Nick Friedell

  (1:02 PM)

What's going on, everybody? Let's get this chat started ...

Keanu (Honolulu)

Hey Nick, what are the chances, we see Luol Deng come back?

Nick Friedell

  (1:04 PM)

Keanu, I think the chances are good ... not great. Deng is still struggling with the calf strain and is still probably at least a week or more away. He hasn't been practicing so now the other problem is that his conditioning will be a little down if/when he does come back. My guess is that he'll try to be back for the last week of games.

Nafis (San Fran)

Hello Nick, do you think the Bulls regret trading Salmons now that the Bucks are going to the playoffs and the Bulls will have to swap picks with them?

Nick Friedell

  (1:08 PM)

Nafis, I really don't think they do. Obviously, Salmons has played great for the Bucks, but he simply wasn't playing that well with the Bulls when he was here. You could make the argument that the coaching staff was somehow not using him correctly (which I would disagree with) but it still doesn't change the fact that if the Bulls didn't trade Salmons they weren't going to be go after a big name free agent this summer. As it's been pointed out several times, the Bulls (including new Bulls Hakim Warrick and Flip Murray) were playing just fine before all the injuries did the team in. I think people have lost sight of that because the Bucks are doing so well with Salmons.

Russ (Chicago)

Why does Vinny continue to play Pargo? He seems to either turn the ball over or shoot it. Wouldn't Acie Law be a better alternative?

Nick Friedell

  (1:10 PM)

Russ, you are definitely not alone in this opinion. The guess here is that as a veteran VDN simply trusts Pargo more right now. But, I agree, every time Pargo comes in the game you can usually count on at least a few forced shots that don't exactly come in the flow of the offense. Law is going to get his chance somewhere -- it may not be in Chicago though.

Patrick (addison)

Nick you da man. I still think the bulls sneak in the playoffs if Rose and Noah stay healthy. How many games do they win against the Cavs or Orlando if they make it? I really think they can win 2...D Rose alone is that good.

Nick Friedell

  (1:12 PM)

Patrick, I think this team could win at least two games in the playoffs, but it is going to take a lot for them to actually make it there. They're probably going to have to win at least 9 of their last 12. That is asking a lot whether Rose and Noah are healthy or not.

Joe (Schaumburg)

Nick, Love the work you have been doing this year for the Bulls. I love to look ahead, I think everybody in the Country knows that the Bulls are not going to win the NBA Finals, let alone, make the playoffs. So we are both looking ahead to the historic 2010 NBA Free Agent class with LeBron, Bosh, and Wade. Then you have Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudemire (If he decides to opt out), Carlos Boozer, Dirk Nowitzki, and Rudy Gay. Besides LeBron, if there was one guy that I would choose to have out of that Free Agent class is Chris Bosh. Don't you remember that behind the back pass with Bosh to Rose on the fast break in the All Star game. Imagine that for the next 10-12 years. He is the low post presence that the Bulls have been searching for ever since the end of the Jordan era. It's been 12 years since the end of the Jordan era, man do times fly. Back to the present, I think the Bulls should not be done after Bosh, we need another scorer that can play in the backcourt with Derrick Rose. I know that Wade would be the # 1 option; but c'mon, we can't afford two max contracts with the huge and over paid contracts of Luol Deng and Hinrich. So we need a scorer. I think that Rudy Gay would be the next best scorer out there because we cant even afford the contract of Joe Johnson and Bosh. So my question is, can the Bulls get Chris Bosh and Rudy Gay with the whole salary cap situation? Thanks Nick, keep up the good work.

Nick Friedell

  (1:16 PM)

Joe, Getting Bosh and Gay would be quite the coup for the organization but I really don't think it will happen. Who wants to take on Deng's contract, especially when he plays just 60 games a year? The safer bet is to get rid of Hinrich's deal, but the team is obviously hesitant to do that because they like him so much.If they get Bosh, or for that matter Johnson, I'm sure they'll be happy -- getting Gay is probably asking for too much.

Adam (Bloomington)

Do you think that the Bulls will package Deng, Hinrich, and possibly their first round pick for Bosh in a sign-and-trade deal if they sign Joe Johnson? I feel like Johnson would be a better fit than Wade and I think he'd be better to play along Rose since Rose and Wade are similar players.

