Ask Sam | Sam Smith opens his mailbag | 12.30.11

I found a fascinating article/conspiracy theory from Yahoo Sports. It basically postulates that Dwight Howard won't go to Chicago because Adidas doesn't want its superstar pitchmen in the same market. It's the best explanation I've heard about why Chicago isn't on Howard's list. What do you think? Brian Moore

I wonder if you read the news about T-Mac hypothesizing about Howard's options: 1. He says Howard playing with Williams on the Nets will not win a title. 2. T-Mac thinks Howard should go to Chicago - because Rose + Howard in Chicago would lead to a championship. T-Mac agrees with you that Chicago should be a destination for Howard if Howard was intent on winning titles. 3. T-Mac thinks Dallas would be best for Howard - with Dirk+Howard, and then Deron Williams also going to Dallas (with another team somehow taking on Shawn Marion's contract). Here, there are numerous problems - like how Dallas would get the cap space to sign Howard & Williams. So Howard might need to consider staying in Orlando, T-Mac says. How do you see Howard's status playing out in 2012? LongGiang Le

Kobe. Is this guy serious? Every single time he steps onto the court, he has some kind of broken bone to hold him down. Yet he hangs off the rim with completely torn ligaments in his wrist, and did not have a single issue shooting the ball - but said he couldn't flex it properly. I have no doubt it was sore - I saw the game when he injured it, but torn ligaments - I doubt very much. I think he loves to exaggerate every injury so he can be seen as the toughest guy in the league - or if he does have a bad game, then he can cover himself. Daniel George

After Boozer’s performance against LA, it looks as if things aren't going to change. How about Kevin Garnett. Him being a free agent after this year, is there any chance we amnesty Boozer and sign KG for 3 years? Maybe even convincing KG and Ray Allen to come to Chicago splitting Boozers salary whatever way they please? Matt Marconi

I have been one of the people that stand firmly behind Boozer and believe that he will be an All Star caliber player this year. That being said, while we all know he won't be a defensive stalwart, I didn't think he would be so passive on offense. I love his face up jumpers, but not every single time. He is better with a bulldog attitude and using that nice arsenal of hook shots, drop steps and hard drives on a quick hitter. Above all else though, the thing that bothered me the most was his positioning in the warriors game. I can remember about 4-5 plays when he was in the post and failed to seal his man, thus allowing them to slip behind/in front of him for an easy steal. I still have faith that he will be the player we think he is but I've had about enough of his passive/indifferent/lackadaisical attitude on the court. Do the coaches ever get in his face about this? Kevin J. Loughlin

I wonder, do you cheer for the Bulls when you watch them or do you sit stoically and analyze the game? Alex Green

Are you impressed by Nikola Mitocic winning the Euroleague MVP and what kind of timeline do you foresee in his future with the Bulls? Could you see the Bulls trying to get him involved sooner rather than later? Tim Koncel

There's been the question lately of how aggressive Rose needs to be. But isn't that the Catch 22 with this team, one that Rose seemed to come into the season realizing? If Rose carries so much of the burden, he eventually will wear down or in any event won't be enough on his own to get by good teams in the playoffs; as was the case last year. But if he were able to take a step back and facilitate more, and if the offense functioned more effectively on a holistic level, the team as a whole might be able to get over the hump. Based on the first couple of games, it looks like the latter might not be possible, which doesn't bode well for the Bulls' championship prospects this season. Coming into the season, I thought (and from reading your columns it seems like you thought) that the addition of Hamilton would enable Rose to facilitate more and for the Bulls to play a better team game on offense, thus improving their chances for ultimate success. I'm not sure I feel that way anymore. Has your opinion changed? Mark Bala

What are thoughts about the current lineup? i know its early days in a rushed season but watching how the heat are playing it seams as tho 'a scorer' in rip hamilton may not cut it this year....i agree with you and greg anthony that we have the most complete team in the nba and i really do like an experienced winner like rip on the bulls but it doesnt necessarily help rose a whole lot by adding pretty much what theyve got already... would u say w that the bulls are done about the oj mayo idea? Steve Lewis

You openly criticized Rose's defense against Golden State. I was wondering what are your thoughts on his defense overall. I see him as a very inconsistent defender who has some good nights, but the same number or more of bad nights. Can he ever become a difference maker on defense like say Dwyane Wade. Peter Gountanis

