C.J. Watson: Chicago’s new backup point guard

It appears the Bulls have their backup point guard.

According to ESPNChicago.com’s Nick Friedell: “Multiple media outlets are reporting that the Bulls have completed a sign and trade with the Warriors that would send [C.J.] Watson to the Bulls for a second-round pick. The organization still has to tie up some loose ends before officially announcing the deal, but if it goes down, Watson would fill one of the last remaining holes on the roster as the backup point guard.”

Last season, Watson averaged 10.3 PPG nd 2.8 APG in a backup role for the Warriors. Of course, it’s hard to determine exactly what the raw numbers mean, since Golden State is like the Lost island. Nothing that happens there makes any sense to the outside world.

In terms of skill sets, Watson is more shooter/scorer than playmaker. If you check out Watson’s 2009-10 game log, you’ll notice there were 33 games in which he scored in double figures…and exactly zero games in which he had 10 or more assists. His Per 36 Minute assist average was only 3.6. And those numbers were the product of a system that tends to pad a player’s stats.

Before last season, this is what ESPN’s John Hollinger had to say about Watson: “[Watson] didn’t create shots for others, landing 57th (out of 69) in assist ratio (21.8). As such, he’s much more of a catch-and-shoot, off-the-ball point guard than a pure playmaker — a triangle offense point guard, basically.”

Too bad the Bulls won’t be running the triangle.

Still, after the Magic matched Chicago’s offer sheet on J.J. Redick, the Bulls needed more outside shooting. Watson can provide that. In 2008-09, Watson drilled 40 percent of his three-pointers. In 2009-10, his three-point percentage dropped to 31. But clearly, he can hit them. Hopefully, he’ll get plenty of clean looks in Chicago.

Although he doesn’t get to the hoop a lot, Watson convertd 67.5 percent of his shots at the rim last season. He also hit 52.9 percent of his shots from 10-15 feet and 46 percent of his shots from 16-23 feet. It was the second straight season C.J. knocked down 46 percent of his long twos.

Watson will run Tom Thibodeaus’ offense, but don’t expect him to be Chris Paul off the bench. However, you probably can expect him to be the spark plug that Jannero Pargo wasn’t. Watson has certainly had some hot streaks during his short career. He finished the 2008-09 season with seven consecutive double-figure scoring games, including a 38-point night against the Jazz.

Last December, he had a streak of nine out of 10 games in double figures (18, 14, 12, 17, 10, 18, 9, 13, 10, 11). Then between February 10 and March 11, he went off for double figures in 12 out of 13 games (11, 20, 40, 22, 15, 20, 17, 20, 18, 20, 9, 12, 12).

Clearly, the kid can light it up. Can he do it consistently off he bench outside of Don Nelson’s run-and-gun-and-play-no-defense system? That remains to be seen. But Watson is a young player (26) that was saved from Warrior Hell and can hopefully be developed by some savvy coaching from Thibodeau.

Bonus video:
Here are highlights from the 40-point bomb he dropped on the Sacramento Kings last season. I’m not sure what to make of this game, since most of his points seemed to come on fast breaks, isos and one-on-one dribble drives. It was a real Golden State Special. Watson didn’t score much out of a set offense, and he was definitely looking at the rim instead of searching for open teammates (although he did finish with six assists).

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38 Responses to C.J. Watson: Chicago’s new backup point guard

  1. Treydog July 20, 2010 at 1:38 pm #

    Good news! Bulls needed a decent back up point gaurd. In recent reports, Bulls were also interested in Josh Howard, Rasual Butler, Tracy McGrady, and Kurt Thomas. Personally, I checked out Josh Howard’s website and the guy has matured. He’s a father now and seems that all he wants to do now is come back and contribute in a positive way to any team that wants him, even if its re-signing with Washington. Josh has started at shooting gaurd w/ Mavs and when he’s on his game he’s an all-star with a good mid-range shot, decent 3pt shot, decent defense, and goes aggressive to the rim in the half court and fast break. Josh may not be ready at the beginning of the season, but he might be worth the gamble.

