Tall Midget wrote:
I have already told you that my first choice would be to focus on acquiring Beasley so I can put a core into place. I have been on the record with this idea since before the draft.
I have no idea what you're talking about re: the playoffs. My point had nothing to do with the difficulty of achieving that objective. I was simply questioning the desirability of making the playoffs while lacking a bona fide core, something the Bulls did two years ago. I do not equate making the playoffs with having a true championship core. Apparently you do.
Regarding your points about Jefferson and Gasol, they are interesting ideas to kick around, but I think they're the kind of players who make you good while possibly preventing you from being great. Starting with a core of Beasley and Rose lays the foundation for greatness.
They arent gonna get Beasley. It just isnt gonna happen. I dont even know if there is a conceivable scenario under the cap that a trade could work for both teams. Under the slim chance there is, Pax has already shown he is not creative enough to make this happen. It would have gotten done on draft day if it were going to. Plain and simple, the Bulls are not getting Beasley. Considering that, I dont see another plausible "blow up" scenario.
Also dont put words in my mouth. I never said making the playoffs = championship quality team. However, given a choice between 35 win seasons and 45-50 win season, Ill take the latter every day. The fact of the matter is there is too much talent on this team to lose enough games make it in the top 3, and Im not gonna bank on a 1.5% chance again. So right now the best option seems to be to try to develop Luol, Thablo, Tyrus, Noah, etc. Try to move Kirk and/or Gordon. Hughes large contract will expire in 2010, which could possibly be the best FA class in recent memory. So keep the core of lottery players we have now. Hope Luol develops into an All Star quality player, which he has certainly shown potential to be if healthy. Then use that cap room in 2010 to try to sign one of the marquee names, and Rose will be going into his third year by then. With Rose, Noah, Luol, possibly Gordon, possibly Tyrus, and most likely some other role players as a core, adding another All Star could definitely make them title contenders. In my opinion, that is a much more plausible scenario then "blow the team up", since there doesnt seem to be the necessary options to do that.