TMBSL Notebook: Bulls blow it up; further allegations levied against Taurasi attacker
Oct 4, 2018 18:56:30 GMT
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Post by TimPig on Oct 4, 2018 18:56:30 GMT
Dale McManamon
TMBSL.com
Jamison fallout continues; Bulls make numerous Day 40 trades
Antawn Jamison's shocking departure this offseason meant a major shakeup for the Chicago Bulls roster was on its way, but no one could have expected this.
Content in filling out their roster by upgrading from Brandon Griner to Neon Boudeaux, the Bulls, behind Jamison, DeAndre Ayton, Nick King, and Boudeaux, were ready to make another run at a title after injuries foiled their efforts the year prior.
"Everything was set up just how we had envisioned years ago," said Bulls GM TimPig in an exclusive interview with TMBSL.com. "In our minds, we had the best starting five in the league and a second unit that could keep us in most games."
Jamison's departure led to the panicked acquisition of star wing Clarence Withers, who had made multiple all-star and all-league teams.
It didn't take long to see that the mismatched group of stars and future hall of famers wasn't working, as the Bulls sputtered to a 12-12 record to start the season, leading to three separate blockbuster trades and more possibly on the way.
First, the Bulls sent Ayton, who was never a fit in the locker room, to the Los Angeles Clippers for point guard RJ Cole and four first-round draft picks.
"The Bulls organization was fully committed to DeAndre, which I think is clear when you look up what we traded for him," said Pig. "It's pretty clear that wasn't reciprocated, however. In his first half season here, he played like the best player in the league. But after that, it was pretty clear that he was Charmin soft. He missed almost a third of the season last year despite being cleared by doctors for the majority of that time off."
Following the Ayton trade, Chicago sent Withers to the Magic and King to the Knicks in separate deals.
"Clarence is a future hall of famer whose game became the victim of DeAndre's. No one in that locker room could stand DeAndre and we're frankly glad that he's finally gone," Pig said in a scathing television interview. "Nick is the consummate professional and we'd have loved to keep him around, but he's a bit older and we're hoping to make this rebuild as brief as possible. It's what our fans deserve."
In return, the Bulls bring back beloved small forward Desmond Mason, who has already said publicly that he'd agree to resign in Chicago following this season on a veteran minimum contract, and Paul Pierce, who was briefly a member of the Bulls (for about three days), but has said they were the best three days of his career.
"I hoped to spend every day of my career here in Chicago," said Mason, who the Bulls made the third overall pick in the 2004 draft despite overtures from rival GMs that Mike Miller was the obvious pick. "They showed faith in me and that faith never waned. I blame Antawn for everything, including the trade. I am looking forward to the league taking action in response to his frequent substance abuse."
Sources indicate to TMBSL.com that the anonymous GM who had been critical of the Mason pick and the first three years of his career has left numerous voicemails with Pig's assistant asking if he's available in a trade. Pig has refused to return those calls.
Pig finished up his news conference following the day of trades by simply saying "Ayton, yes as a Bull."
Taurasi attacker in the news...again?
Following yesterday's felonious attack on Pacers star wing Daniel Taurasi, it appears that Charlotte general manager Fecta Muzunga has once again made headlines for all of the wrong reasons.
During the league's quarterly board meetings, a vote was held regarding the return of beloved former general manager and commissioner Shawn Twenty IV, who has expressed a great desire to return to the league he once managed.
The vote was nearly unanimous, with 25 GMs voting in favor of Twenty IV's return, three abstaining and one - Muzunga - opposed.
"Once again, we see how detrimental he is to the growth of this league," said an anonymous Eastern Conference general manager. "I don't really understand how this is even an issue, but as we all know, a unanimous favorable vote is required for ownership changes."
The demands made by Twenty IV were relatively light - he simply asked for the Charlotte brand and the assets tied to said brand. Many thought Muzunga, self-proclaimed the best GM in the league, might be leading the charge for the opportunity to take over one of the league's withering organizations considering his established success in turning an empty roster into a league powerhouse.
"Assaulting players, preventing league growth, breaking promises, participating in collusionary deals, and showing up to league meetings in non-league approved footwear - do we really need more reasons to oust this guy?" commented another owner.
