Mohammed re-signed for a third season with the Bulls Monday, bringing their roster to 14. At 6-10, 250 pounds, there's always room for a player with his build in the league, no matter what his age. It's the equivalent to a kicker in football or a left-handed pitcher in baseball.
The Chicago native played in all but two games during last year's regular season and also appeared in two of the five playoff games against Washington. His seven minutes per game over the regular schedule were his fewest since his early years in the league, but his mere presence gave the more productive bigs such as Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson a chance to take breather when necessary. Although his 1.6 points and 2.2 rebounds per game last year were nothing to write home about either, he typically exceeded those numbers more than those stats give him credit for.
The Bulls have veteran leadership who bring more to the table in Pau Gasol and Mike Dunleavy, but don't discount what Mohammed can provide, even if he's only good for a few minutes every night. He can get to the dirty areas and do the little things required of hanging around there. You'll never see his impact appear in a box score and how he affects the other nine players on the court at a given time can probably be truly measured only by NBA scouts. With a 17th season forthcoming, he's played the game long enough to know how it works, so he takes care of those minor details while the rest of his teammates thrive in their superior talent and whatever specialty they possess.
If the Bulls are going to succeed this year, they'll need contributions from just about everybody. I stick by my sentiment that they'll be the team most likely to get past Cleveland in the Eastern Conference playoffs while that three-headed monster takes a year to straighten itself out. For that to happen, Mohammed will need to play his part in helping out with things fans typically don't pay attention to. His experience and basketball smarts should make him a candidate to be a coach or scout somewhere in his hometown when he finally decides to retire.
Maybe I sound like I'm gushing over Mohammed just a little bit, but we should give him his due if the Bulls think of him highly enough to trot him out there with basketball's best for another season. I think everybody could learn some tiny things about the sport they never thought possible by keeping a close eye on him throughout the season. Even if he only plays in the second or third quarter regularly, that might be just enough for the Bulls to complete a victory in a long 48-minute contest.
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