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Philippines, 27 Apr 2024 |
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NBA -- The Bulls that got away By Kelly Manalo PhilBoxing.com Fri, 28 Mar 2014  Aldridge. CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bulls' match-up with the Portland Trailblazers Friday night at the United Center brings back memories of 2006 when the Bulls could have kept LaMarcus Aldrige, the 6 foot 11 power forward from the University of Texas. The 2006 NBA draft was a weak one and most of the lottery picks that year are either role players or out of the league. The Bulls were in that draft lottery with a 2nd overall pick. They initially went with LaMarcus Aldridge but traded him for Tyrus Thomas, an LSU standout who was drafted 4th by Portland. Hindsight being 20-20, the move doesn't appear smart now. Thomas was eventually traded and has left the NBA. Thomas was a gifted athlete with size and length but he was short in fundamentals, lacked basketball knowledge and had a flawed outside shot. Also, he didn't seem willing to improve his craft. Aldridge on the other hand has blossomed into a 3 time All-Star, leading his team to three straight playoffs appearances from 2009 to 2011. The former Longhorn can play with his back to the basket, hit the outside jumper, play consistent defense, and is always a rebounding threat. Aldridge is currently averaging a career high 23.8 points per game along with 11 rebounds Now imagine if he were here playing in Chicago and everything happened the same way. Yes, the Bulls would still have their playoffs struggles but they would get better every year with a frontline of Aldridge, Taj Gibson, Joakim Noah, and Luol Deng, assuming he wasn't traded. And tt gets better. With Derrick Rose on bard, Carlos Boozer would not have been signed and the fans would not be clamoring for him to be amnestied. LaMarcus would have provided that go-to offense the Bulls could use in those long stretches when they can?t throw the ball in the ocean. He would be the second option for a team that only has one in Derrick Rose who is sitting out with injuries for the second year in a row. The two-time defending champions Miami Heat struggle with the big men the Bulls have now but substitute Aldridge for Boozer and that could be a nightmare for them or any team in the league. Even though Chicago has made enough moves that scratch your head throughout the years, they have built a winning franchise since the Jordan era and fans are finally seeing that now is the time for the championship. This situation happened 8 years ago, and it cannot be undone, but with the Carmelo Anthony talks heating up, and the Bulls needing that second option, why not take a chance so fans do not have to wonder what if? (KM) Click here to view a list of other articles written by Kelly Manalo.  |
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