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Wednesday, August 7, 2013

LaMarcus Aldridge to Chicago Bulls and Other Bulls Off-Season Rumors and News

Here are the biggest Chicago Bulls Basketball stories of the off-season, so far:

 

LaMarcus Aldridge to Chicago Bulls Rumors

Lately, one rumor had the blood of Chicago Bulls fans pumping nearly as much as the thought of a bigger, faster, stronger Derrick Rose returning to claim the NBA MVP in 2014: the thought of LaMarcus Aldridge along for the championship ride in a Chicago Bulls uniform.


All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge was drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the 2nd Overall Pick in 2006. Is a reunion in the works?
A deal has yet to manifest from the rumors and trade talk that had the Chicago Bulls giving up Noah and Butler in one supposed deal. After Bulls management reportedly rebuffed any deal involving Noah, a new rumor surfaced that had the Chicago Bulls trading Boozer, Butler, and the rights to Nikola Mirotic, the 2013 MVP of the Spanish League, and the Charlotte Bobcats 1st round draft pick (protected) for Aldridge.

Any deal hinges on Aldridge's desire for a trade and insistence that Chicago be his destination. Despite the rumors, there has not been anything definitive on Aldridge's part asking for a trade, and with the good young team that the Blazers have, lead by 2013 Rookie of the Year, Damian Lillard, there is no incentive for Blazers management to sell Aldridge for cheap.

So, at the moment, LaMarcus Aldridge to Chicago Bulls talk is mostly wishful thinking.

Chicago Bulls Names Butler Starting SG

Jimmy Butler was named by Head Coach Tom Thibodeau as the starting shooting guard for the Chicago Bulls. He will start in the backcourt with Derrick Rose, who will return for the Chicago Bulls preseason games in his first NBA start following rehab from ACL surgery.

New Chicago Starting SG Jimmy Butler wants Bulls to be the ones to stop the Miami Heat from getting another NBA Championship.
Butler earned the right to start after putting in consistently strong performances while filling in for injured teammates throughout the year, however it was during the playoffs that "Jimmy Buckets" really shined.

While filling in for the injured Luol Deng at small forward, Butler raised his averages to 11.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.0 APG, and 1.0 SPG while averaging 38.4 min/game.

But the clincher was Butler's head to head play vs. Lebron James and his string of strong games vs. the Miami Heat. In the second round playoff series, the Bulls guard/forward's staunch defense held LeBron to his lowest averages for any playoff round, and Butler elevated his own game to average 15.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.2 APG, and 1.6 SPG while playing 44.2 min/game.

With Butler in the starting lineup and DRose back, the Chicago Bulls put a formidable defensive and explosive offensive lineup on the floor for the tip-off.

Most Chicago Bulls fans are excited about Butler's development and are looking forward to seeing what he will do as the Bulls new starting 2-guard.

Nate Robinson Gets Signed

After a season and postseason full of memories, in which Nate Robinson endeared himself to Chicago Bulls fans with gutsy performances and an instant classic playoff performance for the ages in a triple-OT win vs. the Brooklyn Nets, hopes of the Bulls possibly resigning the 5' 9" point guard were dashed when the Denver Nuggets sign Robinson to a 2-year, $4.03 million deal.

Nate Robinson's single season with the Chicago Bulls was full of memories and classic moments.
As a Chicago Bulls fan, there are a few moments in Bulls history that I will always remember, and the fourth quarter comeback in the first round playoff series vs. Brooklyn when Robinson poured in 23 points in the quarter is one of these moments, along with the huge block he had on Lebron James in the second round of the playoffs.

What is your favorite Nate Robinson Chicago Bulls moment of last season? Tell us in the comments below!