If you're looking for a quick verdict from Bulls fans on the team's trade with the Thunder, look no further than this: Within minutes of the deal, the hashtag "#FireGarPax" led trending topics on Twitter for the Chicago market.
"FireGarPax" refers to Bulls personnel gurus Gar Forman and John Paxson, the architects of the the trade that sent fan favorite Taj Gibson, former first-round draft pick Doug McDermott and a 2018 second-round draft pick to Oklahoma City on Thursday for Cameron Payne, Joffrey Lauvergne and Anthony Morrow.
PrincessbetPhotos of Taj Gibson.
The general consensus among fans has been the Bulls dealt Gibson, the heart of the locker room, and other key pieces for three no-names.
Barstool Sports' Dan "Big Cat" Katz tweeted an image of a "Fire Gar/Pax" T-shirt sold on the company's site with the caption, "BUY BUY BUY." "I hate you @chicagobulls" Katz also tweeted. And also: "I love Taj but he could've been dealt any time the last 2 years for more."
Several fans on the Bulls Reddit community had already planned to wear a different version of a "Fire GarPax" shirt at the Bulls' nationally televised game against the Clippers on March 4. "#FireGarPax. Movement just got 10 feet taller," shirt designer alba7or posted on Reddit Thursday.
Daniel Greenberg of @ChiSportUpdates created a fan petition on petitionbuzz.com calling for Forman's and Paxson's ouster.
"Bulls fans it's time to stand up and let our voices be heard," he wrote. "We deserve better. The Bulls front office is ridiculous. Things need to change. We need to stand up for what we believe in. Please sign the petition to help try to make a difference with the Chicago Bulls. Sign it to let the Bulls organization know that we have had enough. We are not happy with the way Gar Forman and John Paxson are running the Chicago Bulls."
"It's an absolute shame and embarrassment that these two still have their jobs. Unbelievable," the Chicago sports blogger later tweeted.
plthompson@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @_phil_thompson
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