BULLS DRAFT TALK: 17 DAYS.

[Simeon2UC]

I started this topic to have more enlighten discussion on the Bulls NBA Draft prospects. First, who do you think they're going to draft and why. Also, support your idea with your opinions and facts.

I updated my picks. I'm hoping Bulls Draft Byron Mullens at 16, after that, drafting Rodrigue Beaubois later at 26.

Byron Mullens: A athletic Center with a offensive skill-set. He has a niche and that's his jump hook and mid-range game. He also has quick feet for his size, which offers him more mismatches on the next level. He'll improve drastically once he gets stronger. As I observed him, it was evident that BJ is still growing. Right now, our team doesn't have a big-man with respectable skills on the offensive end - with the exception of aging Brad Miller. Tyrus Thomas isn't a natural on the offensive end but posses marvel abilities. Joakim Noah cup tea consist of defense, though, he has been working hard on his low post moves rumored by Hoopsworld. Still, with a addition of BJ Mullens, he could provide us low post scoring and potentially could keep Noah and Thomas job intact. I'm not sure if there has been a Center with his physical abilities at 16, in a not so touted draft, just waiting to be stole. I will be hurt if Gar and John passes on Mullens if he's available. You just don't get these projects at 16 no more.

Rodrigue Beaubois: He's a clone of Rajon Rondo I think. The guy has the upside of on defense, supported by his wingspan and craftiness. He has three point range and assertiveness. He would be a great 1-2 punch coming off the bench for Rose. There's no other Point Guard I would rather have replace Hinrich. He has the ability to make life hard for the opposition ball-handler. His man-to-man defense is efficient has that alone can keep him a job.

 

[Basghetti80]

I am still hoping for these picks, at least the #16, for a star PF but if I am drafting to keep the picks here is where I stand.


#16 - James Johnson - this guy is the pick for me if he is there and someone like Blair does not fall. He is 6'8, very strong, can play both forward spots and can score in multiple ways. Not sure if he is a true 4 but at worst he can play 25 minutes a game off bench giving us a role sort of like what Nocioni did but is much more versatile. Other candidates are Tyler Hansbrough, Terrence Williams and Earl Clark.

#26 - Darren Collison - I like him as a backup point man to Rose. Experience running an offense, very fast with the ball, used to an uptempo style. Long arms and is a good defender. Other candidates are Sam Young, Chase Budinger and Nick Calathes.

 

[dougthonus]

I would be okay with Mullens. I really, really doubt he's going to work out in the NBA, but the upside is there, so I understand why you swing for the fences. The talent in this draft is so bad that I'm okay just closing our eyes and swinging hard at a fast ball and hoping to hit it out of the park.

Jonny Flynn and James Johnson are my boys in this draft of the guys I've looked at which exludes most of the consensus top 10 or so (Griffin, Thabeet, Rubio, Harden, Hill, Curry, Evans, Curry, Jennings).

At #26, it's hard to speculate based on who is there. Budinger, Hansbrough, Thornton, Maynor, Lawal would be guys I'd not mind taking a chance at there, but they may all be off the board.

 

[chi_hawks_23]

If we stand pat, Id love to get Terrance Williams or Johnny Flynn at 16 and Sam Young at 26.

A sleeper is Jeff Pendergraph from Zona state. His measurables look fantastic, and in a draft where there is such a lack of talent, he could have some serious upside.

 

[clonetrooper264]

Assuming that we keep both picks, I'd go with Psycho T at 16 and Collison at 26 if Kirk is to be traded. Of course, my ideal situation is that we trade one or both for Amare/Bosh, but that may be wishful thinking.

 

[Simeon2UC]

dougthonus wrote:

I would be okay with Mullens. I really, really doubt he's going to work out in the NBA, but the upside is there, so I understand why you swing for the fences. The talent in this draft is so bad that I'm okay just closing our eyes and swinging hard at a fast ball and hoping to hit it out of the park.

Jonny Flynn and James Johnson are my boys in this draft of the guys I've looked at which exludes most of the consensus top 10 or so (Griffin, Thabeet, Rubio, Harden, Hill, Curry, Evans, Curry, Jennings).

At #26, it's hard to speculate based on who is there. Budinger, Hansbrough, Thornton, Maynor, Lawal would be guys I'd not mind taking a chance at there, but they may all be off the board.

