PF Situation: Next Season's Inside Scorer

by hongydraw on Mar 19, 2007 1:25 AM CDT

Sirus is playing and you hear the exciting announcement..
"And now, the starting line-up, for your Chicago Bulls!" They proceed to annoucne Luol Deng, Ben Wallace, Ben Gordon, and Kirk Hinrich. But who is going to be out scoring PF? Here is a list of players I think could fill the only real hole on the team.

Chris Webber, Detroit Pistons
I still don't know why we didnt even consider this, other than the fact that somebody would have had to been cut. The Bulls would be far and away the best team in the east right now if we signed him. He's shown this year he has something left and I don't think the Pistons signed him to a multi year deal.

Darko Milicic, Orlando Magic
I know he still isnt the dominant threat some thought he'd be by now, but I still think he could become one. At the same time however, I feel this would be a very low option for the Bulls, and he seems to be more of the 'second guy' than the starter.

Tyrus Thomas, Chicago Bulls
In my perfect senario, Tyrus becomes a 15-17 ppg man and the search ends here.

Nazr Mohammed, Detroit Pistons
He'd be under contract so a trade would be needed, but because he isnt playing much in Detroit he could come cheap. If you look at his stats he is still having a good year, he is just stuck at 16 mpg.

Eddy Curry, New York Knicks
OK, OK just listen for a minute. The Bulls need an inside scoring PF/C and Eddy happens to be an inside scoring PF/C. This is an idea that I hope does not happen and I am just listing for the reaction, but if Tyrus becomes a major defensive force, would it be worth trading Wallace for Curry?

Al Jefferson, Boston Celtics
Exactly what we need, scoring PF. Not sure if he's a free agent though, and if not it would be hard to swing him from Boston.

Michael Sweetney, Chicago Bulls
He always 'could' be the answer. Will he be the answer? Will he get in shape? The answer is the same.

Pau Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
I dont want to trade Deng/Gordon, but at the end of the year depending if they end up with Oden, they might accept PJ Brown (sign and trade), Nocioni, something else. Still as doubtful as ever though.

Chris Kamen, LA Clippers
Inside scoring PF. Trade would be needed though, and not really a go-to-guy type.

Drew Gooden, Cleveland Cavaliers
See above, although I dont know if a trade is needed here.

Spencer Hawes, Washington
http://nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/spencerhawes.html

Greg Oden, Ohio State
Would require a draft lottery miracle cash in. http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/gregoden.html

Marc Gasol, Spain
http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/marcgasol.html

Feel free to agree, argue, or add your own ideas.

FanPosts are user-created posts from the BlogABull community, and are to be treated as the opinions and views of that particular user, not that of the blogger or blog community as a whole.

Tweet Comment 63 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

In order..(but only two)

Darko Milicic...cuz he is underrated as an offensive post player, and he would be perfect in Coach Skiles' scheme as a starter.

Ben Wallace knows him well. He's long, athletic and Kirilenko-like on defense. He can post on offense, and he's very young. We've barely seen him scratch the surface in Orlando next to Howard. Imagine him added to a team that knows what they want to do. Think Rasheed traded to Detroit from Portland.

Secondly, maybe Al Jefferson. Despite what he showed against the Bulls last week, he can finish better than Sweetney (the Bulls' best post-up guy) and in the right environment, he'll play defense.

Oh, and there is always Luol's commitment to working on a low post game this off-season.

Sweet Home Sports

by james@lifeinthecell on Mar 19, 2007 5:06 AM CDT reply actions

Kirilenko like on defense?? WTF!!!

Darko Milicic would not be a good fit in the Pax/Skiles system. First, Darko is one of the worst defensive players I have ever seen. It looks like he's playing in mud (very slow). And yeah, Ben W. knows how bad he is! Darko is not athletic. He makes Toni Kukoc look like an All-Defensive player.

Rasheed Wallace is a far superior player than Darko will ever be!!! Wallace was already an All-Star with Portland; very much established. Please don't insult Rasheed like that!

by GranvilleWaiters on Mar 19, 2007 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Not a realistic list

Tyrus could develop into that post presence we're looking for, but other than Gasol's little brother, the rest of those guys are either untouchable or out of reach for us.

