D. Wade makes MAJOR noise about free agency and the BULLS organization...

[salsadancer7]

VERY interesting comments D. Wade makes about the big name free agents. What EVERYONE(free agents) thinks, but so far, the only one that has the testicular fortitude to state it.

WOW!

Wade questions Bulls' loyalty

One of NBA's top free agents wonders why Jordan, Pippen no longer part of organization

May 27, 2010|By Fred Mitchell, Tribune reporter

Perception can turn into harsh reality, and the Bulls' image as unfriendly to former stars could adversely affect the team's ability to land a premier free agent.

The Cavaliers' LeBron James, the Heat's Dwyane Wade and the Hawks' Joe Johnson plan to discuss their respective plans with each other before making a decision once free agency begins July 1, Wade told the Tribune on Wednesday.

And when the Bulls come up in the conversation, talk won't necessarily focus on Derrick Rose.

"I think the biggest question that you think about has to be loyalty," said Wade, a Richards grad who added he has been a Bulls fan for a long time. "I know one thing about Miami: It is a very loyal organization. I see what they do with their players when their players get done with the game of basketball … how loyal they are. I don't know about the Bulls."

Wade said it appears to him that the Bulls don't measure up to the Heat in the loyalty department.

"I see Michael Jordan is not there, Scottie Pippen is not there. … You know, these guys are not a part," Wade said. "Things like that. So that is probably one of the biggest things for me, because I am a very loyal person."

Bulls general manager Gar Forman insists top coaches and free agents will clamor to join the organization. And Bulls officials in the past have downplayed perceptions that the organization has a loyalty problem.

And even though the physical clash between John Paxson and former coach Vinny Del Negro did not help the team's image, Wade said the choice of the Bulls' next coach would not be a factor.

"I don't necessarily get into all the coaches stuff," Wade said. "I feel the coach is only as good as his players. There are some great, great coaches around who can squeeze a lot of life out of their players, like Jerry Sloan. Every year he proves that."

Wade said he's not sure when the top free agents will discuss their respective plans, though they have spoken informally in the past.

"(Free agency) has been three years coming," Wade said. "We've discussed it prematurely, at different times. (But) you don't know what guys are thinking and where they're going. I think we'll all sit down, and before one of us makes a decision, all of us will have spoken to each other and (listened to the) thinking.

"A lot of decisions (will be based on) what other players are willing to do and what other guys want to do. So it's not just a 'me' situation here. We all have to look and see what each other is thinking."

Wade said he wouldn't have a problem playing alongside another great player.

"I understand that you have to have a great team, a great supporting cast around you. That's all I want," he said. "My ego is not that big. … I just want to win."

fmitchell@tribune.com

Wade questions Bulls' loyalty - Chicago Tribune

I LOVE the part of loyalty....Miami has it, the Bulls DON'T and the part of him "playing alongside ANOTHER great player" .....

...Are you hearing that Pat Reilly....can you say Wade playing guard....Lebron playing forward in Miami...... WOW!!!

 

[salsadancer7]

TO ME, this pretty much shuts the door on Wade leaving to Chicago. NOW, do the other free agents feel the same way?? Who knows. This make me feel that he is will more than likely come back to HEAT...and bring back one of his buddy....

 

[SandraC]

This is very interesting because with max contracts it's not about money...at least regarding the contracts. Endorsements could be a whole 'nother story of course.

I don't know, I just don't see the King sharing the throne with Dwyane Wade...in Miami or Chicago. It's possible, I suppose, but I just don't see it.

Also some very interesting comments from Phil Jackson...not interested in the Bulls coaching job, but he would like to have a vodka and talk to Mikhael Prokhorov over the summer.


Sandra

 

[salsadancer7]

This is very interesting because with max contracts it's not about money...at least regarding the contracts. Endorsements could be a whole 'nother story of course.

I don't know, I just don't see the King sharing the throne with Dwyane Wade...in Miami or Chicago. It's possible, I suppose, but I just don't see it.

Also some very interesting comments from Phil Jackson...not interested in the Bulls coaching job, but he would like to have a vodka and talk to Mikhael Prokhorov over the summer.


