Dear Chicago Bulls…
Boy, did you get lucky.
The odds of you winning the NBA Draft Lottery were only, what, 1.7 percent? And yet, thanks to a few fortunate bounces by those unpredictable ping-pong balls, your franchise obtained the number one pick, and the right to choose between Memphis point guard Derrick Rose and high-scoring Kansas State forward Michael Beasley.
For your front office and your fans, this development was as welcome as a warm brat on a cold day in the parking lot of Soldier Field.
A year ago, you didn’t look like a franchise that needed luck to succeed. After a nice playoff run, you were a team on the rise in the Eastern Conference and it was widely assumed you’d use your plethora of young talent to acquire Kevin Garnett or Pau Gasol.
And when Kobe Bryant became disgruntled in La-La Land, you were the team at the top of his wish list.
Certainly, bringing in any one of those players would make Chicago the favorite in the lackluster East. Of course, none of that came to fruition. Garnett went to the Celtics, Gasol went to the Lakers, and Kobe became less disgruntled and the MVP.
The Bulls struggled all season, finally finishing with a woeful 33-49 record. Ben Wallace continued to collect his paycheck while wearing a ski mask, and you were unable to extend the contracts of your prized possessions Luol Deng and Ben Gordon.
And a few weeks ago when you had a chance to sign Mike D’Antoni—a head coach who allegedly wanted the job—you couldn’t close the deal.
But now, things are looking up. Now you can use that number one pick to obtain your star of the future.
But why stop there? Why not make one more move to further solidify that future? Why not make a move that has nothing to do with luck and good fortune, but everything to do with front office smarts and chutzpah?
Why not trade for Carmelo Anthony?
It’s no secret Denver is shopping their perennial all-star and scoring machine. There have been stories circulating all week about ongoing talks between the Nuggets and the New Jersey Nets. And what the Nets are offering is laughable. The Bulls could easily top that.
You guys could package Kirk Hinrich with Luol Deng (after signing him to an extension, of course), maybe a Thabo Sefolosha, throw in some future draft picks, agree to take on a dead weight contract to make the salaries match-up and suddenly you’re relevant again.
Making this deal also clears room for Chicago native Derrick Rose to become your undisputed point guard and, oh by the way, it’d give you one of the top-15 players in the NBA.
You know, if you’re interested in that sort of thing.
Not only does Melo fill up the box score, he also gives you a go-to guy, something the Bulls have lacked since the departure of that guy, Michael something-or-other.
He also gives you a marketable superstar who will put butts in seats and jerseys on shoulders. Re-sign Gordon and Duhon, bring in a veteran big man, and all of the sudden, you’re also one of the deeper teams east of the Mississippi.
So what are you waiting for? Pick up the phone. Call the Denver Nuggets. Make them an offer. Bring Melo to the Windy City.
Or don’t. Because NOT making the big move worked out so well for you last year.
Onward and Upward,
Dave
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2 months ago
Dear Chicago,
Feel free to bring in Melo, he is a shoot first, no defense ball hog. We would be happy to see him in a bulls jersey keeping Derrik Rose from reaching his full potential. Melo could easily make you one of the highest scoring teams in the NBA but at what cost? He would be your veteran leadership, and the team would take on his personality. Please bring him in, as we would be happy to play some defense and keep you from making it out of the first round.
Signed,
Detroit Pistons
2 months ago
I've been saying this for days. Although, I never would want to see Carmelo leave Denver, my dream deal would look like this
Chris Duhon
Tyrus Thomas
Larry Hughes
2009 1st round pick
for
Carmelo Anthony
J.R. Smith
The trade would beneift both teams. Derrick Rose will be surrounded with threats and the Nuggets receive key defenders and a draft pick in 2009.
Good article.
2 months ago
As a great a talent as Carmelo is, I dont think he is ever going to win unless he somehow learns how to play defense. The guy has the tools, but sadly, he may be another Iverson. A relentless ballhog who has the skill set to dominate in all phases of the game (moreso than Iverson since he is 6'8 240) that cant rally his teammates around him. Denver would lose in the box office, but may gain something by trading him for the right parts. Chicago might be better off looking elsewhere.