I love you Ben, you almost make me forget about...tacos.

by eddiew23 on Mar 19, 2007 6:14 AM CDT reply actions

Hibbert

The guy I want and we could get him with the NYK or by using that pick and the 08 pick to trade up some spots to get him would be Roy Hibbert. Who IMHO is a better offesive player right now than Oden.

by LD9 on Mar 19, 2007 7:50 AM CDT reply actions

I like Hibbert a lot

But he might not be coming out this year. Still a 50/50 shot. If he did make himself available, we would have to trade up about 5 spots to snag him. He won't be available at #13-15.

I love you Ben, you almost make me forget about...tacos.

by eddiew23 on Mar 19, 2007 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm just waiting for the Final Four...

Georgetown vs. Ohio St. Can't imagine a better match-up right now.

by tyger1147 on Mar 19, 2007 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Sounds good to me.

If the Hoyas win it all, I win my pool. Plus, seeing Oden, Hibbert, Green, and Conley all play at the same time would be great.

I love you Ben, you almost make me forget about...tacos.

by eddiew23 on Mar 19, 2007 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions

He will be at #13-#15

by GranvilleWaiters on Mar 19, 2007 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Draftexpress.com has him going at

#9 to Minnesota. Nbadraft.net has New Jersey taking him at #16.

Sue369 is in her 60's

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Mar 19, 2007 7:02 PM CDT up reply actions

ESPN Draft lottery

ESPN draft machine have the Bulls picking Hibbert at #11.

by Jesse07 on Mar 21, 2007 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions

Hibbert?? Are you kidding??

Have you seen him go up and down the court??? It looks really awkward! He looks like George Muresan. He is not a better offensive player than Oden. It takes him forever to make any sort of move. Those moves will never work in the NBA. Hibbert makes Brendon Hayword look like an All-Star.

by GranvilleWaiters on Mar 19, 2007 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions

A poor man's Brendan Haywood is how I would

describe Hibbert. Hibbert could be a good role player for some teams, but not the Bulls because of how Skiles has them guard the pick and roll and how they front the post. He's expected to go in the neighborhood of where the Bulls pick, but he's just doesn't have the quickness to play in their system.

by Scotter on Mar 19, 2007 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Magloire would be a better option than Lard Ass

Sue369 is in her 60's

by Colossus @ Blog a Bull on Mar 19, 2007 9:12 AM CDT reply actions

Actually... no

Magloire is awful. He's not quite Sweetney-Sized, but I wouldn't call him in shape either. Sweetney at least produces when he's given the oppurtunity too. Magloire is an inefficient offensive player, and I don't recall him being much of a defender since he left New Orleans. Most of these "ideas" (said with quotsie finger movement) are brutal. As much fun as it wouldn't be to shoot these down one by one, I'm really surprised Eddy Curry made the list. How is the he-could-die-on-the-court situation forgotten so often?

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Mar 19, 2007 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions

Actually... still no, but less, but still...

Sweetney's production has been poor this season, and far less efficient than his fairly respectable career numbers (dropping more than 4 points from his career average PER). Magloire's 12.1 PTS/40, 20.6 TO-r, and 10.92 PER are still so bad that I would rather see Paul Shirley back on the roster. He'd at least blog about being a crappy bench player.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Mar 19, 2007 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions

And Sweetney

could still improve, Magloire's production has bee dropping every season.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Mar 19, 2007 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions

Curry, how is he even mentioned?

Post players the Bulls could go after have to be, Z.Bo, Pau, Darko, or thru draft. Yi Jianlian seems to be getting looks from the Bulls' scouts. I like him alot and having him and Ty2 for the future seems like a good front line. Any rookie will not get enough time to play (as we've seen with Tyrus) to have a huge impact in the post. So let's just hope that if no vet is brought in, Tyrus and Deng improve their post skills.

48 is greater than 52

by Goostafer on Mar 19, 2007 11:51 AM CDT reply actions

They talk

about Yi Jianlian in this article but say it will take years for him to develope into an NBA player. They also talk about Pau's brother Marc.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/basketball/bulls/302820,CST-SPT-bull19.article

Go Bulls!!

by sue369 on Mar 19, 2007 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Yea I read that,

If he does become a bull it would be a nice addition in my opinion. He's more athletic than Yao, but it seems it will take some time for him to be primed. But Ty2 is also raw still and could benefit from having a learning buddy. We all know Tyrus is nowhere close to his full potential, so we will be waiting for him anyway. Future is bright.

48 is greater than 52

by Goostafer on Mar 19, 2007 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah so...

