| Two Cups Of Joe (or Jo) Jolts The Bulls Authored by Brent Diggins - July 24, 2007 - 2:51 pm
I’m putting my early nomination in for John Paxson as GM of the year. He again has done Bulls’ fans around the world well, and despite my concerns about their salary cap situation, the Bulls should be odds on favorites to come out of the East this year. Yes, I know it’s only July, but I’m putting my chips in the Bulls’ salsa for an NBA Finals appearance. So what has gotten me so excited? Two cups of Joe (or Jo) as in Joe Smith and Joakim Noah. Quit your laughing and read on to find out why.
In my RealGM.com article “Unscram-bull-ing Chicago’s Off-Season (May 2007),” I touted both Noah and Smith and said they were must haves, if available, for Chicago success in 2007-08. I also said that the Bulls wouldn’t keep Nocioni if he got over 7 million a year, but let’s overlook that. I’m surprised and very happy they kept him as I see players like him as a crucial part to a championship team, and I get to keep listening to the masterpiece Andres Nocioni song (www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mDe5NA_Sjg) and do the NO-CI-ONI chant. Is he worth 8 million? Maybe. My concern with his 8 million, again, is the price that Gordon and Deng are going to ask for based on that because both of those guys are much better than Nocioni.
I digress so let’s move back to Smith and Noah. These guys have added what the Bulls needed, and that was size and more inside scoring. Smith is 6-10 and Noah 6-11 plus, so the Bulls instantly match up better with the size of Detroit, Cleveland and Miami. More importantly, the Bulls should be able to easily generate 25 plus ppg from their PF spot. Smith, who has legit back to the basket moves, will probably play about 25-30 mpg, and with the Bulls great outside shooters, will have lots of room to operate in the post. I see him getting 10-13 ppg this year. When Smith comes out, next in line will be Tyrus Thomas who has improved his outside shot, and only will get better with another year of experience. When he played last year, he was dynamic. If he stays under control, and uses his tremendous athletic ability right, he is good for 8-12 ppg this year. So that is about 25 ppg from those two. Add in Noah for 6-8 points and the Bulls inside scoring is answered. Nocioni also slides into the PF position at times, and if he’s there he’ll be good for his 13-15 ppg as well. In addition to those players, I loved the Aaron Gray pick, especially at pick 49. Paxson came from championship teams that used the semi-skilled plodding 7-0 white guy better than any others. Gray is tough and has some nice skills, even some inside moves that will get him a basket or two a game. He’ll be able to come in and hack on Shaq or Illgauskaus for a while and use his six fouls. A commodity like that is often overlooked, but crucial to winning teams.
In addition to the size and scoring capabilities, the Bulls front line has gotten even better in the defense, rebounding and energy department. Ben Wallace, Nocioni, Thomas and Noah bring it every night and bring it with intensity. No team has four players who play as hard and with reckless abandon, sometimes to a fault, as those four. The Bulls should dominate the glass against every team and their defense will again be stellar, even improved with Noah’s presence and a healthy Nocioni. They will cause problems for any skilled big man as their quickness and shot blocking ability is fantastic. Noah and Thomas just have to learn to stay on their feet and not go for every shot block opportunity, but that will come with experience. Joe Smith isn’t a slouch in the rebounding or defense department either, but he does it smoother than the other guys. And what about that hair? I’m looking forward to the day when both Wallace and Noah let their hair out in all its glory. All that hair is good for a basket or two and at least one blocked shot.
So what’s next Bulls’ fans? Well, first Paxson needs to get the circus moved from the UC, and then outside of that, just look for them to sign one of their free agent bigs. I don’t anticipate P.J. Brown coming back, and with the Joe Smith signing, I don’t think the Bulls do either. Quite frankly, Smith is an upgrade anyways. Don’t be surprised to see Chris Duhon moved either. I have a gut feeling something isn’t right between Duhon and either Paxson or Skiles, and it probably stems from Duhon’s penchant for the nightlife and then showing up late for practice. They might just trade him for a draft pick or cash, but it’d be sweet if they could get a Jarrett Jack or Sergio Rodriguez from Portland. Both would look good in a Bulls uniform.
Paxson clearly is going to stick to his plan, his players and his vision and he should. He has built this Bulls team from the ground up, and he keeps adding bricks making this team one of the best in the league. The Bulls play hard, play defense, are big, rebound and they are good guys. In my eyes, those characteristics are what very good teams are made of.
Brent Diggins is a freelance writer, an avid NBA fan, and the President of Diggs Communications, a Phoenix based marketing firm. You can reach him at brentd@diggspr.com. |
