During the LeBron hysteria we received reports (as in, tweets) of what each team was lugging into their meeting with the former King. The Nets and Knicks put on the biggest spectacle. Miami’s Pat Riley showed LeBron his championship ring (not a euphemism). The Cavs had a loose meeting with James filled with inside jokes and reminiscing about his time Cleveland.

And the Bulls went in like grown ups without the silly videos or other shenanigans because they knew what everyone else seemed to know: They had the best team in place for James to win.

I’ve heard accusations of the Bulls remaining a small-time team. That’s unfair and wrong. They sat in the high stakes poker game and went all in like major markets are supposed to do. It just didn’t work out. Cleveland, New York, and New Jersey know what that’s like.

But small-time would have meant re-signing Ben Gordon and not taking a shot at James. Small time would be holding onto John Salmons and/or Kirk Hinrich. Small-time is being satisfied with just making the playoffs.

They did everything they could have done and in the end, James took the easy way out. Fine. Move on.

The Bulls will be a good team next season. Maybe a really good team. They added an All Star power forward and…this may be my favorite part…THEY HAVE A REAL COACH. They’re going to be fun.

But…they might need a little more. To get past the Miami Heat (who I don’t see as unbeatable) they’ll need another piece.

Fortunately, in the NBA, pieces becomes available. You just need the assets to get them.

The door is not shut on the Bulls for several years. They may need a little more help breaking through, but this isn’t over.

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