Well the Bulls managed to score a major coup when the stole the top pick in the draft. Congratulations to them, but now the hard part begins. There is no question that it remains a two man race for the top pick between Michael Beasley and Derrick Rose. Either one is as close as you can get to a sure thing. The question is which one to pick. Both would fit very well into the Bulls system, and most people feel that PG and PF are areas of need for the Bulls. While I agree that Derrick Rose would be a major upgrade over Kirk Hinrich, I think that Beasley is the better pick.

Derrick Rose is a fantastic player and would fit well with the Bulls up-tempo style. We could even win with him. But the Bulls would still have the same problem that they currently have, no interior scoring. Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Steve Nash may be dominating the league, but each of those players also has a talented low post scorer. Dominant PGs may be the current trend, but the two of the teams in the Conference Finals do not have a dominant PG. The Lakers use Derek Fisher as the PG and Celtics use Rajon Rondo. It's nice to have a dominant PG, but you do not need one to win a championship. What you do need is a dominant scorer and a low post threat.

Beasley's game fits so well into the Bulls system, it's almost scary. The Bulls desperately need a low post scorer to take pressure off the Bulls collection of perimeter players. This is why the Bulls had such a bad year shooting the ball. Opposing coaches knew where the points were coming from. Despite that fact that he is a rookie, teams will have to respect the damage he can do inside. If an opposing big man takes away his low post game he can turn to his face up game. On top of that, the Bulls are excellent at the drive and kick game, and Beasley will have to be covered in that situation as well because he can hit from the perimeter. A frontcourt of Beasley, Noah and Deng has the potential to be unreal. Suddenly the strength of the team goes from guards to forwards. Noah should be much better this year, but has already displayed a knack for defense, rebounding an interior passing. Imagine for a second Beasley and Noah in a High-low situation. Noah is an good finisher around the basket, and Beasley would have to be respected there because of his perimeter shooting. Deng is an excellent all-around player who would thrive cutting to the basket when Beasley gets doubled in the low post. Beasley is not a bad defender himself, he is just not a dominating defender, certainly not a fault. With all that going on in the middle, it would take pressure off the guards and create open jump shot and driving lanes. Beasley is athletic enough to play small forward in the NBA. How does this lineup look for stretches of the game:

PG-Thabo Sefalosha

SG-Loul Deng

SF-Michael Beasley

PF-Drew Gooden

C-Joakim Noah

The scary part of that lineup is that all of those players are athletic enough to play those positions, and have with some success. Think of the nightmares that this lineup would cause on the defensive end. If you want to go really big, you can stick Aaron Gray in at center for a truly enormous lineup. Say you want to go to a lightning fast lineup:

PG-Kirk Hinrich

SG-Ben Gordon

SF-Thabo Sefalosha

PF-Loul Deng

C-Michael Beasley

Name me one center fast enough to guard Beasley on the perimeter, and he would have to venture out there due to Beasley's ability to hit the three. Due to Beasley and Deng, most shot blockers would be out of the lane, thus creating space for driving lanes. This lineup could only be played for a short amount of time, but that damage done in that 2-3 minutes could be devastating to the other team.

Since the Suns early playoff exit, sports websites have been obsessing about D'Antoni wanting to go to Chicago. In theory, this looks to be a good fit. The Bulls are loaded with three point shooters, athletic wings, big men that can run the floor and they are the NBA's youngest team. All this, I'm sure would add up to a very entertaining team that may actually win a few games. But people are forgetting a few very important details about the Bulls that will certianly affect the D'Antoni gameplan.

1. Kirk Hinrich is no Steve Nash. That statement is obvious because who is. Without listing Kirk main problems, he has severe confidence issues. A few missed shots turns into a bad game, turning into a few bad games, turning into the debacle of a season that we just whitnessed. Steve Nash has no such issues. I will also point out that Nash is a natural PG and has superior shooting, quickness, and creativity.

2. Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah are not Amare Stoudemire. This is actually not such a bad thing. Stoudemire is a superior offensive force, plain and simple. He is one of the most devastating offensive players in basketball. Thomas and Noah are not now and never will be even close to that. Right now Thomas is a occasionally electrifying player who is best comming off the bench. Noah is a hard working defensive minded player who should be a starter for years to come. Noah is a stat sheet filler and natural leader, when he figures everthing out expect his stat line to be of the 10ppg, 12rpg, 3apg, 2bpg variety.

3. This is the most important one, John Paxson. Does anybody know what John Paxson and Steve Kerr have in common? Oh yeah I remember, they both won three titles with His Airness on Bulls teams that built a foundation around defense. They also both played under Phil Jackson, a coach who preaches defense. To make matters worse they were similiar players, somewhat slow footed, hardnosed shooters. If they blew a defensive assignment or got beat really bad, Jordan would let them hear it. Kerr is going to build a team around similiar concepts that Paxson has. So what would make D'Antoni think that Paxson would be any different?

I blieve that D'Antoni in Chicago would be a disaster unless he decides to use a Utah like style. Defense would have to come first, not offense. It seems that D'Antoni is unhappy in Phoenix for that very reason. He's being asked to spend more time on defense and player accountability. Something that will also be needed in Chicago. I am honestly suprised that this hasn't come up before.

I spend enough time rummaging through the sports sites to know that everybody agrees that the Bulls need a low post scorer. While I don't completely disagree, I think that they need to broaden thier thoughts some. Stating the same old low post scorer bit is getting old, everbody has been saying since they got rid of Eddy Curry. What the Bulls really need is someone that can be a dynamic, consistent FINISHER. Being a finisher does not mean that you are a post player. It means that when you get into the paint, you will score seven out of ten times. How you got to the paint doesn't matter, its just that you get there. Getting into the paint gives you several things. One, the chance at a reasonably easy shot. Two, the chance to get fouled and sent to the free throw line. Those two things are what the Bulls lack. They do not have a finisher on the team. To prove my point lets look at some of the most important players on the Bulls roster.

Kirk Hinrich- 6'3" 192lbs Point Guard

Kirk is a better than average athlete, if he wasn't he wouldn't be able to play defense on larger players like he does. The problem is that he is more shooter than scorer. He is not creative enough to do damage inside. He is tough to be sure, but he doesn't scare you like a scorer should. He primary weapon inside is floater, a very tough shot to hit. He is not tall enough and can't jump high enough to shoot over people in traffic. Kirk get most of his point off jump shots starting at about 17 feet and out.  That also happens to be why he is so streaky, he can't get an easy bucket.

Ben Gordon 6'3" 205lbs Shooting Guard

Ben has almost everything that you want in a finisher. He has a beautiful jump shot, he is creative, athletic with a thick build, and he has no conscious. Even better, when you see a Ben Gordon shot go up, you just assume that its going in. That fact puts fear in the opposing players. He is the problem, he is 6'3", maybe. If he was a legit 6'5" or 6'6", then the Bulls would have no problems. Even though he is athletic, he does not have the jaw dropping athleticism needed to negate that. If he played more like Nocioni, it would be a moot point. They call him Gentle Ben for a reason. Ben reminds me of Allan Houston. Picture perfect jumper, creative to the basket, but it you bump him you will throw him off his game.

Loul Deng 6'9" 220lbs Small Forward

Loul is great at what he does best. Work off screens for midrange jumpers, open lanes to the basket and alley-oops. His jumper is automatic with good form and a high release, he is very long and athletic and fearless. The problem is that he just creative enough. Loul is the type of player that lives off of others. If the defense focuses on him he will struggle. Just look at what is happening this year so far. Because Kirk and Ben are struggling, teams don't have to guard them as tight. Then they focus their attention on Lu.

