Kirk Hinrich?

[Fez Hammersticks]

Kirk Hinrich often has been mentioned as a possible target of the Trail Blazers, who want to upgrade at point guard from Steve Blake. Blake is under a team option for $4 million next season and would be an ideal backup guard at a lesser price. Portland is expected to have about $7 million in salary cap room, so they could absorb some extra salary. Maybe they throw in a draft pick the Bulls could use in a larger deal to try to lure away a star level player. That could be examined before the draft.

Sam Smith - Bulls.com​

Sam Smith seems to be assuming....

 

[blue32]

man screw that, free b-rex.

 

[MrJayremmie]

No thanks. Well maybe as one of the last option, imo.

 

[blue32]

Well okay, i'll adjust my "screw that" stance and say, yes, i wouldnt mind kirk over blake, but i really want b-rex to be backup w/meaningful minutes next season. I think wasting peoples talent on the bench is something that Blazers do way to often.

 

[B-Roy]

No thanks....aside from defense......what makes him worth $7 million more than Blake?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

This has been discussed in another thread. From various articles, it seems like Chicago writers/fans are really torn, largely because of Ben Gordon. Despite his playoff heroics, they don't want to give him a big contract because of his lack of defense and the whole SG-in-a-slow-PG's body thing. But of course they will have to if they want to keep him. BUT, they also want to keep Salmons who will opt out soon. And Deng and Hinrich have big-ass contracts. But again, they seem to think that Hinrich is their only player who plays defense, and that the playoff run can be traced back to his return from injury. So they're in a dilly of a pickle.

I'm not sold on Hinrich myself because I'm not sure he can penetrate, and that's the major complaint with Blake. In fact Hinrich is very similar to Blake (except maybe a bit more athletic) only paid twice as much. So no way we should give up a pick to get him.

On the other hand, I'm sort of intrigued by Deng. I wouldn't mind offering some package involving Blake and Outlaw (and Webster?) for Deng and Hinrich. But it'd be a huge risk, given Deng's injuries. And he's another jump-shooter, even when healthy...

So I dunno. I think Chicago has to wow us rather than us go to them.

 

[blue32]

Perimeter defense and toughness (physical), is why I like Kirk. Things we need.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Hinrich brings almost everything we need to the PG spot. The one thing he doesn't do all the much better than Blake is penetrate. I think it is important to get someone in here than can create easy shots for players by gettingot the lane and moving the defense around.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Hinrich brings almost everything we need to the PG spot. The one thing he doesn't do all the much better than Blake is penetrate. I think it is important to get someone in here than can create easy shots for players by gettingot the lane and moving the defense around.

Yeah that pretty much sums up my feelings about Capn' Kirk. His defense is pretty impressive, he's tough, and he's a decent enough shooter, but it's kind of hard to judge his penetrating ability this year since he almost exclusively played off-guard when Rose was in the game. When I watched the Boston-Bulls series I remember seeing flashes of him driving and dishing in the paint or kicking to open shooters, but he definitely doesn't seem to have the great first step you'd look for in a point guard who can collapse a defense.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Yeah that pretty much sums up my feelings about Capn' Kirk. His defense is pretty impressive, he's tough, and he's a decent enough shooter, but it's kind of hard to judge his penetrating ability this year since he almost exclusively played off-guard when Rose was in the game. When I watched the Boston-Bulls series I remember seeing flashes of him driving and dishing in the paint or kicking to open shooters, but he definitely doesn't seem to have the great first step you'd look for in a point guard who can collapse a defense.

It's also a question of what style of play we want for the new Blazers.

 

[bigbailes]

i was against kirk at the beginning of the season but after watching him down the stretch and into the playoffs i'd love to have him. his defense is head and shoulders above blakes, he was even matched up against pierce for some of that first round.

 

[Wheels]

i was against kirk at the beginning of the season but after watching him down the stretch and into the playoffs i'd love to have him. his defense is head and shoulders above blakes, he was even matched up against pierce for some of that first round.

yeah this postseason kinda changed that... BUT then he missed that layup.... lol

 

[LittleAlex]

No thanks....aside from defense......what makes him worth $7 million more than Blake?

Other then the fact he can defend, shoot, run the break, is bigger, is tougher and has playoff experience? Nothing.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

What do we want with a slow PG?

