Ask Sam | Sam Smith opens his mailbag | 05.17.2013

Three years ago LeBron, Wade, and Bosh set out to shape a league where there would be no serious competition to deal with. And the tighter salary cap and the plague of injuries since have now made it much worse, with everyone trying to beat them rolling out that much less talent than they were a year ago. When Miami lost to Dallas in the Finals, it gave an illusion of some parity, but it was really a freak occurrence with LeBron getting the final meltdowns out of his system. They should really be going on three championships. We hated The Decision for the vanity, but also the sense of unfairness to so many places that love basketball that multiple titles were about to be wasted on a city that could care less. Fans can be really proud of this year’s Bulls team, but in the big picture it was all waiting for Rose. There should be a hell of a showdown looming next year with him back, with unfinished business from the 2011 Playoffs. LeBron’s the best out there, but Chicago is the one team he looks human against, where he gets his 30 but a lot of times it doesn’t mean his team wins. Wade is now dropping off, and soon Rose is going to be the one with more help. It was very hard missing two chances at a title to this ACL. Credit Rose for taking his time and doing it right and not risking being the next Gilbert Arenas or Penny Hardaway. Durant and Paul and Curry are great players and a lot of fun to watch, but it’s going to be up to Rose and this Bulls team to take down Miami. Can’t wait for next season.
Rory Butterly

As a fan I'm very proud of what the Bulls did as an organization this season. The player's really stepped up and the coaching staff was phenomenal. I can only hope that the team can [retain] Nate Robinson and Marco Belinelli. It's obvious that the cap situtation will make this harder, but who do you think will be back and what type of player(s) do you think the Bulls will be targeting this coming draft? I personally think the Bulls need to replace Asik. Jeff Withey, Kansas Univeristy sounds like a solid pick.
Stan Ross

I can see Nate going to the Nets. They lack passion and heart and always seem like they are just playing because that's what they are paid to. No emotion. CJ is expiring.
Mike Sutera

Do you think Thibs blew Game 3 by not putting in Rip? Rip obviously could have helped the team and Teague was little help. Also, Marco and Nate were so exhausted that they couldn't close out the game.
Megan Wong

It really bothered me that the Bulls team as a whole showed Detroit type sportsmanship in not shaking hands and such. Jokim saying that he hates these guys. Really, you hate LeBron? C'mon you hate John Starks or you hate KD, but LeBron? Its something like the Rodman theory, that you hate them until they're your thugs. If we turn into the Knicks of old I'll stop caring. I didn't think it was that bad until I talked to some friends not from Chicago, and they thought we played dirty.
Tom Golden

My friend just came to me hyped up because he heard a trade was in the talks of Jimmy Butler and Booz for Kevin Love. Is that a realistic trade or just a rumor? And regardless of its credibility, do you think it would be a good trade for the Bulls? Jimmy's one of my favorite players and outstanding on defense, and Boozer is very good too, but Kevin Love is one of the best players in the league.
Scott Newcomb

If memory serves me correct, we traded Kyle Korver last season for a trade exception worth up to $5.1 million, right? Now I don't know all the rules that apply towards trade exceptions, but is this something that we can maybe use to keep either Nate or Marco? Don't we have limited time to use it before it expires anyway?
Kevin Hero

What are the chances you think the players listed below will be on the Bulls roster next season? Tony Allen, JJ Redick, Manu Ginobili, Corey Brewer, Kyle Korver, Shawn Marion, Corey Maggette, Brandon Rush, Matt Barnes, DeJuan Blair, Mike Dunleavy, Chris 'Birdman' Andersen, Metta World Peace, Lamar Odom, Jason Collins
Tony Keitel

It was a tough, but great run by this depleted Bulls team. There are many questions that are going to be asked. Do we sign Deng to an extension and if we can't or choose not to don't we have to explore trade options? I know this trade might not sound great at first but I think this trade would be good for the Bulls. Bulls trade Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng to toronto for Rudy Gay and Andreas Bargnani. Offensively Gay is a much better threat than Deng. Yes Deng's defense is great but I don't think there will be much of a drop off putting Gay into Thibs system. Bargnani is a 7' that can score inside and out. The knock on him is his defense but can it be that much of a drop off Boozer. At least he's 7' and can bother shots like Pau in Los Angeles.
Rocky Rosado

I have always been a Boozer supporter, but do you see a trade with the Nets of Humphries for Boozer possible? The Nets obviously get the better player in the deal. Pairing Boozer with Williams again will benefit both of them and give the Nets a stronger front court. The Bulls will get a decent rental in Humphries' expiring contract, and can move Taj into the starting lineup. While getting out from under Boozer's deal without having to eat most of his contract by amnesting him.
Sergio Faci

I hope the best for Shumpert. Maybe now the Rose critics will stop talking. Just because a Dr. clears you doesn’t mean you’re 100%. I had surgery on both Achilles, JUST a clean up of the tendon because of chronic tendinosis. Six months later I was cleared to go back at work. I was not the same! It still took another full year to feel somewhat normal and to be able to workout. About two years later I was finally pain and setback free and felt normal again! I realize Rose has better medical care than I did, but still. He had a serious injury! Good for him for putting his health first!
Victor Devaldivielso

What a unique season. I can't say it was a success because successful seasons should end with a championship and I am pretty sure Thibs would agree with that. This team was all Thibodeau. He had this team giving it a 100%. I do not give any credit to the organization besides them extending Thibs contract. To them this was a waste of a year and they just looked for bargain basement pieces and let go of a proven bench mob.
Tippu Khan

What an effort by this team. So much heart, so much toughness, they're an inspiration to us all. By far my favorite Bulls team of the last 15 years. I'm extremely proud of this team, and I'm sure so are most Bulls fans.
Al Mirza