  2. sitnah77@gmail.com'
    Drew July 20, 2010 at 1:52 pm #

    This post seems a little negative for a backup PG who was nabbed in a steal of a trade and is getting paid a very reasonable contract (remember Duhon, who is an inferior player, is getting a 4-year deal).

    Yeah, CJ’s a shoot-first point guard with lackluster assist numbers. But his turnover rate is low, and he is actually a very efficient scorer— he averaged about the same PPG as Hinrich last season, but on far fewer attempts. Moreover, CJ’s got the reputation as an active defender, and he has a high steal rate to back that up (again, better than Hinrich’s last season, and in less minutes per game).

    Anyway, I’m not saying he is as good as Kirk. But I think there is evidence that his scoring is not the result of a high-volume, low-efficiency Warriors style; and that there is evidence he cares about D.

    One other thing is that Watson’s scorer mentality and 3-pt range will mean that he can probably spend a little time at the 2-guard. If we can get another shooter as our ordinary backup shooting guard, we should have a pretty decent stable of floor-spreading shooters.

    So, in sum, I like this move. It was creative, inexpensive (both in what we gave up and what we’ll pay), and has the potential to help fill more than one need.

  3. jazzy j July 20, 2010 at 2:25 pm #

    Ilike this watson move i think in pactice with Rose
    the true type of player their getting and the fans will love this young man.We got a steal.

  4. mikemayer3@hotmail.com'
    thirdsaint July 20, 2010 at 2:34 pm #

    I really like this move considering the contract and what the Bulls had to give up. Watson will be 10x better than Pargo ever was and he’s young. Some may say his defense is horrible man-to-man but whose isn’t on that Nellie team? In Thibs I trust, and he must’ve seen potential there. Watson will be a spark off the bench.

    You’re definitely right about not being able to read too much into a Warrior’s stats, haha. And while he may not have high assist numbers you have to keep in mind that Nellie didn’t use him as a PG as much. In the games he did start he accumulated a lot of assists including a 12 assist game the previous year. I think he can easily distribute the ball when asked to. He just wasn’t asked all that much and was told to shoot and score.

  5. ben.nielson@ubs.com'
    BennettBrauer July 20, 2010 at 3:02 pm #

    Good move, the Bulls need someone to come of the bench with some hot sauce. Now how about trading some combination of 1st round picks and James Johnson to Memphis for Xavier Henry (who they are jerking around in a pointless rookie contract game).

  6. doubleaccord@gmail.com'
    Tony C. July 20, 2010 at 3:13 pm #

    This was a very good signing. The Bulls are going to be an extremely athletic, excellent rebounding, and outstanding defensive team. If Thibodeau is fulfills his potential as a head coach, I would fully expect the Bulls to overachieve.

  7. gobulls76@hotmail.com'
    mike July 20, 2010 at 3:17 pm #

    i agree tony i like this move by the bulls.

  8. mikemayer3@hotmail.com'
    thirdsaint July 20, 2010 at 3:39 pm #

    Definitely one of the under-the-radar moves of the offseason. I love how the Heat are mostly getting all these washed up players for less and the Bulls are getting these steals. The more this offseason plays out the more I like our chances of getting a higher seed. The division is all but a lock barring health.

  9. bullsbythehorns@gmail.com'
    Matt McHale July 20, 2010 at 3:50 pm #

    “This post seems a little negative for a backup PG who was nabbed in a steal of a trade and is getting paid a very reasonable contract (remember Duhon, who is an inferior player, is getting a 4-year deal).”

    I wasn’t trying to be negative. I like Watson’s shooting and explosive scoring potential. But I always worry about an offense stalling when the primary playmaker is off the floor, especially if the backup doesn’t have a semi-proficient floor game.

