2010 Free Agency

by saplaxico on Nov 22, 2008 2:11 PM CST

While I would be perfectly happy with the Bulls going for Carlos Boozer this year in free agency, the question I have is if we do not land a big player in 09, who do we go for in 2010? First of all, I think it is a no brainer that the Bulls need to go for a big man no matter what. This leads to, if the Bulls are able to clear up enough cap space, who would you go for, Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudemire?

Bosh's Strengths:

-Post Up Skills

-Defense

-Shot

Stoudemire's Strengths:

-Scoring Ability

-Running the Floor

-Better Finisher Around the Rim

I would personally want Chris Bosh. I think his post up skills and defense outweight Amare's ability to run the floor, (but make no mistake Bosh can run the floor pretty well) and his ability to finish. My last two reasons for CB4 are that I think he is more realistic player for the Bulls to get and he has those sweet youtube videos.

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Yesterday on ESPN they said

that according to a fairly reliable source that both Lebron and Chris Bosh are planning on moving to New York together after 2010. I guess that means Amare is the only option if there is any truth to that.

Derrick Rose-2009 ROTY Tyrus Thomas-2009 MIP...hope I'm at least half right

by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on Nov 22, 2008 2:38 PM CST 0 recs

there's likely zero truth to that

USE THE SOFTWARE. Actions-> Rec/Flag. Reply to comments with the reply button. Rec good fanposts/fanshots so the crud gets pushed down.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Nov 22, 2008 2:51 PM CST up 1 recs

Yes because what's speculated on ESPN now

Will be absolute truth in 2 years.

by Ozzie Montana on Nov 22, 2008 3:01 PM CST up 0 recs

Stephen A. Smith and Jalen Rose are full of it.

They actually even said Lebron, Bosh, and Nash are going to NYK.

I can’t wait for 2010 to come so all this nonsense speculation is over with.

Thabo Sefolosha: His last name sounds like a disease, and his ballgame IS one.

by chibullsfan03 on Nov 22, 2008 4:31 PM CST up 0 recs

Having watched the broadcasts

I think there is a significant amount of truth to these reports. This wasn’t a Peter Vescey report, it was coming from guys that don’t normally announce trades or discuss roster moves much except after the fact. Not that Jalen or Stephen A know for sure, because it is 2 years away, but why wouldn’t Bosh and Lebron want to play together in NY. Those two together, no matter who is left in NY, will immediately become an NBA title contender for the next 10 years.

Toronto is going nowhere fast with their roster. And if Lebron decides to go to NY, someone else will want to follow. I’m more afraid of Stoudemire going there actually. But either way, Cleveland really isn’t Lebron’s home town and if he really wanted to put this to rest he could. But he chooses not to, and it’s because he wants to leave. If Cleveland doesn’t win the title in the next 2 years, I believe Lebron leaves and he can take at least one of those superstars with him. Where would you rather play if you were a max free agent. Any of the destinations mentioned before (including Chicago), or in NY with Lebron?

by CJ Bulls on Nov 22, 2008 6:55 PM CST up 0 recs

Jalen and Steven don't know squat 2 years out

They just like to run their mouths because thats how they get paid, and because they are bro’s with the players they think they know what is going to happen.

There is no doubt about the Knicks plan, The Bulls should have the exact same plan.

In fact if the Knicks do indeed sign 2 of the big 4, I say that it makes it more likely that the other 2 might want to team up just to compete with the Knicks. The Bulls need to be that other team.

There is only one New York, there is only one Los Angeles, and there is only one Chicago. Thats it, there are no other cities that can competer with this big 3.

To paraphrase Dennis Green’s rant on the Bears, “We need to act like who we think we are”.

by BigWay on Nov 22, 2008 7:59 PM CST up 1 recs

Seriously.

We look more attractive, what with Derrick Rose still on his rookie deal in 2010 and all. Who are Lebron and Bosh supposed to play alongside in NY? Nate Robinson? Wilson Chandler? Fuck that, we got DRose, Deng, TT (hey, he’ll only be 24!), and some other pieces. How can NY compete with that, unless they tank big time this year and next for lottery picks? Lebron and his buddies care about winning more than endorsements.

Asked what kind of player he expects to be in the next five years, he said: "Not a star, but like, a superstar. Something around, like, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, something like that."

by BigBenign on Nov 23, 2008 12:53 AM CST up 0 recs

I disagree.

