Players Bulls Will Watch During the Tourney

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Bulls are obviously in need of big men and athletic wing players. So here is a checklist of those to watch:

LaMarcus Aldridge, Texas: On paper, this 6-10 sophomore almost seems too good to be true. He?s an excellent student, stays in the gym past midnight to work on his skills and studies his own performances on video.

He?s still a little thin and isn?t the most fluid athlete around, but he has the tools. Among his highlights this season are hitting 9 of 10 shots against Kansas and 11 of 15 at Oklahoma.

Aldridge has spoken recently about staying in school for four years. We?ll have to see if that holds up through June. With Greg Oden coming in to play, it?s possible Aldridge would be chosen higher this year than he would be next year.

Just an idea, but if Texas is intent on Aldridge staying in school, the Longhorms might try throwing him the ball more.

Rudy Gay, Connecticut: The party line among college announcers seems to be that Gay is one of those great athletes whose game may be better suited for the pros.

If that?s the case, the Bulls should take a long look at this 6-9 sophomore. They need an elite athlete as much as a big man.

Gay has had plenty of good moments this season and averaged 15.3 points. But in recent games against Villanova and in the Big East tourney against Syracuse, it was hard to tell he was even on the floor in the final minutes.

Adam Morrison, Gonzaga: The nation?s leading scorer figures to be one of the top three players chosen. He may not make sense for the Bulls, though. At this point, it?s tough to see him as a better all-around small forward than Luol Deng, who is the same age and rapidly becoming the Bulls? best player. Gay would probably have a better chance to earn minutes at shooting guard.

Tyrus Thomas, LSU: Most fans had probably never heard of this guy until an anonymous NBA scout projected him as the No. 1 draft pick in Sports Illustrated a few weeks ago.

Thomas is a 6-9 redshirt freshman who needs to add some bulk. But it?s easy to see what caught the scout?s attention ? 15 points, 13 rebounds and 7 blocks in a 1-point loss at Connecticut on Jan. 7. Thomas also had 9 blocks in a game against Tennessee. Obviously, he gets off the floor well.

Rodney Carney, Memphis: This very athletic 6-7 senior has flown under the radar for a few years, but he is averaging 17.8 points for the highly-ranked Tigers. The knock on him has been an inconsistent outside shot, but Carney dropped 40 percent of his 3-point attempts this season.

Ronnie Brewer, Arkansas: Billed as a good passer and defender, the 6-7 Brewer, who averages 18.5 points, could be the complete package. His father, Ronnie, was the No. 7 pick of the 1978 draft by Portland and ended up playing for six teams in eight NBA seasons, including four games with the Bulls in 1985-86.

Brandon Roy, Washington: This 6-6 senior seems to be moving up the draft charts as fast as anybody. He averaged 19.9 points and shot .511 from the field as a smooth swingman who doesn?t force the action. Roy produced nine straight games of at least 20 points late in the season and forced UCLA?s Jordan Farmar into a 2-for-13, 7-turnover game.

Mardy Collins, Temple: You?ll have to check out the NIT to see this guy play. He?s an intriguing prospect, a 6-6 point guard with long arms who reportedly didn?t play high school basketball until his senior year in Philadelphia. His best game came against Duke on Feb. 25 when he scored 26 points and hit 13 of 25 shots. If Collins had done that more often against Atlantic-10 foes, his stock might be soaring.

Shelden Williams, Duke: How?s this for a comparison? Etan Thomas with better offensive skills. Williams, a 6-9 senior, is a slightly undersized power forward who averaged 18.6 points, 10.5 rebounds and shot .584 from the field. He ranks fourth in the nation in blocked shots (3.8), so his hops are credible.

J.J. Redick, Duke: Another guy who?s probably not a great fit for the Bulls, since he?s strictly a shooting guard.

Aaron Gray, Pittsburgh: This 7-foot junior may join the draft. He averaged 13.9 points, 10.5 rebounds and is thought to have first-round potential.

Josh Boone and Hilton Armstrong, Connecticut: The Huskies? tag-team post players both averaged around 10 points and 7 rebounds. Armstrong, a senior from Elton Brand?s hometown of Peekskill, N.Y., is the better shot-blocker at 3.3 per game.

Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina and Josh McRoberts, Duke: These two freshmen big men may not enter the draft this year, but could be worth watching.</div>

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If Aldridge doesn't declare, I think the Bulls should strongly consider trading the pick. I'd target Rashard Lewis and send the draft right's to Adam Morrison to the Sonics.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KICKSDADDY613:</div><div class="quote_post">This is hard. Aldridge not declaring would make me cry. However, I still think there are enough players in this draft worth going after, just maybe not that high. If we got #1 and Aldridge doesnt come out. Go after Gay. He can play the 2 or the 3, and would fit well alongside Deng. Then, maybe we reverse our thinking and go big with the later pick. I happen to like Shelden Williams and think he will be a better pro than Redick. His workman like ability, and his size would blend well with Chandler and would give us a hardcore defensive frontcourt. it is going to depend on who declares and who is available, but I think we need to draft kids who can play now. No more projects.</div>

Imagine if the Bulls draft Dukies back to back with Shelden and Redick.

It must be painful watching all these Duke players roll into Chicago, since you're big time Heel fan Kicksdaddy.