Don't Let the Door Hit you...

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Nov 2, 2004 6:36PM

...on the way out of town, Eddie Robinson! On the eve of NBA season, as teams submit their rosters to the NBA prior to this week's season openers the Bulls and Robinson agreed to terms on a buyout.

According to sources, the Bulls will pay Robinson $10 million of the $14 remaining on his the five-year, $31.2 million contract Robinson signed as a free agent in the summer of 2001. Having been spurned by big name free agents like Tracey McGrady and Grant Hill, the Bulls threw way too much money at an unproven player who'd impressed during a playoff run.

But the Bulls soon learned they had an oft-injured cancer on their team. Robinson missed 71 games because of injuries in his first two seasons with the Bulls, and last season became the invisible man while playing only 22 minutes in the last 24 games because he refused to do the extra practice and workouts coaches suggested. Complaining of a sore toe soon after training camp opened, he'd been informed that the team wanted him gone and were he not to accept a buyout, he'd spend the season on the injured list. He and Bulls management finally agreed on the $10 million. Nice f'ing severance.

Will Robinson's buyout, an additional youngster will be able to remain on the roster to start the season. The Bulls head into the season with six rookies on their roster. First round picks Ben Gordon and Luol Deng, as well as second round pick Chris Duhon, 2003 second round pick Tommy Smith, Argentinian free agent Andres Nocioni and undrafted free agent Jared Reiner.

While the rest of the NBA begins their season sometime between tonight and Thursday, the Bulls are the lone team who don't tip off until Friday, when they face the New Jersey Nets.