Tyrus Thomas 6'9" 215lbs Power Forward

I still don't understand why everybody is so high on Tyrus. Yes he has superhero-like athleticism and a high motor, but he just doesn't have much offensive talent. Every time he drives to the paint I'm surprised that he doesn't get an offensive foul. He just puts his head down and runs as fast as he can. He has exactly two moves. Jump as high as he can, or a slow spin move. I will concede that his jump shot looks better than last year, but there's a reason that they are uncontested. I may have a cynical view of Tyrus because I still think that the Bulls should have kept LaMarcus Aldridge, who by the way is averaging 18ppg and 7rpg.

Thabo Sefalosha 6'5" 215lbs Shooting Guard

I only mention Thabo to point out that Ronnie Brewer, who went right after Thabo in the draft, is starting for the Jazz and averaging 13ppg and 2.63(!!!)steals. (As you can tell I don't think much of last years draft class.)

Everyone on the Bulls roster has one or more flaws keeping them from becoming what the need. The Bulls don't need Garnett of Gasol. They don't even need Kobe. All they need is someone who can finish plays, a go to scorer. He doesn't even need to be a hall of fame type player. Several people point out the Pistons as being the only team to win a title without a transcendent talent. But they have one thing that Bulls don't, Mr. Big Shot. Chauncy Billups may never make it into the Hall of Fame, but he is exactly the type of player that the Bulls need. He is a calming influence, someone you can count on to get a bucket or create an easy shot for a teammate when the team needs it the most. A LEADER. The Bulls have a roster full of complimentary players, some better than others. The following is a list of players that would make the Bulls TRUE title contenders:

Chauncy Billups

Jason Kidd

Michael Redd

Ray Allen

This is not to say that those player's teams would trade them to the Bulls. I am also not saying that the Bulls should run out and try to get them. I am only pointing out that those are the type of players that would put the Bulls over the edge. Each one of those players would fit in with the Bulls schemes and be the type of player that the Bulls need WITHOUT being a post player.  These players are unselfish, yet selfish enough to know when they need to score to win or get the team out of a funk. Just being on the court makes their respective teams play better.

This brings me to another Bulls subject. On another sports site that will go unnamed, but rhymes with ESPN, a columnist wrote that the Bulls struggles were perplexing. They are not so perplexing to me. Now that I am not in the Middle East dodging mortars, I have been able to watch several of the Bulls games. I believe that I know what the problem is. Or should I say problems, as in two of them. One will repair itself while the other may not. Problem one, Ben Gordon is doing exactly what he did last year and every other year he has been in the league. He is off to another slow start. Ben had similar numbers this time last year, to include the horrid shooting percentage. Ben will come around like he always does, he just needs one or two huge games wake him up. Problem two, Kirk Hinrich. Kirk is playing like a scared rookie. All of his early season problems, turnovers, over-dribbling, un-Kirk like defense and poor decisions, stem from his shooting. The worst thing about Kirk is his confidence. When he loses confidence in his shot, he tries too hard to compensate in other areas. This leads to over-dribbling and trying to create plays that are not there. This also forces him to play harder(not smarter) on defense and get cheap fouls. As much as people compare him to Skiles and Paxson, he is not as tough minded as they were. Skiles was unflappable, you couldn't do anything to make him sweat. He was just tough as nails and would stand up to anybody. Michael Jordan trusted Paxson to no end, enough said. The rest of the teams struggles all point to these two problems. Lu plays off of other players, so he relies on ball movement. Kirk's beating of the basketball stops ball movement dead in its tracks. Lu also plays better when the defense is giving someone else more attention. Hello Ben Gordon's slow start. Defense's know that right now Lu is the main threat. Chris Duhon's shooting percentage is always low, plus he gets in month long (or longer) slumps, so he is actually playing like himself. Everyone else on the team relies one someone to create a shot for them of relies on spacing to find lanes to the basket. With no one shooting very well, opposing defenses sit in a compact zone and ride out the brick fest. The zone also prevents penetration, negating the drive and kick game.

The big one right now is getting Ben Gordon back on track. If Ben starts hitting, then that will relieve the pressure on Kirk so he can fight out of his slump. That in turn will get the Bulls rolling again. Only one problem after that, the East is MUCH stronger than last year. That will make it hard for the Bulls to gain any ground on the leaders. Leaving them as the odd men out come playoff time.

