Ray Allen: Why He And The Chicago Bulls Are A Good Fit
The Chicago Bulls have had a busy offseason following their first-round playoff loss to the Washington Wizards. They’ve added free agents Pau Gasol, Aaron Brooks along with Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic.
With these additions, the Bulls are one of the deepest teams in the league on paper and they are expected to compete for one of the top spots in the eastern conference with a healthy Derrick Rose returning to the lineup. But despite these moves, the Bulls may be looking to bring another player into the mix.
According to Sam Smith of Bulls.com, the Bulls are the latest team interested in signing sharpshooter Ray Allen. If the reports are in fact true, here are a few reasons why this would be a good fit for both sides.
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Championship pedigree
One of the reasons why the Bulls pursued Gasol was because he played an important role on a Lakers team that went to the Finals three straight years while winning two titles in 2009 and 2010. Like Gasol, Allen would also bring championship experience to the team.
During his five years in Boston, Allen helped the Celtics return to championship glory, scoring 26 points against the Lakers in Game 6 of the 2008 NBA Finals. The title was Boston’s first in over two decades.
Allen’s most recent Finals heroics came in another Game 6. This time, he was a member of the Miami Heat. With the Heat trailing in the closing seconds of the contest, Allen hit a game-tying three pointer from right corner, helping the Heat to extend the series to a seventh game.
The Heat went on to win the next game, capturing their second straight title. While Allen’s role in Miami was not as significant as it was with the Celtics, without that shot in Game 6, the Heat would have lost in the Finals for the second time in three seasons. Simply put, he knows how to win when the game is on the line.
Another perimeter weapon
Some Bulls fans may think that the team already has enough shooters on the roster as it is now constructed. While McDermott and Snell did play well during the summer league games, it is not guaranteed they will have the same level of success once the “real” season starts.
Jimmy Butler, who had a memorable 2012-13 season, regressed a little bit last season, connecting on just 40 percent of his shot attempts, including 28 percent from three-point range. These numbers are much lower than the percentages Butler posted the year before, which included 47 percent shooting overall and an efficient 40 percent from distance.
That being said, the Bulls are a team that has a need at the shooting guard position. And if nothing else, having Allen on the floor gives Rose another shooter to kick the ball out to when he penetrates into the heart of the opposing team’s defense.
Solid relationship with Tom Thibodeau
During Allen’s time with the Celtics, the assistant coach during those five seasons was none other than Mr. Thibodeau himself. And under Thibodeau’s guidance, Allen was at his best defensively within a system that emphasized team defense.
In addition to that, few players prepare for a game the way Allen does, and his low-key demeanor would be an ideal fit for a locker room made up of players with great character both on and off the court.
Whether or not Allen chooses to sign with the Bulls remains to be seen as a number of teams have expressed interest in acquiring his services. But if Allen wants to compete for championship while playing a significant role on that team, then the Bulls are his best option. And the mutual need that both sides have for one another is just one of the many reasons why this would be a match made in heaven.
James Tillman is a Staff Writer for HoopsHabit.com and a sports contributor for Football Nation and Sports Kings/Pass The Pill. James is also a former Featured Sports Contributor for Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @JTILLMAN9693.