The second unit don't have a go-to scorer. You know who would be worthy of this bunch of guys, though? Jamison. That guy is hilarious to watch with his bottomless bag of tricks. I don't know how he gets along, but as a fan I'd love to see Bulls pick this guy up and put him on the second unit in hopes that he'd work out. Pete Zievers

Do you think the Bulls should sign Nate Robinson? I think we could use him as a spark off our bench, I feel like we need a guy that could come off the bench and create there own shot. Korver/Watson are catch and shoot guys and Brewer should never even touch the ball unless he under the hoop. I think Robinson would be a great fit with our team coming off the bench. Keith Mikhail

I always like to play the what if game, say the bulls never pull off the miracle of drafting d rose at a basically 1% chance, who do we end up drafting that year, and what would our situation be now? Rocky Sansone

Finances aside, would you trade Rose for LeBron if Miami was willing? Jay Choi

I know this may be a bit of a knee jerk question, but I was watching the Celtics/Heat game last night and saw the Celts slow down the Heatles by playing zone. Considering how successful the zone was against them during the Finals do you know if Thibs thought about using it some this year? And as a follow up: would it even be possible to get the team up to speed with a zone in this year of limited practice time? Doug Ganley

I heard that we drafted Norris Cole in the draft and we traded him. Who did we trade him for? Do you think we should have kept him on our roster, because he looks promising. Ricky Tots

Lately I have read of a lot of fans calling for Korver and Gibson to start. Is this a possibility? Payson Vlune

Who are the top 3 FA signings for the Bulls since MJ era? Is it: 1. Boozer - 20/10 guy when healthy, was an all-star 2. Hamilton - 18 ppg guy when younger, don't need the ball to be effective, won a ring with the Pistons 3. Brad Miller - yes, he didn't become an all star until his Pacers/Kings days, but he was a good center. I omitted Ron Mercer and Brent Barry for obvious reasons. Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver, C.J. Watson? Ben Wallace was already past his prime when he came over here. Abram Bachtiar

I watched that game between the Heat and Celtics. I found it funny what Steve Kerr said during the game about the Celtics trying to play small ball this year realizing that the team to beat is the Heat, and not the Lakers with their big front line, therefore trading/giving away their bigs from last year. On the contrary, I believe if the Celtics had K. Perkins in the post, Wade and Lebron would think twice before driving full force to the basket. I believe the Bulls and Thunder are the best equipped to beat the Heat because of their big front line and shot blocking ability. Bobby Grbevski

I just read you writing that Dirk was "not really" a star in one of your letter responses. I literally had to stop reading the article to write you this e-mail. Did you watch anyone other then the Bulls in the playoffs last year? I just think you went a little too far by suggesting that Dirk is not a star. Only stars do what he did all through the playoffs... it doesn't matter what you do before or after. I'm just saying that I would watch how Rose-centric you are if you really think that Dirk is not a star. Ben Reeve

I'm a little confused about the amnesty rule, is it once a season, or is it a one time amnesty for a team, and only during certain points in time? Also, you placed the Pacers at 4 on the rankings, and i thought they might have looked a little immature in their preseason game against the Bulls, Are you sure they can beat out the more disciplined teams in the East? Jason Kuang

I'm looking at the list of remaining centers, to see if the Bulls can find a cheap veteran to fill the role Kurt Thomas played last season, to be a mentor to Omer, and to provide some minutes, and the three best possibilities are narrowed down to Joel Pryzbilla, Etan Thomas, and Theo Ratliff. I personally like Ratliff for the bulls because he is a great shot blocker, and may be able to provide that veteran leadership Kurt Thomas did last season. Is Omer the man backing up Joakim, or do you see the bulls signing Pryzbilla, Etan Thomas, or Ratliff? Vince Kabat

I just wanted to say I went to Northbrook mall earlier this week to meet the bulls players and I walked away very impressed. I got to say hi to Scal and boozer along with a signature on my evolution basketball and even got a picture with both. I hope other nba players are as loving to their fans as ours (though probably not). Heck I even got a high five from derrick on his way out so that was a bonus. I think it's awesome as well that Brian has such a great sense of humor with fans. He went out of his way to take pictures with people that weren't able to get wristbands because they were in wheelchairs and the like. All in all I walked away from the event proud to say the players we have at the united center wear the bulls uniform. Jordan Flack

I realize that the Golden State was a team problem, but can we start hating Boozer again? Jatin Patel