Chicago Bulls select Noa Essengue - #12 overall

[NecessaryEvil]

Pat Williams doesn’t love the game of basketball. Let’s stop comparing this kid to Pat please.

[DuckIII]

Do any of oyu even know what Peter Patton did (or didn't do) or do you just know his name and hate the Bulls so decide to bash them for moving on from Patton?

His impact on players shooting seems very anecdotal. Some players shot better one year than worse the next (Ayo). Some shot worse than better (Vuc). Others stayed largely the same.

If Patton is so great - how come no other team has hired him since he left the Bulls? Is everyone else also stupid?

We have a developmental coaching staff - you (and I) just don't know their names. It doesn't mean they're not good or capable of their jobs. It actually means nothing.

Can the Bulls develop Essengue into a good player? I think that has more to do with Essengue than it does the Bulls. And I think that's true for every team.

100%. There’s posts every year around draft time saying the Bulls can’t develop prospects. There’s zero evidence or knowledge upon which to base the notion that “the organization” is poor at “developing” players. The results are all over the spectrum under different coaches and staff and none of us know anything about the particulars of what is and is not done.

Moreover it cuts against the obvious truth that the vast majority of player development is based on the player himself. Commitment. Mentality. Skill base. It’s also not quantum physics to teach basketball.

Point being, this is easy for me. I don’t and have never considered it in evaluating the draft and never will.

Its always smelled to me like when a player doesn’t develop we blame the organization (based on nothing that we would need to know to rationally form that opinion) and when players develop well we say nothing.

Since the AKME administration took over, which of their guys have developed?

Pat: No

Simonovic: No

Ayo: Solid but more or less the same player when he was drafted

Terry: No

Phillips: No

Matas: Early results look great

Giddey and Coby have had tremendous stretches of play but we can't yet say for certain if they've truly made a huge leap or just an extended hot streak.

You've ignored the premise by even asking the question. I (and you) know nothing about what the Bulls do for player development. And player development is almost entirely about the player. There's not some secret sauce, they are all being taught the same basic things the same basic ways with only minor variations.

As for who "has developed" since AK became GM (bear in mind Bulls fans have been making this same speculative complaint every draft season for 20 years):

Pat: If anything got worse. And obviously Pat's fault as his failings are tied to his motor and mentality.

Simonovic: Ass basketball player.

Ayo: Clearly has improved in a variety of ways. Not coincidentally, that's the story of his basketball life because he works his ass off.

Terry: Ass basketball player who I can't wait to get off the team. But he has also clearly improved as a player. Its just that he started in the gutter and is now just bad.

Phillips: Actually yes, he's improved pretty much in every category.

Matas: Obvious developmental success for one season.

Coby: Also took significant strides as a player during AK's horrible reign.

Giddey: Improved as a Bull in the exact two areas that made people not want him.

I don't intelligently know who to blame or credit for any of this other than Pat. So I don't. What I do know as a simple matter of life experience and logic is that the people most responsible for the development of athletes, are the athletes. At least after they have been taught the fundamentals.

[ThisGuyFawkes]

Watch on YouTube

Some behind the scenes stuff about his daily routine. I love that he's only 18 and has a few years of professional experience.

[ShouldaPaidBG]

You guys are acting like he shoots like MKG. His shot looks fine.

[fleet]

We love to draft defensive guys who can’t score or create their own shot. And then wonder why our offense struggles. We keep drafting the same guy.

Dalen Terry. Patrick Williams. Julian Philips. This is the same guys we keep drafting and im over it.

Instantly I thought of Thabo reading your post, and the thumbnail. Other than that, I got nothing

[Red Larrivee]

Pat Williams doesn’t love the game of basketball. Let’s stop comparing this kid to Pat please.

To be fair, there wasn't really anything that indicated Pat lacked drive to the degree we're seeing now. We knew he was passive sometimes, but more in the lane of unselfishness rather than complacency, being slow to process and lacking motor. We learned these things over time.

We don't know what Noa's things are right now that could prevent him from reaching a favorable outcome.

I think everyone loves the idea of drafting a high upside development pick, but fans tend to lose patience quickly. Especially if they see another player in our range performing well. I just hope the people pining for these types of picks keep perspective. It's going to be rough and it may not even be worth it in the end.

[2weekswithpay]

If you believe Dumars, then the Pelicans did call AK about trading up.

[nomorezorro]

that's interesting that they started trying to move up at 9 and it took until 13 for someone to bite. i wonder if teams were just like "ehh we're not interested in dropping to 23, sorry" without it even occurring to them that the pelicans might be willing to give up an unprotected first

[_txchilibowl_]

Ehh.... If the Bulls were offered the Pelicans deal all you're assured of gaining is the value of the #23 pick in this draft. No guarantee that the Pelicans pick is better slotted than our #12 this year, nor any guarantee that the player available would be better than Essengue. There was also no way of knowing that a player like Newell would drop to #23 (assuming we even had interest). More than a few variables at play.

If AKME loved Noa then I can see the justification for turning the offer down.

[hoopsfan777]

Nice pick, I wanted my Pelicans to take him at #7.

[kodo]

I just don’t see it. Any reason to like this pick. On paper tools are there, but I don’t see basketball player in that body. This is not Matas situation. No skillset whatsoever to use those tools in possible upside. Because he looks like tall guy with size try playing basketball instead basketball player with tools and height.

Maybe I am wrong but it’s whatever pick. At #12 which is garbage position to pick you can only pick this and pray it works out

I can see why you’re negative about this I don’t blame you. Right now this kid can’t shoot(mostly just dunks), can’t dribble, lacks strength, questionable IQ and playing in the German League.

At the same time though that’s why he’s a project and has a ton of potential to improve since he’s only 18. We ll see, only time will tell.