 

[EPIC FAIL GILDERHUS]

Lets sell our souls to Sata-I mean Jerry Sloan- in exchange for Deron Williams! Volunteers?

 

[bluefrog]

I like him but I don't want to part with Roy, LA, Oden, Przy, or Rudy.

His price maybe too high especially since his performance in the playoffs.

 

[Wheels]

Lets sell our souls to Sata-I mean Jerry Sloan- in exchange for Deron Williams! Volunteers?

I volunteer Hank.. and sorry... DaRizzle ... but the sig stays

 

[Minstrel]

I like him but I don't want to part with Roy, LA, Oden, Przy, or Rudy.

His price maybe too high especially since his performance in the playoffs.

Supposedly, the Bulls would dump him for not much more than the other team eating his salary, because they want to re-sign Ben Gordon without going into the luxury tax territory.

There's no way any of those players (or Bayless or Batum) should be available in exchange for Hinrich. If they want Blake, Rodriguez or Webster, I'd be fine with that.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

From various articles, it seems like Chicago writers/fans are really torn, largely because of Ben Gordon.... they seem to think that Hinrich is their only player who plays defense, and that the playoff run can be traced back to his return from injury.

Case in point.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I like him but I don't want to part with Roy, LA, Oden, Przy, or Rudy.
His price maybe too high especially since his performance in the playoffs.

Who are you talking about? Deron Williams makes sense. Hinrich (although he had a good playoffs) does not.

Why would Utah ever EVER trade Williams?

 

[alex42083]

i was against kirk at the beginning of the season but after watching him down the stretch and into the playoffs i'd love to have him. his defense is head and shoulders above blakes, he was even matched up against pierce for some of that first round.

This was my feelings as well. Hinrich stepped up his game big time in the playoffs, and hit several clutch shots for the Bulls. He basically does the same things as Blake but just better. And his defense is pretty good. I wouldn't be against trading for him.

 

[Wheels]

Only thing I'll add.. if we get someone like Hinrich.. I think we STILL need to get a SF that can create his own shot. If we got a PG who attacks.. then Batum is ok at the SF spot still as starter. (Providing Oden is good enough to start next year that is)

 

[BrianFromWA]

No thanks....aside from defense......what makes him worth $7 million more than Blake?

Uh, IIRC his contract goes DOWN. It's 5.5M more than Blake's next year.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Uh, IIRC his contract goes DOWN. It's 5.5M more than Blake's next year.

Kirk's contract does in fact go down each year meaning it would be easier on PA and KP to deal with the luxury tax.

As for what makes him $$$ better than Blake?

Defense wins championships, and Kirk plays it and Blake doesn't....or can't

 

[Blaze01]

There's no way any of those players (or Bayless or Batum) should be available in exchange for Hinrich. If they want Blake, Rodriguez or Webster, I'd be fine with that.

or Outlaw perhaps? Give me a break....Why are you so willing you are to dump Webster in any deal, but for some reason think Outlaw is more worthy of hanging onto?

All Outlaw has done to any anyone who actually WATCHES him play is to CLEARLY show that he has several incorrectable flaws in his game...SIX years man, he has had six years to better himself in his areas of weakness and he hasn't...He still plays lousy defense, he still doesn't know where his assignments are, which lead to defensive breakdowns, he still shows poor decision making on the offensive end, he still forces bad shots over 2-3 defenders......Seriously, why does he get a pass and Webster does not?

Who works on thier game more in the offseason? Who actively IDENTIFIES thier weaknesses and works tirelessly on them?

It isn't Outlaw...No he goes fishing, comes to camp EVERY year out of shape, proclaims he wants to be an All Star, proceeds to SUCK the 1st few weeks of the season while he works himself into playing shape and then continues to make the same mistakes he makes...EVERY SINGLE YEAR......

If anyone here claims to not see that, then I seriously have to ask What the hell are you watching? It is there, on display, every single game...if you can't see that, then I question your knowledge on basketball....

I don't think Pritchard is holding onto Outlaw because he loves his game.....I think he holds onto Outlaw for all the wrong reasons.....

b\c his contract is cheap
b\c they can't get any decent offer for him
b\c of his friendship (specifically Roy) with other players on the team...

There is no other reason to hang onto the guy....I'd be more inclined to agree with your statement if you would have said it would have to Webster for Hinrich, b\c CHI wouldn't take Outlaw....maybe that is what you were implying, if so, then I apologize for this rant, but don't go implying that Webster is of "throw in" quality but Outlaw is not, b\c that is not even close to accurate....

