2020 NBA Draft Thread: Bulls pick 4th!

[GimmeDat]

I think RJ is a PG... just a score-1st one.

[Jvaughn]

He was unselfish, made good decisions within the offense, played well on and off the ball, demonstrated some advanced passing reads off drives, is one of the quickest players in the draft and an above the rim finisher, and demonstrated great flashes on defense using his tools.

He started off the season very strong. As the season went on, it was clear he wasn't as good as the important playing backup behind him, Sek Henry, so RJ ended up getting less entitlement mins as the season went on, then he got banged up with injury, and his shooting fell off towards the end, tanking his efficiency.

You don't have an issue with the fact that he couldn't outplay a 33 year old career journey man? That's another black eye IMO. In the games I saw he looked completely lost and either unable or unwilling to take over games. Maybe that just wasn't the stage for him, and he will flourish in an NBA system. I just don't see much reason to be optimistic.

[GimmeDat]

He was unselfish, made good decisions within the offense, played well on and off the ball, demonstrated some advanced passing reads off drives, is one of the quickest players in the draft and an above the rim finisher, and demonstrated great flashes on defense using his tools.

He started off the season very strong. As the season went on, it was clear he wasn't as good as the important playing backup behind him, Sek Henry, so RJ ended up getting less entitlement mins as the season went on, then he got banged up with injury, and his shooting fell off towards the end, tanking his efficiency.

You don't have an issue with the fact that he couldn't outplay a 33 year old career journey man? That's another black eye IMO. In the games I saw he looked completely lost and either unable or unwilling to take over games. Maybe that just wasn't the stage for him, and he will flourish in an NBA system. I just don't see much reason to be optimistic.

C'mon mate. He was the Israeli League MVP in 2018.. he's not washed. Henry had a good season. If it was LaMelo on the Breakers, the same thing would've happened - he was better than both. They're grown professionals. If you're expecting him to 'take over' NBL games at 17/18 years old, you have unrealistic expectations.

[PlayerUp]

I think Kira Lewis Jr. is someone who will help them from day one, but he'll still need that development time period.

Everyone will.

This draft isn't about getting someone guaranteed to make an impact for us but what they could develop into. We need to look for prospects that have greatly developed over the course of the last 6-9 months and make a final decision after predraft workouts. Guys who make progress and develop is a good sign they'll continue to do that at the next level.

Until predraft workouts are complete, we can't really make a final decision on who we want. There are too many question marks with all these prospects at the moment.

As for Kira Lewis Jr, he blew up in the 2nd half of the season. Check his stats. This happened to John Collins as well. Players who rapidly improve at the end of the season is also a good indicator they will improve at the next level. It doesn't always happen but from what I have seen most of the time it does.

This is why I am waiting to decide who I want with our pick. Hopefully by the time predraft workouts are complete, a certain prospect will stand out with some major improvements in their game and that's who I would take at #4.

[Jvaughn]

He was unselfish, made good decisions within the offense, played well on and off the ball, demonstrated some advanced passing reads off drives, is one of the quickest players in the draft and an above the rim finisher, and demonstrated great flashes on defense using his tools.

He started off the season very strong. As the season went on, it was clear he wasn't as good as the important playing backup behind him, Sek Henry, so RJ ended up getting less entitlement mins as the season went on, then he got banged up with injury, and his shooting fell off towards the end, tanking his efficiency.

You don't have an issue with the fact that he couldn't outplay a 33 year old career journey man? That's another black eye IMO. In the games I saw he looked completely lost and either unable or unwilling to take over games. Maybe that just wasn't the stage for him, and he will flourish in an NBA system. I just don't see much reason to be optimistic.

C'mon mate. He was the Israeli League MVP in 2018.. he's not washed. Henry had a good season. If it was LaMelo on the Breakers, the same thing would've happened - he was better than both. They're grown professionals. If you're expecting him to 'take over' NBL games at 17/18 years old, you have unrealistic expectations.

Sek averaged 13/3 in the NBL. He wasn't setting the world on fire. And I don't expect RJ to be dropping 25 a game, but I was hoping he'd distance himself a bit and show some traits of a top tier player. I mean he was a top 5 player coming out of high school and some mocks had him as high as #1 draft prospect. In a weak draft, it's a bit discouraging for someone to fall completely out of lottery projections after a season overseas.

[GimmeDat]

You don't have an issue with the fact that he couldn't outplay a 33 year old career journey man? That's another black eye IMO. In the games I saw he looked completely lost and either unable or unwilling to take over games. Maybe that just wasn't the stage for him, and he will flourish in an NBA system. I just don't see much reason to be optimistic.

