Bulls land 23 pick! - Nikola Mirotic

[logical_art]

I didn't use Lee as an example of a mediocre athlete.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1121198&start=1125

[Red Larrivee]

I'm doubting it because I don't perceive his scouting reports as being great and those videos either.

Again, fans are allowed to do that. You would be right if I was sitting here like I'm on a throne declaring Mirotic to be a future bust, and saying my word is more valuable than the people who scout him for a living, but I'm not doing that at all. Not even an ounce of that man.

If the basis of this argument is that what the scouts said about him goes (which is what it seems to be), then I don't agree. If we hold true to that, I'm still waiting on Yi Jianlian to show he has the best potential out of the 2007 draft of anyone not named Oden or Durant.

We can take Saer Sene for example, drafted 10th overall in 2006. According to DX, the Bulls were considering him at #16.

A team source informed us that the Chicago Bulls were blown away by Saer Sene’s “athleticism, upside and speed” at a workout he recently conducted at the Berto Center. According to the source, Sene “blew the roof off the workout” and is now considered a legitimate option for the Bulls at #16. "He might be the longest person in the world!"

When talking about potential problems he might face in the NBA with the speed the game is played at, the source was adamant about the fact that he tested out extremely well off the court and that his learning curve appears to be very sharp.

Similar questions we posed via email to a coach he worked with this past year in Belgium garnered the following response: “If you saw the progression he’s made you would be amazed. His talent to pick up fundamentals is amazing. In the games he wasn't always ready to catch the ball, but for me it was more inexperience than bad hands. He's a good kid, with a golden heart. With the necessary aid of personal coaches who take their time, I really believe that he has a great future in the NBA.”

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Sae ... z1QM4lHuka
http://www.draftexpress.com

In terms of his upside, there is absolutely no doubt that Sene’s ceiling is just about as high as anyone in this draft due to his incredible physical attributes. Consistent reports from people that have worked with him, including his coaching staff at Belgium, say that his work ethic and personality are terrific and that he’s very hungry and motivated to become the best basketball player that he can possibly become. Seeing the way he works out on the court, it’s hard to dispute that. Sene has improved quite over the past few years according to unbiased professionals in the basketball world who have followed him, coached him and watched him in person, and should continue to improve over the next few years.

From DraftExpress.com http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Sae ... z1QM4KfPC2
http://www.draftexpress.com

Trust the people who know him the best, right? Don't get it twisted, I'm not bringing up international failures as a way to say Mirotic will suck or anything. Just to say that the logic of deferring to trustwhat x and y scouts say about said player, isn't always reliable.

[Red Larrivee]

I didn't use Lee as an example of a mediocre athlete.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1121198&start=1125

Please point me in the direction of where I say that Lee is a mediocre athlete

How about Redick? Hinrich? David Lee? I mean there's plenty of players who made it in the league despite not being that athletic, or not having great length.

[logical_art]

No one is saying scouts are infallible. And for someone who watches a lot of college ball they should definitely offer their input even if its contrary to scouts opinion.

But if I'm weighing one of us evaluating a player based on 8 minutes of youtube vs. scouts based on 8 games of tape, I'm pretty sure scouts will be right more often than we will be.

[logical_art]

I didn't use Lee as an example of a mediocre athlete.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1121198&start=1125

Please point me in the direction of where I say that Lee is a mediocre athlete

How about Redick? Hinrich? David Lee? I mean there's plenty of players who made it in the league despite not being that athletic, or not having great length.

You strongly implied it by using those guys as examples of players who overcame lack of athletic gifts like you think Kemba will overcome lack of length.

[Red Larrivee]

Then what's your point against me then?

I haven't once said that my word is higher than theirs. I haven't once told anyone in here to screw their word and take what I said for it. All I've done is express an opinion. Those scouts do make a bunch of mistakes despite scouting heavily. That's not an incorrect statement. You can trot out a long list of players who they've touted highly, but ended up flopping in the NBA.

You strongly implied it

No I didn't. I said those players weren't that athletic and I stand by that. Lee isn't a bad athlete, he's a respectable one in fact. But I don't think he's that athletic. I would say the same about Luol Deng and Joakim Noah.

You're free to interpret how you want, but that's not how it was laid out.

[logical_art]

Then what's your point against me then?

