D-Wade to Chicago!!!

[SSJPhenom]

As if KD going to Golden State wasn't shocking enough, D-Wade has decided to sign with the Chicago Bulls for 2 years.

Really can't blame Wade. He was treated like shit by the Heat organization. Taking pay cut after pay cut and then when it finally came time for Wade to get some love from the Heat financially, they hold out on him in hopes of getting KD and then they sign Whiteside on a 4 year max ahead of Wade. They also told Whiteside that he'd have to take a pay cut for KD but not for Wade. I understand that Wade is 34 and he's not as good as he once was but he's better than Whiteside and he deserved more respect from the Heat than that.

The Bulls, on the other hand, have gotten Robin Lopez, Wade, and Rondo and let's not forget they still have Butler. They could be very competitive in the east this coming season.

 

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Not competitive enough. Robin Lopez. Meh. Rajon Rondo is a problem child and has no outside shot. Wade isn't great from outside either, is injury prone (has been for a long time) and pushes their best player, Butler, into SF when he's usually a SG.

 

[Poop Master Flex]

I'm all for Wade going to Chicago, I mean it's better than not having Wade in Chicago. Rondo still has it in him to be a top PG if he can just keep his head on straight and with the right players he could make a huge difference but it's also a situation where Rondo will either pay out big or will fuck up big, there's no middle ground for that guy but the Bulls fan in me is optimistic at this point. I don't expect them to make the NBA finals or anything but they could at least make things interesting around Chicago for a few seasons.

My biggest worry is definitely health issues but then again that's been plaguing the Bulls organization for the last 5 years so all in all they certainly helped their situation, albeit temporarily. If Chicago's new big 3 can stay healthy than the Bulls could become a very formidable team in the east but at this point that's a pretty big if.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

There's no stopping the Bulls from winning the 2011 title now!

I don't get it. I guess this will sell some more tickets and help them if they have a local TV deal coming up but it seems to go completely against what they seemed to be trying to do with the whole Hoiberg's guys/Jimmy's Team along with where the league seems to be going with pace and space. I'm not sure where this leaves Portis and McDermott. Dunleavy is rumored to be gone as well so there goes a shooter, not that he was much to get excited about during his tenure.

It just seems to be a grab for mediocrity or the evil conspiracy theorist in me is speculating that Chicago is the place the Banana Boat crew is setting up to make a home.

 

[Khalifa]

It's a sad situation for both sides. Never did I think he would leave the Heat but that's the business. This kind of makes me think what could of happened with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers for his final contract. That contract definitely killed us during that period but I couldn't of imagined Kobe suiting up with another jersey and quite frankly it worked out because we have a young core of 5 with 2 young good role players if they all live up to their potential. Heat fans on the other end of it and not liking it and rightfully so.

As for Chicago, I'm not sure they make the Rondo signing if they knew Wade was coming over, though Rondo probably gave that extra appeal to Chicago for Wade. Not sure how this team works out. Butler moves back to the 3 but I think he is just such a beast and the Bulls would be better having him as the 2 for the next 10 years, but that spot is probably Wades for the near future. No spacing at all and now what Chicago always seemed to have an advantage over other teams on, their big men, they don't anymore. Robin Lopez is cool player but not someone I would bank on dominating the other big man. The thing that's even funnier is that Chicago gave up two of its best shooters to get Wade in Calderon and Dunleavy. I still think it's a decent team though. Sure there isn't much spacing but Chicago has kind of always been like that. It just means they are going to have to grind it out and play old school, which I am going to love.

I still think Cavs, Raptors, Hawks, Celtics and Pacers are better than the Bulls so I expect them to be fighting for the 6th/8th seed if everything goes to plan.

Just going back to that Dwade/Kobe comparison though. It's funny Kobe gets called one of the most selfish people ever for taking that money and no one is ripping on Dwade for wanting more money/years. Kobe was coming off a major injury but he was still playing better than what Wade was before that. Not that I think Wade is selfish for doing what he did, just can see the similarities.

 

[BestSportsEntertainer]

Wow. Just wow. If one thing in the NBA was certain, it's that Dwyane Wade would always play for the Heat until he retires. Well apparently not as Wade has signed with the Bulls. I'm not exactly sure why he left. I guess he wanted more money and maybe he felt disrespected. The Heat did prioritize Whiteside and Durant over Wade, and Pat Riley reportedly never even met with Wade this off-season, so I can understand that. It's still shocking though.

Obviously losing Wade is bad, but the Heat still have Dragic. If Bosh can stay healthy, Whiteside can stay out of trouble, and Winslow can take the next step, then maybe they can be fairly competitive. That's a big if though. I'm predicting they won't make the playoffs.

Meanwhile the Bulls are looking okay I guess. This is still Butler's team, according to Rondo, so look for him to elevate his game. Rondo needs to stay out of trouble though, and I doubt that will happen. They also lack big men, considering they only have Lopez. Still they are in the East, so they will probably make the playoffs. Wade is 34, but he can still play. If he can stay healthy and average 20, then I can see them being the 5th-8th seed.