Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
The Bulls was the trade watchers! They were player watchers! Watching deals go by…my, my, my. Last week the Bulls stood still, not making any moves last week. But the Leastern Conference playoff contenders did. The two top teams Indiana and Miami made moves last week for different reasons. The Pacers basically went all in to beat the Miami Heat, trading Danny Granger to the Philadelphia 76ers for Evan Turner. Granger has since been bought out and will join the Clippers. The Miami Heat did another salary dump trading Roger Mason Jr. and cash to the Sacramento Kings for a protected second round pick. Mason was waived. That’s it just waived. As for seeds three through eight, five games in the loss column separates everyone. Even Cleveland who is on the outside looking in has a voice in this. Which begs the question, did the Bulls make the right decision based on the moves of the other contenders? Let’s take a look.
Toronto Raptors (#3 seed-1/2 game in front of Bulls-tied in the loss column as of this writing)
This is about what the Raptors did not do. They did not trade away their starting point guard Kyle Lowry. The Raptors have turned into the Eastern Conference Phoenix Suns. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year but one Rudy Gay trade and the Raptors starting playing well. Kyle Lowry was shopped around basically the entire season with the New York Knicks flirting with potential deals for months. Lowry starts going nuts and he is taken off the trading block. Instead the Raptors trade Austin Daye to the Spurs for Nondo De Colo. What does this say? The Raptors are going to ride it out with this bunch.
Does this hurt the Bulls?
I really don’t think so. The Raptors can score but they give up a ton of points. The frontline of the Bulls are playing out of their minds right now, plus factor in the fact the Bulls realize now it is fun to score and is good for morale…I think the Bulls will overtake Toronto.
Washington Wizards (#5 seed-21/2 games behind the Bulls as of this writing)
I’m worried about this one. The Washington Wizards really made a good move acquiring Andre Miller from the Denver Nuggets in a three team trade. They sent forward Jan Vessly to the Nuggets and Eric Maynor and two second round picks to the Philadelphia 76ers. They signed Eric Maynor to back up John Wall. Uh to say it didn’t work out would be very nice. Andre Miller can play folks. He can hold the fort when Wall is on the bench plus he can mentor Wall and Bradley Beal. To top all of that off, he can take your guard to the post. This might be the best acquisition after it’s all said and done. In a side note with Nene out for six weeks due to injury, the Wizards sign Drew Gooden to a 10 day contract.
Does this hurt the Bulls
Yep! Andre Miller will make the Wizards offense more efficient. Trust me. He’s a old school professional basketball player that knows many systems, meaning the Wizards will look like they can run an offensive set when he’s in the game. As for the post up opportunities, DJ Augustin and Kirk Hinrich had better eat their Wheaties.
Brooklyn Nets (#6 seed 31/2 games behind the Bulls as of this writing)
The Nets traded the paper plane Jason Terry and Reggie Evans to Sacramento for Marcus Thornton. Jason Terry is still in New York working on his knees. He is out for the rest of the season. The Nets hope that Thornton’s change of scenery will help him find his jump shot. He is in the worst season of his career.
Does this hurt the Bulls?
As long as Jason Kidd is coaching this squad, I’ll never worry. No!
Charlotte Bobcats (#7 seed 4 games behind the Bulls as of this writing)
Believe it or not, the Charlotte Bobcats have the most impact on the Bulls. If the Bobcats make the playoffs, the Bulls get their 2014 pick which will make Gar Forman and John Paxson look like they actually know what they are doing upstairs in the management offices. The Bobcats upgraded the back-up guard spots by saving Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour from the Milwaukee Bucks. They sent Ramon Sessions and Jeff Adrien to Milwaukee.
Does this hurt the Bulls?
Let me put it this way. The Bobcats play San Antonio…loss. Then they play Oklahoma City…loss. Then they play the champs…loss. Did I mention that these games are on the road? Then they come home to play the Indiana Pacers…loss. 0-4 is in the future of the Bobcats. Won’t hurt.
Atlanta Hawks (#8 seed 5 games behind the Bulls as of this writing)
Traded for Antawn Jamison in a financially motivated deal who has already been bought out. Never wanted him. Danny Ferry is clearing cap space for next year.
Does this hurt the Bulls?
Does it matter? The Hawks will not make the playoffs unless one of the other teams fall off a cliff. Plus the Bulls are 3-0 in the season series.