by JOSHUA CHAPMAN
The Chicago Bulls are a top-4 team in the NBA’s Eastern Conference and are seen by many as the team by many to be the team best poised to defeat the defending champion Miami Heat off their throne and represent the East in the NBA Finals. The Bulls made a few small moves in the offseason while they saw the other main contenders (Brooklyn, Indiana, Miami and New York) made significant moves to boost their respective clubs. Of course it’s much easier to sit on the couch and say what I would’ve done differently, but I still take a look at what the Bulls did and what I feel they should’ve done during the offseason.
The Chicago Bulls are a top-4 team in the NBA’s Eastern Conference and are seen by many as the team by many to be the team best poised to defeat the defending champion Miami Heat off their throne and represent the East in the NBA Finals. The Bulls made a few small moves in the offseason while they saw the other main contenders (Brooklyn, Indiana, Miami and New York) made significant moves to boost their respective clubs. Of course it’s much easier to sit on the couch and say what I would’ve done differently, but I still take a look at what the Bulls did and what I feel they should’ve done during the offseason.
What They Did: Sign F Mike Dunleavy Jr. to a 2-year, $6 million contract
What They Should’ve Done: Sign C Timofrey Mozgov to a 2-year, $6 million contract
Dunleavy is a good guy to have around the locker-room, but the Bulls have more pressing needs, such as a young, mobile big man who can rebound, defend well, protect the rim and score easy buckets. Enter Timofrey Mozgov, who is probably known for being posterized by Clippers forward Blake Griffin, who turned Mozgov’s last name into a verb (as in you’ve been “Mozgoved”). Mozgov though, as I mentioned, can rebound and defend well, get easy buckets near the basket and in transition as well as block shots well. He’s the type of big man that won’t win you any games, but he’s not going to be the reason that you lose, which is all you really look for in a backup center. The problem for Mozgov is getting consistent playing time. He faced a log jam last year in Denver in a 5-big man rotation and faces the same problem this year as well. While the Nuggets offered more money, the Bulls would’ve offered more playing time and a legitimate shot at a title. Mozgov would’ve been a solid backup, giving starting center Joakim Noah a 10-15 minute breather every night.
What They Did: Resign C Nazr Muhammad to veterans minimum
What They Should’ve Done: Resign C Nazr Muhammad to veterans minimum
I like that they brought back the grizzled veteran Nazr Muhammad. I just think that they could’ve waited a while to do so. I mean really, how many teams are lining up to sign a 37-year old center that’s been in the league 15 years? I think that Nazr would make an excellent 5th/ emergency big man, filling the Kurt Thomas role from 2011. Although he came on towards the end of last year, I’m not sure if he’s going to give you the production and/or minutes that Coach Tom Thibodeau would be looking for. However, in a mentor and emergency role, Muhammad could be a real asset in strengthening the bench and the Bulls’ front line.
What They Did: Let Kyle Korver’s trade exception expire
What They Should’ve Done: Sign G Marco Belinelli to whatever the trade exception would’ve allowed
Marco Belinelli deserved a pay raise after the performance. The Bulls had a $5.01 million trade exception after Kyle Korver’s trade to the Atlanta Hawks last year. See where I’m going with this? Belinelli really came into his own during the latter part of the year, when he fully understood and grasped Thibodeau’s scheme on both offense and defense. Marco also showed clutch tendencies, hitting 4 game winning shots last year during the regular season. He played well off the bench and even better as a starter. He would’ve complimented Derrick Rose’s drive and kick tendencies well. He also could’ve been a secondary ball handler that would take some of the pressure and handling off of Derrick Rose. Coming off the bench, he would’ve been a go-to/instant scorer to carry the second unit, along with point guard Kirk Hinrich and big man Taj Gibson’s decent mid-rage jumper. More importantly, bringing back Marco Belinelli to play the backup shooting guard spot means that Kirk Hinrich would battle second year point guard Marquis Teague for the backup point guard position. Competition means that the Bulls will be getting the very best backup for Derrick Rose. It also means that the loser will be able to step in case of injury and once again, strengthen the bench even more.
What They Did: Leave an open roster space
What They Should’ve Done: Sign G/F Ronnie Brewer
I already know what you’re thinking: “We already have Jimmy Butler, why do we need to bring back Ronnie Brewer?” “He can’t shoot and the Bulls need guys on the bench that can score.” Let me explain. See, last year’s playoffs proved that while the Bulls need more scorers, they could still use another defender on the wing. When Luol Deng went down with sickness, Jimmy Butler was left as the only real perimeter defender that could handle the likeness of Dwayne Wade and LeBron James. By bringing back Ronnie Brewer, the Bulls not only have an insurance policy in case of injury to Deng or Butler, but they have an established defender to give Jimmy Butler and Luol Deng a breather. Brewer is someone that Tom Thibodeau trusts, meaning he doesn’t have to have Butler or Deng on the court at all times. As far as scoring, Brewer is valuable on the fast break, cutting to the basket and surprisingly behind the 3-point line, getting most of his long range points off of kick outs from Derrick Rose. While a Bull, Brewer shot an (relatively) impressive 31.5% with Derrick Rose playing. Without him? 19%. In addition, Bulls draftee Tony Snell would be able to sit behind 3 of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA not named LeBron James or Tony Allen. Jimmy Butler had the luxury of sitting behind Luol Deng and Brewer himself his first year. Re-signing Brewer means that Snell won’t be thrust into action and, more likely, the Bulls won’t be playing guys like Kirk Hinrich out of position.
What They Did: Draft Tony Snell
What They Should’ve Done: Draft Tony Snell
I’ll admit, I wasn’t exactly jumping out of my seat, brimming with excitement when David Stern announced the selection. But after thinking about it for a while, it makes a lot of sense. Snell has the potential to develop into a Kwahi Leonard type player; i.e. a player that’ll provide good 3-point shooting, will cut to the basket and provide excellent perimeter defense. If Snell pans out that way, he and Jimmy Butler will create a terrorizing tandem on the wings. It also tells me that the Bulls will hardball forward Luol Deng into signing a more team friendly contract. Remember, Thibodeau doesn’t believe in giving rookies much playing time (unless it’s an absolute emergency) but given the coming out party Jimmy Butler had last year, it doesn’t seem like he’ll be changing his ways anytime soon. Why would the Bulls give Luol Deng money comparable to the contract he has now when there are 2 young, similar players already on the team? The Bulls could easily shift Butler over to the 3 and start Snell at the 2 without much drop-off, if any. The Bulls are very well positioned to move on without “Lieutenant Deng,” as Stacey King calls him, if he doesn’t agree to a reasonable deal.
The Bulls had the chance to make some bold moves to improve their team and they didn’t. They went predictably conservative and watched as the other marquee teams in the East took a chance and added more talent to their rosters. Division rival Indiana Pacers signed Luis Scola, a starter worthy big man, to their bench in an effort to improve scoring. Reigning champion and bitter rival Miami Heat acquired oft-injured but talented big man Greg Oden in an effort to battle the bruising frontlines of the Bulls and Pacers. The Brooklyn Nets completely destroyed the salary cap and added stars F Kevin Garnett and F Paul Pierce to an already solid lineup. And the New York Knicks traded for 3-point shooting big man Andrea Bargnani in an effort to spread the floor even more for star Carmelo Anthony. The Bulls look for their stifling defense, the hallmark of this team, to carry them back to the Eastern Conference Finals and hopefully an appearance in the NBA Finals. However, the Bulls front office is playing a dangerous game by remaining conservative and timid in refusing to make a splash during the offseason.
What They Should’ve Done: Sign C Timofrey Mozgov to a 2-year, $6 million contract
Dunleavy is a good guy to have around the locker-room, but the Bulls have more pressing needs, such as a young, mobile big man who can rebound, defend well, protect the rim and score easy buckets. Enter Timofrey Mozgov, who is probably known for being posterized by Clippers forward Blake Griffin, who turned Mozgov’s last name into a verb (as in you’ve been “Mozgoved”). Mozgov though, as I mentioned, can rebound and defend well, get easy buckets near the basket and in transition as well as block shots well. He’s the type of big man that won’t win you any games, but he’s not going to be the reason that you lose, which is all you really look for in a backup center. The problem for Mozgov is getting consistent playing time. He faced a log jam last year in Denver in a 5-big man rotation and faces the same problem this year as well. While the Nuggets offered more money, the Bulls would’ve offered more playing time and a legitimate shot at a title. Mozgov would’ve been a solid backup, giving starting center Joakim Noah a 10-15 minute breather every night.
What They Did: Resign C Nazr Muhammad to veterans minimum
What They Should’ve Done: Resign C Nazr Muhammad to veterans minimum
I like that they brought back the grizzled veteran Nazr Muhammad. I just think that they could’ve waited a while to do so. I mean really, how many teams are lining up to sign a 37-year old center that’s been in the league 15 years? I think that Nazr would make an excellent 5th/ emergency big man, filling the Kurt Thomas role from 2011. Although he came on towards the end of last year, I’m not sure if he’s going to give you the production and/or minutes that Coach Tom Thibodeau would be looking for. However, in a mentor and emergency role, Muhammad could be a real asset in strengthening the bench and the Bulls’ front line.
