Pitchers and catchers report in a week, Alex Rodriguez admitted that he is a douche and the rest of Chicagoans are waiting for the Chicago Bulls to do something.
This isn't calling for action for the sake of action.
It's for taking the franchise in a direction. The Chicago Bulls will meet the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night for Johnny Red Kerr night, and it will become even more obvious how far this franchise has sunk.
Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen will be in house. Even Phoenix Suns GM Steve Kerr will be there. The Bruce-Springsteenism of "Glory Days" has passed, and it's not anywhere near.
The Chicago Bulls need to team Derrick Rose with Amare Stoudemire quickly. It's true that the Suns are fielding plenty of offers and will take their time. There's also reports that say the Bulls are among the aggressive suitors, which should make some feel better.
GM John Paxson has taken his blows in recent history with moves that have set back the franchise several seasons. This time, he should not bluff when it comes to landing a young, talented, perennial all-star.
Tyrus Thomas will be a decent player in the NBA, but not a star--he lacks strength, intelligence, instincts, drive and has an inflated ego. He's developing into a shot-blocker to be sure, but is he really a good defender?
To think of it, is Tyson Chandler even a good defender?
Highlight plays can skew people's sense of value. It's why Al Jefferson of the Minnesota Timberwolves--now out for the season with an ACL injury--is not yet known to much of the basketball public.
He's not flashy, just really good. He's the consumate post presence in the way that Tim Duncan is, but without the explosive athleticism.
Amare may be both: he's so good it's worth the gamble. In fact, he's good enough to make Rose better. And this is how the franchise should position itself--take advantage of the salary dumps around the league.
- I know this is difficult because Jerry Reinsdorf doesn't want to pay the luxury tax, and he has a right to, since only teams on the verge of winning a championship should walk that line. Fans wants spending sprees, and blockbuster trades.
- Moving Kirk Hinrich for an expiring contract, say Raef LaFrentz in Portland, is another worthy tactic.
- Andres Nocioni for a draft pick?
But as the Suns have proved, moving big contracts with big names doesn't always equate to winning. It's a lot of hype, a lot of action.
But when someone is the ripe age of 26, those actions are justified. And sometimes, in sports, you need to get a little lucky...like landing the first pick in the 2008 draft with a 1.7 percent chance.
Or Michael Jordan sliding to No. 3 in the NBA draft. After luck, comes the success.
Just witness the ceremony tonight.
1 comment:
Before we get carried away, we need to understand that the Suns have a valuable asset and the Bulls are probably not best positioned to land him.
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