Wiggins is a rare franchise player in the making. A Durant. Mirotic, Gibson, and McBuckets are not. We are talking like McBuckets is a Dunleavy kind of player, right? I think some of the bloom is off the Mirotic rose. I would consider Irving for Love, though. LeBron is going to dominate the ball. The sooner Cleveland makes this their SOP, the sooner they're in the finals. IMO.
Re Mirotic http://www.blogabull.com/2014/6/29/5854862/nikola-mirotic-chicago-bulls-real-madrid Nikola Mirotic, arguably one of the continent's greatest players, never performed that way this season. He was so angry after the loss against Maccabi that he decided to stay another year in the Spanish capital and play another season for Real Madrid before joining the NBA. His performance on that Final was so bad that he felt he owed something to the fanbase and the squad. But during the Spanish playoffs, something happened. Mirotic still struggled and head coach Pablo Laso decreased his importance in the team. He wasn't getting as many shots and minutes. It should be noted that Mirotic never was Real Madrid's franchise player. Rudy Fernández and Sergio Rodríguez are Laso's go-to guys, and although this might seem strange to some NBA fans that recall both Spanish players as mediocre, they're still able to dominate European basketball. But still, Mirotic appeared to play carelessly throughout the Playoffs, so Laso decided to bench him more often. He pretty much made Bostjan Nachbar an NBA All-Star with his mediocre defensive game against him. And now, Real Madrid's board is so tired of him that they want Mirotic to pay those 2.5M€ and join the NBA. That's not a lot of money in American basketball, but Real Madrid can do a lot with that money, so considering that Mirotic now wants to leave as well, both parts are ready to say good-bye. It will not be easy for Mirotic to adapt to the NBA. He definitely has the skills to be an important player in the future, but his mentality and attitude is what should be worrying every Chicago Bulls fan. Mirotic wasn't ready to take a step forward when his team needed him, so how will he adapt to fight for a spot in a basketball team that will require him to prove himself? Those fans expecting a new version of Dirk Nowitzki need to lower their expectations. Again, he has the skills, just like many other players, but what makes a good basketball player into an All Star is a competitive mindset and hunger to be the best. Mirotic has not been that player in Europe's biggest competition for the club that raised him and shaped him into the player he is today. If Mirotic finds that mentality and desire to be the best and gets rid of his agent -whose advice isn't exactly good for him-, he will be able to succeed in the NBA and be an important player, but if he doesn't, his skills will not be enough against much tougher defensive matchups and a league in which is not easy to get guaranteed shots when playing alongside Derrick Rose or any other star players.
The article was written by a guy who covers Real Madrid. Professionally. I'm satisfied the reason the Bulls brought him over this year instead of next is because he had nowhere really to go. I don't think the Bulls wanted to see him sit on the bench for Real Madrid for a year. Andres Nocioni was signed by Real Madrid to replace him. http://www.marca.com/2014/07/25/en/more_sports/1406301510.html
Another article. http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/07/04/report-mirotic-will-leave-real-madrid/ Mirotic reportedly had issues with his coach in Spain recently that has accelerated the process of bringing him stateside.
http://chibullszone.com/2014/07/03/the-story-of-mirotics-divorce-from-real-madrid/ In the locker room at half time the bomb drops. Mirotic approached Pablo Laso, and asks for an explanation for having played such short minutes, when he left his wife and baby behind at the hospital to play. He also reminds Laso of his wrist injury and how he has been playing through the pain. Laso then explodes, telling the trainers to take Niko to the hospital and run tests on his injury and leave the arena. The rest of the team looks on in shock as their young star exits the locker room. Real Madrid would go on to win the game without #12 returning to the court, earning themselves a spot in the Final Four. The locker room fight went off like a bomb, Ruiz reports, and the tension within the players, as well as Mirotic, and head coach Laso continued to multiply with every day that passed, without having any resolve to the situation. Something that could have been turned around and forgotten over a meeting at dinner or a team meeting, seemed to be pushed to the back burner. Now the small fight that escalated continues to stick around and worsen with every small problem that arises with the coach and his players. Ultimately, taking the small disagreement and making it into an unfixable problem. (more juicy tidbits at the link)
Mirotic was the Most Valuable Player of the Spanish League in 2012-13, imagine the balls he must have to want to actually have a bigger role in the offense than being FOURTH on the team in Field Goal Attempts. Imagine a Real Madrid writer being pissed and writing a negative article AFTER Mirotic leaves? Funny how they had this 'great' season going, but then the coach reduces Mirotic's role even more and they lose both championships. Hmmm. Niko was also MVP of the 2014 Copa Del Rey, the midseason tournament for the Spanish League: At the end of the first half of the regular season, the top eight teams from the Spanish League qualify. The eight teams play a play-off at one venue, over four days, eventually producing a winner. The Final Eight is one of the highlights of the Spanish sporting calendar. That's the great thing about the internet, you can find a link to any OPINION you're looking for. But facts are facts.
If he's unhappy about being 4th in field goal attempts, he's going to love being behind Gasol and Taj on our depth chart. I don't see where him having a fight with his coach (fact) is somehow an opinion, but whatever. I hope the guy wins the starting job for us and ROY and even MVP. The news is what the news is.
So true. Maybe it'd be easier to take if you didn't seem to enjoy pissing on others Cheerios so much. Edit: I know, I know, you just piss and if someone's happy thoughts get in the way, that's just collateral damage.
All is unicorns, candy, and rainbows. I wasn't pissing on anyone's Cheerios . Just suggesting why the bulls brought over Mirotic to be 4th string PF when they could have waited a year. Events overtook the desired situation.
I'm actually with Denny somewhat. I'd rather see Cleveland part with Wiggins than with Irving. I'm not sure what to make of Wiggins, yet. But I do know he is an athletic defender that gives Cleveland another option to trap the ball out of from Rose .
Rosie, I'll bet you ran to the mirror and kissed your reflection on the lips after you penned that one. What a clever lad am I. I don't normally read Rosenbloom because he writes to piss me off and I don't like giving him what he wants. I read this one because Denny recommended it. Rosie gives 5 reasons why the Bulls need to get Love. I have problems with all 5: 1. The Bulls need to make a big deal in which they get the best player who happens to be one of the best scorers in the league. Or what? Dickheads like you will snarkily criticize the team. We all know that you're going to snarkily criticize the team regardless...it's what you do. 2. The Bulls need to change their thinking. The Bulls have tried to make depth a star. They have tried to make their defense a star. They've only done these things because you can't just wish real hard for stars to be added to your roster. They have a harder job than you do, Stevie. 3. Stars win in the NBA. It’s a rigged game the benefitted the Bulls in the 1990s. Bulls management in the 2010s gets it, but has failed to make it happen. Not really much instructive here, Captain Obvious. 4. The Bulls need to stop over-valuing their own players. And who knows the true value of the Bulls' players? You? 5. The Bulls need to keep Love away from the Cavaliers, because if Love gets traded to Cleveland, this Eastern Conference has just crowned a new champion. Maybe, maybe not. Actually, I've read that Wiggins is the next Durant. I think it might be better for the Bulls if the Cavs get Love.
Just wow. The guy is spot on. Deng for nothing but some middling picks? Those aren't the best player in the deal. In fact, I can't remember the Bulls ever trading for a player and getting the best player in the trade. Not since Jalen Rose anyhow. Getting the best player in a trade means your team should be improved. If you solve #1, you solve #2. You make it seem that #2 is acceptable or impossible to add stars. He's advocating adding a star. Captain obvious indeed. Durant became an all star in his third season. Wiggins' 3rd season will be roughly the end of the Bulls' Gasol era. Your reasons would justify trading Elton Brand for Tyson Chandler.
He's advocating adding a star? Is anyone unconditionally advocating not adding a star? Of course not. The Bulls would like to get Love. The thrust of Rosenbloom's article is that the Bulls must succeed in getting Love. As usual, he doesn't provide any suggestions as to how the Bulls can make the TWolves see it their way. That might take some actual work and leave him open for criticism. So much easier to just wait for the next cheap shot opportunity. Did I mention that I'm not much of a Rosenbloom fan?
OT http://deadspin.com/how-two-infamous-ex-espners-benefited-from-a-bristol-vi-1598124472 Speaking of cheap shots, badly argued, overstated points and lazy reporting here is a Jay Mariotti update.
Congrats TB, you found a writer I like even less than Rosenbloom. The difference? Mariotti is mean-spirited. Rosenbloom isn't...he's just doing his schtick.
Ah, but he does. See #4 on his list. The bulls seem willing to outbid anyone for Kurt. How about outbidding everyone for Love?
