Instant Bulls draft analysis

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 28, 2006 10:38 PM CDT in News

You know what? Draft analysis merely hours after the picks is completely absurd.

Here's how everyone's draft grades will go: If someone takes a player higher than they were projected, they get a bad grade. If they get someone lower than they were projected, the get a good grade.

The actual draft position hardly matters, especially when the difference is only a couple slots, for instance the Bulls trading down from #2 to #4, or up from #16 to #13. The key thing is if the Bulls got the guys they wanted. And I think they did.

They wanted Thomas all along, and they wanted Sefolosha. Thomas may not be the exact fit, but I trust in Pax. I take it as a bonus that they were able to get Viktor Khryapa, who may be not be much, but at the very least can replace Piatkowski (started 53 games last year, so he can at least play) and has an expiring contract. He's the last guy I figured I'd need to scout tonight, but in the coming weeks we'll know more. I'm guessing he's worth more than either of the future 2 second-rounders the Bulls gave up tonight (one to Portland, one to Philly).

So put away your draft report cards for a couple years. Nobody knows yet how Thomas and Sefolosha will fit with this team, and if Thomas will actually reach his star potential. Aldridge was my guy, but what the hell do I know. It's clear Pax got the guys he wanted, and for now that means his draft grade is an A.

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For Sure

This draft was/is always going to be scrutinized and its impossible to tell how this will pan out. Only one clear cut question - Renaldo Balkman pick 20??? lol, got for the Bulls i think.

I was a Morrison guy (although just as a fan of the player, not as a fan for this bulls team), but im preety satisfied with our picks. I hope Thomas pans out, and i wonder what will happen with Chandler now? it will be an interesting summer..

by rquinsee on Jun 28, 2006 10:55 PM CDT reply actions

How

many people showed up to the draft outing?

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Jun 28, 2006 10:55 PM CDT reply actions

outing was fun!

There was about 15-20 of us, including frequent commenters CRG, Nelsoc, Mike A., Kidd2323, Jobu and OldeBull.

Lots of drinks, good food, TVs were on and we had our own little spot carved out.

The only downer is that there was no real cheers all night, since with all the trades we never knew who was drafting for which team half the time.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 28, 2006 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Glad it was a good time

I couldn't go bc I'm only 20 and don't have a fake.

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Jun 28, 2006 11:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Glad it was a good time

I was thinking about you guys, here from NY, where we were busting on the Knicks all night and thought the Nets did well, except they should have taken Alexander Johnson over Boone. What the hell happened to Johnson, btw? There was a point in time when I was despairing thinking he'd be gone by 16, and I certainly had him above Hilton Armstrong. Did I screw him by sending out the "small hands" warning?!? I feel like I should send him an apology.

Anyway, I'm thrilled. My intial reaction to the draft is very positive. I wonder if the KG thing is going to go down. And I think its a fantastic time to be a Bulls fan.

by preverbal on Jun 28, 2006 11:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Great Night

I think it's great that the Bulls seemingly got the two players they wanted. The Bulls needed athleticism and size in both the frontcourt and backcourt and got both. Certainly an "A," to the Knicks' "F"

One thing I've seen people say is that the Thomas selection makes Tyson expendable, I don't agree with that at all. Because of their height difference, I think they can absolutely play together. Also, IMO, moving Tyson this summer is pointless b/c he's coming off a terrible year. Pax is smarter then that and won't "buy high, sell low" on Tyson.

However, THE highlight of The Draft Outing was of course meeting the man, the myth, the legend: Matt Bernhardt :)

In Pax we Trust!

by Jobu on Jun 28, 2006 11:26 PM CDT reply actions

Good draft

I'm happy with the picks. We definitely got more athletic. Thomas is easily an improvement over Othella/Malik/Darius and Sefolosha can't be any worse than Pike/Basden. Thomas seems to have a high ceiling, but my only concern is whether he can guard the four spot. Seems too light to take the banging. (Maybe they should put him on the exact opposite regimen as Tyson and he'll bulk up a bit.) Based on comments from True Hoop, sounds like Khryapa is a hustle player that will fit right into Skiles' system. Now let's talk free agency! :)

by Mike Aparicio on Jun 28, 2006 11:36 PM CDT reply actions

defense

It seems like Pax has now created a defense that is not just hard working but explosive/athletic. Props to Pax for swinging for the fences with T2, while bluffing Portland into giving us Viktor Krappa, and trading up to snag the Swiss Mister, whom I suspect the Suns were aggressively going after!

