Chicago Bulls Blog – Page 53 – NBA Blog

Luol Deng plays nearly every minute in Britain loss to Russia

Luol Deng always knew this Olympic experience would be about more than final scores.

So minutes after Great Britain opened preliminary round play at a raucous Basketball Arena Sunday night with a 95-75 loss to Russia, the All-Star Bulls’ forward offered as much postgame eloquence as he had in-game sweat while playing all but 63 seconds.

“It was a special moment,” Deng said after his 26-point effort. “For us growing up, basketball didn’t get much attention. We’re playing against the world where basketball is everything in their country. We have dreams. We want to develop the game. Hopefully, we have youngsters watching and following our footsteps.”

This is Great Britain’s first Olympic basketball appearance since 1964. It’s Deng’s first Games. He is playing in with a torn ligament in his left wrist as some way to repay the country that offered his family political asylum from war-torn Sudan.

“This is why I chose to do this,” Deng said.

— Reported by K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune

Deng led Great Britain with 26 points, but was unusually inefficient, shooting 8-of-27 from the field, including 2-of-11 from beyond the arc. Deng, one of only two NBA players on the national team (Joel Freeland), was forced to shoot early and often to try and keep pace with the Russians. He also played a team-high 39 minutes in the loss.

Last year Deng’s shooting percentage dropped nearly five percentage points, from 46.0 to 41.2 percent. It’s unknown whether Deng will require wrist surgery or opt to have it after the Olympics, which would cause him to miss 3-4 months.

— Reported by CSN Chicago

Chicago Bulls sign Nazr Mohammed

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed free agent center Nazr Mohammed (first name is pronounced “NAH-zee”).

Mohammed (6-10, 250), a 14-year NBA veteran, most recently played with the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2011-12 campaign. Last year, he appeared in 63 games and averaged 2.7 ppg and 2.7 rpg in 11.0 mpg.

The Chicago native has enjoyed stints with the Thunder (2010-12), the Charlotte Bobcats (2007-10), the Detroit Pistons (2006-08), the San Antonio Spurs (2004-06), the New York Knicks (2003-05), the Atlanta Hawks (2000-04) and the Philadelphia 76ers (1998-01). In 834 career games, he has posted averages of 6.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg and 0.69 bpg in 17.4 mpg. He owns career shooting averages of .493 from the field and .639 from the line.

Originally selected by the Utah Jazz in the first round (29th overall) of the 1998 NBA Draft, the 35-year old Mohammed has been a member of eight playoff teams, including the 2005 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs. In 66 playoff games, he has averaged 4.8 ppg and 4.0 rpg in 15.2 mpg.

Rockets sign center Omer Asik after Bulls decline to match offer

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has added center Omer Asik (pronounced O-mair AH-shick) after the Chicago Bulls chose not to match Houston’s offer sheet for the restricted free agent. Under the terms of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Bulls had three days to match the offer from the Rockets.

Multiple reports said the deal is for three years, $25 million.

“We are excited to add Omer to our roster,” said Morey. “Omer has proven to be a defensive force at every stop in his career – in the Turkish league, in FIBA’s World Championships and EuroBasket competitions, and of course for the past two years for the Chicago Bulls. We are excited to add his rim protection, his rebounding, and the defensive mentality Omer brings to each play.”

Asik (7-0, 255, Turkey) has not missed a game in two seasons with the Bulls and has played in 148 consecutive regular season contests. In those two campaigns with Chicago, Asik has averaged 2.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.84 blocks in 13.2 minutes. Considered one of the best defensive centers in the league, Asik grew up playing for Fenerbahçe S.K. Istanbul (2005-10) in his native Turkey. He was loaned to Kadikoy Belediyesi in the Turkish League’s second division for the majority of the 2005-06 season. He also played with the silver-medal-winning Turkish National Team in the U-20 European Championships in Izmir, Turkey. Asik was again a member of the silver-medal-winning Turkish squad at the 2010 FIBA World Championships held in Istanbul. In nine FIBA World Championship matches, he averaged 8.9 points, 6.9 boards, 1.22 blocks and 19.0 minutes per outing. Asik was originally drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers (36th overall) in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft. He had his draft rights traded to Chicago in exchange for three second-round picks.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Omer,” said Rockets Head Coach Kevin McHale. “I’ve admired his physical style of play over the past two seasons as he’s made the transition to the NBA. In his limited minutes, he has proved himself to be an exceptional defensive post player and we will be working with him to continue his progress. Omer has a great understanding of how to play defense and how to move without the ball and I know he will fit in very well with our needs in the low post.”