It is all about NY. Lebron doesn’t want to be a global Basketball star. He wants to be a global icon! He’s not doing that from Chicago. Chicago is Michael Jordan’s town. Yes, he did it from Chicago, but just like Shaq only had eyes for Hollywood, Lebron pretty obviously only has eyes for New York, the center of the world. It’s not the endorsements, it’s the stage. If he can go there (with one or two other stars) in 2010 and make the NY Knicks matter? Can bring championships to NYC? Then he will rival Jordan in marketing and status. And that’s what he wants. Legacy, not just championships. When you are Barkley or Malone, you worry about winning a championship. When you are 23 and perennially in the top 3-5 in the MVP voting, you worry about your place in the game’s history as a whole. And he doesn’t want Jordan’s shadow anywhere near him. Yes, he has his number. But he has made it his own. He has branded himself quite brilliantly. And he is savvy enough to know that Chicago, while the 3rd largest market, doesn’t compare to NYC. One example for you. Look at how pitiful the beat writing is for the Bulls. When I go the Tribune website, I have to search for Bulls stories. They are almost not even on the main “sports” page. Only on their subordinate Bulls page. In NYC, he would be on the front (and the back) cover of hundreds of newspapers EVERY DAY. We can’t compete with that if that is what he wants. And all indications are that those are his priorities. Sorry, but there is no way we are getting Lebron. But as Jordan would say, never say never, so I’ll say that there is a 99.9% chance he never plays for the Bulls. I wish he would, I love to watch him play!

by Unrealcity on Nov 23, 2008 3:08 AM CST up 0 recs

Couple things

I don’t think anyone here thinks we’re getting lebron. Why would we? We’ve got our superstar guard, and we’re going to need a big man so I think we’re all hoping for Bosh.

Another random point, the reason you have to search for Bulls articles on the Trib’s site is:

A) The tribune sucks and the only basketball reporter worth reading there now writes exclusively for the Bulls. KC is an absolute joke.

B) Even if the tribune was legitimate, why would you see today’s Bulls team on the front pages of the paper anyways? What have they done for us lately? When we start to win again, when Rose is a household name, we will see them represented. Don’t you remember the 90’s? Not just this city, but this country was plastered with MJ & Bulls EVERYTHING. Michael Jordan, live from the city of Chicago, rewrote the book on marketing. What makes you think that can’t be repeated in this city? Shit, take a look at the Obama phenomenon. How about Oprah? This city produces celebrities in all walks of life. And every 2010er and their agents are very aware of it:)

by smash! on Nov 23, 2008 4:36 PM CST up 0 recs

LeBron, Bosh, Larry Hughes, Duhon, and Eddy Curry

will still win 60 games. It doesn’t matter who’s on the roster. They are each under 25, they have 10 years to put good players around them. To pretend they’d prefer to play with Deng and Tyrus is ridiculous.

by CJ Bulls on Nov 23, 2008 11:09 AM CST up 0 recs

I think you are over-rating chicago.

It doesn’t have the appeal of NY, LA, or probably even Miami.

As for dismissing the “reporters”, they are just telling you what they hear. Someone is telling them these things. It isn’t coming out of thin air.

by CJ Bulls on Nov 23, 2008 11:06 AM CST up 0 recs

I think you're under-rating chicago.

big time. I mean, Miami? Pa-lease.

by smash! on Nov 23, 2008 4:37 PM CST up 0 recs

No state income tax makes a big salary go a lot farther

Doesn’t hurt that Miami is very well known for it’s night life and it doesn’t get as cold as a witch’s left tit in the winter. Yeah, Miami’s a better destination for NBA players than Chicago.

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.
Ronald Reagan

by snley on Nov 23, 2008 4:55 PM CST up 0 recs

The state income tax is nothing...

when you compare the marketing opportunities between cities. Did Shaq stay in Orlando when it came time to get his big money? No. And Dwyane Wade won’t either. You might as well just make the argument that NYC isn’t desirable since the cost of living is the highest in the US. Do you think that’s the case?

And the nightlife argument is moot. Miami’s bar scene is OK but the reason you hear so much about it isn’t bc it’s addictive, it’s bc there is NOTHING else to do in Miami so it’s the only thing to talk about. That and going tanning; And how many NBA players besides Steve Nash do you know who looove the beach?

But serious players aren’t seen bar-hoping and clubbing during the season anyways. If they’re really in love with a city, they can live anywhere they please in the off-season. Which is why Dwyane Wade lives in Chicago in the off-season.

It’s also hot as hell down there and the rampant rain and hurricanes scare ppl. This is all coming from a former-Floridian who got the hell out of the sunshine state because it was oh so lame in every way. Chicago has much more to offer in every facet of life.

