The Bulls traded Aaron Gray for Devin Brown, giving the Bulls a little more flexibility on the perimeter. With only two perimeter shooters (Salmons and Hinrich), Brown could be useful for some much-needed guard play off the bench. He can hit the three and play anywhere from 0 to 25 minutes a game. Moreover, you don't lose much (polite term) with Gray.
The Bulls continued their impressive road trip with a victory in San Antonio. Rose played hero again, Noah had a key put back, and Deng blocked Ginobli on a would-be tying drive to seal the victory.
This got me thinking about Vinny Del Negro. With all the trade rumors, Del Negro has quietly lead this team to an 11-5 mark in their last 16 games. Is Vinny growing up? I am starting to have more confidence in him. Both with regards to trades and coaching, I believe the Bulls do not need to reshape their team for next year; they simply need to add pieces to the equation. Trading Hinrich for cap room, firing Del Negro, and signing two premier free agents may work, but something feels unnatural about it. Do we want to be the Yankees of basketball? I think with one free agent, this current team could be a contender.
Thoughts?
Fire Vinny. Get a Real Coach.
ReplyDeleteGet Rid of Salmons in the off-season.
Then, LEBRON LEBRON LEBRON.
We will win mad championships with Rose, James, and.
May I say another Bulls Dynasty????
For the above scenario to actually work, you would need more pieces than just rose and Lebron to contend, and win championships. Lebron's specialty is his incredible court vision and willingness to pass the ball. Coupled with his unparalleled ability to get to the basket and force defenses to collapse around him, the bulls would need to add perimeter shooters so that Lebron could kick it out for the uncontested three point shot. This is similar to current Cav's formula. Not that I wouldn't love to have Lebron is a Chicago uniform, but I question the effectiveness of Rose playing with Lebron. Since Rose is a poor perimeter shooter, the pick and pop would be ineffective, not to mention Rose's laughable field goal percentage from behind the Arc (I think it hovers around 20%).
ReplyDeleteIn summation, the Bulls would need at least...
1) an athletic forward who could spread the court and isn't tied to the paint so that he could simply get out of Lebron's way as he barrels through the lane
2) Perimeter shooters (if they can play defense, then thats a bonus too)
3) and of course, Lebron James.
I forgot about Loul Deng, I suppose he would be a good parring with the James, but nonetheless a second option off the bench would still be necessary.
-Michael Ray
Michael-
ReplyDeleteI like your analysis. I agree with pretty much everything you say, but what are you suggesting? Should we trade Hinrich and Salmons now to free up room for maybe James and Joe Johnson. Or should we not put all our eggs into the Lebron James basket and make moves for Bosh and or Wade?