The Chicago Bulls: A Cautionary Tale for the Blackhawks

Right now, arguably the hottest "it" team in professional sports is the Chicago Blackhawks. With two 20-year old All Stars in Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane and the third-most points in the Western Conference, they've risen from the ashes in as dramatic fashion as can be remembered in recent North American sports history.

The Blackhawks were, less that five years ago, listed even in non-sports publications like Forbes Magazine, as the worst run organization in professional sports. With a rich history that includes some of the best players in the history of the game, the Hawks had become an empty sweater.

Let's look back 11 years, to February of 1998. In the same building on Chicago's west side, a gentleman named Michael was leading the Bulls to their sixth title in eight years. The Bulls were the most dominant franchise, both on the court and in the marketing arena, in sports.

Then Michael Jordan retired. Enter a decade of struggle.

But just a couple short seasons ago, the Bulls were on the verge of becoming the "it" team in the NBA. They went as far as to sweep the then-defending champion Miami Heat out of the first round of the playoffs.

With a young core of Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng, Andres Nocioni, and Ben Gordon, the Bulls appeared to have a formula that was working. They had corrected their errors in drafted Eddy Curry and trading Elton Brand for Tyson Chandler by building a good team through the draft.

Unfortunately, Bulls GM John Paxson decided to deviate from the formula that was working, to take chances both in trades and free agency.

In a handful of moves that will likely be regretted in Chicago for years, Paxson loaded his salary cap and filled the roster with role players without roles.

First, he signed Ben Wallace to a big money deal in free agency. The Bulls lacked a post presence, so Paxson brought in the Defensive Player of the Year. Unfortunately, Paxson was two years behind the scouting department of the Pistons.

This was the initial domino that would later lead to a "blockbuster" trade that sent Wallace to Cleveland for Larry Hughes, among others. What has Hughes brought to the Bulls? A nice suit on the bench most nights; health has never been Hughes specialty. Now Paxson can't give away Hughes and his contract.

Paxson also broke away from a draft strategy that had worked for him in building the foundation for the Bulls. He moved away from the functional, solid players like Hinrich and Deng for flashy players in the draft. When he traded LaMarcus Aldridge for Tyrus Thomas, he allowed a legit, back-to-the-basket big man go for a slashing Shawn Marion-type 3-4 hybrid player. The Bulls are still trying to find a big.

In all, Paxson and the Bulls management bought into the hype that they were "this close" to being something special. Any time a franchise thinks they need just that one piece, history has shown that most general manager's will chase that piece at the expense of the roster that was "this close" in the first place.

This is where I raise the yellow caution flags for Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon.

The Blackhawks will probably be the fourth seed in the playoffs this spring. With the injury to Patrick Sharp this week, the media and fans are clamoring more than before for Tallon to make a move for another offensive threat.

There have been rumors that Tallon might try to move dead weight players, like Dustin Byfuglien or Brent Sopel, in a deal for a veteran like Michael Nylander.

There have been other rumors that say Martin Havlat might be available for the right price.

Right now the Blackhawks have a formula that, like the Bulls of a few years ago, is working. The Hawks have dealt veterans for young, talented players like Kris Versteeg and Andrew Ladd that are contributing now. They have also built through the draft, with Kane and Toews being the poster children (and I can actually call them children) for drafting well. Tallon has also spent wisely on veteran free agents, with Brian Campbell being the best example.

My worry, and my caution for Tallon, is to think twice before moving a player for a
"bandaid." Keep the long-term perspective when evaluating a trade that, while it might mean the difference between the first and second round of the playoffs this year, might cost the team a Stanley Cup down the road.

Thus far, it seems everything Rocky Wirtz, John MacDonough and Tallon have touched has turned to gold. But many fans thought the same of the Bulls and Paxson not too long ago. Here's hoping the Blackhawks' future continues onward and upward.