We’re hipster heavy in this edition of a Bulls mailbag since so many questioners merely listed their zip codes and not the city from whence their inquiry came. Those nutty kids. Onto your questions.
Wouldn’t it make sense for Fred Hoiberg to give Denzel Valentine consistent minutes since the Bulls have a lack of shooting and he has proved that he can be a scorer and playmaker, at least in Development League games? Why let him rot on the bench? It can’t be because of lack of defense because we see Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic getting minutes. — Trenton Davis, 60419
You can’t play them all. That said, I’d play him. I never fully understood — and never got a clear answer — as to why Valentine fell out of the rotation so permanently. Remember: In the first preseason game, during which he later suffered the first of two serious sprained ankles, Valentine was the sixth man. Granted, that’s preseason, but it still illustrates how fall he has fallen, even behind second-round pick Paul Zipser, who plays a different position. I’m still not sure what Valentine’s position is. But he can handle it a little, so why not try him some with Wade and Butler? Put three ballhandlers out there, even if there’s no true point guard. And, yes, Valentine, can space the floor a bit.
Who do you believe is the best option to start at point guard for the Bulls? — Ben Watson, 60613
When he’s engaged, Rajon Rondo remains the best point guard on the roster to me. But he doesn’t fit with Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler and, to his credit, has embraced his role as energizing that second unit. I’d start Valentine with Butler and Wade to see what you have in him. If that didn’t work, I’d start Michael Carter-Williams. With all this definiteness, I’m not sure NBA head coaching is in my future.
Photos of Bulls guard Rajon Rondo.
What’s the atmosphere like within the Bulls organization? Do you believe the very public inter-team feuding and resulting fan and media criticism has any impact on GarPax’s approach to improving the team? — Jack, New York City
All professional sports teams have to maintain some semblance of emotional distance from fan and media reaction when it comes to decision-making. That said, last season’s failure to make the playoffs and the resulting concern over losing attendance or corporate sponsors had to play some role in the Bulls choosing to try to remain competitive, even as they significantly overhauled their roster. They opted against a full rebuild. But, no, ownership and management don’t get wrapped up in the sky-is-falling mentality that pervades much of the outside mood regarding the team.
Do you think the Bulls will be aggressive by the trade deadline and, if so, which player do you think might be on his way out? — Edward, Chicago
It depends on what you term aggressive. Trading Butler is aggressive. Making players like Rondo and Mirotic — and they are — doesn’t fit the description to me. The Bulls are trying to remain competitive while positioning themselves for the future. It’s tough to make deals with that mindset. And the values of Rondo and Mirotic are low. I think a good gauge of how aggressive they are will be what happens with Taj Gibson. Plenty of teams would be interested in him. He’s also a starter. If the Bulls deal him for, say, a first-round pick, then they’re being aggressive. I don’t see that happening.
Was the 1999 Bulls rebuild such a painful experience that the franchise would just rather stay in the win-now mode indefinitely, regardless of the circumstances? — Paul, Chicago
As someone who covered the post-dynasty Bulls, I’m unable to answer your question as I’ve blacked that painful memory out of my recall completely. My apologies.
Photos of the Bulls’ Taj Gibson.
How much influence does Michael Reinsdorf have on the decision making? Specifically, when it comes to Gar Forman and Hoiberg? — Tyler, Omaha, Neb.
Well, Michael and his father, Jerry, are their bosses. So I’d say a lot. It’s no secret how the Bulls operate. Those four men represent the primary decision-makers. The Reinsdorfs truly do hire people to let them do their jobs. So while the Reinsdorfs obviously were involved in last June’s internal debate on whether or not to fully rebuild and trade Jimmy Butler, they don’t, say, get involved in smaller, day-to-day decisions. But, yes, ownership evaluates management and determines its occupants. And as everyone knows, the Reinsdorfs are very loyal.
Is it possible the Bulls do absolutely nothing at the trade deadline? — Alberto, 60803
Everything is possible, including me winning a Pulitzer Prize for this mailbag. That doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. Just as I’d need judges to accept bribes for this brilliance, the Bulls need a willing trade partner. I don’t get the sense they’re going to sell off parts just to make moves. They’re going to try to get assets that either improve them for this season or the future.
Do you think the Bulls view Cristiano Felicio as a potential starter down the line or just a role player? — Andy K., Springfield
Robin Lopez is on a very team-friendly contract through 2018-19. So it’s not really an issue unless they trade Lopez, which has no current signs of happening. I think Felicio could handle an increased role. He’s very athletic and can improve on the offensive end. But he’s probably best-suited for the reserve role he has.
Cristiano Felicio David Banks / AP
Cristiano Felicio dunks between the Heat’s Goran Dragic and Udonis Haslem during the first half on Jan. 27, 2017.
Cristiano Felicio dunks between the Heat’s Goran Dragic and Udonis Haslem during the first half on Jan. 27, 2017.
(David Banks / AP)
After watching the Rockets turn James Harden into a point guard and with the current Bulls point guard "situation," couldn’t/shouldn’t the Bulls think to do the same thing with Butler long-term? He isn’t as elite of a passer as Harden but surround him with shooters and athletic bigs and Hoiberg’s pace and space we’ve been waiting to see works, yes? — Dan, Sterling
No. Not full-time. Butler plays de facto point guard in the fourth quarter of many games. And he can do it in stretches otherwise. But you need him to guard the other team’s best player. Harden isn’t doing that. Plus, Harden plays with more pace than Butler, which isn’t a knock on Butler. But when he plays point guard, the offense slows more to the pace Butler prefers. He shoulders ridiculous responsibility as it is. Adding full-time point guard is too much to me.
After all the crazy stuff that happened with the Three Alphas, the Bulls started this trip pretty well, especially offensively. Have they turned a corner? Or does this still look like a .500 team? — Sebastian, Des Plaines
Las Vegas bookmakers set the Bulls’ over/under for victories at 38. I mean, it’s not like expectations were high for this group. I had them at 43-39 and the seventh seed. So even if they’ve managed to put that tumultuous week behind them for now, how high the ceiling is remains debatable. There’s starting to be some separation in the Eastern Conference from the 1-5 teams.
What are your thoughts on Hoiberg’s irregular rotations? I think he is messing with the young players’ minds. I feel like no one knows their role on the team. I get that he has a difficult roster to succeed with, but he could’ve handled it much better than he has. — Jacob, Sweden
Like with most everything, there are two sides. I think Zipser is a good example that if you play with any kind of consistency, Hoiberg will keep you in the rotation. What proved difficult for some players was going from starting to DNP-CD. That happened with both Rondo and Carter-Williams. Those are head-scratchers. The roster has nine players with three years experience or less. There is going to be inconsistency and thus some inconsistent rotations.
Thanks for all your questions. K.C.
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