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Season Review: Brad Miller and John Salmons
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Photo courtesy of ESPN.com
February 18 is the day the Bulls season took a turn for the better.
In a deal with the Sacramento Kings, the Bulls traded Drew Gooden, Andres Nocioni, Michael Ruffin and Cedric Simmons for John Salmons and Brad Miller.
At the time of the trade, they were 23-30 and were being questioned and lauded by media, fans, general manager John Paxson and owner Jerry Reinsdorf.
With Salmons and Miller in the lineup, the Bulls went 19-15, that includes the regular season and the playoffs.
What the trade did; It took pressure of not only Derrick Rose, but leading scorer Ben Gordon as Salmons proved to be a exceptional pickup who could create his own shot and put the ball on the floor.
Luol Deng would be done for the season, six games after the deal and Salmons would move right into the starting lineup and the team didn't miss a beat on offense as he averaged 18.3 ppg in a Bulls uniform and 19.2ppg during the seven game series with the Boston Celtics.
Miller not only provided a veteran leadership, helped bring defenders out of the lane, making both Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah much more effective on the boards, became a favorite target of pick and pop with either, Rose, Gordon, or Kirk Hinrich, he also helped instill some toughness that was all but gone with the loss of Nocioni.
Miller finished the season averaging 11.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg to go along with 10.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg in the postseason.
The move also was good financially as Gordon is an unrestricted free agent this summer and Salmons and Miller are under contract until the summer of 2010, and will give them some flexibility in going after a superstar free agent.
Salmons worth is also more than what his contract dictates and I'm sure if the Bulls are unable to hold onto Gordon this offseason, than Salmons would be the starting two guard, and Deng would move right back into the starting small forward position.
Salmons can keep defenses honest by knocking down the three and help open the floor for Rose and Miller also helps by making sure the lane isn't clogged up, by bringing his man away from the rim.
It's going to be interesting to see how this team does next season with training camp beginning in London and the team working Deng back into the lineup.
There are also sure to be teams looking to trade for Miller next season because of his expiring contract. I don't expect the Bulls to make a move unless it is something very appeasing.
After the season was deemed a "disaster," and "embarassing" by chairman Reinsdorf, the move for Salmons and Miller should have expectations high once again for the Bulls going into next season.
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