The Bulls didn’t get one of the three big named free agents and the three players signing to another eastern conference team like the Miami Heat was discouraging but I have been awaken by the same people for the discouragement.

At first, the signing of Carlos Boozer didn’t seem like such a good move.  He definitely wasn’t big enough bait for LeBron to come to Chicago and at times he has brittle bones.  But, he when he is healthy, which is more than half of a season, he is a dependable 20 and 10 guy.  Plus, he is an eight year veteran who can mentor Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson. Actually, Boozer is the eldest player on the Bulls; he can give tips to the entire team. Also, he has playoff experience past the first round. After personal debate, I am excited to see Boozer as a Bull.

Reinsdorf has also offered Orlando Magic restricted free agent, J.J. Redick, a three year deal worth $20 million.  He hasn’t proven himself as a great player, so the contract may be a little much.  On the other hand, he has shown progress each of his four seasons in Orlando.  Redick was the only offense the Magic had in a couple of the games against the Boston Celtics in the quarter finals of the playoffs. The Bulls offer is based on potential and the player he could become, it is worth it.  He has shown he can play at the NBA level.

I GIVE THE FRONT OFFICE CREDIT. They are making the best out of a situation that looked like doomsday.  I would much rather have Boozer, Korver and Redick than the three guys that were traded for expiring contracts: Tyrus Thomas, John Salmons and Kirk Hinrich. Boozer is a man, Thomas is a little boy.  Korver is a better three-point shooter than Salmons and is more reliable to hit shots.  On the other Salmons plays better defense and unlike Korver, he can create his own shot.

I love Hinrich.  The Bulls should have traded Luol Deng and kept Hinrich, but he did have an overpaid contract they wanted to get off of the books.  Hinrich is the best backup point guard in the league.  He is a premier perimeter defender, a superb assist man and can he shoot from anywhere on the court.  The problem is, Rose is more valuable and when they traded Hinrich, so was LeBron, Wade or Bosh. Redick is bigger and is a more consistent shooter.  Plus, he has younger legs and still has plenty of upside.

The Bulls are putting together a team instead of relying on one superstar player to take the “team” to the next level.  To win a championship in the NBA, the organization has to have a team, not one guy.  It has been proven over and over again.  LeBron didn’t win in Cleveland because he didn’t have a team around him and didn’t play with what he did have.  The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers win because they have role players who know what they have to do on the court.  They perform their jobs well and let the Kobe Bryants, Paul Pierces, Pau Gasols and Kevin Garnetts of the world do what they do.

The Bulls are not at a championship level at the present time but they’re a better team than they were last year.  The summer isn’t over and the Chicago Bulls still have the money to pick up whomever they wish.

Also, Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics have come to an agreement on a four year deal worth $61 million.

Neither one of these deals is surprising.  Both have players have played their entire careers with these teams and now will probably never leave.

Pierce and Nowitzki had another year on their contract but had opt out clauses.  They both used it.  By opting out and re-resigning they can install a no trade policy.

Phil Jackson has decided he wants to come back to the Los Angeles Lakers to attempt to win another championship.  This would mean Jackson would have 12 rings and four three-peats.  It is never happened in the NBA.  I love Jackson and am glad he isn’t succumbing to his injuries.

Doc Rivers is going to stay with the Boston Celtics.  He was thinking about throwing in the towel so he could spend time with his family.  Rivers has too much pride and wants to stay til the end of the big three.  Garnett is contracted to the team for two more years.  Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are free agents.  Pierce is reported to be working with the Celtics on a new contract while nothing has been said about Allen.  With their great showing in this years playoffs, I don’t see why Rivers would leave.  He still has the pieces to win another championship.

These are probably only one year returns, but one more year with Jackson and Rivers is better than none.

