Wade and Bosh in Miami

[GoldenWarrior]

Only other max guy would be LBJ. Unless Denver would consider a Carmelo trade, Bulls most likely would use their remaining space on a Korver/Reddick type guy. Or Ray Allen on a 1/2 yr deal.

So they aren't fitting in 2 max guys then...

[GoldenWarrior]

Now its clear... LBJ to Bulls and they are the favorites from the East.  If LBJ wants a championship, Chicago is the destination.

I don't think CHI is in the running any more for LeBron to be honest.  As soon as Bosh went to Miami Chicago's chances were shot.  Bosh said he'd go and play with LeBron at any of the destinations available except for the sign and trade to Cleveland... Bosh wouldn't have signed with Miami if LeBron was going to Chicago, no way in my mind.

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

I think the fact that Wade and Bosh announced BEFORE Lebron means that he is coming to Miami.  All indications before were that everyone was going to wait and see what Lebron does. How dramatic is it if Lebron is the first to announce and he says he is going to Miami??? Obviously Wade and Bosh would be joining him there! By announcing before Lebron, he can still have his self-absorbed spectacle!

For those who don't think those 3 will win titles.....GET REAL. Those 3 guys are going to be unstoppable. They will be better than ever because defenses can't focus on them as much and the Wade/James chemistry is going to be the BEST the game will ever see!  All the Heat need are defensive players to fill out the team.  That is easy.  Also, they will have more flexibility in the coming years to add players with exceptions, vet minimum contracts, and draft picks of their own, as well as draft picks they can buy!

[brewcity77]

Boozer could change things. As good as Miami would be, someone would have to take a pay cut (not likely) and with no space, Miami would be crap outside of those three. And no, Bosh, DW3, and LBJ is not an automatic title. The Lakers would still be the favorites with Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, and Artest/Odom.

[flash]

Right now the Bulls team with Rose, Deng, Noah, Boozer, is better than the Heat team with Wade, Bosh, Beasley, Chalmers and Haslem. The bulls were already the best rebounding team in the NBA last year, and they added a guy who averaged 11 boards a game,  Joakim Noah will flourish playing along side Boozer, and the pick and roll between Boozer and Rose would be lethal.  Get the bulls a shooter to add to the mix and they are a legit Eastern Conference contender.  ( add lebron to the bulls too and they would win the next 5 titles.)

[brewcity77]

Even if LBJ joins the Bulls, I still think the Lakers are the favorite. They have that immense frontcourt that is so intimidating defensively, and Kobe's still the best in the business come May and June. That would be a great series, though.

[avid1010]

Right now the Bulls team with Rose, Deng, Noah, Boozer, is better than the Heat team with Wade, Bosh, Beasley, Chalmers and Haslem. The bulls were already the best rebounding team in the NBA last year, and they added a guy who averaged 11 boards a game,  Joakim Noah will flourish playing along side Boozer, and the pick and roll between Boozer and Rose would be lethal.  Get the bulls a shooter to add to the mix and they are a legit Eastern Conference contender.  ( add lebron to the bulls too and they would win the next 5 titles.)

Nice argument, but you forget to mention all the cap space Miami still has.  Right now, I'll take Miami and the cap space over the Bulls.

[NavinRJohnson]

Anyone questioning how good Miami would be with Wade, Bosh, and LBJ, should probably take a look at Cleveland's roster last season. Some decent players, but not at all impressive. To suggest that the Heat wouldn't be able to find enough guys to put around those 3 is, I suspect a bit of wishful thinking.

That said, I will be very surprised if LBJ announces anything but Cleveland or New York. My gut has been saying New York all along, even though Cleveland is the logical choice.

[HoopsMalone]

Anyone questioning how good Miami would be with Wade, Bosh, and LBJ, should probably take a look at Cleveland's roster last season. Some decent players, but not at all impressive. To suggest that the Heat wouldn't be able to find enough guys to put around those 3 is, I suspect a bit of wishful thinking.