Nick Friedell

  (1:18 PM)

Adam, I'm sure the Bulls would do that deal in a heartbeat, but I don't see why the Raptors would make that deal even if they knew they were going to lose Bosh. Deng and Hinrich's deal can cripple a salary cap.

caleb (zion)

Think we will ever see a heavy bloodied rivalry like bulls/pistons in the NBA again? Bulls seem to have a light rivalry with the Heat, but I'm talking cold blood, seems like everyone has warmer blood now.

Nick Friedell

  (1:19 PM)

Nope, I don't think that's going to happen. Everybody in the NBA is too nice to each other these days. There is too much money on the line. I miss the old rivalries, though. They were fun.

Russ (Chicago)

The more I watch the Bulls the more I feel like Vinny might actually be good for the team. Players seem to like him and they do play pretty good defense for him on occasion. What do you think it would take for him to stay on as coach?

Nick Friedell

  (1:21 PM)

I think it's going to take the Bulls making the playoffs and advancing some how. Like I've said over and over, the organization has had a chance to back Vinny long-term and they haven't done it. That leads most people to believe that a change is probably coming at the end of the season.

Corey (Brookfield)

Is the Bulls pick they're trading to the Bucks lottery protected?

Nick Friedell

  (1:21 PM)

It is top-10 protected.

dm (chicago)

Hey Nick! how about we do a sign and trade deal with Memphis, Deng for Rudy Gay.

Nick Friedell

  (1:22 PM)

If you're Memphis, why would you make that deal?

Corey (Brookfield)

O.J. Mayo is available - how about Taj Gibson for Mayo straight up if the Bulls can lure Bosh to Chicago this summer?

Nick Friedell

  (1:22 PM)

Check the answer to the last question.

Dave (Glednale Heights)

Hey Nick, do you agree with the way the Bulls are utilizing Noah right now (playing him, but holding him to 10-12 mins a game)? An argument can be made that limiting him to only a few minutes makes him ineffective, but it seems to me that he changes the game w/ his energy, rebounding, defense...even if he's only in the game for a few minutes. Agree or disagree?

Nick Friedell

  (1:25 PM)

Dave, I think the Bulls are doing the best they can in the situation they're in right now with Noah. He clearly can help the team but his conditioning is not great at the moment. They are going to try and give him some more minutes tonight, but he is probably at least another week or two away from logging 30+ minutes once again.

Adam M (Lake Bluff)

Do you think the Bulls would be better off signing Joe Johnson and completing a sign-and-trade deal for someone like Boozer or D Lee than just going after one of the "Big Three?" Since their chances of actually prying LeBron and DWade from their respective teams are very high.

Nick Friedell

  (1:28 PM)

Adam, Sure you could make that argument, but the organization is going to go after the "Big Three" first because they not only can help a team win -- they will help sell more tickets, jerseys, etc. I'm sure a Johnson/Boozer combo wouldn't be a bad prize, but I don't think the team is going to have that kind of money to get both of those guys.

Dave P. (Chicago, IL)

The Bulls play the Heat (at home), the Nets, and the Pistons in their next three games, while the Raptors play the Nuggets and the Heat on the road. The Bulls will win 2 out of those 3 games, if not all 3, while the Raptors should lose their next 2. The Bulls are only 2 games back right now. So don't you think there's a good chance the Bulls could be half a game ahead of Toronto for the 8-seed by the end of the weekend?

Nick Friedell

  (1:30 PM)

Absolutely. But what does it really matter where they are this weekend, when you consider that the Bulls still have to play (among others) the Suns, Cavs, Celtics, Bucks, Raptors and Bobcats twice over the next few weeks. Bottom line: The Bulls must win and get some help to get back into the playoffs.

Jerry (Texas)

Do you think the Bulls will tank by sitting some of their injured players (noah, Deng, Rose) so they can secure a pick in the top ten and not have the Bucks be able to swap?

Nick Friedell

  (1:32 PM)

No, I don't think that at all.

Johnny (California)

This offseason, who do you think should be Bulls #1 free agent player. I think that should go sign Bosh and Raja Bell. Your thoughts?

Nick Friedell

  (1:33 PM)

Johnny, You've got to start reading the mailbag, man. Anyway, if the Bulls can't land LeBron (and I don't think he's leaving Cleveland) I think they should go after Bosh before Wade. Raja Bell would be a nice guy to have coming off the bench as well.

