Who will Chicago get?

[Rameek]

Is there a reason none of these big stars are considering Chicago? If they are the supposedly the closest team to winning why arent they serious contenders for the elite talent?

I can understand Melo's stance on not going there.

[kshutts1]

How long have you been a fan of the NBA? The Bulls FO is totally inept when it comes to FA signings. Arguably the most risk-averse FO in the league, and that means no big or splashy signings.

[Connor B]

- $$$$ (Melo and others get more elsewhere either due to bird rights or whatever)
- Playing for Thibs = hell, even if he is a great coach
- Not sure about Derrick Rose's health
- It isn't NY or L.A.
- Lebron isn't there

[nathanjizzle]

cold winters

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Lance IMO. They need a big also so maybe someone like McBob

[beastee]

As much as I love the team, yeah most things mentioned are true....
Cold Winters (real cold), Worries over D. Roses long term health, slightly less money than other suitors and most importantly - GarPax. They really seem clueless when it comes to FA wooing. I hope they can land a legit star, but it is an uphill battle. I still think they are top 2 in the east this year though when Rose surprises with his play.

[aboss4real24]

Is there a reason none of these big stars are considering Chicago? If they are the supposedly the closest team to winning why arent they serious contenders for the elite talent?

I can understand Melo's stance on not going there.

biggest myth out there

[Dengness9]

- $$$$ (Melo and others get more elsewhere either due to bird rights or whatever)
- Playing for Thibs = hell, even if he is a great coach
- Not sure about Derrick Rose's health
- It isn't NY or L.A.
- Lebron isn't there

Playing Thibs is one of the reasons anybody would want to play in Chicago.

[Real14]

another first round exit
Why the avatar change?

[Geriatric]

Mirotic may be the biggest addition this offseason. If you could rewire Stephenson's brain I'd be all for that addition (as would every other team in the league if he were sane) but as was pointed out above, the Bulls mgmt is very risk averse so adding a wildcard like Lance may too much for them to stomach. I could see them chasing Ariza but to me he doesn't represent much more than you had with Deng. Maybe they try to revisit a possible Kevin Love trade but I don't thing they have the pieces to entice Minny. They will add a free agent point guard to back up Rose whether it's Augustin or someone like Ramon Sessions but I'd be surprised to see a big splash.

[Roundball_Rock]

- $$$$ (Melo and others get more elsewhere either due to bird rights or whatever)
- Playing for Thibs = hell, even if he is a great coach
- Not sure about Derrick Rose's health
- It isn't NY or L.A.
- Lebron isn't there

What about in 2010? Rose was healthy at the time. The Bulls swung and missed at LeBron, Wade and now again with Carmelo. In the early 2000's it was T Mac. The biggest free agent the Bulls have signed over the past three decades is...Carlos Boozer.

Yeah, Chicago is not NY or L.A. but it is the largest market after those cities (and considerably larger than markets in the second tier). It also has a strong history. Only the Lakers, Celtics, Sixers and arguably the Spurs are a more storied franchise. The player who leads the Bulls to another title will create a new chapter in Bulls history and build on what MJ and Pip did. Winning in LA is expected and NY has no real history...

Given the quality of the team, the quality of coaching, the large market it is mystifying why Chicago continues to fail to attract top free agents.

[97 bulls]

I also think theres still residue as to how the 90s Bulls were broken up. And the owner sat idly by and watched. I remembe Wade saying something to the effect (im paraphrasing) "if they could do that to Jordan and the Bulls, I cant imagine what theyd do to me." Mybe it was Kevin Garnett that said it.

Basically, Reinsdorf chose Krause over Jordan, Jackson, Pippen, and a very real opportunity at another championship.

[Legends66NBA7]

I also think theres still residue as to how the 90s Bulls were broken up. And the owner sat idly by and watched. I remembe Wade saying something to the effect (im paraphrasing) "if they could do that to Jordan and the Bulls, I cant imagine what theyd do to me." Mybe it was Kevin Garnett that said it.

Basically, Reinsdorf chose Krause over Jordan, Jackson, Pippen, and a very real opportunity at another championship.

I believe it's Garnett your referring too, not Wade.

[Rameek]

As much as I like Lance and I think he could fit in with any team. But I think part of Lance's appeal is his play making ability. Can 2 guys like Rose and Lance coexist needing the ball in their hands?

[Soundwave]

Bulls never got any one that exciting. They're just not that big of a glamour market and DRose is too big of a question mark.