That's the same thing they said about Dirk in the '99 draft

by GranvilleWaiters on Mar 19, 2007 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions

This list is stupid

I try not to be negative on these posts but I can't help but say it.

This list is a joke.

AIM screen name : Option27

by Option27 on Mar 19, 2007 12:08 PM CDT reply actions

The main story here is

Paxson going to China instead of the NCAA tourney to scout Yi Jianlian.

I'm really hoping the Bulls are serious about going after Yi. He's somewhat of a project but he has the low post kind of moves the Bulls can use.

AIM screen name : Option27

by Option27 on Mar 19, 2007 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions

I've read this

article several times but I don't see where it says Pax is skipping the NCAA's to scout Yi. It says they are scouting him but I didn't see where it says Pax is skipping the NCAA's. Was this just your opinion that he is skipping them?

Go Bulls!!

by sue369 on Mar 19, 2007 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Pax is in China

It was in the Chicago Tribune today.

by GranvilleWaiters on Mar 19, 2007 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Correction

Once again Yi does not have post moves. He is a perimeter player. His game is like Toni Kukoc. Without the passing.

by GranvilleWaiters on Mar 19, 2007 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions

none of the above?

Thought I'd chime in with a sub-point: the none of the above option. This is based on the socratic reflection that I have no idea what Paxson will do this summer. I think a lot of people are in the same position. At this time last year, I could not have predicted any of Paxson's summer pick ups, although some of the castoffs could be logically predicted. And that goes with a lot of moves Paxson has made in years past.

If I had to guess, which I suppose is the point of 99% of these discussions, the Bulls won't have a new starting PF that is not already on the roster. Here's to Tyrus developing, and my quixotic quest for Sweetney to take Skiles' hostage to force him to play more (although I'd not be surprised if he was a castoff).

GWKD

by GWKD on Mar 19, 2007 12:11 PM CDT reply actions

Muddy muddled murky muddy mud

Nocioni continuing to be a gritty, underrated player on the Bulls, or becoming an overpaid, high expectation player for someone else makes this a tougher guessing game than what you're describing. Not to mention the confusion over him being a restricted FA or not (have the rocket scientists here figured that out yet?).

A sign and trade with the draft pick could get the Bulls a decent return for their Nocioni, but keeping him and having a Thomas/Noc platoon might be a good situation too. Both of those scenarios still leave the Bulls without a good backup big, and I think the need for that player is so strong wasting the draft pick on a probable project like that Yi guy, or another 6'9" forward would be huge mistakes.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Mar 19, 2007 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions

oops

A sign and trade (+pick) could get the Bulls a decent backup big. Could is key. It really depends on other teams becoming infatuated with whoever will drop to the Knicks' pick, but that does seem to happen every year (that's how Bulls acquired Vik Useless). Yi could become a nice trading chip.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Mar 19, 2007 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions

disagreed

I think Yi isn't as much as a project that people might think. I think he'll obviously get better in time but also think he can contribute right away

AIM screen name : Option27

by Option27 on Mar 19, 2007 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions

Contribute how?

It's doubtful he'll be able to defend the center position, and the Bulls are going to have to hold off Howard in the future.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Mar 19, 2007 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Holding off Howard

is nearly impossible for any team to accomplish. Maybe if we were lucky to get Oden. But Tyrus should develop well enough to take care of those duties.

Yi has natural scoring abilities around the basket. That's how he'll contribute.

AIM screen name : Option27

by Option27 on Mar 19, 2007 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Yi's scoring abilities are not around the basket

Yi's game revolves around the outside. He's a perimeter player.

by GranvilleWaiters on Mar 19, 2007 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions

More Yi

I'm not saying he's Dirk or is going to be Dirk. His game is like Dirk, without the occational post-game that Dirk has.

by GranvilleWaiters on Mar 19, 2007 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions

based on what?

Do you get Chinese league pass?

I think it's a risk not worth taking. The Bulls are too close to be worrying about these middling big men. That's for fans of bad teams to lust over.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 19, 2007 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm just basing my argument

on what I've read and footage I've seen. Most comparisons are to a young Gasol. Gasol was pretty productive as a rookie and obviously got to the point of where he is now, an all star big man.

