Ben Gordon Is Out Of His Mind
BGWaiting all the way until the start of training camp, Ben Gordon finally made the announcement last night that he would take the qualifying offer of $6.4 million from the Bulls and become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Chicago’s largest offer to the four-yet vet was a six-year deal worth about $59 million, and Gordon – obviously disappointed – still turned it down.
Although BG has led the Bulls in scoring the past three seasons, he has to understand that at 6-3 and lacking point guard handles he’s not going to get the bank he’s looking for. Compared to teammate Luol Deng, who signed a $71 million, six-year contract in August to stay in Chi-Town, Gordon is more easily replaceable.
Gordon was asked Monday if signing the qualifying offer would serve as an indication that he expects to see a better deal from another team next summer.
“It’s not always about money,” he answered. “You guys can take it however you want it. I don’t always base my decisions on money. A lot of things go into it.”
Not about the money? Well, if that is truly the case and Gordon wants to play someplace else this season, he now controls his own destiny. After signing the qualifying offer, the Bulls can’t trade him without his consent. By season’s end if he is still in Chicago, Gordon better hope he fares better than his compatriots.
There aren’t many examples of NBA players turning down extensions to sign the qualifying offer. Michael Olowokandi, Stromile Swift, Vladimir Radmanovic and Mickael Pietrus are among the few. None of those players signed for more than the mid-level exception (currently worth $5.6 million) the following year.
The question is, as it was posed in Smack, how do you think Gordon will play? Will he play tentative so he doesn’t get hurt, or will he be super-aggressive, trying to put up big-time numbers in a contract year?
Source: Daily Herald
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:26 am
Big V says:
It’s kind of a bitch move, however you look at it. If it’s not about the money, then it’s about BG being jealous of Deng for getting his. He’s already admitted that he wanted the same money as Deng.
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:31 am
nt says:
expect HUGE numbers from BG haha like how kobe used to be
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:35 am
Shujen says:
i think he will be the “the super shiny shity gunners’ gun” award for the coming year.
i dont think he will be reluctant to shoot…wait…was he ever…
he has screwed himself royally. i hope he has worked on his handles this summer…
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:38 am
I.Dot says:
If BG was at least 6′4 he wouldnt have this problem. He got to understand that is not worth more than Deng and that he is just a 6 man.
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:39 am
Big Sia says:
BG > DENG
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:41 am
Blue says:
I kinda see what he’s talking about when he says it’s not about the money. i mean, really, when you’re making that much coin, is a couple millions bucks really gonna make you any happier? i think it’s more just about the recognition that he’s been leading the team in scoring and he should be leading the team in money earned too…haha.
but like Big V says, either way it’s a bitch move. i think he’s smart enough to play better to get a better contract. i don’t think he’ll play half-assed and think that his prior accomplishments will get him the money he wants. either way, he’s not gonna get deng money…deng shouldn’t have gotten deng money!
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:44 am
fallinup says:
I’m sure the people of Chicago are thrilled to have him back. Good going, Ben. Unless he’s averaging 25 ppg, he just screwed the pooch.
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:54 am
Aron says:
@Blue
Yea, but I love it when guys take less money to play to win. The thing is, with the economy the way it is – and with your health hanging in the balanace all season – how can you turn down close to $60 million. It’s not like they were only giving him a 3-year deal. He got his 6 years and will be locked in. If he got close to $70 million, like he wanted, that would severely hamper the Bulls to make any type of movement with Hughes making $13 for the next two seasons and Hinrich making $10 for the next four.
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Big Shot BOB says:
People please take notes from “Latrell I can’t feed my family Sprewell.” If he ends up not even getting close to that kind of money next year it’s going to be funny.
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:16 pm
YOUNGFED says:
By BG saying “it’s not always about money” he’s simply trying to tell everyone that he’s not playing for less money than a guy he knows he’s better than (Deng). I don’t see why yall keep calling him stupid, Monta got his bread and him a BG are almost carbon copies. I’m also tired of people saying a guy isn’t a true point because he’s a scorer (AI, Monta, BG, Crawford) when all these guys would cross up half the league and dish it off. The just happen to be the best scorers on their teams.