What They Did: Let Kyle Korver’s trade exception expire
What They Should’ve Done: Sign G Marco Belinelli to whatever the trade exception would’ve allowed
Marco Belinelli deserved a pay raise after the performance. The Bulls had a $5.01 million trade exception after Kyle Korver’s trade to the Atlanta Hawks last year. See where I’m going with this? Belinelli really came into his own during the latter part of the year, when he fully understood and grasped Thibodeau’s scheme on both offense and defense. Marco also showed clutch tendencies, hitting 4 game winning shots last year during the regular season. He played well off the bench and even better as a starter. He would’ve complimented Derrick Rose’s drive and kick tendencies well. He also could’ve been a secondary ball handler that would take some of the pressure and handling off of Derrick Rose. Coming off the bench, he would’ve been a go-to/instant scorer to carry the second unit, along with point guard Kirk Hinrich and big man Taj Gibson’s decent mid-rage jumper. More importantly, bringing back Marco Belinelli to play the backup shooting guard spot means that Kirk Hinrich would battle second year point guard Marquis Teague for the backup point guard position. Competition means that the Bulls will be getting the very best backup for Derrick Rose. It also means that the loser will be able to step in case of injury and once again, strengthen the bench even more.
What They Did: Leave an open roster space
What They Should’ve Done: Sign G/F Ronnie Brewer
I already know what you’re thinking: “We already have Jimmy Butler, why do we need to bring back Ronnie Brewer?” “He can’t shoot and the Bulls need guys on the bench that can score.” Let me explain. See, last year’s playoffs proved that while the Bulls need more scorers, they could still use another defender on the wing. When Luol Deng went down with sickness, Jimmy Butler was left as the only real perimeter defender that could handle the likeness of Dwayne Wade and LeBron James. By bringing back Ronnie Brewer, the Bulls not only have an insurance policy in case of injury to Deng or Butler, but they have an established defender to give Jimmy Butler and Luol Deng a breather. Brewer is someone that Tom Thibodeau trusts, meaning he doesn’t have to have Butler or Deng on the court at all times. As far as scoring, Brewer is valuable on the fast break, cutting to the basket and surprisingly behind the 3-point line, getting most of his long range points off of kick outs from Derrick Rose. While a Bull, Brewer shot an (relatively) impressive 31.5% with Derrick Rose playing. Without him? 19%. In addition, Bulls draftee Tony Snell would be able to sit behind 3 of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA not named LeBron James or Tony Allen. Jimmy Butler had the luxury of sitting behind Luol Deng and Brewer himself his first year. Re-signing Brewer means that Snell won’t be thrust into action and, more likely, the Bulls won’t be playing guys like Kirk Hinrich out of position.
What They Did: Draft Tony Snell
What They Should’ve Done: Draft Tony Snell
I’ll admit, I wasn’t exactly jumping out of my seat, brimming with excitement when David Stern announced the selection. But after thinking about it for a while, it makes a lot of sense. Snell has the potential to develop into a Kwahi Leonard type player; i.e. a player that’ll provide good 3-point shooting, will cut to the basket and provide excellent perimeter defense. If Snell pans out that way, he and Jimmy Butler will create a terrorizing tandem on the wings. It also tells me that the Bulls will hardball forward Luol Deng into signing a more team friendly contract. Remember, Thibodeau doesn’t believe in giving rookies much playing time (unless it’s an absolute emergency) but given the coming out party Jimmy Butler had last year, it doesn’t seem like he’ll be changing his ways anytime soon. Why would the Bulls give Luol Deng money comparable to the contract he has now when there are 2 young, similar players already on the team? The Bulls could easily shift Butler over to the 3 and start Snell at the 2 without much drop-off, if any. The Bulls are very well positioned to move on without “Lieutenant Deng,” as Stacey King calls him, if he doesn’t agree to a reasonable deal.
The Bulls had the chance to make some bold moves to improve their team and they didn’t. They went predictably conservative and watched as the other marquee teams in the East took a chance and added more talent to their rosters. Division rival Indiana Pacers signed Luis Scola, a starter worthy big man, to their bench in an effort to improve scoring. Reigning champion and bitter rival Miami Heat acquired oft-injured but talented big man Greg Oden in an effort to battle the bruising frontlines of the Bulls and Pacers. The Brooklyn Nets completely destroyed the salary cap and added stars F Kevin Garnett and F Paul Pierce to an already solid lineup. And the New York Knicks traded for 3-point shooting big man Andrea Bargnani in an effort to spread the floor even more for star Carmelo Anthony. The Bulls look for their stifling defense, the hallmark of this team, to carry them back to the Eastern Conference Finals and hopefully an appearance in the NBA Finals. However, the Bulls front office is playing a dangerous game by remaining conservative and timid in refusing to make a splash during the offseason.