Draft Grade: A

by CRG on Jun 28, 2006 11:39 PM CDT reply actions

"Swiss Mister"

Very nice, I may use that.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 28, 2006 11:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Swiss Mister

I think Henry at True Hoop coined that one, but it definitely should catch on. All he needs are some pigtails.

by Mike Aparicio on Jun 29, 2006 12:01 AM CDT up reply actions

yup

Henry did coin that.

by CRG on Jun 29, 2006 12:15 AM CDT up reply actions

Speaking of using newly coined terms...

Did anyone else see this article on Yahoo that makes use of the MTGWCDaS acronym?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=cnnsi-gettingtheirmen&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns

by Rodmaniac on Jun 29, 2006 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions

a-holy crap

Ha! I know Dwyer reads this site as well, so this is no accident.

Should I be like...mad he didn't link me on that? I'm not sure.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 29, 2006 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Congrats Matt

You've certainly gone global. I'd like to think that I had something to do with that back on the old site.

And yes, you should have gotten a link!

In Pax we Trust!

by Jobu on Jun 29, 2006 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Clarification

I'd like to think I had something to do with the acronym, not you going global. whoops.

In Pax we Trust!

by Jobu on Jun 29, 2006 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe a nickname could be...

Swiss Army, because:

he can do a little bit of everything
lots of tools in a small package
always good to have around

by cubbybear on Jun 28, 2006 11:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Swiss Mister dunk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17ZkWHzR8O0&search=Thabo%20Sefolosha

pretty nice.

If we get Przybilla and his 2-3 blocks, what a scary defensive team we have!

Przy, Chandler, Noce, Deng, Thomas, Sefolosha, Hinrich...

Yikes!

by CRG on Jun 29, 2006 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions

first name that came to mind watching that dunk

Pippen.

by CRG on Jun 29, 2006 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Insano-defensive lineups

C: Przybilla, Chandler
PF: Chandler, Thomas, Noce
SF: Thomas, Deng, Noce
SG: Sefolosha, Hinrich
PG: Hinrich, Duhon

I doubt the ball even touches the rim...on both sides of the court!

by CRG on Jun 29, 2006 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions

defense great-but offense

Ahhh, Thomas/Chandler?Pryzbilla on offense is a disaster. The bulls better sign Nene or at least trade for someone who can score.

Well at least thomas will hopefully be able to sneak up somewhere now and then for an alleyoop. I live in ny so i only get a few bulls game televised but whens the last time the bulls completed a powerful alley-oop that finished with a dunk. Maybe Deng??? wow its been a long time

by Sambossanova on Jun 29, 2006 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Good Draft! But Paxon's Job Not Done!

They got what they were looking for and are definitely stronger on defense, but until T2 can fill out and start producing on a consistent basis (maybe a year or two), the Bulls still are without a 4 or 5 who can score. I think T2 will fill in nicely for the loss of a Malik/Darius/Othella, but there's still the gaping scoring hole, and this year's free agent class is crappy, and anyone who thinks Przybilla, Wallace or Nazi Mohammed is the answer is dreaming...

What can we do to get Michael Sweeney to lose 35 pounds? I've always thought he had a soft shot around the basket... when he's not winded or in foul trouble...

hmmmmm....

by leeac on Jun 29, 2006 12:26 AM CDT reply actions

We should get

Nene

by tofferr on Jun 29, 2006 12:43 AM CDT up reply actions

I disagree

Pryzbilla or Nene on one wheel should be relatively inexpensive big men on the free agent, and would be pretty good sharing the court with Chandler or Tyrus Thomas. The Chandler and Antique Davis combination defended the paint fairly well (much better than the recent Sweetney/Harrington/Allen/Songalia and Chandler front courts), and the Bulls could use a big body that isn't as pricey or as offensively inept as Ben Wallace. Chandler and Thomas will be free to roam and swat at shots with Nene or Pryzbilla under the hoop.

