Does Vinny Get Fired Before, After, Or On Christmas?

Let's just be frank, Vinny Del Negro is getting canned sooner or later. There is no way Lebron, Wade, Bosh, or even Kwame Brown will want to sign with the Bulls next off-season if Vinny is running the show. 1ust like every other non-football sport, the coach doesnt do jack squate in the NBA. Just look at Doc Rivers, who magically went from coaching the leagues worst record to the champions the very next year. And by magic I mean trading for Garnett and Ray Allen. Or how about Lawrence Frank, who took the Nets to the finals twice with Kidd and Carter. Now he has the distinction of beginning an NBA season loosing 18 straight games with Josh Boone and Trenton Hassell.

I believe Jerry Reinsdorf will open up the vault after the season and finally bring superstars back to the windy city. The problem is that so many teams have money to spend next offseason such that the Bulls organization will have to offer free agents something more enticing than money. Based on the list of free agents and payroll projections on hoops hype, I see several obstacles in the way of our salvation.

1) As many as 15 teams have payroll space next summer to sign one and at least 7 teams who have payroll to sign 2 superstars. The Bulls are by no means the only team that has spent the last 3 years preparing for the upcoming free agent class. The Bulls have 44 million guaranteed for next year assuming they offer Tyrus Thomas the 6 million qualifying offer which I believe they will do. Indications are that the bulls are willing to go up to the 80 million dollar range, just 10 million above this years total, allocating just enough money to sign 2 stud free agents. In the NBA all you need is 2 superstars to make you a contender. You put an all-star shooting guard and forward next to Derrek Rose and you are in the Finals next year.

The biggest competition for the Bulls will be the Miami Heat. They have done the impossible. Assuming Dwayne Wade opts out for free agency, the Heat will only have 8 million dollars guaranteed to Beasley, Cook, and Chalmeres. Meaning they can sign Wade for 25 million and have cap space for 2 more max players. Boozer or Bosh will surely end up in Miami. The Knicks, Clippers, Nets, Pistons, Cavaliers, T-wolves, Thunder, Blazers, and Rockets all potentially have the money to lure away the great free agents.

2. The best thing about being an NBA player, is living the lifestyle of an NBA player. If you thought Tiger Woods had it good, just know that all his skanks are Dwight Howard's sloppy seconds. Who wouldnt want to go to Miami? I basically had my bags packed to go to med school in Miami even though i would never have time to see the sun or Miami beach. Then there is New York. The only thing that separates the Bulls and the Knicks is Derrick Rose. Is that enough to entice Wade to chose Chicago over New York? I'm not so sure. Given the past 10 year post Jordan history, players are not lining up to come to the United Center. Some cities dont even have income tax, something the state of Illinois cannot claim.

3. Some players even want to have a chance to win. Despite the Bulls performance in the playoffs last year against the Celtics, it is difficult to project the current roster as a perennial contender. They have lost 10-11. Have the 3rd worst scoring offense, point differential, and shooting percentage in the NBA. The teams looks as listless as they did in the last weeks of the Scot Skiles era. And most importantly Derrick Rose has yet to make the 2nd year jump that I predicted earlier. Given the quality of his teammates and coaching staff it shouldnt be that big a surprise. Though his medium range jumper should be automatic by now.

The Bulls are required to make some serious organizational changes if they intend on landing any free agents. Regardless if Vinny is or isnt a good coach, his reputation around the league is overly negative. Something has to be done about the United Center. As exciting as it gets during the Blackhawks games, it's as equally dull during the Bulls games. I went to the season opener this season and was actually upgraded to lower level seats because there were so many empty seats. The Bulls need to become cool again and maybe the city can land a Wade or Lebron. A Bosh or a Staudemine. And dont overlook Joe Johnson who is the best passing shooting guard not named Lebron. Believe me, he would be worth the money.