So, the word around lately- well, actually for the last few months- is that Kobe wants out of L.A. and is looking for a team- yes, we are only concerned with the Bulls part in this. No question: it would be great to get him- but is it worth taring up the team to just have him?I will totally admidt that I love this Bulls team. But I also have to acknowledge that this team mite actually really need a superstar like Kobe to jump to Championship contender status. What is to be done?
For keeping the present team to-gether there are a lot of arguments. I always love when a team is assembled young and kept to-gether. The Bulls have followed this pattern the last 3-4 years. The core of Deng, Heinrich, Gordon, Nocioni, and Duhon have gotten better each year. They all have faults- Heinrich pushed around too much, Gordon streaky, Duhon maybe just a bit player in the future. But each year they have meshed to-gether a little but better and seem poised to do well in the conference. The last three years they have started out badly before rebounding in the latter half of the season to get into the plyoffs. Last year the sloppystart @ the beginning of the season was minimal. Here's saying that they get off to a great start this year and get the #1 seed in the conference.
I also like the addition of Smith and Noah. Neither is a Kobe like superstar- Smith will play his part and Noah will have his part defined for him by the end of the season (he'll do well)- but the Bulls will be improved by their additions. And the project that may yield the most in the future- Tyrus Thomas- I feel will contrib way more than he did in his rookie year. I like this prospect a lot.
Again, I see the Bulls with the best record and #1 seed in the east @ the end of the year. Yes they will. But is this good enough to win it all??
And there we have the difficulty of the whole matter. I don't think that this team is capable of winning it all- and they need someone like Kobe to push this team to the top. Defensively they are a great team, even though a bit weak @ center. However, it's the offense that could really use a giant scorer.
But to rip apart the whole team?? Along with draft picks, the Bulls would have to match Kobe's salary with a number of players. I don't see this team as the cohesive team if Deng, Gordon, and Heinrich go. It would be too much of a drastic makeover in such a short shive rof time. Now, don't get me wrong- a team built around Kobe would do just fine- but are we going to take the risk? Again, Is ee the Bulls winning the conference this year, but not it all. My thinking is is that if the trade can be done w/out destroying the makeup of this team- and, to tell you the truth, just adding Kobe will change (not destroy) the make up- then get it done.
However, I have faith that this team will be going places. Maybe next year, But I'm willing to let it all jell this year for next year.
But to rip apart the whole team?? Along with draft picks, the Bulls would have to match Kobe's salary with a number of players. I don't see this team as the cohesive team if Deng, Gordon, and Heinrich go. It would be too much of a drastic makeover in such a short shive rof time. Now, don't get me wrong- a team built around Kobe would do just fine- but are we going to take the risk? Again, Is ee the Bulls winning the conference this year, but not it all. My thinking is is that if the trade can be done w/out destroying the makeup of this team- and, to tell you the truth, just adding Kobe will change (not destroy) the make up- then get it done.
However, I have faith that this team will be going places. Maybe next year, But I'm willing to let it all jell this year for next year.
1 comment:
You've got to be kidding! Kobe is easily the best player of his generation. The three players you have in mind are Gordon(Can't even start), Heinrich(not enough talent) and Deng(he'll never become Elvin Hayes). Tyrus Thomas, problems and all, is the most talented player on the team.
Trading either of the two or all three for Kobe would be a no brainer. Kobe plays the 2 spot with Duhon as point and Thomas replaces Deng. Deng works very hard, but has no where the potential Thomas has. Start Thomas the entire year and you will see a spectacular forward in the making.
Kobe can provide the scoring of Gordon and the D of Heinrich. Kobe is a winner and still has many prime years left at 29. Would you have traded for Mike for similar players in his prime?
I don't care about building a team or sentimentality. This Bulls team may somehow make it to the finals, but will be taken apart by the Spurs, or Suns. I say bring him on. He is Kobe after all!
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