March 2011 Chicago Bulls Wiretap

Kurt Thomas Likely To Pick Between Knicks, Bulls, Heat, Mavs

Nov 28, 2011 11:23 PM

Kurt Thomas could end up with either the Knicks, Bulls, Heat or Mavericks.

“That’s the great thing about free agency,” Thomas said Monday. “A lot of things can happen. Teams have to make a decision on players but I also have a say in where I might end up.”

Thomas spent the 10-11 season with the Bulls.

Thomas was a longtime member of the Knicks before he was traded in 2004 to the Suns. 

New York Daily News

Tags: Kurt Thomas, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor

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Jimmy Butler Taken Under Derrick Rose's Wing

Nov 23, 2011 11:26 AM

Jimmy Butler, first round pick of the Bulls, has been spending time during the lockout with Derrick Rose.

"Derrick Rose has been the guy who has really, really helped me," Butler said. "I've spent time with him off the court during this lockout. We're getting to know each other. And he's teaching me the basics. That's big for me. You have to start somewhere. And if you get the bottom line down, you build from there."

Randall Hampton, Rose's best friend, played on the same junior college team as Butler.

"I'm supposed to get a workout in with him next time I'm out in Los Angeles," Butler said. "So that should be a good experience."

Chicago Tribune

Tags: Jimmy Butler, Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls, NBA

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Parker Brings Similar Work Ethic, Values As Fellow Simeon Star Rose

Nov 21, 2011 12:25 PM

Jabari Parker is following the footsteps of Derrick Rose as the humble, super-talented leader of Simeon of Chicago.

“[Jabari] is coming into his own a little bit, becoming more vocal,” Simeon coach Robert Smith said. “Which is good, he’s growing up. The pressure doesn’t bother him, which is like Derrick. That’s something that was always huge when Derrick was here. I didn’t know how he could handle so much pressure at that young of an age. They both have done it. I think it has a lot to do with their homes and their upbringing.’’

While Rose was virtually unknown until his sophomore season and didn't receive major national attention until shortly before his senior year, Parker has been constantly in the eye of the public since he began high school.

“All the internet video and social media stuff was really just starting when Derrick was here,” Smith said. “Now we have guys at gyms that are putting video up right away online. If we had that type of social media Derrick might have been the No. 1 player in the country when he was here. Jabari has definitely had a lot more publicity and things going on over his first two years than Derrick had.”

Rose and Parker share an excellent work ethic.

“Jabari has the work ethic,” Smith said. “How he values and appreciates basketball is very similar to Derrick. They appreciate the game and go at the game totally different than a regular kid. That is something huge. Jabari wants to be great at it. When you have a kid that wants to be great they put out their full effort at it, like a doctor or a brain surgeon wants to the best. Jabari wants to be the best basketball player ever.”

Parker also likes to reference past players and games, demonstrating his knowledge of basketball history.

“Jabari has an old soul,” Smith said. “He researches things and wants to know who was the best, how can I be the best, what do I have to do to be the best. That’s a great quality to have. Some of these other guys that are real good don’t know. He knows all the kids in the country that are good. He researches them, how they are doing, how they are playing.”

Chicago Sun-Times

Tags: Jabari Parker, Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls, High School, NBA, High School B-Ball IQ

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Love, Deng In Talks With Besiktas

Nov 18, 2011 3:01 PM

Besiktas is in serious talks with both Kevin Love and Luol Deng, who would join Deron Williams.

“I’ve been going back and forth with Deron on it,” Love told Yahoo! Sports’ Marc Spears on Friday. “I’ll be making my decision in the next couple of days.”

Besiktas has also reached out to Carlos Boozer.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Kevin Love, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Besiktas Icrypex, Turkish BSL, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, International, International Signing Rumor, International Teams, International League, International Misc Rumor

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Besiktas Making Strong Push To Sign Deng

Nov 18, 2011 11:13 AM

Besiktas is engaged in serious talks with Luol Deng, according to sources.

The Turkish team that signed Deron Williams in July is making a hard push to add more talent to their team.

The insurance on Deng's contract would be $50,000 per month and the next offer from Besiktas could top $150,000 per month.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter)

Tags: Luol Deng, Chicago Bulls, Besiktas Icrypex, Turkish BSL, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, International, International Signing Rumor, International Teams, International League, International Misc Rumor

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Deng, Raja Bell Considering Offers From Europe

Nov 2, 2011 11:24 AM

As the NBA lockout continues, Luol Deng and Raja Bell are considering playing overseas.

The release comes from their agency Interperformances.

Sportando

Tags: Luol Deng, Raja Bell, Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, International, International Signing Rumor, International Misc Rumor

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