Um. Learning to play like Steve Nash has in the second half of his career IS making a big jump. And that would be my point. Rose is still going to be controlling the ball for the most part. He needs to develop skills, such as 3pt shooting, better defense, and, as you say, learning to play a two man game. The biggest jump the Bulls can hope to make is still going to come through Derrick Rose, not some trade (I really have no hope in this regard, sorry) and not through some free agent signing (though this might help -- JR Smith). And it will be partly skills, but mostly through understanding how to play winning basketball when the focus of a very good defensive team is on YOU, Mr. Rose.
Agree on the Rose part. As I said that night, Rose is the main reason they lost to the heat and it was his inability to exploit how they were defending him. In fairness, it was probably the first time in his life he was defended by a 6'8" defender who was nearly as quick as he was, but he needs to know what to do in that situation. That wouldn't stop CP3 or Nash from getting a bucket. As for Boozer, best case scenario for the bulls would be to get an Allen Houston type exception in the next CBA, trade Boozer for another ridiculous contract like Lewis or Arenas, and then resign Boozer to a few million a year. Boozer is a weak defender and not the greatest rebounder, but he does things other guys on the bulls roster struggle to do (besides push guys needlessly in the back and give the sissiest flagrant fouls in the history of the league). There are probably a bunch of reasons why that would never happen, not the least of which would be Boozer's overwhelming desire to max out his dollars yet again, but we can dream. The bulls could also sign a big 2 who can post up effectively and completely obviate any need for Boozer, but if that 2 is out there, I haven't seen hm yet.
Are you talkin after his current contract runs out? I dont understand that part. But I think we just need to run the pick and roll more with him. I agree that he needs to set HARD screens as well as slip screens. Derrick does indeed have much work to do on hitting the open man better. Hes always been a willing passer, he just needs to work on improving it when he sucks the D into imploding on him. I agree if he does this we will be better off, but hes gonna need his open teammates to hit the shots that he gets for them as well.
