Jannero Pargo joined his new Bulls teammates in a circle around general manager John Paxson at the tail end of Monday’s practice.
Paxson’s message for the final 16 games was simple: Play hard. Have fun. And, yes, the Bulls still are trying to win games.
The last point is management’s acknowledgement that it’s aware of the perception created by the waiving of two popular veterans for younger, unproven players. That trend continued Monday when Pargo signed his first and Paul Shirley signed his second 10-day contract.
Corie Blount and Rick Brunson aren’t set-the-world-on-fire players. But both, before being waived, had carved niches as likeable teammates with professional work habits that resonated with young players.
“I understand where they’re coming from, but Rick was a great mentor for me,” guard Jamal Crawford said. “He helped me grow a lot this year, even more so than last year. The little stuff he taught me is invaluable to my growth. I owe him a lot. I’m going to miss him.”
Paxson knows this.
“Rick has been great for our organization this season,” he said in a statement. “He has done everything we asked of him and is a true professional. It’s unfortunate for this team that we had to let him go.”
And therein is the crux of the issue: If any of the younger Bulls are upset at the waiving of Blount and Brunson, it’s time to find a mirror. Blount and Brunson are support players, and their roles become expendable when a team is 18-48.
Every move Paxson has made since taking over as general manager–from the failed experiment of Scottie Pippen to the big trade with Toronto–has been with his young core in mind.
Its failure to meet expectations now has management looking at young, hungry players who will buy into the mandate to change a losing culture.
“We’ve got 18 wins with the roster the way it was, so I don’t know why anybody would even be insinuating that somehow we’re not trying to win,” coach Scott Skiles said. “We’re trying to find people who can help the Bulls win a game. I don’t think it needs to be any more complicated than that.”
Pargo won’t make it so, merely ecstatic to be back in the league after being waived by the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto this season.
The Robeson High graduate is one of those classic stories of perseverance–much like Brunson’s. Pargo didn’t start until his senior year at Robeson, got a scholarship to Arkansas after attending junior college and then went undrafted before lasting all last season with the Lakers.
The South Side native grew up watching Michael Jordan, but the first Bulls game he attended in person came last season–when he played in one.
“I’m not fazed by too much,” Pargo said.
That quality is why Paxson and Skiles like him. Pargo is listed at 6 feet 2 inches, but he’s lucky to be 6 feet. He’s quick and can push the ball upcourt offensively and apply pressure defensively.
“We need to continue to try to gather guys who are all about playing basketball–that’s a big priority–and aren’t fazed by calls and missed shots,” Skiles said. “We need more guys who just play.”
