The Chicago Bulls select forward Patrick Williams #4 overall.

[Dresden]

The one positive about Williams above all the other things is that he's athletic and strong and fast. We've needed to improve in these areas for a long time. This is what the nba's about now, and we have not had the athlete's to compete in these areas. You just have to hope that he can improve in the areas he's weak in. But at least he's starting with a solid foundation of athleticism and strength.

I'm not saying I love the pick- just saying that at least he will help us improve in those areas.

[Dresden]

I should also add he's got that 7' wingspan, which is very valuable, and what often separates the average from the above average players, esp. on defense.

[MrSparkle]

If Williams is a WCJ clone who's not afraid to shoot when open, and can stay out of foul and injury trouble, then sign me up with both hands. You win with people like that, even if he peaks at something like 14/6/2.

Well, and he can probably lap WCJ in a race and perhaps jump over him, so ...

[Andi Obst]

Didn't expect this, but I'm happy with it. Had him 6th on my board, the only guy I definitely would have taken over him is Hayes. We'll have to be patient but I belive this was a good pick.

Really don't understand why so many people are mad.

[bulletbill]

[chicago paxsons]

I think people are stuck on desperately wanting a superstar, but unfortunately i don't see one in this draft, so i don't have a problem drafting a player who, if he reaches is potential, is a solid contributor and possible glue guy to a good team. If his potential is a power forward version of say deng/crash, then to me, this was a successful draft.

[cjbulls]

Ya'll remember when they tried to convince us that Marcus Fizer was a SF?

I don't think this will be that, I just remembered him and laughed.

I'm sticking to Patrick Williams reminds me of WCJ's contribution. Super - duper solid - no star quality - but he'll do things that help winning.

Agreed. I don’t buy that Williams has a high ceiling, but I’m excited for a core of Coby/Zach, Williams, and WCJ. They are still missing a true star though, probably 2.

There’s room for Lauri and the remainder of Zach/Coby depending on how well they mesh with Donovan. If not, the remaining Zach/Coby should be a tradeable asset to add another piece.

[cjbulls]

That’s another good potential comp. Can’t remember if he ever made an All-Star team.

[chicago paxsons]

That’s another good potential comp. Can’t remember if he ever made an All-Star team.

1 time all star, 1 time all defensive team.

[DASMACKDOWN]

Question,

Serious question. We've heard how the NBA is moving and valuing postionless flexibility more and more... yet fans seems to constantly zero in on the 1 or 2 inches, or 5-10 lbs or, .3 second slower 3 cone shuttle timer that doesn't wedge a prospect into a nice boxed in mold for a position....

It's almost as if we are looking at the qualities that would make someone a prototypical position fit, when that isn't actually valued in the league as much at all.

We like to talk about how his lateral quickness may allow him to guard an NBA SF? Well how will these generic NBA SF handle him? It like there is this perfection we compare him too in terms of physical attributes -- but are not accounting for the intangibles that actually separate a Wiggins from a Luka. A just turned 19 year old with his overall package and work ethic and upside --- but the issue is if he's Eddie Robinson cat quick (when that didn't help EROBS D at all). Sometimes your effort and IQ can make up for not being in the 99th percentile for this cardboard cut out SF that exist...

How can anyone know anything until he plays -- in the NBA -- and develops?

Honestly I would cough it up to that 95% of the people on the board have never heard or seen him play.

Which is why I sort of ghost myself from boards before the draft because I dont want a pre induced bias on any player. When a flock is trained to think one way, and the result is completely different, the first reaction is "This must be bad" Which most of the times its not.

If anyone remembers the Taj Gibson draft, you will know exactly what I am talking about. ^Cough cough HOW COULD WE PASS ON DEJUAN BLAIR!!! WHO IS TAJ FREAKING GIBSON??!! NEVER HEARD OF HIM! HE SUCKKKKKS!!!

Oh the good ole days.

[DASMACKDOWN]

And to add, apparently I haven't been paying attention either because there are alot of videos on youtube talking about he may end up being the steal of the draft back in March. Everything from OG to Kawhi.

[ZOMG]

Ya'll remember when they tried to convince us that Marcus Fizer was a SF?

I don't think this will be that, I just remembered him and laughed.

I'm sticking to Patrick Williams reminds me of WCJ's contribution. Super - duper solid - no star quality - but he'll do things that help winning.

Agreed. I don’t buy that Williams has a high ceiling, but I’m excited for a core of Coby/Zach, Williams, and WCJ. They are still missing a true star though, probably 2.

There’s room for Lauri and the remainder of Zach/Coby depending on how well they mesh with Donovan. If not, the remaining Zach/Coby should be a tradeable asset to add another piece.

I know you dislike Markkanen, but you've got it all backwards. The Bulls already dangled Wendell, which is really awkward for all concerned now that the deal didn't happen. You don't just rejoin the "core" like nothing happened after something like that.

Carter's days as a Bull are numbered. I'm lukewarm on Williams but I can easily see him replacing Wendell and his non-shooting if all goes according to plan.

[MrSparkle]

Ya'll remember when they tried to convince us that Marcus Fizer was a SF?

I don't think this will be that, I just remembered him and laughed.

