Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Sleeper Game Again

Don't get me wrong, I love that the Bulls are the best team in the league. But day's like today just make me yawn.

Derrick Rose scored a ferocious 32 points and had 9 assists, but other than that, it was typical, lazy basketball out of the Bulls tonight. Deng played alright, Jo played alright and that was about it.

However, it was good to see Rip out there, clearly making an impact in limited minutes. It seems like teams don't gang up on DRose as much when there is another legitimate threat on the floor. What a revelation!!!!

Hope you enjoyed the All Star Break! Thibs and LeBron yelling at each other made it all worth it.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Why We Don't Need Dwight Howard: One man's plea

After tonight's embarrassing loss to the Sixers, it's time to ask ourselves: should we trade for Dwight Howard?

For one, I'm not sure that trade's very realistic. Are you telling me the Lakers can't offer a more compelling package? 

Bill Simmons came up with a solid deal, Bynum + Matt Barnes + 1st round pick+ trade exception for Howard, former DePaul stud Q Richardson and Jameer Nelson.

The Bulls CAN match that offer by picking up Hedo Turkoglu's horrible contract and giving up Deng, Noah, Asik, and a 1st round pick. The question is: do we want to match that offer?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! I don't particularly care about how good Dwight is, and he is good. He's a very good defender, has tremendous shoulders, and is the best center in the game. Unfortunately, he's a Shaq-lite.

Shaq may have been a little "bigger," but he was also significantly better than Dwight. Shaq would go throw down 35 points, 12 boards, and 3 blocks without trying. He was a much more reliable scorer, and about equal as a free-throw shooter. Dwight doesn't seem to have the ability to absolutely abuse anyone in the game. I'd actually be worried that Joel Anthony/LeBron could neutralize him.

The other part that troubles me more, is Dwight's personality similarities to Shaq. He loves to joke around and play with the media, and he's undoubtedly as obsessed with building a brand as LeBron is. I don't think Dwight is as focused at winning as Rose, who seems nearly as obsessed with winning as Michael Jordan. This could end up being Kobe and Shaq part deux, when Dwight is too busy doing interviews while DRose just wants to win. 

Of course, the worst part would be losing the heart of the team, [Ahmad Rashad] my main man [/Amhad Rashad] Luol Deng.  You can really tell how lost this team is without him, and my biggest question is: WHO THE HELL GUARDS LEBRON??

Hate all you want, if you know me, I'm more of a LeBron lover than almost anyone I know, but he's playing out of his mind right now. He's taking no prisoners this season and finally looks to have reclaimed his Cleveland days. AND he has a post game (okay, not really, more like Dwight's post game, but he's 6'8 270 lbs!). Ronnie Brewer got abused, and our best option on him might be DRose, though he's much smaller and will get extremely tired for offense. 

And once Dwight gets into foul trouble for helping in the post, we have... .... ... ... BOOZER? Boozer has been inconsistent this season, but he's not providing any defense ever still. I really don't trust him on Bosh. Or Anthony. Or even Juwann Howard. Or Juwanna Man. 

At least we currently have two guys in Asik and Noah that can bang down low (Asik has quietly become a tremendous on-ball defender and a top 5 help center). 

Let's not ruin this awesome team. If we get nothing from Rip all season, we can always sign Rashad McCants. I love the guy and maybe this is the team he needs. The ONLY way a Dwight deal works out is if we are somehow able to get Wilson Chandler when he comes back from dominating China, but that's not going to happen.

I fully support Deng, Noah, Asik, Gibson, and the rest of the guys that could potentially leave Chicago in a trade.

Rekindling the Flame

So last year, I got a bit busy working two jobs and going to school full-time (pathetic, excuses, excuses). 

So anyways,Stormin Normin' is back at it. I'll be trying to post daily while providing some interesting takes on things I like/dislike. 

First post will be up in a while. Topic: Dwight Howard.