Reports are circulating that the Denver Nuggets are seriously discussing a four way trade that would send Carmelo Anthony to.... (hold your breath)....the New Jersey Nets!
I know alot of Bulls fans wanted the organization to make a trade for Anthony, which would have given the Bulls their own version of a "Big Three" that could rival Boston and Miami's versions. Don't get me wrong. Anthony, Rose and Boozer would be phenominal to watch. However, I don't think the Bulls should trade Joakim Noah to get Anthony.
Joakim Noah is a hustle player. He's one of the best rebounders in the league, plays exceptional low post defense, and scores consistently in the low post, even though he isn't a big time offensive player. He is not as good a scorer as Carmelo Anthony, but that doesn't mean he isn't as valuable. Carmelo doesn't rebound or play defense like Joakim. Carmelo probably wouldn't fit in with the Bulls' personnel as well as Joakim either. Not only that, but Anthony hasn't come out and said that he'd sign an extension if he got traded anywhere. It wouldn't be worth it to me to trade Deng and Taj Gibson in that case. One year of Carmelo wouldn't be worth trading many quality years of Joakim Noah.
Not only is keeping Noah a good move on the Bulls' part, but not trading for Carmelo should be a huge confidence boost to Derrick Rose, the third year stud point guard who should move from stud to superstar this season. Basically, the Bulls are saying that D-Rose is their guy, and just as well. He is one of the quickest guards in the league who can get to rim whenever he wants to. With an improved jumpshot, his ability to score in the paint, and his court vision, the Bulls already have a big time offensive threat, or alpha-dog, as Bill Simmons would say. I wouldn't be shocked to see Rose average 25 ppg, and closer to 10 assists per game this season. Those numbers would rival anything Carmelo Anthony would do. The Bulls don't need anybody else taking the ball out of Rose's hands. He'll do just fine as the best player on the Bulls.
There has been alot of hype about Miami's "Big Three", and just three years ago, the Celtics created a similar "Big Three" with Garnett, Allen and Pierce (although the way Boston went about obtaining their version was much less controversial). Recently, even more speculation has been reported of teams like the Knicks, the Magic, and even the Nets making trades to provide their own versions of the "Big Three" (Stoudemire/Anthony/Parker, Stoudemire/Anthony/Paul, Howard/Lewis/Paul, etc.). It seems that teams around the league have shifted their strategy to go about winning a championship. Bring in 3 superstar quality, big name players and you're a shoe in. I don't buy it. The best teams win championships, not the teams with the best three players. The Bulls have the makings of a terrific team, and that includes their bench/role players. Emptying out part of what they worked so hard to obtain over the summer to acquire a superstar player for just one season doesn't seem worth it to me, and I am glad the Bulls felt the same way. Good for you, Chicago Bulls!
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