John Paxson on Waddle and Silvy Recap

December 5th, 2008 by Andrew Wamboldt

John Paxson appeared on Waddle and Silvy on ESPN 1000 to discuss the start of the season for the Bulls.

Here is a recap of what Paxson had to say in the interview:

The Bulls future has become much clearer. The Bulls just have to focus on what players fit around Derrick Rose.
The Bulls are very lucky to have landed Rose.
Paxson is surprised that Rose is scoring as good as he has.
The Bulls are an inconsistent team. Paxson thinks that Ben Gordon has played pretty consistently so far this season. Paxson thinks Gordon has learned to play with Rose.
Luol Deng is the one who has struggled. Felt that Deng broke out of it a bit against the Bucks. The Bulls need Deng to get back to playing with consistency.
If the Bulls get what they expect from Derrick, Luol, and Ben then they feel that they are in pretty good shape in terms of competing.
Thinks Vinny Del Negro has done a good job as coach. Vinny is working really hard and is hard on himself.
A major deficiency of the Bulls is their defense. Offensively, he wants to see the team moving the ball. He thinks they take too many quick shots, and when they take quick shots the other teams run on the Bulls.
Larry Hughes has been great so far and very professional. Hughes understands what the Bulls are about and that is Derrick and building the team around Derrick.
The Bulls made the decision that they didn’t want to go the trade route because of the uncertainty of the Ben Gordon situation. Paxson says, in the last couple years, the really good players that have been traded have been traded for strictly financial reasons.
Decisions going forward are now who fits personnel wise with Derrick. Wants more shooting and guys willing to run at the pace Derrick likes to play.
In order to become players in the 2010 free agency, the Bulls have to get rid of some contracts. People will know if they are going that route depending on the Bulls’ personnel decisions. The chances of acquiring a great player is better if they have cap space. Paxson understands that there is no question about it, other guys in the league want to play with Derrick Rose, and that makes the Bulls situation pretty unique.
It’s disappointing that Joakim Noah isn’t in the physical condition that he needs to be to play. Noah has to get his butt in shape.
The coaches feel that Aaron Gray is in the right place at the right time defensively more so than the other bigs.