Would you have traded both Gordan and Deng? Would have been a step back this season but some time to regroup they would have been the team to beat next year. Typical Bulls, always that one deal that they made or did not make that has been keeping them down.

Da Bulls are young, inexperienced, and lack an inside game. The Wizards also lack an inside game, and have one of the most egotistical, selfish players the game has ever seen. Both teams are talented, but we would beat them both in 6 games or less.

It's hard to see them doing much with both Wallace and Brown in the frontline (Brown is a great backup for Ben, but not a starter). Whether Gasol or someone else, it was time for them to break up the guard logjam. My totally unsubstantiated guess is that they got trigger shy with Duhon in a very long slump. Gordon (who as far as I can tell is unable to check any big two guard) and picks or even Gordon and Deng for Gasol and someone else would have made them a better team (Chucky?). Wallace and Nocioni with Gasol between them is a nice front line.

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"But first, are you experienced? Or have you you ever been experienced? Well, I have."
Jimi

I am guessing that getting Gasol would have taken both Deng and Gordan. It would have been a temporary step back for them this season. Long term it would have freed up a spot for their rookie Thomas who has to play behind Deng ( who could be better eventually ) and would have given them Gasol who is perhaps the only true Center in the game today.

They are probably going to lose either Deng or Gordan to free agency anyway. I see this as a typical Bulls move or non-move in this case. Have to take some risks sometimes.

Yep.

Course, you never know where the deal (if there ever really was a serious one) fell apart. It could have been on the Memphis side. With Jerry West perhaps on the way out, maybe they decided no lame duck moves.

True. Could be all on the Memphis side.

No, most likely Deng because Nocioni and Gordon can still get to the basket. Deng is better in the open court and with Pau there, I don't think CHI would have been much of a running team. Plus, I think Skiles coaches a better half court game than he does a running attack.

But, you gotta be willing to make things happen and live with the consequences. The leage is full of teams that are afraid of making a major change. My take has always been that if you're not a contender, or threatening to be one...what are you waiting for. People are always afraid to make moves because their moves might fail, but I'd rather find out than to continue failing based on complancency and/or status quo.

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So true. If they would have gotten Gasol then they would have been the team to beat in a season or 2.

Gasol would have been a good fit there, kind of an old school Center who's defense is vastly undervalued. Probably would have taken more than one of those young guys. Deng would have been good since Thomas is just going to rott behind him.

Good news to me that it did not happen.

The thing I'd keep an eye out for is that deal happening over the summer. That way they get all of training camp to work him into the fold. They'll have a really strong year if that happens.

I think Joe D should have thought this thing through a little better and worked to acquire the type of players you need for an offense first kind of approach. We need a team of slashers to play that style and it feels like Joe just thought he would adapt by changing the philosophy, but not the personnel. We don't have the tools to keep up.

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Most likely it was. They wanted Deng and it was a no go. Deng is tough, tough, tough.

This should have been the Bulls year as the favorite to match up with the Pistons. The key was a big man to balance Wallace and now he will become the ball-and-chain with that long-term contract.

A lot of teams should be very thankful that the Bulls spent the last couple of years developing all that youthful talent. Next up: Boston.