Most of the big free agents have committed by now. Wade and Bosh to Miami. Stoudemire to the Knicks. Johnson and Gay resign with their former teams. Durant signed a long contract extension. LeBron will announce his decision tomorrow on ESPN.
Oh, and the Clippers got Vinny Del Negro.
It was looking a bit grim for the Bulls, but at least they got Carlos Boozer, someone they've been after for a year now. He's a good rebounder and has some offensive skills. He's definitely someone we can use, but certainly not one of the top tier free agents.
Of course we're not out of the LeBron sweepstakes yet, but it isn't looking great. It doesn't help that he's going to make the announcement near New York. Outside of whatever LeBron does, everyone will say that Miami won the free agent derby, but unless they get LeBron or start signing a bunch of useful role players, the Bulls don't have to fear the Heat. Bosh is a bit of an over-rated player, and not a great defender. I'd say the same, but even more so, for Stoudemire. Both of them are also now a bit over-paid, so I'm not upset at losing out at them.
Even assuming no LeBron, the Bulls can still improve by picking up a shooting guard. Ray Allen hasn't committed yet, but he's only going to be good for a year or two. I would like to see them make a run at David Lee. I may be crazy, but I think he and Boozer could play together, with one of them at the 3 spot. Of course I've said for years that the Bulls must get rid of Deng.
On the other hand, there is always next year and Carmelo Anthony to slide into the 3 spot. He actually has the perfect game to fit in with the other Bull players. You hate to say wait until next year when so much hope was put on this year, but that may be the best plan.
If LeBron goes to the Bulls I will forgive him for arranging a one hour ESPN special to make his declaration, but if not, it will be very easy to hate him for this. I think he may also have set a record for having the most followers on Twitter without making a single tweet.
Matt Donath
ReplyDeleteLooks like LeBron is headed to Miami with Bosh and Wade. Now everyone outside of Miami will have a team to hate. Bulls have to find a shooting guard now since they gave up three of them (Gordon, Salmons, Hinrich) in their LeBron pipe-dream.
13 hours ago ·
Matt Donath
When asked during "The Decision" when he made up his mind, LeBron, with a perfectly straight face, replied "This morning." This after it has been widely reported for days that he has rented out six Miami beach houses for a celebration party this weekend!
Also -- Lee looks headed for Golden State and Allen resigned, so the Bulls did not do very well in the free agent hunt.
ReplyDelete