Another note, the Bulls will benefit from Chinese fan voting for the all star game and they'll have their first all star in years! ;)

AIM screen name : Option27

by Option27 on Mar 19, 2007 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions

As far as getting someone

who is going to contribute right away, the Bulls will have to trade. There isn't much out there worth signing. Obviously that would be the first (hopefully) option, without making other holes. If that doesn't happen, they will have to use that pick to draft a big guy, and any rookie picked in the mid1st round will be a project. If its Yi or any US born kid, he prob won't contribute till the next few years.

48 is greater than 52

by Goostafer on Mar 19, 2007 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Just for fun...

http://www.nba.com/news/chinesebasketballfinals_070317.html
-
Why not gamble on him? Rockets did it with Yao, look at him now and it's only his 5th year in the NBA. Plus, I think Tyrus will become more of a threat next year. He might be the starting PF next year unless a trade happens and a seasoned vet comes in.

48 is greater than 52

by Goostafer on Mar 19, 2007 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Yi is Chinese, so he's Yao

Very logical.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Mar 19, 2007 3:54 PM CDT up reply actions

that was ignorant.

I didn't compare anyone. that's why I posted the link, so you can read that he's being compared to Garnett. The point is that it states on the article I posted that he's regarded as China's most promising prospect since Yao Ming, hence the example I gave with Yao. I could have said Bargnani or Dirk or any player from Overseas that has taken long to develop. The same things were said about Yao, that he would not be NBA ready for a while. Logical is saying that I compared the two? Read and think before you comment. The point is obvious. I'll just be clearer with you since everything has to be spelled out (and right). That a gamble on such prospect should be one to be considered if no trade is made for an already established post player.

48 is greater than 52

by Goostafer on Mar 19, 2007 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions

was Yao supposed to be 'late to develop'?

at the very least, Yao was projected #1 overall. It's a lot different when you're talking about a player who's going to be mid-to-late lottery.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 19, 2007 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions

If I remember

the 02 draft class was weak. Yao was he only one considered to be a #1. The Bulls picked J.Will... Amare was a kid out of HS. Either way, its not about what chance the Rockets took or not. I don't think it was much of a decision to make with the guys coming in. Point is if he's there when the Bulls have a pick and no-one else is worth bringing in. Why Not? that's all Im asking, why not?
-
Since Yao has become the conversation here is this from the mouth of Yao... :-)
-
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4644466.html

48 is greater than 52

by Goostafer on Mar 19, 2007 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions

draft class

They said it was a two person draft that year. Too bad J-Wil got in that wreck. One thing I loved about Jason Williams is he threw a good alley-oop. After he was gone, it seemed that we (the bulls) never threw the lob anymore.

by Jesse07 on Mar 20, 2007 5:56 PM CDT up reply actions

huh?

"Why not gamble on him? Rockets did it with Yao, look at him now and it's only his 5th year in the NBA."

Sure it's an example, but you still drew a Yao/Yi comparison. His game sure is more Wang than Ming. I'd also say every team that passed on Amare blew it in the 2002 draft.

Yao may have a reputation for being soft (feels like it's been a decade since he's played in a game, is he still hurt?), but he was physically capable in his rookie year. That has a lot do with his height, but Yao was never a stick man either. This Yi fella is a perimeter oriented 7 footer who won't be able to dunk on the competition, or hang on to the ball in the NBA. He doesn't look very strong, and there's no reason to gamble in a draft where there might be some really good players obscured by the Oden/Durant hype.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Mar 19, 2007 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Yi...not enough info

Look, Yi would be a gamble but so was tyrus (he still is). But lets not go all out and say he wont be able to compete against the NBA. From what I udnerstand, which might not be much, the CBA isnt exactly the most competitive league out there. If Yi was posting those numbers in Italy or the D-league hed be a top three pick.

That doesnt mean that he doesnt have basic attributes that could translate into a great NBA career. He is seven foot tall but looks rather fast/agile/athletic. He is an above average ball handler for a forward, a good shooter, and posses above average leaping abilities. How much trouble he will have adjusting to playing against bigger players is yet to be seen. The pre-draft camps and such will probably give us a better idea to how he compares to other prospects.

by Sambossanova on Mar 19, 2007 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Like Matt just posted

The Bulls would be better off with someone who can contribute right away, and my half-assed assessment of Yi doesn't have anything to do with how well he'll be playing in 5 years. My guess is he'll be an MVP candidate in China.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Mar 19, 2007 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Ooh! Better comparison!

Wang Zhizhi.

