The Chicago Bulls missed the NBA playoffs for the first time in eight years and changes may be in order with the roster.
As they say in the NBA, you are either in contention for a title or you are rebuilding.
There is no middle.
So without any further ado, let’s explore some choices as they relate to the Bulls roster.
Management:
In response to rumors that general manager Gar Forman would be fired last Wednesday night, Bulls vice president John Paxson said, “Somebody told me there was a report that Gar’s job was in jeopardy. It is not.”
What this team needs will not be solved by firing the general manager, but by having the gumption to recognize current changes to the game and by making the appropriate choices with personnel to maintain a competitive chance.
Forman is a good judge of talent, who was more than likely limited by an ages-old approach to the handling of trades, free agents and medical decisions, specifically as they relate to the time needed for a player to recover from injuries.
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Coaching:
“I don’t necessarily think it’s a personnel issue. If you demand of people and hold them accountable I think you can get them to do things on the floor,” Paxson said.
Just a thought: Isn’t this the same roster that quit on one of the most demanding coaches in modern NBA history in Tom Thibodeau?
Why don’t the Bulls bring in some mobile, smart and tough players who can shoot threes and then maybe we can fairly evaluate head coach Fred Hoiberg?
Derrick Rose:
After completing the 2015-16 season relatively healthy and productive, Derrick Rose has re-established himself as one the most effective guards at getting in the lane. Rose has also revamped his game to make the best use of floaters and medium-range shots.
Rose does need to improve defensively, but I suspect it is unfair to place an inordinate amount of blame on him when he plays for a team that never really defended the pick-and-roll well or a team that failed consistently to make secondary rotations on defense. (Both issues can in part be attributed to a team lack of trust/sacrifice).
Verdict: I would say let Rose play out his last year unless you can find a better point guard.
However, it seems that trust in the the terms of the Bulls medical recommendations has eroded to the point that Rose will routinely sit out for what some would call minor injuries. Unless that trust can be restored, it may be best for all parties involved to part ways.
Jimmy Butler:
Details of Jimmy Butler‘s rise from relative obscurity to one of the top two-way players in the game today are well-chronicled, but to properly evaluate him, one should consider all sides of of the story.
What does that mean?
When Butler went public with an early-season direct criticism of his coach — which could have been handled internally — and then followed it up with a request that his coach allow him to play offensively in a way that benefited him, was a detriment of the team.
The point is that the Bulls should consider whether or not they want to hitch their wagon to a selfish player.
The Bulls already have a point guard, who just happens to be a former league MVP, but Butler made it known his desire to be the team’s point guard.
In Hoiberg’s offense, he who shoots best from the three-point line will shine. I’m just saying.
Verdict: Trade Butler for the best combination of draft picks you can before the rest of the league hones in on that declining shooting percentage.
Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol:
Noah deserves a better salary, but for a different team. It’s time to sign and trade a player that is extremely limited offensively and to be honest, it’s time for new leadership to emerge on the Bulls.
All U Can Heat
Noah is a great guy and the team should consider bringing him back as an assistant coach in say, three years. Both Gasol and Noah are unrestricted free agents.
Gasol is still a consistent double-double threat, but he’s is in the stage of his career where he can produce numbers while not really extending himself on defense. To be fair, Gasol has never really taken a charging foul throughout his career and he does have two championships.
However, it may just be time to put a promising young center behind new starter Cristiano Felicio.
Verdict: Offer Gasol a decent increase and see what happens.
The Reserves:
E’Twaun Moore is a keeper and possibly a team leader going forward. I can see a long career in the organization for him.
Nikola Mirotic and Doug McDermott are both keepers who would benefit from a healthier team culture. Mirotic is the starter going forward and has shown he has little fear. Regarding McDermott, the next loose ball on the floor he goes for will be the first.
Mike Dunleavy can still contribute toughness and stability.
Felicio and Justin Holiday are both gems that model the type of grit needed to reestablish a winning culture. Remember, these two guys busted it when they could have played it safe.
Felicio really shined when going against bigger and possibly stronger players in his refusal to back down. His battle down low versus Zach Randolph of the Memphis Grizzlies late in the year was a sight for sore eyes.
Verdict: The reserves are keepers and in need of more support and a better effort organizationally.
The Bulls don’t need a gut rehab, but could benefit from the right mix of draft picks and veterans to hit the ground running.
Some possibilities include veterans Victor Oladipo, Harrison Barnes, Jahlil Okafor, Evan Fournier, Nicolas Batum, Mike Conley, Kent Bazemore, Hassan Whiteside and Jeff Green.
Draft picks could include Brandon Ingram of Duke, Domantas Sabonis of Gonzaga, Tyler Ulis of Kentucky, Malcolm Brogdon of Virginia and Buddy Hield of Oklahoma.
Next: Derrick Rose: 'I'm blessed to play'
Like I said at the beginning, you are either contending or rebuilding.