Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bulls fans, Joakim Noah has warned us (and questioned the intent of our fandom)! On Wednesday night after the Bulls came out victorious in a grueling yet thrilling 128-125 triple overtime win vs. the Orlando Magics in which Noah led the way with 26 pts and 19 rebs in 49 mins, he had a little message to the fans of his Bulls team (the ones that want them to tank):
"What do I say to those fans?” I don’t say nothing to those fans. It’s all good. You’re allowed to have your opinion. It’s just … that’s not a real fan to me. You know what I’m saying? You want your team to lose? What is that? But it’s all good.(via ESPN Chicago)"
There you have it, it looks like you can’t convince a player like Noah to buy into the “losing on purpose to get better players next season” jargon. This is not the first time Noah has voiced his opinion on the so-called “tanking” subject (I would not bring it up in his presence from now on). Trying to convince this Bulls team to lose and give up on the season just because they don’t have the key players they need, is like trying to make Tom Thibodeau stop coaching defense (by the way there’s no way Thibs will allow his team to tank). It’s just not gonna happen! Like Noah said, we all are allowed to have our own opinion but when it comes to cheering for your favorite team to lose, that’s just not something that adds up. Who’s to say that “tanking” this season will really benefit the Bulls in the long run. Everyone should know by know that the NBA is a league where surprises and changes happen. Good solid draft picks are not guaranteed and so is hitting it big in free agency. You can win, or you can flat out lose!
In particular the 2014 NBA draft picks and free agents are actually the biggest and brightest in recent years. Like I have been saying before, the key for Bulls fans is to have patience. For all we know, next season could be the time were we finally put together a team that will bring us our long awaited championship (have you seen the draft picks and free agents)! On the market will be (these are my top picks):
Lebron James (Miami Heat) He’s arguably the best basketball player right now, enough said!
Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks) Melo is my biggest pick to join the Bulls! Solid scorer, and Thibs can teach him some much needed defensive skills!
Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks) He’ll probably remain a Maverick.
Luol Deng (Cleveland Cavaliers) Yes, folks this is not typo, don’t know if he will find his way back with the Bulls next season. It’s his decision.
We can’t go without mentioning Nikola Mirotic who plays in the Euroleague (Spanish ACB) for Real Madrid, as he is a strong contender for joining the Bulls next season according to Bleacher Report. It’s important to note that Mirotic was a first round draft pick for the Bulls back in 2011. After all that development in the Euroleague it looks like the 2014-2014 NBA season is the perfect time to add his much needed attributes to Bulls team.
Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
And those draft picks!!! Oh boy! Can we just say Jabari Parker (#1 draft prospect and Duke University small forward) and we can’t forget to mention that he’s a Chicago-native, born and raised! Landing a player like Parker is still likely even without Bulls having to tank. Who thought we would land MVP (youngest ever) and Bulls point guard Derrick Rose back in the 2008 NBA Draft pretty much winning?! Remember when the Bulls had a 1.7% chance of getting that #1 pick? My point is, tanking is not the answer to what has been a disappointing season. With Rose’s unfortunate injury (torn right medial meniscus) and pretty much kissing our championship dreams away yet again this season.
For the rest of the season the Bulls will win some and lose some. As far as “losing on purpose” that’s never gonna go down in Chicago! Patience Bulls fans, there is much to be hopeful for in the future. Nothing good comes easy, and how you handle setbacks and trials determines the outcome of your future. Bulls are actually on the right track to their ultimate goal…