CBBI
Super Chill Mode
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You rank right up there with Larry Hughes in terms of biggest scumbags around.
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In essence, everything that he gave this team can be replaced except the tough perimeter D...but the fact that he is being replaced by team players who are capable, but just need to learn MB's system makes what was lost easily overshadowed by what was gained by his leaving.
We'll see. I think we'll find there are going to be times we need someone else to step up when LeBron is off for one reason or another.
We've seen Larry step-in and basically assume the #1 scoring role on the Bulls in just a matter of days.
The question for the new-look Cavs is ... who's going to do it for us now?
Will better PG play and some offensive ball movement pick up the slack without a need for a 2nd go-to-guy option?
That'd be nice, but I'm not banking on it.
I don't see why Szczerbiak couldn't fill in that role, if all you're looking for is someone to replace Hughes. They're career PPG is roughly the same, but with Szczerbiak shooting a much higher percentage. He looks to be a decent overall scorer, not just a shooter, from what I've seen of him so far. He can post up a bit and occasionally can put the ball on the floor and head to the basket. I think he can function as our number two option for now.
Its almost like he was afraid to speak his mind until he was out of Cleveland. Id be willing to bet the farm that his tune was 180degrees different before he signed for that 46 million.
You Hughes, you lose: Revised Bulls miss out
It can't be good if winning doesn't matter to your star
Linky: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/slezak/8...04.article
March 4, 2008
BY CAROL SLEZAK Sun-Times Columnist
It was just about this time last year that the Bulls began playing like a pretty good team. They were a selfless group, and they seemed to have a bright future. And now? Just when you thought the season couldn't get any worse, the Bulls hit have hit a new low. As if the weekend losses to the Wizards and Cavaliers weren't bad enough, newcomer Larry Hughes decided to elaborate on his time in Cleveland. I wish he hadn't.
When the Bulls visited Cleveland on Sunday, Hughes told reporters that playing for the Cavs had not been an enjoyable experience.
''They wanted me to sacrifice things so we could win,'' he said.
It seems that not even a trip to the NBA Finals last season could put a smile on Hughes' face.
''We had 50-plus wins, made the Finals and I learned from it,'' he said. ''I was unhappy, though, and wasn't myself. I'd rather enjoy the game than all that.''
Say what you will about Ben Wallace, whose contract essentially was swapped for Hughes' contract, but at least the big guy cared about winning. At least he was proud of his championship ring. In Hughes, the Bulls have a $12 million-a-year player who couldn't care less about winning. In fact, winning made Hughes unhappy. We can only assume he is deliriously happy now, having joined a Bulls team that might not even win 30 games, is unlikely to glimpse the postseason this year and at its current rebuilding pace will not make it back to the NBA Finals in Hughes' lifetime.
Not leadership material
I wish we could write this off to Hughes misspeaking. But we can't because he expressed similar sentiments when he was traded to the Bulls last month. This time he was more specific.
How ironic that Bulls general manager John Paxson had been methodically building a team that was the opposite of the me-first mentality Hughes has espoused. The Bulls were winning with hard work. The Bulls were winning with teamwork. The Bulls were winning without a star player. That's all irrelevant. That team mysteriously changed its personality, and Paxson had no choice but to begin its dismantling. So it was bye-bye, Ben; hello, Hughes.
The worst thing about Hughes' proclamation is that he is the Bulls' best player. You don't want your best player talking like that -- or thinking like that. True, he's the best player on a lousy team. He's a streaky shooter. He's injury-prone. But he is a proven scorer and can play defense when he feels like it. Too bad he's not a winner. It's a shame he couldn't handle playing on the same team with LeBron James, one of the top five players in the game. It's too bad he couldn't appreciate being an extremely highly paid player on a very good team.
I guess he's found his level. Blowing a big lead to the Wizards at home? Not being able to finish? Unable to hit a clutch shot or make a key defensive stop? The Bulls' roster is filled with guys who lack a killer instinct and inner fire. Welcome to your new home, Larry Hughes. Looks like you'll fit in just fine here.
Hughes told reporters the Bulls' system suits him because ''there is more movement and draw-and-kicks.'' The fact that the Bulls are battling the Bucks for last place in the division? I guess that only adds to his fun.
Not much better
Paxson was cheered for finding a taker for Wallace at the trade deadline. The thinking was that no team would want Wallace's big contract, aging legs and coach-killing attitude. But in the end, the Bulls still are saddled with a big contract and a puzzling player. What's the difference?
It's not that I have a problem with Hughes wanting the ball more. I've often wished that Luol Deng wanted the ball more. And nobody wants the ball more than Kobe Bryant, the best player in the game.
But what separates Bryant from everyone else is his competitiveness. As he proved again during the Lakers' overtime win Sunday, Bryant doesn't want to lose. He won't let his team lose. Winning motivates Bryant.
Hughes, who is owed $26.4 million over the next two seasons, clearly is not motivated by winning. Which means that when Paxson, who has stockpiled more mediocre combo guards than any general manager in the league, kicks the Bulls' umpteenth rebuilding program into high gear this summer, he might have trouble finding a taker for Hughes. If that's the case, then Hughes will be sticking around. And the best fans can do is hope his attitude isn't contagious.
You're missing the "to get going" part. As a volume shooter, he needs to find his rhythm and then once he does ... the shots often start falling. When the shots start falling, then the driving lanes open up.
With our current team who other than LeBron is going to take and make a tough shot when everyone is covered well and the driving lanes are cut off? Everyone can't defer. Hopefully we'll figure out how to run a play and get a decent shot for someone else.
Either way, if it happens it'd be clear evidence that any average NBA scrub can replace Larry's production - because neither Wally nor West have any reputation or background of carrying a pro team anywhere.
I realize it's a small sample size, but Delonte West barely knows the plays he is supposed to be running out there and he is already averaging more rebounds, more assists, fewer turnovers and is shooting a higher percentage from the floor every night then Larry Hughes averaged over his entire Cavalier career.
What is there to replace exactly? It's not like Hughes was consistant at being anything but inconsistant.