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I always love the Aldridge was traded argument. With the way the draft is the Bulls were never going to take Aldridge. The plan was to draft Aldridge for Portland and trade him for Tyrus Thomas. One of those silly draft day things. For whatever reason Paxson bit on Tyrus Thomas's stellar tournament play and saw some sort of potential. I always thought Tyrus had potential, but he never had the maturity to learn the game.
Kirk was the BPA at that point and insurance for Jay Williams... Paxson actually did a lot to try and get Wade in that draft, but Miami, rightfully so, wouldn't bite. I think there was always hope BG and Deng would become solid All-Stars. Deng had two years as a All-Star, but I feel that was more so Thibs getting the absolute most out of him (Though the way Deng finished the 06-07 season I thought 07-08 he'd step up and become an All-Star, instead he went backwards).
Yeah I know that was the plan. I'm just saying another GM would've just decided to draft him outright that year. Tyrus has ridiculous potential and if he put it together he could've been Larry Nance or something, but he clearly didn't have the mental fortitude (in hindsight). I personally wanted Aldridge and when I heard his name called out as being drafted by us I was ecstatic..until I heard that they traded him. Oh well.
That core always seemed to be right on the edge of taking the next step and none of them really ever did after that 06-07 season. I guess minus Deng because he just fit perfectly into whatever Thibs wanted to do. He's a true system guy and Thibs had the right system for him. BG I feel could've stepped into the Jason Terry/Jamal Crawford status of scorer, but after he left his career died so that's unfortunate for him.
This regime's biggest issue has always over valuing it's current assets and not wanting to move them for a super star. The NBA always has been and always will be a super star league. When you have chances to get them, you take it. Gar/Pax always balked.