Right now it looks as if the Bulls are the frontrunners to sign the biggest free agent of the summer, LeBron James. In Cleveland James gets to do whatever he wants, he can decide who the front office goes after, he can dance during the games, and he can basically say that he owns the team regardless of who signs the checks. Well it's become very clear to him that he won't have such freedom in Chicago.
Longtime tyrant owner Jerry Reinsdorf has already laid down rules for James. The Bulls have notified James' agent that he must sign on July 7th, 8th, or 9th. If he doesn't then the Bulls aren't going to spend anymore time going after him in fear that they would miss out on all the other free agents. Also, GM Gar Forman said that no player will decide who fills the Bulls current coaching vacancy. Not even LeBron.
If James does sign in Chicago he will be treated this way for the duration of his tenure. Michael Jordan, the greatest player to ever step on the floor was treated the same as every other player. Jordan tried to get Jerry Krause (former Bulls GM) fired for years but Reinsdorf would never do it. If Jordan can't get his way then LeBron doesn't have a prayer. As great of a player as LeBron is, he's still not even in the same universe as Jordan.
This is good for James. Going to Chicago would give him the best teammates he's ever had and more likely than not he will be getting another premier free agent to go with him. Having Derrick Rose at the helm is a wonderful gift as long as the team plays unselfishly. Mark my words, LeBron will never win a championship until he changes his style of play. I don't mean passing more because he does that already. I mean that he would have to let Rose run the team and James would just play SF. In Cleveland, Mo Williams would bring the ball up the floor, give it to James, and the rest of the team would wait at the three point line. If he plays with someone like Rose that simply can't happen.
The fact that the Bulls are already putting the hammer down on him (compared to Cleveland) is a good sign. It's never a good idea to give any one player too much influence in the front office. Just like I said that LeBron won't win a championship if he plays like he has been, let me also say this. If LeBron goes to Chicago and just plays like a regular SF and lets Rose run the team, he will get his ring next season. If Bosh goes with him then we're going to see the NBA's next great dynasty.
It all depends on what's more important to him. Does he want the big numbers or does he want the big diamonds?
