The Bulls have went through bad trades, bad drafts and a list of coaches longer than the brattiest little kid’s Christmas wish novels…they have developed from lists.

Finally, one last time, they have made some moves and decisions to prove Chicago has a winning mindset instead of simply only being an organization in the NBA.

[picappgallerysingle id="10416168"]

It starts with Derrick Rose, who is a top MVP candidate and is leading the Bulls to the top of the Eastern Conference with a 21-10 record as he is eighth in the NBA in scoring and assists with 24 points and eight assists per game.

The Bulls  have won 12 of their last 14 games and have done so in every aspect of the game from shooting, defense, managing turnovers and rebounding.

The above is a statement of gratitude to the Chicago Bulls front office for its will and completion of getting players and coaches the team needs to win.

Tyrus Thomas, John Salmons and Kirk Hinrich were all traded because they didn’t fit in the puzzle. Thomas had problems with authority and couldn’t put productive games back to back. Salmons played great at the end of the 2008-09 season when the Bulls traded for him at the deadline, but as last season went on he too became inconsistent and wasn’t reliable for anything except 12-to-15 shot attempts a game. Hinrich, one of my favorite Bulls, will be missed but he was overpaid and with Rose playing at the level he does, there was no longer a need for him on the team.

[picappgallerysingle id="10416171"]

The three of them were traded for expiring contracts which gave Chicago enough money to get the type of players they needed: an inside presence in Carlos Boozer, a shooter in Kyle Korver and perimeter defense in Ronnie Brewer and Keith Bogans.

Sure, the Bulls wanted to get one of the bigger names in the summer’s free agency circus but they didn’t land a LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Amare Stoudemire or Chris Bosh. Instead of giving up, they got an all-star caliber player in Boozer and continued to shop for role players to help the team to get out of the bottom of the playoff bracket.

The Chicago roster can not be spoken about without the mention of the two big men who put fear in opposing offenses.

Joakim Noah, who I was upset with the Bulls for drafting, has proved to the world he is a top center in the league. Noah is averaging a double-double for the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds a game and bothers every teams inside scorer with his great defense. I forgot to mention he is averaging two blocks a game.

During last year’s rookie season, Taj Gibson showed he could be a force on the court as he was a steal with the 26th pick in the 2009 draft. This season he is coming off the bench to score eight points and grab five rebounds  game. But when Boozer missed 15 games because of a broken hand and Noah first had surgery on his thumb, he put up starter numbers in starter minutes including four double-doubles and has season highs of 18 points and 18 rebounds. He also averages a block and a half a game.

Last season’s coach Vinny Del Negro didn’t do anything for the Bulls except upset fans and players on the team. He led the squad to another 41-41 record and an early departure from the playoffs. He might not have had a championship roster but he didn’t play his cards right to win games when he had the chance to.

[picappgallerysingle id="10362734"]

With that said, the Bulls hired Boston Celtics assistant coach and defensive mastermind Tom Thibodeau to teach the Bulls how to play the game. Thankfully, it seems to be working out as Joakim Noah said he is learning more about the game than he ever has on the Bulls-Nets broadcast. Thibs has brought a defensive emphasis and cohesiveness to a team based around young players.

For the first time since the championship run with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson, the Bulls are towards the top of the conference and are being looked at as a contender. Chicago may not make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, but they will make it past the first round and will give whichever team its playing a run for its money.

2010 has been successful for the Chicago Bulls and should be the gateway for a great 2011.

[picappgallerysingle id="8197741"]

Jerry Reinsdorf, Gar Forman or John Paxson, whoever is involved, MAKE THIS DEAL HAPPEN. If the Bulls front office wants the team to return to greatness, a deal for Carmello Anthony should be a simple decision like firing Vinny Del Negro was.

The Bulls have a few players they could get rid of to sign Melo. James Johnson will never be more than a seventh or eighth man off the bench, move him. Luol Deng is consistently a big number guy for the Bulls, but he fails in comparison to Anthony on every level: scoring, rebounding and helping his team play better. The only category Deng may be better is defense, but Melo picked his defensive game up last season and looked committed to advancing his skills.

Deng and Johnson wouldn’t be enough for the Nuggets to agree on a trade. Instead of adding in Taj Gibson, who is a great back up big man behind Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah, put in a first round draft pick. The Bulls will not make the lottery this year, so they’ll have a pick in the late 20′s. Sometimes a team gets lucky, but for the most part the players who will be selected at this stage of the draft are role players, sometimes minimal role players. This means the Bulls would only give up Johnson, a role player who really didn’t prove anything as a rookie, a late first round draft pick who would be a player based only off of potential, and Deng, a legit starter.