2 months ago
Admittedly, Melo isn't a good defender. But he's only 23 and if the Bulls bring in the right coach, he can be taught defense. In the meantime, the Bulls have Hughes who is a pretty good defender who can guard whatever high-scoring swingman a team has and Melo can guard the lesser offensive player.
In any event, I think it's better than the Bulls standing pat and being mediocre. They need to make a splash.
2 months ago
Does anyone know what the situation is with 'Melo's contract? I don't think we should lose one guy who wants a big contract (Gordon), and acquire someone who will bog down the team's finances and not play defense.
from 2 months ago
I find it laughable that you're comparing Melo to Ben Gordon. As if Ben Gordon's been an all-star, you know, ever. But here's a link that has the entire list of Nuggets salaries.
http://hoopshype.com/salaries/denver.htm
Also, I notice a lot of people are stuck on Melo's defense. If you ran everyone out of the league who didn't play defense, you'd only be able to field 5-7 teams.
2 months ago
Ben Gordon plays off the bench...Id take Gordon over Melo, personally. Dude plays no D...But seriously...Chicago is straight next year. Trade or no trade. Trust me, they'll be a tough team to beat. You said Sefolosha, Hinrich and Deng for Anthony? Thats just crazy talk.
2 months ago
I'm not comparing them...I'm saying that if the Bulls want to cut salary then they should cut salary. Also, "making the big deal" is not always the right thing to do, it depends on whether or not the deal works. The deal for Kobe Bryant should have happened because he is the best player in the league, and the MVP trophy now backs that up. This deal shouldn't happen because of Anthony's large contract. The top seven defensive teams (in terms of ppg) in the league all made the playoffs, and 3 of the top 4 are still playing right now. Only two teams (Phoenix and Denver) made the playoffs in the top ten worst defensive teams. Both of those teams were out in the first round. The best teams in the league usually play great defense. Guys like Kobe and Garnett are superstars that can play D and take over games with their offense. George Karl is one of the better coaches (late 90s Supersonics) in the NBA and he couldn't get 'Melo to play good defense.
I will concede though that the marketability of 'Melo is a big positive for the deal. Good article.
from 2 months ago
I don't know why the Bulls are so desperate to cut salary. They're in the 2nd largest market in the country. They're one of the most recognizable franchises in all of sports. And they don't have a lot of bad long term contracts. Larry Hughes is overpaid, but other than him, the only big money contract they currently have on the books is Kirk Hinrich, but they'd be shedding that as part of the deal. So it really wouldn't hurt their salary situation.
Plus, whatever extra money they did spend on Melo would be partially recouped in season ticket sales and the merchandising that goes along with being relevant again.
2 months ago
Interesting thought. The idea of Melo coming to the Bulls never entered my mind because of Luol Deng. I think that he has what it takes to keep up the SF spot, but having Melo instead would be terrific. I've been thinking that if the Bulls went to any Denver player, it would be Marcus Camby, who would solidify the center position.
2 months ago
I just saw on ESPNEWS that the Nuggets will reportedly not trade 'Melo. Also I think Paxson would be hesitant to give out another big contract because of the Ben Wallace trade (although 'Melo IS WAY BETTER than Big Ben).
from 2 months ago
Just to clarify that report was based on Melo's agent, not Nuggests management.
Also, the differences between Big Ben and Melo are many, but let's start with the fact that Melo is far younger and not as one dimensional.
But they both wear headbands.
2 months ago
I think most Bulls fans would prefer a pursuit of Brand, Jermaine O'Neal, etc., but a consolidation trade needs to happen if 'Melo's available. It's so odd to think that the Bulls can afford to trade two of the Gordon/Hinrich/Deng trio when a year ago they couldn't do it to bring in the best player in the game. 'Melo is well worth the price, though I'd want one of the bigs substituted for Sefolosha. Despite the report, I think a package of Hinrich, Deng, and filler could get it done. Good article. It's time for Paxson to capitalize on his luck and make a move.
2 months ago
This is absolutely insane. Carmelo Anthony has questionable off the court conduct, he does not play defense and is sitting in the captain's seat on a Denver ship that is starting to sink fast. Not to mention he has a less then desirable field goal percentage.
