Linkabulls:Bulls with serious needs to address

Bull-

1. An adult male bovine mammal
2. An exceptionally large, strong, or aggressive person.

You could have had me fooled. Watching the Bulls (or ‘Bull’) in the past three games has been more of the euphemism that’s not meant for children’s ears. Granted, we’re not watching a team go 0-14 like the squad in Jersey, but the smoke has cleared enough for us to see where the cracks may be in the armor.

The Bulls are on a three game losing streak. Suffering losses to the Lakers, Nuggets, and Blazers. Every team having a significant size advantage, and promptly dominating the glass. This is not to say Joakim Noah isn’t doing work, but you can’t leave the kid alone on a island against three plus rebounders on any given night.

The rebounding issue has become clear because the draw of opponents, but we still have offensive concerns that have plagued us since day one of the season.

This is where Mike Mcgraw’s article from the Daily Herald comes into play. Mike takes a look for what’s out there on the free agent market, while also looking at who will be returning from injury.

Here are some notable players Mike brought up for discussion:

Tyrus Thomas, Aaron Gray:Gray (stress fracture in left fibula) could be ready to play against the Jazz, but typically he does not log heavy minutes. It would have been interesting to see if he could have walled off Oden a few times Monday.

Thomas should get his broken left arm checked Monday and is hoping to be out of the splint for good. Tough to tell exactly when he will be back, but the Dec. 8 game against New Jersey probably is the best guess at this time.

Thomas is experiencing the frustration of having to sit at home and watch his teammates get pounded on the road. So this could bode well in the long run, because the Bulls need Thomas to bring a little extra energy and hunger when he returns”

My view:I know Gray doesn’t play big time minutes, but he’s in the NBA for a reason, and that’s his size. He certainly would have had the strength to push Oden off of his spot a little more. Couldn’t hurt.

Tyrus Thomas brings energy and a little bit of an edge, although he’s certainly not the league’s premier rebounder. He’ll give you some offense if he’s hitting the mid range shot, and has the quickness to get to the free throw line. Weakside defense can’t be forgotten either.

Wally Szczerbiak:Maybe the best outside shooter on the open market, but Szczerbiak, 32, had knee surgery in October and has admitted his career could be over.

My view:Best outside shooter on the open market? Maybe the most proven over the years. It’s unfortunate for Wally that his career may be over, but honestly, I didn’t want anything to do with him anyways. Number one,  it’s easy shooting wide open threes when your on a team with Lebron James. Number two, Szczerbiak is such a horrible defender that it’s like playing 4 on 5. Your defense is often compromised.

Jerry Stackhouse:Mentioned recently that he’d like to join the Lakers but played in just 10 games last season for Dallas with a variety of foot problems. Age 35.

My view:”I’d like to play for the Lakers because I want to mooch off of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, and Lamar Odom for a championship ring. Once upon a time, I was a great player”

Ok, so Jerry never really said that. But what makes Jerry Stackhouse think the Lakers would have any interest?

As far as the Bulls, this is where your scouts come in handy. Is Stackhouse physically able to do it anymore? That’s what you need to find out. He can provide scoring, but being real, we know he’s nothing more than a bench player at this point in his career. So, find out out if he’s healthy, can defend at a marginal level, and is available at the right price.  All of this could be doubtful and I personally have my eyes in different directions.

Rashad McCants: This former North Carolina sharpshooter, the No. 14 pick in the 2005 draft, was looking at Houston this summer.

But the Rockets turned him away, saying an abdominal injury would keep him from competing for a roster spot. If he’s healthy, maybe McCants has a future as a 3-point gunner off the bench. He averaged 14.9 points for Minnesota in 2007-08.

My view:The Bulls can’t make any trades without damaging their cap situation for next season, so let the Rashad McCants debate begin.

McCants posing with former teammate Kevin Garnett

Rashad is a talented basketball player. No denying that as the 14.9 ppg in 07-08 will tell the story. But McCants comes with a reputation of being extremely difficult at times, mainly with coaches. Do you want to take that chance with VDN being a young head coach? McCants may best be suited for a situation with a strong veteran presence.

But here’s the upside with Rashad, he does exactly what your biggest need is, shoot the ball. And although he took plays off in Minnesota (who didn’t), McCants posseses a 6′11 wingspan, a useful tool on the defensive end. McCants is recovering from a abdominal injury, but will garner a serious look once completely healthy. By the way, kudos to Rashad for letting Lamar Odom marry that ogre of the Kardashian family.

Allen Iverson:He couldn’t handle coming off the bench in Memphis, and it’s unlikely the Bulls would start him next to Derrick Rose. Actually, less than unlikely might be a better prediction.

My view:.………...is a better option.

Tags: 0-14, Aaron Gray, Allen Iverson, Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Derrick Rose, Jerry Stackhouse, Joakim Noah, Kevin Garnett, Khloe Kardashian, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers, New Jersey Nets, Pau Gasol, Portland Trailblazers, Rashad McCants, Ron Artest, Tyrus Thomas, Wally Szczerbiak