Chicago Bulls: Top 15 Most Valuable Players To The Organization
The Chicago Bulls are in the midst of a strong season.
Perhaps, they may make the NBA finals.And if they don't, at least they will have a pretty good playoff run.
The roster is very different than last year, and the past few years.
Even the coach is different. But who is most valuable in the Bulls organization?
Tie 15. John Paxson/Gar Forman
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I know, I know, they aren’t players, but they deserve a spot on this list.
They swung and missed on LeBron James , Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade, but still composed a very good roster for this season.
Their main prize, Carlos Boozer, did not even play until months into the season. And Joakim Noah is still not back from his injury.
Yet, the Bulls are in third in the eastern conference—a testament to the strength of this roster.
But maybe the most important decision they made was drafting Derrick Rose over Michael Beasley, can you imagine this team if they hadn’t?
So, for their ability to build a team, the head executives in the front office deserve a spot on this list.
14. James Johnson
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I hate to use the word “bust” on a player in his second year, but Johnson hasn’t shown anything in his two years as a Bull—granted, he put in plenty of work over the summer, and got in shape while losing weight.
But, new coach Tom Thibodeau elected not to include him in the rotation.
Obviously, he didn’t show a well-seasoned coach enough.
And recently being assigned to the D-League, such a demotion shows that JJ is easily the least valuable player on the team.
Salary: Ninth largest salary on the Bulls
Might be a little overpaid for a guy who is described as a four-letter word starting with B. (see above)
13. Brian Scalabrine
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Although he has barely been on the court, Scalabrine actually has played a very key role behind the scenes for the Bulls.
His role started on the first day of training camp, as the only holdover from the Boston Celtics with Thibodeau.He helped to teach the other players the system.
During the regular season, his work continues.
Watch a typical Bulls timeout: Scalabrine is regularly the first player up from the bench giving high fives to the players on the court.
Right now, he plays the joint role of veteran and cheerleader, having completed his task of teacher during training camp. His veteran experience will become even more valuable during the season, since Scalabrine has vital playoff experience from his days in Boston.
It might be valuable enough to move him above the next player on this list.
Salary: The twelfth largest salary on the team for knowledge and experience is a good deal for the Bulls.
12. Keith Bogans
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Some people are a fan of Keith Bogans’ work. Most are not. Count me as a member of the second group.
While it’s not exactly fair to be extremely critical since he was not brought in to be a starter, he has produced next to nothing. KB can’t knock down wide open three pointers after Derrick Rose drives, and his defense has been poor.
The Bulls basically start each game with four people on the court. But as a starter he can’t be last on this list.
Salary: Tenth largest on the Bulls
Bogans’ small salary shows he was signed to be an emergency third shooting guard, which is exactly what he should be.
11. Omer Asik
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The rookie from Turkey has been very solid this year, breaking a streak of unsuccessful big men from Europe.
He certainly has been a lockdown defender as he did a decent job against Dwight Howard on Jan. 28.
His offensive game needs work, but that is not the issue. The fact is, he needs to add on some weight, he is skinny as a rail.
Even though he never will be as big as Howard, he definitely needs to add some upper body strength. But Asik has had a decent year, and has the potential to develop into a very nice NBA player.
Salary: Eighth largest on the Bulls.
Asik is paid a reasonable salary for a developing rookie.
10. Kurt Thomas
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Or as Boozer calls him “OG”.
Bulls fans assume that stands for Old Guy.
Thomas didn’t play for the beginning of the season, but was eventually forced into play due to the injury to Noah.
Even though he currently is the second oldest player in the league, Thomas has been successful in his time playing.
Additionally, he will again go back to the bench when Noah returns, but this is for the better, since he can rest his legs for the playoffs when he will be needed.
Again, he will be a very effective veteran presence in the locker room during the playoffs.
Salary: Eleventh largest on the Bulls.
Paid barely nothing for his experience and his solid play while Noah is injured, the Bulls are lucky to have him at such a price.
9. Ronnie Brewer
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The presumed starter at the beginning of the season, a hamstring injury allowed for Bogans to become the starter.
Yet, he still has played decent time, and is most effective working the baseline.
Brewer does not have an effective outside shot, but can score in transition, due to his extreme athleticism.
In the playoffs, he will be very important as he is a very good defender, and has big size in his 6’7 frame.
Expect to see him on Dwayne Wade if the Bulls play the Heat during the playoffs.
Salary: Fifth largest on the Bulls
Brewer is one guy who is extremely overpaid. He is given starter caliber money, yet does not have the ability you would expect for the money he is given.
8. Taj Gibson
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The second year forward from USC is a quality player who can run the court, play defense, and block shots.
It sometimes goes unnoticed how good of a shot blocker he is.
But his offense is based around offensive rebounds, and put backs or dunks. His outside shot has been nonexistent as of ate. Yet, he is a quality big man who will see important time throughout the year, and the playoffs.
When Noah comes back he will be part of a formidable front line.
Gibson is not higher on this list because he will most likely lose time in the playoffs, as Thibodeau will go with Noah and Boozer for longer periods during the game.
Salary: Lowest on the Bulls
This is a bargain, no doubt about it.
But as I chronicled in an earlier article, he will leave the Bulls for more money very, very soon.
7. CJ Watson
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The backup point guard who came from Golden State Warriors' system of shooting any and every open shot, has taken a while to adjust.
Now, he is the confident leader of the second team. He can effectively shoot from inside the arc, and well beyond the arc.
His assists numbers might not be that great, which shows he is slowly learning how to distribute the ball.
Perhaps the most impressive fact about Watson is that he can score.
When CJ started due to Rose's injury in late December, he scored 33 points.
