Nick Young; Jamal Crawford: Five free agents Chicago Bulls need to consider - NBA Report (Pt 1)
The Chicago Bulls are one of the best sides in the National Basketball Association. They were the team to beat in the 90’s, boasting living legends like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, who conquered all that stood in their way.
However, after their departure, the Bulls lost the way and it was only in 2007, the year Derrick Rose graced the United Centre, that the Bulls reached the Eastern Conference playoffs.
After edging the Bulls in the conference playoffs for two years, Derrick Rose ultimately delivered to his potential last season and took the Bulls to new heights. Chicago finished the regular season as the best team in both the
conferences and established themselves as the odds on favourite to win the NBA championship. However, standing their way was LeBron James and the Miami Heat. The two titans of the Eastern Conference met in the Conference Finals and it was there, Chicago’s
epic surge came to an end.
LeBron James owned Rose in that series and while Chicago found it hard to find an alternative scoring outlet, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and off course James ripped through the much touted defensive system of the Bulls.
In five games, all the hard work was lost and the fact that the Bulls needed someone to support Rose on the front court was brutally exposed. That has been the talk of town in the windy city ever since Bulls made an exit.
Enter the free agency.
The pool of players available in this year’s free agency might not be as star struck as in the last season, with the likes of James and Bosh available, but it certainly has some industrious player, who if given a well defined role
can turn the Bulls into a real title contender.
The problem for the Bulls is that they cannot afford players with high wage demands, because a lot of their money is already invested in huge contract of Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah – the duo which failed to live up to its potential
last season. This leaves Chicago with a group of players, who although are not game winners as yet, have the skill set and talent to deliver if properly coached. And as far as coaching is concerned, they have one of the best in Tom Thibodeau – last season’s
coach of the year.
Here is a list of free agents that the Bulls should consider under the present circumstance;
Nick Young:
The Washington Wizards shooting guard is a restricted free agent this season and he is on the top of the list of players that the Bulls should pursue this summer. In his last season with the Wizards, Young averaged 17.4 points,
2.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game in a total 64 games. Playing in his fourth professional year, Young has established himself as an athletic player with good shooting prowess and a penchant for defense.
The addition of Young will also provide the Bulls, a lethal combo on the guard position. With Derrick Rose already rearing to touch the next level, if the Bulls can cover the shooting guard base with a player of Young’s calibre,
then the elites of the East will definitely be in for some intimidating offensive tactics from the Bulls next season.
However, Young’s availability depends on the Wizards management. If the Washington franchise does not give Young an extension on his contract and decide to release him, the Bulls will certainly be in business.
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