Chicago & the Draft.....

corwin · Post #1 » by **corwin** » Mon May 26, 2008 3:27 pm

I just too a look at the Bulls draft history. Since 1999, the Bulls have had 11 picks in the top 10 of the first round. That's the area where stars are born. This year's pick will make 12. Some of those guys were traded on draft day. They include Elton Brand, Marcus Fizer, Chris Mihm (traded for Jamal Crawford), Eddie Curry, Tyson Chandler (received for Brand), Jay Williams, Hinrich, Gordon, Deng, LMA (traded for T Thomas), & Noah. I expect them to take Rose this year. In contrast, Philly has had one top 10 pick & that would be Iguodala in 2004. That year, he was picked behind both Gordon & Deng. This actually leaves me somewhat speechless. How on earth is it that Chicago hasn't won a title? Secondly, how on earth did we finish ahead of them in the standings?

arjwdotcom · Post #2 » by **arjwdotcom** » Mon May 26, 2008 3:39 pm

Because drafting is an art not a science. You need a quality organization behind those picks if they are going to amount to a successful franchise.

We finished ahead of them not because we were more talented, but because we played harder most nights than they did this peast season. It happens. Desire has a lot to do with what talent doesn't bring to the table.

sec-106 · Post #3 » by **sec-106** » Mon May 26, 2008 3:45 pm

Karma for breaking up the '98 team.

Post #4 » by **dbodner** » Mon May 26, 2008 3:56 pm

Chicago's made mistake after mistake. Trading Elton Brand, then not having patience with Chandler (he was 23 and already had a near double-digit rebounding season under his belt and they gave up on him). Then draft mistakes (cough*aldridge*cough*) and bad luck (jay will). It's not just getting draft picks, but making the right ones. they started to turn it around with Hinrich, Gordon, and Deng. Had they kept Aldridge, that team would be looking well. As long as they don't blow this (and I can't see how they can), they'll be great in a few years.

I wonder if they draft Rose, does that make Gordon more of a priority to keep? IMO Gordon's a MUCH better fit next to rose than either Hinrich or Hughes.

freshie2 · Post #5 » by **freshie2** » Mon May 26, 2008 3:59 pm

If Hinrich's value is that high, you have to move him. Hughes may be a tougher sell d/t the contract. They did really mess up with Chandler and Aldridge. The NBA is the toughest league in which to rebuild, and Chicago's recent past is a perfect example of this.

corwin · Post #6 » by **corwin** » Mon May 26, 2008 6:19 pm

dbodner wrote:I wonder if they draft Rose, does that make Gordon more of a priority to keep? IMO Gordon's a MUCH better fit next to rose than either Hinrich or Hughes.

I don't see why they'd keep all of those players. I think they're basically stuck with Hughes & their fans seem to love Sefolosha. That would leave Duhon, Gordon, & Hinrich to complete the backcourt if they draft Rose. I think Duhon is definitely out & since they can use Hinrich as a player that can play two positions, I'll bet they lowball Gordon & try to do a S&T or let him walk as well. I guess the only way that doesn't happen is if Hughes is moved & I think that's a tough sell. Rose, Hinrich, Sefolosha, & Hughes seems like a pretty versatile backcourt to me.

76erinSJ · Post #7 » by **76erinSJ** » Tue May 27, 2008 1:13 pm

Whenever I think about Brand all I think about is when he was inbounding a ball in a game when he was with Chi and dribbled the ball onto the court like it was streetball.

psykosacul · Post #8 » by **psykosacul** » Wed May 28, 2008 12:28 am

they struck gold with brand. one of the few 20/10 players in this league year in and year out, and they traded him for the promise of seven footers. they got greedy. that kept them going downhill for a while and meanwhile, the clippers had their best seasons in years with brand as their star

chrice · Post #9 » by **chrice** » Thu May 29, 2008 4:24 am

All I know is I'm happier than hell that we didn't trade up to draft Noah.

Post #10 » by **Tommy Udo 6** » Fri May 30, 2008 12:38 am

Dont forget that there have been 2 GMs during this period

Jerry (Jelly Belly) Krause was eventually fired for his boneheaded moves

As for Paxson - every player he drafted is still on the team. In fact, the Bulls have more of their draft picks on the roster than any team in NBA - Hinrich, Gordon, Deng, Duhon, Tyrus, Thabo, Noah, Gray, Curry were all drafted by Paxson. That's 9 out of 15. Another player, Nocioni, went undrafted & was signed as a free agent.

While there are no stars in that group, who did Paxson supposedly pass up who is a star? It's not like LeBron, Anthony, Bosh, Wade, Howard, Okafur, Oden or Durant were available when the Bulls drafted. I can understand the Aldridge/Thomas debate but there is no clear winner at this point - and Aldridge certainly isnt an All Star.

Post #11 » by **dbodner** » Fri May 30, 2008 1:07 am

While there are no stars in that group, who did Paxson supposedly pass up who is a star?

He did pass on Al Jefferson (twice) and Aldridge, both of whom bring skillsets sorely needed IMO. He's had a good draft record, but not perfect.

Post #12 » by **Tommy Udo 6** » Fri May 30, 2008 1:40 am

dbodner wrote:
While there are no stars in that group, who did Paxson supposedly pass up who is a star?

He did pass on Al Jefferson (twice) and Aldridge, both of whom bring skillsets sorely needed IMO. He's had a good draft record, but not perfect.

I am not pretending Paxson's draft record is perfect - far from it.

No one gets them all right.

Paxson was a radio announcer with no GM experience at all. he's been learning on the job.

Paxson's biggest mistake IMO was hiring his brother Jim as an "advisor". Jim was the guy with questionable judgment as GM of Cleveland. At first it appears just to be nepotism - giving his brother a share of that huge Chicago profit. However, Jim may actually been giving John advice which seems questionable.

Right after the hire, John passed on Aldridge & took Tyrus. Did Jim have anything to do with that? I dont know - but I strongly suspect it.

corwin · Post #13 » by **corwin** » Fri May 30, 2008 10:15 am

In terms of passing up stars, I'd have to go back & look through the drafts. I only posted this thread because Philly has not had decent draft picks for what seems like forever & there are some on this board who think they are 1/2 players away. Chicago as shown has had a wealth of picks & has not seen it come together. IMO Rose could be the answer to make that happen. We'll see if they pass on/draft him.

freshie2 · Post #14 » by **freshie2** » Fri May 30, 2008 11:39 am

They have had big misses that have already been mentioned, yet they appeared to be on the cusp of returning to legitimacy last season. Add Noah, and they appeared to have a nice young interior player. All the Kobe distractions and not signing either young player in the off season really hurt them. Rose is the logical choice for this team, and then Paxson may look like a smart GM again.

Post #15 » by **tk76** » Fri May 30, 2008 2:36 pm

There is a fine line between being lucky and appearing smart.