In a non-related move, the Rockets also announced that the team has waived guard E’Twaun Moore.

Chicago Bulls sign guard Marco Belinelli

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed free agent guard Marco Belinelli (pronounciation: mark-o bell-ee-nell-ee).

Belinelli (6-5, 195), comes to the Bulls having played the last two seasons with the New Orleans Hornets. He broke into the league with the Golden State Warriors in 2007, where he played for two seasons after being drafted in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft (18th overall). He also spent the 2009-10 season with the Toronto Raptors.

Last season with the Hornets, the Bologna, Italy, native appeared in 66 games (55 starts) and averaged career highs in points (11.8 ppg), rebounds (2.6 rpg) and minutes (29.8 mpg). He shot .417 from the field, .377 from behind the arc and .783 from the line.

For his career, the 26-year old Belinelli has played in 287 regular season games (148 starts) and posted averages of 8.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.3 apg, 21.5 mpg, .424 field goal shooting, .393 three-point shooting and .796 from the line. In six playoff games, he has averaged 9.7 ppg in 28.7 mpg and shot .365 from the field, .308 from three-point range and 1.000 from the free throw line.

Bulls will not match Rockets offer to Omer Asik

The Bulls on Tuesday officially will announce they have declined to match Omer Asik’s three-year, $25.1 million offer sheet from the Rockets, sources said, paving the way for multiple signings that began Monday with Kirk Hinrich.

The Tribune reported on July 8 that Hinrich verbally agreed to a two-year deal, but it’s closer to $8 million in value, sources said. Hinrich, who will be reintroduced at a 2 p.m. Berto Center news conference on Tuesday, turned down slightly more money from the Bucks, sources said…

The Bulls will add another shooting guard as well, with the imminent signing of Marco Belinelli for the biannual exception of $1.9 million. Belinelli flew to Chicago on Monday for a physical, sources said, and La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Belinelli’s deal will be two years for $3.8 million, with the second year a team option.

— Reported by K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls sign guard Kirk Hinrich

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed free agent guard Kirk Hinrich.

“We are pleased to be able to bring Kirk back to Chicago. His ability to play both spots in the backcourt will help us immensely this season,” said Bulls General Manager Gar Forman. “Kirk’s tenacity and passion for the game complement our style of play, and we look forward to seeing him back in a Bulls uniform.”

Hinrich (6-4, 190), originally drafted by Chicago in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft, played the first seven seasons of his career with the Bulls. After being traded to the Washington Wizards on July 8, 2010, he spent the last two seasons with the Wizards and the Atlanta Hawks. Last year with the Hawks, he played in 48 games (31 starts) and averaged 6.6 ppg, 2.8 apg, 2.1 rpg, 0.80 spg, 25.8 mpg, .414 from the field, .346 from behind the arc and .781 from the line.

“I’m very excited to be back in Chicago and to wear a Bulls uniform once again,” said Hinrich. “I look forward to getting back out on the court as a Bull, and contributing to the team in any way I can.”

In nine seasons in the NBA, the 31-year old Hinrich has played in 634 games (515 starts) and owns career averages of 12.5 ppg, 5.4 apg, 3.2 rpg, 1.21 spg, 33.0 mpg, .417 from the floor, .378 from behind the three-point line and .811 from the free throw line. He also has played in 46 playoff games (37 starts), where he has averaged 13.4 ppg, 4.7 apg, 2.9 rpg, 1.28 spg, 33.3 mpg, .430 field goal shooting, .404 three-point shooting and .763 free throw shooting.