    However, I readily concede that Watson was a real bargain, at $6.5 million for two years with a non-guaranteed third year.

  10. ben.nielson@ubs.com'
    BennettBrauer July 20, 2010 at 3:58 pm #

    From lebasketbawl.com after Watson declined a 3-yr $5.4 mm contract to take 1 yr at $1 mm and the shot at a free agency haul in summer 2010:

    Watson told the “San Francisco Chronicle” that he was willing to roll the dice and take the one year deal over the security of the three year pact. The guard said “I realize it’s a gamble. I took a chance and I have confidence in my abilities. Everybody knows that coach Don Nelson plays with different lineups and can put anybody out there at any time. I think I’ll have chances to go out there and perform. … I have big goals and aspirations. Some might say they are far-fetched, but I believe I can play. … I think I can do better than I did last year with the minutes I’m going to see. … It wasn’t easy to turn down the Warriors’ deal, but it’s the route I have chosen. I can’t second-guess myself.”

    Gotta love his confidence in his game, this from a kid who started his career in the D-League. I’m glad he got paid by the Bulls, and I am willing to bet that he is the type who appreciates his shot at a pro career and won’t let up on the throttle just because he has a shiny new contract.

  11. rparkertransport@yahoo.com'
    Rob Low July 20, 2010 at 4:05 pm #

    I agree this is a GREAT MOVE by the BULLS! We needed that type of back up PG to help ROSE. The BULLS will be in the Hunt for the FINALS next season!!!!!!!!

  12. Mahmoud July 20, 2010 at 4:07 pm #

    As a side note, can someone explain to me why we need front court depth? I’m looking at the depth chart at forward and center and:

    PF Boozer — Gibson
    C Noah — Asik

    Taj is a great player, so he needs his minutes, and all I’ve been hearing about the last few years is how Omir Asik is some sort of saviour at the center position. Now he’s not even good enough to be a backup? Not to mention Lu can come down and play the four as well. Isn’t getting a backup shooting guard just slightly more important at this point? At guard we’re at:

    PG Rose — Watson
    SG Brewer

    And that’s it. Unless Lu or JJ is gonna play the two more (which I actually think is a good idea for Lu), we need a backup shooting gaurd more than anything, or hell, even a starting shooting gaurd, considering the Josh Howard is available. Also, for all the people hating on T-Mac, I think if his price goes down low enough, considering he’s from Chicago and trains in Chicago, he might just choose the Bulls over everyone else for comfort, and we could get him for the Vet minimum, at which point we would have to jump on that contract, no?

    Sorry about the long post, I’m mostly just confused about people saying that we need frontcourt depth.

  13. loslobosworld@yahoo.com'
    LOBOS July 20, 2010 at 4:54 pm #

    The best PG left in free agency. He’s young, cheap and most importantly a scorer. What people seem to forget is that defense has never really been the Bulls problem but keeping up offensively and blowing good teams out is rare.

    The Bulls should take a look at T. McGrady and see if he has had any progress from his injuries.
    J. Howard & Shannon Brown would be my next choices, but since we have already signed Brewer I think we should go after the best player available no matter the position.

    We have the best TEAM in the east on paper.

    Of course Miami has the best backcourt in the league but we have the best frontcourt in the league with exception to the Lakers who has the best scoring frontcourt in the league.

    The division is all but guaranteed and we will be fighting for the eastern conference with a shot at winning it all.

  14. joe.sez@gmail.com'
    joe July 20, 2010 at 4:54 pm #

    Warriors ain’t the Bulls – the stats are misleading.

    CJ Watson played for a shoot first team that since the “We believe” run with Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson and Mat Barnes, has **serious** problems moving and sharing the ball.

    W’s also have two top tier, undersized hybrid guards (7th pick Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis (11M/yr)) so Watson’s departure isn’t surprising.

    The sign a trade surpsied me. It NOT necessary. W’s were NOT going to match any offer over 2M.