That Heat team would not find anyone as good as Jamison, Verajao, Hickson, Moon, Mo Williams, Delante West, etc.   There is just no way.  Cavs are a decent team.  Not a title team bc Jamison is not all-star caliber anymore.  They hypotheical Heat all-star team would not be hard to beat in a 7 game series.  Bosh would foul out in some of them, and he does not play defense anyway.

Role players do not grow on trees.  Washed up players and undrafted rookies are not going to make it happen.

[NavinRJohnson]

That Heat team would not find anyone as good as Jamison, Verajao, Hickson, Moon, Mo Williams, Delante West, etc.   There is just no way. 

Ummm...Wade and Bosh would certainly be a start. Obviously those two are significantly better than anyone on that list.

[HoopsMalone]

Ummm...Wade and Bosh would certainly be a start. Obviously those two are significantly better than anyone on that list.

I thought you were saying that the Heat were going to add James along with Bosh and Wade and be good.  You can't just have those three guys and washed up players and undrafted rookies.

[wojosdojo]

I don't think CHI is in the running any more for LeBron to be honest.  As soon as Bosh went to Miami Chicago's chances were shot.  Bosh said he'd go and play with LeBron at any of the destinations available except for the sign and trade to Cleveland... Bosh wouldn't have signed with Miami if LeBron was going to Chicago, no way in my mind.

Agreed completely. However, do any of you guys think LeBron wants to feel in control here. If he departs to Miami its going to still be Wades team. Which brings up the '03 draft. LBJ doesnt want to go to a team where the guy picked four spots behind him is leading his team. To him it may be considered failure (this is why watching Wade win over LBJ 'and Melo' is great). I feel this may push him back to Cleveland, but again make him realize what he's going to feel if he never can find a way get a ring in Ohio.  I still can't see him leaving Cleveland.

[HoopsMalone]

Agreed completely. However, do any of you guys think LeBron wants to feel in control here. If he departs to Miami its going to still be Wades team. Which brings up the '03 draft. LBJ doesnt want to go to a team where the guy picked four spots behind him is leading his team. To him it may be considered failure (this is why watching Wade win over LBJ 'and Melo' is great). I feel this may push him back to Cleveland, but again make him realize what he's going to feel if he never can find a way get a ring in Ohio.  I still can't see him leaving Cleveland.

The only thing, though, is that the Bulls now have the clearly better team.  Forget the Big 3 in Miami.  Can't win without a nice rotation.  The Knicks could not win and now have swapped out David Lee for Amare and are talking about getting Tony Parker.  Pass.  The Nets don't have a good team.  Cleveland is better than all of those teams if he wants to win one next year. 

Who knows if he ever wanted to play with Bosh or not.  After the Bulls series he complimented the Bulls team in place.  Getting Bosh probably meant losing Gibson and Noah.  The Bulls would not be the same then.  They would basically be Miami with Rose and Bosh only there.  Not a good situation and I am so happy the Bulls did not trade for Bosh.  The Bulls are now for sure better than the Cavs are with James on their team.  There is no question.  He does have that to consider now, where he did not have it before. 

I agree with the three year opt out with the Cavs and then James and Paul go to the Nets.  I think MUDish predicted that in an earlier thread.

[ErickJD08]

I don't think CHI is in the running any more for LeBron to be honest.  As soon as Bosh went to Miami Chicago's chances were shot.  Bosh said he'd go and play with LeBron at any of the destinations available except for the sign and trade to Cleveland... Bosh wouldn't have signed with Miami if LeBron was going to Chicago, no way in my mind.

If Bosh cared about playing with LBJ, why didn't he do the sign and trade again?

[wojosdojo]

The only thing, though, is that the Bulls now have the clearly better team.  Forget the Big 3 in Miami.  Can't win without a nice rotation.  The Knicks could not win and now have swapped out David Lee for Amare and are talking about getting Tony Parker.  Pass.  The Nets don't have a good team.  Cleveland is better than all of those teams if he wants to win one next year. 