Many here say give him 2-3-4 yrs. I think even by this season we will be able to tell if Noa is a bust or not, even if he plays limited minutes.

I would also add last year we drafted a prospect who couldn't shoot, mostly dunks, couldn't dribble, lacks strength and played in the G-League. And he didn't dominate the G-League either, he wasn't even the best player on his own G-League team.

The Matas bet is the same as Noa bet, which should surprise no one since the same guy made both. Now just because 1 longshot hits doesn't mean the next one will either, but I don't hear too many complaints that we used a #11 pick on an athletic 6' 10" youngster who couldn't shoot or dribble and couldn't win games in the g-league.

But the nature of these guys is most of them won't pan out. But there's no other way Chicago is getting a star.

[MrSparkle]

NOP lost 3 starters to season ending injuries. I think they threw in the towel and bubblewrapped Zion and CJ, so the 21-win season has less to do with caliber and more with injuries and tanking.

Don’t get me wrong, Murray’s heel will hamper his return, but Herb, Murphy, Zion should be back and rested. Poole can shoot. Missi is talented. Fears and Queen have a lot of talent; they’ll be coming off the bench. I think Atlanta has enough prospects to gamble on that (as could have SAS or OKC).

Bulls trade out a talented #12 spot to get a late FRP and uncertain next pick?

That’s a risky trade for both sides.

[bledredwine]

I’m glad that we drafted based on upside. He’s quick, tall and athletic. Can he bust? Of course, but I doubt it.

[FecesOfDeath]

it's great when you are already very tall for your position

also his wingspan is 3" longer than his height...

My bad I thought his wingspan was 7'0" but it's 7'1"

Is 6'11" considered very tall for a PF?

Yes. The average size for a PF has shrunk as team have gone for position less basketball. I think size is making a comeback though with teams like OKC and Cleveland bringing very successful with two real bigs starting.

Noa's wingspan is deceiving, much like Joakim's, because both have narrow shoulders, which is why his 9'3" standing reach is better indicator of his length. Blake Griffin's wingspan was more alarming due to him being a broad-shouldered individual, as indicated by his 8'9" standing reach measured at his Combine. Noa's length is fine, but his skillset is more PF than Matas', and he'll definitely get pushed around in the paint.

[GoBlue72391]

I just don’t see it. Any reason to like this pick. On paper tools are there, but I don’t see basketball player in that body. This is not Matas situation. No skillset whatsoever to use those tools in possible upside. Because he looks like tall guy with size try playing basketball instead basketball player with tools and height.

Maybe I am wrong but it’s whatever pick. At #12 which is garbage position to pick you can only pick this and pray it works out

I can see why you’re negative about this I don’t blame you. Right now this kid can’t shoot(mostly just dunks), can’t dribble, lacks strength, questionable IQ and playing in the German League.

At the same time though that’s why he’s a project and has a ton of potential to improve since he’s only 18. We ll see, only time will tell.

Many here say give him 2-3-4 yrs. I think even by this season we will be able to tell if Noa is a bust or not, even if he plays limited minutes.

I would also add last year we drafted a prospect who couldn't shoot, mostly dunks, couldn't dribble, lacks strength and played in the G-League. And he didn't dominate the G-League either, he wasn't even the best player on his own G-League team.

The Matas bet is the same as Noa bet, which should surprise no one since the same guy made both. Now just because 1 longshot hits doesn't mean the next one will either, but I don't hear too many complaints that we used a #11 pick on an athletic 6' 10" youngster who couldn't shoot or dribble and couldn't win games in the g-league.

But the nature of these guys is most of them won't pan out. But there's no other way Chicago is getting a star.

This is really disingenuous.

Matas could always dribble and he was viewed as a good shooter until after his season with G League ignite.

[Indomitable]

You guys are acting like he shoots like MKG. His shot looks fine.

Hyperbolic is the way I see it.

[kulaz3000]

Nao has Patrick's approval. Little does he know, he will be his own replacement.

Pat and THT makes an appearance early on in the clip:

Watch on YouTube

[fleet]

The basketball is what it is. Hard to call the translation. I want to know about his heart. Speaking of Pat. If Pat hasn’t taught the Bulls a lasting lesson, something is wrong.

[Infinity2152]

Conspiracy theory: I think CMB had a promise from the Bulls. When he was drafted by the Raptors, he said "F***!" like he was hoping and expecting to be picked a pick or few later. Don't think he was hoping or expecting to go to Phoenix at 10, and Memphis has JJJ at 11.

People keep knocking drafting athletic, defensive players that can't shoot at the NBA level at 18 years old, lmao! The one thing that's most likely to improve is shooting. Players don't usually shoot up 3 inches, get longer arms, become much better defenders, much better passers, or rebound at way higher rates with experience. I take heart and motor, length and athleticism over shooting with an 18 year old every day. Kid has a 34 inch vertical with that length and hustle. You can't just learn that.

[Betta Bulleavit]

Pat Williams doesn’t love the game of basketball. Let’s stop comparing this kid to Pat please.

To be fair, there wasn't really anything that indicated Pat lacked drive to the degree we're seeing now. We knew he was passive sometimes, but more in the lane of unselfishness rather than complacency, being slow to process and lacking motor. We learned these things over time.

We don't know what Noa's things are right now that could prevent him from reaching a favorable outcome.

I think everyone loves the idea of drafting a high upside development pick, but fans tend to lose patience quickly. Especially if they see another player in our range performing well. I just hope the people pining for these types of picks keep perspective. It's going to be rough and it may not even be worth it in the end.

Honestly, Williams’ demeanor reminds me a lot of Tony Snell. I don’t think it has anything to do with his love for the game. He’s just a dude that never seems to get too up or too down and I think it comes off as a lack of passion even though I think it’s just his authentic demeanor.