YOUNGFED steps off his soap box.
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Kobeef says:
@Dime
I checked the pre-draft camp measurements and Ben is 6′1, 6′2 IN SHOES.
@Big Sia
Gordon is greater than Deng? 100 out of 100 basketball minds disagree with you on that point. Deng has a more complete game (rebounds, assists, points) than Ben (points…in the 4th quarter) plus at 6′2 Ben is undersized for his position (and skill set) where Deng is a longer than average SF. Undersized SG’s are a dime a dozen in the NBA…even skilled ones.
@Dime
Great stat about guys who refused a contract only to accept the qualifying offer. I see a mid-level in Ben’s future.
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Big Shot BOB says:
Come on FEd BG’s good but he’s not Monta Ellis! There games are totally different. When people say the word true point guard. They’re talking about what a point guard true job is. Protecting the ball and facilitating the team, making plays for everybody else. If your a scorer it means your playing off the ball and recieving passes or creating shots for yourself which is what a SHOOTING guards job is.
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Blue says:
@Aron…
i totally agree…like i said, it’s still a bitch move, but i understand his motives. i think that most GMs are smart enough to pay the players who have the skills and right attitude enough money. you notice how most of the guys who other people say are overrated are the same guys bitching for more money. i don’t think you’ll ever hear Kobe, Lebron, or D-Wade bitching for more money because the GMs know what they’re worth.
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Ashlov says:
If Ben Gordon would learn to actually play the point, he’d get more than $70 million.
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Aron says:
@Kobeef
I totally agree. BG is a generous 6′3.
@YOUNGFED
Monta and BG are totally different players. I would even go out on a limb and say Monta is more of a pure scorer than BG.
Anyone agree?
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Three Stacks says:
Monta is a much more aggressive player than BG. It’s rare to see Monta taking step back fadeaway jumpers like BG does on the regular. Monta is much quicker, and the dude shoots over 50% from the field. If Ben Gordon shot even close to 50%, he’d have his money already.
Just cause they’re both short and score in bunches doesn’t make them carbon copies.
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Ansonious says:
@ Aron I totally agree Monta is a beast.
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:52 pm
nick says:
@ashlov
yeah if bg could play the point he most likely could get in the 70 mil range.
@aron
I agree, monta gets most of his points on pullups and drivers, where bg strictly on 3 balls and jump shots. If monta had a 3pt shot like bg this wouldn’t even be a discussion.
Also do you guys think that because of bg’s attitude towards the money that bulls tossed at him and he turning it down will affect teams throwing money at him. I wonder if teams would worry that he could be a cancer in a locker room because of his attidute?
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Big Shot BOB says:
I agree Aron I live in the bay and get to see him play a couple times a year. Monta led the league in efficiency and was called the Mississippi Bullet. BG can hit an open shot of a screen but I don’t think anyone would call him a bullet.
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:55 pm
YOUNGFED says:
@Aron
I’m not saying BG is better than Monta just that they aren’t that far apart. I said they were almost carbon copies in terms of getting buckets. Also their games are not that much different both have a nice dribble, shot, and drive. Monta does play more D and dunk more but thats it.
BG will get his bread.
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Tyrone says:
Ain’t nobody better in the Bulls squad at gettin’ buckets y’all. The Bulls ain’t for shit without Ben Gordan. Benny’s a nasty balla and deserves a rich payday – cat’s got mad, mad game.
True thugz never lie.
Tyrone
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:12 pm
peter says:
dime (i agree)
what was ben gordon thinking, he’s going to regret not taking the $59mill/6year deal that the Bulls were offering.
i’m not sure if the Bulls had any legitimate offers, but they should’ve sign and traded Ben Gordon (I don’t think there’s one franchise out there that would be committed to resting their future on the shoulders of BG and his $10+ mill contract – assuming this is what he’ll get on the open market)… he will! become a future ‘bad’ contract if any team looks his way.
