<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">My one concern about having Noah and Tyrus splitting time at power forward is that neither of them can stretch opposing defenses out. So opponents will continue to clog the lane with bodies and try and force us into settling for jumpers.</div> While that maybe true, I just think that Thomas will become more of a slashing PF, because he has Mad Hops, and is good on the fast break. I think the Bulls won't find anyone at the forward position in this draft to stretch out defenses except Yi, but I'm still skeptical about his 3pt shooting. I think maybe, to give Deng a break you put Thomas at the 3 and Noah at the 4. Then if Thomas who is a good shot blocker can stay on his feet and not jump every time someone lefts their head, he can stay with some guys giving Noah a chance to play and Thomas has the size on guys like Jefferson and whoever. Like I said, I want to see Noah develop a jumper at about 15 feet and I'm not so worried about Thomas who can slash and get to the rim.
Has Brandan Wright completely fallen off the radar or something? I haven't heard anybody talking about moving up for him, it's all Noah, Hawes, or Yi talk. I like his game, if we can move up I'd like to see Wright or Horford if possible in a Bulls jersey.
<div class="quote_poster">Ed! Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Has Brandan Wright completely fallen off the radar or something? I haven't heard anybody talking about moving up for him, it's all Noah, Hawes, or Yi talk. I like his game, if we can move up I'd like to see Wright or Horford if possible in a Bulls jersey.</div> He might be gone, he is a highly rated prospect. He is the second ranked PF and ranked to go 3rd in the draft. To get him would be great, but to fall all the way to 9th for him would surprise me very much.
<div class="quote_poster">Master Shake Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">While that maybe true, I just think that Thomas will become more of a slashing PF, because he has Mad Hops, and is good on the fast break. I think the Bulls won't find anyone at the forward position in this draft to stretch out defenses except Yi, but I'm still skeptical about his 3pt shooting. I think maybe, to give Deng a break you put Thomas at the 3 and Noah at the 4. Then if Thomas who is a good shot blocker can stay on his feet and not jump every time someone lefts their head, he can stay with some guys giving Noah a chance to play and Thomas has the size on guys like Jefferson and whoever. Like I said, I want to see Noah develop a jumper at about 15 feet and I'm not so worried about Thomas who can slash and get to the rim.</div> Having Thomas at 3 and Noah at 4 would give the Bulls absolutely no offensive ability, that most likely would mean Big Ben is also in the game with them, so 3 guys that can only dunk if given the chance. That would be good rebounding, but their would be 3 guys on the other team that don't even have to guard them outside of the paint. I want Yi because he has a mid-range shot, I don't think anybody cares about his 3 point shooting, he's a 7 footer. He'll bring size and some offensive ability with a nice jumper as you said it would stretch out defenses.
<div class="quote_poster">Ed! Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Has Brandan Wright completely fallen off the radar or something? I haven't heard anybody talking about moving up for him, it's all Noah, Hawes, or Yi talk. I like his game, if we can move up I'd like to see Wright or Horford if possible in a Bulls jersey.</div> Wright hasn't been playing against anyone in any of the workouts, while the others have. Noah is 80% healthy with a slightly torn rotator cuff and he's still going up against anyone that will go up against him and he is playing pretty well against everyone, while Wright is fully healthy and works out by himself. The lack of competition for Wright is why there isn't much talk about him anymore. Maybe Wright realizes he isn't as good as others and wants to get drafted on just his athleticism. Who knows what his reasoning is, but it is currently hurting him. Another thing is that maybe he has received a lock from a team, so he's not going all out. Hawks and Grizzlies have both publically said that Horford is extremely close to Wright(if not over him0 Horford is slowly becoming the 3rd best prospect in the draft and from what I heard Memphis covets him at 4. Atlanta is also looking hard into Horford over Wright or Conley after his impressive workouts. I can't see Al dropping past 4. Wright could drop past 4.
