Wendell Carter Jr - The Block Panther Edition

[League Circles]

screw it. I want felicio to get playing time over Lopez also. I'm actually still a believer that he can salvage some value and I think he fits our offensive system much better than Lopez. he can be used similarly to Carter in the sense that they can both set screens and then roll and finish hard at the hoop.

[nomorezorro]

we should absolutely be exploring a biyombo-for-mozgov type of deal where we trade lopez for a less talented expiring contract who doesn't have a claim to a starting role. maybe get a second round pick or two in the process.

[CoreyVillains]

Carter should absolutely be starting from day 1.

[TheSuzerain]

we should absolutely be exploring a biyombo-for-mozgov type of deal where we trade lopez for a less talented expiring contract who doesn't have a claim to a starting role. maybe get a second round pick or two in the process.

I mean we should have gotten a 2nd round pick or two in the actual Biyombo-for-Mozgov deal. So, I wouldn't hold your breath.

[TheGOATRises007]

Very impressive so far.

[DJhitek]

Again, the efficiency on offense has been surprising only because he isn't forcing things or over extending himself. I've been more impressed with his defensive awareness and the smaller things he brings more than anything else.

We haven't seen the ball stick to him once. He either takes a good shot or quickly moves it with good handles. He can pass well from any place on the floor. Invaluable trait for a modern big. Just another reason he can play small ball down the stretch.

He blends into the offense seamlessly and while there is probably still a concern on whether he will ever have the mentality to assert himself even further in the offense (a knock he had at Duke) I think that speaks to his IQ more than anything else.

It’s kind of the same thing with Trae Young and his ability to draw fouls, dude knows how to flop a little. Hard to teach qualities like that IMO.

[DJhitek]

As an aside, if Carter learns the defensive rotations and scheme quickly enough, I don’t think Robin Lopez will hesitate to simply go to Hoiberg and tell him that Carter is ready to start. But I fully expect Lopez to begin the season as the starter.

But personally, I’d be starting Carter and Hutch with Lavine, Dunn and Lauri.

[Ralphb07]

Ok I have this question for people that think its political or correct to start Robin Lopez.

Do you think PHX should continue to start Tyson Chandler and play Ayton off the bench? It the exact same scenario.

I’m with you on you play the best guy. In both scenarios Carter and Ayton should start.

[coldfish]

As far as him starting, I don't think there is enough information. Let him go through training camp and play some preseason games. If he is getting crushed, then you don't start him. If he is playing smart and isn't getting his ass handed to him, then start him.

I'm not a huge fan of entitlement minutes for either vets or for rookies. Based on what I have seen though, WCJ will earn the starting role relatively soon. Just as a reminder, Lopez has a 14.5 PER in his two seasons in Chicago. While he has been solid, its not ridiculous to think that a talented rookie would outperform that.

[NecessaryEvil]

Carter should absolutely be starting from day 1.

I remember Paxson stating during the draft that whomever they drafted would be a started from day 1

T'Carter fits the bill

[johnnyvann840]

Carter should absolutely be starting from day 1.

I remember Paxson stating during the draft that whomever they drafted would be a started from day 1

T'Carter fits the bill

Pretty sure you are correct, he did say that. I wish I could find that interview because I think he even said who we drafted at 22 would likely start from day 1, or at least be a major part of the rotation from the start, IIRC. I think he said it in an interview with Swirsky, as well.

Let's see if he meant it and the FO is going to dictate this in a mandate to Fred or if they let Fred make the decision. It seems that a lot of decisions that are normally a coach's to make have been ordered from the FO for as long as I can remember. Thibs even made comments after he left about him wanting to start Taj over Boozer but politics getting in the way.

[akhan786]

Carter should absolutely be starting from day 1.

I remember Paxson stating during the draft that whomever they drafted would be a started from day 1

T'Carter fits the bill

Yup that’s the one.

[chefo]

RoLo is a good, solid and dependable player, but he should not be playing much more than 18-20 minutes regardless. If for no other reason than by the end of games last year he was usually completely out of gas. He is no spring chicken and frankly with how talented the Bulls' front court is, there is very little reason to. He'd be good to have around, however. First because he doesn't take crap from anybody, which is something every team needs. And second, to pass down some wisdom to the younglings.

[NDave79]

not sure where to put it, but it seemed like a place ok to me:

We make the POs on the back of the Young guys who start and face the 76ers. They put out Fultz, Reddick, Covington, Simmons and Embid. How do we defend this? Lauri/Carter against Simmons? Sub out?

I’m guessing they are still going to play Saric plenty, but in the situation you presented, I would put Lauri on Covington.

Dunn actually got mentioned at some point during the playoffs as playing some of the best defense against Simmons all year.

However, in a couple years maybe Hutch or some other wing we bring in covers Simmons. I’d definitely be fine with Dunn covering Fultz or Redick.

you think it would work with Lauri and Carter against some of those small ball lineups? (I do btw).