And that is why he is higher on this list than many people who get more minutes than him: he can score. He will also play a lot in the playoffs in the fourth quarter alongside Derrick because of his scoring ability.
Salary: Seventh largest on the Bulls
For the value he brings, his salary is nothing.
6. Kyle Korver
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Although a defensive liability, Korver is a big shooter who can knock down shots off the dribble, catch and shoot, and fade-aways as if it were nothing.
He plays the majority of the fourth quarters because of this shooting ability. Every championship team needs someone who can make any shot there is, and Korver is that guy for the Bulls.
As with Watson, he will play plenty in the playoffs, including the fourth quarter.
The only problem is he will let up several points because of his poor defense.
Salary: Fourth largest on the Bulls
He is paid rather well for being a good shooter, but the Bulls were desperate to get him.
If he makes several clutch three’s in the playoffs though, his salary would be worth it.
5. Luol Deng
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Fans either love or hate him, but the fact is outside of Paul Pierce and Lebron James there isn’t a better small forward in the Eastern Conference.
He is a willing defender too, and will be defendingLeBron James come playoff time.
While he is at best a third option who can score only when Rose or Boozer are doubled; but, Rose and Boozer are doubled most of the season.
That obviously leads to many openings for Deng.
He has improved his game as he can now make three pointers. Added to his ability to work off the dribble, he has a very nice all around game.
Thibodeau is a huge fan of him, and we will see Deng for most of the year playing the majority of the minutes.
The only problem is he could potentially be worn out by the time the playoffs come around.
Salary: Second largest on the Bulls
This is probably the biggest knock on Deng, he gets paid a superstar salary and he is only an above average player.
If he were paid about half of what he is now, it would be a great deal for the Bulls.
Here’s a thought for you, Deng is paid about double what Kevin Durant makes this year!
4. Carlos Boozer
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The big free agency addition literally slipped and the first part of the season obviously was a wash.
However, has been a very consistent player, as he is the back to the basket player the Bulls have coveted for years.
Even better, he has shown the ability to make mid range jumpers.
Outside of Derrick Rose, he is best scorer the Bulls have, and expect them to utilize such a matchup.
Whenever the Bulls play a team that have a power forward he can outmuscle, expect them to go to Boozer immediately.
While he has been considered a defensive liability at times this year, Thibodeau has improved it enough to became a passable defender.
Salary: Largest on the Bulls.
It makes sense Boozer is paid so well as the Bulls had to throw huge money his way to entice him to Chicago.
I would just feel better about him making so much if he had played the first month of the season.
3. Joakim Noah
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Boozer is the scorer. Rose is the star. Noah is the heart of the team.
The passionate center does not have, and never will, the back to the bucket game Boozer has.
Noah still gets his points, no matter how he does it. And while people argue he can’t consistently score; just look at his numbers before he started playing with an injured hand.
Before he got hurt, Noah had better that 15 points a game.
It’s not exactly the 20 points Boozer averages, but it is still solid.
Noah makes his mark on the defensive side of the court, as he is probably the only one in the league who can stay with physical centers like Dwight Howard, Kendrick Perkins, and even perhaps Paul Gasol and Andrew Bynum.
A shot blocker and rebounder, Joakim is a force to be reckoned with. But many categories where he excels in are not recorded, because he is the heart, soul, and leader of the team.
Salary: Sixth biggest on the roster
Very good deal for such an impact player, but his extension does not take effect until next season, where he suddenly will move to second on the pay scale behind only Rose.
It’s always good when your two best players are the two highest paid.
2. Tom Thibodeau
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The first year coach waited for a long time for his head coaching opportunity, and certainly has shown he has the goods. \
Recently named the coach of the month, he has a huge knowledge of the game, and is known as a tireless worker.
Turn the volume up during the games, and listen for a hoarse voice yelling instructions. That is coach Thibodeau.
But under his tenure, his budding star point guard has become an MVP candidate, and a much better defender, which has been a knock on him throughout his time so far in the league.
His team has been without at least one low post starter for every game except a few. And yet they are number the third seed in the Eastern Conference, and actually within distance to easily pass Miami Heat, and potentially Boston Celtics.
Right now, Thibodeau is a candidate for Coach of the Year, an award he will likely win if the Bulls finish in second place in the East.
1. Derrick Rose
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Was there ever any doubt? Who else could be here?
The home town point guard has become one of the top ten, if not top five players in this league.
Right now, it seems he might even be MVP.
Although his trademark move has always been a cross over then an incredibly fast drive into the lane, followed by an outstanding shot that he makes, with the predictable no call.
Despite all of his talents, he never seems to get foul calls.
Last season Rose developed a decent mid range pull up jumper, this year his shot is even better. He is making three pointers at a percentage, 38%, which is elite for a point guard. It takes some players years to develop such a newfound talent for shooting.
Yet, Rose managed to do it in a summer when he also won a gold metal at the basketball world championship, where he beat out everyone’s favorite Rajon Rondo.
Rondo was cut, by one of the greatest coaches of all time, Coach K, while Derrick Rose was his starting point guard. That shows who is better, and the fact that Rose has played his team into the playoffs singlehandedly, while Rondo plays with three future hall of famers.
Rose is much, much better.
But back to Rose.
He is the best player on the Bulls since the days of Scottie Pippen and Michael Joradn, and has the potential to have his team as an annual fixture in the NBA Championship.
And not only has Rose improved his jumper, but his rebounding and defense are now very solid, thanks to the efforts of Tom Thibodeau.
Expect to see Derrick accepting the MVP this year, and the Bulls making a playoff run.
Salary: Third largest on the roster
Pretty good deal for the cornerstone for the franchise, although he will be eligible to sign a new deal this summer where he will sign a huge deal long enough to keep him in Chicago for his career.
