I know he already said it. He should have started this thread!
Originally posted by Chicago Breaking Sports (chicagobreakingsports.com)Free-agent forward Boozer commits to Bulls July 7, 2010 4:21 PM
By K.C. Johnson
On a day Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade committed to the Heat, the Bulls made their first strike in free agency, receiving a verbal commitment from Carlos Boozer on a five-year contract, two league sources confirmed.
The terms of the contract weren't immediately available, though one source said the offer preserves the Bulls' ability to offer a maximum-salary contract to another free agent. Perhaps more important, sources said the Bulls have not been told by anybody associated with LeBron James that he has ruled out signing with the Bulls.
That doesn't mean the Bulls will get James. It does add intrigue to his Thursday night announcement.
The Bulls visited with Boozer, a two-time All-Star, at the United Center last Thursday. As soon as Bosh committed to the Heat, they amped up their efforts to nab the power forward well versed in screen-and-roll to pair with Derrick Rose.
The Boozer deal will be in the $76-80 million range, a source said.
Boozer averaged 19.5 points and 11.2 rebounds for the Jazz last season, his sixth in Utah. Over his eight-year career, the Duke product has averaged 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds.
Jim Paxson, the brother of John and a Bulls consultant, served as Cavaliers general manager when Boozer played there. Jim also served as general manager when Boozer reneged on a verbal agreement with then-Cavaliers owner Gordon Gund to sign with the Jazz.
But the Bulls' brass has talked through that episode and made their first strike of their roughly $30 million of salary-cap space.
I mean, I GUESS this helps the Bulls...right? I mean, it certainly won't HURT them. (As far as I know.)
Let me say this about LeBron to the Bulls: Yeah, right.
More importantly, crossing the Bulls off the list leaves the David Lee sweepstakes at...the Suns, the Nets, the Warriors and the Timberwolves. (Did I miss any?) I look forward to more and more teams dropping off the list until Lee has no choice left and we can welcome him to the whitest Timberwolves.
Originally posted by CRZMore importantly, crossing the Bulls off the list leaves the David Lee sweepstakes at...the Suns, the Nets, the Warriors and the Timberwolves. (Did I miss any?)
The Jazz?
Even if the Bulls don't score LeBron, they've definitely upgraded. Boozer can score. The only problem with him is that he gets outsized an awful lot when put against teams with a bigger front line, like the Lakers or Magic.
At the very least, the Bulls aren't getting shut out, like people suspected they might when the Wade and Bosh dominoes fell.
MD: You have to win, no matter what. SC: Why didn't you try that this year?
Originally posted by BroncolancheLeBron is hosting his Bachelor Finale announcement in Cleveland, right?
Unless he wants to dick over the city of Cleveland a whole lot worse than Elway ever did, he isn't going anywhere.
If LeBron wants to win now, he'll go to Chicago. But if he does it, he'll never be able to set foot in Cleveland without a fake mustache again. To leave Cleveland for Chicago AND to play with Carlos Boozer, who screwed over your team for Utah a couple of years ago, would have Cavs fans on suicide watch.
Cleveland fans are really going to sweat that he's making this announcement out of town, but I can't see him leaving.
(edited by It's False on 7.7.10 1550)
MD: You have to win, no matter what. SC: Why didn't you try that this year?
Originally posted by CRZI know he already said it. He should have started this thread!
Crud. I forgot what the thread was; I thought I had posted it in a catch-all.
It is the policy of the documentary crew to remain true observers and not interfere with its subjects. "Well. Shit." -hansen9j Let's Go Riders! (1-0, T-1st West Division)
Chicago didn't get Wade or Bosh but they did get a low post threat with Boozer. Boozer can score and rebound and the Bulls get a veteran with the improving Joakim Noah and all-star Derrick Rose. This may persuade James to come to the Windy City as they would have a pretty complete team from the guard to center position.
Miami should win in the mid-50's while Chicago now has a shot to get to the 50 win plateau and even if James stays in Cleveland, Chicago would now be looked as a threat in the Central division.
Thread ahead: Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh to sign with Heat Next thread: Celtics re-sign Ray Allen for 2 years, $20M Previous thread: Kevin Durant to sign 5-year extension with Thunder
I take my hats off to the Detroit Pistons. There's certainly no shame in losing to not only the greatest team in the NBA, but the greatest team in the NBA. But... dammit. I would've loved to see Reggie go out this year with an NBA Championship.