CHICAGO BULLS OFF-SEASON REPORT: Joakim Noah Headed To The New York Knicks When Free Agency Begins Tomorrow

Chicago Bulls' front office had already known for a while that Joakim Noah would not be resigning with the Chicago Bulls.

However, after Derrick Rose was traded to the New York Knicks  a day before the NBA Draft, recent rumors surfaced this week that Derrick Rose was actively recruiting Joakim Noah to his new team.

It seems that his efforts will be successful.

After initially being linked to the Washington Wizards, possibly in an attempt to build a better case for attracting Kevin Durant to Washington, the 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year is now strongly rumored to be signing with the New York Knicks when NBA Free Agency opens tomorrow.

BITTERSWEET to finally see the Big Three of Carmelo Anthony, Joakim Noah, and Derrick Rose challenge Lebron and the Cleveland Cavaliers. It just won't be in Chicago.

The move will put together the rumored 2014 Chicago Bulls Big Three in New York, joining Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose, and Carmelo Anthony.

The Chicago Bulls, after completing a disappointing 2015-16 season where they missed the playoffs under new head coach Fred Hoiberg and badly missed preseason expectations of challenging the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference, have been forced into rebuilding due to the imminent departures of Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol in free agency.

Both All-Star big men want to play for a contender, and they believed their best option was to leave.

This plunged the Bulls into a "restructuring" effort that began with sending Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks last week, and the Chicago Bulls have reportedly had advanced discussions about dealing Taj Gibson, as well as, Jimmy Butler.

It is bittersweet, especially the off-season after watching the Cleveland Cavaliers win the NBA Championship, to finally see the Chicago Bulls Big Three of 2014, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Carmelo Anthony, come together to challenge Lebron James and the Cavs in the Eastern Conference. However, to watch them come together on the New York Knicks with all three players two years older feels like a great injustice to the fans in Chicago.

I, for one, will welcome any team that will meaningfully challenge the Cavaliers in the East, and I will probably root for Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose, the hometown kid, if he wins a ring. He gave the Chicago Bulls many great moments, one incredible season, and the chance to dream of NBA Championships.

What do you think about Joakim Noah joining Derrick Rose and Carmelo Anthony on the New York Knicks in free agency? How will they fair against the Cleveland Cavaliers? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Mirotic Will Make Chicago Bulls Fans Forget About Carmelo Anthony

Despite being spurned by their top free agent target of the summer, no front office or fans are more excited and anxious to get the NBA season started than those of the Chicago Bulls.

Why?

Because, although they didn't get Carmelo Anthony, or any other max contract free agents, they accomplished the task of putting together a strong and deep roster with one of the best front lines in basketball.

So, although the NBA has been edging toward pushing small-ball throughout the league, it doesn't change the fact that teams will still need to rebound and defend to win in the playoffs and the NBA Finals.

That lack of frontline size and rebounding helped limit the Miami Heat to a 50% win percentage in the last 4 NBA Finals.

So, going into the 2014-15 NBA season with a frontline of Pau Gasol, Taj Gibson, Nikola Mirotic, Cameron Bairstow, and 2014 Defensive Player of the Year, Joakim Noah, the Chicago Bulls have one of the best and deepest frontlines in the NBA.

And much of that would not have been possible if the Bulls had dedicated all their cap space to acquiring Carmelo Anthony.

Instead of the "dream scenario" of getting Melo, the Chicago Bulls persuaded Pau Gasol that they had the best shot of winning an NBA Championship now (ahead of other Pau suitors San Antonio and Oklahoma City).

But just as important was having the cap space to sign 2011 NBA Draft Pick Nikola Mirotic.

The former Spanish League and Spanish Cup MVP has often been referred to as the best basketball player (until now) not in the NBA.

While he was on the Waddle and Silvy Show on ESPN Radio last week, Gar Forman revealed that the Chicago Bulls had multiple offers to exchange Mirotic for top 10 picks in this summer's NBA Draft.

The 6' 10", 23 year old Mirotic has, by more than a few scouts and front office personnel familiar with his game, been tabbed as a talent that would have gone in the Top 4 in this year's highly touted NBA Draft Class, so the decision to hold onto Mirotic rather than move his rights to open up cap space for free agents may prove to be the smartest long term decision that was made this summer.

Mirotic's mature game, size, and potential to improve against elite competition makes him one of the most intriguing and, possibly, the move that pays the most dividends in the immediate and long-term.

The Chicago Bulls front office of Gar Forman and John Paxson have once again reloaded the team with Championship-calibre talent and depth, and Bulls' fans are looking forward to seeing another deep playoff run, possibly to the NBA championship.

Do you BULL-ieve? Let us know in the comments below!

Support Chicago Bulls Center Joakim Noah For Best NBA Player 2014 ESPY Award

Joakim Noah has had an incredible 2013-14 season.

After resurrecting the Bulls' playoff run following the trade sending Luol Deng to Cleveland, the Chicago Bulls big man led the undermanned team to the 4th Seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

For his efforts, the voters had him in contention for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, and he was named Defensive Player of the Year.

