Looks like Krause finally landed a free agent : Bulls Sign Ron Mercer By RICK GANO AP Sports Writer CHICAGO (AP) — Ron Mercer didn't get the high-profile VIP treatment afforded Tracy McGrady and Eddie Jones when they came to town to visit the Chicago Bulls. He wasn't considered one of the marquee free agents the team coveted in its overhaul. But while McGrady, Jones and Grant Hill are headed elsewhere and Tim Duncan is staying in San Antonio, Mercer is joining the rebuilding Bulls. He agreed to a contract Tuesday and is scheduled to sign Wednesday. The 6-foot-7 Mercer will be with his fourth NBA team in four seasons. He played his first two years with the Boston Celtics, was traded to Denver and then dealt to Orlando last season, when he averaged 16.9 points. The Bulls also met Tuesday with free agent center Brad Miller. But the big-name players they hoped to lure apparently got away. They wined and dined both McGrady and Jones, greeting them at the airport with music and dancers, taking them on a yacht ride and to baseball games where they threw out the ceremonial first pitches. Jones was on his way to Miami on Tuesday after a trade from the Charlotte Hornets. Hill and McGrady were expected to sign with Orlando. And Duncan and Tim Thomas, who weighed a lucrative offer from Chicago, said they would stay put in San Antonio and Milwaukee, respectively. That left general manager Jerry Krause and the Bulls with none of the big names they had hoped to lure with nearly $20 million available under the salary cap. Terms of Mercer's deal were not immediately available. He's scheduled to hold a news conference Wednesday. The 24-year-old Mercer, who helped Kentucky reach the Final Four in each of his two college seasons, will join the Bulls' young core of players led by co-Rookie of the Year Elton Brand. In 189 NBA games, Mercer has averaged 16.2 points. He made the NBA All-Rookie team in 1998, averaging 15.3 points for Boston. In his second season, he averaged 17 points. The Bulls have a long road back. In the two seasons since they won their sixth NBA title, the Bulls have played 132 games and won just 30. Krause wasn't available for comment Tuesday. Earlier, he said: ``I don't worry about the naysayers. I know what we've done. I know what our purpose is. We're very confident we'll continue that (winning tradition).'' ------------------ Just shut up and post
This has just been a horrible offseason for the Bulls, and I can't help bu laugh. Ron Mercer is going to be a huge disappoinment for all Bulls fans, specially if they're signing him to that fat $67 million deal. That's just a complete waste, seeing that many saw Mercer signing for the exception. ------------------ Nederland 2002 Qualifying Campaign (Damn those penalties!!!) Houston Rockets Space Center- Not just another ClutchCity.NET clone. We're that and more!
[Bullsfanmode]Ron Mercer was the guy Krause was targeting all along. Mercer will be twice the player Hill or Duncan is, just you watch! The Bulls offense fits him perfectly![/Bullsfanmode] Ah, much better. ------------------ The more lefties on your team, the better. Collier is Seven Foot and Left Handed. How can you go wrong? Trade or bench Kenny Thomas.
I believe he's signing a 4 year $27 (or so) million contract. Krause isn't so stupid as to throw away his cap money on Mercer. Still, it isn't quite the pick-up Bulls fans were hoping for. ------------------ Rockets Draft Obligations Summary http://www.gaffordstudios.cjb.net/
It's not a good time to be a Bulls fan! ------------------ "I've been licking this carpet for hours and I still don't feel like a lesbian!"