    Why do it? Probably b/c Bulls see few choices, want to nab Watson ASAP and not tie up cap space for a week and/or risk the W’s matching and pulling off a sign and trade to another team.

    It’s a sign, the W’s latest lame duck GM is half way competent.

    Watson’s a good guy, smart and hard working. He started ~15 games for the erratic Don Nelson.

    Bulls will get more out of him than Don Nelson’s W’s.

  15. robin.poore@gmail.com'
    t-rob July 20, 2010 at 6:20 pm #

    i’m a Warriors fan posting on this site.

    you guys got a STEAL.
    He is an efficient scorer, his nickname was “Clutch Jumper” for CJ. Not afraid of taking and hitting big shots.
    Smart defender, on the ball and off. understands defensive schemes.
    Knows what his strengths and weaknesses are and doesn’t try to do more than he should, low turnovers, doesn’t take bad shots.
    Total team player and just an all around good guy who just goes out and does his job and doesn’t pound his chest for just doing his job.
    going to miss him out here.

  16. usmcroc22@msn.com'
    rocky July 20, 2010 at 6:37 pm #

    To be honest I really don’t see the risk in signing Tracy McGrady to come off the bench. I think that could be a good signing. I think we could get a 3rd center and power forward from the summer league.

    C-Joakim Noah-sub-Omer Asik, *Trent Plaisted
    PF-Carlos Boozer-sub-Taj Gibson, *Samardo Samuels
    SF-Luol Deng-sub-Kyle Korver, James Johnson
    SG-Ronnie Brewer-sub-Tracy McGrady,*Morris Almond
    PG-Derrick Rose-sub-C.J. Watson, *Jon Lucas III

  17. FElipeagarcia87@hotmail.com'
    dJ July 20, 2010 at 6:52 pm #

    I agree with Drew, this post does seem to be more negative then positive on C.J Watson skills Matt McHale. Basically you are saying: the kid can shoot and that about it. You are also forgetting the kid can play defense and control the basketball with less turn overs. Plus he never played with a good PG player like: D. Rose that can teach him how to become a better passer, since he is still young.

  18. bullsbythehorns@gmail.com'
    Matt McHale July 20, 2010 at 7:04 pm #

    “I agree with Drew, this post does seem to be more negative then positive on C.J Watson skills Matt McHale. Basically you are saying: the kid can shoot and that about it. You are also forgetting the kid can play defense and control the basketball with less turn overs. Plus he never played with a good PG player like: D. Rose that can teach him how to become a better passer, since he is still young.”

    I’m not trying to be negative, only voicing concerns. I’m pretty optimistic about the kid and I think the Bulls got a good bargain. Frankly, I haven’t watched him enough to comment with decisiveness on his defense. His career D-Rating is 113 points given up per 100 possessions, which isn’t good. I read a handful of scouting reports that say he doesn’t have the speed and footwork to stay in front of fast PGs nor the size to check two guards. Plus he’s got the Golden State taint on him, which means we probably don’t know what he can really be, offensively or defensively.

    That said, I think he’s in a great situation to fulfill his potential. I have a really good feeling about Thibodeau as a coach. I think he’s going to really develop these Bulls, especially the young guys.

    If I seem bummed, I might have a Miller-to-the-Rockets hangover.

  19. chad July 20, 2010 at 7:10 pm #

    who is cj watson, thought we were getting earl watson, there’s gotta be a better point guard out there, losing another draft pick, watson wasnt even drafted, cant we draft a good player instead of trading all of our draft picks. looks like we got another flip murray, hope flip is gone. rasual butler sounds better. rocky, acie law is better than some of the guys you mentioned.

