I haven't read anything from Lacy Underalls in a while. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketball/bulls/2452456,CST-SPT-lacy01.article Bulls' history shows this is a long shot July 1, 2010 BY LACY J. BANKS lbanks@suntimes.com Free-agent star LeBron James joining the Bulls? Along with Chris Bosh or Carlos Boozer? That would be nice. But I'd be shocked. It would be the Bulls' best basketball decision since drafting Chicago native Derrick Rose as the NBA's No. 1 pick in 2008. It would also be their second-best acquisition since drafting Michael Jordan in 1984. But if the Bulls got rid of Jordan, who led them to six championships in eight years, and who also made them the fiscal envy of professional sports teams with 610 consecutive sellouts spanning 13 years, will they do a better job of getting, keeping and complementing James and a superstar frontliner until they win multiple championships again? That would be nice. But I'd be shocked. From a business standpoint, the Bulls have been the best-managed, best-marketed and definitely one of the most profitable teams in pro sports since chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and his partners bought the team in 1985. From a basketball standpoint, few things have gone right since the team chased away the NBA's best coach ever in Phil Jackson and the league's best player ever in Jordan. They consequently pulled the plug on perhaps the NBA's second-best championship dynasty ever because management said ''organizations win championships,'' not players. Starting late Wednesday night, faced with perhaps the most talented free-agent pool in league history, the Bulls have a tremendous opportunity to right 12 years of wrong. They will have their pick of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer and oodles of others. The 6-8, 250-pound James is the prize every team with enough cap space believes it can land. The Bulls can afford to sign two premium free agents. That would be nice. But I would be shocked. By signing two top free agents to contracts starting at $16.57 million and by retaining Rose, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, James Johnson and Taj Gibson, the Bulls' payroll rises to $55 million, just under the NBA's salary cap. Then I remember why they broke up the dynasty. They got tired of paying Jordan fair-market value of $30.14 million and $31.4 million his last two years. They also didn't want to keep paying Jackson $5 million or raise Scottie Pippen's $2.6 million salary to $10 million. In 1996, the Bulls had a $23.5 million payroll when they forged an unprecedented 72-10 record and won their fourth championship. With MJ's $33.14 million salary, they had a payroll of $62 million when they won their last title in 1998. Then they closed the cash register. It would be nice to see the Bulls sign two top free agents. But after covering them for 32 of my 38 years with the Sun-Times, I'd be shocked.
He failed to mention the fact the Bulls wanted to go after two FA's not long after the breakup. Their goal was Duncan and McGrady I think. They tried to sign two full board stars. Got crap except for Miller and he was a surprise. This is nothing new for the Bulls. Everything he said was true about the dynasty and Jackson. However, if they were going to sign just one top FA they would not have traded Hinrich for nothing nor would they try and trade off Deng before the deadline. They would of had enough for one max player and call it a day, but they want two! JR has always said he would pay the luxury tax for a winner. We shall see. I know some writers and commentators say JR has never paid the tax. True, but he has never had a serious team since the dynasty that could be considered championship material. So why over pay? He was smart not to do that. Look at Isiah and what he did. This summer is perfect time to put together the Bulls team that could challenge for several years, if JR pays the players for their success.
Just wanted to clarify, the Bulls Dynasty broke up because they wouldn't pay Jordan's 30 million? Pip and Jax were also things I was not sure about. I think this can solved if let's say, James signs a three year deal. He wouldn't have to deal with these luxury tax problems and he can use his possible short tenure as leverage.
