As it stands, this is Derrick Rose's team. The Chicago born and bred superstar is undoubtedly the citie's most popular athlete since the days of Michael Jordan.
However, the consensus around the NBA is this: Chicago will not be able to beat Miami in a seven game series without another legit superstar. I would like to discuss this concept, along with a few different takes on what the Bulls can do in order to achieve elite status (win a championship).
First and foremost, this Bulls team is deep. Even without Derrick Rose, we have managed to make the playoffs despite Thibs driving his players the way Jeff Gordon rides Chevrolets. With the emergence of second year backup Jimmy Butler and FA Nate Robinson, the Bulls have been able to replenish their bench which has been among the best in the NBA these past three seasons. Taj Gibson (who would start for half the teams in the league) is the defensive anchor of the second unit. When Rose returns from injury, it will allow Kirk to come off bench which will only add to their depth.
But does depth win NBA championships? I remember an ultra deep Portland Trailblazers team in the late 90's that just could not contend with the star power of the Lakers, even though the ref's made bad calls. Or going even farther back, Reggie Miller led Pacer teams could never beat the Bulls when it mattered most, the last game of a playoff series. Sure there is the instance of a deep team that lacked a legit superstar, 2003-2004 Detroit Pistons, who won against a trio of future (and current) NBA hall of famers. At best, we can label that as an outlier. Outliers do not repeat.
If the Bulls are to go the way of consolidating elite talent, how should they approach the task? A few names that come to mind are Kevin Love, Eric Gordon, and Tyreke Evans, yet none of them stand out as anything other than short-term statistical stars due to the fact they have yet to even taste the playoffs (maybe that is part of being in the west).
We have the assets to land any of them in the form of Jimmy Butler, Taj, Bobcats pick, and our Euro stash Nikola Mirotic. But given the market for NBA talent these past few seasons, it would seem (at least to me) that the Bulls would be giving up more than any other team to get unproven sensations. Think what the Lakers gave up for Gasol and Howard, what N.Y. traded to land Melo, how Brooklyn landed Deron Williams or what the Clippers gave up to nab Paul.?.?.?
There is of course another route: the NBA draft. This years draft looks to be extremely deep in scoring guards. Yet out of all the talent that has/will declare, IMO Victor Oladipo is the most intriguing. Not just because of his upside (a guard who can play stellar defense, shot nearly 60% from the field and more than 40% from the three), but because he stills looks to be under valued due to the sub-par performance of Indiana. Had the Hoosiers made it the final 4, i believe Oladipo would have secured top 5 status.
Now much can change by draft day. VO could wow the socks off of GM's with the combine and individual workouts. But at this point in time, it looks as though he will be in a "friendlier" position to trade up to nab.
I'd say the Bulls play asset management, and try to draft Victor Oladipo. At least they would not have to give up so much talent that they are not better off than they were before, a.k.a, subtraction through addition.
Any thoughts?