*to ben’s credit, from what i’ve read, i know he works hard during the offseason and he should be paid fair market value (that being said, fair market value for a 6′2 SG that’s relatively uni-mensional is much lower than what ben is seeking).
Ben’s a hardwork but he blows at truly valuating his impact on the court.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:15 pm
YOUNGFED says:
Ben is just saying that he ain’t about to get played cause th Bulls fuked up and overpaid people (Hughes), so now they think he ain’t getting his. FUKOUTTAHERE!!!
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
justice says:
there’s not too many teams bg can start on in the league
cleveland,maybe oklahoma,twolves (he would beat out mccants),pacers maybe,orlando..yeah it’s safe to say unless he tears shytt up nobody’s giving him starters money
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
George W Kush Sr says:
Forget just being a gunner, he better start impacting the game better to money like Deng.
There’s obviously alot of talent in the league for the position he plays, and more importantly, some of those guys do a lot more stuff when compared to BG. He needs to get his head out of the clouds, i dont anybody is gonna pay him more than 8 million, maybe 8.5 per year. He’s not even worth that really, i’d say around 7-7.5, but GMs overpay sometimes
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
dapro says:
BG is alot better than most you catz are giving him credit for
I gotta ride with Fed on this one. Bulls overpaid for Ben Wallace, Deng, Hughes, Nocioni, Heinrich and then turn around and low ball the one player who was their “go to guy”
In the late stages of the game, BG makes the play
He may not be 6′3 the cat can flat out score and plays big when it counts
October 2nd, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Kudabeen says:
I’m lookint this picture on NBA.com of Ben Gordon standing next to Derrick Rose and Gordon looks like he is about 2 inches shorter than Rose. Isn’t Rose only like 6′2″ at best?
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:11 pm
darkdefender says:
Ben Gordan should mention that he has a family to feed.
Yeah, that’s the ticket.
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Bone says:
How is Ben Gordon any different than someone like JR Smith? Smith jacks shots, scores in bunches, doesn’t do anything else. Smith at least has the POTENTIAL to be a good defensive player given his athletic ability. JR didn’t get anywhere close to $70 mil…
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Bonzi Wells says:
Ben, what are you thinking?! This won’t turn out well for you!
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:09 pm
C4 says:
http://www.examiner.com/x-490-Chicago-Bulls-Examiner~y2008m10d2-Ben-Gordon-gets-deal-but-at-what-price
I feel Ben is getting more out of the $6.4 million.
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:59 pm
solomon says:
ben gordon bowing out of the sure thing – the long term $$$ – and takin a one year offer with almost virtually no chance to showcase himself (unless he sprewells coach vinny into playing him) is probably right there along with – guess who – latrell sprewell – in terms of worst contracts moves in the history of professional sports…
we’re out like ben’s neurons
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:35 am
Dave says:
Gordon made a mistake turning down that deal.
I think the odds of him getting better money next season are terrible. Plus Chicago are so desperate offensively that he’ll have more opportunities to use his best talents there than on most other NBA teams.
October 3rd, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Da Chi 23/33 says:
BG made a huge mistake turning down that deal.Especially since his major contract push was based on his numbers, which are definitely gonna go down with the depth in the Bulls backcourt this season. You know Rose is gonna play, Hinrich maybe Reinsdorf’s illegitimate son, and I think you have to find minutes for Thabo because he’s our best defender. That leaves him and Hughes to fight it out as our designated scorer.
As far as the Ben and Monta comparisons….there are very few. No one in Bulls management are considering getting him minutes at the PG spot, and they’ve been watching him practice everyday for years. I think they might have a good idea of what his game is and isn’t by now. Monta is a driver/slasher and Ben is a pure jump shooter. Its no different than comparing Ray Allen and Brandon Roy. Sure their sizes and stats are similar but they get their points in very different ways.