Chicago Bulls Addresses the 2-Guard with Acquisition of Hamilton, Ready to Open Season

Chicago Bullstickets will again be selling like hot cakes for the upcoming 2011-2012 NBA season. Boasting the youngest MVP and the reigning coach of the year plus last season’s top record, the Bulls 33 home games would surely be a sellout. Chicago’s home record last season was tied for first place in the entire NBA with 36-5. Derrick Rose and Co. would definitely get a big boost from the owners of Chicago Bulls tickets.

The Associated Press

Like what was reported last week, three-time all star and one-tine NBA champion Rip Hamilton signed with the Bulls for two years on December 14. According to Chicago Tribune, the 33-year-old Hamilton signed a two-year deal worth $10 million. Also according to the report, the third year of the deal contains a team option with the $5,150,000 partially guaranteed.

During Chicago’s preseason opener against the Indiana Pacers in Conseco Fieldhouse, Hamilton sat out the game and is still doubtful for the final preseason matchup. Chicago will again face Indiana Pacers on December 20, this time in the United Center. According to coach Tom Thibodeau, the decision with regards to Hamilton playing for a preseason game before the start of the regular season would be made after the practice on Monday. Thibodeau also told that Hamilton has been doing well in the scrimmages and looked much more comfortable.

With Hamilton on board, Chicagohas addressed its main weakness during last season, the shooting guard spot. Hamilton is a clear improvement over Keith Bogans, last year’s starting 2-guard. The 12-year veteran is a good fit for the Bulls since he is not known to dominate with the ball. During Hamilton’s heydays with the Detroit Pistons, he would get most of his buckets from curls, screens and floppy plays. In Chicago, it would most likely be the same.

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In the Pistons championship run in 2004, Hamilton was the leading scorer of the team and was also the team’s leading scorer in the playoffs.

Bogans was waived by the team on December 16 along with point guard Jannero Pargo.

In the preseason win of Chicago on December 16, Rose again starred for the team with 16 points while Luol Deng also contributed 16 markers. Taj Gibson, on the other hand, came off the bench and had a near double-double woth 12 points and 9 rebounds. Rookie guard Jimmy Butler had a decent debut for the Bulls scoring 8 points on 3-of-3 shooting from the field.

For their regular season opener, Chicago would visit Kobe Bryant and the new-look Los Angeles Lakers. Aside from the new coach in Mike Brown, the Lakers would also be playing without Lamar Odom for the first time since 2003. Odom was traded to Dallas Mavericks on December 11. This Christmas Day matchup will feature two of the stars of the NBA in Rose and Bryant. Last season, Chicago and LA split the season series, with home teams winning each game.

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