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Reactions
Bulls fans remember the heartbreakersCNNSI.com looked at a few of the transactions that made Bulls fans shout, "Say It Ain't So." Then we opened the mailbag and let users vent on those and other dirty deals from over the years. Here is a sampling of your reactions:
Taking David Greenwood instead of Sidney Moncrief in '79, Sidney Green instead of Clyde Drexler in '83, Keith Lee instead of a little known player named Karl Malone in '85, Will Perdue instead of Rod Strickland in '88, Stacey King instead of your choice: Nick Anderson, Mookie Blaylock, Tim Hardaway,or Shawn Kemp ... and then after their choice of >B. J. Armstrong, they took Jeff Sanders instead of Vlade Divac, Cliff Robinson, or Dino Radja in '89. Byron Houston instead of P. J. Brown in '92, Corie Blount instead of Nick Van Exel in '93, Dickey Simpkins instead of Voshon Lenard in '94, Jason Caffey instead of Michael Finley in '95, Travis Knight (who they didn't even sign) instead of Othella Harrington in '96, Keith Booth instead of Marc Jackson or Alvin Williams in '97, and Corey Benjamin instead of Cuttino Mobley, Rashard Lewis, Ruben Patterson, Shammond Williams, or Nazr Mohammed in '98.
You judge them but I don't think that's very good drafting for the Bulls.
One of the worst all time moves involving the Bulls has to be when they let Horace Grant (their only rebounding force) sign with one of their main Eastern Conference rivals, the Magic, in the 1994 offseason. Not only did they not re-sign him, they announced that they had no intention of re-signing him, and they drove one of the most popular Bulls out of town.
What really makes this an all-time horrible move is what happened in the 1995 playoffs. Shaq, Penny and Horace led the Magic to a playoff series win over the Bulls (even Michael couldn't make up for their lack of rebounding), clinching the series in Chicago. Horace went to the finals that year, and the Bulls went packing in the second round. I am still haunted by the sight of Horace celebrating with his Magic teammates on the floor of the United Center.
I used to root for the Bulls during their title years, and two of my faves were Dennis Rodman and Toni Kukoc. When both left, the Bulls got next to nothing for them. The Warriors easily got the best of the Kukoc trade, and the Bulls were ripped. I can try rooting for the Bulls again, but it'll be hard without these two.
Even though we had six championships the draft has been unkind to the Bulls. In 1989 the Bulls passed on Tim Hardaway. 1993 they passed on Nick Van Exel. Also the Bulls passed on Michael Finley, Wesley Pearson, and Morris Peterson.
What about drafting Jason Caffey one spot before Michael Finley was drafted? Or how about the entire summer of '00 when every free agent imaginable burned the Bulls? C'mon, that was far more important than losing Jerry Sloan or Reggie Theus, because we soon had Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan instead.
I remember when the Chicago Bulls GM wouldn't re-sign Jordan, Jackson and Pippen and made the biggest mistake of his career. Not only did he break basketball fans hearts across the country, he turned the greatest basketball dynasty ever into the laughing stock of the NBA. I don't know what he was thinking then, but I know he regrets it now. How much money do you think the Bulls organization made in the past few seasons.
The break-up of the 6-time champion Chicago Bulls after Michael Jordan's retirement not only ripped out the hearts of all Bulls fans, but also the entire league. Instead of allowing Scottie Pippen and Co. to defend their title, the Jerry's decided to "rebuild" by firing a Hall of Fame coach, dumping a top-50 of all-time player, and anyone else who helped build a dynasty. The Bulls' 7-42 record is proof that there is karma in the universe.
The deal that broke my heart was actually a non-deal: when the Bulls refused to renegotiate with < Scottie Pippen, refused to re-sign Phil Jackson, and inexorably ground down one of the most exciting teams ever. Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, Harper, Kukoc, and any other seven guys could have at least made a run at a few more titles (and what if they were able to add a good big man?). Who doesn't think that the Bulls wouldn't have made it to the Finals in '99 and probably 2000? And probably 2001? Five smart guys that could all handle the ball, run the floor, and play bad-ass defense (o.k. not Toni)? But Mr. Insecurity (Jerry Krause, of course) wanted to prove that he was responsible for the dynasty, and now NOBODY wants to play in Chicago. Do you blame them?
The destruction of the dynasty. Jerry Krause's series of ego-booster trades that destroyed the Bulls and any shred of credibility he had as a general manager. He wanted to win without Michael Jordan, and he has - 30 times in three years.
The deal that broke my heart was when the bulls traded Toni Kukoc and got -- not Larry Hughes -- but the player Bulls fans hate the most ... John Starks!! Not to mention then trading their #7 pick Chris Mihm for Jamaal Crawford. Jerry Krause ... we love you!
I can still remember when the terrible heartache when Bulls traded away Pippen to Houston. It was the first time I cried in many years. I still feel pain when I watch Portland. I will never forgive Bulls Management for that.
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