^ Actually, I somewhat agree, I was high on Yi until I read Nikoloz's scouting report... It looks exactly the same as Yi's. I'd rather take a proven college player at 9, however, if he does fall to 9, I wouldn't cry if we took him. He could very well be the 3rd best player in the draft. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting GatorsowntheNCAA:</div><div class="quote_post"> Horford is slowly becoming the 3rd best prospect in the draft and from what I heard Memphis covets him at 4. Atlanta is also looking hard into Horford over Wright or Conley after his impressive workouts. I can't see Al dropping past 4. Wright could drop past 4.</div> Yeah, I don't expect Horford to drop, I was just hoping the Bulls could move up to get him. I think he'd fit right in. Since you've seen a lot of him, do you think he could play C in the NBA longterm, when Wallace is gone/too old?
<div class="quote_poster">Ed! Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">^ Actually, I somewhat agree, I was high on Yi until I read Nikoloz's scouting report... It looks exactly the same as Yi's. I'd rather take a proven college player at 9, however, if he does fall to 9, I wouldn't cry if we took him. He could very well be the 3rd best player in the draft. Yeah, I don't expect Horford to drop, I was just hoping the Bulls could move up to get him. I think he'd fit right in. Since you've seen a lot of him, do you think he could play C in the NBA longterm, when Wallace is gone/too old?</div> Right now, I think Horford is a 4 in the NBA. I don't think he would be that successful playing the 5. If Horford develops his low post offense/defense and gains a little more muscle you could probably play him at 5 in a fast paced offense. Half court sets I doubt he would ever be able to play a 5 consistently. You can play him there at times, but with his ball handling and passing ability you want him to be flexible and let him play at the FT line at times, while still putting him down low at others, which is best suited for a 4.
Here is a question I have for my fellow Bulls fans, if the Hawks pass on Conley at number tree, and the Bucks choose to go a different route there is a good chance that Conley will be on the board at number nine. Do we take the approach of drafting the BPA, which many feel at that point would be Conley, or take Yi because of our front court needs?
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Here is a question I have for my fellow Bulls fans, if the Hawks pass on Conley at number tree, and the Bucks choose to go a different route there is a good chance that Conley will be on the board at number nine. Do we take the approach of drafting the BPA, which many feel at that point would be Conley, or take Yi because of our front court needs?</div> This year is really not a time to draft BPA imo. we need a post-player and if the post-players arent ready for our team we need to trade the pick for a guy like Collison and cash. sign a guy like Bonzi Wells or Eddie Jones players that can play defense and give us points when needed off the bench we would be straight. We did the BPA last year because Paxson left LA wasnt who he wanted and im glad he did what he did because he knew he could get someone better than LA this year whether trade or draft. Id really like to get Wells because hes a post-up guard and is younger and has shown me what he is capable of doing n the playoffs instead of getting a rookie.
<div class="quote_poster">taurus515th Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">This year is really not a time to draft BPA imo. we need a post-player and if the post-players arent ready for our team we need to trade the pick for a guy like Collison and cash. sign a guy like Bonzi Wells or Eddie Jones players that can play defense and give us points when needed off the bench we would be straight. We did the BPA last year because Paxson left LA wasnt who he wanted and im glad he did what he did because he knew he could get someone better than LA this year whether trade or draft. Id really like to get Wells because hes a post-up guard and is younger and has shown me what he is capable of doing n the playoffs instead of getting a rookie.</div> We have to be realistic here though. Although, I would love to get Collison I wouldn't trade the ninth pick for him he is a solid double double threat night in and night out, but he is not going to take over any game offensively. He can get you about 10-12 a night in the post but that is about it. Meanwhile, I wouldn't bring in Wells, he brings way too much baggage with him, horrible attitude. Although, I wouldn't mind bringing in Jones, I'm not going to go out of my way to get him. He would take minutes away from Sefolosha who is younger and gives us the same thing.
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">We have to be realistic here though. Although, I would love to get Collison I wouldn't trade the ninth pick for him he is a solid double double threat night in and night out, but he is not going to take over any game offensively. He can get you about 10-12 a night in the post but that is about it. Meanwhile, I wouldn't bring in Wells, he brings way too much baggage with him, horrible attitude. Although, I wouldn't mind bringing in Jones, I'm not going to go out of my way to get him. He would take minutes away from Sefolosha who is younger and gives us the same thing.</div> All we need is a solid double double player like Collison and another bench player to give us 10 pts or so and were good. We dont need another rookie. Whose asking him to take over a game like super post-players who dont have much help except for maybe one other player. We just need someone who can draw double teams and pass out of double teams..We have Hinrich, Gordon, Deng, Nocioni, Thomas, and possibly another 10 pts player like Wells to come off the bench and 2 of the players with a post-player can start giving us 20 pts a night. (Gordon and Deng). Like you said about me wanting Wells and you said what about Conley would Conley take minutes from Sefolosha then?