The Cleveland Cavaliers made a gutsy move by hiring Byron Scott as their head coach.  It isn’t a gutsy move because of Scott’s ability because he is good at what he does.  The issue of course, is Lebron James.  Is Scott a big enough name for James to stay?  I don’t think he is, unless he can get Chris Paul to leave the Hornets and come to Cleveland.  Talk about interesting.  How would Lebron turn that down?

I asked the question to you,  who would be a better for the Bulls, Kerr or Paxson.  Kerr dominated Paxson, getting 36 of the 52 votes.  I wonder if Kerr would beat Gar Forman, like he did Paxson. 

Steve Kerr was a back up point guard for the Bulls in the mid-to late 90′s and helped win a few championships with his sniper three point shooting.  Paxson did the same thing in the early 90′s. 

He did make some questionable trades like Shawn Marion to the Miami Heat for Shaquille O’Neal, but he made up for it by getting a second round draf pick, Sasha Pavlovic who is a solid back up player, $500,000 and a soon to retire Ben Wallace when he traded O’Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

This season, he made room in the team’s payroll to sign one of the big name free agents this summer. Paxson traded away a bad character guy in Tyrus Thomas to the Charlotte Bobcats  for two expiring contracts and a future first round pick.  He then traded John Salmons and a couple of second round picks for two expiring contracts.

One, besides putting up video game numbers and winning two consecutive MVP awards, he hasn’t won when his team needed him too.  The Cleveland Cavaliers have only been to the finals once.  This post season,  he choked against the Boston Celtics just like the rest of his team.  If he is supposed to be the leader of the team,  he has to get his game together too.  I know what your saying,  he led them the entire season.  Well, the season didn’t end for the Cavaliers until Boston beat them in the playoffs,  when James didn’t show up.  How does Cleveland post the best record in the NBA for two seasons and then get upset in the playoffs?  Lebron can’t handle the pressure at the brightest stage.

Two, because he would hurt the development of Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose.  For all the praise he gets, we forget James is a selfish player.  Every play he has to have the ball.  Most of his points are off shots he created himself, not assisted by a teammate.  Yes, players who can develop their own shot are better than ones who can’t but not if it looks like one player is playing against five.  This is more than half of the Cavalier’s offensive sets in more than 80% of their games.

Lebron was in the top ten in assists,  again because he has to control everything.  This would be great for the Bulls, if Rose didn’t need the ball.  Rose is a point guard who has been trained to control tempo and position his team to score.  How is he going to be able to do that, when he doesn’t get the ball.  Maybe, Lebron would learn how to play with a pure point guard, instead of him having to be in complete control.  Wishful thinking,  I think it will be difficult for James to get past his ego.

In addition to point two,  James will always have to be the guy.  It is Lebron and his Cavaliers.  If he came to Chicago it would be Lebron and the Bulls.  It wouldn’t be considered the big three or Rose and James the dynamic duo.  He would suck the life out of the team concept the Bulls have built.  Every team likes and needs to have stars, but teams win championships.  Why hasn’t James won one yet.  Most say because he didn’t have a team around him, but, when they were in the process of winning the most games in the regular season, he supposedly did.  He is selfish and doesn’t know how to play with guys.

Three, James is a physical specimen created to dominate a basketball court.  No one can deny Jame’s God given athletic ability and is arguably the best player in the game.  I think Kobe is because of his killer instinct and clutch performances; Lebron doesn’t have that yet.  Jame’s video game numbers would help any team, especially the Bulls.  They have one consistent scorer, Derrick Rose.  James is also a solid defensive player.  He has made countless highlights when he comes out of no where to block a lay up from behind.  Tom Thibodeau would love to have an all around tool like Lebron on the court,  it would make his job easy, real easy.

Lebron is the number two option because he is bigger than the NBA.  Jordan was bigger than the league, but he was on another level than Lebron.  I’ll get into that another day.

I don’t know if James will work well with the character guys the Bulls have on their roster.  On the other hand,  he is the best athlete in the NBA and probably any other league, so,  he is always wanted on a team, including the Chicago Bulls.  Signing Lebron would work out in the win department and the Bulls would become an elite team, but Cleveland has been an elite team in the east since Lebron arrived in 2003.  What did they do?