I wouldn't be surprise if guys like Derozen fell to 15. I'm not sure what will happen but Byron Mullens is a guy that you have to pick, being this draft is so low in depth and talent. I was surprise to hear Mullens was taller than Brook Lopez which is saying a lot because they almost have the same skill-set. I remember last year guys were dissing Brook and saying he was garbage. They thought the Lopez brothers was another case of the Collins brothers. Last year, I thought we were going to pick 9th, my prospects were Brook Lopez and Deandre Jordan. I still think we wouldn't go wrong selecting either guy in retrospect. Jordan is struggles with strength but he's a huge project. Back to Mullens, if you compare him against Lamarcus Aldridge, whom he replicates a lot coming into the draft, you'll see a increase in talent and physical attributes according to DraftExpress measurement database. Mullens is 6' 11.75 with a high no step vertical and bench presses a solid amount, though, he feels his measurement in bench press didn't project well due to lack of weight training. If you look at the database, the only talent players ahead of him is overall physical attributes were Shaq, Dikembe, and Zydrunas. I can at least see Mullens as the more agile Zydrunas whom both have the mid-range jumper. Other guys I'm taking close notes on are Tyler Smith and Lester Hudson. Love both of them guys, Smith has a Josh Howard type game and Hudson is just a physical combo Guard like Rodney Stuckey. Jeff Pendergraph can also provide that missing piece in the front-court. He reminds me of a young PJ Brown.

 

[Ralphb07]

Johnson is my guy @ 16 but I don't think he falls there.....

Guys at 16 I won't mind if Johnson is gone are Daye, Clark, Hansbrough, and Williams and not in that order

26 is tricky.... I'll be happy with Thornton, Lawal, Chase, Douglas, Collison and Casspi.....

 

[fola]

Not sure if this is what youre looking for but...


I'd love to write a list of guys that im interested in but in all honesty, there aren't any. At least not in the draft. In my ideal world, we work out a few trades and get rid of kirk, create some cap space for BG, AND sign bosh or amare. Prob a bit far-fetched but its still what i'm banking on. Either way, i'm really looking forward to draft night (its my christmas) and seeing how everything really plays out.

 

[JimmyBulls]

I'd take Mullens at 16. There is just not going to be a more talented prospect on the board. If he develops on pace, there is no reason he shouldn't be a Kaman, Lopez type of five.

At 16, the Bulls need a glue guy at the swing positions, and if Danny Green is there the Bulls have to take him. The guy has very good height at 6'6", can defend shooting guards as well as small forward, and he can stroke it from the outside.

 

[Simeon2UC]

Danny Green reminds me of Bobby Simmons. He just camp out and shoot beyond the arc. He never seen him take someone off the dribble. He can't create his own shot. He doesn't create fouls by taking plays off the dribble, and he doesn't know how to create fouls with pump fakes. Green also has poor cutting skills and can be inconsistently prone. He was a role player in college, and at best in the NBA, you'll see him as the 3rd option. He'll be attractive in the second round.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqRmNkygo7k

Seriously?

 

[chi_hawks_23]

Simeon2UC wrote:

Danny Green reminds me of Bobby Simmons. He just camp out and shoot beyond the arc. He never seen him take someone off the dribble. He can't create his own shot. He doesn't create fouls by taking plays off the dribble, and he doesn't know how to create fouls with pump fakes. Green also has poor cutting skills and can be inconsistently prone. He was a role player in college, and at best in the NBA, you'll see him as the 3rd option. He'll be attractive in the second round.

If he can light it up from deep like Kapono, then he will have a place in this league. Even if he can't do anything else.

 

[JimmyBulls]

I think Danny Green should be a Raja Bell type shooting guard. He's not going to create his own offense, but neither will Henderson or Willams with a lot of success. But he will give the team great defense and he'll knockdown open shots. That's still a major question mark when you look at Henderson or Williams.

If I had to give my personal opinion, I would bet money on Green being at least Dahntay Jones with a jumpshot. He would be much better for the Bulls than one way players like Ellington or Thornton.

 

[Dpauley23]

Are you serious? Danny Green is better defender than Henderson? What koolaid are you drinking? Green is at best an average defender, isn't athletic enough to be great defender, and doesn't have great lateral quickness

 

[JimmyBulls]

Dpauley23 wrote:

Are you serious? Danny Green is better defender than Henderson? What koolaid are you drinking? Green is at best an average defender, isn't athletic enough to be great defender, and doesn't have great lateral quickness

Nonsense. Green is a better defender than Henderson. Henderson has the tools to be a very good defender, but his shot is a problem. If you watched Thabo, I don't know how anybody could want a 2 guard with a suspect jumpshot. I watch the players, not just look to spew something written on the mock draft sites.

Green is closer to Raja Bell, and Henderson is more of a Desmond Mason type of player. I think Henderson could be a Raja Bell type shooting guard as well if he could get his shot falling.