2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah with Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Noah was named to the All-Defensive First Team and was honored as an All-NBA First Team selection at Center.

Oh, and lets not forget that he is in part responsible for helping to recruit Carmelo Anthony to the Chicago Bulls, which seems to be going pretty well.

Now, our beloved Joakim Noah is in contention for the 2014 ESPY Award for Best NBA Player.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO VOTE NOW!

As they say in Chicago, vote early and vote often!

Let's help Joakim win the ESPY Award!

VOTE NOW!

Carmelo To Chicago Bulls: Championship Seems To Be Melo's Focus

Carmelo Anthony made it official today; he has officially opted out of the $23.3M final year of his contract with the New York Knicks, and he will be an unrestricted free-agent when the free agent signing period opens July 1st.

Carmelo Anthony officially opted out of the $23.3M final year of his New York Knicks contract today.

With the move, speculation that Chicago is the best and most likely landing spot for Melo is once again resonating all over the sporting world. The move would change the NBA landscape and make the Chicago Bulls the favorite to win the Eastern Conference.

And in lieu of the complete domination of the Miami Heat at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs, the off-season holds several questions for the Miami Big 3 and the franchise moving forward.

The stability of the Chicago Bulls, adding only Melo (and possibly the Spanish League MVP, Mirotic), would probably be strong favorites over the Miami Heat, even as they are currently constructed due to disappearance of Chris Bosh on the NBA Finals stage and the clear decline of Dwayne Wade. Shane Battier has already stated that he will retire from the NBA this summer, and Ray Allen has been considering retirement as well.

Chicago is coming off of a strong season despite the early loss of Derrick Rose to knee injury and the trade of Luol Deng to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Fueled by the best defense in the NBA, Chicago grabbed the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference with an unlikely post-All-Star Game run that was among the best in the NBA. Joakim Noah was awarded the Defensive Player of the Year honors, and Noah and Jimmy Butler were named to the All-Defensive Team.

The Bulls run was finally ended in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs by the high-powered Washington Wizards. Chicago was exposed for their inability to generate consistantly on the offensive end when they needed to.

Many consider Carmelo Anthony to be the missing piece to a Chicago Bulls NBA Championship team. His dominance on the offensive end of the floor balances and complements the Chicago Bulls' dominant defense.

It is clear that in deciding to opt out of his current contract, Melo has considered the possibility of his being the missing piece to a Chicago Bulls NBA Championship, having made Chicago one of his top free agent destinations.

With time, we will have a chance to see if all those minds were right about Melo in Chicago, when he models his first NBA Championship ring.

Do you think Carmelo Anthony is the missing piece to a Chicago Bulls NBA Championship? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Chicago Bulls Honored With Two Making NBA's All-Defensive Team

The All-Defensive Teams for the NBA were announced, and the top defensive team of the 2013-14 NBA season was honored with two selections.

Jimmy Butler and DPOY Joakim Noah were each voted to the All-Defensive Second and First Team, respectively.

Joakim Noah, the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year, was the leading vote-getter for the All-Defensive First Team with 105 votes.

Third year shooting-guard, Jimmy Butler, was named to the All-Defensive Second Team with 29 first-team votes.

In his Defensive Player of the Year speech, Noah accepted the award as a "team award", recognizing Head Coach Tom Thibodeau and his Bulls teammates as making winning the award possible, however it was more than just the scheme that continues to place the Bulls' defense among the best in the league each season.

Noah, who appeared in 80 of 82 regular-season games, ranked sixth in the NBA in rebounding (11.3 per game) and 12th in blocks (1.51), as well as adding 1.24 steals. He was just one of three players (joining the Pistons’ Andre Drummond and the Pelicans’ Anthony Davis) to average at least 10 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals, as the Bulls held opposing teams to a .430 field-goal percentage, the second-best mark in the league.

Noah's efforts continue to make him arguably the best all-around center in the league.

After having a great playoff series last season against Lebron James and the Miami Heat, Jimmy butler was named the starting shooting guard at the start of the season. Butler continued his great defensive play in the new starting role, posting 4.9 RPG (3rd among SG), 0.5 BPG (3rd among SG), and 1.9 SPG (4th in NBA) during the 2013-14 campaign to earn his spot on the All-Defensive Second Team.

The NBA's stingiest defense also garnered votes for Taj Gibson and Kirk Hinrich, who each earned two first-team votes apiece.

Behind Joakim Noah, the All-Defensive First Team was rounded out by the Pacers’ Paul George, Clippers' point guard Chris Paul, the Thunder’s Serge Ibaka, and the Warriors’ Andre Iguodala.

Joining Jimmy Butler on the All-Defensive Second Team were the Heat’s LeBron James, the Rockets’ Patrick Beverley, the Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard, and the Pacers’ Roy Hibbert.

Give a shout out to our boys, Joakim Noah and Jimmy Butler, on making the NBA's All-Defensive Team in the comments below!

Carmelo To Chicago Bulls: Bulls Must Be Greedy To Secure New Dynasty

The Chicago Bulls have been described as a lot of things: tough, blue-collar, gritty.

