On the Bulls
As vet, he might serve Bulls best as advisor to young players thrust into bigger roles
Without consulting Gallup or Twitter, most people seem to view it as encouraging news that an injured Dwyane Wade intends to rejoin to Bulls if they make the playoffs.
But is it?
The Bulls head into Friday's game against the 76ers in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, on the outside looking in, with 10 games left to pass the Heat, Pacers or Bucks. If you can predict how the inconsistent Bulls will play in that stretch, you are more prescient than Cubs President Theo Epstein — and he's the world's greatest leader, according to Fortune.
The point is, if the Bulls somehow manage to play their way into the postseason, then it suggests they finally did something right for more than six consecutive quarters. A strong final push potentially represents even scant evidence of growth, which in this mess of a season likely would rate among the highlights. It all would happen with the Bulls finding a way to win without Wade on the court, of course.
Then the Wade plan calls for him to return from a broken elbow in his shooting arm, likely against the No. 1-seeded Cavaliers, spend a few days saying nice things about LeBron James for the microphones and hugging his former teammate for the cameras, and the Bulls to go home after five games.
At this point, Wade might serve the Bulls best as a highly paid de facto assistant coach who advises young players thrust into bigger roles in his absence. Wade thrives as a mentor and loves passing his wisdom down to the next generation of NBA players. As much as the Bulls have needed Wade's 18.6 points per game, he perhaps has made more of an impact off the court, and not just when he and Jimmy Butler publicly called out teammates after a loss.
At times, Wade has appeared to command more attention and respect from Bulls players than coach Fred Hoiberg. With sincerity that's appreciated, Wade has acted as the ideal ambassador, for his team and his hometown, a consummate pro who would be missed if he's one-and-done in Chicago as he probably should be.
Nobody denies the Bulls might be better off in the long run by missing the playoffs and picking as high as possible in a deep NBA draft. But, if they somehow eke into the postseason, the only value comes in the experience it offers the youth on the roster. Nothing Wade does or doesn't do in an NBA playoff series will surprise the Bulls. But they might learn something about Denzel Valentine, Bobby Portis or Jerian Grant, among others. The experience might benefit even one guy. In an otherwise lost season, teams cling to any morsel of meaning.
Wade himself has called the 2004 first-round series against New Orleans his rookie season one of the most memorable of his Hall of Fame career — and meaningful in terms of development. His presence in the lineup potentially would deprive a younger Bull from learning a similar lesson. In an odd season of experimentation, why not extend the laboratory time into the playoffs if the Bulls qualify?
The Bulls still look closer to starting over than closing the gap on the Cavaliers, and shutting down Wade even if he wants to return makes more sense than squeezing a couple more 20-point games out of the 35-year-old. It also would send a strong message about the Bulls' future to Wade, who holds a player option for the 2017-18 season worth $23.8 million. Rebuilding teams typically don't include a player entering his 15th season earning such an enormous salary. Ring-chasing superstars who already have made $180 million in the NBA usually want no part of rebuilding projects.
Playing Wade in the playoffs after a month layoff to provide glimpses of what might have been alongside Butler only would tease the fan base and confuse the issue. Welcoming Wade back next season would only extend the Bulls' uncomfortable stay in the NBA middle. Let the long goodbye begin.
The fourth-quarter implosion against the Raptors aside, the Bulls have shown actual signs of life in Wade's absence. They endure familiar moments of fourth-quarter stagnation, when Butler relies too heavily on isolation or the defense lapses into matador mode. They also have unearthed surprises, like Nikola Mirotic regaining confidence, Joffrey Lauvergne forcing us to learn how to spell his name and Rajon Rondo leading — yes, leading.
Raise your hand if you were wrong about Rondo. (Mine goes up first.) He emerged from his midseason exile a true professional, igniting the second unit without instigating turmoil the way many of us expected. He proved worth keeping instead of trading. Players describe Rondo as thoughtful and intelligent and the ideal teammate, the part of his reputation that has followed the veteran to Chicago. To his credit, the troubled aspect hasn't. When Rondo plays, the pace increases and the offense functions closer to the way Hoiberg envisioned. Butler the ball-stopper needs his touches, sure, but the presence of Wade — as dynamic as the duo can be — too often turns the Bulls offense into a two-man game.
The Bulls never would admit it, but Wade's unfortunate injury March 15, while appearing to hurt their playoff chances, helped them evaluate the rest of the roster. A playoff series without Wade would offer another opportunity.
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