Sandra

I would not be surprised if Jackson were to head to the Knicks.....maybe even the NETS. But I personally think he would be with the Dolans before Prokhorov....

I thought the most interest things said was that THEY will all get together and find out where they are all going.....wow....that is MAJOR.

 

[SandraC]

I would not be surprised if Jackson were to head to the Knicks.....maybe even the NETS. But I personally think he would be with the Dolans before Prokhorov....

I thought the most interest things said was that THEY will all get together and find out where they are all going.....wow....that is MAJOR.

I don't see Jackson coming to the Knicks, I doubt Donnie Walsh would dump D'Antoni, even for Phil Jackson. Doesn't even seem to be on their radar screen.

The Nets, however, are another story. You can tell Prokhorov wants to make a splash early, and he has more money than God. Phil likes money, and he has this MO about needing to coach the team that has the best player in the sport.

I do agree it's a story that Wade said that, but you have to wonder how that will go. Something strange about that. Are they going to include Chris Bosh? Amare Stoudemire? Ray Allen? Dirk Nowitzki? Carlos Boozer?

I could see Lebron sharing the spotlight with any of those guys...except Dwyane Wade.


Sandra

 

[cosmo_kramer]

Wade said it appears to him that the Bulls don't measure up to the Heat in the loyalty department.

"I see Michael Jordan is not there, Scottie Pippen is not there. … You know, these guys are not a part," Wade said. "Things like that. So that is probably one of the biggest things for me, because I am a very loyal person."

Who knows, maybe MJ is the problem. They've been loyal to other former players. John Paxson comes to mind....

 

[salsadancer7]

I don't see Jackson coming to the Knicks, I doubt Donnie Walsh would dump D'Antoni, even for Phil Jackson. Doesn't even seem to be on their radar screen.

The Nets, however, are another story. You can tell Prokhorov wants to make a splash early, and he has more money than God. Phil likes money, and he has this MO about needing to coach the team that has the best player in the sport.

I do agree it's a story that Wade said that, but you have to wonder how that will go. Something strange about that. Are they going to include Chris Bosh? Amare Stoudemire? Ray Allen? Dirk Nowitzki? Carlos Boozer?

I could see Lebron sharing the spotlight with any of those guys...except Dwyane Wade.


Sandra

I think the MAIN 4 everyone has been talking about is is Lebron, Wade, Bosh and Joe Johnson. EVERYONE is assuming that with Phoenix's late run, Amare is going to stay....as well as Dirk staying with Dallas. I don't think Boozer or Ray are in the upper tier of the free agent list.

Now as far as Wade, it would seem on paper that they don't fit. BUT, if they really didn't care about nothing but winning and put their egos aside....I don't see why not.

 

[SandraC]

I think the MAIN 4 everyone has been talking about is is Lebron, Wade, Bosh and Joe Johnson. EVERYONE is assuming that with Phoenix's late run, Amare is going to stay....as well as Dirk staying with Dallas. I don't think Boozer or Ray are in the upper tier of the free agent list.

Now as far as Wade, it would seem on paper that they don't fit. BUT, if they really didn't care about nothing but winning and put their egos aside....I don't see why not.

Agree, but don't forget...we're talking about Lebron James here. Difficult to see him putting his ego aside even slightly.


Sandra

 

[Peter Parker]

Owners can't have conversations like this. Can players?

 

[SandraC]

Owners can't have conversations like this. Can players?

They probably can but it does seem odd, doesn't it?


Sandra

 

[Sparkman]

Who knows, maybe MJ is the problem. They've been loyal to other former players. John Paxson comes to mind....

B J Armstrong and Pete Myers(One of MJ buds while they were there together) are 2 more former Bulls who've had a long tenure in the Bulls front office or coaching staff. One thing that Wade didn't mention is that neither Jordan of Pippen wanted anything to do with actually working for the Bulls organization. Jordan walked away, Pippen wanted to try broadcasting, where he failed badly. I take what Wade said with a grain of salt. He down't want to come to Chicago and there are people who want him too. He's making sure he has a reason to validate going back to Miami and passing up the chance to play in his hometown.

 

[salsadancer7]

Who knows, maybe MJ is the problem. They've been loyal to other former players. John Paxson comes to mind....

