July 1, 2009

55 million??? Dollars???

In a move sure to generate much rending of garments and gnashing of teeth, Ben Gordon will be leaving the Bulls to sign with the Detroit Pistons.

Then again, maybe not. About the garment rending and teeth gnashing, that is; Gordon is definitely going to leave. But check out this highly-scientific chicagotribune.com poll:
After five years with the Bulls, Ben Gordon has agreed to a free-agent deal with the rival Pistons. Will you miss him?

Yes, he was the Bulls' leading scorer (1551 responses)

43.6%

No, he was too streaky and wanted too much money (2010 responses)

56.4%

Oops, I stand corrected, as apparently the results of an internet poll are not scientific. Thanks Tribune! I was about to come up with an alternative to the internal combustion engine based on your poll's findings, but now I realize that would be folly, as its results are not scientific. I do wish you'd have put the disclaimer before the poll, because I was mislead about its scientific legitimacy for a good 6, 7 seconds.

Anyway... Apparently, most people -- at least those who immediately go to chicagotribune.com/sports upon hearing this sort of news -- didn't want Gordon back at those terms (5 years, $55 million). Good for them, as that was the exact position I took in yesterday's post. With Gordon gone, the Bulls should have enough flexibility to pursue at least one serious player during next summer's free agent bonanza, which will provide them with an opportunity to jump into the elite. Even if they come up empty, just the chance to do so is worth losing Gordon over, especially at those insane terms.

Now the Bulls have just two players signed to non-rookie contracts that extend beyond next year: Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng. If I were building a franchise, there is no doubt that I would pick Gordon before Hinrich or Deng. He is the most desirable player because he does one thing -- score -- so exceptionally well. But two factors led to his demise as a Bull: 1. Between his lack of height, defense, and a willingness to pass the ball, Gordon was not a good fit next to Derrick Rose. 2. The other two guys were already under contract. In the current climate, both would be very difficult to move without taking back either some equally lousy contracts or far lesser players.

While it is lamentable for the Bulls to lose their leading scorer in each of the last four seasons without any compensation, such is the nature of free agency. Any sign-and-trade involving Gordon likely would have eliminated most of the Bulls' 2010 offseason flexibility, so they had little choice but to let him walk. He had a good (but not great) Bulls career, and I really enjoyed watching him, as for a time he was my favorite player. But with the drafting of Rose, the relationship had run its course, and it was time for Ben and the franchise to go their separate ways. Good luck, BG. Please do not learn how to handle the ball, play defense, or be unselfish while in Motown, for I prefer my garments unrended, and my teeth gnash-free.

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