  20. desertman7781@yahoo.com'
    Graham July 20, 2010 at 7:27 pm #

    Here is the Bulls lineup to date

    C – Noah, Asik
    PF – Boozer, Gibson
    SF – Deng, Johnson, Korver
    SG – Brewer, Korver
    PG – Rose, Watson

    We need to get one more big body. Asik, as much as it sounds like he has potential, is young and leaves Noah, a guy who had plantar fasciitis, sorta on his own to control the glass and do the dirty work. If we sign another 6’11” to 7’0″ big man, the bulls are going to be one of the East’s elite, and able to matchup well with other eastern Foes.

    Orlando Match-up

    C – Dwight Howard/Gortat v. Noah/Asik – Edge Orlando but good matchups
    PF – Lewis, Anderson, Bass v. Boozer, Gibson, JJ – Big edge Chicago in toughness, rebounding and options for guarding shooters
    SF – Pietrus, Richardson v. Deng, JJ, Korver – Big edge chicago in size, and length, and Korver is the best 3-ball shooter in the league
    SG – Carter, Pietrus v. Brewer, maybe Watson – Edge Orlando, but Brewer is huge, great defender and active on offense
    PG – Nelson v. Rose, Watson – No contest!

    * Edge Bulls 3/5

    Boston Matchup
    C – O’neal, Perkins v. Noah, Asik – I think that this is edge Chicago, we’ll see how Perkins comes back
    PF – Garnett, Big Baby v. Boozer, Gibson – Edge Chicago, Boozer is the best player at this stage
    SF – Pierce, Gaffney v. Deng, JJ, Korver – I think this is a draw, Pierce doesn’t have much left and Lu could be a great 3rd option on the Bulls
    SG – Ray Allen, Bradley v. Brewer, Watson – Edge Boston, but Brewer can defend and will make ray ray chase him.
    PG – Rondo, Robinson v. Rose, Watson – Edge Bulls, Rose is too dynamic and Watson is the better bench player

    * Edge Bulls 3/5

    Miami Heat Matchup
    C- Big Z, Anthony, Haslem v. Noah, Asik – Edge Bulls, you are old and slow
    PF – Bosh, Haslem v. Boozer, Gibson, JJ – Edge Bulls, more toughness and team players who know their roles
    SF – Le ‘quit’ James, T-mac?, mike miller v. deng, jj, korver – Edge miami, duh
    SG – Wade, miller v. Brewer, Watson – Edge Miami, duh, but Brewer is a tough physical defender you could stick on James or Wade
    PG – Arroya, Chalmers (A.I.? J-Will?) v. Rose, Watson – Yeah right Miami, forget about it.

    * Edge Bulls 3/5

    if we can defend and win our matchups, I think its pretty clear we are going to compete with anyone

  21. turk3665@yahoo.com'
    Jack Dunkulous July 20, 2010 at 9:52 pm #

    After letting Morrow go I think Golden State would have matched and then either kept him or traded him. CJ would have given them 4 guards.

    This is a great move by the Bulls. I got to watch him play a four games this year, he had double figures in all of them. Good hands on D too. His game reminds me of a Jason Terry.

  22. contrerasadvocates@yahoo.com'
    Savage July 20, 2010 at 9:53 pm #

    I am sorry but being disappointed with the affordable signing of a young talented PG that can score and play great defense makes no sense to me. I am very happy with the signing and pretty much all the talent the Bulls have brought in for very reasonable price tags. Great job to the front office it has been years since I have really praised the front office but I have to give credit where it is due. They have done and awesome job so far this off-season. Can’t wait to watch the Bulls be a real force to recon with again!!!!

  23. spam6239@gmail.com'
    Biff July 20, 2010 at 10:01 pm #

    Ambidextrous-good speed-good shot.What’s not to like? Still would like to see the Bulls add Lucas III to the mix, but another tall young talented player-gotta luv it.

  24. turk3665@yahoo.com'
    Jack Dunkulous July 20, 2010 at 10:01 pm #

    @ Graham.

    Nice post. I started to break it down like that this morning and bailed out because of all the typing. But I see it the exact same way right down the line.

