<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>It's not much to go on, I acknowledge that. A puff of smoke, a subtle hint, trace evidence. The Bulls were down 3-0 in an Eastern Conference semifinal against the Pistons last season and had done an exceptional job of embarrassing themselves. But they showed something in Game 4. Heart, mettle, talent—whatever you want to call it. They jumped to a big lead at the United Center, held off a rally from the Pistons and avoided a sweep. They showed something more by winning Game 5 in Detroit when most everyone expected to see a funeral. Some of us have carried around a spark of hope since then, the way early humans might have protected an ember. Many of you would prefer Kobe Bryant over a spark. I understand. But the Bulls are not one Kobe Bryant away from getting to the NBA Finals. They're one Kobe Bryant away from starting over. Not from scratch, mind you, but from going through the convulsions that seem to be a part of any big trade. It's very, very difficult to build a team around a newcomer and expect to win right away. The promise of winning now is not a promise but a hope. Bryant requested a trade in the off-season, and the Lakers recently indicated they'd be willing to listen to offers. They likely are going to want at least two of three players from the Bulls' young nucleus: Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng and Ben Gordon. It's too much, especially if it involves Deng. People expect immediacy these days. Cell phones, instant messages and liposuction sprang from impatience. So the possibility of acquiring Bryant looks like the probability of an instant championship to some of you. But how much more fulfilling would it be if the Bulls' nucleus stayed together and took another step forward? I know: That kind of thinking is so yesterday, so wrapped up in patience. But let's look at it a different way. Which would you find easier to embrace? A championship with a Kobe-come-lately? Or a championship with three players whom the Bulls drafted and nurtured and developed? The first question general manager John Paxson has to ask himself is whether his current creation is capable of winning an NBA title. It is, provided he can add some inside scoring. He doesn't need to give up a two-player combination involving Hinrich, Deng and Gordon to get it. Adding Bryant does indeed add scoring. It also changes the team's DNA and turns the squad into something completely different from what it was before. A hungry team becomes a one-man team. That's not a shot at Bryant; it's just the reality of what happens when he's on the court. He takes over. Last year he was surrounded by Lamar Odom, Luke Walton, Smush Parker and a cast of other forgettable players. If the Bulls trade Deng and Gordon for Bryant, it means Kobe will have Ben Wallace, Andres Nocioni, Tyrus Thomas, Hinrich and Joakim Noah as his supporting cast. No reason to start sewing a new championship banner for that group. Deng is on the verge of stardom. He's a great talent, humble, a winner, a good teammate and wise beyond his 22 years. What part of that doesn't equate into being the centerpiece of a championship team? Give him the chance to become the go-to guy.</div></p> Source: Chicago Tribune</p>
I'll take this article as a sign. Today at lunch I was discussing the Bulls with friends and when they left to go to class I was left thinking about Kobe coming to the Bulls and the future of our team. Many people in the forums, all over the internet, create trade scenarios that involve only one of our big three players. That one player suggested is usually, if not always, Gordon. Only the media articles claim that it would take two players to accquire him and I agree completely. The best player in basketball (today) doesn't go for Gordon, Prospect(s), Veteran(s), and Draft Picks that would likely be at the bottom of the draft. Isiah wouldn't even do that.</p> I think it's a fair assumption that Paxson has talked to Buss even if they were to deny it in the media which I don't think we've even heard any kind of response about that. The point being, the Bulls made an offer and the Lakers rejected then the Lakes made an offer and the Bulls rejected. But that's fine with me; the fan, it's fine with the front office, and I'm sure it's fine with the Bulls players. What does Buss care if Kobe doesn't go to the Bulls right now anyways, its not his job to make him happy. Kobe will still play his heart out because no matter what people say about him he's a champion and there enlies the problem for Kobe. The Lakers keep a superstar and the Bulls keep they're core. If the Lakers and Bulls don't make a trade the only person upset about that is Kobe. It makes no sense for either team to pull the trigger and that's why it won't happen and I'm happy about it. I really wanted Kobe and after considering what it would really cost it's not fun anymore to imagine.</p> For those who watched the team play these last couple of years know that we're a good team and would also know that we're going to be better this season. It's not even an assumption or a guess, it's a fact.</p> Hinrich's starting his first season off his rookie contract and look what he's done since. He's run a young offense to the playoffs for 3 years, he guards the better of the two guards and does a shut down job, and he's got a good 3-pt range. Plus, I have his jersey.</p> Ben Gordon is the one player of the three who make you go nuts. My favorite memory was when he shot nine 3-pointers in a row, tieing an NBA record and at the time I was wasted which made it extra special. He's going into a very special season, contract time, and he knows he has to perform. I really do feel bad for him at times because he's led the Bulls in scoring, was Sixth man of the year, Mr. Clutch, worked so hard over the off-season and it return we the fans, and the media, talk about trading him and how Deng will and should get an extenstion before him or higher than his. I'm not trying to sound pious because I'm as guilty as anybody.</p> Luol Deng is our supposed All-Star. I say supposed because I'll believe it when I see it. I think the most over looked part about Deng is that he's 22 yrs old! For him to be as good as he is at that age is just incredible. We've seen him bulk up since he recovered from wrist injury, he was the NBA's Mr. Congenialty, and from what I can tell he's a smart kid with a good basketball IQ.</p> I could go on to talk about Duhon who is an un-sung hero of sorts. Nocioni who's a home town favorite, I took my little brother to a game and afterwards he said Noc was his favorite player. Our center is a muti-award winning Denfensive Player of the Year who, no matter what anyone says!!, was worth the money he was paid because...I don't want to get into it. Tyrus Thomas is like 20yrs old and I don't have enough proof yet but he's going to be amazing one day, I've jumped on the bandwagon what can I say? The rookies this year along with Thabo have great promise and I'm excited to see them play. Noah's a winner and he'll prove it.</p> So yeah, I was thinking about the Bulls today and wanted to remind everyone that we're good and we don't need Kobe if the price is too high. Maybe I just needed to remind myself and write it all down.</p> </p>