Here's an article from ESPN about Yi Jianlian <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Yi has size, athleticism and skill. He measures 7-foot-1 in shoes, with a 7-foot-4? wingspan, huge hands and a 38-inch vertical jump. He runs up and down the floor well and is very quick laterally. And he's adding muscle (he's up to 248 pounds). He's an exceptional shooter from midrange and he's beginning to develop range from the NBA 3-point line. He has a good handle and knows how to put the ball on the floor to get to the rim. He has excellent footwork in the paint and a strong work ethic.</div> Rest of the Article He is very athletic, I didn't know he had a 38 inch vertical. But, I'm really interested in him because he's got a great jump shot that the Bulls need in a big guy. We already know that he's got a great work ethic because he's getting bigger and bigger adding more and more muscle.
<div class="quote_poster">taurus515th Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">All we need is a solid double double player like Collison and another bench player to give us 10 pts or so and were good. We dont need another rookie. Whose asking him to take over a game like super post-players who dont have much help except for maybe one other player. We just need someone who can draw double teams and pass out of double teams.</div> You last line is the key though, someone that can pass out of double teams....how many teams do you think will actually double team Nick Collison? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">We have Hinrich, Gordon, Deng, Nocioni, Thomas, and possibly another 10 pts player like Wells to come off the bench and 2 of the players with a post-player can start giving us 20 pts a night. (Gordon and Deng). Like you said about me wanting Wells and you said what about Conley would Conley take minutes from Sefolosha then?</div> Your right Conley would probably take some minutes from Sefolosha, assuming we don't make a trade involving one of our guards on draft night. However, the huge differance between bringing in Conely and Wells is that Conley has the potential to be a better NBA player than Sefolosha. Meanwhile, Wells has proven to be a mediocre NBA player, with attitude problems, and a bloated contract (considering his play).
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You last line is the key though, someone that can pass out of double teams....how many teams do you think will actually double team Nick Collison? Your right Conley would probably take some minutes from Sefolosha, assuming we don't make a trade involving one of our guards on draft night. However, the huge differance between bringing in Conely and Wells is that Conley has the potential to be a better NBA player than Sefolosha. Meanwhile, Wells has proven to be a mediocre NBA player, with attitude problems, and a bloated contract (considering his play).</div> I think their will be a lot of double teams for the fact that teams actually double teamed Micheal Sweetney when he actually got playing time so y not Nick Collison he can post-up too. On the Conley thing the key word is potential, any player has potential to be great. Unless we were talking about the Oden, Durant, etc potential thats different. Our team has 2 problems a small backcourt and no post-player. Y would Paxson go into our last lottery 4 the next years not solving any of these problems. Paxson said it himself that he wants a bigger backcourt so y would he take Conley? If we use our pick on Conley then how could we get our post-player for the fact that a Duhon and Khryapa trade for Collison might not work. There are no free agent post-players except Melvin Ely but wut if he wants a big contract we cant afford because we have to pay Deng and Gordon. Getting a second round pick post-player will most likely not help and also Paxson hasnt even worked out 2nd round post-players but SG's. This is y this season we cant do the BPA in our last lottery draft since our biggest need is a post-player and the free agency wont help us. I used Wells because b4 the trading deadline Paxson was interested in getting him because he solved our need. He is a guard that can shoot and play defense. He can also post-up.
