Something like Rose, Butler, Lebron, Gibson, Noah. In the East that is a strong team, even if you switch Lebron with Melo.
It's starting to feel like last off season again when you sat back and thought, 'damn if Dwight's about winning he can't choose anyone but Houston... It makes TOO much sense' It's exactly the same this year for someone such as LeBron. Harden is miles ahead of Wade, and Harden can play a shooter off the ball as well - something Wade couldn't. LeBron has never had a defensive big man like Dwight, or really an athletic big man inside who can finish off some LeBron lobs. ... I'm not getting my hopes up... But damn... These players have to realise these things too surely.
I can give you getting to the dance is 1/2 the battle, but that Bulls team with Lebron is no better than the Heat with Lebron. Rose is done. I just dont get why people hold out hope. I guess it's like they held out hope on Yao. But the writing is on the wall. His comeback attempt will be a distraction. Wade>Rose in terms of team value and Wade was part of the problem. The Bulls will still put up a decent record in the east because they are so weak. And Lebron might get them to the Finals but if that's all he wants then he can just stay where he's at.
And then you open the door to face the winner of the west. Small footnote in history as the "also ran team".
It will be very difficult for them to bring in Melo or Lebron while keeping Butler AND Gibson. Butler also took a big step back this year so not sure what to think of him. If they amnesty Boozer and renounce every free agent they have, they'd have about 11 million in salary cap room. If Lebron or Melo signed there for that number they'd then have to fill out the roster with minimum guys and nothing more. If they were to do a sign and trade of some sort, it's hard to imagine them being able to pull it off while keeping Butler and Gibson on the roster.
If Lebron came to Houston it should be the best odds, 1, they will be better than any of the West teams, and 2, that eliminates anyone from the east... like Im pretty sure if we finished 1st seed, our first rd against the 8th seed would be harder than the finals. Pretty much same for if Melo came, except we would have to go through Lebron in the end, but the rest of his team is terrible, he cant guard them all.
In other words.... I dont see why any top free agent/S&T possiblity would work out here. The bulls would have to trade away the ppl that melo,lebron,love etc. are coming to join forces with. Rose and Noah<<<harden and howard. its not even close, bulls would like to think they are in the mix but they dont have the cap or the trades.
not sure why my last post cut off, rose and noah are nowhere near harden and howard, bulls would like to think they are in the mix but they dont have the cap or the trades without gutting the team of players that are supposed to be luring in the big stars
I don't rule the Bulls out because when players want to go somewhere things can sort of work themselves out, but I struggle to see how it can be done while keeping that Bulls roster at a high level.
How cool is it to actually be at the forefront of the Decision 2.0? In 2010, we as fans were all hoping to be on LeBron's radar but never were. This year we are the true challenger to Miami.
^ Nice write-up. Good to see some reporters are using their heads. Odd that it's coming from BR. Could I be a homer and just don't want to admit it?
WOW, what a tremendous article by Howard Beck at bleacherreport! Thanks for posting that J.R.! Rockets Poised to Make Texas-Sized Offers in NBA Free Agency to LeBron, Melo FINALLY, FINALLY someone looking at the ROSTER and seeing the potential.
Beck was just on 610, and was saying that Lebron feels like he has hit a wall in Miami like he did in Cleveland. He's going to start taking a look at what's out there etc. He said that if all 3 opt out, Lebron will probably stay because he will see the opportunity to improve the team. He thinks the chances are somewhat high that Lebron stays, but if he decides to leave, no other team can put a stronger core around Lebron
Was he saying that the chances are high that he stays just because? or does he think they are all gonna opt out? cuz that would be bad for us with melo and getting anybody... although i dont see wade opting out IMO
He's just giving his opinion. Just like when the other guy gave his opinion that the Rockets would get Melo it wasn't based on actual information, just him making a guess.