Who knows if he ever wanted to play with Bosh or not.  After the Bulls series he complimented the Bulls team in place.  Getting Bosh probably meant losing Gibson and Noah.  The Bulls would not be the same then.  They would basically be Miami with Rose and Bosh only there.  Not a good situation and I am so happy the Bulls did not trade for Bosh.  The Bulls are now for sure better than the Cavs are with James on their team.  There is no question.  He does have that to consider now, where he did not have it before. 

I agree with the three year opt out with the Cavs and then James and Paul go to the Nets.  I think MUDish predicted that in an earlier thread.

So are you saying the Bulls are still in the running to get LeBron? Today the ESPN reporters are saying its down to Cleveland, Miami, and NY. Unlike many, many scoopers I would be trilled to have him come to Chicago (starting 5 of- James - Rose - Noah - Boozer - Deng... yikes) I cant really see it with what is transpirering here in the media. Also, does it matter that the Bulls have only 16.3 million left to spend? Is it important to show LBJ you want to give him the max?

[ErickJD08]

I thought you were saying that the Heat were going to add James along with Bosh and Wade and be good.  You can't just have those three guys and washed up players and undrafted rookies.

That's what people fail to see.  All this talk reminds me of a loser fantasy player who screams "CHAMPIONSHIP" after drafting three studs.  When people talk about "Jordan and Pippen" and "Kobe and Shaq" people forget that Jordan and Pippen had Pax, Kerr, Grant, Toni, Ron Harper, Rodman.  These guys weren't undrafted rookies or guys willing to take the minimum to contribute.  They were solid players.

The Big 3 would be the best trio in the game.  And people compare them to the Boston trio.  The only difference if that Rondo is dropping triple doubles almost every night.  That is why Chicago is the best fit for LBJ for championships.  You have three studs, LBJ, Boozer, and Rose, and a bunch of role players like Deng, Noah, and Taj.  Its simple.  If LBJ's decision is about basketball, he is coming to the Bulls.  If its about image, he stays with Cleveland.  If he wants the Mega Spotlight and the chance to be the most wealth basketball player ever, he goes to the Knicks.  (I say "chance" because he needs to win a championship to do that.)

[ErickJD08]

So are you saying the Bulls are still in the running to get LeBron? Today the ESPN reporters are saying its down to Cleveland, Miami, and NY. Unlike many, many scoopers I would be trilled to have him come to Chicago (starting 5 of- James - Rose - Noah - Boozer - Deng... yikes) I cant really see it with what is transpirering here in the media. Also, does it matter that the Bulls have only 16.3 million left to spend? Is it important to show LBJ you want to give him the max?

Two things, Bulls can offer max.  Also, if you haven't noticed, the media doesn't know squat about what is going to happen.  The reports change every 15 minutes.

[Dish]

Bulls team right now with Boozer, Noah, Rose (etc) is currently better than the Heat team with Wade/Bosh. Right now it's essentially the same crummy Heat team from last season, with Chris Bosh added. Obviously this will change for both teams over the next month as they add pieces.

Bosh is a very good player, but he's not a superstar, he just isn't. Simmons tweeted it today as well, if he was a "superstar", how come the Raptors weren't better? Not saying Boozer is a superstar either, but I think the hype of Bosh is greater than it should be.

Boozer is a solid addition. Slightly smaller than Bosh, not as athletic, better defender/rebounder than Bosh, and is an ideal pick and roll 4 for Rose to play alongside.

Obviously if LBJ signs with the Heat (still don't think he will, as his "people" said all along he's not going to Miami), everything changes in the East. But right now as current rosters are, it's wide open. Heat right now are probably max out as a 50 win team.

[TallTitan34]

Jason Goff of the score tweeted it best:

Cleveland = Loyality
Chicago = Winning
New York = Fame

Which does LBJ want the most?

[SacWarrior]

Bulls team right now with Boozer, Noah, Rose (etc) is currently better than the Heat team with Wade/Bosh. Right now it's essentially the same crummy Heat team from last season, with Chris Bosh added. Obviously this will change for both teams over the next month as they add pieces.

Aren't the Bulls the same crummy team with Boozer added and Hinrich lost?

