Gambino: A 'Josh McCown' Won't Save The Bulls This Year
By Dennis Gambino-
(CBS) The Bulls and point guard depth currently aren't on speaking terms. Things started off really hot and heavy but after about 10 dates, the Bulls aren't getting their phone calls returned.
Kirk Hinrich missed a second straight game Monday with a serious case of glass bone syndrome (back injury), Marquis Teague isn't an NBA player, Mike James got hurt, then healthy, then cut, and if DJ Augustin could play he wouldn't have been available on waivers. This point guard situation is vomit-inducing. There is one other point guard who will remain unmentioned because just reading his name will cause you to bust out our tissues.
Derrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiccccccccckkkkkkkkk.
Folk hero backup quarterback Josh McCown has the city abuzz. We have a thirst for the "next man up." There has got to be someone like Josh McCown who can bring the buzz back to the Bulls from the point guard spot. Minutes are there for the taking and fans want something to believe in while they suffer through a second straight year without their MVP point guard.
The Josh McCown blueprint is pretty simple and should translate to the Bulls point guard situation. There are plenty of journeymen guys out there looking for that last chance to make a name for themselves in the league. Here is what I came up with:
Sebastian Telfair – In 2004, 18 year-old point guard Sebastian Telfair entered the NBA straight from high school and immediately signed a reported six-year, $15 million deal with Adidas. What story could be better than Telfair fixing the Bulls point guard woes while simultaneously restoring fans faith in Adidas. I mean, Josh McCown certainly doesn't have a shoe deal.
Jamaal Tinsley – Josh McCown revitalized his mediocre career at the age of 34. Tinsley is 35 years old. There is obviously some kind of connection here and Tinsley could be the man to lead the Bulls to the Promised Land.
Myck Kabongo – Josh McCown came in from his backup quarterback role as a relatively unknown football player. Few Bulls fans have ever heard the name Myck Kabongo. He was undrafted in 2013 NBA draft and all good underdog stories start with the word "undrafted." Stacey King would have a field day with his name and the UC would be filled with outrageous signs playing on the name "Kabongo."
Josh McCown – I don't know how his name didn't come up sooner. The obvious Josh McCown-type to play point guard for the Bulls is Josh McCown. He is obviously capable and would likely create a point guard controversy once Derrick Rose is healthy. I can already hear the trade/cut Rose phone calls.
In case you haven't realized it, the Bulls point guard depth problem will not be solved this season. Josh McCown is not walking through that door. The key to everything has always been Derrick Rose. He makes the entire thing go. Kirk Hinrich can spend the season in a body cast when Rose is healthy. Marquis Teague suddenly becomes an acceptable rotation guy with a healthy Derrick. DJ Augustin isn't on a Bulls roster that features a healthy Derrick Rose.
There is no fantasy basketball answer to the Bulls depth issues. No trades to be made. No free agent to be signed. All we can do it sit back and wonder what could have been with the 2013-2014 season.
Dennis Gambino is a producer for The Mully and Hanley Show, heard Monday-Friday from 5 a.m. - 9 a.m. on 670 The Score. You can follow him on Twitter @gambino670.