[picappgallerysingle id="8576719"]

For Melo, sign the deal already. We are talking about one of the NBA’s elite scorers who brings it every night. He takes it to the hoop, he knocks down treys, he rebounds and he is great in the open court whether he is creating for himself or others. Maybe, I understated this, not great but fantastic. Melo is hands down one of the top five players in the league. Why wouldn’t the Bulls want to get him?

Everyone saw the determination the front office had in efforts to sign LeBron James, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh this past year. Kirk Hinrich, John Salmons and Tyrus Thomas were traded for expiring contracts. Hinrich had been the heart and sole of the Bulls for at least the past five seasons, while Salmons and Thomas played key roles. Salmons was usually the second or third leading scorer and Thomas was the inside stopper. If the Bulls will trade away big pieces of the team for hope, why not trade two small pieces (Johnson and draft pick) and a equal piece ( Deng) to get Melo?

The Bulls gave the three of them up in hopes of signing one of the big three players. None of them came, but they picked up players needed to play well with Rose, Noah and Deng. If Melo comes, the starting lineup will look like this:Rose, Ronnie Brewer, Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah, while the back up list includes names such as Kyle Korver and Taj Gibson.

The Nuggets are going to lose the entire core of their team. Chauncey Billups, Kenyon Martin and Carmello Anthony are all in the market after this season. Instead of simply losing Melo, the Nuggets should trade him to Chicago in order to make sure they get something in return. If Melo hasn’t signed the three year $65 million contract extention the Nuggets offered a few months ago, he is not going to stay in Denver. This is the biggest offer he is going to see.

Once again Bulls front office, make this deal HAPPEN.

If Melo is in a Bulls jersey, the United Center is sold out every game, the team never falls under .500 and a deep run in the playoffs is a certainty. I’m not saying these things might take place, they will be a reality.

[picappgallerysingle id="7613819"]

Coming out of Kansas University, he was selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2003 season and then played seven seasons in Chicago. While other players selected the same year as him, Linton Johnson and Ronald Dupree,  and many after, Tyrus Thomas at the top of the list, did nothing to help the Bulls, Hinrich was an every game contributor who made the team better.

He was the best perimeter defender on the Bulls roster since Scottie Pippen. Ron Artest was a Bull in-between, but as a Bull, he didn’t do what he has as a Rocket or a Laker.

He led the team in assists and steals for multiple seasons. Hinrich was also a consistent shooter from anywhere on the court. He was behind only Ben Gordon for the most points scored by a Bull for three consecutive years.

In 2008, a player landed in Chicago named Derrick Rose. Rose is more athletic, a better play maker and an all around better basketball player. If the Bulls would have had a true shooting guard, instead of having to start Hinrich, he could have won the sixth man of the year award. If he isn’t a starting point guard, he is one of the best back ups in the league.

In American society, everything circles around money. The Bulls had previously agreed to give Hinrich a nifty penny which included $9 million for the 2010-2011 season.  The front office didn’t want to pay him that big of a contract to be a role player, understandable, when this summer’s free agency had plenty of talent.

It’s unfortunate the NBA is ruled by money, but it is.

BullsHome.com wanted to let fans know how important Hinrich has been to the team for the last seven seasons. We hope him the best in the future.

Rosters are starting to take shape, especially for the Chicago Bulls. They traded away Tyrus Thomas, John Salmons and Kirk Hinrich for expiring contracts that are now off the books and future draft picks. The Bulls are starting to build the roster and our only six days into the free agent signing period.

[picappgallerysingle id="4673490"]

Boozer and Korver are officially signed. Yesterday, the Bulls signed 7 ft center Omer Asik from Turkey. Asik was originally drafted by the Portland Trailblazers in 2008, but was immediately traded to the Bulls. He has been developing for the past two years in Euroleague play. Chicago needs a big man who can defend a Dwight Howard or a Pau Gasol. Asik looks long and lengthy but is a great shot blocker. Maybe he will defend with intimidation as his best aspect; that’s what Ben Wallace did. Scouts seem to think he has solid NBA skills.

“Center seems to be his natural position as he loves playing with his back to the basket possessing a good assortment of moves to get his shot off … He is a tenacious rebounder going for the offensive boards as well as wiping the defensive glass.”

[picappgallerysingle id="5992817"]

This isn’t saying he will dominate, but he will add depth off the bench. The Bulls have been a team that relies on six to seven players, maybe Tom Thibodeau’s run as head coach will bring in a new era called use the bench.