Listen...I was there during that time and let me tell you, after the 1st three-peat, Krause AND Reinsdorf were DYING to break that team up because they had it set in their thick skulls that FRONT OFFICES win championships....not players.

When managment realized it was not THEM leading them to the promise land...Jordan came back and the teams that won the 2nd three-peat were stronger than the 1st groups. AND on top of that, every single year, hit was a pain in the a$$ to get that nucleus back because there was so much animosity towards Bulls management.

It was NOT MJ....believe me.

 

[salsadancer7]

B J Armstrong and Pete Myers(One of MJ buds while they were there together) are 2 more former Bulls who've had a long tenure in the Bulls front office or coaching staff. One thing that Wade didn't mention is that neither Jordan of Pippen wanted anything to do with actually working for the Bulls organization. Jordan walked away, Pippen wanted to try broadcasting, where he failed badly. I take what Wade said with a grain of salt. He down't want to come to Chicago and there are people who want him too. He's making sure he has a reason to validate going back to Miami and passing up the chance to play in his hometown.

You are talking about 2 players that are afterthoughts when talking about the teams history. I mean for the team make no real effort to involve 2 guys, Pippen and Jordan, that brought the team from nowhere...and that where the franchise was....nowhere....is crazy.

Wade is a star in this league....he does not NEED justification to play or not play anywhere. He clearly stated he believed in loyalty from a player and management perspective, and to....and you can tell he has talked to Jordan and Pippen(Pippen living down here)....and he made his comments. I have cluse how ANYONE can be surprised by Wade's comments.

 

[cosmo_kramer]

It was NOT MJ....believe me.

I'm not so sure. Combine the many ex-Bulls that have found success with this organization with the fact that total control of a franchise has always been his dream, I'd say that's a formula for looking elsewhere. From 2006:

Johnson, who met Jordan at a Chicago Bulls game a dozen years ago and struck up a lasting friendship, offered Jordan any job he wanted with his basketball team that same day.

Jordan mulled it over for close to four months before passing on the offer. He also tried to purchase a majority interest in the Milwaukee Bucks, but Sen. Herb Kohl ultimately decided not to sell.

Jordan had been largely out of sight since then. Now, he has a long road ahead of him in rebuilding a fan base still bitter over the Hornets' departure to New Orleans in 2002.

What MJ wanted wasn't available in Chicago, so he moved on to somewhere that is was. Pretty simple...

Michael Jordan Buys Stake In NBA Team - CBS News

 

[salsadancer7]

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade: Could Destiny Unite Them in Free Agency?

by Hadarii Jones Written on May 27, 2010 Ronald Martinez

Dwyane Wade recently told the Chicago Tribune that he, LeBron James, and Joe Johnson have been having informal talks about their impending free agency decisions, and Wade intimated his choice may hinge on the decisions of those players.

" A lot of decisions will be based on what other players are willing to do.

"So it's not just a me situation here...We all have to look and see what each other is thinking."

Wade's words give legitimacy to the idea concerning a possible pairing of himself and James, and considering he also said they would have more conversations in the future on the subject, a new day could be dawning in the NBA.

Both Wade and James would benefit immensely from a decision to pool their collective talents on the same roster, and they would probably be the most feared twosome since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippin roamed the hardwood.

The friendship James and Wade share is common knowledge, and both players have different reasons to consider as to why a move to combine destinies could mutually help their legacies.

James' failure to win a championship in Cleveland or even reach the Finals the past two years can partly be blamed on the supporting cast he was surrounded by, and the failure of management to pair him with a true superstar.

People falsely assumed Antawn Jamison was that player, but under the glare of the postseason lights, Jamison's game failed to match the expectations media members had placed on him.

I think James is cognizant of the need to play with a similarly talented individual, and Wade fits that bill better than Johnson or Chris Bosh, and he has the championship pedigree to boot.

This may be the most important factor to consider if this idea really takes shape, because Wade can help James through his own championship experience, and he has the skills to back it up.

Shaquille O'Neal had championship experience for sure, but his skills have deteriorated to the point where his physical abilities prevented him from playing on a championship level.

So O'Neal's motivation was limited to his speech, but Wade can perform at a championship level, and if he and James were on the same team, James would certainly draw inspiration from Wade's emotion.