    The X Factor I believe is Coach T. He is the guy getting the credit for the defensive schemes Boston has been throwing at teams making their life misearable. If the Bulls buy into his system they can make life misearable for any team in a 7 game series.

  25. FElipeagarcia87@hotmail.com'
    dJ July 20, 2010 at 10:24 pm #

    Hey Graham, K. Korver is more of a SG then a SF my friend. So it’s K. Korver, R. Brewer and maybe C.J. Watson are SG.

  26. johnsom4@sutterhealth.org'
    Marko July 21, 2010 at 12:37 am #

    As a Dubs follower since Philly, I’ve watched CJW for several years.

    CJ was a decent player and popular at Tennessee but didn’t get a look in the draft. Not sure if it was Nelson, Mullin, Riley, or Moncrief who latched onto the kid as a backup for Baron Davis after Troy Hudson went bust. He stole Marco Bellineli’s minutes…

    With no Baron, he went from 400 minutes in 2007/8 to 1900 in 2008/9, improved A/TO from 1.9 to 2.2. Last year he played 1800 minutes (had an arm injury) even with Curry coming along. A/TO was 2.6.

    CJ has put in floor-time with Corey Maggette, Steven Jackson, Monta Ellis, and Al Harrington (not to mention Baron), all of whom take most of the shots. He played with other PGs as well as point-forwards. He also was routinely the PG for the bench group (and over the last year was often the “vet” Nelson put out with the kids.

    CJ is not a strong defender (plays for a steal instead of a stop – but that’s the W’s). He makes his share of bonehead mistakes, but usually from trying to DO something instead of standing around.

    Anthony Randolph, Stephan Curry, Reggie Williams, Chris Hunter, and Rob Kurz all acknowledge that CJW’s personal friendship and support was important to them in their time on the Warriors. Anthony Morrow depended on CJ to drive him to practices/games and even to do his shopping and laundry!

    The guy has demonstrated a good work-ethic, versatility of mindset and style, and makes a positive contribution to team chemistry. He’ll never be a star – but you folks in Chi are getting a good ‘un.

    Luck to you and to CJ

  27. inkybreath@gmail.com'
    inkybreath July 21, 2010 at 1:44 am #

    >>Graham…

    Too funny, as I was reading, just before your post, I thought, “I want to see a breakdown, team by team …” … scroll … aha! A breakdown!

    Bulls fans – Pray to whatever deity you appreciate for Noah’s feet to last all year.

  28. jazzy j July 21, 2010 at 3:01 am #

    I would like us to pick up LucasIII,and trade for Marc
    Gusol.JJ and picks.what do you all think?

  29. mrmpmaxwell@gmail.com'
    IronTek July 21, 2010 at 3:01 am #

    Outside of the NFL, all of the professional leagues media “experts” are all idiots. Every media guy who covers the NBA can’t stop talking about Miami in the East, but it seems the fans are brighter than the “experts”.

    I have not heard a single expert break down the East in any intelligent fashion. All I hear is “the Heat are the favorites”. Whoa, hold ON!!!

    How is Miami going to win with ONLY 2 athletic players & Bosh (who is not as effective against quality big men, ummmm like Boozer). Look at the rest of their roster and it is pure garbage. Juwan Howard, Haslem, Joel Anthony, Jamaal Magloire, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and rookie Dexter Pittman. At guards and on the wing, Miami has Mike Miller, Mario Chalmers and James Jones with Carlos Arroyo on the way. I’m sorry but this is the least athletic and slowest team in the league. They will be good in the regular season, but the end of the reg. season on the playoffs will be rough for this group.

    The Bulls front office deserves major kudos. It seems they already had a plan for the scenario of not getting the Miami dud trio. The Bulls just decided that they would be the most athletic team in the NBA and will run teams ragged. Who is more athletic than the Bulls with Noah, Boozer, Brewer, Watson & Rose with Deng & Korver as your stiffs? Teams will hate to play the Bulls and check the video files of CJ Watson, the kat is mad athletic and can push the ball just as hard as D. Rose when Rose is resting, so no easy nights for opposing PGs and lot’s of foul trouble for opposing teams bigs as those two blow by the perimeter D.