In other NBA news:

Golden State gets forward David Lee
New York gets forward Anthony Randolph,forward Kelenna Azubuike, forward Ronny Turiaf and a 2010 second-round pick.

[picappgallerysingle id="7626776"]

Golden State wins the trade. Lee is a great rebounder and can put up 20 to 25 points any night. He is perfect for the run and gun tempo of the Don Nelson’s Warriors. New York got three so-so players. The second round pick will more than likely lead to the same type of player. Randolph is a solid player with upside but he isn’t going to develop into an all-star. He will be a great sixth man or a contributing role player. Warriors get an all-star and the Knicks get three similar players who will not amount to much.

Miami resigned forward Udonis Haslem.

[picappgallerysingle id="2880658"]

Haslem has been a blue collar player for the Heat since 2002, it only seems right to bring him back to attempt to win another championship. He is a big man who can step out and hit a jumper, rebound and defend in the low post. Heat owner Pat Riley would have been a fool not to bring him back.

Dallas gets center Tyson Chandler and center Alexis Ajinca
Charlotte gets center Erick Dampier, forward Eduardo Najera, guard Matt Carroll and cash considerations.

[picappgallerysingle id="8618196"]

Dallas wins this trade. Chandler is not offensively gifted but can rebound and block shots on a much higher level than Erick Dampier can. Oh, Dampier can’t shoot a penny in the ocean, Chandler is better in this category too.

Najera is on his last legs and Carroll isn’t an NBA talent. Dallas drops some salary to pick up players they could use, while Charlotte picks up veteran players who will not fit their system.

Derek Fisher stays with the Lakers.

Great move. Fisher kept the Lakers in the playoffs throughout every series. He is tough and the heart of the team.

Most of everything is rumors and hasn’t been set in contract yet.

The Atlanta Hawks are going to send Chris Childress to the Suns. The Suns are also going after Hedu Turkoglu. Childress has played over seas for the past few years, and has become a great player.

Al Jefferson will be a Denver Nugget.

J.J. Redick has been offered a deal from the Bulls but Orlando can keep him if they match the 3 year deal worth $20 million because he is a restricted free agent.

“Big Z”, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, will probably join the Miami Heat. He will follow LeBron, no dobut about it. They play well together and respect each other. They want to win a ring for each other.

Cavaliers have put an offer on the table for Kyle Lowry, but the Redick situation falls on Lowry as well. The Rockets have reportedly matched the contract.

I have no idea why, but the Timberwolves are going after Luke Ridnour. They have seven point guards and are trying to get another, no clue why.

[picappgallerysingle id="9320041"]

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.

[picappgallerysingle id="8743706"]Then the Bulls go back to the Utah Jazz roster and sign Kyle Korver.  Korver is a three-point sniper the Bulls have been looking for.  He isn’t a great defensive player, but he does have a true NBA small forward body making it harder for guys to get around him.  He will fit in well with the Bulls up-tempo offense as well; he is athletic.

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.

[picappgallerysingle id="8821742"]The Bulls are using their money wisely.  They’re going after the kind of players the Bulls roster has been lacking.  Chicago didn’t have an offensive threat in the low post or a reliable shooter.  Now, Chicago has both and are trying to acquire another shooter.

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.

[picappgallerysingle id="8576747"]

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.

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. 

[picappgallerysingle id="8936579"]Kerr’s Suns made it to the western conference finals this season, losing to the now NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in six games.  He helped the Suns by building a roster around his two key players, Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire. Kerr added athletic players who could run and gun, just like his two stars instead of different tempo and skill set guys. 

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. 

[picappgallerysingle id="1997911"]Paxson’s resume is okay.  He hasn’t had a star, until Derrick Rose was gifted wrapped to him with a bow as the first overall pick in the 2008 draft.  Last season, he traded inconsistent Andres Nocioni, overrated Drew Gooden and Cedric Simmons to the Sacramento Kings for John Salmons, Brad Miller.  The trade helped the Bulls get the 6th seed in the post season and in the epic first round series against the Boston Celtics.  Both immediately fit well with the team, hitting key buckets when needed.  

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.

[picappgallerysingle id="8616832"]If Paxson can land Lebron, Wade, Bosh or if it’s financial possible for two of them,  keep him.  He has repeatedly made deals to get the Bulls to the playoffs.  But if he can’t make THE deal, I would love to see Kerr in the Bulls front office.  He turned the Suns into a winning team, he could do the same for Chicago.

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.

[picappgallerysingle id="2183108"]

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.

[picappgallerysingle id="8717158"]

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?

[picappgallerysingle id="545650"]

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.

[picappgallerysingle id="7799066"]

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.