<div class="quote_poster">taurus515th Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think their will be a lot of double teams for the fact that teams actually double teamed Micheal Sweetney when he actually got playing time so y not Nick Collison he can post-up too. On the Conley thing the key word is potential, any player has potential to be great. Unless we were talking about the Oden, Durant, etc potential thats different. </div> Sweetney is actually a donut away from 300 pounds, that is why teams had to double team him at times. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Our team has 2 problems a small backcourt and no post-player. Y would Paxson go into our last lottery 4 the next years not solving any of these problems. Paxson said it himself that he wants a bigger backcourt so y would he take Conley? If we use our pick on Conley then how could we get our post-player for the fact that a Duhon and Khryapa trade for Collison might not work. There are no free agent post-players except Melvin Ely but wut if he wants a big contract we cant afford because we have to pay Deng and Gordon. Getting a second round pick post-player will most likely not help and also Paxson hasnt even worked out 2nd round post-players but SG's. This is y this season we cant do the BPA in our last lottery draft since our biggest need is a post-player and the free agency wont help us. </div> I agree with you that we do need a bigger back court, I'm actually hoping we trade out of the spot entirely for Kobe. However, I feel like Conley is too good a talent to pass up if he fell into our laps. At the same time I can understand where you are coming from, and agree we do need to address our front court issues, however I doubt any player we obtain through the draft this year will be an immediate solution to our lack of front court scoring. Yi would be nice, but he is a more perimeter oriented big man then a banger. Guess we will have to wait it out and see what happens.
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'm actually hoping we trade out of the spot entirely for Kobe.</div> Kobe to Chicago isnt going to happen. A Gordon, Nocioni, pick is not going to get Kobe. It wouldnt even get us Pau Gasol. We would have to include Deng. We would also be in a much bigger whole then we are now. I mean we wouldnt solve our post-presence problem. We would be well over the luxury tax. There is so much more that i could say but u know.... I dont know but something to me seems like Paxson is going to trade that #9 pick for Collison and ive been think about Damien Wilkins over that last 30 minutes (a defensive/pretty good shooter and possibly some more points in the paint.) who had to play behind Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. we all have our opinions and we all know Paxson will make the right choice. I guess well just have to wait like u said. I could always be wrong but hey, its better than everyone just talking about Kobe 24/7 on here lol. PG-Hinrich/Gordon SG-Gordon/Thabo/Wilkens SF-Deng/Nocioni/Griffin PF-Collison/Thomas/Brown C-Wallace/Collison Thats a pretty good team imo especially if u look at our conference with Cleveland not having a lot of money to bring in good players to surround Lebron. I dont c them with big changes this offseason. To me, having two players average over 20 pts a game (Gordon and Deng) and having guys like Hinrich, Nocioni, Collison, Wilkins averaging 10 or more pts and with the improvements of Thomas and Sefolosha and the team is very good defensively is just as good as having a superstar. Detriot might lose Webber and or McDyess and they already gave up Delfino 4nothing. If this happen they are done.
<div class="quote_poster">taurus515th Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe to Chicago isnt going to happen. A Gordon, Nocioni, pick is not going to get Kobe. It wouldnt even get us Pau Gasol. We would have to include Deng. We would also be in a much bigger whole then we are now. I mean we wouldnt solve our post-presence problem. We would be well over the luxury tax. There is so much more that i could say but u know.... </div> We have the third lowest pay roll in the league, if we trade the right contracts, we could essentially absorb Kobe's contract without going into the luxury tax. Not only that, but should we trade guys like Gordon and possible Tyrus in the deal we would not have to worry about signing them when they hit free agency. So we would pretty much be taking the money we would have used to resign those two, and paying Kobe with it. We could also keep Deng as well since he is a restricted free agent. I doubt a trade is going to happen because Paxson isn't known for pulling off blockbuster trades that bring in superstars, but it is a realistic scenario. PS: I would never trade the 9th pick for Nick Collison.
in order to make a trade work we would have to include Hinrich or Wallace along with Gordon, Nocioni, #9 pick to match Kobe's 19,000,000. If we trade Wallace we are still without a post player, now a center. And how are we suppose to get a post-player if we trade our pick in a Kobe trade? More than likely we would be in the same position the Lakers are in now. PG-Duhon SG-Kobe SF-Deng PF-Thomas C-Wallace with a terrible bench This is basically the Lakers with Kobe only are team is better defensively them the Lakers team right now. PG-Parker SG-Kobe SF-Odom PF-Bynum C-Kwame
<div class="quote_poster">taurus515th Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">in order to make a trade work we would have to include Hinrich or Wallace along with Gordon, Nocioni, #9 pick to match Kobe's 19,000,000.</div> Our pay roll going into this off season is 46 million like I said before one of the lowest in the league, so we would not have to match Kobe's contract completely in order to make the trade go through. We could also sign and trade PJ Brown as well.
