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Chicago Bulls should re-sign Ben Gordon

Guard's explosive scoring is too important to let get away

K.C. Johnson On the Bulls
March 8, 2009

Re-sign Ben Gordon.

That's definitely not the craftiest lead in journalism history, but, if e-mail response is the goal, it could be one of the most effective given the polarizing effect Gordon's game has on Bulls fans.

There doesn't appear to be much gray in the Gordon debate.

Fans either send long, purging missives wailing on and on about Gordon's defensive deficiencies, poor decision-making and 6-foot-3-inch stature. Or fans see what plenty of others see: an incredibly rare scoring talent who can post points in bizarre bursts and hit shots that should come with degrees of difficulty attached.

"You know how 'BG' is when he gets in a rhythm like that," Bucks coach Scott Skiles said late Friday. "All of a sudden he starts making difficult shots with guys hanging all over him."

Previously the benefactor of Gordon's gifts, the former Bulls coach played the victim's role in the Bulls' critical victory as Gordon posted one of his more memorable offensive games. Beyond his 34 points, Gordon had seven assists, four steals and four three-pointers. Gordon also went on a personal 10-0 run in a 91-second second-quarter span that changed the game.

The Bulls have offered $50 million-plus contract extensions each of the last two summers, so it's not like management doesn't recognize Gordon's value. Gordon, due to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, has rejected both offers, and relations between the Bulls' front office and Raymond Brothers, Gordon's representative, are rocky.

Asked specifically about the chances of re-signing Gordon in the wake of his trade deadline dealings, general manager John Paxson said he hadn't ruled it out but that another move would have to be made.

He's unlikely to see $50 million again, either from the Bulls or another team this summer, but the Bulls should offer a multiyear deal in the $8 million-a-year range.

Dumping Thabo Sefolosha's contract on Oklahoma City helped. But the Bulls still are only about $8 million below the projected luxury-tax threshold for next season's salary commitments and have two first-round draft picks.

So package them with, say, Kirk Hinrich and free enough space to re-sign Gordon.

Gordon told the Tribune in mid-December that despite the last two negotiations, he wouldn't rule out re-signing with the Bulls.

"I've always said I'm happy here, and that hasn't changed," Gordon said then. "I never felt I shouldn't do my job because something didn't go my way. As much as you sometimes might want to take it personal, you have to realize it's business."

Those comments, however, came before coach Vinny Del Negro fined Gordon in late January for allegedly arriving late for a team flight. Gordon, who prides himself on his professionalism, was livid over the fine and told confidants it was unwarranted.

Gordon has told those same confidants he is leaning toward signing elsewhere. But Gordon also said he would never sign the Bulls' offer last summer, then tried to after the Bulls pulled it.

Some might say too much apparent acrimony has happened for Gordon to re-sign. But a dominant characteristic of Gordon's tenure has been his professional pride and ability not to hold grudges.

Gordon doesn't like coming off the bench, but when he's in that role, he attacks it like a starter. Rare is the morning shootaround—home or away—that Gordon doesn't stay after to work on his shot.

At 20.5 points per game, Gordon is leading the Bulls in scoring for the fourth straight season. Go ahead: Dig into his deficiencies. But never forget the old adage that the best defense is scoring more than the other team.

kcjohnson@tribune.com

Related topic galleries: Vinny Del Negro, Chicago Bulls, Kirk Hinrich, Thabo Sefolosha, Oklahoma, Ben Gordon, Punishment

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