DEAL FOR MELO TO INCLUDE NOAH?

ESPN is reporting that the Chicago Bulls are "discussing" whether to include Joakim Noah in a deal for Carmelo Anthony. I'll make this easy for them: DO IT.

If it's one thing I know about today's NBA, it's that wing players win titles. The last team to win it all without a player 6'5"-6'8" who could virtually score at will was the anamolous 2004 Pistons (champs include Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce, Manu Ginobili, Dwyane Wade, and Michael Jordan). Before that, it was Hakeem's Rockets of 1995. And here's the key: Joakim Noah is not The Dream. He's closer to a mirage than a dream.

I understand he sets the tone for the Bulls. He's intense, high-energy, and aggressive. But he also averages 10 points and 10 rebounds. So if you can package a just-barely double-double guy for arguably the best scorer in the NBA, you have to do it. Give Denver whoever else they would want to make it work (outside of Boozer). 

All I know is that if someone has the potential to make me and my darlings in Miami a little nervous, it's the trio of Derrick Rose, Carmelo Anthony, and Carlos Boozer flanked by Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer, and whatever bigs they can scrap up to anchor the defense. They could replace Noah's energy with Lou Amundson. They could take a page out of the Heat's playbook and build with role-playing vets who have very specialized skill sets. There are still some intriguing free agents out there.

I like Noah a lot. There literally is not a player in the NBA like him. But I like Carmelo Anthony more. I don't even like Anthony as much as a winner, but as a player with the ability to impact the championship race (which, I don't care what anyone says, is a two-horser), he's clearly the better option. Sure people are currently liking the Bulls roster and how dangerous they can be, but anyone who picks them as a contender is just trying to be cute. Carmelo Anthony has the potential to bring you what Noah can't. End of discussion.