Would the Bulls be in the finals if they had gotten Melo, Lee, or Mayo?
I think JR Smith or OJ Mayo would have made a huge difference an definately would have made it a tougher probably 7 game series....but in the end i think Miami would have still won. I dont think Courtney Lee would have really been the answer becuz he is not a guy that u can give the ball and he is gonna go get u 18-20 points a night. Mayo and Smith are guys that would be good for Rose becuz they can create off the bounce for themselves.
I think the price to get Melo would have cost the Bulls too much of their defensive identity. Noah and Deng were key to the Bulls defense.
I firmly believe, that as close as games 2, 4, and 5 were, even the slightest scoring upgrade at the 2 would have changed Rose's driving lanes. Obviously Mayo would have been the better upgrade, but with Korver veing the only shooter and shooting poorly, another scoring changes the game.
Being that this is hypothetical, and I've debated this with several people several times, I feel the Bulls front office is to blame the most for short changing this roster, but all the possibilities to get these players would have been costly. Chicago papers rumored Asik and a 2nd rd pick for Lee, 2 1sts and Gibson for Mayo, and Noah, Deng, Gibson and picks for Melo. Costly in the eyes of Bulls management at the trade deadline, which to me, means the front office didn't see this type of run from the team.
I think the fact that the bulls lost in 5 games is decieving. They weren't ran outta the gym,they lost some close games because they just couldn't score enough points. Now give Miami credit,they won 4 straight close games,but its obvious that an upgrade is needed. Would melo score more??? Yes,but seeing as you had to trade your best 2 defenders to get him at the least makes your strength a weakness. J.R. Smith??? Maybe,he is very streaky, all the talent and ability you could ask for,but doesn't bring it all to the table consistantly. O.J. Mayo??? I would say yes,depending on the price. He has a well developed and diverse offensive game, decent on defense which can be aided by the team, and the most important quality is that he won't defer. I would also add Rodney Stuckey, Marcus Thorthon and in a perfect world Jamal Crawford to the short list. Thats just my opinion
Even if they would have gotten Melo, the Bulls major strength this series was their rebounding. That said, acquiring Melo would have meant they would had dealt Noah and possibly Asik. The only reason they were in most of these games, is because their rebounding. They lose their main strength, meaning, they aren't even close at the end of games for Melo or Rose to try to close out games.
That said, acquiring Melo would have meant they would had dealt Noah and possibly Asik. The only reason they were in most of these games, is because their rebounding
But Noah sat huge stretches of the 4th, even the end of games. Would having someone who's clutch and can get his own shot off like Melo does help more then having Noah on the bench?
Yea no doubt Melo, Mayo, or even JR Smith would of helped them. Anyone who says no is an idiot. Melo actually plays good D on LeBron so his D would not of been an issue, and his scoring would of prolly meant that this series would still be going. Mayo, and JR to an extent, are exactly what the Bulls were missing imo. A number 2 scorer at the SG position who can create for themself. I love Ray Allen but OJ Mayo would still be a better fit for the Bulls in the offseason. Match made in heaven.
This series also might still be going if the Bulls wouldn't of kept trying to make Rose beat LeBron one on one. Rose is awesome but he isn't AI. Run a pick and roll with your max contract PF Tom Thibodeau!!!
BKKnicksFan
Maybe you misread what I said or I wasn't clear. (Not trying to sound like a jerk there)
Noah was sitting for long stretches in the 4th because he can't score and doesn't spread the floor. In my opinion they wouldn't be in position to win those games if it wasn't for his offensive and defensive rebounding though. Simply my opinion and I guess we won't know now anyway.
Before the trading deadline happen there were talks of Melo going to the Bulls but the Bulls would have to give up Noah and some other pieces. The Courtney Lee deal I think need Omer Asik. There were also other guards that were on the trading block like OJ Mayo and JR Smith. Now if the Bulls have gotten anyone of those would they have made it past the Heat or would they even gotten to the east finals without Noah, Gibson, etc.