David Lee is the number three in the top ten countdown of free agent options for the Chicago Bulls.  The good thing is,  Lee will not be a max contract guy, so, other impact players could sign as well.  This makes the third option, a deluxe deal like a number one Whooper combo from Burger King.  The Bulls could sign Lee,  resign Brad Miller and then sign a shooter.  Kyle Korver, JJ Redick and Mike Miller are all available.

Lee is developing into a star in New York.  If he can become a great player on a horrible Knick roster,  he could blossom into a superstar in Chicago.  This season, the 27 year old power forward put up career high numbers and was selected to his first NBA All-Star game.  He averaged 20 points, 11.7 rebounds and four assists per game.  In April, he recorded his first triple-double with 37 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists.  He is the first person to do this since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

He plays with intensity.  His low post offensive moves are above average and he knows how to position himself for rebounds.  He doesn’t block a lot of shots, but he plays help defense and makes sure he gets his body on his assignment when he has the ball.  Honestly,  Lee is a year away from his prime.  He can still develop into a more efficient defender and a better help defender.  His potential isn’t at it’s end.  The Bulls are looking to secure a top talent for many years.  Lee is young and is looking for a long contract. This is a green light.

Brad Miller is 34 and at the end of his career, there is no doubt about it.  The good thing is, Miller is a veteran leader.  He is vocal, something the Bulls need for their young talent in Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson.  I am a firm believer in Miller making Noah the dominant low post defender and rebounder he has become.  When he does get in the game,  he doesn’t dissapoint.  Chicago doesn’t ask much from him but he still delivers 10 points a game and five rebounds.  These are not huge numbers, but great for a second string guy, who could be moved to third string depending on the Bulls free agent pick ups.  If Lee was picked up,  he would be behind Noah, Gibson and Lee.  At this point in his career, Brad Miller would be perfect to resign for this spot on the team.

The Bulls showed a desperate need for some perimeter shooting this past season.  Rose isn’t extremely consistent and Kirk Hinrich has troubles finding his shot for long stretches of time.  There are three legitimate mid-value shooters in this summer’s free agency.

Utah’s Kyle Korver is a great shooter.  As a Southern Illinois Saluki,  I hate Creighton and everything about them.  Unfortunately, they had a great player in Korver, who has began to shoot the ball even better after college.  This season he shot 53% from beyond the three point line.  The Bulls need a shooter who can drop them in at a percentage like that.  The problem is, he doesn’t really do anything else.

Orlando’s JJ Redick is another great shooter.  During the playoffs, he stepped up and was one of the few bright spots against the Boston Celtics in their three consecutive loses.

Washington’s Mike Miller is probably the best choice of the three.  He has more experience and is a more versatile player.  He shots the trey at  a 40% career average during his ten seasons as a member of the Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves and Washington Wizards.  He has averaged five rebounds and three assists too.  He can help the team in more ways than simply shooting.  Also, he would be a great guy to have come off the bench.  He was a leader for the Timberwolves when all they had was young talent.  They didn’t win a ton or get to the playoffs but he was still able to get his teammates to play hard with their little skill sets.

Lee, Brad Miller and Mike Miller or Korver or Redick is a good option for the Bulls.  They would get an up and coming superstar who is going to drop 20 ppg and grab 11 rebounds a game, veteran leadership and an outside scorer.  Add these elements to the hiring of defensive mastermind Tom Thibodeau, Derrick Rose and his all around solid play,  Noah becoming a monster down low on both sides of the ball and three decent players in Luol Deng, Gibson and Hinrich.  This would make a great team.

Either way,  the Boston Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau has been hired by the Chicago Bulls to replace Vinny Del Negro.

