Wade is the only great player on an otherwise pretty putrid team. Without Wade the Heat are absolutely lottery-bound. Michael Beasley might have the potential to be a 20-10 type player, but he’ll do it without playing a lick of defense. Jermaine O’Neal may be healthy, but his athletic ability has noticeably deteriorated as of late and he’s being forced play out of position. Mario Chalmers has decent potential, but I can’t help but thinking that his ceiling is along the lines of Chris Duhon; he’ll be a solid defender, good passer and floor leader, but won’t have a great amount of offensive game to speak of. And Udonis Haslem is, well, just a nice role player to have but nothing special. Lastly, Carlos Arroyo will play big minutes. And no offense to Arroyo, but if he’s your sixth best player and he‘s not far off in talent compared to players 3-5, you’ve got problems. So it’s no wonder that there is a lot of talk regarding Wade leaving Miami.
My counter-argument, Why The Bulls Shouldn't Sign D-Wade, can be found by scrolling to the bottom of my Bulls Season Preview. (Note: I make the argument, but I don't really believe it - I would L-O-V-E to have D-Wade on the Bulls!)
Noah: Bigger, Stronger, Better
When Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah walked into media day at the Berto Center a few weeks ago, nearly everybody in the building was doing double-takes. With his trademark floppy ponytail pulled up into a more business like bun, Noah's shoulders showed his muscle gain pretty clearly. This past summer was one of hard work and, perhaps much more importantly, one of maturity.
Now he's Chicago's starting center, and rightfully so. His game has improved. He's a better ball player, and he's ready to roll.
"I'm feeling like I'm in a lot better shape," Noah said before the Bulls' last preseason game Friday night. "In my first two years in the NBA I really experienced a lot, and I feel like I'm just in a better routine right now. I'm really excited for the season to start."
In Chicago's eight preseason games—all of them starts—Noah averaged 9.9 points and 7.4 rebounds, as well as 2.1 blocks per game and a 57% field goal shooting percentage. All that in just over 25 minutes per game. With 30+ minutes per game, he could very well be one of the more formidable centers in the Eastern Conference.
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Ric Bucher picks Derrick Rose for MVP
You need ESPN Insider to read it, but in the NBA preview article, Ric Bucher selected Derrick Rose as the league's MVP this season. Tim Legler took Joakim Noah as the league's MIP (most improved player).
In other news, ESPN reports that Ric Bucher's phone has been ringing off the hook with college students asking him what he's been smoking.
I love the fact that Derrick Rose is viewed as a future superstar. Hopefully, he goes on to earn that on the court. However, MVP? In his second year? Has any player ever won the MVP in their second year?
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