How a Value Pack of James, Bosh and/or Wade Affects the Chicago Bulls
Many have speculated about who will land the big-name free agents this summer and possibly put together a dominant combo-packaged team.
LeBron James is no doubt the top prize, and where he goes could potentially effect where other free agents like Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade will go. Rumors have said that Bosh and/or Wade could negotiate with James to play on the same team for less money.
During the Eastern Conference All-Star team’s media session, James said he would love to play alongside Bosh.
So let’s assume that James and Bosh, or James and Wade or all three do happen to become teammates. Either one of those combos would turn a team, like the Bulls, Knicks and Nets into playoff contenders.
The Bulls appear to have the best chance in making one of those combos work. They’ve got loads of young talent like Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, the Michael Jordan legacy and not to mention the cash.
And whoever the new Bulls’ coach is could also play a factor. (But sorry Bulls fans, don’t count on it being Phil Jackson. Jackson told ESPN that he has no desire “at all” to coach the Bulls.)
The Bulls would be an All-Star team, but too many All-Stars on one team can be a problem.
Take the 2004 Lakers. They had the “big four” of Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone and Gary Payton. They also had Derek Fisher, Horace Grant and Devean George coming off the bench.
The result? They could’ve been NBA Champions four times in a row. But still, with the All-Star team that they had, they fell to the Pistons.
Rose, Noah and Luol Deng have All-Star abilities. Noah, Deng and Taj Gibson give the Bulls a strong base down low.
Let’s not forget Kirk Hinrich, who is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. He and Rose complement each other very well. Rose is a great floor leader. Captain Kirk is the overall commander.
Initially, the Bulls wanted to build around Rose, but with a combo of James and Bosh, James and Wade, or both, the Bulls would struggle with leadership, control and teamwork.
The whole free-agency ordeal is like a big name game, but it’s not the names that win games.
Think psychologically.
Rose is used to controlling the ball. The Bulls want the ball in his hands. If there’s a last shot, they trust it to be his. The addition of James and Bosh and/or Wade would diminish the development of Rose and the rest of the young talent in the Bulls. James and Wade want the ball and the shot. They’ve settled their careers as superstars. So whose hands do you give the ball to?
The Chicago spotlight belongs to Rose. Take it away from him, and you also take away his ego and confidence – unless James can rehash a similar Jordan and Scottie Pippen feel.
Usually, combos of the big and little man work well. Think Shaq and Kobe and Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire. I also liked the plays between Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin back then.
James and Bosh would make an interesting duo and post highlights on Sports Center, but what about Noah, Deng and Gibson? It would be hard for them to share the spotlight. If they’re not being fed the ball in the post as often, then how can they do their job effectively?
The addition of superstars also pushes down the value of Hinrich. Hinrich may not be the best shooter, but he has something that many NBA players lack: defense. Defense wins games, at least for most sports.
Players need that spotlight, and it can be taken away by having loaded superstars. If you load up your roster with a lot of good players, it would be difficult to split playing time. And with lots of players vying for the same position, you risk not pleasing someone.