The Bulls should be able to squeeze more than 10 points a game out of Tyrus Thomas, and they can certainly follow the NBA small trend, playing him at the 4.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Jun 29, 2006 1:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Dan Patrick and crew kept.....

saying the Bulls would trade Tyson.

by joejoeEnglish94bulls4ever on Jun 29, 2006 2:52 AM CDT reply actions

that trade rumor

Pax ended up on the Scoroe late last night and said basically said they need Tyson. So sure doesn't sound like Pax is looking for a trade this year.

by KT on Jun 29, 2006 6:09 AM CDT reply actions

so,

what's the deal, does matt look like a competitor from the UFC? a bass player from Arrested Development? David Hasselhoff?
These are the things I need to know! I didn't even believe he was a real person, so give me the scoop all you draft night attenders.
As for the draft, I'm not thrilled with Thomas but I'm not going to knock it either. I'll give it a couple seasons and see how it pans out (though the thought of "giving it a few seasons" to develop talent makes me cringe).
I'm pretty excited about Sefalosha though. I think that guy is going to be a great player by year two and a regular part of our rotation.
The trades and such were kinda confusing.. ...is Khryapa really worth a second round pick and moving down two spots in the first round? I have the feeling that Paxson just wanted to dump some pics and clear cap space.
I guess i'm very happy overall, despite my wariness with Thomas. At the very least, he seems a perfect match up to guard James (with some seasoning) and cause fits for Wade. If that pans out, than he's a winner. I hate drafting as a response to other teams though.

by CookDing on Jun 29, 2006 7:33 AM CDT reply actions

ummm

Sefolosha was who the Bulls traded next years second rounder and moved UP in the draft for.

Thomas may need time to develop, but he is certainly not going to be as incompetent as a fresh out of high school rookie.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Jun 29, 2006 8:04 AM CDT up reply actions

also

Why be wary of Thomas? Aldridge is too soft to fit in with Skiles' system anyway, plus it has been quite a while since the Bulls drafted a player with a respectable highlight reel.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Jun 29, 2006 8:18 AM CDT up reply actions

as for thomas

i'm wary cause i haven't seen him dribble, reliably shoot, play with his back to the basket, drive or pass. not that he can't do those things, i just have yet to see them.
as for soft players, i'm ok with not taking aldridge, but to say those sort of players won't work with skiles is a little off the mark. eddy curry did fine in our system. granted, he was traded, but he filled a role and most would agree that we missed that presence this year.

by CookDing on Jun 29, 2006 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions

thanks

yeah, i realized that was the sefalosha trade. i was referring to the portland trade. i inadvertently included the second rounder in that one. don't have espn, so i have to go by late night reports via phone.

by CookDing on Jun 29, 2006 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions

apologies

A sports fan without cable is a dire situation I dare not attack again.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Jun 29, 2006 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions

dropping

that little bit of information is my last line of defense.

by CookDing on Jun 30, 2006 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions

Matt

Matt is actually 6-11, 285 with a mean scowl. I think the Bulls could use him at center.

by Mike Aparicio on Jun 29, 2006 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions

so...

you're saying he looks like david hasselhoff? nowitzki, it your heart out.

by CookDing on Jun 30, 2006 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions

post scoring

where's the beef?

by CRG on Jun 29, 2006 8:38 AM CDT reply actions

'Big footwork' Sweetney

Is all the beef any team could ask for

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 29, 2006 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions

lard

If he can't increase his stamina then he is just the fatty portion... which is good and makes it taste alot better, but you can't have too much of it.

ok enough metaphors...

so really, I see nobody in FA who has post moves...but I think we will likely sign Przybilla.

