The new landscape of the NBA is still unclear, but a new favorite is already emerging. I could possibly change my view with a new free agent signing or a big trade, but I can't ignore the moves the Chicago Bulls are making. Losing out on the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes couldn't possibly make them a strong contender, but it did! I don't think Melo would have changed the way he plays to fit in with the Chicago Bulls. It's better that he didn't sign with the team, because they were able to spend that money on Pau Gasol. Gasol will fit in better and have good chemistry with the team. In the Eastern Conference, having a true center and scorer on the low block will pay dividends come playoff time. Yes the Bulls had problems scoring last season, and you want to plug in one of the best scorers of the game to fix that. What the Bulls needed to do most importantly was to add depth.
Right away a healthy Derrick Rose completely changes the look of the team. They had trouble scoring last year, but they were without the MVP. Two years ago they had no problems scoring, and Rose was the engine of the team. He was the playmaker and in no way did the Bulls have a replacement of making the players around him better. They drafted well by getting Doug McDermott (aka Mr. Mc Buckets) an efficient, low volume scorer. He will space the floor and is great playing without the ball, an absolute big plus. Joakim Noah was Defensive Player of the Year last season, a great passing big man with a can't lose attitude. Tony Snell, Jimmy Butler and Kirk Hinrich can be great role players and it helps that now they don't have to do too much. Taj Gibson is hurt the most with The Pau Gasol addition, because I think he is a starter in this league. However he will still get his minutes and continue to play at a high level. They also signed European big man, Nikola Mirotic, a 6'10 player that can play small forward! Another reason why it's a bonus to have Pau Gosol is that he can help Mirotic with his transition to the NBA and American culture.
Chicago Bulls basketball is defense. Coach Tom Thibodeau places emphasis on defense first, as much as you would want to think Carlos Boozer was amnestied because of his contract. The main factor was Boozer didn't fit in with the coach's defensive plan. Most of the time Boozer never played in the fourth quarter at all. It's another reason why I think Pau fits in with the Bulls better than Melo. I just don't see Carmelo changing this late in his career to try to be a defensive stopper. The low maintenance Pau Gasol might not be a great defender, but he will understand the defensive scheme better. Also a change of scenery and criticism of Pau from Laker fans might give him a chance to show what he can really do. Noah and Gasol could and hopefully will make a nice defensive force down low.
The East is wide open. Lebron leaving just opened the door. I don't see the Cleveland Cavs having enough to get to the finals. I will leave it as... to be determined. You never know what free agents will sign and what trades will be made in the future. I can't say the Miami Heat got better or if they are still a playoff team. The Indiana Pacers are still a good team, but the loss of Lance Stephenson hurts. He really was the X factor of that team, and now they can only go as far as Roy Hibbert can take them. A dominant Hibbert makes any team a contender. Paul George also needs to dominate every night, not just when he is feeling good. The Wizards are the biggest threat in the Eastern Conference. They kept the core of their team together and added clutch shooter Paul Pierce. I'm also a quiet Kris Humphries fan (on the basketball court). I think he is a great rebounder and plays hard. I think the Toronto Raptors were one year wonders and can see them not even making the playoffs next season. The Atlanta Hawks are another team that I'm confused about. They just didn't make any improvements in my opinion. Staying put will get you Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley from TNT to say gone fishing! They're a first round exit for sure. The Charlotte Hornets made improvements, but I don't trust them as contenders just yet.
The Bulls have star power, with a player who can put the team on his back and win a game by himself in MVP Derrick Rose. They have one of the best coaches in the NBA in Tom Thibodeau. Top defensive teams go far in the playoffs. They now have the depth needed at every position, which will help in case someone gets injured. With Lebron going to Cleveland, they now have a mental edge on all teams in the East. They now believe that they have the most compete roster in the East as well as the best team. Of course a lot of things still need to fall in place for them. Most importantly, they are banking on the fact they will have Rose playing at his high MVP level. Management sat him out all year to make sure he is 100% healthy. They sat him out to go BIG in 2014/15. I believe the windy city will sit atop of the Eastern Conference landscape when it's all said and done. Chi-town STAND UP! BOOM!
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