As sources are indicating, the Bulls are evaluating Tracy McGrady via workouts and talks with his agent. Yes, this is the same Tracy McGrady that wowed the NBA before being plagued with chronic back problems. T-Mac's time in both Orlando and Houston were filled with both extreme highs and lows. At his best, T-Mac was considered one of, if not the best player in the league. However, as time went on and he never made it past the first round of the playoffs, that status quickly diminished. Nevertheless, after a decent effort for the Knicks last season (averaging 9.4 ppg and 3.9 apg in 26.1 mpg), and considering how cheap he would be given his age and injury problems, it is not unthinkable that he could be of some value to a team (he does average 21.5 ppg for his career including 32.1 ppg in 2003). Personally, without seeing him workout, I cannot make any conclusive judgments. Say what you want about T-Mac, but this guy can tear up any defender when he's on. Moreover, although he's been criticized for being a ball-hog, teammates speak highly of him and he averages close to 5 assists for his career. From watching him, I do think he gets others involved and is not the "give me the ball now" type as much as a Kobe, Dirk, Melo, etc. The Bulls are intrigued because they lack "create your own shot" scoring. While Rose and Boozer can create their own shot, Rose is a PG and Boozer is a post player; they need someone who can take people off the dribble and hit tough jumpers from the wing. Nevertheless, I also think the Bulls are slowly building a juggernaut through young, hard-working players, and I would hate to see a washed up scorer like McGrady mess up the chemistry in place. Rather than overanalyze the pros and cons of signing T-Mac when this is all still in the early stages, I'm asking why are the Bulls even considering him?
The answer: My feeling all along is that the Bulls look great at the 1,4, and 5 spots. Our weakness: the wing. Yes, Brewer and Deng can defend. Yes, they are both solid players who can contribute. But can you be a genuine contender with these players at the wing? I think both of these players could start on a championship team, but not next to each other. Brewer is mostly a defender, and although Deng averaged 17.6 ppg and 7.3 rpg in 37.9 mpg (15.8, 6.5, 34.2 respectively for his career), he is not a go to guy scorer. Deng's game involves a lot of slashing, puts backs, and his specialty: the 20 footer. Having both watched a plethora of games and talking to many fans, most people share a similar sentiment: Deng gives you great minutes, but he's not clutch. How many times have we seen Deng score 10 points in the first quarter and than dissapear. I have never seen Deng take over a game in the fourth quarter and will the team to win. Now, I am not saying I dislike Deng as a player, I just don't think the Bulls can bank on Deng as their 3 to win a title if they don't have an all star scorer at the shooting guard position. The good news is Deng is still young and has only played in the league 5 years. The bad news is Deng is being paid around $13mm through 2014, seriously comprising his trade value given current NBA economics. Thus, while the ideal move is to use Deng, a great role player and potential star as trade bait for a guy like Anthony, the reality is we may be stuck with Deng. Again, when I say "stuck" it is not that I do not like a 18 and 7 guy, it is that I believe to win a title you need a great wing player and a great big man. I love Rose, but he is a PG. The Lakers have won the last two without a great PG. The Celtics won before Rondo was a great PG. The Heat won with Wade without a great PG. Additionally, Nash, DWill, Kidd, Chris Paul, and Stockton have a total of zero rings, just to name a few. Thus, while I'm hoping the Bulls are the exception, I believe we need more than Rose and Boozer in terms of offense fire-power, and I don't think Luol is that guy. As my colleague Ari Schwartz said (unbiasedly as a Wizards fan), "Luol Deng is a fourth option on a contender, he's run of the mill as a third option." This is how I feel and this is why I cannot fault the Bulls for considering guys like T-Mac and Iverson, who may have 1-2 20 points per game season's left in the tank. Finally, I will say that it is not simply your scoring average but how and when those points come. To me, Deng hits his open shot and scores hustle points, but his 18 points are typically quiet and rarely come in the clutch.
Maybe you guys disagree: Lets get a debate going both via the poll and comments, I think the Deng situation is central to the Bulls future, and I know others feel the same way about that.
I like Deng and believe that he is capable as a 3 for a contending team. I dont think Deng should be the guy bailing you out in the 4th with 18 pts in a row. If you were in that predicament in the first place more than Deng went wrong.
ReplyDeleteI like Deng on the boards with his length. Deng is one of the best mid-range shooters in the game and while not overly athletic his long wingspan allows him to compensate somewhat.
The issue like you said is having Brewer and Deng playing together while wonderful for defense is redundant for offense. The key I believe is going to be Dengs ability to hit the 3 point shot. He needs to go weapons free on the three point shout it just a foot or 2 back from the 20 footers hes in love with anyway.
IF Deng will fire more 3's and make them it will open up his slashing game as opponents will have to run him off the line allowing him to get to the basket or create for others.
Lets just sit tight on Deng for now it makes sense.
Signing Brewer was horrendous but things can't be changed. McGrady would've been a better signing in my eyes, but since Da Bulls have already committed to Brewer then signing McGrady would be an atrocious idea. The nucleus is set; you can't have to many solid contributors or else chemistry is threatened. The Bulls should just fill out the roster with veteran minimums or non-guaranteed contracts for rookies and go for a splurge for a younger and more healthy two guard next year - someone like JR Smith perhaps all the while somehow getting rid of Brewer.
ReplyDeleteA T-Mac with ego check as a third option would work with the Bulls. The problem is paying so much loot to a bench player (Deng) if T-Mac is aboard. As to the signing of Brewer I think it had to be done since we lost out on the gamble of trading Hinrick, in the attempt of bringing James to the Bulls. You have to have someone who can play lock down defense, especially when that's not DRose's strenght.
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