    Being an elite rebounding team already, with the prospect of being an elite defensive team (Coach Thib), could spark a serious open court game that puts the kind of pressure on opponents that could lead to a Finals appearrance… in 2010-11, no waiting period…

  30. rhettss@gmail.com'
    1c1cle July 21, 2010 at 3:42 am #

    I agree, a good move.

    Yet, taking off my fan-goggles, the 8 man rotation is weak. There is no proven big man on the bench- no, Gibson is not a proven solution if this team has high sights. Also, I’m setting up to be disappointed in Deng and Brewer as the Bulls’ mid range weapons.

    Most of the day, I’m left wondering if Hinrich should’ve stayed… I suppose his 9 mil wasn’t worth it.

  31. inkybreath@gmail.com'
    inkybreath July 21, 2010 at 3:58 am #

    Just to put a nail in it.

    Jannero Pargo last year – FG% 0.346 & 3pt% 0.275. And, he didn’t look good doing it.

    All hail CJ Watson… ahem.

  32. woodstron@yahoo.com'
    Tmoney July 21, 2010 at 4:22 am #

    Good signing, but we still need another (veteran) big as Im not sold on Omar. Also, I we need a 2guard that can shoot and pass… hopefully a spot starter since I think these are our weakest position. Noah is really good, but does tend to get in foul trouble. Brewer is more of a defensive player and we can use a big scoring guard off the bench. Curious of what the teams thinks of James Johnson… but Kurt Thomas definitely comes to mind. If not, a health etan thomas. If TMac is willing to be a spot starter and accept less minutes, with a cheap contract he’s be perfect fit. If not, maybe Mike Finley can fill the shooter role for 10 mins a game.

  33. FElipeagarcia87@hotmail.com'
    dJ July 21, 2010 at 5:04 am #

    @ Tmoney,

    What are you talking about that the Bulls are weak on their SG position? did we or did we not sign: Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver to handle that position? Remember, Kyle Korver will comes in for offense and Ronnie Brewer come in for defense its a prefect rotation. Plus, they both played the SG position in Utah already, so this is nothing new to them.

    What the Bulls need to focus on getting right now is another PF-C type of guy like: Kurt Thomas, Etan thomas, Kwame Brown, Kurt Thomas, Steven Hunter, Nazr Mohammed or Josh Boone, since they are weak in that position right now. Me personally I don’t trust Omer Asik as a backup Center guy behind J. Noah.

    Then we can add our summer league players to complete our 13 man roster like: G-F: Morris Almond and PG: John Lucas III.

    If the Bulls make these last moves, that I mention, I think we will have one of the best rosters in the NBA. =)

  34. Joe.sez@gmail.com'
    Joe July 21, 2010 at 6:13 am #

    Matt;

    CJ’s Stats on D are difficult to extrapolate. Watson played for Don Nelson’s horrible Warriors. Nelson has no rotation, guys struggle under his erratic coaching.

    Consensus is CJ is not a defensive stopper BUT he’s figured how to defend the passing lanes.

    There were some games where CJ carried the O for the Ws. He’s figured how to drive to the basket and I can see him playing along side Rose in an uptempo game.

    He’s far better than Hunter and better than Pargo.

    How he will perform under Coach Tom is an unknown — let’s find out.

  35. TexasBearsFan July 21, 2010 at 3:20 pm #

    1c1cle—->I don’t understand why everyone assumes Deng is trash. I mean, why are you “ready to be disappointed”? I mean, heck, all the guy did last year was play 70 games and put up nearly 18 and 7 a night. While shooting 46% from the field and almost 39 percent from downtown. He’s able to play decent if unspectacular defense without fouling a bunch.

