| 07 December 2011
Gives me a headache just to think about it. But, look, it needs to be addressed. Can the Bulls get him or not? The answer is yes they can. Will they get him or not? The answer is no they won't. And yes, I know...the first instinct is immediately curse out Gar Forman and John Paxson and Jerry Reinsdorf and blast them for not doing whatever it takes to try and land him. It's not that simple.
Two Chicago mainstays have provided perfectly conflicting viewpoints and we can see both sides of the story. Sam Smith says that the Bulls would be able to provide the best offer for Howard by far. Nick Friedell says that Chicago is not the best destination for Howard. Who do I agree with? Both are 100% right.
As both Smith and Friedell point out, the Bulls by far has the most appealing assets of which can be offered to whet Orlando's appetite. It is quite clear that no one wants Boozer's contract. Hell, the Bulls are probably number one on that list. Nonetheless, they are stuck with him, so he is out of the equation. So who does that leave? Well first of all, the cornerstone of any blockbuster involving Howard and the Bulls must be Joakim Noah. He is the closest thing in the league to matching Dwight Howard's defensive skill-set and rebounding prowess. Yes, Brooke Lopez brings some points to the table, but I'm pretty sure Derrick Rose gets more rebounds a game than Brooke Lopez. Orlando needs an anchor. That's what they would get in Noah.
Of course, to fill the void that would be left on offense after Howard's departure, Orlando would definitely ask for Deng in return. Plus it makes sense in terms of salary. That's fine. Then just to be sure they are shoring up their defense and rebounding up front, we can throw in Gibson or Asik. Don't really care which as both have their own upsides and downsides, which pretty much cancel each other out. We also have a couple first round draft picks to play with, one of which we acquired from Charlotte in the Tyrus Thomas trade. Idiots. So we're looking at Noah, Deng, Gibson/Asik, and a first round draft pick for Howard. Apparently Hedo Turkoglu being thrown in is a foregone conclusion due to salary implications. Fine.
Would I do that trade? In a heartbeat. Howard is 26 and the best defender in the league and an absolute force in the post. Team him up with the league MVP, you're looking at 60 wins a year for at least 6 years straight. Howard does several things that Noah, Deng, and Gibson/Asik combined can't do. For one, Noah has proven that he has trouble staying healthy. Howard, on the other hand, injures other players, but not himself. At least he doesn't injure himself often. He is a beast and a better rebounder than Noah. Not only that, but he plays shut-down defense. Noah, on the other hand is an over-rated and over-stated defender. He's slightly slow, gets tired, and is somewhat of a mental midget occassionally. He also provides no offense. Deng does. But Howard in the post provides more offense than Deng (especially with D-Rose) and more rebounding and defense than Noah. He's unguardable on offense and there isn't a center in the league that can overpower him on the offensive end. Noah, on the other hand, you can leave fairly often on offense as there aren't really plays run for him on offense. He cleans up the rim all game, but other than that, nothing. That's nothing that Howard won't be able to take care of. Friedell whines about the fact that the Magic would rather not take on Noah's or Deng's contracts because they might get hurt again. He thinks the Magic prefer Bynum because he only has one year left on his contract after this year. Really? If they trade for Bynum, don't you think they will try to extend him as soon as possible? They're not trying to go one and done with the center they traded for to replace the best center in the league that they traded away. And really? Deng played 40 minutes every game last year. And between Noah and Bynum, both find themselves injured at least twice a season every season. Doesn't matter, either way, whatever center you acquire, you are acquiring him for the long-haul and signing a large extension if he isn't already extended. Might as well get the best one coming from a team that is offering significant value on top. I don't buy the money argument.
As for Gibson/Asik, at least one is expendable. I don't think you need both, as both are stellar defenders and solid rebounders. Trade one away and we won't be any worse for the wear. Plus, with Howard, there will be less minutes to spare for big men off the bench.
If this trade is an option, it is an absolute must for the Bulls. And as Sam Smith points out, not one team can offer anything comparable to the Magic. Not the Lakers with an erratic and oft-injured Bynum and rapidly aging Pau Gasol, and not the Knicks with, well, nothing.
But alas, Friedell is right as well. Chicago is just not realistic for Howard. Why? He ain't interested. Why? For probably the dumbest reason of all. Weather. Forget the fact that Chicago is a world-class, if not, simply put the best city in the world. Forget the fact that the fans are most likely the most passionate and loyal fans in the NBA. And forget the fact that we lead the league in attendance every year and have some of the richest history in the entire league. Forget the fact that the reigning league MVP, who happens to be 23 years old, and will probably be the best point guard of all time when it's all said and done, is not even in his prime yet. Apparently, the weather is significantly more important than any of that. Apparently, the weather is more important than winning. I'd love to hear MJ or Scottie's perspective on that perspective. Picture the NBA greats of old being concerned with the weather rather than a chance at winning titles for years to come. If this is really the reason why Howard does not want to come to Chicago, which by all accounts it is, that is pathetic any which way you look at it. And he can go rot on some other franchise destined for mediocrity the way he has thus far in his career.
So yes, I do think Sam Smith is right, in that the Bulls can provide the most value for Howard. And yes, I do think Friedell is right, unfortunately, in that Howard doesn't want to come to Chicago because of the WEATHER. Good lord.
But most importantly, I am absolutely positive the Magic don't want to trade away Howard within the conference. That would be incredibly problematic as the Bulls would be an impediment to them ever getting out of the Eastern Conference Finals for many years to come. The fact that they have to deal with the Heat is probably good enough for them. And that, my friends, is why the Bulls won't get Dwight Howard. That and the weather. Not because the Bulls can't or aren't willing, but because the Magic fear them, and because Dwight fears the weather.
So let's embrace a Dwight Howard-less reality and embrace the core that won us 62 games last season. Just pray Joakim, Boozer, and Deng can all remain healthy, and most of all, Derrick too.
And apparently, although Bieber is a Howard fan, Benny is not.