There are no positives to bringing Carmelo Anthony to Chicago. He's not a leader, he does not play the point, and he can't post up. Those things alone rule him out to join the Bulls because that is what they are looking for. If you don't believe me, listen to the interview with GM John Paxson that took place today on 670thescore.com.
And Dave, the Bulls are going to make a splash by taking either Michael Beasley or Derrick Rose with the first pick.
from 2 months ago
Drafting a future superstar is a small splash. Just ask the people of Seattle.
Also, Melo is actually very good at posting up. I've seen him score many, many baskets using just this strategy.
from 2 months ago
The fact that you even tried to pull the "he doesn't post up" card completely discredits your entire argument. His offensive strength begins with a post up, and, with his back to the basket, is one of the best scorers in the league.
2 months ago
I think if the Bulls are geared to taking Beasley, then they should trade the pick because Carmelo is basically a proven version of Beasley, and Beasley appears to be an egomaniac and a coaches nightmare.
Rose, however, appears to be a next level point guard. Whether he'll be the impact superstar who can take a team deep into the playoffs is yet to be seen, but 'Melo already appears that he doesn't have the discipline, the desire, or the heart to lead a team to a championship.
from 2 months ago
Really? Last time I checked he already led a team to a championship... as an 18 year old freshmen.
from 2 months ago
The college game is COMPLETELY different than the pro game in every level, especially in competition. How many NBA players did he face on that Kansas team in the Finals? An overachiever in Nick Collison and an average point guard in Kirk Hinrich.
The level of mental and defensive preparation a player has to do in the NBA is far more rigorous than in the college game. All Melo showed during his run was that he had talent.
from 2 months ago
Fair enough. But that's not what you said. You didn't specify "NBA championship". Plus, I would argue that leading a team to an NCAA title speaks volumes about your ability to be a leader of a team. Particularly because in the NCAA tournament you can't take a single game off the way some NBA teams (like the Pistons) do in the NBA playoffs.
from 2 months ago
This is true. But the NBA playoffs also shows that when a defense scouts your tendencies, do you have the resourcefulness to adjust. It's easy to beat one team, one time. Carmelo's never been able to beat one team four times, and has gone on the record as quitting during Denver's first round series loss to Los Angeles. Do champions ever quit?
from 2 months ago
Yes, champions do quit. I mean, you've seen Shaq play right?
from 2 months ago
Shaq does his quitting during and before seasons. I've never seen Shaq quit during a playoff game.
from 2 months ago
Oh, well. I guess that's all right then.
from 2 months ago
It's one thing to take a regular season for granted because you know that you're so talented and you know how to endure the grind of the postseason, than getting to the postseason and not being able to perform.
It's not better, obviously, because Shaq could have had a legendary effect on the game, and could have won more than four titles in his career, but once he got to the playoffs he knew what he was doing. Carmelo still hasn't figured it out, as evidenced by his disregard for defense and his awful shooting numbers (aside from last year against the Spurs).
2 months ago
Please at least consider it. He is one of the top ten players inthe league. First you have way more to offer than NJ. Melo has a pennding DUI who dosen't in professional sports that's not enough not to consider that he could possibly be the scoring threat our team needs
2 months ago
You can't sign and trade with multiple players in the deal. So Gordon or Deng could only be traded heads up for another player. If a team re-signs a player, they are allowed to trade that player immediatley. However, if they wish to package that player with another and make a trade, the team must wait 60 days before doing so.
about 1 month ago
if Kevin Durant got drafted to the Bulls roster he would had a much better year, as would the bulls. The Supersonics had nothing...Durant took on the scoring load, thats why that didnt work. Why trade the pick when u have the next great point or big man coming out? Its just stupid to me...honestly.With Rose there he can speed up the offense, having Larry Hughes could average 20 + in a quicker offense. Thats why he was so good in Washington. Ben Gordon would benefit as well. They have guys that like getting up and down the court so going with Rose in the draft to me would put them the top team in the east. Guards are gonna have trouble staying in front of Derrik Rose. Just like Chris Paul who started using that amazing quickness more this year, Rose can get by his man with no problem, defense collapses...and u have a great offense, just like that. Kirk Hinrich as the point automatically makes them a half court team.
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