Bulls all decade

It is fitting that people aren’t really sure what to call the past decade. The Zeros, The Odds. Who knows except it is now over and we won’t have to worry about it for another 90 years.

I for one am trilled to see it go as the Bulls should be. With the teens comes potential thanks to some lucky ping pong balls bringing us Derrick Rose. Hopefully things go better this time around with the franchise corner stone then it is at the beginning of the last decade. But let’s get to the to the point the all decade team for Da Bulls.

I took a lot of things into account while putting this team together. 1. time with the team 2. production with the team 3. and finding pieces that fit. NBA rosters can carry 15 players, 12 active and 3 injury/inactive players.

Honorable mention

Jamal Crawford – Jamal spent 4 seasons with the team increasing his scoring average in each season while more was asked of him. During his final season with the team he averaged over 17 points. I couldn’t put him on the team based on his play while hear because it was all about him but based on his current play in Atlanta it looks like he has finally grown up.

The inactives

Jannero Pargo – every team needs some instant offense and someone who will get hot and just keep shooting when you are down. Pargo spent 4 years in Chicago and almost single handily brought the Bulls back several times including a memorable playoff game against the Wizards in 2005.

Chris Duhon – Duhon is the perfect end of bench guy. Solid player that does nothing great but does several things ok. Duhon also spent 4 years with the team but they really had no place for him with the arrival of Derrick Rose. Duhon allowed Skiles to slide over Kirk Hinrich to the 2 and keeping Ben Gordon in his 6th man role. Chris started 73 games his rookie season and along with the arrival of Deng, Gordon and Nocioni helped turn things around.

Antonio Davis – Davis spent 2 seasons in Chicago and provided the veteran influence the young Bulls needed. Davis spent most of his time starting due because Eddie Curry and Tyson Chandler were not a good fit starting together. Davis is a nice fit with this team being able to play center or power forward.

The Bench

Ben Gordon – The former 6th man of the year is the perfect bench player. During Ben’s 5 seasons with the team he started about half of the games he played in. Ben is the perfect example of instant offense averaging between 15-21 points per game while still playing starters minutes off the bench. He also shoots about 41% from behind the arc and is a great closer who isn’t afraid to take that shot at the end of the game.

Eddy Curry – Eddy Curry was supposed to be the low post presence that replaced Elton Brand. Curry was on his way to becoming that player before his heart issues. The sad thing about Curry was offense was all he cared about. Eddy increased his scoring average in all 4 of his seasons before he was sent to the Knicks in a sign & trade. Coming off the bench would be the best for Curry because it would limit his fouls.

Tyson Chandler – The other half of the twin tours that Jerry Krause thought would lead the Bulls to a NBA Championship. Tyson was supposed to be the next Kevin Garnett. Tyson basically did everything well that Curry did not. He blocked shots and rebounded but could not score. He spent 5 seasons in Chicago block over a shot a game while grabbing 8 boards. He would provide solid defense off the bench and could play either the 4 or the 5.

Brad Miller – Brad would be the big man who can shoot off the bench. Brad has had 2 stints with the team 2 years each. Brad would help spread the floor that would allow him to play with any of the other bigs on the team.

Andres Nocioni – Nocioni was a fan favorite here in Chicago because he did all the little things. He played defense and did whatever the team needed. He is able to play either forward spot and get under the other team’s best player’s skin. Andres averaged 11 points and 5 rebounds while shooting about 37% from behind the arc. Some of Lebron’s worst games were against the Bulls when Nocioni was guarding him.

Ron Artest – Ron was supposed to be the next Scottie Pippen. A big small forward who played solid defense. Ron spent over 2 years here in Chicago and improved his number in each season increasing his scoring, rebounding and shooting percentage. Ron was sent to the Pacers in the trade that brought Jalen Rose to Chicago. Who knows how things would have been if Ron stayed in Chicago.

Derrick Rose – Derrick could easily be a starter on this team and will probably be end up being the best player on this team when it’s all said and done. Derrick in only a year and 1/2 has been very impressive in that short time but due to the most time another player has spent with the team I just could not put him as the starting point guard.

The Staters

Luol Deng – Luol is the only player left from that 2004 crop of players that helped turn things around for the Bulls. During his 6 seasons Deng has averaged 15.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists. His best season was during the 06-07 season where he averaged 18.8 points and 7.1 rebounds starting all 82 games while helping the Bulls upset the Miami Heat, the defending champs, and getting into the second round of the playoffs. The only thing that has held Luol back are injuries, missing over 100 games so far in his career.

Elton Brand – Is there any other forward who deserves this spot. Even though Elton only played 2 season at the very beginning of the decade the team has been unable to fill the hole left by him. Brand averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds in each of those 2 seasons. He also averaged 1.6 blocks and about 2.5 assists per game. Brand being traded for the draft rights to Tyson Chandler will go down in history as the worst move in Bulls history.

Joakim Noah- The current man in the middle is exactly who I would want manning the middle on this team. Noah would be the perfect player to play along side Brand. Even though Noah has only played 3 seasons so far he has improved every year and has increased his rookie year number of 6.6 points 5.7 rebounds and .9 blocks to this season scoring 11 points while grabbing 12 boards and blocking 1.7 shots a game. Noah also brings a championship pedigree winning 2 NCAA championships at Florida. Hopefully he will be able to help bring a few here to Chicago.

Jalen Rose – Yeah remember him. Jalen came to the Bulls during that Artest trade. Jalen averaged about 23 points a game in parts of 3 seasons with the team. Jalen also dished out 4 assists and grabbed 4 boards a game while in town. Jalen would have to start on this team because he never really accepted coming off the bench but he would give way to Gordon in the 4th or would also be able to slide over and play along side Gordon at times.

Kirk Hinrich – Capt Kirk has to be the starting point guard on this team. Hinrich has been with the team for all 7 years of his career which makes him the longest tenured member of the team. Over that time Kirk has only missed the playoffs twice. During his career he has averaged 13.5 points 5.9 assists and 1.3 steals while moving between playing both guard spots depending on who he has been asked to play along side. But no matter who it is, Chris Duhon, Jamal Crawford, Ben Gordon or even currently Derrick Rose, Kirk just does what is asked of him which usually means guarding the best guard on the other team.