Muzunga refused comment on this story as he was too busy trying to "negotiate" a "trade" with Cavaliers "general manager" Ry Anar.
TMBSL.com
Jamison fallout continues; Bulls make numerous Day 40 trades
Antawn Jamison's shocking departure this offseason meant a major shakeup for the Chicago Bulls roster was on its way, but no one could have expected this.
Content in filling out their roster by upgrading from Brandon Griner to Neon Boudeaux, the Bulls, behind Jamison, DeAndre Ayton, Nick King, and Boudeaux, were ready to make another run at a title after injuries foiled their efforts the year prior.
"Everything was set up just how we had envisioned years ago," said Bulls GM TimPig in an exclusive interview with TMBSL.com. "In our minds, we had the best starting five in the league and a second unit that could keep us in most games."
Jamison's departure led to the panicked acquisition of star wing Clarence Withers, who had made multiple all-star and all-league teams.
It didn't take long to see that the mismatched group of stars and future hall of famers wasn't working, as the Bulls sputtered to a 12-12 record to start the season, leading to three separate blockbuster trades and more possibly on the way.
First, the Bulls sent Ayton, who was never a fit in the locker room, to the Los Angeles Clippers for point guard RJ Cole and four first-round draft picks.
"The Bulls organization was fully committed to DeAndre, which I think is clear when you look up what we traded for him," said Pig. "It's pretty clear that wasn't reciprocated, however. In his first half season here, he played like the best player in the league. But after that, it was pretty clear that he was Charmin soft. He missed almost a third of the season last year despite being cleared by doctors for the majority of that time off."
Following the Ayton trade, Chicago sent Withers to the Magic and King to the Knicks in separate deals.
"Clarence is a future hall of famer whose game became the victim of DeAndre's. No one in that locker room could stand DeAndre and we're frankly glad that he's finally gone," Pig said in a scathing television interview. "Nick is the consummate professional and we'd have loved to keep him around, but he's a bit older and we're hoping to make this rebuild as brief as possible. It's what our fans deserve."
In return, the Bulls bring back beloved small forward Desmond Mason, who has already said publicly that he'd agree to resign in Chicago following this season on a veteran minimum contract, and Paul Pierce, who was briefly a member of the Bulls (for about three days), but has said they were the best three days of his career.
"I hoped to spend every day of my career here in Chicago," said Mason, who the Bulls made the third overall pick in the 2004 draft despite overtures from rival GMs that Mike Miller was the obvious pick. "They showed faith in me and that faith never waned. I blame Antawn for everything, including the trade. I am looking forward to the league taking action in response to his frequent substance abuse."
Sources indicate to TMBSL.com that the anonymous GM who had been critical of the Mason pick and the first three years of his career has left numerous voicemails with Pig's assistant asking if he's available in a trade. Pig has refused to return those calls.
Pig finished up his news conference following the day of trades by simply saying "Ayton, yes as a Bull."
Taurasi attacker in the news...again?
Following yesterday's felonious attack on Pacers star wing Daniel Taurasi, it appears that Charlotte general manager Fecta Muzunga has once again made headlines for all of the wrong reasons.
During the league's quarterly board meetings, a vote was held regarding the return of beloved former general manager and commissioner Shawn Twenty IV, who has expressed a great desire to return to the league he once managed.
The vote was nearly unanimous, with 25 GMs voting in favor of Twenty IV's return, three abstaining and one - Muzunga - opposed.
"Once again, we see how detrimental he is to the growth of this league," said an anonymous Eastern Conference general manager. "I don't really understand how this is even an issue, but as we all know, a unanimous favorable vote is required for ownership changes."
The demands made by Twenty IV were relatively light - he simply asked for the Charlotte brand and the assets tied to said brand. Many thought Muzunga, self-proclaimed the best GM in the league, might be leading the charge for the opportunity to take over one of the league's withering organizations considering his established success in turning an empty roster into a league powerhouse.
"Assaulting players, preventing league growth, breaking promises, participating in collusionary deals, and showing up to league meetings in non-league approved footwear - do we really need more reasons to oust this guy?" commented another owner.
Muzunga refused comment on this story as he was too busy trying to "negotiate" a "trade" with Cavaliers "general manager" Ry Anar.