1) Despite the fact that they can't seem to win a game(2-10), I really enjoy watching the Sonics play. Due to where I was at the beginning of the season, I have watched more Sonics games then anything else. They play hard, share the ball and at least work hard on defense eventhough thats not thier strong point.

2) Durant looks to be the real deal. Most of his shots seem to come in the flow of the game and he is not lacking confidence. The offseason from the draft to rookie seasons are pretty hectic so players don't have a significant amount of time to improve. I suspect that next year Durant will be unreal. Barring an injury he will start weight training as soon as the season ends to put on the needed weight and build strength. Beyond that, he seems to need only experience.

3) Despite the fact that I hope they turn it around, its seems to me that the Bulls window may be closed. Opposing coaches know how to stop the offense. They also know that if they start with more energy then the Bulls, they will be up and Chicago will deflate for three quarters and try to make a run in the fourth. But because there is no post threat(or consistent offensive threat) they are not able to close out games.

4) Joakim Noah, Thomas Gardner, Kirk Hinrich. The Bulls leading scorers against the Nuggets. I like Noah and Gardner, but come on, they shouldn't be leading your team in scoring. Noah is an energy player whose points come of dunks, layups and putbacks. Gardner played in Belgium last year and was fighting for a roster spot during preseason. Everyonce in awhile you find a gem and maybe he is one, but come on.

5) Early prediction of 2008 Draft first three picks.

Minnesota-OJ Mayo

Sonics-Derrick Rose

Bulls-Michael Beasley

A potential title contender is not supposed to start 0-3. The Bulls always seen to get off to a slow start, but something about this year bothers me. A look at the numbers tells me that there is something seriously wrong with the Bulls.

Last year's slow start could be attributed to Ben Gordon's slow start and a lack of chemistry with Big Ben and PJ in the fold. This was no surprise. The year before that we had just lost our only low post scorer, Eddy Curry, and were trying to figure out how to score without him. 2004-2005 was Kirk's sophmore year, Gordon, Deng, Duhon, and Nocioni's rookie years. Nothing was really expected of us then. But this year is so much different. We advanced to the second round of the playoffs, won 49 games, and were expected to make major strides this year.

Enter trade rumors and contract disputes. I don't care what Deng and Gordon say, the trade rumors and contract problems have affected them greatly. But to me it seems that they affected each one differently. Deng seems to be not as sharp as usual, maybe distracted. When you factor in that everybody is concetrating thier efforts on stopping him, it adds up to the play that you've seen so far. Ben on the other hand seems like he has a chip on his shoulder. Noone can accuse him of having a slow start this year, eventhough he had a rough night in Milwaukee. Look at his numbers so far, he putting up 22ppg, 7.75RPG(!!!), and 3APG. Those are the numbers that Deng is supposed to be putting up. Let me just throw in there that a 6'3" guard should NOT be second on the team in rebounding. To make matters worse, if he had one more rebound tonight he WOULD be leading the team.

I like that Kirk Hinrich decided to bulk up to 197, but maybe it slowed him down enough that he is playing defense with his hands. At some point you have to think that maybe all those "questionable calls" aren't so questionable. He is averaging 5 fouls per game. The constant foul trouble is taking out of rythm, 39.6% shooting. You don't want to know his 3pt percentage.

The big thing that I want to know is where the heck is Big Ben? Last year I would say that it didn't matter what his number were, he had an impact when he was on the court. I'm not so sure this year. But, since Big Ben is still Big Ben, I'm going to assume that his anke is worse then what was thought.

To my suprise, Tyrus Thomas is actually playing pretty good. I admit that I wasn't a fan of Paxon's decision to draft him, but he seems to be playing pretty well. I still think that he should have kept Aldridge, and seeing what he's done so far this year doesn't change my mind. But that has nothing to do with how the Bulls are playing now.

For the sake of my sanity, I hope the Bulls start playing better soon. After the Cubs let down, and the Bears disaster of a season, and not sure my fragile physche can take much more.