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The Chicago Bulls Should Trust Their Plan With Nikola Mirotic[/h]
February 15, 2014 09:21 AM EST
Speculation has already started about what the Chicago Bulls plan to do in NBA free agency next season with the money they have coming. Put simply, they should stick to their original plan to bring in Nikola Mirotic.
European star has longer NBA future and more time to grow with Derrick Rose
One thing that has been proven with Chicago over the past couple years is that GM Gar Forman and head coach Tom Thibodeau are not adept at luring in veteran NBA free agents. That was proven a few years ago when they failed to land LeBron James or Dwyane Wade and had to settle for Carlos Boozer. In truth the duo, despite their differences are much better and assembling and developing young, homegrown talent. That is the plan they had in mind when they drafted Spanish-born player Nikola Mirotic. Believing they had a young sensation in the making, the Bulls stashed him overseas where he could gain experience. During that time Mirotic has become the best player in the European circuit, displaying a remarkable array of skills highlighted by precision shooting despite such a long 6'10" frame. It's not wonder many are comparing him to Dirk Nowitzki. The reason the Bulls are better off sticking to their original plan to bring him over in 2014 is simple math. At age 23 he will have plenty of good basketball ahead of him and more important he'll have the time necessary to grow with star point guard Derrick Rose who has needed a second offensive threat for years.
Carmelo Anthony seems committed to New York Knicks
Of course this idea puts the Bulls in direct contrast to the floating rumors circulating the NBA about their apparent desire to pursue veteran scorer Carmelo Anthony. Indeed the idea has gained a lot of traction of late. Anthony is playing some of the best basketball of his career in 2014. Adding his offensive presence next to Rose together with the Thibodeau defensive system sounds like a match made in heaven on paper. However there are inescapable factors that get in the way. Firstly, there is no indication that Anthony has any desire to leave the New York Knicks when his contract is up. In fact he went so far as to say he would gladly take a pay cut if it meant the team could possibly lure in other free agents to boost the talent on the roster, thus giving him a shot at a championship. On top of that, Anthony is about to turn 30 years old. So even if he came to Chicago his window to win a title with Rose would be much smaller.
The truth of the matter is what Chicago Bulls fans fear most with Nikola Mirotic is the unknown. Despite his success overseas they just don't know how he will transfer to the NBA. Yet the key to that statement is they won't ever find out until he actually comes.
Photo Credit - Sheridan Hoops
The Chicago Bulls Should Trust Their Plan With Nikola Mirotic[/h]
February 15, 2014 09:21 AM EST
Speculation has already started about what the Chicago Bulls plan to do in NBA free agency next season with the money they have coming. Put simply, they should stick to their original plan to bring in Nikola Mirotic.
One thing that has been proven with Chicago over the past couple years is that GM Gar Forman and head coach Tom Thibodeau are not adept at luring in veteran NBA free agents. That was proven a few years ago when they failed to land LeBron James or Dwyane Wade and had to settle for Carlos Boozer. In truth the duo, despite their differences are much better and assembling and developing young, homegrown talent. That is the plan they had in mind when they drafted Spanish-born player Nikola Mirotic. Believing they had a young sensation in the making, the Bulls stashed him overseas where he could gain experience. During that time Mirotic has become the best player in the European circuit, displaying a remarkable array of skills highlighted by precision shooting despite such a long 6'10" frame. It's not wonder many are comparing him to Dirk Nowitzki. The reason the Bulls are better off sticking to their original plan to bring him over in 2014 is simple math. At age 23 he will have plenty of good basketball ahead of him and more important he'll have the time necessary to grow with star point guard Derrick Rose who has needed a second offensive threat for years.
Carmelo Anthony seems committed to New York Knicks
Of course this idea puts the Bulls in direct contrast to the floating rumors circulating the NBA about their apparent desire to pursue veteran scorer Carmelo Anthony. Indeed the idea has gained a lot of traction of late. Anthony is playing some of the best basketball of his career in 2014. Adding his offensive presence next to Rose together with the Thibodeau defensive system sounds like a match made in heaven on paper. However there are inescapable factors that get in the way. Firstly, there is no indication that Anthony has any desire to leave the New York Knicks when his contract is up. In fact he went so far as to say he would gladly take a pay cut if it meant the team could possibly lure in other free agents to boost the talent on the roster, thus giving him a shot at a championship. On top of that, Anthony is about to turn 30 years old. So even if he came to Chicago his window to win a title with Rose would be much smaller.
The truth of the matter is what Chicago Bulls fans fear most with Nikola Mirotic is the unknown. Despite his success overseas they just don't know how he will transfer to the NBA. Yet the key to that statement is they won't ever find out until he actually comes.
Photo Credit - Sheridan Hoops
