Do the Bulls have the second scorer needed to win a ring?

[richboy]

Over the last 34 years, the 2nd best scorer on the championship team scored 17.5 points per 36 min on 54 TS% during the finals, on the losing team it was 17 points on 53 TS%. No idea, but that is an scoring output someone like Deng or Boozer can have for a series, and the difference in scoring from the "2nd scorer" does not explain the difference in overall playing level between those two finalists.

I guess, many just overrating the importance of that "2nd scorer". It is much more important to have good basketball players on the roster, and the Bulls for sure have that. They have their strength rather on the defensive end than on the offensive end, but if a team does not allow the opponent to score as often as they themselves, they still outscore the opponent and win the game.

This is why you shouldn't be looking at the stats. It not about how much they score. Its about how they score. Its about being able to create against tough defense. About being able to handle the post. Its not just about scoring. Its about scoring in a way that takes the pressure off the number 1 guy. Unless that number 1 guy is historically dominate you will need that number 2 guy to take over the game.

So let me ask you.Miami has Lebron James on Derrick Rose. He can't beat him. What play you running for Luol Deng to get himself or a teammate a shot. What play you running for Boozer. Boozer right now is nothing more than a pick and pop big man. Luol Deng can't create his own offense off the bounce with any consistency.

The answer to this question is no. They need someone that can create for themselves without needing Rose. Be able to do it consistently. Someone that can do something in the post. Perhaps someone that pretty special off the dribble himself.

Chicago is the classic regular season team that out works and plays harder than most teams in the regular season. I fully expect them to push 60 wins if Rose is back healthy. Then they will lose in the playoffs They don't dominate the glass as much when better teams start to match there energy level. Suddenly the fact they have 1 guy that can create offense against elite defense is showcased. When he is taken away Boozer, Noah and Deng are not guys that you can run offense threw.

I think you are wrong to assume that LeBron can guard Rose all by himself. It's not like Rose is completely taken out of the game once LeBron is on him and then it's up to Luol Deng or someone else to create offense. Multiple defenders need to help on Rose, and that leaves someone else open or creates mismatches.

The Bulls don't need a second superstar scorer; they just need to execute their offense well and take advantage of the mismatches created when the Heat trap Rose or wall him off in the paint. Rose has to make smart decisions as well and not try to force the issue against multiple defenders. Having another ball handler would benefit the Bulls a lot - someone who Rose could outlet the ball to when he gets trapped and who could then quickly find the open man and make the Heat pay for trapping. It doesn't have to a be a great scorer though. I could see Kirk Hinrich playing a key role for the Bulls against the Heat. Jimmy Butler could help a lot as well with his driving ability.

Another thing is that when the Heat defense collapses on Rose, the guys who are left open need to make their shots. This is why it is so important for the Bulls to pick up shooters. A big reason why the Bulls lost to the Heat in 2011 was that guys just didn't make their open shots, and this forced Rose to try to score against multiple defenders.

All your saying is Rose, Rose, Rose. Which is pretty much when things get tough we just hope Rose can either make a score for himself or set someone up for an open shot. Rose is not a 6'8 260 lb freak. Its debatable if he even the biggest freak at the PG position. Your not going to beat the Elite teams just banking on 1 guy to carry them in situations where they are very predictable. Lebron can do that because he so physically dominate nothing you can do.

[Blame Rasho]

No... they don't and I don't think they can get someone via FA or trade.

[richboy]

There's always the 04 Pistons, the exception that can save your day. One you don't really want to go for though

there are also examples of teams with a superstar without a big scoring 2nd banana winning titles. otis thorpe was the 2nd leading scorer on the '94 rockets at 14 ppg. boozer and deng both were at 15 ppg last time rose played. the team led the league in wins. as thibodeau would say, "more than enough to win"

You can say the same thing about Scottie Pippen really the last 3 rings. You can do that when you have a historic level player. A player so good he pretty much is a second banana all by himself. Rose has not shown and probably will never be on that level. If anything we have seen Rose be very inefficient in the playoffs with high usage. Suggesting not only do the Bulls not have a second option. It does leave questions on how good exactly is Rose. He is an amazing driver of the basketball. Even at his size. At least he was. We will see what he is when he is back. He doesn't have elite other tools to fall back on. Not a great shooter. Doesn't have a post game. Not really an off the ball player. I've said I think Westbrook and Rose are pretty much the same player. I think for Rose to win a championship he going to need a player at least as good as him or very close. Which is why I think the Bulls should make anyone available for the right guy.