Melo 16- If it's meant to be, it's meant to be

[Tenchi Ryu]

Whatever you want to think about "The Decision" by LeBron, at-least he did not involve his wife and kids. This Carmelo thing is not only about basketball but LaLa and his kids feelings etc...

Nothing wrong with that. Lebron's wife and kids are supported entirely by Lebron. Lala and even little Kiyan have their own things going on with her career and his Jordan Kids mini career. It's very responsible of Melo to put this in consideration.

There is a part of me which doubts if that is the reason he has not developed good defense, focus to take his team deep into the playoffs consistently even if he is very, very talented.

You lost me here...you're blaming this on his family?

[IndianPlaya17]

Whatever you want to think about "The Decision" by LeBron, at-least he did not involve his wife and kids. This Carmelo thing is not only about basketball but LaLa and his kids feelings etc...

Nothing wrong with that. Lebron's wife and kids are supported entirely by Lebron. Lala and even little Kiyan have their own things going on with her career and his Jordan Kids mini career. It's very responsible of Melo to put this in consideration.

There is a part of me which doubts if that is the reason he has not developed good defense, focus to take his team deep into the playoffs consistently even if he is very, very talented.

You lost me here...you're blaming this on his family?

Melo can't play defense because of his family!? CLASSIC!

[Chitownbulls]

Bulls negotiating w Mirotic could easily be determining what he'll take to sign and if he'll resist to go to NY/LA. Could be a facilitation for Melo S&T. Hell, Bulls can make it VERY easy on Knicks in a 3-way.

To Bulls: Melo, JR Smith.
To 3d party: Boozer, either Mirotic or picks
To Knicks: Mirotic or picks, MDJ, Snell.

Knicks actually cut salary for 2014 and 2015 and get assets for future. 3d party takes Booz and gets an asset for future. If it's LA, it even fits because Booz helps them this yr, Randle/Mirotic take over in 2015 as potential frontcourt.

Im thinking this too...all this Mirotic stuff coming out is really interesting. I think were trying to trade him.

[ingvald]

Anyone who changed their opinion on Melo to the Bulls in the past 24 hours must not have had a realistic idea of the process. Everything has happened according to what we all thought would happen. Visits, max contracts, Melo picking Bulls at a little less via S&T or super max with Knicks. Seriously guys, get a grip.

One question- was it verified that Phil wanted a verbal commitment at the meeting last night? If so, the lack of one reported bodes well for the non-Knick suitors.

[IndianPlaya17]

I'm all in favor of a 3-way. 1 dude (Bulls) and two girls (Knicks, Lakers)

[Chi]

New York Knicks Carmelo Anthony: Executive says he'll choose between the Knicks/Bulls/Rockets - (Source: Sam Amick) - http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nb ... /12182167/ …

[othawhitemeat]

I don't know what is going on, but I'm ready for this whole thing to be over. Bron - I'm sick of him - just make your dumb choice and move on - maybe he is trying to get Melo - which concerns me that teams are trying to pair Melo/Bron.

If we don't get Melo, I wish we could go after 1A) Love 1B) Dragic 1C) Alec Burks. Maybe the Jazz will take our first rounder for Burks, maybe the Suns take Mirotic for Dragic? Maybe throw in one of our picks next year.

I mean Dragic with Rose while undersized is an enticing lineup. Dragic is 6'4 and Rose is 6'3. Butler could be hybrid 2/3 off the bench. I was hoping we were going to trade Deng for Dragic back when the Rockets were trying to get rid of him. He could back up Rose too. We could resign Hinrich to be the third pg. Maybe sign Gasol with the rest of the money? Suns probably would not want to do it, but I can't imagine paying Blesoe/Dragic for the long hall.

If not Burks could probably be had and we could trade picks for him. Burks paired with McDermott/Mirotic/Rose/Noah would provide real ball-handling, shooting, passing, and I think Thibs could make him look better. I hope the Bulls have some real backup plans like this instead of just signing aging vets without any creativity. Burks could be the 2 guard we need. While not a great volume shooter, he shot at 35% from 3 this year, can handle, and defend; plus he scored 14 ppg on only 28 minutes per game. At 36 minutes that is around 18 ppg. Maybe we could get him for Butler and a pick next year. Butler while a more versatile 2/3 defensively, we need something - hoping picks and Snell could do it though. Maybe sign Gasol still

Rose/Dragic/Hinrich
Dragic/Butler/Hinrich
McDermott/Butler
Taj/Gasol?/Bairstow
Noah/Gasol/Smith?

or

Rose/backup pg (with money Augustine?)/Hinrich
Burks/Butler/Hinrich
McDermott/Butler
Taj/Gasol/Mirotic
Noah/Gasol/Smith/Bairstow

I guess there is a lot of flexibility to be really good still next year. We could get Burks and Gasol and be really tough to beat. I think Gasol on this team could be had for 8 mil a year, Burks can be had with picks and a wing such as Snell, and then you have depth galore up front. Would you want to trade Mirotic for assets cause he might not play much if we get Gasol. This team could be a championship contender if we get someone like Augustine to play backup pg. I think Burks on this team could be a stud with Thibs.

[Mech Engineer]

Whatever you want to think about "The Decision" by LeBron, at-least he did not involve his wife and kids. This Carmelo thing is not only about basketball but LaLa and his kids feelings etc...