I'm sticking to Patrick Williams reminds me of WCJ's contribution. Super - duper solid - no star quality - but he'll do things that help winning.

Ha - I do. But I didn't buy it at all. Pippen was my lingering idea of a SF (although Durant and Lebron did Michael-Jordanize the position - unstoppable iso scorers). Never made any sense to me getting chunkier and less point-guard-savvy at the 3.

But of course, the "PF" these days is more like the "SF" of those days (swiss-army knife). The SF should be another high-volume 3P scorer with adequate defense.

[cjbulls]

Question,

Serious question. We've heard how the NBA is moving and valuing postionless flexibility more and more... yet fans seems to constantly zero in on the 1 or 2 inches, or 5-10 lbs or, .3 second slower 3 cone shuttle timer that doesn't wedge a prospect into a nice boxed in mold for a position....

It's almost as if we are looking at the qualities that would make someone a prototypical position fit, when that isn't actually valued in the league as much at all.

We like to talk about how his lateral quickness may allow him to guard an NBA SF? Well how will these generic NBA SF handle him? It like there is this perfection we compare him too in terms of physical attributes -- but are not accounting for the intangibles that actually separate a Wiggins from a Luka. A just turned 19 year old with his overall package and work ethic and upside --- but the issue is if he's Eddie Robinson cat quick (when that didn't help EROBS D at all). Sometimes your effort and IQ can make up for not being in the 99th percentile for this cardboard cut out SF that exist...

How can anyone know anything until he plays -- in the NBA -- and develops?

Honestly I would cough it up to that 95% of the people on the board have never heard or seen him play.

Which is why I sort of ghost myself from boards before the draft because I dont want a pre induced bias on any player. When a flock is trained to think one way, and the result is completely different, the first reaction is "This must be bad" Which most of the times its not.

If anyone remembers the Taj Gibson draft, you will know exactly what I am talking about. ^Cough cough HOW COULD WE PASS ON DEJUAN BLAIR!!! WHO IS TAJ FREAKING GIBSON??!! NEVER HEARD OF HIM! HE SUCKKKKKS!!!

Oh the good ole days.

Well DeJuan Blair was pretty freaking good, probably peaked better than Taj, but he had those knees, which was known pre-draft and caused him to drop. So I don’t know what I’m trying to say there, haha.

The question is would you be saying that if they took Tre Jones #4? Or if AK traded the 2021 and 2022 unprotected FRPs to move up for Ball/Edwards/Wiseman?

There is a point where you know enough to not like a move. Most of the folks on the draft board dig relatively deep and have done so for years so we know enough to see when something is off from the right general value.

[jStuNNa]

I think people are stuck on desperately wanting a superstar, but unfortunately i don't see one in this draft, so i don't have a problem drafting a player who, if he reaches is potential, is a solid contributor and possible glue guy to a good team. If his potential is a power forward version of say deng/crash, then to me, this was a successful draft.

Right. In the absence of clear superstar, or even all-star talent in this draft, the Bulls picked a player who they feel has the realistic potential to be a dynamic supporting talent on a contending team. That's just as important as finding the superstar player you hope he can support at some point. You need both. Addressing that with the 4th pick in a weak draft is a good use of opportunity. If he develops into more than a great supporting talent, then that's just great luck and nothing anyone can project to happen, or not project to happen, with any high level of certainty.

[cjbulls]

Ya'll remember when they tried to convince us that Marcus Fizer was a SF?

I don't think this will be that, I just remembered him and laughed.

I'm sticking to Patrick Williams reminds me of WCJ's contribution. Super - duper solid - no star quality - but he'll do things that help winning.

Agreed. I don’t buy that Williams has a high ceiling, but I’m excited for a core of Coby/Zach, Williams, and WCJ. They are still missing a true star though, probably 2.

There’s room for Lauri and the remainder of Zach/Coby depending on how well they mesh with Donovan. If not, the remaining Zach/Coby should be a tradeable asset to add another piece.

I know you dislike Markkanen, but you've got it all backwards. The Bulls already dangled Wendell, which is really awkward for all concerned now that the deal didn't happen. You don't just rejoin the "core" like nothing happened after something like that.

Carter's days as a Bull are numbered. I'm lukewarm on Williams but I can easily see him replacing Wendell and his non-shooting if all goes according to plan.

I agree that is my projection of the core, especially as it relates to Lauri/WCJ. It’s a matter of timing. My guess is by the end of the season the Bulls will be questioning dropping all that cap space onto Lauri. Hope he proves me wrong!

[BahamaBull]

he reminds me of Artest...Hopefully not as nutty

yes he does...

he also reminds me of Paul Milsap as well.

[Jahensle]

he reminds me of Artest...Hopefully not as nutty

yes he does...

he also reminds me of Paul Milsap as well.

I see a more athletic Paul Milsap, which is a pretty great outcome if realized.

[bad knees]

Kid's jacked and juiced!

Kid's got thighs.

[Jcool0]

Iguodala played spot-PF for most his time in GS and most recently MIA. Butler with more than a 6'8 wingspan would've been a dominant combo forward all day.

In GS he played PF 6% of the time, he was a SF 83% of the time. In MIA he was at SG 70% of the time & SF 29% of the time.