Jim Paxson is the brother of John Paxson, the Chicago Bulls Excecutive Vice President of basketball operations. John Paxson hired his brother Jim as a consultant for the Bulls in 2006. I don’t think many people know that Jim Paxson is on the Bulls payroll, so I decided to include him in this preview of the Bulls.
After Jim Paxson retired from playing in 1990 at only 32 years old he joined Portland's front office as assistant general manager. In September of 1998 he was named as vice president of basketball operations for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was promoted to general manager in 1999. He was the general manger of the Cleveland Cavaliers until April of 2005. After six years as general manager he was fired by the Cleveland Cavaliers. During his time there he was general manager when they drafted LeBron James and he hired Paul Silas to coach him. Now he is helping the Bulls get back on the winning track………………only if he could get us LeBron James.
Showing posts with label John Paxson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Paxson. Show all posts
A Look at the Chicago Bulls 2009………John Paxson
John Paxson started his journey with the Chicago Bulls Organization as a player in 1985. After his playing days he retired and joined Phil Jackson coaching staff for a year. He thought it was too demanding on his time and joined Neil Funk broadcasting Bulls games on the radio. After many years of analyzing the Bulls on the radio and breaking them down every night he became the Chicago Bulls General Manager in 2003 replacing Jerry Krause who was the Bulls General manager for many years during their dynasty years. John Paxson had big shoes to fill for what was done during Krause’s tenure of Bulls General Manager. Even though Krause often was critiqued and never given much kudos for what he did.
The rebuilding years under John Paxson have been shaky for the Bulls even though they did make the playoffs they were in and then bounced out in the first round. During Paxson’s tenure as GM there have been rumors that he was going to quit and become an Athletic director and then towards end of last season there came reposts he was going to quit immediately during the season. Paxson denied these reports and did not resign after the season. After the season fans weren’t surprised when Paxson did officially resign as the Bulls General manager. Paxson seemed burnt out of being the Bulls General Manager and always tired. Paxson is remaining with the Bulls as VP of Basketball Operations. Paxson is still second highest in command of the Bulls Organization and the new General Manager’s Gar Forman’s boss. Thus, Paxson will still be involved, but not involved with day to day activity. He will leave that to the man he handed the job to, Gar Forman. This way Paxson can spend him time on strategic planning for the organization.
Looking at the Bulls this Off-Season
The Chicago Bulls had a decent regular season and made the playoffs. There season was flat lining until John Paxson (former Gm) made a few moves in acquiring Brad Miller and John Salmons. These moves sparked the club to a strong finish. As we learned in the playoffs, the team needs more help.
The first issue the Bulls have is Ben Gordon being a free agent. I think Ben Gordon will be walking as a free agent. He hasn’t seemed happy as a Bull the past two years, and he will probably get the same or better offer from other teams where he won’t have to worry about playing time in a packed back court. The other question is will the Bulls trade Kirk Hinrich and his 10 million a year contract for another player at a position they need more, like front court help.
I am assuming Ben Gordon will leave as a free agent. This is how the Bulls roster appears to look next year at this time. The starting line up should be: Derrick Rose and John Salmons in the back court with Luol Deng at small forward with Tryus Thomas and Joakim Noah in the front court. Then we have Brad Miller and Kirk Hinrich (if he is not traded) coming off the bench. Thus, the Bulls will lack depth and need the players they acquire in the draft to be an impact player of the bench and start developing. I don’t think the Bulls should sign anyone to a multi year deal this offseason in order for them to save for the free agent class of 2010. The free agent class of 2010 will be much better than this year’s free agent class. With Ben Gordon is leaving they will have money to spend with a few players coming off the books.
The Bulls can go after a few different players to help the team kin the draft. If they keep both picks they may be able to acquire two decent role players. Next year should be a developing year for the Bulls and their young nucleus of Rose, Deng (not that young, but under contract for a few more years), Thomas, Noah, and the two young draft picks. If the Bulls trade Hinrich they could draft a back up point guard and a swing man for the two and three spots or they could draft a back up guard and a front court player.
The first issue the Bulls have is Ben Gordon being a free agent. I think Ben Gordon will be walking as a free agent. He hasn’t seemed happy as a Bull the past two years, and he will probably get the same or better offer from other teams where he won’t have to worry about playing time in a packed back court. The other question is will the Bulls trade Kirk Hinrich and his 10 million a year contract for another player at a position they need more, like front court help.
I am assuming Ben Gordon will leave as a free agent. This is how the Bulls roster appears to look next year at this time. The starting line up should be: Derrick Rose and John Salmons in the back court with Luol Deng at small forward with Tryus Thomas and Joakim Noah in the front court. Then we have Brad Miller and Kirk Hinrich (if he is not traded) coming off the bench. Thus, the Bulls will lack depth and need the players they acquire in the draft to be an impact player of the bench and start developing. I don’t think the Bulls should sign anyone to a multi year deal this offseason in order for them to save for the free agent class of 2010. The free agent class of 2010 will be much better than this year’s free agent class. With Ben Gordon is leaving they will have money to spend with a few players coming off the books.
The Bulls can go after a few different players to help the team kin the draft. If they keep both picks they may be able to acquire two decent role players. Next year should be a developing year for the Bulls and their young nucleus of Rose, Deng (not that young, but under contract for a few more years), Thomas, Noah, and the two young draft picks. If the Bulls trade Hinrich they could draft a back up point guard and a swing man for the two and three spots or they could draft a back up guard and a front court player.