This made me LOL. How dare Carmelo consider his wife and child's feelings.

C'mon...you know what I mean. It is very, very tough to win championships in the NBA even with all the talent in the world. Off-course, his wife and kids are important. Is LeBron neglecting his wife and kids?

But, if you overplay that aspect if you goal is winning an NBA championship, then it shows it is not all about basketball. I understand if he had to move and play in the Turkish league for 15 years.

And, don't mistake me. It's his choice and there is nothing wrong in making sure his wife and kids's choices are more important than his basketball career. But, there is also a reason only maniacally focussed guys like MJ, Kobe have won a lot of championships compared to Barkley, Shaq etc..

[IndianPlaya17]

I'm expecting my twitter to explode with the "Carmelo Anthony will sign with the Bulls" tweets in the next couple of days.

I'm just clearing tweet space right now. Maybe a S&T with Facebook. If they don't like the return, I'm going to have to get Instagram involved as a 3rd party.

[ChiefILL53]

just sittin here hittin refresh and the thread has slowed down lol

[Chitownbulls]

Anyone who changed their opinion on Melo to the Bulls in the past 24 hours must not have had a realistic idea of the process. Everything has happened according to what we all thought would happen. Visits, max contracts, Melo picking Bulls at a little less via S&T or super max with Knicks. Seriously guys, get a grip.

One question- was it verified that Phil wanted a verbal commitment at the meeting last night? If so, the lack of one reported bodes well for the non-Knick suitors.

I think all this Mirotic stuff means hes getting traded! To New York!

[IndianPlaya17]

just sittin here hittin refresh and the thread has slowed down lol

I'm doing it for Twitter and this thread.

[Peelboy]

New York Knicks Carmelo Anthony: Executive says he'll choose between the Knicks/Bulls/Rockets - (Source: Sam Amick) - http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nb ... /12182167/ …

Th fear would be that the Rockets provide a middle ground. with a $20M salary and a better team than Knicks. Worse than Bulls if her takes $16, but arguably better if they have to deal Taj.

[DroppinDimes]

When Melo makes it official and more than likely goes back to NY, I really hope this doesn't lead to FO bashing. Gar/Pax have no control on who comes here. The Bulls made the best pitch they can and that's all you can ask for. I think the FO takes too much blame when it comes to striking out on free agents. I'm critical of them with other stuff but when it comes to free agents, you can't force them to come to your team.

With that said, Happy 4th everyone!

The bashing should/will follow depending on the moves they make afterwards. Until they are able to land a significant upgrade cap flexibility needs to be a large priority. No more mistakes like Boozer. No desperate moves just to spend money, spend wisely, bid your time for the next great opportunity.

You do understand the Bulls don't have a lot of cap space and again you can't force players to come here no matter how much money you're dangling out there. When the Bulls struck out in 2010, I thought they made some very good moves afterwards. Yes they overpaid Boozer but they built probably the best bench in the league that offseason. I'm sure they will try to do the same thing again. Then FO has done a good job of building depth on the team but they are striking out on the difference makers. What I'm saying is that they shouldn't be bashed for that because that's beyond their control. You can't force guys to play for the Bulls.

Melo has been saying all year that he valued winning over money. The Bulls and Melo knew the Bulls couldn't offer a max deal. The Bulls were banking on his word and they tried to sell him on this team. It looks like he will value money over winning and that's not the fault of the FO and for that reason they shouldn't be bashed. If they lose out on Melo, they will go the route they've gone before and thats to build depth on the team. They successfully done it before and I predict that they will successfully do it again.

[Trm3]

We did a good job with Melo and if Tom was leading the discussions Melo was pretty impressed. Tom knows basketball and by far the smartest coach Melo has spoken with.

If he doesn't come it's about $$$$. I cannot be mad at that. We have still a great team to look forward to. Let's hope for McBuckets to have a great rookie season.

I agree. Whatever. I'd make it a point to beat his sorry ass team everytime to send that message of what he could have been a part of..heck, we did that last year without Rose. We need shooting now, we need to stop playing around with guys that only play D.

With Noah, Gibson, Butler, and Rose..we have the D already. Need to load up on shooters.

[isamil-]

New York Knicks Carmelo Anthony: Executive says he'll choose between the Knicks/Bulls/Rockets - (Source: Sam Amick) - http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nb ... /12182167/ …

i thought this was always the case? lol

[HINrichPolice]

Forget about LA. Focus on the chess match between the Bulls and the Knicks. How much do we give up to get Melo.

You're missing the point. LA is PART OF the NYK/CHI chess match. LA is one of the chess pieces!

[randybrown]

just sittin here hittin refresh and the thread has slowed down lol

I'm doing it for Twitter and this thread.

All eyes on Joey Chestnut

[organix85]

Man... sort of, kind of a bit off topic... but Houston would be soooooooo much better off with Bosh instead of Melo. Reading that wiretap has me thinking why they haven't gone after him already. He'd be an amazing fit. You already have Parsons... don't really need Melo. They have a huge hole at PF though. That team would be legit.

[IndianPlaya17]

just sittin here hittin refresh and the thread has slowed down lol

I'm doing it for Twitter and this thread.

All eyes on Joey Chestnut

He's a decoy like Derrick. Bulls are using him to sneak Melo into the UC to agree on the deal.