C'mon mate. He was the Israeli League MVP in 2018.. he's not washed. Henry had a good season. If it was LaMelo on the Breakers, the same thing would've happened - he was better than both. They're grown professionals. If you're expecting him to 'take over' NBL games at 17/18 years old, you have unrealistic expectations.

Sek averaged 13/3 in the NBL. He wasn't setting the world on fire. And I don't expect RJ to be dropping 25 a game, but I was hoping he'd distance himself a bit and show some traits of a top tier player. I mean he was a top 5 player coming out of high school and some mocks had him as high as #1 draft prospect. In a weak draft, it's a bit discouraging for someone to fall completely out of lottery projections after a season overseas.

Was only averaging 13/3 because he was backing up a teenager in 40 minute long games. He stepped up significantly more once RJ was out of the lineup, and the Breakers one a lot more games.

I agree he wasn't up to top 5 standard, but that's HS rankings for you, they're never greatly correlated. I still think he showed enough promise to be a mid-1st.

[PlayerUp]

Vassell seems low ceiling as hell. Seems like he'll top out as a 4th/5th scoring option. And he can't pass/handle at all either.

Which is why he's going in the late lottery. Looks like a complimentary piece to me. That said 3 and D wings have also had a history of developing into stars later in the NBA.

[Leslie Forman]

You know, with how absolutely putrid the PG situation is here, and with how much, even more than normal, of a complete crapshoot this draft is, I wouldn't be against the "draft a bunch of QBs" strategy.

Get multiple picks, choose, say, three of Kira Lewis, Tyrell Terry, Devon Dotson, Nico Mannion, Cassius Winston, etc., etc., and see who pans out.

I feel like next year is where you really look for your wings of the future.

[PlayerUp]

You know, with how absolutely putrid the PG situation is here, and with how much, even more than normal, of a complete crapshoot this draft is, I wouldn't be against the "draft a bunch of QBs" strategy.

Get multiple picks, choose, say, three of Kira Lewis, Tyrell Terry, Devon Dotson, Nico Mannion, Cassius Winston, etc., etc., and see who pans out.

I feel like next year is where you really look for your wings of the future.

This is where I'm at right now as well.

If we could find a way to land 2 picks between #11-#19, another 1st for someone who drops for our #4 and #44 picks, this is the route I'd go. May take a couple trades to position ourselves to be at this range.

Get a guy like Kira Lewis Jr (preferred), Tyrell Terry, Cole Anthony maybe try to go after Poku and then get a prospect who drops with nice upside.

Hope one turns into a star.

[Onibuh]

Will Toppin be a PF or C in the NBA? Will a Team even try him as SF?

[Andi Obst]

Will Toppin be a PF or C in the NBA? Will a Team even try him as SF?

No chance he'll play the 3 IMO. Makes him less valuable on offense and he'll be even more of a defensive liability there.

Offensively, he's a 4 or 5 to me, depending on the matchup. Defensively, I think your only hope is to play him at center in a drop coverage and he becomes at least somewhat useful as a rim protector. You just can't play him away from the basket.

[Jvaughn]

Will Toppin be a PF or C in the NBA? Will a Team even try him as SF?

No chance he'll play the 3 IMO. Makes him less valuable on offense and he'll be even more of a defensive liability there.

Offensively, he's a 4 or 5 to me, depending on the matchup. Defensively, I think your only hope is to play him at center in a drop coverage and he becomes at least somewhat useful as a rim protector. You just can't play him away from the basket.

Agreed, if a team is able to find a way to make him useful on defense, it's definitely going to have to be in drop coverage. Only issue with that is that he's defensive awareness is very weak. And with the way offenses are setup now, he's more likely than not going to have to check a big that can stretch the floor, which will negate his effectiveness on help side.

[Bulldog23]

I think the Bulls want two way players, individuals that can defend and score. There are few players like that in this draft, Hayes is one of those guys.

[Jvaughn]

I think the Bulls want two way players, individuals that can defend and score. There are few players like that in this draft, Hayes is one of those guys.

Hayes and Deni. My two favorite prospects.

[wonderboy2]

Waste of pick if the bulls draft Hayes. Deni would be ok.

[Jvaughn]

Waste of pick if the bulls draft Hayes. Deni would be ok.

Not sure why you'd think so. Prospect with upside with a high ceiling that also fits a position of need. Seems like the perfect fit for the 4th pick.

[drosereturn]

He was unselfish, made good decisions within the offense, played well on and off the ball, demonstrated some advanced passing reads off drives, is one of the quickest players in the draft and an above the rim finisher, and demonstrated great flashes on defense using his tools.

