Carmelo Anthony: Five Reasons Bulls Should Trade Joakim Noah for 'Melo
Just recently, the sports world has been buzzing with the rumor of Joakim Noah being included in a deal for Carmelo Anthony.
Some say these are legitimate discussions while others say it's a ploy to get Noah to sign an extension. Whether or not you believe this rumor, the Bulls should put the idea under serious consideration.
Carmelo is a rare talent to come by, and this is an opportunity they should look to jump on.
Carmelo is Superior
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Comparing Carmelo Anthony to Joakim Noah is like putting a Lamborghini Gallardo up against a Ford F-150 at Nürburgring. Sure Noah has a big body and can haul down a lot of boards, but he has nothing against 'Melo's finely tuned engine.
With Carlos Boozer joining the fray, the Bulls have a strong rebounder down in the paint. While his defense is highly suspect, he's a deadly low post option on offense.
While Noah has All-Star potential, he will never be a superstar. Carmelo is already in the top tier of players and only really needs to improve his defense and playmaking abilities to really make the leap to being in the Wade, Lebron, and Kobe discussion.
Luol Deng has Peaked
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Luol Deng is a solid player in the NBA, but his best years may already be behind him.
Three years ago, when he first signed that massive contract awarded to him by the Bulls' front office, many thought he had an even brighter future.
Years later and 64 games missed due to injury, the Bulls must be kicking themselves over the deal they gave him. They have him signed through the 2013-14 season where he'll be making over $50 million over the course of four years.
While Deng is still a relatively young player just entering his prime, he has a small chance of breaking the 20 points per game barrier with the keys in Rose's hands. It doesn't help that he has regressed in many areas and is looking less likely to build upon the success he had during his breakout 2006-07 season.
'Melo will be the perfect player to replace Deng—should he also be included with Noah—and shore up Chicago's scoring along the wing.
Miami
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Most have Miami pegged as the team to beat in the East, and I tend to agree. The star studded triumvirate down on South Beach is a force impossible to ignore.
If the Bulls want to compete for a title, they need a true superstar to lead them on a crash course with the juggernaut that is the Heat. While Rose is a star in the making, he can't take over a game on the offensive end quite like Anthony—at least not yet.
Simply put, Chicago's current squad is not enough to handle Wade and Company, let alone the Dwight Howard led Magic.
Noah Needs to Grow Up
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Noah is still a young player having only turned 25 earlier this year.
In his three years in the league, he has been in trouble with the law for alcohol and drug use.
Whether you enjoy it, hate it, or just don't care, Marijuana is not kindly looked upon in the sports world. Noah has been arrested for possession and doesn't appear to be stopping anytime soon. He was pictured at a store in Chicago buying a "water pipe" less than two months ago.
It doesn't help that his father, Yannick Noah, is a bit of a free spirit. He has openly admitted to using Marijuana and thought Noah getting arrested and breaking the law was no big deal. Not an ideal figure to be getting advice from when you're in the public spotlight.
Will he turn out to be the Ricky Williams of the NBA?
Continuing MJ's Legacy
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Ever since the Bulls final three peat led by Michael Jordan, there has been a void left in Chicago.
While Derrick Rose has brought some excitement back to the Windy City, they haven't had a whole lot of playoff success in the past 12 years. Their most successful run was a trip to the second round during the 2006-07 playoffs.
Since then, they have hovered around the .500 record mark and have failed to make a true impact in the East.
With 'Melo on the Bulls, they instantly become title contenders, and their ceiling as a team will never get higher. Carmelo, not Noah, can be the force that leads the Bulls back to the promised land.
