If this mock is correct..
both of those guys because they are both fresh off of a National Championship. I have said it about 10 times already, but I think that it should be in consideration every time we look at the Bulls draft. I know that Gar Heard is our new GM, but he has been the top scout under Paxson for years and Paxson still has MAJOR influence over draft decisions (I think he has the "loudest" voice in the draft war room) as the Vice President of Basketball Operations.
Since Paxson became the full-time GM before the 2003 draft:*
2003 - Kirk Hinrich, Kansas (NCAA Championship Game)
2004 - Ben Gordon, Connecticut (NCAA Champion)
2004 - Luol Deng, Duke (Final Four)
2004 - Chris Duhon, Duke (NCAA Championship Game)
2006 - Tyrus Thomas, LSU (Final Four)
2007 - Joakim Noah, Florida (2-Time NCAA Champion)
2008 - Derrick Rose, Memphis (NCAA Championship Game)
Even -
2007 - Aaron Gray, Pittsburgh (Sweet 16)
*I am writing this from memory so forgive me if I screwed one of those up, but they are all Final Four and above
Yes, there was Thabo and also a couple of other non-contributing second rounders, but there is enough here to form some statistical analysis. John Paxson chooses to draft successful, contributing members of VERY successful college programs/teams. I don't think that this year will be any different. But, damn I really hope it is different if the choices are Wayne Ellington and Tyler Hansbrough!
With arguably the best power forward in basketball already in place in Kevin Love, the Timberwolves have high expectations heading into the season. While a playoff berth may not necessarily be on the horizon, there’s little doubt that Minnesota will be right in the thick of things come April.
It’s that time of the preseason when teams really start trimming down their rosters to 15, and Friday was a day in which many players were cut loose.
Most of those released were not familiar names, but Darius Johnson-Odom was cut from the Los Angeles Lakers, and Adam Morrison and Koby Carl were cut from the Portland Trail Blazers.
“I want to thank the Blazers’ organization for giving me a chance,” Morrison told CSNNW.com. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out, but I wish them nothing but success. Right now, I’m just going to talk to my agent and see where to go from here.”
The way I see it, the Bulls have two major draft needs. First, they need a BIG-MAN IN THE PAINT, who can battle for rebounds and points. Secondly, they need to add a taller and/or more athletic PERIMETER DEFENDER, who can create steals and guard 3 point shooters.
Suggestions:
1.) DeJuan Blair
2.) Terrence Williams
3.) Sam Young
4.) Jerel McNeal
5.) Robert Dozier
* I would love to see the Bulls add at least two of these guys in next month's draft.