K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune writes that the Bulls are “close” to signing free agent shooting guard Marco Belinelli.
Last season, Belinelli played for the New Orleans Hornets, averaging 11.8 PPG (on 10.4 shots per game) while shooting 41.7 percent from the field and compiling a Player Efficiency Rating of 12.0.
Here are some bullets on Belinelli courtesy of ESPN’s John Hollinger:
+ Sweet-shooting, trigger-happy wingman. Rarely attacks rim or draws fouls.
+ Good ball handler for size but lacks explosiveness and doesn’t see court well.
+ Mediocre defender. Decent size and mobility, but lacks strength, leaping ability.
According to Hoopdata, here’s how Marco’s shooting locations / percentages broke down last season:
At the rim:
1.8 attempts / 60%
3-9 feet:
0.5 attempts / 41.2%
10-15 feet:
0.5 attempts / 27.8%
16-23 feet:
3.3 attempts / 39.0%
Threes:
4.3 attempts / 37.7%
So Belinelli would be shooting mostly from the outside and doing little else.
If this and other projected signings go through, the Bench Mob will have undergone a radical makeover:
2011-12 Bench Mob:
C.J. Watson
Jimmy Butler
John Lucas III
Omer Asik
Ronnie Brewer
Taj Gibson
2012-13 Projected Bench Mob:
Jimmy Butler
Kirk Hinrich
Marco Belinelli
Marquis Teague
Nazr Mohammed
Taj Gibson
Vladimir Radmanovic
I think Radmonovic was a bad signing. Mohammed is also not a good defender. Otherwise I think they’ll be just as good. I think Butler, Hinrich and Gibson will get the lion’s share and will be better overall than CJ, Brewer and John Lucas.
The bench mob is over a new nickname for the bench will be dubbed
You left off the most important member of the Bench Mob from last year…. SCAL!
At the beginning of the season Hinrich will be the probable starter. When/if DRose comes back Hinrich becomes the back-up PG and possibly the back-up SG. Let’s not forget how well the Bulls performed with DRose and Hinrich as the starting guards in DRose’s rookie season. I think you may see Thomas on the Bulls roster.
Which Thomas?
MalcomThomas
Well one of the members of that new bench mob will have to start at PG. At least for a while. Probably Captain Kirk.
If Rose is coming back in March (as reported), then it’s going to be one boringgggg season next year.
Okay, the bench. I honestly think the new bench isn’t going to be that bad.
Kirk hands down is better than CJ as an overall player,
Jimmy at the least matches Brewer as an offensive player and maybe a little less on the defensive side,
Marco isn’t a better shooter than Kyle but in all areas wouldn’t you say Marco is better than Kyle?
Vlad and Nazr isn’t great, and I love Asik, but Vlad is decent on the defensive and can shoot the three, and Nazr.. No comment.
Still have taj,
Overall I don’t mind this bench, just the chemistry is an unknown. Just my opinion of the bench, the defense is going to be there no matter what, thibs will make sure of it.
Gotta agree with J.
The main uncertainty was Asik’s upside (probably very limited anyway) vs. Vlad and Nazr’s low talent level.
Butler is not a total downgrade from Brewer, and Belinelli should be as good as Korver, if not better. Hinrich is better than Watson, although I don’t see him ever exploding for 30 points anymore.
Last – we still have Taj, in my opinion the best asset we had on the bench last year.
Now on to chemistry… let’s trust Thibs will keep everyone in line.
i like the moves bulls did. except on the 5. we are improved – rad (and marco) can play the 3 as luol, marco and rip can play the 2, kirk 1+2 and we still have taj for the 5.
korver and brewer wasnt better… hope we can provide more quality on center…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIDzTslhG-0&feature=plcp