    I think the reason everyone’s been so upset with him is that we all expected, after his brilliant 06-07 season, that he’d step into the role of superstar here in Chicago. When he didn’t or couldn’t, we figured he was junk.

    Is he ever going to be “the man”? No, he isn’t. However, right now, we don’t need him to be. We’ve got Rose and Boozer as our primary threats. Deng, as the #3 option on the starting 5 is pretty solid. Make no mistake, this kid can play. He showed signs of being healthier again last season, and I think he can do great things as a top-notch role-player around Boozer and Rose.

  36. bob.edwards47@yahoo.com'
    BoppinBob July 21, 2010 at 4:14 pm #

    CJ Watson is being brought in to back up D Rose as the Bulls PG. That means he is replacing Pargo. I do not care how you look at it, that is definitely an up-grade. Now Brewer appears to be Hinrich’s replacement. Capt. Kirk shot .409 (308 of 753) overall and .371 (104 of 280) from 3pt range and made 85 of 113 FT. Hinrich also averaged 3.5 Rbds, 1.15 Stls and 4.5 Assts. Ronnie Brewer shot .487 (209 of 409) overall and .258 (8 of 31) from 3pt range, he made 85 of 133 FT. Brewer averaged 3.2 Rbds, 1.57 Stls and 2.7 Assts. Brewer is more of a slasher than Hinrich and if Rose has improved his 3pt shooting a bit Brewer will give Rose a solid option to set up the mid-range jumper to 3pt shot. With Korver coming off the bench as the 3pt specialist after shooting .536 from 3pt range last season Rose will have another whole set of options. There was no one on the Bulls last season after Salmons was traded that filled this role. Let’s not forget that Deng shot .386 from 3pt range last season. I think the Bulls guard rotation has drastically improved over last year.

    It will be interesting to see what the Bulls do with James Johnson. He definitely could develop into a viable backup for Deng, but so could Gibson. Maybe he gets moved down in the rotation and becomes the 5th guard. Or better yet, goes down to the D-league and plays as a SG. That would mean that the Bulls would have to find 2 more forwards and 1 or 2 centers. I do not anticipate that Asik will be a major contributor until he radically improves his foul shooting. The Bulls will be looking at “Hachomer Defense” any time he is in the game due to his less than 30% FT shooting in Europe this past season.

  37. korversdaman July 22, 2010 at 3:26 am #

    I love this sisgning i think he can do good things while givin Derrick ROse much needed blows.. Now we need A Big Man because i dont trust Omar Asik this soon and Joakim gets iin foul trouble so Nazr Mohammend Kurt Thomas.. then we need one more Shooter so maybe just a summer league guy or a washed up guy like dar i say Adam Morrison or Tracy McGrady(only if he takes a minimum)… other options include SHannon Brown, Rashaad McCants or if he takes little and understands ure not the star ure here to shoot and play 10 mins.. Allen Iverson… In the perfect worl we got… PG:Rose Watson….SG: Brewer, T-Mac, Korver….. SF: Deng, JJ, Korver PF: boozer and gibson(best combo in the east) C: Noah Asik THomas… then like a John Lucas to round out the roster and we have a team that can Beat THe HEat and contend with the magic

  38. Steve July 22, 2010 at 1:59 pm #

    @gRaham….love the analysis, except it is a tad too optimistice. Nate robinson and watson matchup is a push, or MAYBE Edge RObinson. ROndo and rose is almost a push also (depending how their jumpers have developed) due to rondo’s rebounding and steals I think he still he has SLIGHT edge there (but for some reason i still think rose WILL be better). Also the PF matchup with the heat is a push (or trending toward the heat) because lets say Bosh and Boozer cancel out…Haslem is underrated (and is all about toughness) and would get the veteran advantage over Gibson because he is still athletic, thats definitely a push. Other than that…I think everyone would agree that the Bulls would have the matchup advantage over most teams.

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