Kobe Bryant plays Bulls' GM: Get a shooter

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/03/kobe-plays-bulls-gm.html

Kobe on Rose:

Well this is nothing new. I have been calling for a shooter or two all season long! Our needs are a big man that plays close to the basket and some shooters! Then watch Rose blossom!

 

I suggest trading for Ben Gordon

 

Im still for the "Rudy Fernandez experiment" this summer. He's just in a situation where can't play to the best of his abilities. A change of scenery should bring him here.

 

The way that this team is constructed Joe Johnson would probably be the best fit.....even though he tends to dominate the ball sometimes too. Unless this team is able to get two max players don't expect the Bulls to be in a position to be a title contender anytime soon.

Rose is a very good young point guard.....but I honestly believe that he needs to be the third option for this team to be where it wants to be.

 

I disagree, he's still developing and could very well turn up as a superstar by as early as next season. The problem is the rest of the team. As much as I love Noah, he and Deng should never be the #2 and 3 option.

 

Name any team in the last 20 years that has one a title with their point guard leading the team in scoring. Rose may end up being a top 3 point in the very near future - but he needs more consistent scorers around him for the Bulls to ever be a serious title contender.

 

Oh, you meant scoring, I assumed you meant the #1 player on the team. My mistake.

On that regard, I think Rose will learn to be more of a pass-first point guard, especially in an open system. However, it's hard to get assists and keep trusting your teammates if there isn't one person who can consistently hit the J.

 

I don't buy that Rose has to be a third choice, but in reality, how many guys score much at all without having the ball in their hands a fair amount?

The biggest issue I have with Johnson is he's at the point where after a couple years he's going to go downhill quick, while Rose and Noah will just be reaching the peak of their abilities. I don't see how it makes much sense to spend on a guy like when we could get a younger guy who could be going full bore at the same time the rest of our good players are.

 

Reiterated for the 1 millionth time, I hope the Bulls don't go after Joe Johnson.

 

I second that motion.

And Kobe's just talking shit anyway, he just signed an extension. He wants us to lock ourselves in to another overpaid player he can beat on.

 

I hope we dont make Joe #1 priority. We may end up with him, but I hope we have several offers going on to other players when and if Joe is signed.

 

The Bulls are trying to put themselves in position to grab an elite player. Is Joe Johnson an elite player.....not even close. He, in my opinion, is a very marginal first option. But when you look around the league this offseason other than Dwayne Wade what available guard could come here and really elevate the play of his teammates more than Joe Johnson.

I honestly believe that Chris Bosh is a lot better statistically than he is a winner. I don't believe LeBron will leave Cleveland and better swing men like Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, and Brandon Roy aren't free agents or available. Do you want to spend a ton of money for max guys who aren't max players......definitely not. However, if you are able to get someone who can play at a high level for the majority of his contract you put yourself in a position to be relevant for years to come.

Dwayne Wade is what the fans in Chicago are going to hope to get next summer. He would be worth every penny of a max deal. Joe Johnson is not a max player - but the combination of him and another marquee free agent may be enough to make Chicago a central location for NBA Basketball once again.

 

I don't really want Wade for the simple fact that we already have a player of the same mold in Rose. Not as good, but you know what I mean. A Bosh-Noah-Rose core is far more intriuging as Bosh is younger and a bigger body than Wade. I don't want to give Wade that max because he'll be 35_36 by the time it finishes.

But hey, beggars can't be choosers.

 

This is pretty much exactly how I feel. I recognize Wade is a much better player, but it's also obvious to me that he and Rose would be difficult to pair up.

 

I don't see why you wouldn't want Joe Johnson. The dude will drop points, he's a team player, plays both ends just like Kobe stated and would make you guys a lot better. Frankly, I would love to have JJ and I think teams will offer him enough this off-season, and I think he deserves it.

 

I'm a firm believer in offering max contracts only to the elite players. I'm also a firm believer in not offering them 6-7 year deals when they're turning 30. That's why so many teams are in the hole. I'd love to get Joe, but for that price, he'd only set us back in the later years.

 

He would be a nice pick up after all else fails, meaning the top three.

Rumor has it it's Wade then JJ. I hope we try and get Bosh and maybe Amare as well before JJ. If we dont try and get Bosh before signing JJ, then I will be upset.

 

He turned down a 15 mill a year extension, so he will demand the max. It is arguable if he is worth it or not. We shall see.