NBA Rumors: Why J.R. Smith Is the Key to a Chicago Bulls 2012 NBA Championship

J.R. Smith's days in China are coming to an end. That means the NBA rumors as to which team will land the 26-year-old shooting guard are about to come out in full force.

While that's bad news for Chinese basketball fans, it's great news for NBA teams like the Chicago Bulls that are trying to add talent to their injury depleted rosters—hoping that it will result in a legitimate chance of capturing the 2012 NBA Championship.

A recent report made by SNY.tv states that J.R. Smith is interested in signing with any of the following five NBA teams: The New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Chicago Bulls.

While there's a high likelihood that Smith could want to join former Nuggets' teammate Kenyon Martin in Lob City, by joining the Clippers—while that's enticing—the best fit for J.R. Smith is undoubtedly to come off of the bench for the Chicago Bulls.

The Chicago Bulls are arguably one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. They are also an early favorite for the 2012 NBA Championship. The one thing holding them back; however, is a serious spark at the shooting guard position coming off of the bench—which is exactly what J.R. Smith could bring to the Chicago Bulls.

The "Richard Hamilton Experiment" hasn't worked out as well as the Bulls had hoped, with "Rip" missing 16 games so far this season. Hamilton has produced at a decent rate—averaging 14.2 ppg on 45.3 percent shooting. But the fact that he's missed more games than he's played in has hurt the Chicago Bulls as of late—resulting in losses to top contenders in the Eastern Conference, like the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers and the Atlanta Hawks.

With Richard Hamilton holding the Bulls back more than he's helping, Chicago definitely needs an offensive spark off of the bench. J.R. Smith's 12.5 ppg-career average can certainly help the Bulls move in the right direction.

I know what you're thinking: "Hamilton's 14.2 ppg average is more than Smith's 12.5 ppg-career average, so why should I believe Smith could actually help the Chicago Bulls?"  

The reason why Smith's production is more valuable than Hamilton's is because of the game style that Smith plays.

J.R. Smith is known for his ability to run and gun in a fast paced offense. While the Bulls don't necessarily run a transition offense (one of their strengths), with Derrick Rose running the point, that is their ability to outrun their opponents in the open court.

Rip Hamilton, at the age of 33, doesn't make his money running the break. The Bulls undoubtedly need a player that can run with Deng and Rose in transition, which is one of their biggest strengths that often times goes underutilized.

The Chicago Bulls didn't lose recent games to the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks and the Indiana Pacers because they couldn't stop them defensively.

Their main issue was that they couldn't respond to the tempo that those teams imposed on them—which is something that has the possibility of keeping the Bulls from the 2012 NBA Championship.

If the Chicago Bulls want a legitimate chance at winning the 2012 NBA Championship, they have to sign J.R. Smith—it's as simple as that.  If they don't, their lack of bench production will hold them back from reaching their full "championship" potential.

J.R. Smith needs to make the right choice and take his talents to the Windy City. Not only because the Chicago Bulls desperately need him, but also because it's his best chance of winning an NBA Title.