[Scott42444Participant]

I know that the Bulls are very particular in who they draft.  They put college success, defensive aptitude or an elite need based skill above "ceiling".  In fact, almost every single first rounder the Bulls ended up with in the 1st Round since John Paxson (now the team’s V.P. of Basketball Ops) took over as GM in 2003 was on a successful college team that made it to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament.  Hinrich, Gordon, Deng, Duhon, Thomas, Johnson, Gray, Rose, Noah, Teague, Butler, Gibson, etc.  Last year, Snell was on a team that was eliminated early in the tournament and it actually shocked me as it was against the organizations previous M.O.

So, hearing that they are high on Dougie McBuckets to pair with Jimmy Buckets is NOT a surprise.  But, it makes me shake my head.  Here’s why…

Wiggins, Parker, Embiid, Exum, Vonleh, Randle, Smart, Gordon.  Those 8 players I believe are in the Top 8-10 in almost every draft.  I personally believe that the Celtics will take Aaron Gordon at #6.  With Parker, Wiggins, Embiid, and Exum going probably in the Top 4, that leaves Utah at #5 taking either Randle, Smart, or Vonleh.  I personally think that they will take Noah Vonleh.  That means, as quite a few mock drafts have predicted, that leaves the Lakers with a choice between Smart and Randle.  I read TODAY, based off of a link from the homepage of this very website, that Randle will probably be the pick based off of his stellar private workout with the Lakers.  So…that leaves Marcus Smart sitting there at #8.  I know that Smart has quite a few similarities to Derrick Rose.  But WHO CARES?!?!  He has the defensive skill, ability, and basketball I.Q. to play in Thib’s very demanding system as a rookie.  He also has the upside of a perrenial NBA All-Star who can actually form a possible backcourt with Rose (or run the 2nd unit the next few years as a Rose style combo guard) that is one of the best in the league.  Or, worst case scenario, be the cheap replacement if Rose gets injured AGAIN, that can develop and keep the Bulls in the mix in the East.

Now, I know that this is all rumor anyway.  Smart could go in the Top 3.  Or, Randle could be sitting there.  Or, the Bulls could trade their current picks in an attempt to upgrade the roster with an Afflalo, Love, Melo, etc.  I just think that this draft is deep enough to provide all-star upside all the way to #9-#10 and would be pretty upset if my favorite team drafted a role player.  Even one that has an elite skill like Doug does.  Also, I just get sick of the Bulls always going with the "safe" pick.  Granted, Tyrus Thomas and Marquis Teague weren’t safe picks and they ended up being a couple of the only true "misses" that the organization has made in the past decade.  But, I feel that drafting a Kyle Korver-esque player over a guy like Marcus Smart is just a terrible idea.  I’ll shit myself if they pass up on a Randle, or Smart, 

 

 

 

  

[TRC1991Participant]

Jimmy Buckets? I thought you had to be able to shoot/score to get the word buckets for a nickname?

[TRC1991Participant]

Jimmy Buckets? I thought you had to be able to shoot/score to get the word buckets for a nickname?

[Scott42444Participant]

I sure as heck didn’t give him that nickname, lol.  It’s pretty obvious that he will make his living on the defensive side of the ball.  Being voted to the All-NBA Defensive 2nd Team while still on his rookie deal AND being the 30th pick in the draft makes him a great pick but it would be a game changer if his offensive game would have taken a major step forward last season.  I guess Afflalo would be a great ceiling for him, but I don’t think he will ever reach that level of offensive ability.  He’ll be able to get better if the Bulls do add an elite offensive player like Melo, to pair with Rose (if he can stay healthy for a couple seasons in a row).  He’ll become defense first, with open looks and drives.

[Scott42444Participant]

I sure as heck didn’t give him that nickname, lol.  It’s pretty obvious that he will make his living on the defensive side of the ball.  Being voted to the All-NBA Defensive 2nd Team while still on his rookie deal AND being the 30th pick in the draft makes him a great pick but it would be a game changer if his offensive game would have taken a major step forward last season.  I guess Afflalo would be a great ceiling for him, but I don’t think he will ever reach that level of offensive ability.  He’ll be able to get better if the Bulls do add an elite offensive player like Melo, to pair with Rose (if he can stay healthy for a couple seasons in a row).  He’ll become defense first, with open looks and drives.

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