Great points. And you’re right, Most teams have to double Melo whereas for Deng, it’s safe to say he’ll never command a double.

As far as offensive rebounds, Melo does pull down more, but Deng is rarely in position to get offensive boards, he’s mostly on the perimeter whereas Melo posts up more and is often closer to the basktet.

Adding Melo over Deng (and as you said, most likely won’t happen) could give the Bulls the most dynamic offensive package in the league, or there could be some serious chemisty issues. Melo will most likely want most of the offensive run through him which wouldn’t happen. They’ll run some plays for him because he’s that good, but Thibs has already said several times that he’s running an inside out offense in the half-court set. He’s gonna use Noah at the top of the key to run some plays (like Boston uses KG), working it in to Boozer in the post, and back out when the post option isn’t working. Melo has never played in that type of primary offense. An inside-out system would require your wing to get open for spot up shots on the kickback, and slash to the bucket when the lane is open (which is pretty much all Deng does). Melo likes to get the ball, hold it, create his own shot, or find the open man when he can. I don’t see Melo being able to use his full offensive talent on this Bulls team with the system Thibs wants to run. He would have to alter his game some(like Ray Allen and KG did in Boston, and like the big three in Miami will have to do). You’re right that Melo is better in the clutch, and an offensive upgrade, but he would have to buy into the system for it to work.

I agree that they shouldn’t part with Noah but I think you are wrong on Deng. If you watch Denver play Melo is the focus of the opposing defense. He is constantly double teamed. Deng is double teamed about as often as Melo isn’t. When you are the focal point of an offense you are asked to put up more shots hence Melo’s shooting numbers. If he was on the Bulls teams would have to pick their poison. They can’t double Boozer, Melo and give help d on Rose’s drives. At least one of them will have a good matchup each possession. I agree Deng is a better defender but he isn’t that much better of a rebounder. Defensive Rebounding I’ll give you but Melo is a better offensive rebounder and a much much better ballhandler and passer. Melo also has a great post game, granted he doesn’t use it nearly enough, it’s still better then Deng’s non-existent post up skills. My favorite part of Melo’s game is his killer instinct at the end of games. I love that he wants that final shoot and more often then not makes it. You really can’t even compare him to Deng here. DRose may develop into the Bulls first clutch performer since #23 but he’s not there yet. You’ve got nothing to worry about though TimeTraveler. There’s no way Denver takes this trade. It would make zero sense for them to take Deng and his contract back in a deal and the Bulls can’t make a deal without Deng in it.

I agree, a deal that would make the Bulls better should be pursued, but I think it starts and ends with having a strong 4 and 5, otherwise, there’s no way to compete with LA’s Bigs. This is why you gotta keep Noah because he’s too hard to replace. And I do think Rudy Gay’s all-around game and athleticism would be a better fit for this Bulls team than Melo, but Memphis won’t part with Gay anytime soon (which is why they just overpaid him).

The only positions the Bulls could conceivably upgrade at this point are shooting guard and small forward. But I’m not convinced Melo would be a huge upgrade over Deng. Don’t get me wrong, Melo is a much better scorer, but that’s it. Deng is a better defender, better rebounder (among small forwards, Deng is one of the best rebounders in the league!), and his mid-range jump shot is just as good or better than Melo’s. And with Thib’s emphasis on defense and inside out offense, Deng’s game (especially defense) is a better fit. Also, Melo took a hell of a lot of shots to average those 28 points in Denver, he wouldn’t get as many shots on this Bulls team. He’d average 22 at best. Deng gives you 18-20 a game, better defense and better rebounding. I don’t see a need for this trade.

I say 1 more year or maybe now, if the Bulls can find a better deal then Melo that will push them to the top against the Lakers b-cuz right now, the only team that worries me is them. Miami, Orlando and Boston don’t scare me with the team we have. I’m pretty sure we can beat them.

GO BULLS!!!

Gasol – Bynum, Garnett-Perkins, Lewis-Howard, to name a feew tandems that are superior… As to the balance of your ramblings: you are deluded.