Let’s be real,  we all knew the Bulls were not going to beat the Cavs in a seven game series.  There were many people who said Chicago would be sweept.  I said they would take one, and thats exactly what they did.

The purpose of this isn’t to hate on the Bulls or pop my chest out because I called the series right; it is to give the Bulls a round of applause.

[picappgallerysingle id="8627052"]

The Bulls started the season out okay, then fell on hard times.  Tyrus Thomas was fighting about playing time, the players didn’t look committed to head coach Vinny Del Negro, and trades and injuries hampered the lineup.  With al of this going on they didn’t give up.

They didn’t get a playoff spot till the last day of the regular season.  They finally got into the post season after crucial victories against teams already in the playoffs; the Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Bobcats.

[picappgallerysingle id="8626776"]

Their tough times, unfortunately, gave them the eighth seed in the playoffs.  This meant they had to go against the reigning NBA MVP and the built up Cavs.  Lebron isn’t only the reigning MVP, he will win it again this season.  I say the Cavs are built up, because for the first time in Lebron’s career he has surrounding players who have been or are all-star caliber players; Shaquille O’Neal, Antwan Jamison and Mo Williams.  Plus, they have role players such as Delonte West, Anderson Varejao and Anthony Parker, who bring something to the court every time they’re entered into a game.  The Cavs will play the Celtics in the second round after they defeated the Miami Heat 4-1 in their first round series.

They lost in five. There was never any doubt the Bulls would get beat, but they played their heart out.  They got blown out in game four, but the other four games were close and the Bulls showed they could play winning basketball.  Maybe, they can’t win at an elite level this year, however, they have the talent to be an elite team in the near future.

[picappgallerysingle id="8603809"]

I give Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah all the props in the world.  Rose was called a star as soon as Chicago drafted him with the number one overall pick.  Did anyone one think he would be a super star in his second year?  I thought it would take four seasons.

Noah has become a beast.  I remember thinking, oh my gosh, why did they draft him at number nine in 2007 ahead of Al Thorton or Thaddeus Young?  I am glad they did.  He is becoming a leader of a very young Chicago team and in my opinion he has to be in the conversation to be one of the top three starting centers in the league.

[picappgallerysingle id="8627216"]

Thank you Bulls for showing that you cared about the season, even though management made it seem like this summer’s free agency was more important.  I think the strong play at the end of the season shows proof to the big name free agents, James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, that the Bulls are ready to take it to the next level.

Chicago was in the lead for 95% of the game.  They started the game firing on all cylinders leading 10-4 within the first four minutes.  They did not let up.

The Bobcats went on a 11-2 run to start the fourth quarter.  The attempt was soon canceled out by Derrick Rose’s continual attack to the basket.  They took the lead with 8:55 left in the game.  The Bulls got it back with three minutes remaining in the game on a 25 foot jumper from Kirk Hinrich.  They then built the lead up to eight points to get the victory.

Tyrus Thomas didn’t get any attention at all from the fans until he entered the game late in the first quarter and scored five quick points.  Then the Chicago fans booed him.  I’ve already said this, but he deserved it.  Late in the fourth quarter the United Center went nuts when Joakim Noah drove in the lane and dunked on Thomas.  He was definitely the wrong guy on the poster,  it was awesome.

[picappgallerysingle id="8422995"]

The back court of Rose and Hinrich,  went off. Rose scored 26 and Hinrich added 24.  The rebounding skills of Taj Gibson and Noah were in full documentation against the Bobcats.  Noah had 16 rebounds with 11 points and Gibson grabbed 15 rebounds to complement his 14 points.  31 rebounds between two guys will help anyone win.  The Bulls out rebounded Charlotte 56-33.

Chicago’s chances of getting into the playoffs are looking slim.  Toronto also got a W tonight by defeating the Philadelphia 76ers.  Chris Bosh and company have to lose for the Bulls to catch up.  At least, Rose and his company are doing the part of the situation they can control, winning games.

I would boo.  Thomas was a bust as a Bull.  He played inconsistently and uninspired. He is long, athletic and a shot blocking presence in the low post,  but only when he wants to.

Thomas was also a locker room problem.  He complained and argued with coaches because he didn’t get his way.  He is a baby.  I hope the fans at the United Center give him a ear full.

One might think he will try to prove he can play, I am one of these.  But,  we all know he has talent and athletic ability,  he just doesn’t have a work ethic, a good personality or a hunger to win.

I’m glad he is gone.  Now,  I hope he can help the Bulls out, by making mistakes for the Charlotte Bobcats as Chicago fights for a playoff spot.

[picappgallerysingle id="8338145"]