People do have a point that Aldridge might not even be able to establish post position until he gets stronger, but at least he has the skills developing.

by CRG on Jun 29, 2006 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions

A+++ for Pax and company

[Moved from the diaries, written by RingItUp26. Just trying to keep most of the post-draft reaction in one spot. -Matt]

I have switched my #1 choice for who the Bulls should take at #2 for the past month. First it was Thomas, then Roy, then Thomas, then Aldridge, then Bargnani, but it ended with Thomas before the draft. Yeah, the saying is you can't teach height. But, like I said in my very first diary on this website, you cannot teach heart and desire either. Curry? In that Texas-LSU game, I just didn't see that in Aldridge, and saw all of it in Thomas. I hear people say you can't judge players on just one game, but it is easy to compare 2 players in which you are interested when they are playing against each other. If you threw stats out the window for that game, Thomas just looked outstanding, doing everything, showing emotion. He's more athletic than Aldridge (combine results show it), and that was a need as well. You knew both were going to be projects going into the draft, so why not take the project that is more likely to become a star? Great pick, Pax. Trading to get Thabo as well, to get their guy, is just genius. They get both guys they wanted. I know ESPN analysts are dumb sometimes, but all 3 guys next to Dan Patrick loved the Bulls draft. To all the bloggers who wanted Aldridge, just look at who was making these picks for the Bulls. PAX!! He was 2 for 2 in drafts before this, and in my mind now, he is 3 for 3.

(One quick side note....I don't know if this ease the nerves in those who are worried about Thomas' height to be a PF. Udonis Haslem is 6'8, 235 lbs and averaged 9 pts, 8 rebs a game last year for the championship Heat team. Haslem wasn't even drafted, and has no where near the athleticism of Thomas.)

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 29, 2006 8:47 AM CDT reply actions

Experience in the middle matters most

We all know that the Bulls still need a Big Body at the 5. However, the Bulls need someone with experience down low to advance in the playoffs. As if I need to say this to Bulls fans, but young big men tend to develop the slowest. They also tend to struggle defensively. Why would Aldridge be any different? Even if they did take him, they'd likely still go sign someone bigger b/c Tyson and LA down low would look like a pair of chopsticks.

Bottom line is that the Bulls are going to sign one of the free agent Big Men. SO which would you rather to go with him: A big man in Aldridge who's like going to play the 4 or Thomas, the player that most "experts" think has the best chance to be a SuperStar? Trust Pax on this one - he's earned it.

In Pax we Trust!

by Jobu on Jun 29, 2006 9:03 AM CDT reply actions

Chad Ford says:

From his chat today:

They got the best player in the draft ... and I love Sefolosha. Personally I preferred Ronnie Brewer at No. 13 but Sefolosha was a great pick. They addressed two needs, have lots of money in free agency and they have assets ... Bulls will be very good.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jun 29, 2006 11:26 AM CDT reply actions

FA 4&5... and Brewer vs. Thabo

I'm hoping for Pryz and Jackie Butler in FA... I think both will be economic pick-ups and Butler may be the bruiser we need on ocassion (say 10-15 minutes a game).

I think Pax ended up going with Thabo for two main reasons: 1) most sites (including draftexpress) describe his defensive ability as that of a particularly strong on the ball and help defender... while Brewer relied more on lane gambling for a lot of his steals (similar to how Iverson always has high steals but is not a good team defender)... and 2) from his dratexpress profile he seems like the perfect complimentary team player / locker room guy. I like this move a lot... and I really like how much personality plays into Pax's decisions... all GM's talk about it... but it seems that Pax has the resolve to actually work this way.

by micah on Jun 29, 2006 12:41 PM CDT reply actions

Dwyer

Is a putz. If you need proof, I suggest the following "prophetic" article:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/kelly_dwyer/11/10/clippers/index.html

by Todd Lerner @ Blog a Bull on Jun 29, 2006 2:16 PM CDT reply actions

RE: Dwyer

Dude, Dwyer's cool. He seems to give the Bulls plenty of national exposure and is one of few NBA writers that isn't 50+ years old. And seriously, so he predicted the Clippers would fail? 19 years out of 20 it's a correct assumption.

In Pax we Trust!

by Jobu on Jun 29, 2006 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Pax/Skiles post-draft comments

http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/quotes_060628.html

by CRG on Jun 29, 2006 2:54 PM CDT reply actions

Does that mean he has a psychotic wife?

Quote from interview

Does Thabo remind you of any particular player?

Skiles: "When we first saw him, Doug Christie came to mind a little bit with his hands and length and the way that he plays." . . . .
and he does wierd hand signals to his wife when he is on the free-throw line.

by GWKD on Jun 29, 2006 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions