May 20th, everyone in the lottery finds out their pick.
June 26th, draft day. I can't wait.
Who doesn't love the draft? The bad teams get to ready to welcome a high pick, mediocre teams are looking for missing components, and the great teams can add role players. Trades are exchanged--like last year's blockbuster deal involving Portland handing over Randolph--amazingly genius deals like that. Ha.
From the Bulls perspective, Chicago is sitting tight with the likely 9th Pick.
Espn.com has Paxson selecting Kosta Koufos--the 7 footer out of Ohio State. Scouts like his ability to make the open mid range jumper, his ability to run the floor, and his overall skills for his size. He averaged 14.4 pts and 6.7 rebs last year, his freshman season. It might be true that he is only 19, but I am definately not sold. I saw him in the NIT and their last Big Ten game, and wasn't overly impressed. He did hit a big three in one game, but then fouled out. Rebounding is weak, and he isn't that athletic--i.e, won't be able to block shots, create off the bounce. Not saying he won't be a solid pro, but I can't image he fits our need at this time.
Draftexpress.com has Chicago taking Anthony Randolph, the 18 year old out of LSU. Extemely long, athletic, left handed--people say he has amazing potential. Basically, he's Tyrus Thomas--little taller, and better jumper. I would say, if we didn't have TT, then maybe draft him, but we do. The last thing the Bulls need is another high risk, high reward player--especially one that has no basketball I.Q., and is a long term project.
NBAdraft.net has the Bulls picking up the Italian, Danilo Gallinari. He's 6-9 point forward of sorts coming over from Europe. Another young kid, he's got a great jumpshot, good fundamentals, plays with heart. Apparently, however, he can't defend athletic players, which could be a problem in the NBA. With two small forwards as of now, Deng and Noc (occassionally Thabo), he doesn't fit the need.
Looking at the current roster, it's easier to tell what type of player we need. Negating the rumors--Deng and Gordon, one or the other or both, leaving, that is how we'll dissect the draft. It could of course change, but we'll deal with that closer to draft day.
Projected Starters for 2008-2009
Backcourt: Hinrich and Thabo/Gordon
Front: Noah, Deng, Gooden
Main Bench: Tyrus Thomas, Nocioni, Hughes, Gray?--But I hope not.
So, looking at the squad, it would be wise, if possible, to trade the pick. As you can see, we're young, we have a solid core, but we need veterans. This is the youngest team in the entire league. A player like an Elton Brand would do absolute wonders for this team, far better than a draft player--minus Rose or Beasley.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
D'uh Toni...and let the Off-Season Begin
Bulls miss out on D'Antoni.
Reinsdorf is a cheapskate.
Paxson screws up.
Player morale is down.
but.............. I will be the first to acknowledge I don't know if this is a good or bad thing. No one knows how good D'Antoni could really fit with the Bulls. Sure, the idea is with his 7 Seconds or Less offense, accompanied by the Bulls athletes, there could definately be some 100 plus games in the United Center. He won in Phoenix, almost made it to the NBA Championship--thanks to Robert Horry hip check. He is a player's coach.
Remember, the Bulls came into last season as a jumpshooting team. We don't have an Amare Stoudemire--we have Tyrus Thomas, who as great as his upside maybe, simply isn't big enough to dominate the paint. We don't have a Shawn Marion type player, a 20/10 guy who doesn't need his number called, who can also guard four positions. No we have Deng, a jump shooting small forward, who does need plays run for him. There is no Steve Nash--as much as I do love Hinrich--he is obviously no Nash. Nor do we have one of the fastest players in Barbosa off the bench.
Having said all of that, I will concede that the Bulls would score more, D'Antoni's offense would just make it happen, he's a great coach, no qualms about that. But DEFENSE was what put us into the 2nd round two years ago, defense is what failed us this year. And for all of the Sun's success, their offense firepower, they never won anything. Defense wins championships, that's it.
D'Antoni could win a championship, even as an offensive minded coach--but the defense mindset needs to be there with the players. Look at the Lakers, Phil Jackson is not known for D, rather the triangle. But he won those championships because he had Jordan, Pippen, Kobe, Shaq, and so on. While great scorers and passers--all of them have made All Defensive Teams.
Look at the playoffs now. Nuggets--led the league in scoring, gone. Golden State, didn't even make the postseason. The favorites to win it all are the Lakers, Celtics, Pistons, Spurs, Utah, they all play defense. And of course they all have low post threats..but that's another post.
For what we have as a roster, right now, improvement on defense. B/c as much as a system might help, we'll still be a jump shooting team with limited shooting. Gordon is really our main 3pt threat, and Hinrich shot horribly this past year. Deng and Noc are mid range shooters, and Thomas often thinks he is. And usually they are all contested.
I don't know who we should hire, I truly don't. I do believe that we need an established name, bring credibility to the youngest team in the NBA. But the real tweaks should be with the roster.
Reinsdorf is a cheapskate.
Paxson screws up.
Player morale is down.
but.............. I will be the first to acknowledge I don't know if this is a good or bad thing. No one knows how good D'Antoni could really fit with the Bulls. Sure, the idea is with his 7 Seconds or Less offense, accompanied by the Bulls athletes, there could definately be some 100 plus games in the United Center. He won in Phoenix, almost made it to the NBA Championship--thanks to Robert Horry hip check. He is a player's coach.
Remember, the Bulls came into last season as a jumpshooting team. We don't have an Amare Stoudemire--we have Tyrus Thomas, who as great as his upside maybe, simply isn't big enough to dominate the paint. We don't have a Shawn Marion type player, a 20/10 guy who doesn't need his number called, who can also guard four positions. No we have Deng, a jump shooting small forward, who does need plays run for him. There is no Steve Nash--as much as I do love Hinrich--he is obviously no Nash. Nor do we have one of the fastest players in Barbosa off the bench.
Having said all of that, I will concede that the Bulls would score more, D'Antoni's offense would just make it happen, he's a great coach, no qualms about that. But DEFENSE was what put us into the 2nd round two years ago, defense is what failed us this year. And for all of the Sun's success, their offense firepower, they never won anything. Defense wins championships, that's it.
D'Antoni could win a championship, even as an offensive minded coach--but the defense mindset needs to be there with the players. Look at the Lakers, Phil Jackson is not known for D, rather the triangle. But he won those championships because he had Jordan, Pippen, Kobe, Shaq, and so on. While great scorers and passers--all of them have made All Defensive Teams.
Look at the playoffs now. Nuggets--led the league in scoring, gone. Golden State, didn't even make the postseason. The favorites to win it all are the Lakers, Celtics, Pistons, Spurs, Utah, they all play defense. And of course they all have low post threats..but that's another post.
For what we have as a roster, right now, improvement on defense. B/c as much as a system might help, we'll still be a jump shooting team with limited shooting. Gordon is really our main 3pt threat, and Hinrich shot horribly this past year. Deng and Noc are mid range shooters, and Thomas often thinks he is. And usually they are all contested.
I don't know who we should hire, I truly don't. I do believe that we need an established name, bring credibility to the youngest team in the NBA. But the real tweaks should be with the roster.
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