He started off the season very strong. As the season went on, it was clear he wasn't as good as the important playing backup behind him, Sek Henry, so RJ ended up getting less entitlement mins as the season went on, then he got banged up with injury, and his shooting fell off towards the end, tanking his efficiency.

You don't have an issue with the fact that he couldn't outplay a 33 year old career journey man? That's another black eye IMO. In the games I saw he looked completely lost and either unable or unwilling to take over games. Maybe that just wasn't the stage for him, and he will flourish in an NBA system. I just don't see much reason to be optimistic.

C'mon mate. He was the Israeli League MVP in 2018.. he's not washed. Henry had a good season. If it was LaMelo on the Breakers, the same thing would've happened - he was better than both. They're grown professionals. If you're expecting him to 'take over' NBL games at 17/18 years old, you have unrealistic expectations.

I give NBL players namely Ball and RJ pass bc they arguably played in the 2nd best league depending on who you play for in Euro.
These kids are not even 20 and asking them to dominate against grown men seems ridiculous. Whats imp is that they are battle tested and somewhat proven, experienced which is why I dont mind diluting the pick into multiple teens and pick RJ.

[drosereturn]

You know, with how absolutely putrid the PG situation is here, and with how much, even more than normal, of a complete crapshoot this draft is, I wouldn't be against the "draft a bunch of QBs" strategy.

Get multiple picks, choose, say, three of Kira Lewis, Tyrell Terry, Devon Dotson, Nico Mannion, Cassius Winston, etc., etc., and see who pans out.

I feel like next year is where you really look for your wings of the future.

This is where I'm at right now as well.

If we could find a way to land 2 picks between #11-#19, another 1st for someone who drops for our #4 and #44 picks, this is the route I'd go. May take a couple trades to position ourselves to be at this range.

Get a guy like Kira Lewis Jr (preferred), Tyrell Terry, Cole Anthony maybe try to go after Poku and then get a prospect who drops with nice upside.

Hope one turns into a star.

I like the draft a bunch of qb because its is arguably the most imp role right now for the Bulls. Stash Poku with one pick and use the others on whoever falls bc they are similar tier in a bunch. Dont want to waste time with White without cp3.
Kira, Mannion, Anthony cant be that much worse than a guy like Hayes who isnt really special on any area either.
Surely, 1 will become a average starter and even if the others become serviceable, its a huge win instead of all ining for a questionable guy at number 4 and busting.

[PlayerUp]

You know, with how absolutely putrid the PG situation is here, and with how much, even more than normal, of a complete crapshoot this draft is, I wouldn't be against the "draft a bunch of QBs" strategy.

Get multiple picks, choose, say, three of Kira Lewis, Tyrell Terry, Devon Dotson, Nico Mannion, Cassius Winston, etc., etc., and see who pans out.

I feel like next year is where you really look for your wings of the future.

This is where I'm at right now as well.

If we could find a way to land 2 picks between #11-#19, another 1st for someone who drops for our #4 and #44 picks, this is the route I'd go. May take a couple trades to position ourselves to be at this range.

Get a guy like Kira Lewis Jr (preferred), Tyrell Terry, Cole Anthony maybe try to go after Poku and then get a prospect who drops with nice upside.

Hope one turns into a star.

I like the draft a bunch of qb because its is arguably the most imp role right now for the Bulls. Stash Poku with one pick and use the others on whoever falls bc they are similar tier in a bunch. Dont want to waste time with White without cp3.
Kira, Mannion, Anthony cant be that much worse than a guy like Hayes who isnt really special on any area either.
Surely, 1 will become a average starter and even if the others become serviceable, its a huge win instead of all ining for a questionable guy at number 4 and busting.

100% agree.

It will require a couple trades though for the Bulls to position themselves in this draft. Trading down to get a lower pick + asset and then moving that asset to another team for another 1st Rd Pick. For example that 2nd team wants to trade out of the draft and will accept a future pick for their current pick.

2 Quality 1st Rd Picks between #7-#19 instead of 1 1st Rd Pick at #4

[CoreyVillains]

For all the Poku fans, I just dropped my Poku breakdown. 11 minutes, in depth, both sides of the ball, with commentary. He’s got some ridiculous skills, but he’s a big time project. I think he’d be interesting in New Orleans with Zion.

Watch on YouTube

Btw, I’ve been doing a morning NBA show and we just had a Bulls legend come through with a little promo. Shoutout to Eddy Curry

Watch on YouTube

Excited to watch this one. Appreciate your content!

Appreciate you watching dude!