[外電] 公牛的季後SG補強計畫
Schanowski: SG upgrade in Bulls off-season plans
http://tinyurl.com/3e6b2ax
By Mark Schanowski
CSNChicago.com
It was painfully obvious for anyone who watched the Bulls struggle to score
in the Eastern Conference Finals against Miami. They MUST find another
perimeter player capable of creating his own shot off the dribble. Miami was
able to double and triple team Derrick Rose with no fear of another wing
player making them pay. Keith Bogans hit a few threes during the series, but
Kyle Korver couldn’t get anything to fall, and Luol Deng was worn down by
his defensive responsibilities against LeBron James.
So, what should the Bulls do in the off-season? Feel free to post your
suggestions in the comments section below.
One option might be signing Rip Hamilton as a free agent. Talk around the NBA
has Hamilton possibly going to Cleveland in a 3-way trade that would also
give the Cavs the 2nd pick in the June 23rd college draft. Cleveland would
slide Hamilton into the 14.5 million dollar salary exception they received in
exchange for facilitating James’ move to South Beach, and then buy him out
of the remaining two years of his existing contract, which currently calls
for the veteran swingman to earn about 25 million dollars.
That means Hamilton would be free to sign with the contending team of his
choice with no real need to demand a big money contract. And, when you look
at the list of contenders, the Bulls would have to be at the top of the list,
considering their obvious need at the shooting guard position. Oklahoma City
would be another option, but the Thunder has James Harden ready to step into
a starting role, and might not want to stunt his development playing behind
Hamilton.
The down side of signing Hamilton? Well, he has a ton of mileage on him at
the age of 33, and he was the guy who led the Pistons’ player revolt against
head coach John Kuester this past season. But Rip was part of the Pistons’
championship team in 2004, and he shot 38 percent from 3 point range last
season. For his 11 year career, he averages almost 18 points a game, shooting
45 percent from the field and 85 percent from the free throw line. Given the
Bulls came so close to getting to the Finals this season, adding a proven
veteran like Hamilton could be exactly what the Bulls need, especially if
management is convinced he’s willing to fall in line for a shot at a 2nd
championship ring.
If management decides pursuing Hamilton would be too risky, they might decide
to trade for a younger option around the time of the draft. It’s no secret
the Bulls kicked the tires on the possibility of trading for Memphis guard
O.J. Mayo or Houston guard Courtney Lee just before the deadline in February
before ultimately deciding the asking price was too high. Maybe after
watching the offensive struggles against Miami they might be willing to
include either Omer Asik or Taj Gibson in a trade for a young shooting guard.
Memphis has some salary issues going forward after handing out big money
extensions to Rudy Gay, Mike Conley and Zach Randolph. The Grizzlies might
have to decide between keeping either Marc Gasol or Mayo, and since competent
seven footers are a lot harder to find, they might be willing to deal Mayo to
the Bulls in a package for Gibson and a couple of 1st round draft picks.
Similar story in Houston, where new coach Kevin McHale might have to choose
between keeping either Kevin Martin or Lee. Martin would bring more in
return, but since he is the Rockets leading scorer, they’re probably leaning
towards keeping him. The Bulls probably could have had Lee at the deadline if
they were willing to give up Asik, but the young Turkish center showed during
the playoffs why the team is so excited about his potential, especially as a
defensive stopper. My guess is the Bulls would be more willing to trade
Gibson than Asik.
The best shooting guard options in the free agent market include Jason
Richardson, Jamal Crawford and Marcus Thornton, but since the Bulls will
probably be over any salary cap that’s negotiated in the new Collective
Bargaining Agreement, free agency isn’t an option unless it’s a creative
sign-and-trade deal.
You can also forget about the Bulls somehow convincing Orlando to trade
unhappy superstar Dwight Howard to one of their conference rivals. The Magic
will wait to see what the new C.B.A. brings with the hope they can offer a
significantly higher salary to Howard than any other team once the three-time
Defensive Player of the Year hits free agency in the summer of 2012. And, if
Howard still insists he wants to be traded, you can bet the Magic will be
looking to deal him to the Western Conference, rather than to a team like the
Bulls they might have to see in the playoffs in future years. The Lakers will
be waiting with a trade package that includes some combination of Andrew
Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, and Denver could get involved too, with
underrated center, Nene, and a variety of perimeter players including Raymond
Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Aaron Afflalo.
The last, and probably most unattractive option for the Bulls is trying to
improve the shooting guard position through the draft. They currently hold
the 28th and 30th picks in Round 1, so any prospect they get at that point
would probably need some time to develop. You can bet Gar Forman and John
Paxson will be working the phones, looking to package those picks and
possibly the future number one they acquired from Charlotte in the Tyrus
Thomas trade to either move up in this year’s draft, or acquire a veteran
shooting guard.
Right now, all options are on the table. But if the Bulls don’t make their
move during the week of the draft, everything will probably go on hold with
the NBA bracing for a lengthy lockout starting on July 1st.
CAN ANYONE BEAT THE HEAT?
The NBA Finals start on May 31st, with most “experts” picking the Heat to
win the first of the 7 or 8 championships LeBron predicted back at that
disgusting rally after the free agent signings last July. I would like to
tell you I see it differently, but after watching the Heat’s athletic
defenders frustrate Rose in the conference finals, I’m expecting Miami to do
the same against Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs.
If Dirk can score 30 a night, and the Mavs get some consistent outside
shooting from guys like Jason Terry, Jason Kidd, Peja Stojakovic and J.J.
Barea, then they’ve got a chance. Certainly Dallas has an advantage at the
center position with the tandem of former Bull Tyson Chandler, and fellow
seven footer Brendan Haywood. And, don’t discount Kidd, who’s been able to
turn back the clock so far in the playoffs, and do a terrific job of leading
the Mavs on both ends of the floor.
But in the end, I don’t think Dallas is strong enough defensively to handle
the 3-headed monster of James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. I’m picking Miami
to win the series in 6 games, and then I’m going to take a vacation so I don
’t have to watch the victory celebration down on South Beach.
You can count on hearing all kinds of trade rumors in the weeks leading up to
the draft, and we’ll have it all covered here on CSNChicago.com and Comcast
SportsNet. Once again, if you have any trade ideas to shore up the Bulls’
shooting guard position, please post your comments in the section below.
Enjoy the Finals, and GO MAVS!
Mark Schanowski hosts our Bulls pre- and postgame studio coverage with
15-year NBA veteran Kendall Gill. You can also watch Mark on SportsNet
Central, Sunday through Thursday at 6:30 and 10 p.m.
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