That's generally how the logic goes. But I guess some who especially dislike Rose after all the injuries might rather have Aldridge healthy for the past 4 years than MVP Rose for one and a ragtag group for the other 3. Either way, it really sucks that we didn't keep Aldridge. Perhaps it wouldn't be as bad if Tyrus was actually some kind of NBA worthy player, but at least we got Doug out of it?
IMO the team never goes as far as they do if they keep Aldridge all this time. Aldridge isn't a franchise different maker IMO. Though he may have more success in the East than in the crowded west over the years.
One of those what if's that is hard to answer. As you don't know how GarPax counters not having Rose. For all we know the team rounds out nicely... But for all we know it doesn't. If I had to guess though, the Bulls would still be looking for a Superstar player. But you could say we're in that position now anyways.
If you take that Portland team and put it in the East I think you have a team that can contend for the ECF most years. I doubt the Bulls would have made a team like Portland per se, but you can still pair Aldridge with Noah after 07 for a heck of a frontcourt that actually compliments each other pretty well. You still have Deng as well. Kirk and BG as your backcourt. Easy to see how that team doesn't get the fortuitous ping pong ball for Rose. There's still some good PGs in that draft though, but that's only with hindsight. Kind of interesting to imagine the Bulls drafting Westbrook with a later lottery pick, though that would imply that we still somehow get a top 5 pick. There's the ultimate steal in Dragic, but he was on no one's radar then.
In the 08 draft, Bulls were either getting #1, #2, #3, or #9... With Aldridge I imagine they'd be at #12-14 that year.. or #15-16 if they snuck into the playoffs.
Kind of funny how I don't even mind Augustin only after his stint under Thibs...he has basically sucked otherwise. It depends on what GarPax views as a need at the time. We're rolling with a group with Kirk, Gordon, Deng, Aldridge, Noah, Ben Wallace, Nocioni, and Duhon as your major players in 07. Assuming we still dump Wallace, trade Noc, and don't resign Duhon, you might just go best wing player available in the draft. No guarantee we even go PG even after Kirk had the first year of what we know to be his decline. Interesting options available there. Once again with hindsight you could imagine picking Courtney Lee, or even better yet, Batum somewhere around 15. Brandon Rush once again is an option. George Hill as well.
Joe Johnson was signing that max contract in Atlanta no matter what.
All of whom the Bulls likely pass up given the long jam they have going at PF there.
I'd argue we still went about as hard as we could after Joe Johnson. Atlanta probably still gives him that max deal and there's still nothing we can do. Kind of hard to imagine upgrading the backcourt beyond a guy like Rudy ***. Anyone worth considering, even in the tier below, are still RFAs who don't put the team over the top. No note worthy PGs that year either.
Oh definitely, I'm just commenting on the big man depth that year. We actually drafted Asik this year so it's not out of the question to consider us getting maybe Deandre Jordan in the 2nd round. That's about it though.
Fits in with Paxson's Final Four criteria as well.
Not to mention a twice torn ACL victim
