Sweetney unlikely to get contract extension...

[ephoya04]

John Hollinger ran down the draft class of 2003 and put Sweetney in the "Don't call us, we'll call you" group and had this to say...

Michael Sweetney, Bulls
Despite his talent as a low-post scorer, the Bulls will be reluctant to offer Sweetney a contract, and not just because he might eat it. The arrival of Tyrus Thomas and Ben Wallace leaves Chicago set at the frontcourt spots for the next half-decade or so, so at best Sweetney would project as a reserve. From the Bulls' end, there's no need to commit long-term dollars for a second-unit player, especially one whose conditioning is such a big question mark. The best-case scenario for Chicago is that Sweetney uses the contract year as motivation to cut back on the calories and brings something good in return in a sign-and-trade next summer.
Forecast: No deal

Not exactly great news for Sweets...hopefully he turns it around

[GIGAFAN99]

If you hear a beeping sound, he's probably backing up and getting ready to turn it around.

[ephoya04]

HAHA...priceless...well done GIGA

[nychoya3]

Of all the "don't call us" guys, I think Sweetney has the best chance to turn it around. If he's in shape in training camp, I'd bet dollars to the doughnuts that Mike loves so well that he starts at the 4 for the Bulls. He played 5 excellent games in the Bulls-Heat series, and actually slowed down Shaq. He's a perfect big guy off the bench as Thomas develops and takes the starting job, because he can play either big man spot and his low post offense is very, very rare.

Don't give up on Mike having an excellent career, guys. Conditioning is an issue, no doubt, but if he deals with it (and he has every incentive to do so) he can be a very valuable player. Worst case scenario, he gets a short term deal somewhere next year and gets another chance to show his stuff.

[the_way]

Guys, I think we all see whats going on here.

And because Big Mike is a Hoya, we are afraid to admit it.

Like Bill Parcells said, "you are what you are".

And Mike is not a very good NBA player right now.

Since when has ever been motivated to do anything but eat?

Ronny Thompson was here at GU to kick him in his rump and stay in shape. Esh was drilling into Mike's head to stay in shape and exert some leadership. Unless Ronny Thompson is around, I don't see Mike losing any weight.

Plus, Sweets is too passive. Mike is also too short for his position. He is a center in a power forwards body, much like Othella was. Othella also had a nice mid-range jump shot with great shooting touch. Has Mike developed this? Othella also had the intangibles to last 10 years in the league and leaderhsip skills off the court. Mike has never exhibited any of these qualities.

I hope Mike shapes up. People do change. But I wouldn't be surprised if Mike will be just another big body that floats around from team to team in the NBA. Its kind to sad to see this happen. I think Mike has ability. But if he doesn't want it or have the desire to do something in this league, it doesn't really matter.

[AustinHoya03]

Will Mike be working out at McDonough this summer? Maybe the staff can put him on last year's Roy Hibbert conditioning plan.

[nychoya3]

While I don't totally disgree, Way, I think there's more hope than you suggest. For one thing, Mike has been used horrendously over his three years. Getting constantly yanked from in the lineup to the end of the bench and back again could throw off anyone's confidence. The Knicks didn't let him even sniff the floor his rookie year, then gave him fitful time in his second season. And Skiles really went back and forth on Sweetney. Despite all that, he aveaged 8 and 5 in 18 or so minutes over the past couple years. That's, at the very least, useful to a lot of teams. Now, I know he has it in him to be more than useful, but let's not totally bash Mike when he has been in less than ideal circumstances.

The Bulls now have Tyrus Thomas, Ben Wallace, Malik Allen, and PJ Brown in the frontcourt to go with Sweetney. Mike better strap up for training camp. It wouldn't shock me in the least to see him dealt this season or even before the season. I don't think PJ Brown does anything Sweetney can't, but he's a veteran and Skiles may take a liking to him.

[JohnJacquesLayup]

The Bullets could use a low post scoring threat. My god, I'm so sick of Brendan Driftwo . . ., er, Haywood!