Hinrich returns to Chicago as the franchise’s all-time leader in three-point field goals made (812) and three-point field goals attempted (2,144). He also ranks fourth in assists (3,004), fourth in steals (655), sixth in three-point field goal percentage (.379), eighth in mpg (17,499), eighth in field goal attempts (6,053), 10th in scoring (6,902) and 11th in field goals made (2,510).

Chicago Bulls sign Vladimir Radmanovic

The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has signed free agent forward Vladimir Radmanovic (for those of you who enjoy pronouncing names correctly, it’s pronounced VLAD-uh-meer Rahd-MAHN-uh-vitch).

Radmanovic (6-10, 235), an 11-year NBA veteran, most recently played with the Atlanta Hawks during the 2011-12 campaign. Last year, he appeared in 49 games and averaged 4.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.1 apg in 15.4 mpg and shot .376 from the field, .370 from downtown and .759 from the line.

The Belgrade, Serbia, native has enjoyed stints with the Hawks (2011-12), Golden State Warriors (2010-11, 2009-10), Charlotte Bobcats (2009-10, 2008-09), L.A. Lakers (2006-09), L.A. Clippers (2005-06) and Seattle SuperSonics (2001-06). In 712 career games (213 starts), Radmanovic has posted averages of 8.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.4 apg in 22.5 mpg. He owns career shooting averages of .416 field goal shooting, .380 three-point shooting and .759 free throw shooting.

Originally selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round (12th overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft, the 31-year old Radmanovic has been a member of four playoff teams. In 46 playoff games (25 starts), he has averaged 7.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 1.2 apg in 21.2 mpg.

Dennis Rodman finally meets estranged father in Manila after 42 years

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman has finally met his estranged father after 42 years of separation, following an exhibition game in the Philippines.

Philander Rodman Jr., who has acknowledged fathering 29 children by 16 mothers, says he was happy and surprised that his son agreed to meet him late Wednesday. He tried to meet the basketball Hall of Famer during another game in Manila in 2006.

“It was great,” he said Thursday of the first time he held his son’s hands since they last met in December 1969.

“I’ve been trying to meet him for years. And then last night, boom, I met him. I was really, really happy and very surprised,” he told The Associated Press.

— Reported by Oliver Teves of the Associated Press

Bulls trade Kyle Korver to Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks have acquired veteran marksman Kyle Korver from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for cash considerations, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/GM Danny Ferry.

“I appreciate the toughness and the competitive energy Kyle brings to the game every night, and we’re very excited to add him to our team.” said Ferry. “Adding him makes shooting an even greater strength for our club.”

Korver spent the last two years with Chicago, where last season he put in 8.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg and 1.7 apg in 22.6 mpg (65 games, seven starts), and knocked down .432 FGs, .435 3FGs (10th in the NBA) and .833 FTs. In his nine-year career with Philadelphia, Utah and the Bulls, the 6-7 sharpshooter has averaged 9.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg and 1.6 apg in 24.2 mpg (.431 FG%, .413 3FG%, .877 FT%), and has hit 40%-or-better from behind the arc in all but three of his pro seasons.

He ranks tied for eighth among active players in three-point percentage, and has buried 1,134 in his career (regular season), placing him 21st among actives. In 2009-10 with the Jazz, he set a single-season NBA record, hitting .536 from downtown.

Bulls have interest in O.J. Mayo

The new hot topic among Bulls fans is O.J. Mayo. The Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard is an unrestricted free agent and the Bulls have interest. The big question is what they have to offer.

The main competition appears to be Phoenix, which has about $8-9 million of salary cap room after New Orleans matched the Suns’ offer sheet to Eric Gordon.

Complete details of the Kirk Hinrich acquisition and Kyle Korver trade to Atlanta have yet to be revealed, but those transactions should help the Bulls in the Mayo chase.

If the Bulls get a second-round draft pick out of the Korver trade, they’ll have a traded-player exception worth $5 million. To use that on Mayo, they’d have to talk the Grizzlies into doing a sign-and-trade and send some sort of draft pick and/or cash in return.

— Reported by Mike McGraw of the Arlington Heights Daily Herald