NBA Success: Formula One

Granted, it’s almost hard to argue that the east is even comparable to the west, with all of our western foes seemingly getting the sweeter end of the deal this deadline. You don’t need a “strong” team to make it out of there in one piece.

But still, third?

Here’s why you’re wrong SI: You need your elite point guards, your scorers, your wingmen, and your big men to win nowadays.

The Bulls, both before and after the deadline, still have none. If they do then they have yet to establish themselves as such. Who was our scorer? Luol? That’s fine by me, but the problem is the ball somehow doesn’t end up in his hands. Is it Gordon? Not from what I’ve seen. He forces bad shots, turns the ball over, and is a huge liability on defense.

Who’s our elite point guard? Kirk? Maybe if he’s playing the one like he’s supposed to. On draft day the guy was receiving comparisons to Stockton. STOCKTON! JOHN STOCKTON! You know, the guy who holds all of those assists records? Maybe we should let him, I don’t know...DO WHAT HE WAS BROUGHT HERE TO DO! Unfortunately, Kirk is too streaky, and I think it’s time to move on.

Who are our wingmen? Nocioni? Thabo? Possibly, but they need to see some court time then. Neither have really shown they’re capable of being consistent yet. They either need to step up or ship out before their value goes below freezing.

Don’t even start me on big men. Ben Wallace, while a great acquisition, did not fit. The Bulls didn’t have trouble stopping the ball, it was scoring it inside the paint. If Thomas and Noah can grow up and mature, Chicago might have a front court that’s worth scouting. Only time will tell though. Don’t sleep on Aaron Gray either.

Again I digress.

What we’ve seen here is a formula that isn’t going to work in the NBA. The 90s are over Paxson. You can’t put the ball in the hands of a couple of scorers and surround them with mediocrity anymore. Had you traded for Kobe we would still be in the same hole.

Today’s NBA takes a formula of not one, not two, but three or four solid capable players in order to become elite. Luol Deng is not a superstar, not yet any way. Kirk Hinrich is not an elite point guard, though he’s shown glimpses. Gordon, Nocioni, Thabo—they aren’t the wingmen we need to bring home hardware.

The acquisition of Hughes and Gooden may turn out for the best. It may even lead to a playoff berth. But there is a bigger issue at hand here. Bulls fans around the globe are pleading. We’ve come so close. We drank from the fountain of youth and now we want it all.

I remember the Jordan Days. Those days when you needed a star or two and a JV team to win championships. But this is 2008, John, and you need to realize that in order to win in the 21st century, you need to have three or four capable players.

And if it doesn’t happen fast, a great opportunity will have been lost, and it will take a long time for us to get it back.

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