I'll admit. I was a big fan of Carter before the draft, but I did have concerns about the long term fit with Lauri. I even made a post before the draft, that if the Bulls drafted Carter, I would be very tempted to trade Lauri for Doncic as I found the fit to be better.

That said, after seeing more of Carter, I'm pretty darn intrigued with how they might work together.

Small ball is really just skill/speed ball. Size is still advantageous, if it doesn't come with a compromise to skill and mobility. I remember reading or hearing something recently how some NBA people or something were projecting that the way to combat and overcome small ball will be to have a couple highly skilled, mobile big men.

I thought Lauri showed last year that he moved his feet quite well on the perimeter for a 7 footer and Wendell has looked extremely promising in that area so far as well.

Also, I think Wendell is going to keep surprising us with his perimeter skills. From some relatively extensive high school footage I watched with his local High School Pace team, he was regularly handling the ball and raining down threes (and looking smooth doing it) and played on the perimeter when his tall, sorta chubby teammate was in the game (which was fairly frequently). I think he has the potential to have Kevin Love level offensive skills. The upside comparison I've thought of lately is if you gave Taj Gibson, Kevin Love's offensive skills, offensive IQ, strength, girth and rebounding.

I think for it to truly work, both Wendell and Lauri need to be able to punish smaller defenders. It can be low post, mid post, high post, or just being able to shoot over smaller players, but they have to be able to create a mismatch on the offensive end if a team goes small for it to be effective imo. Fortunately, both are able to provide spacing for the other to go to work if they are trying to attack a size mismatch.

We are a ways away from being good against any type of ball (small, big or anything in between) so for now, I'm content just seeing how they develop. They might cannibalize each others potential production a little bit, but in general they both seem perfectly suited to be bigs in the current NBA and ideal compliments to each other if you are going to have 2 bigs on the floor.

Lastly, I think it will be important that we have an elite facilitator or multiple good facilitators to properly utilize Lauri and Carter's skills. IMO, neither projects to be an elite iso scorer, but lots of great bigs weren't either (thinking about someone like Karl Malone).

[RedBulls23]

I really hope Dunn has worked on finishing at the rim, because with Lauri's and Carter's ability to stretch the floor he will have ton of space to attack the basket.

[kingkirk]

I'm convinced now that Wendell Carter Jr should just start the season.

There is absolutely no reason why he shouldn't. Not for the sake of Robin Lopez.Robin can come off the bench and be just as effective a player and or teacher.

I thought it was a given. If this team, who is in a rebuild and tanked last season away doesn't start the player they tanked for, what the hell are they thinking? No reason at all Lopez should be starting or playing more minutes than WCJ. None. No veteran entitlement starts or minutes.

The argument for starting Lopez is to play him with Markkanen and to help continue his development. He did a lot for Markkanen last season. It's a lot of WCJ to ask him to do all the little things Lopez did well for Markkanen and others, as well as producing for himself.

I would start Lopez for the first 20 or so games but ensure the rotation allows for Markkanen and WCJ to play together too.

[kingkirk]

You want me to sign praises of a guy after summer league?

Denzel Valentine, Josh Selby. I won't say anything more than that. Just remember that name next time you ask me to re-asses someone after summer league.

I was hoping you'd pull back on your Mitchell Robinson > WCJ takes after the draft but that doesn't appear likely.

[Proven_Winner]

As far as him starting, I don't think there is enough information. Let him go through training camp and play some preseason games. If he is getting crushed, then you don't start him. If he is playing smart and isn't getting his ass handed to him, then start him.

I'm not a huge fan of entitlement minutes for either vets or for rookies. Based on what I have seen though, WCJ will earn the starting role relatively soon. Just as a reminder, Lopez has a 14.5 PER in his two seasons in Chicago. While he has been solid, its not ridiculous to think that a talented rookie would outperform that.

I agree, though with that last thought it’s not hard to trump the number 14.5 but we need production period. Lopez is a little thing type of player so even though that number may say he’s not doing much he’s really doing everything it takes to get a W. Carter has to show that when a guy like Lopez leaves the floor that the team doesn’t just fall off because they’re missing his skill set.

[nitetrain8603]

You want me to sign praises of a guy after summer league?

Denzel Valentine, Josh Selby. I won't say anything more than that. Just remember that name next time you ask me to re-asses someone after summer league.

I was hoping you'd pull back on your Mitchell Robinson > WCJ takes after the draft but that doesn't appear likely.

Let me ask you this - please post Draymond Green's numbers in Summer League play and post Josh Selby's numbers in Summer League. Then maybe you will find out why I wouldn't change my mind based off of meaningless summer league games.

[Proven_Winner]

I really hope Dunn has worked on finishing at the rim, because with Lauri's and Carter's ability to stretch the floor he will have ton of space to attack the basket.

Also work on that midrange pull up. Unless he becomes wall or rose with godlike finishes teams will always play him for the shot even with Lauri and Wendell out there. He’ll have no space if he doesn’t get defense to play him close with a jumper and tighter handle.