And I think a Bosh/Beasley/Chalmers/Bosh team is a better start for building onto than the current Bulls. I honestly don't see any reason why LBJ would choose Chicago. I don't think he'll end up in Miami because I just don't see him and Wade playing together, but there's even less of a chance he'll go to Chicago, which essentially can do nothing more with free agency than what they have now if they get James. Right now it's a three-team race between Cleveland, New York and New Jersey, and I just don't see LeBron leaving Cleveland for either of those places.

Odds are tomorrow night, for 59 minutes a bunch of talking heads will speculate based on garbage, then Lebron will put on a Cavs cap and start crying.

[willie warrior]

All this talk about the Bulls being a better team now than Miami--not getting it.

Didn't the Bulls finish at .500 and the Heat were about 8 games over .500? So who was crummier?

[Dish]

Aren't the Bulls the same crummy team with Boozer added and Hinrich lost?

And I think a Bosh/Beasley/Chalmers/Bosh team is a better start for building onto than the current Bulls. I honestly don't see any reason why LBJ would choose Chicago. I don't think he'll end up in Miami because I just don't see him and Wade playing together, but there's even less of a chance he'll go to Chicago, which essentially can do nothing more with free agency than what they have now if they get James. Right now it's a three-team race between Cleveland, New York and New Jersey, and I just don't see LeBron leaving Cleveland for either of those places.

Odds are tomorrow night, for 59 minutes a bunch of talking heads will speculate based on garbage, then Lebron will put on a Cavs cap and start crying.

Boozer/Noah/Rose core right now is better than a Wade/Bosh core. Would you rather have a 21 year old on the brink of superstardom point guard, a solid 2 time all star at the 4 spot, and a 25 year old very quality center or a 28 year old superstar at the 2 spot with a ton of mileage, and a 5 time all star very solid 4 spot?

Bosh/Boozer in essence cancel one another out, Wade still has plenty in the tank, but would you rather have Rose or him going forward? Heat has no one like Noah on their roster. Hollinger pointed this out today as well, they have to get someone to compliment Bosh and a point guard asap.

Tougher to find a stud point guard and solid center than it is a shooter. Agreed Hinrich is a loss, but easier to replace him than a Rose/Noah.

[HoopsMalone]

Bulls dumped half of their team and still made the playoffs this year.

Bulls have better coach and a scoring PF.  They lost Hinrich but will replace him.  

Plus, Rose is only 21 and it is very reasonable that we have not seen his ceiling yet.  He has played big in the playoffs the last few seasons.

Bulls are looking really strong right now with lots of flexibility left to keep improving.

[Dish]

All this talk about the Bulls being a better team now than Miami--not getting it.

Didn't the Bulls finish at .500 and the Heat were about 8 games over .500? So who was crummier?

Bulls were crummy last year too, don't get me wrong, but they were crummy and young. Heat have nothing outside of Wade/Bosh (almost literally nothing, they have 3 players on their roster currently). They can't get rid of Beasley quickly enough. Doesn't say much for a recent #2 overall pick.

[ErickJD08]

All this talk about the Bulls being a better team now than Miami--not getting it.

Didn't the Bulls finish at .500 and the Heat were about 8 games over .500? So who was crummier?

You missing the point.  Right now, the Heat have Bosh, Wade, Chalmers, and Beasley.... AND NO ONE ELSE.  If Lebron goes to the Heat, Lebron has to cross his fingers and hope they sign some quality players.  Odds are is that they will not.  

All the players are in Chicago.  All the pieces are there.  

So don't compare Rose and Chalmers and so one.  Look at Bosh, Wade, Chalmers, and Beasley.  Is that better than Rose, Boozer, Noah, Taj, and Deng?  That's the no brainer.  Could the Heat sign some min. salary players?  Maybe.  If he is playing the maybe card, he should go to the Knicks.  If there is any team to take a risk on, its the Knicks.

Truth is, as it stands right this second, LBJ makes the Bulls the best team in the east.  He might do that with other teams, but they need to sign other players.  Why take that risk?  Take the money and guarantee roster.