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Since the Bulls' season came to a jarring halt -- five-game defeat to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals -- we've looked at free agent options for the Bulls this offseason. At two guard, of course.
Jason Richardson, Jamal Crawford and J.R. Smith are the prominant free agent options. Caron Butler, Mike Dunleavy, Josh Howard and Michael Redd are also available, though they're not as good a fit.
What about the Bulls' in-house options, though?
One thing is likely, Keith Bogans, who averaged five points in the playoffs, won't be retain his starting shooting guard position next season. Really, Bogans didn't have that bad a season. He struggled early, hitting 36 percent of threes in October/November, and 33 percent in December.
But Bogans really found his groove -- shooting 44 percent in January and 46 percent in February.
He even shot 42 percent on threes during the playoffs. Given his contract this season ($1.6 million), what more could you ask from Keith?
Simply put, the Bulls needed scoring out of the two guard this season, something that was made painfully clear in the East finals. Though Bogans hit his threes, defenders sagged off of him. And when they did collapse, he'd have no other alternative move. Not a fault on Bogans, 31, though.
What more could he have done? Shoot more? Drive more? Create plays more?
No, the Bulls don't need their two guard to do the latter consistently as the ball is usually in Rose's hands, but they do need a two guard who's more offensively capable than the ones that were played this year.
Bogans started all 82 games, though averaged a meager four points. He had his struggles during the regular-season, most notably a two-month span in which he failed to reach double-digits in points.
Don't understand the criticism on his starting job, though. He played 15-20 minutes per game (averaged 18) and was never on the court in the fourth quarter. He was exactly what coach Tom Thibodeau thought he'd be: A gritty, reliable veteran. It's not either of their faults that the Bulls simply didn't have a two guard on the roster to dethrone, if you will, Bogans.
Ronnie Brewer is a much more well-rounded offensive player than Bogans, though doesn't have the range to extend the defense, which is very important with all the eyes and attention Derrick Rose gets on his penetration. Brewer shot just six of 27 on threes during the regular-season -- three of 7 in the playoffs. He is a capable defender, too, and holds more speed than Bogans, but if you can't shoot it, playing in the backcourt with Rose is tough.
Speaking of shooting, isn't that what Kyle Korver, who signed a three-year, $15 million last offseason, was brought to Chicago for? Looks like he and Carlos Boozer were sharing the same meals or something, because both had similar endings to the season: Disappointing.
Korver shot 43 percent on threes during the regular-season, but dipped five percent during the playoffs (38 percent). In the five biggest games of the season, the East finals, Korver missed 10 of 14 threes.
From a guy we expected to be the Bulls' three-point specialist, a reliable force -- which he was in round one versus the Indiana Pacers, often times being a go-to guy when Rose needed help -- he came up short. Way short.
And it doesn't help that Korver looked like a rag doll on LeBron James time and time again. In fact, he looked like everyone's toy defensively. Even Mario Chalmers, at times.
Bogans, whose return next season is in jeopardy with the Bulls holding a team option, doesn't have the offense to start for the Bulls on their championship quest. While Brewer can defend and is a solid offensive player, his lack of shooting hurts the Bulls. Korver can shoot, though very erratically, and is their worst perimeter defender.
That brings us to the fourth two guard on the roster -- well, technically -- Rasual Butler.
After being bought out by the L.A. Clippers in late March, Butler signed with the Bulls. With their troubles at two guard, it seemed that Butler was acquired for a chance to prove he can do the job.
Give Thibodeau credit. He was very honest.
He told reporters from day one that Butler wouldn't play unless injuries hit the two guards, which never happened, as Butler played just six games with the Bulls during the regular-season. Thibodeau continued with this approach in the playoffs, saying Butler was ready (if needed), but the 6-7 guard played just seven minutes, all coming in the first two rounds.
He played a 2011 playoff-high four minutes in Game 5 versus the Pacers. Oh, and the Bulls won 116-89 in that series-clinching game. He also played two minutes in a 17-point victory in Game 3 versus the Atlanta Hawks in the East semifinals and one minute in a 12-point victory in Game 5.
For the record, Butler shot 100 pecent in the playoffs; 1-for-1.
Jokes aside, he did show he can contribute offensively, though it was a very small sample size. He went 4-for-7 from the field for 16 points in the regular-season. 10 of the 16 points came in the last game, versus the New Jersey Nets. In 13 minutes, Butler made four of five shots, two of three threes.
At 6-7, 215 pounds, he represents the Bulls' biggest option at two guard on the roster. He's listed as a guard/forward, but his game is predicated more so on the perimeter; shooting and occasional cutting.
Out of all the options for the Bulls at two guard, Butler may have been the best this season. In brief moments, he showed he can shoot well, defend respectably and play team-oriented basketball. Isn't that what Thibodeau's system is all about?
But you can't blame Thibodeau too much. Could he have played Butler more? Yes. Though with Butler's minute level of the Bulls' schemes -- compared to the other three shooting guards, who were there from the get go -- Thiboeau went with the safe route.
