Taj Gibson is now at the point of his career where he needs an opportunity to prove that he is an All-Star in this league. Indeed, the Chicago Bulls reserve forward has already proven himself that he can take on a bigger role if given an opportunity. In fact, it can be easily said that heis best reserve at his position and could actually start for most teams.
Gibson has been a reserve for the rest of his career. He has all the tools, being hard-working and versatile (he played center in stretches when Joakim Noah was injured) and most nba analysts believe he is a star player. He even proved that he was more effective than former Bulls starting forward Carlos Boozer and when the Bulls finally amnestied Boozer, it was supposed to be his time.
However, the Bulls had another thing in mind. When they lost in the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes, they still got a very good acquisition in Pau Gasol. The only problem is that Gasol will start and push Taj to the bench once again. Definitely not the type of news Gibson will be happy about.
During the Kevin Love trade circus, his name was mentioned but he aired this sentiment:
"All I can do is be a player and represent whatever team I'm wearing their jersey. But I hope I don't have to leave Chicago any time soon. This is like my first home."
But Bulls insiders have a different story. Gibson is not getting any younger, he is already 29 years of age however, his loyalty proves to be above everything else. CSN Chicago states:
"Privately, Gibson isn't too thrilled with the prospect of continuing to be a reserve, according to multiple people familiar with the situation, but the upbeat, team-first player values winning and chemistry too much to make it an issue or distraction."
The best antidote to any internal problems is winning. If Chicago lives up to the high expectations, then Gibson would find it hard to leave a possible championship run.
Still, Bleacher Report has Toronto Raptors GM Masai Ujiri eyeing the Bulls reserve:
"Masai has been great about accumulating picks, so he's got some things to work with, but getting a top-flight PF won't be easy. Taj Gibson might become available, and he'd be a fun guy to have in there."
What do you think readers? Is Taj Gibson really an All-Star caliber player? Sound off in the comments section below!
