NBA Free Agents 2011: Major Flaw in Each Shooting Guard Target for Chicago Bulls

With the NBA lockout over, fans can finally get back to cheering for their favorite NBA teams. The Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks, just to name a few, seem to have some of the most supportive fans throughout the NBA.

But of course, let's not forget about the Chicago Bulls, especially coming off of the season they had. The Bulls fans haven't really had much to cheer about since 1998 when a guy that went by the name of Michael Jordan graced the hardwood.

Seeing as they held the best record in the NBA last season and were eliminated from playoff contention in the Eastern Conference finals, the Bulls have nowhere to go but up.

They had all the key components in a championship team: a bona fide superstar, a great coach and an amazing defensive game plan. Though they did play great throughout the season and the playoffs, they were missing one little thing: a second outside threat—someone else on the team that could penetrate or create his own shot.

Not knocking Keith Bogans, but he didn't drive often and was inconsistent from beyond the arc. Kyle Korver is a great shooter but the only way he could get a shot off was if Derrick Rose passed to him after driving the basket or he came off of a double screen or a curl.

The Chicago Bulls need another scorer and there are a few out in the free-agency market. Each is able to put the ball in the hole but each also has as very distinct flaw in their game that could hurt the flow of the Bulls.

Here are major flaws in each shooting guard target for the Chicago Bulls.

Marcus Thornton's Size

Marcus Thornton has always been able to put the ball in the basket, whether that meant by getting fouled and making free throws, shooting it from long range or just powering his way to the basket—he gets the job done.

With the Sacramento Kings, Thornton averaged 21 points per contest, shooting at least 17 shots per game. That alone tells you he can and is not afraid to score.

He would make a solid fit for the Chicago Bulls, mainly for his scoring threat—but that's the only threat he poses.

Thornton's lack of size hurts him on the offensive and defensive end. He's listed at 6'4" which is really 6'2.5". He's basically a poor man's Monta Ellis—minus the ultra quickness and athleticism.

He's a tweener, not big enough to guard shooting guards and not quick enough to guard point guards, and playing with the Bulls that can be a problem—seeing as their entire focus is on defense.

Sure he may get a steal here and there, but that doesn't say much; even players at the end of each NBA roster have a few steals on their record. He doesn't put much forth much effort on the defensive end.

Offensively he has to have his ball in his hands to score. He averaged 21 points with the Kings with their only other threat being Tyreke Evans.

The Bulls have Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng and Korver coming off screens looking for shots, so he won't be able to just dance around and hoist up any old shot. Also he will have larger guards guarding him, especially in the playoffs when he sees Dwyane Wade and Joe Johnson in front of him.

Marcus Thornton is a great offensive talent, but his size prevents him from being more.

Jason Richardson's Lack of Defensive Intensity

Jason Richardson went from just a jumping athletic specimen from Michigan State University to a knockdown three-point threat. From the days he was with the Golden State Warriors to being with the Orlando Magic, he's never been afraid to put the ball in the hole.

Last season he averaged close to 16 points per game on 40 percent from beyond the arc. Solid numbers, especially playing with a championship-competing team like the Magic.

He should fit in smoothly with the Bulls' offensive scheme. He's able to knock down the open three and can get to the basket every now and then—not as much as an O.J. Mayo or Brandon Roy, but it can be worked around.

So what is this guy's major flaw? His lack of defensive intensity.

As stated earlier, he should fit into their offensive scheme smoothly but the defensive plan is an entirely new story. His lack of defensive intensity can be a back-breaker for the Bulls' game plan, and the thing that is disappointing is that he has all the tools to be a good defensive player.

He's strong, he can move laterally, not to mention can still play above the rim, but his lack of commitment on the defensive end can be trouble when opposing teams go on runs or even in the clutch.

If the Bulls pay him and he only plays one end of the floor, then that will just be money lost. If that's the case, they may as well clone Kyle Korver.

Richardson must make a valiant effort on the defensive end if he wants to help the Bulls win.

Arron Afflalo's Lack of Aggressiveness

What can be said negatively about Arron Afflalo's game? He's gotten better every year he's been in the NBA.

When he first came into the league joining a deteriorating Detroit Pistons team, there wasn't much room for him to grow and a few people didn't think he'd pan out to be a good player.

He's definitely proved those people wrong.

Last season with the Denver Nuggets, he averaged almost 13 points per contest on 50 percent shooting. Not to mention he's almost 85 percent from the charity stripe—basically, he can go nowhere but up from here.

He's become a solid defender and a clutch performer. So what's so bad about this guy?

He's too athletic not to take the ball to the basket more. Not saying he doesn't do it, but he can't rely on his jump shot as his only means of scoring. 

The Bulls are not only going to need someone who can hit the open jumper but someone that can take the ball inside, whether that be to score or create for another teammate—especially when Derrick Rose is out of the game.

Another flaw is the number of shots he puts up per game. His last season in Denver he barely managed nine shots per game. Maybe it was the system he was in—there aren't a ton of shots going around when you play with J.R. Smith or Carmelo Anthony.

The Bulls are going to need someone who isn't going to hesitate to put the ball in the hole or at least try to. If he wants to help the Bulls win, there will be no room for pump fakes.

Arron Afflalo is a good basketball player but if he wants to really add to the Bulls' outside threat, he's going to have to get more aggressive with the basketball.

Nick Young's Maturity Level

Nick Young can be an ideal fit for the Chicago Bulls. He's young, very talented and extremely athletic.

Young is raw talent and he can be the other option that Chicago fans have been waiting for. 

He can score in a variety of ways—he can step back and hit the jump shot, knock down threes all day or he can take it inside and dunk on the opposition. He has all the keys to become an All-Star in the NBA.

The only thing questionable about Young is his maturity level.

Nick Young is practically a prototype shooting guard in size and athleticism. He has all the traits to be not only a good but even a great defender. If he is able to get that killer instinct or that pride factor that he wants stop the person in front of him, the sky's the limit.

He should easily be averaging an exciting block every three or four games or so, or at least a breakaway dunk from a steal. Those are very rarely seen in his YouTube highlights—and summer league doesn't count.

His assist numbers aren't the best; he averaged 1.4 turnovers and 1.2 assists last season, which made his assist-to-turnover ratio .85—that's not a stat to brag about. He needs to care more about getting teammates involved and not turning the ball over; those two stats are essential to winning.

The little things are what will determine how bad he wants to win. Picking up his defensive intensity and being more careful on the offensive end will determine whether some games are one-point wins or one-point losses.

If Young can bear down and grow up just a little on the offensive and defensive end, then he can be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Chicago Bulls.