Wendell Carter Jr - The Block Panther Edition

[NecessaryEvil]

I loved that "Hakeem" move he had in the game. So rare for a 19 year to be able to do that.

It's a little crazy how much early hype this guy has now. I'm not even talking about our own fan base. The media is really gushing about him. Hopefully he doesn't let it get to his head and he keeps doing what he's doing.

Yeah, hopefully nothing else goes to his head or this dude will have a dome like MegaMind

[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.

[Onibuh]

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).

[BadWolf]

All they gotta do is find him

We seriously need to find a veteran point guard this offseason.

I just am not confident with the core group that they can and will consistently find our bigs. It could be an ongoing story if we struggle again on offense.

I wish we could have brought rondo back.

Teodosic? Probably available for free.

[BullsFTW]

BP was never going to start in Chicago with Lauri here.

He'll play the Taj Gibson role.

Which is why we need to trade him, because eventually he will want the big extension and a bigger role which we likely won't be able to provide him. If he continues to improve in the upcoming season, use that as leverage and try to get a 1st rounder for him.

We may want to keep him long term, but players that continue to improve like him want to spread their wings eventually, and I don't see him being any different.

I would trade him for a young SF.

Portis for Oubre?

[musiqsoulchild]

Didn’t Bobby mention he wants to be 6th man? Granted it was on Twitter but that seemed genuine as a guy accepting what he is.

This upcoming season, correct - he did say something along those lines. But he is 23 years old, and say he does improve and become the 6th man of the year, with his pending free agency, do you think he will want to remain a 6th man the remainder of the career, or jump at the first opportunity to have a starting role and a bigger contract?

And I'm not saying it as a knock, he SHOULD want a bigger role, and a big contract, because quite frankly he deserves it because he has improved almost yearly, and if he makes another step teams will be knocking on our doors to acquire him. The only hope is that Carter and Lauri proves with their play that losing Bobby won't be such a significant lose.

Jinkies! If Bobby takes another step, we might as well keep him. I don’t see many people at a Rich Man’s Bobby Portis level in next year’s free agency, and he’s incredibly young. Another step would make Bobby core worthy. A three headed dragon of stretch bigs this talented, especially if they continue to improve, is worth keeping. Trade away dead weight (Felicio, Asik), or vastly overpaid one trick ponies if you have to.

Valentine and Bobby are complete players in my opinion - albeit at lower levels. You keep them.

That leaves you with just trading Asik + Felicio next year for say a 20 Million dollar incoming. Asik's salary makes that only 3 Million incoming for the trade partner. So, that's instant 8 Million dollar savings right away.

Here's an example: Asik + Felicio for Nic Batum. And then sign a Max FA with remaining cap space.

Dunn / Payne
Lavine / Valentine
Batum / Hutch
Lauri / Portis
Carter / Draft Pick

Add a Max FA - preferably in the back court. And we're all set.

[kingkirk]

I rather have gone with Mitchell Robinson.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on WCJ now that we've seen him play like the best big in SL.

[Peelboy]

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?

If that’s the scenario you’re projecting (possible but aggressive IMO), that’s exactly why I favor keeping Nwaba (reasonable or short contract- but given marcus smart, a similar but currently better player can’t get offers seems a reasonable assumption). He can d Simmons and if he sustains his 2d half 3pt shooting improvement, he’s a solid 2-way guy. That leaves Lauri on Covington.

[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.

[fleet]

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.

[DASMACKDOWN]

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.

[johnnyvann840]

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 Senator]

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.

Fully agreed. While Summer League isn't going to be a full simulation of what we're getting in the regular season, I've seen enough to believe that it's in Carter's and the Bulls's best interest to start him and see if he can take the responsibility from day one. That doesn't mean he has a guaranteed spot. If things slip, then Lopez can step back into the starting role while WCJ builds up his game. But I think there's a chance he could not only survive, but thrive as a starter. Let's find out.

[fleet]

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.

Sure, but young player entitlement is just as bad. I don't mind him starting. I just want to see him earn it first. I think Lopez should start first. Let it shake out however it does from there. To put him in there as a development strategy going in, that doesnt sound like the best way for the player to develop properly. Things need to be earned in practice and games first imo.

[johnnyvann840]

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.

Sure, but young player entitlement is just as bad. I don't mind him starting. I just want to see him earn it first. I think Lopez should start first. Let it shake out however it does from there. To put him in there as a development strategy going in, that doesnt sound like the best way for the player to develop properly. Things need to be earned in practice and games first imo.

Normally, I would agree to make him "earn" it. But his kid is so smart and so grounded, I think he'll understand why he's starting over Lopez. He is part of the team's future. Robin is not. Robin is the perfect player and at the right time in his career to move to a veteran bench role. I think he is smart enough and grounded enough to not make waves over it and still try to help the kid as much as he can. Like the Senator said, if Wendell has a hard time and looks like he isn't ready then you can always move Lopez into the starting spot until he is ready. I would just give WCJ a long leash. We just don't want him playing to not make mistakes and feeling like he is going to get yanked after making them.

[ATRAIN53]

He's getting talked up like a serious ROY candidate....

The Doris Burke praise, Simmons and now this-

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24071822/wendell-carter-jr-best-big-las-vegas-nba

Reading too much into performance during summer league is dangerous given the small samples involved. From a subjective perspective, however, the skills and instincts Carter has flashed at both ends of the court have been as impressive as we've seen from any rookie big man. Given where he was drafted, that has to be exciting for a Bulls franchise in need of talent.

Pretty much has to be a starter opening night if this is the kinda praise he's getting already.

also a great read on him here from SI-
https://www.si.com/nba/2018/06/25/wendell-carter-jr-chicago-bulls-ncaa-duke-nba-draft-bar-mitzvah

But getting out of the NCAA system is partly why the Carters decided it was time to enter the NBA.

“They treat you like a piece of property. Period. Point blank. They take things away from you, they talk bad to you, they’re disrespectful to you,” Kylia says at the party.

His moms comments in this context make a lot more sense now. She's not wrong and the reporters that added Coach K into these stories were just looking for more views with his name IMO. This article never mentions him, just the school.


I'm pretty excited - he's just a solid player and clearly has a high Basketball IQ

[Ctownbulls]

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 same reason why Jerian Grant and Holliday started to begin the year last year.

[keobulls]

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.

Sure, but young player entitlement is just as bad. I don't mind him starting. I just want to see him earn it first. I think Lopez should start first. Let it shake out however it does from there. To put him in there as a development strategy going in, that doesnt sound like the best way for the player to develop properly. Things need to be earned in practice and games first imo.

Normally, I would agree to make him "earn" it. But his kid is so smart and so grounded, I think he'll understand why he's starting over Lopez. He is part of the team's future. Robin is not. Robin is the perfect player and at the right time in his career to move to a veteran bench role. I think he is smart enough and grounded enough to not make waves over it and still try to help the kid as much as he can. Like the Senator said, if Wendell has a hard time and looks like he isn't ready then you can always move Lopez into the starting spot until he is ready. I would just give WCJ a long leash. We just don't want him playing to not make mistakes and feeling like he is going to get yanked after making them.

I don't know if we would have to worry about "entitlement" minutes for Carter because I fairly certain that Carter will be eating Lopez's lunch every day in practice.

[musiqsoulchild]

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.

Lopez will start. It's symbolic. Wendell will close.

I fully expect a lot of playing time for Lopez and featured sets for him as we look to trade him before the trade deadline.

After that, it'll be all Carter.

[johnnyvann840]

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 same reason why Jerian Grant and Holliday started to begin the year last year.

Ah, I see. We're looking for another 3-20 start to the season.