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If the Bulls traded for Stephen Jackson...


The Regime
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Would they be considered a top tier team like the Lakers/Spurs/Celtics? Could this team make it to the NBA Finals?

 

Earlier in the season, I think early December, the Bulls were rumored to trade Taj Gibson and James Johnson for Stephen Jackson. However for salaries sake let's consider something like, Taj Gibson, James Johnson, and Kyle Korver/Ronnie Brewer. With this trade the Bulls would undoubtedly upgrade at sg, but lose a solid rotation player in Taj Gibson who has progressed on both ends of the floor. A healthy Bulls lineup would look something like this:

 

PG-Derrick Rose

SG-Stephen Jackson

SF-Luol Deng

PF-Carlos Boozer

C-Joakim Noah

 

Key bench reserves-Kyle Korver/Ronnie Brewer, Omer Asik, Kurt Thomas, CJ Watson

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Haha, Cofidence, stop stealing RealGM topics word-for-word. I like the idea of sparking discussion, but make it a little more original.

 

Anyway, it'd be a major improvement, but in a 7 game series I still think the Celtics, and maybe Heat would beat them (and maybe Lakers/Spurs). Also, by making a move for Jackson, who's like 33 years old with a fat contract, they would really be handicapping themselves to a 'win-now' mode. I think it'd be better to deal a draft pick and maybe Johnson to the Pistons for T-Mac, see what they can do with the upgrade, and if it doesn't work out he's a cheap expiring. If he works out really well for them, he can be a MLE level signing in the offseason, which is still cheaper than what Jackson would be. If they are looking for a long-term solution, then they could go after JR and Mayo, or maybe see if they can get into the Melo talks without having to give up Noah.

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The great thing about Stephen is his ability to distribute the ball. The Bulls don't have a good distributor outside of Rose. But even though Jackson is a decent defender and 3 point shooter that can create his own hot, his FG percentage is atrocious. I would not give up a guy like Taj Gibson for him to be honest.

 

I think he would be good in Chicago's system, and can probably be a more effective player despite his numbers going down. But the cost for a guy like him is too much. He tends to put up either big or at the very least solid numbers, but doesn't do so efficiently. So unless the Bulls, who are going to have to match salaries by adding either Watson, Korver, or Brewer to the deal, are getting something significant back, using Gibson would be a bad idea.

 

Is he the missing piece to this Bulls squad? No. I would much rather like to see them go after OJ Mayo, who would be great for them immediately and long term. He can spread the court and would play a role similar to Ben Gordon a few years ago. Memphis doesn't have an offense like Chicago, so I'm sure his numbers would go up. Right now Mayo can't spot up and consistently get good looks because everything is iso based. In Chicago, both Rose and Boozer draw double teams, and with the way Deng has shot the ball, adding another solid 3 point shooter would be great for them. Transition and finding the open man in the half court would easily get him at the very least the same amount of shots he's getting now.

 

But I'm still not convinced it would be enough to compete with Boston and Miami. They would be considered a top team for sure, but I just cannot see them beating Boston or Miami in a 7 game series.

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Definetely...talent wise that's the most complete starting lineup in the league. I don't know how it would fare in reality, but if I were Bulls management I'd go for him. Jax is clutch and has intangibles. The perfect fit for SG. Anyone in that starting lineup could go for twenty on a given night.

 

edit- If the Bobcats keep winning, I'd think MJ would keep Jackson...or at least he'd be harder to get.

Edited by Cleveland's Finest
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I don't think Jackson's style of play or contract would fit with the Bulls. The Bulls need a SG who can really shoot the three ball and defend decently. Korver can shoot, but the defending part is WAY OFF.

 

I suggest the Bulls look to acquire a guy like Jared Dudley from the Suns or Anthony Parker from the Cavs.

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The asking price for someone like OJ Mayo will be a lot higher and that's why I think it's a longshot for the Bulls to land him. Tom Thibodeau is absolutely enamored with Keith Bogans for whatever reason, and I'm certain that the Bulls would much rather just stick with their current roster than give up more than they need to.

 

Stephen Jackson will no doubt be a major upgrade at the position considering how [expletive]ty Keith Bogans has played for the Bulls this season. He can not only help spread the floor with his shooting but he can also defend multiple positions (something which Thibodeau certainly wouldn't mind). I haven't really looked deeply into the stats but just based on the games that I've watched I can confidently say that Chicago is probably at the bottom of the NBA as far as three point shooting is concerned. Outside of Korver their simply isn't a reliable shooter on that entire roster, and come playoff time that will hurt them.

