Carmelo Anthony rumors: Chicago Bulls optimistic after meeting
The highlight of the opening day of free agency in the NBA was New York Knicks’ forward Carmelo Anthony’s first stop on his free agency tour. Anthony was in Chicago to check out the Bulls.
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Anthony seems like a perfect fit in Chicago. The Bulls are seemingly always going to be one of the elite defensive teams as long as the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Joakim Noah is roaming the middle and Tom Thibodeau serving as head coach – the Bulls were second in defensive rating, behind the Indiana Pacers, last season. They have struggled on offense, which is why Anthony, one of the game’s elite scorers, could take the Bulls to the next level.
The Bulls were spotted going into the United Center with Anthony and he even got to see Derrick Rose work out. He also reportedly joined Thibodeau, Noah, big man Taj Gibson, Bulls’ general manager Gar Forman and Bulls’ owner Jerry Reinsdorf for dinner.
According to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, the Bulls are very confident in landing Anthony after their meeting.
"After meeting at the facility and discussing the team’s pitch, the group went to dinner at the Peninsula Hotel in downtown Chicago. Anthony, Noah, Rose, Gibson, Thibodeau, Jerry Reinsdorf, Gar Forman and Scottie Pippen were all in attendance at the dinner, according to sources.The Bulls left the meeting and dinner feeling very confident that Anthony is seriously considering signing with Chicago, according to sources close to the situation."
Anthony put up 27.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game and shot 45.2% from the field, 40.2% from beyond the arc and 84.8% from the free throw line last season.