Thibodeau is well respected as a defensive master mind, helped the Boston Celtics become one of the best defending teams in the league.  Boston would never have beaten the Lakers in 2008 for the NBA Championship, if their team defense didn’t rotate and communicate like Thibodeau taught them.  It also helps that Kevin Garnett, one of the biggest mouths in the NBA, is on the Celtics.

In his 21 year coaching career, he has traveled the NBA ranks.  He began as an assistant to the expansion Minnesota Timberwolves in 1989.  In 1991, he was a scout for the Seattle SuperSonics.  He has been an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and until this years post season is over, the Boston Celtics.

Thibodeau has aided his teams to finish in the top ten in team defense for 15 seasons.  This is impressive.

The Bulls were a solid defensive team last year.  Thibodeau will help them become great.  Joakim Noah wants to play defense and showed signs of defensive brilliance this season.  Kirk Hinrich is a good perimeter defender.  Derrick Rose is quick, giving him the ability to get in front of any match up and Luol Deng has great length and hoops to block shots from the corner.

They have the skills, now Thibodeau will give them techniques.

The question I have is, how does this help Chicago’s scoring?  The Bulls scoring was a huge problem this season.  The offensive sets resulted in Ros running around and trying to drive, or they were stagnant.  Three players roamed on the perimeter while Noah and Taj Gibson got faced until they needed to get a rebound.

Maybe Thibodeau has more than one trick up his sleeve, plus,  he will have assistants and hopefully an elite talent after free agency begins.

The hire could draw big names.  Thibodeau is well known and respected.  Basketball players need to know their coach can or wants to win before they believe in the system.  Thibodeau helped win a championship in 2008 and was a part of the Knicks trip to the finals in 199 with Jeff Van Gundy, Patrick Ewing and Allan Houston.

Thibodeau should be a good coach.  Some assistants who are supposed to do well, stumble and fall.  Others coach a team to two three-peat championship run, aka Phil Jackson.  He will not reach Jackson’s level, but he could be the coach to get Chicago further in the playoffs than first round.  This would mean a better record, so they’re not the eighth seed.

On a faith level, I have 85% faith that he will help the Bulls get to the next level.  The doubts I have are on offense.  If the defense can get points off of its hard work than that doubt would be quieted.  The other doubt, is if Thibodeau is a coach the big named free agents want to play for.

Lebron James might want to be on the same team with Thibodeau instead of receiving the wrath of his zone defensive schemes.

Wade has been reported to question the loyalty of the Bull’s management.  Joakim Noah and Lindsay Hunter have been quoted in the media saying Lebron should come to Chicago.  Bosh has listed Chicago as one of his five destinations he would like to play for next year.

Then the Bulls fired Vinny Del Negro, so they’re in the market for a new man on the sideline.  Avery Johnson, Byron Scott, Lawrence Frank, Jeff Van Gundy and Doug Collins are all ex-coaches looking for a job.  ESPN has sources who say Phil Jackson has been contacted to return as the Bull’s Head Coach and University of Kentucky’s John Calipari has been in the news for the job as well.

To add a little more controversy around the Bulls is the legacy of arguably the best player to ever grace the NBA, Michael Jordan.  It has been said players would not want to go to Chicago because they would be in the shadow of MJ.  The Utah Jazz’s power forward, Carlos Boozer, who is going to be a free agent, doesn’t agree.

I like these statements from Boozer.  Actually,  it makes his resume go closer to the top of the pile as a free agent pick up.

He isn’t scared to play in the house Jordan built.  He is showing pride in himself as a player.  He realizes the 90′s Bulls were great, but why shouldn’t any other great players be a Bull?

The Celtics have won the most championships in the history of the NBA.  This didn’t scare Ray Allen or Kevin Garnett going to Boston.  The Lakers are the second winning-est franchise in history.  This didn’t stop Shaquille O’Neal or Pau Gasol to moving to Los Angeles.   This didn’t stop Paul Pierce or Kobe Bryant from signing extensions either.

