Is It Time to Bring Back Taj?
While much has been debated about if the Bulls should look to bring back Derrick Rose, there is another former Bulls player that the front office should consider signing in free agency.
It’s no secret that the Bulls biggest priority is at point guard. With Kris Dunn unable to solidify his place as a member of the Bulls core, the front office is focused on upgrading the lead guard position through the draft, free agency or trade.
While the Bulls biggest need is undeniably at the point, there need for a back up big man shouldn’t be overlooked. When the Bulls acquired small forward Otto Porter Jr. from the Washington Wizards via trade, they did so by unloading their two back up power forwards in Bobby Portis and Jabari Parker. Trading for Porter Jr. was absolutely the right move, but it left the Bulls without a true back up for Lauri Markkanen, and a shortage of big men.
Photo: chicagotribune.com
With the Bulls being one of the youngest teams in the NBA, VP of basketball operations John Paxson has expressed the desire to bring in some veteran players, to help the young Bulls to develop a winning mentality and some toughness. Luckily for the Bulls their happens to be a veteran free agent power forward on the market, who is as tough as they come, and one the Bulls know quite well.
Taj Gibson is everything the Bulls need in a veteran back up, he’s the ultimate teammate, who comes in and does his job every night. As Bulls commentator Stacey King has said, Taj brings his “hard hat and lunch pale” every day. Even though he would have be a starter on most teams, and should have started for the Bulls over Carlos Boozer. Gibson never complained, he is a no maintenance player, that any team would be lucky to have.
Photo: pintrest.com
Taj has been through a lot with the Bulls, from having the best record in the NBA, and competing in the Eastern Conference Finals, to the seasons consumed by injuries to DRose, to the rise of Jimmy Butler, and the mangled Three Alpha Era. Taj has experienced it all and was loved by each one of his teammates, he’s a glue guy, who does all the little things, that go unnoticed on the scoreboard. The Bulls who rank close to the bottom of the league in defense would also benefit from Taj’s presence on that end of the floor. Can you imagine a defensive line up consisting of Otto, Taj, and Wendell Carter Jr.? Good luck to the opposing team trying to score on that!
Taj no doubt would be able to teach a few defensive tricks to Markkanen and Carter but lets also not forget that Taj is no slouch on offense, and he is a player that would not create a liability when Markkanen needs a breather.
Photo: chicagotribune.com
With his veteran savvy, leadership skills, and offensive and defensive fundamentals, Taj certainly seems like the perfect player to bring back into the fold. Time will tell if GarPax realizes that they need to bring Taj home.
Featured Images: sportsmockery.com, pintrest.com, chicagotribune.com
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