Hey Chicago What Do You Say, the Bulls Are Almost Ready To Play

The NBA is less than three weeks away!  Not only is there plenty of NBA action ready to go on, the Chicago Bulls look primed for a big run.

They got extremely lucky with landing the first overall pick and they are were able to clear up some major contract issues to keep a good core for the future.

Their first major move this off-season has to do with the NBA Draft, where they capitalized on a 1.7% chance of landing the first overall pick, they took that pick and chose a player for the future, Derrick Rose.

Rose was outstanding in the NCAA Tournament, leading the Memphis Tigers to the NCAA Championship game.  He was labeled a more athletic Chris Paul with a slightly worse jump shot.

He grew up in Chicago, going to the famed Simeon High School which throws out basketball talent like I down donuts.

The former Illinois Mr. Basketball plans to turn around the Bulls after a dismal season that saw them fall below expectations.

They also were able to return all their major free agents.  First, Luol Deng was able to rake in a major contract that is worth over $80 million over the next six years.

This was the first big move that showed that the Bulls were ready to reward the players that had helped them, and everything seemed chipper.

However, Ben Gordon was not so easy to keep around.  After a bitter back-and-forth battle, both sides found it difficult to decide on a fair contract.

Gordon wanted more than Deng got, the Bulls replied with the fact that he wasn’t a starter and Deng was.  Gordon offered up that he led the team in points last season.

Then Gordon pulled a Lance Briggs by saying, ” “I guess it’s safe to say I’ve played my last game in a Bulls uniform.”

He then completed the Briggs image by signing a one-year contract with the Bulls that allows him to become a free agent at the end of this season.

If he plays well, the Bulls could lose him at the end of the season.  If he stays streaky, he could be wearing red for a while.

The Bulls hadn’t made many major changes to this team, but the confidence boost is sky high with the first overall pick along with new head coach, Vinny Del Negro.

They are ready for the season, and I know that I sure am. Especially with the subtraction of a player who I personally have never liked, Chris Duhon.

-Joe

Joe also writes for Hoops4Life.com, a basketball fan’s site.

Photos reprinted from;

http://www.clubhousecancer.com/WindowsLiveWriter/DerrickRoseBulls.jpg