[Roundball_Rock]

I also think theres still residue as to how the 90s Bulls were broken up. And the owner sat idly by and watched. I remembe Wade saying something to the effect (im paraphrasing) "if they could do that to Jordan and the Bulls, I cant imagine what theyd do to me." Mybe it was Kevin Garnett that said it.

Basically, Reinsdorf chose Krause over Jordan, Jackson, Pippen, and a very real opportunity at another championship.

True--but Reinsdorf has Pippen, Paxson, and Randy Brown all involved with the franchise today and Johhny Red Kerr was there forever. Pippen had a job created for him after it was reported he had financial problems. I blame Krause more than Reinsdorf for 99'.


Bulls never got any one that exciting. They're just not that big of a glamour market

Perhaps but why is Chicago perceived that way?

1) New York-Newark-Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA - 21,976,224
2) Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, CA - 17,775,984
3) Chicago-Naperville-Michigan City, IL-IN-WI - 9,725,317
4) Washington-Baltimore-Northern Virginia, DC-MD-VA-WV - 8,211,213
5) Boston-Worcester-Manchester, MA-RI-NH - 7,465,634
6) San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA - 7,228,948
7) Philadelphia-Camden-Vineland, PA-NJ-DE-MD - 6,382,714
8) Dallas-Fort Worth, TX - 6,359,758
9) Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX - 5,641,077
10) Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Gainesville, GA-AL - 5,478,667

Miami is 11th, Phoenix is 13th.

[ArbitraryWater]

Parsons..

[crisoner]

Wait a minute...who said Chicago isn't a glamor city????

It's NY-LA-Chicago

big three...always been that way.

[crisoner]

Any how....

I predict of the LeBron and Bosh go Wade will head to Chi Town.

[HylianNightmare]

Lance Stevenson after melo and lebron off the market

[CHi1PriDe]

Lance Stevenson after melo and lebron off the market

I agree, I believe he'll thrive with thibs. Thibs is good with developing young players and is respected by his players. With Mirotic and Mcbuckets, we have instant boost in our scoring bench. Cameron bairstow, our 2nd round draft pick is also a good scoring big that really hustles. He has some decent post moves and a solid mid range game :rockon:

[bluechox2]

you have to play defense in chicago

[CHi1PriDe]

you have to play defense in chicago

We had boozer who never tried for all these years and still ranked in one of top in defense. Weaker defenders always gets covered in thibs defensive system

[beastee]

I've thought about this extensively, and I am resigned to the fact that it will be Mirotic and Lance Stephenson, with Okafor on the bench.

Rose/Hinrich
Stephenson/Butler
Butler/McDermott/Snell
Gibson/Mirotic
Noah/Okafor

If Rose is at 90% of his former self, this is a top 3 team in east and should be better than the Pacers, so probably ECF. I don't think its enough to win it all though.

[ballinhun8]

If you're a perimeter player then it also has to do with that large shadow that casts itself in Chicago. That statue outside the United Center, whether people admit it or not, is too much for some guys to try to live up to.



That's why I really wanted Kobe in 07. He welcomed the challenge but didn't want the team gutted if it meant him coming to Chicago. But some guys just don't want that extra pressure.

[97 bulls]

I've thought about this extensively, and I am resigned to the fact that it will be Mirotic and Lance Stephenson, with Okafor on the bench.

Rose/Hinrich
Stephenson/Butler
Butler/McDermott/Snell
Gibson/Mirotic
Noah/Okafor

If Rose is at 90% of his former self, this is a top 3 team in east and should be better than the Pacers, so probably ECF. I don't think its enough to win it all though.
Hopefully Mirotic can evolve into that Nowitzki type player we've been hearing about.

I think the only way we get a big name is through a trade.

[Roundball_Rock]

If you're a perimeter player then it also has to do with that large shadow that casts itself in Chicago. That statue outside the United Center, whether people admit it or not, is too much for some guys to try to live up to.

That may be a negative factor; I hope it is not. MJ's legacy should be an enticement to play on the Bulls, just like Mikan, Wilt, Kareem, and Shaq are draws for future centers to play in LA. The Bulls had a great run from 1990-1998 but have little history outside of that. A Carmelo can help pen the next chapter and elevate the Bulls to a higher plane among NBA franchises if the Bulls have a "second act" to follow their 90's success. It would then became Michael and Scottie--and Derrick and Carmelo. Carmelo would have a chance to be part of greatness...

[bluechox2]

lebrons legacy in miami isnt enticing enough for even lebron to fully commit to miami