But this summer, the Chicago Bulls must be one thing to ensure that they will exceed all competition next season, and that is: greedy.

Carmelo to Chicago would mark the start of a New Chicago Bulls Basketball Dynasty.

While many sensible trades have been floated that have the Bulls parting with draft picks and Mirotic to secure getting Carmelo Anthony in a sign and trade from the New York Knicks, the Bulls have to be GREEDY.

The way the Lakers have been greedy in getting Dwight Howard from Orlando.

The way the Celtics have been greedy in getting Kevin Garnett from Minnesota.

The way the Lakers have been greedy in getting Shaquille O'Neal from Orlando.

The way the Miami Heat thumbed their noses at collusion rules and greedily got Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh in one summer.

The Bulls must be just as greedy.

The New York Knicks pain must be the Bulls' gain, and Carmelo must force his way out of town to only one destination: CHICAGO.

No other team sets Carmelo Anthony up to win a championship next year the way Chicago does, and now with Phil Jackson essentially saying to Melo, "You need to take a pay cut to stay in New York," the Knicks only advantage (the ability to pay Melo more than other teams) is off the table.

Carmelo Anthony will be in a Chicago Bulls uniform next season.

But the question is: what will the Bulls give up to make it happen?

The answer: as little as possible.

After Phil Jackson's statements regarding Melo's "promise" to take less money, it became very clear that despite being a very capable poker player, Jackson wasn't holding any cards.

Now, the Chicago Bulls front office must have a plan as to how little they will give up to bring Melo to Chicago and stick to it.

Here is my suggestion for how greedy the Bulls must be with their offer:

1. The Bulls must keep Taj Gibson (Joakim Noah has already said that losing Taj is not an option in a Melo to Chicago deal).
2. The Bulls must keep the rights to Mirotic (it helps that the Spanish League MVP has said that he wants to play for the Bulls).
3. The Bulls must keep at least one of this year's first round draft picks; draft picks in other years may be offered (Chicago must have a player in this year's deep draft to develop before they perennially draft in the last few slots in each round).
4. Carmelo must sign in the $15 to 18 million range (understanding that Chicago is a major market for big advertising dollars and presents the potential opportunity for international marketing deals at least as good as New York).
5. The Knicks must take Boozer's expiring contract (using the amnesty clause on Boozer's deal will not eliminate the cap hit from his deal, only reduce it).

While it may seem harsh, it would actually get New York back on track with draft picks (maybe one this season and one in 2016, or the Sacramento First Rounder), as well as, cap space next summer to bring in young stars from the free agent class of 2015 (LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo, Kyrie Irving, etc.) to rebuild the New York Knicks franchise. Keeping Melo would be a win now move that the rest of the Knicks roster is not built for.

The Chicago Bulls front office deserves a lot of credit for the great players and coaches they have brought in and the great culture that they have fostered. However, they must get greedy with this summer's opportunity to add an elite scorer to a team that already boasts the NBA's best defense and the Defensive Player of the Year.

Being greedy this summer could mean building a dynasty and a legacy in Chicago Sports that rivals the Michael Jordan era, if the Chicago Bulls can play their cards right.

How good could a starting line-up of Rose-Butler-MELO-Gibson-Noah be? How would that starting five stack up against Oklahoma City, Los Angeles Clippers, or Miami? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah Named DPOY For 2013-2014 NBA Season

The Chicago Bulls captured the first award of the 2013-2014 NBA Season as Joakim Noah was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Sunday evening, the league made the official announcement that the Chicago Bulls' Center, Joakim Noah, was the winner of the award, presented by the league and corporate sponsor, Kia Motors.

The trophy presentation took place on Monday with Bulls GM Gar Forman, Head Coach Tom Thibodeau, and Joakim Noah's family in attendence.

After receiving the award, Jo made a heartfelt speech which honored his teammates, Coach Thibs, and his basketball influences, including his mentor, Tyrone Green, who recently passed.

Noah, 29, averaged 12.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals this season for Chicago, including 4 Triple-Doubles.

But as was acknowledged several times during the trophy presentation, Joakim's impact goes beyond individual numbers.

The numbers that may have put Joakim over the top in the voting were his role in making the Chicago Bulls the NBA's best defense (once again) and the 48 wins the Chicago Bulls were able to get despite no Derrick Rose and the trade of Luol Deng.

Here is video of the Defensive Player of the Year trophy presentation and Joakim's acceptance speech:

Here are all the top vote-getters and their final vote count for DPOY:

Joakim Noah: 555
Roy Hibbert: 166
DeAndre Jordan: 121
Serge Ibaka: 79
Andre Iguodala: 47
LeBron James: 31
Paul George: 30
Anthony Davis: 25
Dwight Howard: 25
Andrew Bogut: 11
Kawhi Leonard: 9
P.J. Tucker: 6
Tim Duncan: 5
Chris Paul: 5
Trevor Ariza: 4
Marc Gasol: 4
Patrick Beverley: 2

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