Chicago Bulls Wiretap

Skiles: Players Aren't Tuning Me Out

A popular perception around the NBA is that Bulls' c\Coach Scott Skiles comes with an expiration date.

The theory is Skiles pushes his players hard, and it works for a while, but they eventually begin to tune him out. Now some critics have concluded that could be an explanation for the Bulls' 3-10 start this season.

Asked about the issue following Thursday's practice at the Berto Center, Skiles stated confidently that it doesn't exist.

"I've never personally thought I ever even came close to (going over) an edge," he said. "You've got to be careful. If a team trades a player and a player says things, you've got to be careful what you're buying into. That's just the nature of pro sports."

Skiles was referring to repeated negative comments in the past from guard Jason Kidd, who spent two years with Skiles in Phoenix. The Suns' demise in 2001-02 coincided with the trade that sent Kidd to New Jersey for Stephon Marbury.

"Now, if I had people every day, my assistants and so forth, tell me, 'Hey man, you're getting near the edge. You've got to knock it back a few notches,' then I would put some credence into it," Skiles added. "But I haven't, and I don't. (The criticism) doesn't bother me hardly at all anymore."

Via Daily Herald


Bulls: Skiles Not At Fault

A popular theory for the Bulls' disappointing start is that players are tuning out fifth-year Coach Scott Skiles. According to the players, however, this is not true.

"I don't think that's true," guard Ben Gordon said. "Everybody here knows what he wants. We all know what we're supposed to do and how we're going to win games, and that's to get back to what made us successful in the past. I don't think anybody is tuning him out."

"I guess that happens at this level. But with this team, we haven't experienced that. Guys are just frustrated with losing. When you're losing, nobody is happy and nobody wants to deal with it. It comes down to coaches and players, all of us, trying to do what we can to help us win more games. If we win, you won't hear all that speculation."

Both publicly and privately, players say Skiles and his staff are more direct than domineering. They say Skiles holds people accountable but does so fairly and with open communication.

Via Chicago Tribune


Duhon Donates $100k To Build 21 Courts In Louisiana

To continue his relief efforts for Louisiana residents devastated by Hurricane Katrina, Chicago Bulls guard Chris Duhon announced today he will make a personal donation of $100,000 to construct basketball courts in New Orleans and his hometown of Slidell, La. Duhon also challenges Bulls fans to join his lead this holiday season to help the New Orleans and Slidell rebuilding efforts. Through Duhon’s Stand Tall Foundation, he launched “Operation 21,” a project to refurbish 21 outside basketball courts in New Orleans and Slidell. The project will include five courts in Slidell and the remaining 16 courts in New Orleans, beginning in East New Orleans where Duhon participated in recreational programs such as basketball, football, track and baseball at an early age. “As families are returning to their homes after Hurricane Katrina, recreation programs are starting up again, but outside activities are limited because of the conditions of the courts in the communities,” said Duhon. “We believe in New Orleans and we’re committed to do what we can.”

Via RealGM Staff Report


Bulls Nov 2007 Archive

  • Pippen To Make A Cameo With Swedish Team

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  • Woman Sues Rodman For Assault

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  • Woman Sues Rodman For Assault

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  • Skiles Apologizes For Tyrus Comments

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  • Skiles Calls Thomas Lazy

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  • Bryant Effectively Shows What Could Have Been To The Bulls

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  • Lakers' Brown Leaves Game With Knee And Ankle Injuries

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  • Back Injury Sidelines Deng

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  • Patterson: Nocioni Is Known As A Dirty Player

    Saturday night's game between the Clippers and the Bulls was a game of flagrant fouls, with three flagrant fouls being called, all involving the Bulls' Andres Nocioni.

  • Bulls Forgetting Bryant, Focusing On Gasol?

    Could the Bulls be turning their attention away from Kobe Bryant and onto trying to acquire Pau Gasol?

  • Nocini To Start In Place Of Thomas Tonight

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  • Bulls Send JamesOn Curry To D-League

    The Chicago Bulls announced Thursday the team has assigned rookie guard JamesOn Curry to the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League.

  • Nocioni To Start As Bulls Try To Shake Things Up?

    After Tuesday's nearly three-hour practice at the Berto Center, Bulls' Coach Scott Skiles all but said Andres Nocioni would start Thursday night when the club begins a six-game trip against the Phoenix Suns.

  • Skiles Considering Lineup Maneuvers

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  • Caffey Files For Bankruptcy Citing Expensive Child Support

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  • Skiles: No Rift Exists With Wallace

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  • Skiles Benches Bulls' Starters In Debacle

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  • Skiles Says 'Jab' At Noah Was Misconstrued

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  • Thomas Leads Bulls To Elusive First Win

    The push and the extra motivation the struggling Bulls needed came from the team that eliminated them from the playoffs last spring.

  • Noah Signs Six-Year Endorsement Deal With Le Coq Sportif

    Le Coq Sportif has plans for a line of shoes and apparel around Joakim Noah.

  • Skiles Critical Of Noah's Comments While Agreeing With Them

    Joakim Noah's analysis of the Bulls' slow-start, while possibly correct, was met with annoyance from Scott Skiles.

  • Money Matters Messing With Bulls' Start?

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  • Kobe Trying To Buy Jordan's Chicago House?

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  • Clippers Still Perfect, Bulls Remain Winless

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  • Bulls' Wallace Might Get A Bit Of Rest

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  • Noah Backtracks On Criticism Of Fans

    Asked if the Bulls' high expectations were forcing players to talk among themselves about the 0-3 start, Bulls' rookie Joakim Noah took off.

  • Clippers' Kaman Questionable For Tuesday's Game Against Bulls

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  • Bulls Shocked By 0-3 Start

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  • No Band No Sweat For Randolph

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  • Deng Declined $57.5 Million Extension With Bulls

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  • Bucks Keep Bulls Winless

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  • Conflict Of Interest For Magic Johnson?

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  • Deng Says Kobe Rumors Won't Go Away

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  • Jackson Doesn't Expect Kobe Rumors To Subside

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  • Paxson: Kobe Deal Won't Get Done

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  • Suns Looking At Sefolosha In Three-Team Scenario

    A three-team Kobe Bryant deal discussed this week included the Phoenix Suns, who wanted to gauge the Bulls' interest in trading Thabo Sefolosha and other considerations as part of a package to send Bryant to the Bulls and forward Shawn Marion to the Lakers.

  • Source: Deng Included In Kobe Proposals

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  • Gordon, Deng Ready To Move On

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  • Unfair Scheduling For Heat?

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