.  Whatever the case, he's not going to feel sorry for himself.  He can improve mentally and in the NBA, having that strength does you well no matter how old you are.

'Berg Bags Boylen

Fred Hoiberg needs experience on his bench as he steps in as an NBA head coach.  Fortunately, he seems to be aware of this.  Accordingly, he got San Antonio Spurs assistant Jim Boylen to leave Gregg Popovich's staff and become his associate head coach.  Despite Popovich's wish to keep Boylen, the opportunity with the Bulls provides an increase on the totem pole and financially.

The first thing you need to know is this guy is not to be confused with Jim Boylan, who served as the Bulls' head coach for the rest of the 2007-08 season after Scott Skiles was fired.  Bringing that man back would be seen as a move in the wrong direction.  This assistant has also been with Frank Vogel's Indiana Pacers staff and the head coach at the University of Utah.  So these are new ideas being brought in rather than another move that would be perceived as a product of Jerry Reinsdorf's loyalty.

Boylan, also an assistant for Canada's Pan Am and FIBA Americas teams, is being brought in for his defensive mind.  He's developed a reputation for it throughout his coaching career.  It would certainly help make up for whatever Hoiberg lacks in that area.  Whether he will be as effective as Tom Thibodeau defensively remains to be seen, but it's nice to see Hoiberg get someone he thinks will help round out his game plan.

As for the assistants who were already here, their fates vary.  Mike Wilhelm is expected to be retained as the fourth assistant, Adrian Griffin might be heading to Skiles' staff in Orlando and Ed Pinckney's status is up in the air.  Such is the life of coaches who lost their leader.

Change is more present in the organization than it has been in any of the last few years.  Even if it's in just one area, it's one that can alter the style of play, which is where the success has to come from at the end of the day.  We'll see more change from other hires and new players who will be drafted and acquired throughout the offseason.  As these all develop, only then will we able to properly assess the right direction.

Of course, this hire pales greatly in the local news to what the Bulls' co-tenants at the United Center might be about to accomplish.  The Blackhawks are just one win from catching up to the Bulls in the number of championships.  It sure would be nice to see both teams have an equal number of relevant banners looking at each other starting next fall.  Such a thing would give visitors more to behold in an already impressive atmosphere.