If anything Jordan and Scottie Pippen created a winning atmosphere other players should love to play in.  Sure, the Bulls fell off for about ten years, but this was because of former Bull’s general manager Jerry Krause causing problems with the stars and college players with tons of potential not panning out: Marcus Fizer, Jay Williams, Chris Duhon, Eddie Robinson and Tyrus Thomas.

When a conversation about the best three point shooter in the history of the NBA is started they’re a few names always mentioned: Ex-Bull Steve Kerr (has the best career three point shooting percentage), Reggie Miller, Glen Rice, Larry Bird, Mark Price and Ray Allen.

Allen is second in NBA history for the most three pointers made; he only trails Miller.

The Bulls desperately need a solid shooter to help spread the floor and move their offensive sets that were extremely stagnant this year.  Sounds like a perfect job for Allen.

Remember the Chicago’s  first round playoff series last year against the Boston Celtics.  It was heart brake, but every Bull fan had to respect Allen for what he did to keep his team in it and eventually win the series.  He was a marksmen.  He put a team on his back that has two other players destined for the Hall of Fame.  Oh yeah,  Allen will be there too.

When he isn’t shooting, he can be a floor general.  In Boston, he has Rajon Rando and Paul Pierce who can do the same thing, but when called upon, he can drive, assist, create his own shot or simply ware out the defense because he never stops moving.  Allen is constantly moving, creating options for his team’s offensive set.

He is a leader.  During the current eastern conference finals against the Orlando Magic, he is constantly motivating his team.  He is in the ear of Rando, Glen Davis and Nate Robinson.

Allen has been around the league for 14 seasons. He knows the ins and outs of the game.

This also happens to be the problem with Allen.  In July he will be 35 years old.  He is past his prime.  His wheels are almost aired out.  Faster guards will be able to get past him with ease very soon.

Allen has been noted to be a humble guy, but what kind of deal will he be looking for?  Will he be the Allen Iverson or Tracy McGrady type who think they are never going to fall out of their elite status?  I think he knows he is at the end of his career, so I believe he would take a pay cut.

This season he is making $19.7 million.  I don’t know if any team in the NBA is going to make a huge offer like that to a 35 year old player.  Let’s face it, he has two maybe three years left.  It could be a stretch to give him three, but for some odd reason, great shooters always last in the NBA till they are in their late 30′s.

This is another question, why would Allen leave the Boston Celtics?  They’re in the eastern conference finals.  Rondo has picked up his slack.  Pierce will definitely stay.  Why not finish out your career on a winning team that you won a championship with?  I hope his answer is because he wants a new challenge.

At the age of 33 and 34 he has put up great numbers as a member of a Boston team with many options.  Two years ago he averages 18 ppg and this year 16 ppg.  He scored over 20 points 26 times this season.  26 times might not seem like a big deal, but he is on a team with five players who can put up 20 or more in Rando, Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace and Davis.

Why couldn’t he still shoot the lights out in Chicago?  Sure, he is old.  Sure, we would eat the money if his body deteriorates swiftly in the next year or two.  Sure, the Bulls would be considered geniuses if Allen signs and hits the game winning three to get the Bulls into the eastern conference finals next year. Sure, Rose and Hinrich would thank Allen for giving them some pointers on their shot and how to lead a team.

Although Allen is old, he can still play.  With age comes wisdom, something the Chicago Bulls need.  His shot will not leave him in age,  Chicago needs that too.

Allen would be a great two-to-three year option.  The Bulls would get some much needed leadership and one of the best three point shooters in history.  The only questions are the miles on his aging legs and his dedication to the Celtics.

Tomorrow Bullshome will share option number four.

It might sound silly to say Salmons since the Bulls just sent him to Milwaukee for expiring contracts on the trade deadline, but in Milwaukee he proved can be a scoring option.  In Chicago, he was inconsistent.  He goes to Milwaukee and turned their season around from not making the playoffs to gaining the sixth seed  and scaring the Atlanta Hawks in the first round by forcing a seven game series.

