Too Big, Too Strong, Too Fast, Not Good Enough
Basketball season is underway and the Chicago Bulls are off to a fast 3-1 start heading into their Nov. 8 matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Bulls were a heavy favorite for a championship last year, but were unfortunately knocked out in the first round of playoffs. Since then, the Bulls have revamped their line-up and changed some things around, almost certainly NOT for the better.
During the offseason the Bulls made multiple personnel changes through various trades, cuts and acquisitions. These changes focused around the Bulls top-quality bench players. The Bulls opted not to retain point guard C.J. Watson, who is now on the Brooklyn Nets, shooting guard Kyle Korver, who was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, Ronnie Brewer, who is now on the New York Knicks and center Omer Asik, who went to the Houston Rockets after the Bulls didn't match their astounding contract offer.
Why all the changes? These were players who managed to win even when stars Derrick Rose and Luol Deng missed a combined 39 games last season. To be fair, Asik's contract would have been a steal for the first two years, and then death to the Bulls salary cap in the third, so it was a no-brainer to let him go. Watson, Korver, and Brewer, however, were all released for cheaper, and distinctly less skillful, options in Kirk Hinrich, Vladimir Radmonovic, and Marco Belinelli. How much cheaper? These changes saved the Chicago front office a couple hundred-thousand dollars per player. In the grand scheme of the NBA, this is absurd. Their contracts weren't costing millions like Asik's would have, but rather just a few thousand.
Among the other changes to the roster were the loss of John Lucas III and Brian Scalabrine, and the acquisition of Nazr Mohammed, Nate Robinson and rookie Marquis Teague.
There are still some familiar faces on the hardwood of the United Center. Starters Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer and Richard Hamilton are all returning for the Bulls this season, as is back-up power forward Taj Gibson, who thankfully had his contract extended and second-year small forward Jimmy Butler.
The face that is painfully missing from the court is that of the Windy City Assassin, Derrick Rose. After suffering a torn ACL in the playoffs last season, Rose is expected to be out for the greater portion of the 2012-13 season, which means Hinrich will be getting the start for the majority of games. Experienced or not, Hinrich simply does not have the ability to lead the Bulls to a championship like Rose does. Until Rose is back on the court and healthy, the Bulls will struggle to reach their optimal performance level.
Fans would be wary to expect another championship run in the upcoming years, but with head coach Tom Thibodeau at the helm and D-Rose working harder than he ever has before, there is always hope.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
Recent neiuindependent News Articles
Discuss This Article
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST NEIUINDEPENDENT NEWS
RECENT NEIUINDEPENDENT CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Salonpas® Brand Stands the Test of Time
- Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring
- Upgraded Upstate Power Grid Will Deliver a Smarter,...
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
- Clear the Air of Indoor Pollutants This Spring
- Stroke & Dementia in Black Men: Tips for Staying Healthy...
- Hispanics and African Americans at Higher Risk for Eye...
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- New Expo Showcases AI Innovation
- Self-Care and Mental Health Tips for Caregivers
- Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings...
- Need Auto Glass Repair? Don’t Despair
- Pioneering Fast and Affordable Broadband for the Underserved
- 7 Reasons Renting an RV Should Be On Every Family’s S...
- Don’t Let Diabetes Shortchange Your Golden Years
- No Child is Forgotten By Marine Toys for Tots
- Sweeten Your Springtime Salads With Healthy Chilean Grapes
- Young Author Translates 4,000-Year-Old Text to Reveal...
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Guidenar Launches New Career Test for Gen Z
- GotIt! Education Offers MathGPT Free to All State & Community Colleges
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK