Just last week we wrote that the Chicago Bulls fan group on Facebook started a petition in hopes of getting Bulls GM Gar Forman fired. After the Bulls failed to complete a trade which could either improve the team today, or help position themselves for free agency where the salary cap is expected to take a huge jump, Bulls fans began calling for Gar’s firing.
Bringing back this same #Bulls team next year will not change anything. This team as constructed will NEVER be a contender. #FireGarPax
— ¯_(ツ)_/¯ (@cubbiefans) February 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/breezelenika/status/700522286277910529
He's almost 36 years old!! Core??? #FireGarPax https://t.co/Fsg0fWmAwf
— Jason McFly (@ChicagoMcfly) February 18, 2016
Bulls front office might be one of the worst in the NBA. #FireGarPax
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) February 18, 2016
As long as #GarPax is in Chicago we will not even sniff a title. #FireGarPax
— Chicago Nation (@BullsFansAllDay) February 18, 2016
With a ton of expectation, the Bulls were rumored to be trading both Joakim Noah as well as Pau Gasol in deals which would lock down legitimate NBA scorers. We had even heard the Bulls were close to dealing Taj Gibson to Toronto for Patrick Peterson as well.
Bulls fans wanted the change. While it may have signaled to the fanbase that the team wasn’t going to compete this season, it could have led to promise for the next several seasons. And while Bulls fans are calling for heads to roll, Gar is answering questions almost like it is business as usual.
“We know you’re disappointed, we are also and we hold ourselves accountable.” Gar answered while 670 The Score’s David Schuster asked him about the team’s failure to make an impactful deal at the deadline. “We weren’t in a panic mode.”
While you might not have been in panic mode Gar, or John Paxson whoever actually runs this team, Bulls fans want you to have some urgency. And… how the HELL are you possibly holding yourself accountable!? Did you only have one donut this morning instead of your normal two!?
Perhaps the issue is, this team does not know how to properly evaluate talent. They didn’t pull the trigger on Luol Deng trade for Kobe Bryant because you didn’t want to gut your team.
Luol F’ING Deng for Kobe Bryant!
There are claims out this morning that the Bulls didn’t complete a deal because they overvalued their pieces.
Joe Cowley says the team overvalued Pau, asked for too much, which their sources went as far as to say their expectations were, “unrealistic.” That thought carried over to the rumors that the Bulls were asking for a player and a first round pick for Taj Gibson.
There is another thought, and this is similar to the Chicago Cubs model during the Tribune years, the Bulls don’t care cause they already have your money. Of course the Bulls weren’t in panic mode because there wasn’t a pressing business reason to do anything. The tickets are already sold for the year, the merchandise continues to fly off racks, and the guys at the top are padding their net worth. In fact, the only trade the Bulls made (dealing Kirk Hinrick) was one which helps the team in paying less into the NBA’s luxury tax.
This deadline is reflective of the entire tenure of both Paxson and Forman. A lot of promise, but zero execution, and more importantly… zero championships.
This leadership has been given too long to accomplish so little. It is time to cut the head off the snake. It is time to fire Gar/Pax.