 

If the Bulls were to run into a team like the Celtics or Magic they would be in a heap of trouble simply because both teams are are good at defending the post. Boozer and company would run into a wall offensively. And although Rose has become a better jumpshooter and three point shooter, driving to the hole and getting layups or putting up floaters in the paint is still his bread and butter. Stephen Jackson's scoring ability will open up opportunities for both Boozer and Rose, and his presence alone will force teams to adjust the way they defend Chicago.

 

Jackson certainly bears a big contract and is at the peak of his career, but I certainly think Chicago can make a push in the Eastern Conference is they acquire him. There certainly are other options out there (JR Smith, OJ Mayo, ect.), but Jackson's his post season experience and leadership makes him much more valuable.

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The asking price for someone like OJ Mayo will be a lot higher and that's why I think it's a longshot for the Bulls to land him. Tom Thibodeau is absolutely enamored with Keith Bogans for whatever reason, and I'm certain that the Bulls would much rather just stick with their current roster than give up more than they need to.

 

Stephen Jackson will no doubt be a major upgrade at the position considering how [expletive]ty Keith Bogans has played for the Bulls this season. He can not only help spread the floor with his shooting but he can also defend multiple positions (something which Thibodeau certainly wouldn't mind). I haven't really looked deeply into the stats but just based on the games that I've watched I can confidently say that Chicago is probably at the bottom of the NBA as far as three point shooting is concerned. Outside of Korver their simply isn't a reliable shooter on that entire roster, and come playoff time that will hurt them.

 

If the Bulls were to run into a team like the Celtics or Magic they would be in a heap of trouble simply because both teams are are good at defending the post. Boozer and company would run into a wall offensively. And although Rose has become a better jumpshooter and three point shooter, driving to the hole and getting layups or putting up floaters in the paint is still his bread and butter. Stephen Jackson's scoring ability will open up opportunities for both Boozer and Rose, and his presence alone will force teams to adjust the way they defend Chicago.

 

Jackson certainly bears a big contract and is at the peak of his career, but I certainly think Chicago can make a push in the Eastern Conference is they acquire him. There certainly are other options out there (JR Smith, OJ Mayo, ect.), but Jackson's his post season experience and leadership makes him much more valuable.

 

Why do the Bulls need JR Smith?

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^An athletic wing player who can score points in loads (when he has his head straight). What isn't there to like?

 

That is what's not to like. Personally, I think Smith would be a huge upgrade over what they currently have at SG, but I think they can do better. Even if they have to give up some of their valuable bench players like Gibson to get it done, it'd be worth it. I don't like the S-Jax idea because it puts them in a 'win-now' mode, and right now it probably wouldn't put them over the top. If nothing is available right now that could put them over the top, then they should wait 'till the offseason or next season's trade-deadline before they get something done. That's why I like the T-Mac trade idea; they'd give up virtually nothing for a veteran minimum contract that will expire this summer, and it could potentially have a high reward. It could also give the team a better idea of what will or won't fit at the SG position.

Edited by Nitro
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With what they have to offer in trades, the Bulls should feel lucky if they can get J.R.

 

Thibs is a defensive first coach, so it explains why he likes Bogan, the way he liked Tony Allen on Celtics. But now he's a HEAD coach, not just a defensive specialist assistant coach, he has to think about the offensive end too.

 

J.R. has averaged at least 15.2 ppg off the bench in the previous 2 seasons before this one. This season he's averaging only 11.4 ppg, but at this point last year he also was averaging similar ppg, and it's becoming a norm since he became a Nugget he had offensive explosions after the All Star break every year.

 

No matter if he has brain irregularities, 15 ppg off the bench don't lie. HIs instant offense production would be welcomed with open arms by Bulls, but I doubt Nuggets would be interested in any Bull offer.

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Outside of Pop, Phil, Doc, Pat Riley, I would entrust J.R. to Thibs. He is a great coach who can push the right buttons and one that commands J.R.'s respect. One of the things I wanna see is J.R. playing for the coach he respects, it will bring the best out of him. I'm a big believer he has a lot more to offer than just a 15ppg 6th man.

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