Can the Baby Bulls go Big Time

Well here we are, a new collective bargaining agreement is in place, the draft is over, and now all the real action is about to begin. As part of the collective bargaining agreement teams over the salary cap, were aloud to release one player and avoid paying the luxury tax. And the Dallas Mavericks jumped on the chance, releasing shooting guard Michael Finley. Which will give the Bulls a chance to take the next big step to the top.

As anybody watching this year saw, during the regular season the Bulls were as good as anyone in the East. But although injuries kept them from the second round of the playoffs, Chicago had a weakness that would have kept them from competing with the Eastern elites. At times Chicago couldn't score. There wasn't that big time "Go-to" guy to take the big shot or to get the team on track. If the opposing team could pound in enough points, the Bulls just couldn't keep up. So here we are, last year we looked at the changes the Bulls needed to make, to become a playoff team. The changes this year I believe will put them on level with The Pacers, Heat, and even the Pistons.

1. Resign Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry, Chris Duhan, Jannero Pargo John Paxson has made qualifying offers to each of these players, Now he just needs to match any reasonable offer. Tyson may be the most expensive this year, but will be worth it. Because of Curry's health issues its reasonable to assume he will sign a one year qualifying to prove he's healthy and become a free agent next year (This would be great for the Bulls as he will have to play like its a contract year all over again). Chris Duhan has the best chance of not returning, which would be sad to lose talent, but the Bulls cant continue to start to point guards.

2. Sign Michael Finley through free agency. There are two players in free agency, who both would be good fits for the Bulls starting lineup, and one is Michael Finley, the other Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Since the Bulls have no shooting guards, and two good power forwards, Finley seems to be the best pick. Now from current reports, there are two teams interested in Finley the Suns and the Bulls. Why would he choose the Bulls, Finley is from Chicago, and there is the appeal if returning to his home, also a chance of senery, and a chance to get out of the Western conference making things easier on his aging body. My guess is the Mid Level exemption, with 4 years and 20 mil, could bring Finley home

3. Sign Toni Kukoc With the vets minimum Last month before Finley became available the Bulls said they had targeted three players in free agency. Toni Kukoc, Donyell Marshell, and Michael Ruffin. With signing Finley the Bulls wont have the money to bring in Marshell, and they have a Ruffin type player in Davis. I said it last year, and I'll say it again, Its time to bring home Toni Kukoc. http://timssportsreport.blogspot.com/2004/07/past-present-future.html

4. Bring in Undrafted Rookie Matt Walsh of Florida This years draft was deep, real deep, and many guys who were supposed to go late in the first through the second round went undrafted. Imporant for teams to continue to look for young talent and Walsh or another shooting guard could fit the bill.

5. Resign Othella Harrington, Adrian Griffin, and Jared Reiner as needed to fill out the Roster

What will the New Bull look like:

Starting Lineup

Point Guard: Kirk Hinrich
Shooting Guard: Michael Finnley
Small Forward: Luol Deng
Power Forward: Tyson Chandler (Yes its time for him to Start)
Center: Eddy Curry

Bench

Ben Gordon - SG/PG
Andres Nocioni - SF/PF
Toni Kukoc - SG/SF/PF
Chris Duhan - PG
Antonio Davis - PF/C
Othella Harrington - PF/C
Eric Piatkowski - SG/SF

Reserve

Jannero Pargo
Matt Walsh
Adrian Griffin

With this team, The Bulls can match up with any team in the east, They will continue to have the best Bench in the league. They will be able to play there great defense, anc will have an offensive punch that they didn't this year. Who knows the year of the Bull could come sooner then expected.