New Bulls GM Gar Forman might not wrap himself in a cloak of paranoid secrecy like Jerry Krause used to before the NBA draft, but he’s certainly mastered the art of answering questions without saying, well, anything at all, really. For instance:
“We may take a point guard if we feel that’s the best player available. We’ve also had talks with teams about moving back. And we’ve had talks with teams where either with one or both of our picks, we move out. I think it’s going to be a very active draft because there are the top five or six guys, and after that, the same guy who goes nine or 10 could go 20 or 21. We’d like a low-post scorer. But when you get that deep, I’m not sure you can pinpoint a specific need and meet it. If we can with somebody we like, then we would address it.”
Too specific for you? Maybe this will help muddy things up: “We’re analyzing this draft by itself. At the same time, we’re still looking at players that maybe we feel don’t get to 16 but are worthwhile for us to move up (to draft). We probably have more options than some teams because we have the two first-round picks. People say this draft isn’t particularly strong. I would disagree with that in this sense: I’m not sure it’s top-heavy. But I do think it’s deep. So we feel optimistic that if we stay at 16, we can get a productive player who can play a role for us.”
Well, those two paragraphs worth of “answers” taught us nothing at all. Not that I’d expect Gar to give up his draft strategy. The NBA draft has a long and storied history of double talk and misdirection. Still, Forman had some positive things to say about Pittsburgh forward DeJuan Blair, who — despite being only 6’6″-ish — averaged 10.7 rebounds in two collegiate seasons. “If you study drafts over the last 15 or 20 years, rebounders rebound. That’s a stat that does translate. So I think he’s going to be a good player in the NBA.”
Just not necessarily good on the Bulls? Who knows. I’m resigned to knowing nothing until draft night. (He’s right about the rebounding thing, though.)
By the way, Luol Deng is working out again. You may remember him. Tall, slender, solid mid-range shooter, used to play small forward for the Bulls. Said Forman: “He’s been [at the Berto Center] working some. He’s starting to run some and get some shots up. So we think that’s progressing well. At this point, [the training staff] is real happy with his progress.”
Deng is trying to avoid surgery. Let’s hope he does.
If I want a specialist like Blair, I’ll just look at the Free Agency market. Hell, it’s plenty of rebounders there, that was unfortunate to get a roster spot. Sign Zaza lol.
First person to say “BJ Mullens” is getting pistol whipped today.
can we jus get hedo n 4get ben
i want hedo 4get ben
No the bulls do not need hedo or BJ Mullens. I think bulls should trade the #16 picks with PF Tyrus Thomas, Ben Gordan and Aaron Gray for a good PF All-Star player like: Chris Bosh or Amar’e Stoudemire. Then they can pick up a few free-agent veteran players to add to their roster that wont cost them that much money to a one year deal.
BJ Mullens. Hey Farva! What’s the name of that restaurant with all of the stuff?
Oooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Am I the only one that thinks we’ll move Hinrich and pick up a PG in the draft?
BadDave-
You mean SHENANIGANS?? OOOhhhhhh!!
Glad somebody caught that 😀
Ben Gordon should be priority 1! Period. Without Gordon and his proven shot capability, we would be stupid to let him go without anything to show for it! Deng sucks, he wants to play in Great Britain so let him. Trade away his OVERPAID contract to someone who needs it and thinks Deng is worth it (who would take that contract? I dont know).
The draft is about drafting the right player for the team. Right now, we have way too heavy on the PG, SF and PF positions with people who are either too talented to be coming off the bench or guys who are too young to play in this league. Tyrus Thomas, I’m calling out on that last one.
Why not make a big push for Shaq? The Suns need a young SF that will be there the next 3 years. Deng, Tim Thomas and a first round pick for Shaq. We trade away three years of misery for one, clear cap room (somewhat) and resign Gordon. For true Bulls fans, think about it! How would you like to see this as your starting lineup: Rose, Gordon, Salmons, Noah and Shaq!?!? Kirk, Tyrus and Brad Miller can come off the bench and, don’t forget, we still would have a good draft pick up to use. That means 9 deep people….9! We still have Aaron Gray, we can keep Kirk, but Reinsdorf has to shell out the money he’s giving to his White Sox and give it to the Bulls!
This is what we need to start talking about….not sit here and sit on our hands, but actively come out and do something. LET’S GO, GAR! I’M WAITING…..
I just want the bulls todo something in the draft. Hopefully it’s a good move that will benefit us.
hedo,top secret. it benefit us