As we approach the 2017 NBA All-Star Break, the time to reflect as well as look ahead has come. The trade deadline is the ultimate test of who’s bluffing and who’s looking to go all in with the cards they were dealt. For those who seemingly have a winning hand, it’s time to watch the rest of the league scramble in attempts to dethrone you. For my Chicago Bulls, we’re looking at a ‘Trouble’ board trying not to get sent home.
Jimmy Butler is the incontestable leader of this team and the reason why we always have a fighting chance. This marks the first time in Butler’s career that he’s not only been the best player on the team but the first time he’s been looked to for the answers when things aren’t going right. As a leader, you’re expected to deliver answers instead of excuses when it comes to the tough losses. You’re looked at in the same light as the only friend in the group who has money when the crew gets to the club and finds out they’re charging $30 for entry; “what we gon’ do?”
Let’s get the binoculars out and look ahead to February 23rd, 2017; the NBA trade deadline. This is my favorite time of the year in all of sports, even though enduring “Stand Pat Pax” doesn’t offer much excitement for Chicago Bulls fans. However, the latest meltdown in the United Center as they hosted the Atlanta Hawks could spell the end of this experiment before the end of the actual season. The Bulls seemed to be surely on their way to another home win before ultimately blowing a 10 point lead in the final 3 minutes. After the game, Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade both took to the post game interview and Twitter to express their displeasure.
In a video courtesy of K.C. Johnson, from The Chicago Tribune, Wade declared “I’m 35 years old, man. I got 3 championships, ya know, it shouldn’t hurt me more than it hurts these young guys.”
Butler echoed the same sentiments as his teammate, and ultimately the entire fan base. Make no mistake about it, these feelings didn’t just develop and manifest overnight, a substantial reason to voice these frustrations just presented itself. Their words go for players, coaching, and management alike as they attempt to get off this treadmill much sooner than later.
To me, you can look at this a few different ways. Dwyane Wade, as a veteran and mentor, spoke with Jimmy and they both decided that silence on an issue like this would only reinforce the negative behavior. That could be viewed as motivation for the younger guys who need to step it up, an S.O.S. to management to get better players or both. The fact that effort, or lack thereof, is the focal point of Butler and Wade’s anger says that they don’t see the actual WANT to win from teammates. Obviously, this roster doesn’t scream “Super Team” by any stretch of the imagination, but when the effort isn’t there from those who are supposed to be the hungriest it can be deflating.
Still got those binoculars? All of a sudden the trade deadline goes from “we’ll see what happens” to “something NEEDS to happen”. The Chicago Bulls have to basically look themselves in the mirror and decide if they just need to get a lineup or go with a whole haircut. Meaning, do you look to simply add pieces that fit better than what you currently have or do you throw in the towel and go full rebuild mode? Figuratively speaking, the roster is looking like a receding hairline and might call for a fresh baldy if nothing can be done soon.
One thing’s for sure, standing pat at this deadline is not an option if you’re serious about being taken serious.
Somebody get Reinsdorf on the phone.
