Getting Anthony in the New NBA?

Joakim Noah has always been one to make others around him feel comfortable.  When he was at Florida, then-head football coach Urban Meyer often reached out to him to hang out with football recruits.  Given this information, you sometimes have to wonder why you don't hear much about him in this new NBA of players trying to lure other players.  He apparently tried to get LeBron James to come to Chicago in 2010, but his calls weren't returned, so it was never really a story.

Now, we have this report that during All-Star Weekend, Noah talked to Carmelo Anthony about joining the Bulls next season.  Considering Anthony has been tied to the club in several rumors recently, more people are considering the possibility that this team will be dramatically changed for the better in the near future.  But remember, rumors have also been flying that Tom Thibodeau will head to New York after the season and coach Anthony in that location.  Also, when we're hearing that Phil Jackson could join the Knicks as general manager soon, it only jumbles these possibilities further.

Anthony would only be able to come to the Bulls if certain things fall into place.  For starters, he would have to take less money than he'd be able to earn if he re-signed with the Knicks.  Even that is only possible if the Bulls make enough moves to clear the necessary cap space.  Carlos Boozer would most definitely be amnestied.  Mike Dunleavy, Tony Snell and possibly Taj Gibson would be on the trading block.  It's also possible that the team would cut ties with Erik Murphy.  Of course, it's ultimately Anthony's decision.  You have to consider taking all this salary off the books could all be in vain.  It happened in 2010 and now, the Bulls are even further away from a championship than they were after the first season of the current core.

I've often been critical of how the NBA has become a league of players looking to team up.  I feel it goes against the competitive nature of what pro basketball is supposed to be about.  However, I have to accept that the days of Magic and Larry going at each other's throats are behind and this is now how stars are looking to win championships.  Team loyalty has been discarded in favor of players looking to help each other out. 

I'm never going to be happy about this practice and it's why I continue to dislike the Miami Heat.  However, if Noah is taking on the role of team recruiter that Derrick Rose has refused, I'll be for any effort that gets this team closer to a championship.  I'm a Bulls fan first and in the end, all that matters is raising another banner with the Larry O'Brien Trophy imprinted on it.

The Bulls will look to shake off last night's defeat Sunday afternoon against the Heat.  Since it's a matinee, I'll be able to blog about a matchup that is always greatly hyped.  None of the three meetings they've had so far this season has been that special.  However, the fourth time will hopefully be the charm.  A Bulls victory would be great too.