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Mar 19, 2007 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Gasol

averaged about 18 points and 9 rebounds a game in his rookie year. If this kid is similar to Gasol, it's not impossible for him contribute right away. Even half those stats would be solid addition to the team.

AIM screen name : Option27

by Option27 on Mar 19, 2007 2:58 PM CDT reply actions

Draft

I guess lopez isnt an option anymore.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2804720

by Sambossanova on Mar 19, 2007 4:31 PM CDT reply actions

Draft List

Players from Draft who would look good in a Bulls uniform. Oden, Durant, Horford, Noah, Jianlian, Lopez, Brandon Wright. I don't like Spencer Hawes, Julian Wright, Hansbrough, Hibbert, Splitter, McRoberts, Gray.

by GranvilleWaiters on Mar 19, 2007 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Kamen ?? Are you kidding!

Kamen just signed a 65 million dollar deal last summer > 5 years. There's not a chance the Bulls trade for him.

by GranvilleWaiters on Mar 19, 2007 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Gooden also signed a big contract!

by GranvilleWaiters on Mar 19, 2007 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions

I wouldn't call it big.

Gooden signed avery reasonable deal so that isn't the problem. I remember discussing how Cleveland got a fair deal. However, an trade within the division between playoff teams would be problematic. I don't think Gooden solves any of the Bulls's problems either.

by Scotter on Mar 19, 2007 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Oden and Durant? Really?

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Mar 19, 2007 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Hmmm

I jsut posted that Lopez wont be in the draft so hes not a possibility. Splitter has been playing better and has more experience.

I watched some of the Georgetown game this weekend and hibbert was surprisingly adequately quick on defense moving side to side and playing pick and roll defense. I am more concerned about his vertical quickness. I like him a lot more than Noah , Jianlin or WRight for the bulls at this point.

I agree though that no one would lok worst in a bulls uniform than McRoberts....except Gray. Hansbrough is kind of interesting in that I am wondering how he will match up against NBA bigs.

by Sambossanova on Mar 19, 2007 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions

I am really glad

that most of you guys aren't running the bulls...

by bullshooter on Mar 19, 2007 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Lopez is out

by JoJoEnglish94bulls4ever on Mar 19, 2007 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions

You want a player who can contribute instantly?

Luis Scola. A dominant PF in Europe, 26 years old. He owns all the NCAA guys mentioned above.

by Chilai on Mar 19, 2007 7:05 PM CDT reply actions

How

I asked this in a different thread and no one responded.

What is his deal and how would we acquire him? How long do those draft rights last and how long is his contract with TAu?

by Sambossanova on Mar 19, 2007 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions

don't know how long the rights last

and if they do expire he's an unrestricted FA. So the Bulls would use the MLE.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Mar 19, 2007 7:54 PM CDT up reply actions

About Yi

I dont think we should gamble with him. The bulls are trying to win a championship NOW not in the future. If they dont get past the first round this year, someone will be fired/traded. Also i think if they dont get into the conference finals next year someone will be fired/traded and the year after if they are not in the finals then...you know.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2006/draft/players/59862.html

according to that this yi guy is;

not a real post player
not completely ready for the nba
A sub par 3 shooter.

So he is giving the bulls HEIGHT and thats it, not worth it. He may be worse than chandler.

im trying hard to become the next kirk hinrich, therefore im doing nothing more than being the next chris duhon.

by piccolomair on Mar 20, 2007 4:02 PM CDT reply actions

Win now arguments

Last time I checked the bulls want to win now and in th future as well as in the past...If they were that desperate about winning now they would have pulled the trigger on the gasol trade and probably not draft tyrus thomas.

by Sambossanova on Mar 20, 2007 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh

I dont think pulling the trigger on the gasol deal EVER guaranteed a championship. I thought the problem with it was being still one piece behind. You are right about the bulls wanting to win now, next year, years to come, and if possible last year as well.

im trying hard to become the next kirk hinrich, therefore im doing nothing more than being the next chris duhon.

by piccolomair on Mar 21, 2007 12:24 AM CDT reply actions

12 Teams

There are 12 teams right now in the 25 - 30 win range, and the Celtics (20)and Griz (17) are out of reach . The Knicks are at 30 wins with 15 games remaing atleast it will make it interesting.

I still cannot get the Bulls to win on the espn draft machine, but it seems the Nets come up a lot.

by Jesse07 on Mar 21, 2007 10:06 AM CDT reply actions