Podcast Paroxysm 12.09.09: What’s The Point Of The Bulls?

Does anyone else ever sit back and think, "The Bulls were THE TEAM just 10 years ago... damn."

I just still find it hard to believe that the team that owned the 90's, the team that seemed to win every championship in my childhood, has come to this.... its amazing.

Matt, it seems as if you didn't recognize the importance of (or forgot) the fact that John Salmons might not opt out. You said they have so much going for them to entice Wade... except they might not have the money which I think we'd all agree that's the most important thing out there. I think part of the reason us fans don't trust them going forward to clear the space is because:
a) they'd have to trade Salmons for a definite expiring contract, which means a lesser player, which, as bad as he's been, would almost surely keep them out of the playoffs
b) trade Hinrich or Deng, two guys they over Gordon in the past, two guys who are considered "Jerry's guys" in that they got more money than they probably warranted, and Reinsdorf meddles so much in random affairs of the team, it's hard to see he'd trade one of them.
c) We just have no clue what the cap is going to be. I've heard anywhere from $47 - $53 million. If it's on the low end, they

It also doesn't make sense to say Rose is part of a "great" core, and then say "Should we blame him for his own lack of development?"

Further, in Del Negro's defense, you said they went from their "nightmare" season to making the playoffs. That sounds good except they went from 36 wins to 41... that's after adding Rose over Duhon, Salmons over Nocioni and Miller of Drew Gooden. And that should have included the 2nd and 3rd years of Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas, respectively. I think one could argue that those improvements should have netted more than 5 more wins.

The Bulls have 7 passable players right now. Between Thomas, Miller and Salmons leaving via FA (they'd have to renounce all of them to release their cap holds) and having to trade Hinrich or Deng to ensure the cap space, they'll lose 4 out of their 7 good players. Rose, Deng and Noah might be a good "core", but for a 29-year-old Wade that will then have a team at the cap limit, there is NOTHING else. And Noah's extension will kick in the next season? Obviously, you need more than four guys to be a great team.

I think you're right to say that part of the reason we're so mad is because they could have been better this year and in a better position to get better this off-season. That they aren't or won't be seem to be, to some of us, a completely business/profit-based decision and not a basketball-based one.