Carmelo Anthony admitted that he came very close to signing with the Chicago Bulls. The guard had narrowed his options down to the Bulls and the New York Knicks while eventually deciding to remain in the Big Apple despite many NBA sources believing Chicago gave him the better chance at winning a title. Point guard Derrick Rose told media that while he was disappointed the Bulls failed to sign Anthony, but believes Pau Gasol is someone that he can with this season.
The Bulls did not sign Anthony or LeBron James like they were hoping to, but did land Gasol in free agency. Rose says that he always knew Gasol was a player that he could win with. Was that a subtle dig at James and Anthony?
"[Gasol is] someone that I knew I could play with,'' Rose said, via the Chicago Sun Times. "You think about Pau, him now being in the East, what he'll be able to achieve with the way we play, the way we dump the ball in the post a lot. It could be great.''
While Anthony would have been the better fit, Gasol will find his niche on offense with the team, being able to score on the inside and helping create a more fluid unit. However, the Sun-Times reported that Gasol has not been guaranteed a starting spot with the Bulls just yet. The question becomes whether or not the center can function on the court alongside fellow big, Joakim Noah. He struggled to play that system with Dwight Howard in Los Angeles and there is some concern that it could be an issue in Chicago. Certainly Gasol would not have signed over if he was not going to start for the team, but the lingering question is there.
Meanwhile, reviews on Rose's health have been nothing but positive as the point guard competes to get on Team USA's roster. The best offseason acquisition for the Bulls could be getting a healthy Rose back on the court and by the looks of things, that goal will be succeeded.
"He looks great," John Wall said, via ESPN.com. "He looks like his old self. He'll probably be more aggressive and all that when he gets into the competition rounds but right now I think he's proven he's going to be his [old] self again. And I think that's really what everybody's worried about, would he still have his explosion and all that. I know the city of Chicago is excited and I know how hard he worked and how hard he's going to keep working to keep himself going."
One player the Bulls are not going to get this offseason is Kevin Love. Bob Finnan of the News Herald is reporting that the Bulls, Warriors and Celtics have all backed off the trade talks, knowing that the Cleveland Cavaliers are in the clear lead to land the forward. Rose is not concerned about losing that race, noting it will not impact Chicago's season.
"For us, I think it wouldn't change anything," Rose said. "We know that no matter who we play that we have a legit change to beat anyone in the league. But, at the same time, we know it's not going to be easy at all because guys are getting better."