 

[1 Eye Jack]

or Outlaw perhaps? Give me a break....Why are you so willing you are to dump Webster in any deal, but for some reason think Outlaw is more worthy of hanging onto?

All Outlaw has done to any anyone who actually WATCHES him play is to CLEARLY show that he has several incorrectable flaws in his game...SIX years man, he has had six years to better himself in his areas of weakness and he hasn't...He still plays lousy defense, he still doesn't know where his assignments are, which lead to defensive breakdowns, he still shows poor decision making on the offensive end, he still forces bad shots over 2-3 defenders......Seriously, why does he get a pass and Webster does not?

Who works on thier game more in the offseason? Who actively IDENTIFIES thier weaknesses and works tirelessly on them?

It isn't Outlaw...No he goes fishing, comes to camp EVERY year out of shape, proclaims he wants to be an All Star, proceeds to SUCK the 1st few weeks of the season while he works himself into playing shape and then continues to make the same mistakes he makes...EVERY SINGLE YEAR......

If anyone here claims to not see that, then I seriously have to ask What the hell are you watching? It is there, on display, every single game...if you can't see that, then I question your knowledge on basketball....

I don't think Pritchard is holding onto Outlaw because he loves his game.....I think he holds onto Outlaw for all the wrong reasons.....

b\c his contract is cheap
b\c they can't get any decent offer for him
b\c of his friendship (specifically Roy) with other players on the team...

There is no other reason to hang onto the guy....I'd be more inclined to agree with your statement if you would have said it would have to Webster for Hinrich, b\c CHI wouldn't take Outlaw....maybe that is what you were implying, if so, then I apologize for this rant, but don't go implying that Webster is of "throw in" quality but Outlaw is not, b\c that is not even close to accurate....

Repped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As much as I like Outlaw as a person he doesn't have championship desire like several other players on the team.

 

[free_lafrentz]

or Outlaw perhaps? Give me a break....Why are you so willing you are to dump Webster in any deal, but for some reason think Outlaw is more worthy of hanging onto?

I think he's willing to dump Webster over Outlaw because Outlaw, unlike Martell, has actually played a game in the last 365 days and doesn't have a foot injury that has kept him out all year.

Honestly, we don't know what we have in Webster until he comes back and proves he can be a worthy asset. At this point it is all speculation (for the most part). In Travis you at least know what you have.

I'm not suggesting one stance over another, but don't be so certain Webster is any better that Outlaw at this point. At least we know Travis is a capable NBA 6th man right now.

 

[andalusian]

The big problem with Webster is that he never was that good - he was just a below-average starter and we learned to live with it because he seems like such a nice guy.

I would love to see him becoming a much better player, I know KP keeps saying he was ready for a breakout year - and I hope it happens to him - but I will be really surprised if we see that happen.

For all we know - KP was just getting his trade-value up with these comments...

 

[Minstrel]

or Outlaw perhaps? Give me a break....Why are you so willing you are to dump Webster in any deal, but for some reason think Outlaw is more worthy of hanging onto?

Because Outlaw is better than Webster. Webster has never been even an average player, Outlaw has been about average his entire career.

I don't care a bit about "who works on their game more" in your opinion. I care about results. Webster hasn't actually improved in production (beyond simply playing more minutes; his efficiency has remained just as bad), so his "work" hasn't yielded anything. He started out worse than Outlaw and remains so.

Adding in the fact that Webster now has had an injury serious enough to cost him an entire season and I definitely value Outlaw above Webster. I don't consider Outlaw part of the "core," but he's not a mere throw-in to me. Webster, a player who has yet to post a PER above 12 and plays perfectly mediocre defense himself, is a throw-in at this point.

 

[MickZagger]

The big problem with Webster is that he never was that good - he was just a below-average starter and we learned to live with it because he seems like such a nice guy.

I would love to see him becoming a much better player, I know KP keeps saying he was ready for a breakout year - and I hope it happens to him - but I will be really surprised if we see that happen.

For all we know - KP was just getting his trade-value up with these comments...

We haven't had a chance to really see what he could do. He's a great spot up shooter and at the end of last year we started to see his slashing ability improve along with his defense. He's only like 22 years old.