 

[dougthonus]

I wouldn't be surprise if guys like Derozen fell to 15. I'm not sure what will happen but Byron Mullens is a guy that you have to pick, being this draft is so low in depth and talent. I was surprise to hear Mullens was taller than Brook Lopez which is saying a lot because they almost have the same skill-set. I remember last year guys were dissing Brook and saying he was garbage. They thought the Lopez brothers was another case of the Collins brothers. Last year, I thought we were going to pick 9th, my prospects were Brook Lopez and Deandre Jordan.

I think Mullens is probably pretty similar to Jordan. A guy who is all measurables without a lot of results to back them up yet. Lopez had a really nice college career, and people questioned him because he was too mechanical and not athletic enough. With Mullens that's not the case. He's got the smoothness and body, just not the results which is more similar to Jordan or McGee.

Back to Mullens, if you compare him against Lamarcus Aldridge, whom he replicates a lot coming into the draft, you'll see a increase in talent and physical attributes according to DraftExpress measurement database. Mullens is 6' 11.75 with a high no step vertical and bench presses a solid amount, though, he feels his measurement in bench press didn't project well due to lack of weight training.

I don't see how Mullens is like Aldridge. Aldridge was a number one option type on his team and had an extraordinarily refined game. He shot tons of turn around jumpers and played in the low post and mid post using a lot of different skills and finesse moves to score.

Mullens basically does one dribble-step dunks and layups for his scores. He doesn't have any of the refinement yet. If he had Aldridge's skills in his body, then he'd be the #1 player in the draft by far. Aldridge was also a great defender in college, something Mullens definitely was not though I think he was okay.

If you look at the database, the only talent players ahead of him is overall physical attributes were Shaq, Dikembe, and Zydrunas. I can at least see Mullens as the more agile Zydrunas whom both have the mid-range jumper.

I don't know if Mullens had a mid range jumper in HS, but he hasn't shown one at all in college.

Other guys I'm taking close notes on are Tyler Smith and Lester Hudson. Love both of them guys, Smith has a Josh Howard type game and Hudson is just a physical combo Guard like Rodney Stuckey. Jeff Pendergraph can also provide that missing piece in the front-court. He reminds me of a young PJ Brown.

I haven't seen any of those guys, but I want to look at Pendergraph, his measurables combined with his production seem to make him a really solid prospect, but he's ranked really low for a guy with his size + athleticism + production which makes me wonder why?

 

[dougthonus]

Nonsense. Green is a better defender than Henderson. Henderson has the tools to be a very good defender, but his shot is a problem. If you watched Thabo, I don't know how anybody could want a 2 guard with a suspect jumpshot. I watch the players, not just look to spew something written on the mock draft sites.

Green is closer to Raja Bell, and Henderson is more of a Desmond Mason type of player. I think Henderson could be a Raja Bell type shooting guard as well if he could get his shot falling.

I haven't watched Green, but Henderson was maybe the best defender of the prospects I've watched this year. If Green was better, then he'd have to be a real stud defensively.

If you could get a Desmond Mason or a Raja Bell at #16 though, you should be counting your blessings. I agree with you on Henderson's shot, not a lot of arc, doesn't project out to be an NBA 3 point type shot IMO. Maybe he can rework it going forward, but I hate projecting what a guy could do if he reworks his shot.

 

[JimmyBulls]

Mullens, Lopez and Kaman were very similiar as freshmen. The only difference has to be Mullens had a stupid coach who platooned him with a inferior player in Dallas Luaderdale. Mullens probably would've had a better freshman season than Lopez if he got the time and touches that he should have gotten.

A lot of people seem to forget that the things that's being said about Mullens is very close to what was said about Lopez after his freshman season.

 

[JimmyBulls]

That's why Henderson is most likely going lottery, it's because of upside. They think if Henderson can work on his shot, he could develop into more of a Sprewell. But I have a hard time seeing this guy becoming a good shooter.

Green's ceiling is clearly lower, but his shooting and defense would make him a steal at 26.

 

[rbk88]

JimmyBulls wrote:

Mullens, Lopez and Kaman were very similiar as freshmen. The only difference has to be Mullens had a stupid coach who platooned him with a inferior player in Dallas Luaderdale. Mullens probably would've had a better freshman season than Lopez if he got the time and touches that he should have gotten.

A lot of people seem to forget that the things that's being said about Mullens is very close to what was said about Lopez after his freshman season.

I've heard some people say that Matta brought Mullens off the bench because he didn't want to lose him to the NBA after one year...but I am leaning towards the theory that Mullens just didn't work hard enough in practice to earn the starting job. I have a hard time seeing the Bulls picking him at 16 him given their tendency to go for guys from winning programs with strong work ethics.

Lopez also had a far superior jumpshot than Mullens BTW.

 

[jsain360]

Was not that impressed w/ Tyler Smith when I watched him hoop several times