More on E-Rob

I think Eddie Robinson doesn't believe in the phrase "say the right things":

At Monday's practice, Bulls coach Scott Skiles suggested that Eddie Robinson might see some court time after playing less than a minute in the previous four games. It didn't happen. Robinson never removed his warmups.

This isn't the first time in his three-year Bulls career that Robinson has found himself parked on the bench. But this one was unusual because Robinson took a seat after playing relatively well during February.

"I think I have to get out of Chicago," Robinson said before the game. "There's a curse here."

Leaving might be easier said than done. Robinson is still owed a hefty $14 million over the next two seasons, and he said there is no way he'll agree to a contract settlement.

Skiles hasn't supplied specific reasons for Robinson's benching. But the first-year Bulls coach has stressed he expects the players to do everything they can to improve, and Robinson is usually the first to leave the Berto Center after practice.

"There's nothing to change about me," Robinson said. "We work on our shots in practice. Shoot for such and such amount of time. That's working on your game. I don't need to work on my game. I don't even play. I'm a catch-and-shoot guy, what do you want me to work on?"

A resolution might be a long way off. Robinson doesn't understand why he's not playing and won't ask Skiles for an explanation.

"I know I'm not going to talk to him," Robinson said. "That's out of the question. I don't talk to coaches about playing time."

(emphasis added). I mean, doesn't Robinson even want to give fans the false impression that he cares? Its the least he could do. I can't believe someone who is as young and talented as he is is fine being a catch-and-shoot guy. First of all, he doesn't have 3-point range. Secondly, he has so much athleticism that he could be dunking over people or getting to the foul line at his will. But obviously the will isn't there. Maybe by some grace of god (or Bernie Bickerstaff) Charlotte will take him in the expansion draft.

Skiles Over Substance

I'm back after a fun weekend in Columbus, Ohio. Why was I there? To watch the Big 10 champs of course. 3 out of 4 years as champs, but the first time since 1952 they've had it all to themselves. I just thought I'd start off with that to rile Aaron or any other Big10 basketball fan who's reading. Although I'll admit that winning the league this year is like being valedictorian of summer school.

I have to admit that my Bulls-watching has steadily faded in the past few weeks. Partly because I've been busy (well not in the classic sense...mostly wasting my time in other forms), and also because down in Champaign (did I mention home of the Big10 champs) we get only half of the games. So its been only through the papers that I learned about the recent iron-fisted rule of coach Scott Skiles and GM John Paxson.

It started with the benching of  Tyson Chandler last week over his uniform attire. Then there's been the complete disappearance of Eddie Robinson from the rotation. He has played 34 seconds in the last 4 games. In a story that has been told all to often under Bill Cartwright, E-Rob is again finding himself maligned on the bench while less talented players take his minutes. The odd part is that his play this year has been his best as a Bull, and the main reason for it being that he was healthy and finally getting some minutes. The athletic, defending wing player that has been exactly what Paxson's been looking for. So why is he back on the bench?

Robinson said he would continue to follow his same pregame and post-practice routines. Robinson claims the approach works for him.

"What do you mean, extra work?" he said. "I shoot. I do all of that."

Said Skiles: "I think his comment speaks for itself."

Skiles then elaborated on the situation.

"Couldn't anyone say that I want to do something because this works for me?" he said. "That doesn't work in a team environment. People have to make personal sacrifices for the well being of the team. And I think for the most part our guys are beginning to understand that.

What can you say to that. Eddie Robinson is the type of player that fans HATE. He looks apathetic when he plays, he admitted he doesn't want to attack the basket out of fear of injury, skips summer workouts, and has a pregame routine that for some reason cannot be tampered with. I'm selfishly mad at Skiles for benching Robinson because I love watching him play, but the message is more important. E-Rob isn't the type of player who deserves special treatment based on performance. This isn't the same deal as letting Allen Iverson skip practice. Skiles says it best:

"This is not a unique team. Guys are expected to get their lifts in, play team basketball, play hard—just the basics of the game. It's not some crazy standard some lunatic coach is setting. We're trying to set a program in place that's going to last over time, no matter who plays for the Bulls. I'm going to see to it that it gets done."

That says it all doesn't it? This season is lost, its time to firmly implement the Skiles/Paxson regime into this team. That means getting a head start on a new attitude and commitment to improving the work ethic and conditioning of the young nucleus. Guys from the minor leagues like Linton Johnson and Ronald Dupree have been brought in (with more possibly on the way) to keep these games and practices meaningful. If you've been reading me for the past few months you know that I normally frown on a talented player getting benched for those who possess 'intangibles'. That said, for Curry, Chandler, Crawford, Robinson......they are being shown by Skiles and Paxson that whatever they've been used to should be forgotten, this summer will be different. And that includes Robinson's pre-game 'ritual'.