I haven't once said that my word is higher than theirs. I haven't once told anyone in here to screw their word and take what I said for it. All I've done is express an opinion. Those scouts do make a bunch of mistakes despite scouting heavily. That's not an incorrect statement. You can trot out a long list of players who they've touted highly, but ended up flopping in the NBA.

You strongly implied it

No I didn't. I said those players weren't that athletic and I stand by that. Lee isn't a bad athlete, he's a respectable one in fact. But I don't think he's that athletic. I would say the same about Luol Deng and Joakim Noah.

You're free to interpret how you want, but that's not how it was laid out.

Look at the context of the conversation. You were defending a player who is extremely challenged length wise (Kemba) and you're telling me that your defense by way of comparison was three guys who you thought succeeded despite not being thaaat athletic?

Anyway, this is dumb. I usually respect your basketball knowledge even if I disagree but the Lee, Hinrich example for players succeeding despite their athletic limitations was pretty bizarre IMO.

[Just_Bullz]

Low risk high return pick. Can get him on the cheap if he really realized his potential if not let him be the water boy or luggage carrier of the team. FO saved money while he's stashed away in Europe and I don't think anyone at the our pick position would yield a quality SG that can contribute immediately anyway. Can't complain too much.

[Saluki]

I'm surprised more people aren't talking about the fact that the Bulls just turned James Johnson into Nikola Mirotic. Considering that they had all but given up on Johnson last year, fans should be delighted with a top 10 DX prospect in return.

I think if anything we should be highlighting GarPax's impressive performance of turning the occasional bad pick into a valuable trade asset. Three examples that immediately come to mind are Thabo, TT, and JJ. Even if Mirotic is a bust or never comes over, I am confident that the Bulls will still find a way to get something of value in exchange for him. They always do.

[JohnnyTapwater]

Great point @ Saluki

It really reaffirms my faith in the FO. While most look for instant gratification, the FO is still building. Playing chess. I like the future. Could pay huge dividends.

[theanimal23]

I have yet to chime in since I started this thread. I'll admit, I still wish we took Brooks instead of Butler. But I think both Mirotic and Butler will be good players. Just feel that Brooks could be another Thornton.

That said, I like the Mirotic selection. Sure we are contenders and need to get a player who can help win now. But Mirotic will come in a few years when Boozer is an expiring or about to be finished. It'd be wonderful if this guy can step in and be our PF for the next decade. Not sure if it's likely, but his game would fit perfectly with Rose. Time will tell. This reminds me a lot of CDR/Asik.

Don't know if this has been posted yet:
http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2011 ... draft.html

[chadrucf]

I have yet to chime in since I started this thread. I'll admit, I still wish we took Brooks instead of Butler. But I think both Mirotic and Butler will be good players. Just feel that Brooks could be another Thornton.

Just to clarify, Brooks went before we picked Butler.

[BeKuK]

I've seen Nikola playing last year in Bamberg(Germany)....I think he played 4 or 5 min and scored 3 or 4 points...!

It's a good thing to give him few more years in europe, because right now it would be to early for him to play in the NBA!

[theanimal23]

I have yet to chime in since I started this thread. I'll admit, I still wish we took Brooks instead of Butler. But I think both Mirotic and Butler will be good players. Just feel that Brooks could be another Thornton.

Just to clarify, Brooks went before we picked Butler.

I know

But overall - I'm very happy with the Bulls draft. I think Butler will be a fine player for us in the future. I really like him. Pax/Gar have more than earned the benefit of the doubt, and I think both Butler and Mirotic will be solid for us.

[MrTwister]

I actually love this, I had hoped they could turn one pick into a future asset for Howard or an SG.

In this draft kind of odd he lasted that long.

Still need a SG of course, but I like this a lot.

You can enjoy watching him play overseas for 4 years and then more after that when he's not good enough to play in the NBA.

This was one of the worst picks the Bulls have made in recent years. Luckily there haven't been alot of them. I just don't get it. At all. Brooks and Hamilton were right there to be had and we passed up on them for a guy that we won't even see for 4 years, if at all.

I bet you changed your mind now

Sorry for necroposting but this thread has some posts which now reading sound hilarious

[Magilla_Gorilla]

Wow. Good to see I didn't make an ass of myself in this thread. Also good to see Mirotic is proving he was worth the wait.

[Rerisen]

I love the move to acquire and wait for Mr Mirotic

Bless your soul, Tommy. You are missed.