James will not find this same element in Bosh or Johnson, or any other high profile free agent on the market, and Wade and James must both understand the urgency of the moment.

Wade has wasted the past few seasons in Miami, the victim of a poor core roster, and yet still managed to keep the Heat relevant and in the postseason picture, despite little help from management.

Wade has tasted a title before, and this season's free agency period may represent his best chance to reach that level again, whether it means being loyal to Miami, or seeking his fortunes elsewhere.

James understands the importance of this offseason, because it will go a long way towards determining his legacy as a player, and if winning championships is paramount, serious thought about pairing with Wade is mandatory.

There are teams who could possibly bring the two superstars together, and when glancing at the rosters of the remaining teams in the NBA Playoffs, it may be easier than you think.

I won't bore you with numbers, but consider the fact the Los Angeles Lakers found a way to steal Pau Gasol away from Memphis, and the Boston Celtics reversed their franchise's fortunes by adding Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

Throw in Cleveland getting Jamison for virtually nothing, and you can see how the quirks and loopholes in NBA deals could potentially pave the way for another move of historic proportions.

There is one team out there who can make this a reality, but it may not be Wade's native Chicago, because Wade openly expressed his distaste on how former stars of the Bulls' franchise have been treated.

It's no secret James is high on the Bulls' free agency radar, but would Wade's possible refusal to play there influence James' decision if the opportunity to play with Wade became available?

Maybe James would consider Miami, or New York may still be an option, but if the two do decide to play together, whichever team they land on would become immediate contenders for the NBA title.

The past few seasons have been a testament to the individual talent of both Wade and James, in addition to serving as a window into their failures, but this summer provides a chance to turn the tides of their collective fortunes.

Wade and James can certify their greatness by combining their talents, and if the two could possibly find a way to make this work, it could seal their destiny as one of the game's legendary duos.

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade: Could Destiny Unite Them in Free Agency? | Bleacher Report

 

[SandraC]

Stan van Gundy said writer Hadari Jones is just a talking head who knows nothing about the NBA.


Sandra

 

[atl14dat]

It's going to be a long summer with all the bs rumor mongering and smokescreens that go with this insufferable daily dance.


I wish the media could/would conspire to have a news blackout about James,Wade,Bosh,Johnson any and all.

Would be great if the next time we hear from any of them will be from the Press Conference Podium upon signing with their next team.

Wishful thinking on my part.

Unfortunately the sports media led by ESPN will allow it's self to be held hostage on a daily basis with this nonsense.

One can only hope Tiger Woods does something controversial to knock them (NBA free agency stories) to the agate type.

As much as I destest the Favre fiasco on an annual basis Will he play? Won't he play?
Where will he sh*t next?

The stories about the impending NBA FA's will be even more grating.

Not a criticism of the thread or the OP. Just an observation.

 

[salsadancer7]

It's going to be a long summer with all the bs rumor mongering and smokescreens that go with this insufferable daily dance.


I wish the media could/would conspire to have a news blackout about James,Wade,Bosh,Johnson any and all.

Would be great if the next time we hear from any of them will be from the Press Conference Podium upon signing with their next team.

Wishful thinking on my part.

Unfortunately the sports media led by ESPN will allow it's self to be held hostage on a daily basis with this nonsense.

One can only hope Tiger Woods does something controversial to knock them (NBA free agency stories) to the agate type.

As much as I destest the Favre fiasco on an annual basis Will he play? Won't he play?
Where will he sh*t next?

The stories about the impending NBA FA's will be even more grating.

Not a criticism of the thread or the OP. Just an observation.

Believe me....I agree completely. BUT if they did, they wouldn't have a job.

 

[Sparkman]

Other Bulls come to the teams defense, it also mentions Wade backtracking from his previous statements.

Chicago Bulls: Former players jump to defense of franchise - chicagotribune.com

 

[salsadancer7]

Other Bulls come to the teams defense, it also mentions Wade backtracking from his previous statements.

Chicago Bulls: Former players jump to defense of franchise - chicagotribune.com

Nice article....but like I have mentioned previously, I would not be surprised that Wade spoke to Jordan.