Marcus Fizer, R.I.P.

A Bulls career came to an end today, as Marcus Fizer was placed on the IR with the typical mysterious injury they give to guys who aren't injured. This was to make room for 6'10" Paul Shirley, recently signed from the ABA. This is the same ABA that Kobe Bryant's 49 year old dad scored 18 points in a game a few days ago. So I suppose the the talent level there is only slightly below the Bulls. (zing!)

But this is a sad end to one of my favorite Bulls players, Marcus Fizer. He is a restricted free agent this summer, and there is no chance the team will match any offer by another team. And Marcus sees the writing on the wall:

            "July 1 is the day I'm shooting for," Fizer said before the Bulls played New Orleans on Wednesday. "I can't wait. That's like Christmas to me.

            "I'll probably be already down here. I don't think I'm getting in a boat, but I'll be somewhere in the general area. I won't be in Chicago, I know that."

When you've been near the cellar for as many years as the Bulls have, you accumulate a lot of lottery picks. There's been Brand, Artest, Crawford, Chandler, Curry, Jay Williams..etc. Marcus Fizer, selected as the 4th overall pick in the 2000 draft, always seemed like an afterthought. This is partly because the 2001 draft was so awful, take a look at the top 10 picks:

 

1. New Jersey Nets      PF Kenyon Martin, Cincinnati
2. Vancouver Grizzlies   PF Stromile Swift, LSU
3. L.A. Clippers            SF Darius Miles, East St. Louis, Ill.
4. Chicago Bulls            PF Marcus Fizer, Iowa State
5. Orlando Magic          SF Mike Miller, Florida
6. Atlanta Hawks           SG DerMarr Johnson, Cincinnati
7. Chicago Bulls             C Chris Mihm, Texas
                                      Traded to Cleveland
8. Cleveland Cavaliers    PG Jamal Crawford, Michigan
                                      Traded to Chicago
9. Houston Rockets        C Joel Pryzbilla, Minnesota
                                      Traded to Milwaukee
10. Orlando Magic          PG Keyon Dooling, Missouri
                                      Traded to Los Angeles Clippers
 

Lord have mercy, that's a terrible group. Urban legend in the Chicago area has it that then-GM Jerry 'crumbs' Krause was pining for Miles, and after he was taken it became a best-available scenario. Marcus was definitely lottery-pick material, he had a fantastic college career at Iowa State, but with Elton Brand on the team the pick seemed odd at best. The most likely scenario is that Bulls and former Iowa St. coach Tim Floyd pressured Krause to take Fizer. Hmm...what if they had taken Mike Miller instead, they wouldn't have to worry about their SF problems they've had the past 5 years (and don't say Ron Artest).

So ever since he was drafted, Fizer was rumored to be traded. He was supposedly going to the Blazers on draft day for Jermaine O'Neal. Every draft day and trading deadline since then he was rumored to be part of a deal, including this past deadline. Meanwhile Fizer never lived up to his promise, but nonetheless looked like an effective scorer and even was considered as the top 6th man in the league last season before an ACL injury ended his season. This season he started slow as he recovered from the injury, and never got in Coach Skiles' rotation since then. Throughout his tenure, I always thought he never got a fair shake from the organization. The one thing I liked about Marcus is that he never complained about his role on the team, which is rare considering his draft status. He seemed adept at filling a role on the bench, and sometimes its hard to get a young player to accept that.

But this isn't to say his game didn't have deficiencies. He was always undersized as a PF, and could never adept to moving to the SF position. And his explosiveness that allowed him to go past larger defenders may have been hampered since the knee injury. This was in fact his worst shooting season of his career. Fizer was a good rebounder, yet he couldn't really guard anybody. And his lack of passing is legendary at the  United Center, go to a game where he gets the ball and all you hear is the people going "there goes the black hole".

But like I said, Marcus was always one of my favorite Bulls. And I hope he finds a home this summer where he can get the playing time he deserves. In a league where Rick Brunson can get his 15 minutes a game, you have to think there's a piece of the NBA pie for Fizer. One possible destination is the New Orleans Hornets, to be reunited with his biggest supporter Tim Floyd. Another is a shot with the expansion Charlotte Bobcats. One thing I do know is that we may have seen the last of Marcus Fizer in a Bulls Uniform. We hardly knew thee....