Did I mention how sports fans SUCK in south Florida? Ever seen a Marlins game on TV? They couldn’t sell out the World Series…!

by smash! on Nov 23, 2008 6:21 PM CST up 0 recs

state income tax is money. essentially free money

and south florida is one of the nicest places in the us to live….if you have money. Marketing opportunities have been more than abundant for Shaq and now DWade. Chicago is the top of the second tier along with a Miami. But it’s been written many times by people more knowledgable than you or I that Miami is a preferred destination among NBA players.

Shaq left Orlando because he wanted to be in Hollywood, it was a business thing. Orlando had no trouble getting Grant Hill and TMac when they had free agent money. You know, the year when Orlando and Chicago were under the cap but Orlando got all the max free agents. They also were Tim Duncan’s second choice.

by CJ Bulls on Nov 23, 2008 7:21 PM CST up 0 recs

So first I guess you assume I don't have "money"...

which is just kinda funny bc how would you know either way? Then you interject your opinion about South Florida being one of the nicest places in the US, which makes me laugh bc that’s ridiculous (unless your my 80 yr old gramdma?). And then you make a claim that “knowledgeable writers” have said Miami is a preferred destination among NBAers- can I get some links please?

You don’t want to get into a statistical argument with me about professional athletes marketing opportunities because I’ll crush you if you’re spouting falsehoods about any team in Florida being in the same ballpark as any team in Chicago. Just like income state tax is free money, so are larger markets. Do you have any idea how much more money a player like Wade would make doing a 30-second local commercial in a market like Chicago vs Miami? The difference can be 20x more.

As for Shaq leaving Orlando because it was a business decision- yeah no shit, that’s what I said. Because, as his famous quote went, he was “a big fish in a small pond” and he wanted a “big pond.”

And did you seriously just try to make an argument that Orlando is viable because they landed a washed-up Grant Hill? And Tracy McGrady did choose Orlando over Chicago, but guess where Tracy McGrady is from? Ding, ding! Florida- not too far from Orlando in fact. And at that time the Bulls were NBA poison- they were the team that broke up the dynasty and sent MJ into retirement. They were THE pits.

But it’s GREAT to know Orlando was Tim Duncan’s second choice. I think that’s the clincher…

by smash! on Nov 23, 2008 9:04 PM CST up 0 recs

They didn't land a washed up Grant Hill

They landed All NBA Hill before injuries wrecked his career. Duncan was willing to go to Orlando with Hill but decided he’d prefer staying with the Spurs. Shaq didn’t leave Orlando for LA simply for marketing purposes. He left Orlando for LA because under the old CBA, LA was still able to offer more money. Further, we’re talking about Orlando here, which isn’t near as attractive a location as Miami.

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.
Ronald Reagan

by snley on Nov 24, 2008 8:24 AM CST up 0 recs

Ok few points about your post before I'm finished

because I hate arguing about things that are already known, like the fact Miami is a preferred free agent destination. I don’t need to chase down links for something that’s been covered many times in the past.

-i don’t want to be crushed by you, but do you honestly thing DWade is going to do local commercials. What, he’s going to be the spokesperson for Bob Rohrman’s Hyundai dealership? Wade does national commercials. You know the one’s the run seemingly non-stop during nba broadcasts including bulls games, while he’s a member of the Miami Heat

-shaq wanted to be a movie star. the only place you can do that is LA. chicago has no clear advantage over miami in the way la does. unless some nba superstar wants to blow up over at Second City.

-hill was not even remotely washed up when he signed.. he was a top 10 nba player entering his prime when he signed with orlando.

-it’s a pertinent fact that duncans second choice was orlando, and not chicago.

all of these lead up to the major point, which is, chicago and miami are competing on a similar level for nba free agents. some players might prefer chicago, some miami but it’s not clear cut. not remotely.

by CJ Bulls on Nov 24, 2008 10:32 AM CST up 0 recs

Its 2 years away, nothing is written in stone

at this point it’s not even written on a wet napkin.

by BigWay on Nov 22, 2008 7:52 PM CST up 0 recs

I personally want

Boozer or Gordon.
And then Bosh.

Bosh not only fits in better with our players, but I believe he’s younger.

And he hasn’t had any knee surgeries.

If we had Boozer/Gordon, Rose, Deng, I really think it would be easy to convince Bosh to come here instead of NY where all he’ll have is Lebron.

by Edicus2288i on Nov 22, 2008 2:40 PM CST 0 recs

In 2010 NY will still suck

who will they have on that team to convince Bron that he will win multiple rings? Bron is going to BK (Brooklyn) too play for (Jigga) Jay-Z.

