<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Bulls appear to have settled on LSU forward Tyrus Thomas as their choice with the second pick of Wednesday?s NBA draft. The only roadblock would be if Thomas is taken No. 1, and there is talk that Michael Jordan might be angling to do just that. Toronto owns the top pick but may be willing to move down a few slots, where the Raptors still would be able to select Italy?s 7-foot Andrea Bargnani. Charlotte has the third pick and for the past several months, conventional wisdom had the Bobcats searching for a scorer and eyeing Gonzaga forward Adam Morrison, who averaged 28.1 points in college last season. But then Jordan entered the Bobcats? picture last week as a part-owner with authority in basketball operations. Bulls general manager John Paxson has called the 6-8 Thomas the best athlete in the draft, and it?s possible Jordan sees the same star potential. With the Raptors open to trading down, the top of the draft could become a game of liar?s poker for the next three days. Portland, with the No. 4 pick, doesn?t have much to offer in a trade. The Blazers? best reasonably priced assets probably are guard Jarrett Jack and forward Travis Outlaw, along with picks No. 30 and 31. But if Toronto can convince people that it?s ready to switch places with Portland, maybe Charlotte steps up and offers veteran point guard Brevin Knight to swap picks. Perhaps the Bulls might even consider trading No. 2 for No. 1. Toronto signed Bulls point guard Chris Duhon to an offer sheet last summer, so he?s an obvious trade candidate. But the Bulls wouldn?t be allowed to execute such a deal until Aug. 15, the one-year anniversary of matching Duhon?s offer sheet. If Thomas does go No. 1 to another team, look for the Bulls to take Texas center LaMarcus Aldridge with the second pick, with the reasoning they can?t miss a chance to add size to the front line. Assuming the Bulls opt for a big man early in the draft, 6-6 Switzerland native Thabo Sefolosha figures to be their guy at No. 16. If he?s gone by then, the Bulls may go for another big man, such as Connecticut?s Hilton Armstrong, Senegal 7-footer Saer Sene or Florida State?s Alexander Johnson.</div> Source
Drafting Thomas would not be a good way for MJ to start off his career in the Bobcats front office. Tyrus’ game depends a lot on how he develops, and how he adjusts to possibly playing small forward in the NBA. We all know what happened the last time Jordan selected a potential based player. For Jordan I think the best thing he could do is go with a safe pick (i.e. Roy, Morrison, or Shelden Williams) if MJ messes this managing job up he probably will not get another opportunity.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Best Kept Secret:</div><div class="quote_post">Drafting Thomas would not be a good way for MJ to start off his career in the Bobcats front office. Tyrus? game depends a lot on how he develops, and how he adjusts to possibly playing small forward in the NBA. We all know what happened the last time Jordan selected a potential based player. For Jordan I think the best thing he could do is go with a safe pick (i.e. Roy, Morrison, or Shelden Williams) if MJ messes this managing job up he probably will not get another opportunity.</div> Drafting [McGrady, Garnett, Bryant, Jermaine O'Neal]....depends on how [they] develop. Point? You draft on how a player you think will project. If Thomas is projected by Charlotte scouts to become a star, then Charlotte should take him. Roy isn't guaranteed to be a star. Neither is Morrison. Or Williams. They all have flaws within their games.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Vintage:</div><div class="quote_post">Drafting [McGrady, Garnett, Bryant, Jermaine O'Neal]....depends on how [they] develop. Point? You draft on how a player you think will project. If Thomas is projected by Charlotte scouts to become a star, then Charlotte should take him. Roy isn't guaranteed to be a star. Neither is Morrison. Or Williams. They all have flaws within their games.</div> True, but with the reputation Jordan has from his past draft (Kwame Brown) it would be much safer for him to take a safe pick. Although, nothing is guaranteed. Roy, Morrison, or Williams would be the most NBA ready players in the draft. Jordan has already been labeled by some, due to his poor job in Washington, as a failure in the NBA front office. Another Kwame Brown pick and Jordan might be putting himself in a whole he can not climb out of...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Best Kept Secret:</div><div class="quote_post">True, but with the reputation Jordan has from his past draft (Kwame Brown) it would be much safer for him to take a safe pick. Although, nothing is guaranteed. Roy, Morrison, , or Williams would be the most NBA ready players in the draft. Jordan has already been labeled by some due to his poor job in Washington, as a failure in the NBA front office. Another Kwame Brown pick and Jordan might be putting himself in a whole he can not climb out of...</div> That draft is eerily similar to this one. Kwame Brown, Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry, Sagana Diop- raw players with potential. Compare that to Sene, Aldridge, Thomas A Euro prospect that is very interesting.... Gasol (Bargini) A solid contributor in Battier (Roy?) An athlete in Richardson (Gay). There is no clear cut #1 in this draft; nor was there when he drafted Kwame. Furthermore, I'd trust MJ drafting a wing more so than a big man. JMO, but I think he might no a thing or two about what to look for in a wing player.
For me it doesnt matter. Jordan can have Tyrus. We have 2 picks in the first round and we are gonna end up with a decent bigman and a decent guard/forward between the 2 of our picks. So being a bulls fan, its not if we win its how we win. We have a great GM and I trust him to get the job done no matter who is picked #1. Most guys are projects anyway in this draft). Go Bulls!!!
Jordan can have him. I hope he gets the #1 overall pick and drafts Tyrus Thomas, so it's safe to say that Paxson will draft LaMarcus Aldridge. I rather have Aldridge ready to go and score some points in the post instead of wait a few years to see if Thomas can play PF (he would have to if the Bulls select him) and contribute to our offensive needs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SP23:</div><div class="quote_post">Jordan can have him. I hope he gets the #1 overall pick and drafts Tyrus Thomas, so it's safe to say that Paxson will draft LaMarcus Aldridge. I rather have Aldridge ready to go and score some points in the post instead of wait a few years to see if Thomas can play PF (he would have to if the Bulls select him) and contribute to our offensive needs.</div> And what makes you think Aldridge isn't going to need time? Did you see Texas/LSU? Aldridge was afraid to go inside. And when he did, he was pretty ineffective. Not something I want from my low post scorer. I am not trying to knock Aldridge down. But he is a bit of a project as well. And if Thomas goes #1, Bargnani could be our guy at #2.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Vintage:</div><div class="quote_post">And what makes you think Aldridge isn't going to need time? Did you see Texas/LSU? Aldridge was afraid to go inside. And when he did, he was pretty ineffective. Not something I want from my low post scorer. I am not trying to knock Aldridge down. But he is a bit of a project as well. And if Thomas goes #1, Bargnani could be our guy at #2.</div> Although, I agree about the low post scoring. Aldridge can still get his from mid range, and his offensive game is a bit more polished than Tyrus Thomas. It will take time for Aldridge to establish himself as a low post presence, he will need to gain muscle first, but he can still have a Channing Frye type impact his rookie year due to his ability to shoot from short to mid range.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Vintage:</div><div class="quote_post">And what makes you think Aldridge isn't going to need time? Did you see Texas/LSU? Aldridge was afraid to go inside. And when he did, he was pretty ineffective. Not something I want from my low post scorer. I am not trying to knock Aldridge down. But he is a bit of a project as well. And if Thomas goes #1, Bargnani could be our guy at #2.</div> True, I was just comparing both of them, and what would be better for the Bulls. I think Aldridge would make a bigger impact on offense then Thomas would in their rookie season. Of course he'll need a few years to add strength and go into the post more. And we know Aldridge is a PF or C.
I hope Jordan beats us to Thomas because I rather get Aldridge even though it seems very unlikely that will happen.