Jake (VA Beach)

Ok, let's just get a blanket answer. Is there ANY team that would take Deng as the centerpiece of a sign-and-trade deal?

Nick Friedell

  (1:36 PM)

You tell me, Jake. I don't see it happening -- but as Isiah Thomas reminded us with the Knicks, anything is possible in the NBA.

keegan (michigan)

if you had to choose who most likely will come to Chicago who would you choose? Lebron James or Dwayne Wade

Nick Friedell

  (1:36 PM)

Neither.

Ed (South Elgin)

Nick, I may sound crazy, but I don't want Lebron. He doesn't close. He has been overhyped but the reality is that he chokes late game foul shots and hasn't won anything. I would greatly prefer 2 mid-upper level guys like Joe Johnson and David Lee. The Bulls have more than 1 hole to fill to be a solid contender in my opinion. So does this sound nuts to you ?

Nick Friedell

  (1:37 PM)

Yes, Ed. That sounds VERY nuts.

Russ (Chicago)

Do you see Noah as an All-star in the next couple of years? I think he has what it takes as long as he stays healthy

Nick Friedell

  (1:38 PM)

If Noah continues to work in the off-season like he did this past summer, I have little doubt that he will become an All Star soon. It's all up to him and the time he wants to put into improving his game.

Devale (South Side)

Am I correct in thinking that you're saying we wont get anybody other than maybe a mid-level guy

Nick Friedell

  (1:40 PM)

No, you are not correct. All I'm saying, and I've been saying for months, is that I don't think James and/or Wade are coming to Chicago,

Ed (South Elgin)

Nick, the Bulls are leading the league in attendance already aren't they ? Going after players for "ticket sales" would be a huge mistake....They need a big who can score with his back to the basket and a big guard to be competitive. Remember when the Bulls had Lamarcus Aldridge......

Nick Friedell

  (1:43 PM)

Ed, Yes they are. The fans are probably going to show up no matter what. All I'm saying is that the organization is going to go after James, Wade and Bosh first and then see what else is out there. Getting Johnson and Boozer would obviously be great for the team, but it may not be possible salary cap wise, that's all. There is no way of knowing how everything is going to shake out at the moment.

Pat (Chicago)

Let's say the bulls get a PF (bosh or boozer) this summer and don't get a SG. How do you think the rest of the lineup works out? Deng at 2, James Johnson/Taj at 3? I would hate to see both Johnson and Taj on the bench

Nick Friedell

  (1:47 PM)

Pat, First of all, what has James Johnson shown you that makes you believe he can be a consistent NBA starter? I like James and I think he has a lot of potential but I'm not sure he could be a starter right now. My guess is that the Bulls are going to find some way to find a two guard who can shoot over the summer. They can't go into another season without a legitimate outside shooter.

Tony (The United Center Tonight!, IL)

Nick! As far as free agency is concerned this off-season, am I the only one who thinks a Joe Johnson/ Boozer combo would be far better than say JUST Bosh or JUST Wade? I mean, Miami sucks and so do the Raptors, we need to build a solid TEAM right. Starting 5: D-Rose, Joe Johnson, Deng (get rid of him), Carlos Boozer, Noah!

Nick Friedell

  (1:50 PM)

Tony, you are not the only one. But, unless you get rid of Deng and/or Hinirch's deal (which is going to be difficult) you're going to have a hard time finding enough money to pay everybody. Like I said, I still think the organization will go after James, Wade, Bosh and hope for the best.

PJ (Kansas)

I've been saying this for months now, but I will be very disappointed if we miss the playoffs because of that b. miller buzzer beater they didn't count against the Nuggets, or that 35 point embarrassment thanks to Vinny only playing 7 men.

Nick Friedell

  (1:53 PM)

AS VDN would say, that's all part of an NBA season. If the Bulls can win 9 of their last 12 I think they are going to sneak back into the playoffs. If they don't, I'm sure people will talk about the 35 point collapse, but in the end does it really matter? The Bulls weren't going to win a title this year anyway.

Nick Friedell

  (1:54 PM)

All right, everybody. Great questions as usual. I will talk to you guys next week. Keep sending in some questions to the mailbag when you get a chance. Talk to you later.