The Bucks did this without center Andrew Bogut, who was a legitimate top three or four center in the league.  Rookie Brandon Jennings had something to do with the Bucks hot streak, but it was Salmon’s performances that had fans saying “Fear the Deer”.

I have said before, Salmons did the same thing to Chicago.  In Sacramento he was inconsistent and not a main player for the Kings who had little to nothing with an injured Kevin Martin.  He gets traded to the Bulls and shines at the end of the season, helping the Bulls make the playoffs and give the Boston Celtics a run for their money.

This year, Chicago played the Sacramento role and Milwaukee took the place of Chicago.

If he can play at the level he has at the end of the last two seasons, for an entire season, he is worth taking him back.  Salmons could be the two guard the Bulls had and now need to get back.  Maybe they made a mistake by dealing him.

In his 30 games for the Bucks he averaged 20 ppg, shot 47% from the field and 87% from the free throw line. During his 51 games with the Bulls he averaged 13 ppg, shot 42% from the field and 79% from the line.

An argument could be made about who is on the Bucks compared to the Bull’s top scores Rose and Deng.  The Bucks have Bogut and Jennings.  Jennings creates his own shot and Bogut is a serious inside scoring presence the Bulls don’t have.  Noah’s name could be thrown in, but he scores off of hustle not set up plays.

Rudy Gay has plenty of potential.  He has averaged 18 ppg, 6 rpg and is 45% from the field in his four seasons in the NBA.  In these four seasons he has only missed 10 games; he can stay healthy.

This season he was ranked third in the NBA in minutes played, 13th in total steals, 15th in field goals made, , 16th in total points and 18th in ppg.

Gay can take it outside, a career 35% three-point shooter, or can cut through the lane and throw it down. Gay isn’t automatic from 3, but can hit when he is on.  His dashing to the basket skills can be compared to Desmond Mason and Darius Miles when they were in their prime.

The problem with picking up Gay is,  he isn’t proven.  As a player, he has never been to the post season.  He can’t be held to full blame because of the Memphis roster, but he is a team captain and is looked to help this team get better.

They do have an up and coming star center in Marc Gasol, guard O.J. Mayo and all-star forward in Zach Randolf.  Gay is the all around most talented (Randolf is one of the best interior scorers in the league) on the team,  but he hasn’t been a leader.

The Bulls need a leader.  Rose and Hinrich try, but they’re not strong leaders.  Deng doesn’t talk or play dedicated like a leader.  Joakim Noah’s play (like Rose) could define him as a leader of the team, but it doesn’t always work.

Maybe the Bulls need a player with a voice, unfortunately, Kevin Garnett isn’t up for grabs.

Also, Gay’s play is similar to Deng.  Gay has a better jump shot but all in all, they play similar styles.  This could cause a problem with the starting line up or could help the team by having a strong scorer come off the bench.

The question is, who would come off the bench?  I’d go with Deng.  Have Rudy start and then interchange them throughout games in the two and three spots.  The Bulls would then have some length.

The reason this is a tie, is because Gay and Salmons are good at what they do, which is opposite of each other.

Salmons is a shooter, Gay is more of an inside banger who occasionally shoots outside.  Gay is a better defender and Salmons is better at running offensive sets.

Gay is a better re-bounder, probably because of size and Salmons is a better set up man, probably because of his better ball handling skills.

Money wise, Salmons is making $5 mill this year and Gay $3 mill.  Both have another possible year on their current contracts offering each another million.

If the Bulls picked one of these guys up, they could still shop for other prominent pieces like true shooters in Kyle Korver, Mike Miller or J.J. Redick.  If the Bulls want to continue to build defense,  Ronnie Brewer is available.

Number ten is a tie between John Salmons and Rudy Gay.  Between these two players, would you rather have Gay come from Memphis or Salmons come back to Chicago?

Click in tomorrow for # 9 of the top 10 summer free agent options for the Chicago Bulls.