I do not want to be misunderstood. I am as big a Bulls fan as anyone else and want to see them return to the championship level they were at.
I agree that both Tyson and Lonnie are playing against almost feeble competition, compared to the real NBA. Chandler did prove over about a 30 game stretch that he can be at least a 15ppg/10rpg kind of player. I don't look at him and see the next Tim Duncan.
Baxter has the advantage of college coaching and experience, and playing against summer league talent already. As Barkley proved, you can be a top power forward without height, and at least the roster shows Baxter is 6'8" (Barkley was 6'4").
My point is that after seeing Baxter put up 9 pts, 9 reb, shoot 75%, and do it in 9 minutes for a few games, and watching Chandler struggle against less-than-NBA-caliber competition, Baxter's minutes might get a bump. And if Baxter steps up, Chandler may end up teaming with Fizer to give the Bulls terrific depth at the backup PF and C positions.
When I look at the roster, I see gobs of talent, and a lot of depth. What I don't see is seasoning, defense, and players that know how to nurse a 6 point lead down the stretch into a victory. What I see is the best five players the team can put on the floor may not be able to win together, but individually look great on paper.
Chandler needs a ton of minutes just to catch up with the guys his age who are getting those minutes in college. The Bulls also have a big project in Curry, who looks like Baby Shaq but rebounds like Bugsy Mogues.
It might make a lot of sense to use a combination of players that complement eachother well and have a better blend of youth and experience - even if that experience is college ball. The team may come to realize that they can get Chandler 30 minutes per game, every game, backing up Baxter and Curry.
When I think of the Championship Bulls, I don't think of a roster as deep and talented as the current team. I think of 3 to 5 legitimate NBA players along with a bench of Steve Kerr types - guys who might not be in the NBA if they didn't fit the Bulls' system.
Cartwright was there and was part of it (and was one of those legitimate NBA players, BTW). I suspect he's going to be patient while putting his best team on the floor for every minute of the game. That's what it's all about, not grooming teenagers.
My $.02 and worth it
