It depends on what he's asking for. If he's looking for considerably more than what they gave Hinrich, than they should probably wait.

Yes, that's true. My thought process is that he's probably asking for at least $9 million a season on the low end, but I'm just speculating.

If we could do 5 yr $45 million I would do that. It wont be a terrible cnntract, he has considerable upside, and its not a max contract so its still radeable

What upside is there for a 6'2" shooting guard? Yes, he's an explosive scorer, but at his size he could probably never be an elite scorer because bigger shooting guards can give him fits and he can't back anyone down low and get buckets that way. He's typically live or die off the dribble and shoot.

If you dont see upside and continuing improvement potential from him I have to guess you are one of the many fans not actually watching the games

if you watched the games last year he has an indestribable ability to hit pressure shots, one of the best pure scorers in the league, moves well without the ball and comes off picks well. He has also improved his defense and ball handling drastically over the past couple years. If you dont see upside and continuing improvement potential from him I have to guess you are one of the many fans not actually watching the games

If his shot's not falling, he doesn't have a lot of worth to the bulls because he doesn't have the ability to score in other ways (aside from hitting a runner in the lane once or twice a game), he's a below average defender (although not as bad as he is made out to be), and turns the ball over too much.

Debatable, Favre fan (first time I've ever had to spell the QB's name). You could have watched BG for the past three years and intelligently debate that..
-He's not one of the best pure scorers in the league;
-That his defense isn't among the top 25 in the league; and
-That he doesn't handle picks very well at all.

. . . and I'm a Ben Gordon fan.

Favre Fan on the muscle once again. I can't wait until you break out "reading is a skill". That's one of my favorites.

Again, he is a young player who is improving drastically at both of those skills. Really, tell me the big difference between him and Rashard Lewis(7 yrs $126 million)

Gordon is a very good shooter who has the ability to carry a team, but he also can disappear for games at a time. If his shot's not falling, he doesn't have a lot of worth to the bulls because he doesn't have the ability to score in other ways (aside from hitting a runner in the lane once or twice a game), he's a below average defender (although not as bad as he is made out to be), and turns the ball over too much.

I would extend him but I wouldn't break the bank doing it. Somewhere around 5 years at $50M should get the job done.

I would extend him but I wouldn't break the bank doing it. Somewhere around 5 years at $50M should get the job done.

I think Pax would do that deal yesterday. I hope it gets done in that range.

Again, he is a young player who is improving drastically at both of those skills. Really, tell me the big difference between him and Rashard Lewis(7 yrs $126 million)

It is not being on the muscle. When it comes to the NFL and the Bears, I feel everyone watches the game and just has differing opinions. When it comes to the NBA, one of my big pet peeves is people who comment who dont actually watch the NBA all year long. Anyone who does I doubt would take my comment offensively, because unfortunately, they know the same thing abou the lack of the NBA's popularity. I wish I was wrong because I love basketball, but Im not.

Lets not debate that one because I completely disagree and we wont come to a compromise. He is one of the best young ones since a young Ray Allen I have seen. On the other two points I am not disagreeing, I just feel he is improving at such a drastic rate, that given the other ridiculous contracts, you are kidding yourself if you say 5 yrs @ $45 million isnt a bargain for him.

If Rashard Lewis gets a max contract, you simply cannot make a logical argument that Ben Gordon is not wortg 5 yrs $45 million in NBA market value

It is not being on the muscle. When it comes to the NFL and the Bears, I feel everyone watches the game and just has differing opinions. When it comes to the NBA, one of my big pet peeves is people who comment who dont actually watch the NBA all year long. Anyone who does I doubt would take my comment offensively, because unfortunately, they know the same thing abou the lack of the NBA's popularity. I wish I was wrong because I love basketball, but Im not.

Also FavreFan, I'm not sure I would be using Rashard Lewis' contract as a basis of argument for anything. Anyone with half a brain knows that is a ridiculous contract, and it's going to look awful in a couple years.

What upside is there for a 6'2" shooting guard? Yes, he's an explosive scorer, but at his size he could probably never be an elite scorer because bigger shooting guards can give him fits and he can't back anyone down low and get buckets that way. He's typically live or die off the dribble and shoot.

if you watched the games last year he has an indestribable ability to hit pressure shots, one of the best pure scorers in the league, moves well without the ball and comes off picks well. He has also improved his defense and ball handling drastically over the past couple years. If you dont see upside and continuing improvement potential from him I have to guess you are one of the many fans not actually watching the games

I'd probably sign him to a 5 year, 45 million contract, though I'm guessing that won't be his asking price.

No one is arguing Rashard Lewis's max contract is the worst ever. My biggest point was that if we could get him for $9 million a year we should do that right away, which everybody here agrees with. If hes asking for even as much as $12 million, I probably wouldnt do it. Bringing up Rashard Lewis is valid because they are essentially the same type of player, albeit at different positions. Rashard Lewis is bigger therefore will get more boards, but essentially the same type of player. Yes I am aware of how bad last FA class was and how good next year's cpuld be, but nevertheless when contracts get signed, no matter how ludicrous it is, NBA players look at those contracts as benchmarks. If Ben sees Rashard get max money, he has to believe he is not much worse, or wont be much worse if worse at all during his prime, so he would probably seek one too, and theres some moron like Isaiah that would give it to him, so if we could lock him up now for $45 million I would do that for sure.