Note: check out a new basketballblog on the block, the KnickerBlogger. Aside from an awesome name, he is really putting up great stuff on there. Even though its about the hated Knicks, its very entertaining and informative. And he uses tables! Check out today's offering where he and Scott from Raptorblog switch places. How come I've never been asked to guestblog? :)

Blount Waived

PF/C Corie Blount was waived today by the Bulls. Blount was injured 3 days ago during practice. I guess he was pretty hurt. Corie actually had a decent year for the club, and was practically lights out when he had that open jump shot. Again he was forced to play too many minutes (along with Antonio Davis) due to the injuries and general ineffectiveness of Curry and Chandler.

Anyway it was suggested in the comments of my last post that the Bulls' waive Chris Jefferies instead of Blount. Corie was signed to a 1-year deal with a team option for next year. Jefferies however is still on his rookie contract and is guaranteed for next year. If the Bulls waived him he would be still paid next year, like Dalibor Bagaric

So the roster spot vacated by Blount may be used on ABA big-man  Paul Shirley...if that excites you. Or maybe even former Bull Lonny Baxter??

The BluePrint

Good to be back. The Bulls are currently playing the Cavs as I'm typing this, but in my area the game isn't shown. But I think its fitting that I'm not even seeing the game because in all actuality the individual games don't matter anymore. What is more important than one game is the states of these two similar teams. Even the most insanely optimistic of fans cannot see the Bulls reaching their preseason goals of the playoffs. But the time of reflection on what went wrong and what needs to be done can be done at greater depth and breadth at the end of the year. For now I want to discuss a team that is close to reaching the goal that the Bulls set: tonight's opponents, the Cavs. 

How similar are the two teams? Well speaking in the terms of current rebuilding phase, they are both teams that are looking to make a return to respectability. They have both very young talent as well as some imported veterans. And hell, the two GMs are brothers.

Cavaliers Roster
	2003-04 Roster
	NUM	PLAYER	POS	DOB	FROM	YRS
	4	Tony Battie	C-F	2/11/1976	Texas Tech '98	6
	1	Carlos Boozer	F-C	11/20/1981	Duke '03	1
	44	Ruben Boumtje Boumtje(IR)	C	5/20/1978	Georgetown '01	2
	3	J.R. Bremer(IR)	G	9/19/1980	St. Bonaventure '02	1
	5	Kedrick Brown	G-F	3/18/1981	Okaloosa-Walton CC FL (J.C.) '03	2
	52	DeSagana Diop	F	1/30/1982	Oak Hill Academy HS (VA)	2
	11	Zydrunas Ilgauskas	C	6/5/1975	Lithuania	5
	23	LeBron James	G	12/30/1984	St. Vincent-St. Mary HS (OH)	R
	24	Jason Kapono	F	2/2/1981	UCLA '03	R
	0	Jeff McInnis	G	10/22/1974	North Carolina '97	6
	14	Ira Newble	F	1/20/1975	Miami (Ohio) '97	3
	12	Kevin Ollie	G	12/27/1972	Connecticut '95	6
	2	Dajuan Wagner	G	2/4/1983	Memphis '05	1
	55	Eric Williams	F-G	7/17/1972	Providence '95	8

 

I'll start with the vets first, and how they compare  the Bulls. The Cav organization can really thank Celtics GM Danny Ainge for giving them 2 hard-working role players in Tony Battie and Eric Williams in the Ricky Davis swap. These are the types of players that coaches love, especially former Celtics coach Jim O'Brien who said that dealing Williams and Battie away was the leading factor in his abrupt resignation. Are Battie and Williams better mid-season additions than Antonio Davis and Jerome Williams? I think they're actually quite even, although in terms of age and salary the Cavs players have the advantage. They also have good veterans in the backcourt with the recently acquired Jeff McInnis and former Bull Kevin Ollie. Actually along with J.R. Bremer they have 3 point guards better than Rick Brunson. But is the difference in bench players really accountable for the two teams' contrasting fortunes? There's actually a far more obvious reason.

What wins in the NBA is the stars. Obviously the term 'star' is relative, its probably better to say 'core players' of the team. And that moreso than the supporting cast is what separates these two teams. On the Bulls' side you can say that the team's fortune rides on Curry, Chandler, Crawford, and Hinrich. It says volumes that Hinrich is probably the most consistent of the group, and as a result the team play is inherently inconsistent. For the Cavaliers, they obviously have a young star in James. But they also have consistent play from Carlos Boozer and Big Z. Boozer in fact is emerging as one of the premier young frontcourt players in the East. James' brilliance this year has really given the team something that the Bulls are still looking for in their young players, a leader to take them to the playoffs.

So while on the surface the teams have similar personnel and status, the Cavaliers are on the brink of the playoffs for a reason. Their marquee talent is simply outplaying the Bulls' counterparts all year, and that makes more of a difference than any fine tuning the brothers Paxson could do to their teams. Hey...but it looks like the Bulls won while I typed this all up :)