Homecoming

by illwill on Nov 22, 2008 3:55 PM CST 0 recs

if the nets actually move

but they’ve run into a bit of a crisis with the state of the economy.

by Jaina on Nov 22, 2008 3:59 PM CST up 0 recs

Lebron needs his Pippen

If he hasn’t already figured it out, he will by 2010. Lebron can’t do it all by himself

He will go to New York, or Chicago, or any other major market that will pair him with another superstar, whether that be Bosh, Amare, or Wade.

Lebron and any one of those guys is better than Lebron and the Cavaliers. Lebron and Rose is better than Lebron and the Cavaliers.

Since the Bulls already have Rose, who by then will be the best or second best point guard in the NBA, we will have an advantage over the Knicks, or just about anybody else that can create the salary cap space.

In fact by the summer of 2010 Rose might be a better “side kick” than Bosh, Amare, or Wade. Rose might indeed be the #1 free agent attractor in the league, and he will still be on his rookie contract, unlike Paul.

Again, this is exactly why we should dump everybody but Rose and maybe Deng, or maybe not to take the shot to get Lebron and Bosh, or Amare, or Wade.

This is our only hope of having a shot at repeating the Jordan years, at least in this lifetime.

by BigWay on Nov 22, 2008 8:18 PM CST up 0 recs

Bron would not move to New Jersey

Simply because he wants to be a champion. The only way he will be a champion contender is by signing with New York so that Bosh can tag along and vise versa. All I’m waiting to see is if we can free up some cap space so we can sign Amare Stoudemire. He’s a perfect fit for D. Rose, he can run the court, good post-up skills and scoring abilities, excellent defender, all-NBA. Plus, he definitely will not be happy with the suns in two years because they were obviously going nowhere. Amare is beginning to realize that the time has come to start seriously contending for championships. And the only way to do that is to sign with a team during the summer of 2010 that has the right pieces to win. If we play our cards right through various trades and free agent releases, then our team will be very appealing to Amare and other potential big men in 2010. Keeping the young core of Derrick Rose and Luol Deng is essential. We can trade, waive, or release through free agency everyone else. A big three containing Rose, Deng, and Amare will definately be able to contend with the right reserves and role players.

by dannyp07 on Nov 22, 2008 7:56 PM CST 0 recs

as for Bosh vs Amare

I don’t see Bosh play enough, but it appears to me that he is not a classic post presense as everybody seems to think. Why do you think that the Raps brought in Jermaine Oneal to rebound and play defense. Bosh likes to float around and take mid range jumpers. He is tall and athletic so he can still rebound, but he is not a post player in the sense that Boozer is.

If you think that Rose is Steve Nash like, then I guess that Amare makes sense. I’d like to know what happens when they go head to head.

My gut leans toward Amare, but we need to get one or the other, as well as one or the other between Lebron or Wade or Joe Johnson.

We absolutely need to focus on the 2 free agent strategy, not just one. We need a big three. We have Rose, we need the other 2

by BigWay on Nov 22, 2008 8:05 PM CST 0 recs

If we have Rose

it doesn’t matter who we get. and especially if we get Kaman

Rose, Amare, Kaman
Rose, Wade, Kaman
Rose, Bosh. Kaman

by hlac on Nov 22, 2008 10:05 PM CST up 0 recs

Rose, Bosh. Kaman

by Unrealcity on Nov 22, 2008 11:50 PM CST up 0 recs

Amare doesn't play defense.

At all.

Viva la nuance! Reading comprehension rules!!!

by tyger1147 on Nov 23, 2008 11:00 AM CST up 1 recs

They brought Jermaine O'Neal because the rest of the Raptors suck

They are set at 2 positions, PG and PF with Bosh and Calderon. O’Neal gives them depth and strength in the frontcourt, where they start such heavy hitters like Andrea Bargnani and Jamario Moon.

Bosh is a remarkable player who gets little love because he doesn’t have the rim-rattling dunks like Amare or Howard. However, he possesses all the post moves you can dream of, in addition to a solid jumpshot. His game has improved every year, and can actually anchor a defense as long as the rest of his team decides to play it. Amare is a little younger, much more explosive around the rim, but he lacks focus on defense. The reason they brought Shaq was to increase their defense and rebounding in Phoenix. You have your views of the players skewed. Boozer isn’t any greater of a post presence than Bosh is. They both can shoot the J pretty well for big men, but they’re not like Garnett where they have devolved into shooting 17 foot jumpers the whole game.

by Ozzie Montana on Nov 23, 2008 12:30 PM CST up 0 recs

Totally agree.

Plus, Boozer isn’t that great at defense. It’s why he is at the bottom of elite PFs and why the Jazz seem so promising, but can’t put it together in the playoffs.

by Unrealcity on Nov 24, 2008 5:31 AM CST up 0 recs