Where's Our Peace with Pax?

Most analysts and fans believed that the Bulls biggest necessity going into the off-season was a low-post scorer. And GM John Paxson probably agreed with them.

But over the past month, Paxson has made three moves that oppose this viewpoint.

On Draft Night, he passed on 7-foot center and low-post scorer Spencer Hawes to instead select shaky shooting (and funky looking) Joakim Noah. Eight days later, Paxson reached an agreement with Andres Nocioni on a 5-year, $38 million contract, unofficially ending talks of a trade that would include the Argentinean forward for the likes of a bigger and better interior scoring Pau Gasol or Kevin Garnett. Finally reports yesterday entailed a 2-year deal with former #1 draft pick Joe Smith, who is known for his general shooting ability more than his scoring in the paint.

With these moves, skepticism has arose over Paxson’s inability to address the perceived hole left in the Bulls roster (Stephen A. Smith sure mouthed his disgust enough with Paxson’s selection of Noah). But isn’t everybody forgetting how good Paxson has been since taking over in 2003?

In his first year of management, Paxson formed the foundation, drafting Kirk Hinrich and making Scott Skiles head coach and the representative of the team’s hard-working, defensive style of play. The next year, he started his drafting and signing genius, attaining Ben Gordon, Loul Deng, Chris Duhon, and Andres Nocioni (since adding this tandem, the Bulls have made the playoffs in the last three seasons). He continued to prove his genius, giving Edy Curry to the Knicks in a trade that included many draft picks. The Bulls eventually landed Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah with two lottery picks. To add insult to injury to the Knicks, the Bulls will still get more on their end. They will receive New York’s second-round pick in 2008.

With the three most recent moves, Paxson continues building a team that is truly unique in today’s NBA. By drafting Noah, he adds depth to the defense rather than versatility on offense. By signing Nocioni, he keeps the team chemistry intact rather than trading for a big name. And by attaining Smith, he adds veteranship to a rather 20-somethings team.

If Pax can recruit young talent like he has, make transactions like the Curry trade, and continue to win, can we at least buy in to his team philosophy of defense and hard work? Or does anyone want to go back to the team Jerry Krause assembled?