We don't know this, but Butler may have had trouble with understanding Thibodeau's gameplan -- on both ends. If that's the case, obviously, you don't want to throw a player into the fire, the East finals.
But he was probably the Bulls' best option.
Butler or Bogans? Butler.
Butler or Korver? The way Korver shot -- and defended -- when it mattered, probably Butler. Though this one's tricky, because we'll never know if Butler could have hit his shots.
Butler or Brewer? Butler. The Bulls' defense was solid, and it's not as if Butler can't defend. He, unlike Brewer, could have spread the floor just a bit more, making things easier on Rose and the Bulls, who shot 33 percent on threes during the playoffs.
Butler, 32, could find himself starting for the Bulls next season if other options -- for both parties -- don't emerge. If not a starter, Butler would be an adequate backup.
Would the Bulls be in the NBA Finals right now if Butler was the primary two guard? Probably not.
But the way he played in the brief playing time he was given, it provided hope. Not often does a 10-point game serve as hope, though in this instance, with the Bulls' shooting guard tripod putting up 15 combined points per game during the playoffs, it does.
We're all looking at the shooting guard options available in free agency and trade. But don't count out Butler. With his shooting and solid defense, he very well could end up as the Bulls' starting two guard next season.
Thibodeau didn't give Butler much of a chance this season, but that could change. Even Thibodeau admitted the future -- next season -- may be different.
Said Thibodeau: "I think he knows this could be a very good opportunity for him. You can never have enough shooting. You never know how things play out. You have injury, foul trouble. That's the way it is right now. In the future, things could be different."
If Butler is resigned and the Bulls fail to sign Richardson, there's two rotations at shooting guard that make sense.
1) Butler/Brewer/Korver*
or
2) Brewer/Butler/Korver*
The asterisk is next to Korver because you never know what you'll get from him. He is the epitome of a streaky shooter. He could play some two guard next year, or the Bulls could make him Luol Deng's primary backup, which may be needed after Deng played the third-highest minutes in the NBA this season.
The question is: Who will start, Butler or Brewer?
This is all assuming the Bulls don't make a "splash" via free agency or trade. But with Butler's shooting and size, he may be the one to start, with Brewer, whose energy Thibodeau loves, coming off the bench.
04 Jun, 2011Out of all the options for the Bulls at two guard, Butler may have been the best this season. In brief moments, he showed he can shoot well, defend respectably and play team-oriented basketball. Isn't that what Thibodeau's system is all about?
But you can't blame Thibodeau too much. Could he have played Butler more? Yes. Though with Butler's minute level of the Bulls' schemes -- compared to the other three shooting guards, who were there from the get go -- Thiboeau went with the safe route.
We don't know this, but Butler may have had trouble with understanding Thibodeau's gameplan -- on both ends. If that's the case, obviously, you don't want to throw a player into the fire, the East finals.
But he was probably the Bulls' best option.
Butler or Bogans? Butler.
Butler or Korver? The way Korver shot -- and defended -- when it mattered, probably Butler. Though this one's tricky, because we'll never know if Butler could have hit his shots.
Butler or Brewer? Butler. The Bulls' defense was solid, and it's not as if Butler can't defend. He, unlike Brewer, could have spread the floor just a bit more, making things easier on Rose and the Bulls, who shot 33 percent on threes during the playoffs.
Butler, 32, could find himself starting for the Bulls next season if other options -- for both parties -- don't emerge. If not a starter, Butler would be an adequate backup.
Would the Bulls be in the NBA Finals right now if Butler was the primary two guard? Probably not.
But the way he played in the brief playing time he was given, it provided hope. Not often does a 10-point game serve as hope, though in this instance, with the Bulls' shooting guard tripod putting up 15 combined points per game during the playoffs, it does.
We're all looking at the shooting guard options available in free agency and trade. But don't count out Butler. With his shooting and solid defense, he very well could end up as the Bulls' starting two guard next season.
Thibodeau didn't give Butler much of a chance this season, but that could change. Even Thibodeau admitted the future -- next season -- may be different.
Said Thibodeau: "I think he knows this could be a very good opportunity for him. You can never have enough shooting. You never know how things play out. You have injury, foul trouble. That's the way it is right now. In the future, things could be different."
If Butler is resigned and the Bulls fail to sign Richardson, there's two rotations at shooting guard that make sense.
1) Butler/Brewer/Korver*
or
2) Brewer/Butler/Korver*
The asterisk is next to Korver because you never know what you'll get from him. He is the epitome of a streaky shooter. He could play some two guard next year, or the Bulls could make him Luol Deng's primary backup, which may be needed after Deng played the third-highest minutes in the NBA this season.
The question is: Who will start, Butler or Brewer?
This is all assuming the Bulls don't make a "splash" via free agency or trade. But with Butler's shooting and size, he may be the one to start, with Brewer, whose energy Thibodeau loves, coming off the bench.
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Source: http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/chicago-bulls-talk/2011/06/bulls-in-house-two-guard-options.html
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