Bulls Explain The Plan To Stay Competitive, Which Includes Counting On Rajon Rondo
By Cody Westerlund
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A day after stunningly receiving a commitment from Dwyane Wade to come to Chicago and just minutes after fellow newcomer Rajon Rondo was introduced to the media, Bulls general manager Gar Forman did his best Thursday to explain the organization's big-picture plan. It was just a couple weeks prior that Forman had said the Bulls wanted to get "younger" and "more athletic," a mantra he then violated by signing a pair of talented-but-past-their-prime veteran backcourt members.
So here's the synopsis of the new plan from Forman: The Bulls want their youngsters to grow up in a winning culture, which is why they spent big money on Wade and Rondo in free agency on two-year deals, the goal being to keep financial flexibility down the line. All the while, a key was to not give up any assets in the form of first-round draft picks or young players, which they didn't.
If that's too much, here's another way to look at it: The Bulls didn't want to purposely stink, because they feared stinking for way too long if they took that path.
"We didn't want to rebuild where we become possibly a lower-lottery team long term," Forman said. "We've studied the NBA. We've studied the history of the NBA. When you make a move to go that direction, it can sometimes take six or seven years to get out. That wasn't our goal."
Afraid of tanking, bottoming out, rebuilding, whatever you want to call it, the Bulls are in a weird no man's land. And they're weirdly OK with that, according to Forman. To them, it was the only way to go after not trading All-Star wing Jimmy Butler on draft night.
"We're bringing in guys that are pros, that are leaders, that are part of winning," said Forman, who referenced Rondo directly but couldn't comment on Wade directly because his signing isn't yet official. "That's encouraging to us."
So here the Bulls are. On Thursday, they introduced the 30-year-old Rondo to the Chicago media. He led the NBA in assists last season at 11.7 per game, and the Bulls' hope is his elite court vision and premier passing skills will open up opportunities for others.
From Rondo's end, what sold him basketball-wise was coach Fred Hoiberg telling him he'd have freedom. In past stops, Rondo has bristled at coaches who were heavily involved in play-calling.
"It's more of a read-based offense," Rondo said. "It's not so much dictated on calling a set every time down the floor. I like to make my plays off reactions. I try to be two or three steps ahead of my guy, my opponent. So it's a perfect system to try to be great in."
After listening to Rondo talk Thursday, you couldn't help but think this upcoming season has a wide-ranging spectrum of possible outcomes. As in, it could be a really fun 47-win Bulls team that slices and dices to the hoop or it could be a complete disaster with three poor outside shooters and ball-dominant players headlining a system ideally predicated on spacing.
Then again, at least it's different.
In his media session, Rondo called the Bulls "Jimmy's team" while at once also adding he, Wade and Butler are the "three alphas." He downplayed past run-ins with Wade dating back to their respective days with the Celtics and Heat, saying they're "wiser" now.
He admitted he knows little to nothing about these Bulls or those of years past, other than seeing Michael Jordan highlights. He rued only playing only "one TV game" last year with the Kings, believing people will appreciate him the more they see him.
Rondo also called previous clashes with coaches like Doc Rivers and Rick Carlisle primarily "perception" and not reality, then answered the next question by saying, "I'm the same player" as back in those days.
"I don't BS around," Rondo said.
Perhaps the kicker was Rondo saying of his new teammates, "None of these guys have ever played with a guy like me." The comment seemed in reference to his dynamic passing ability, but you couldn't quite be certain.
Rondo is a man who doesn't suffer fools. Certainly, the Bulls need to find an infusion of that and also a common ground.
"The main thing is trying to mesh together and sacrifice and just trying to do what's best for the team," Rondo said. "Sacrifice for one another and whatever we do is for the greater of the team."
Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for CBSChicago.com and covers the Bulls. He's also the co-host of the @LockedOnBulls podcast, which you can subscribe to on iTunes and Stitcher. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.
