So, this is the time of year that the Chicago Bulls play it
safe, and well, they did.
They typically get a highly disciplined, motivated player
with basketball smarts who can become a “contributor” in a few years. That’s
sort of the mind behind Jimmy Butler, the 2011 draft pick.
At the bottom of the first round, the Bulls are a slam dunk
to go the same avenue. And to wit, they took a solid, albeit sometimes exciting
point guard who will serve as the creator in Derrick Rose’s huge void.
I’ve heard and watched little of Marquis Teague (maybe
primarily because of his brother, Jeff), but this was the obvious pick at the
obvious spot. We see that GarPax is simply too stubborn to budge on this
roster. Instead of breaking it up via trade or moving up in the draft (with a
Luol Deng or Joakim Noah trade), they stand pat and let a competent point guard
fall to them.
Teague should be a solid, if not above average player in the
NBA. His measurable suggest star-level talent with a vertical (though it doesn’t
look nearly as sudden or explosive) at 40 inches and some real ball-handling
speed. I like his hesitation move and does have true shot-creation skills.
His slight frame and
pick and roll game reminds me of Mike Conley, Darren Collison and/or his
brother Jeff. Those are all solid point guards in a league flush with them.
But again: To what end? Where does this go?
The Bulls area piecemealing a roster so clearly flawed and
void of its hall-of-fame-level talent, that it seems shallow and lazy to
project Teague’s effect on the Bulls. Think about it: If the Bulls were fully
healthy—including Luol Deng—would Teague get them past the Miami Heat?
In short, no.
But I can’t fault John Paxson for the move because I simply
don’t have the imagination to envision what should be done. The team and fans
are asked to sit still until Derrick Rose’s return and even then, that might
mean 2013. And by then, should the Bulls consider clearing cap room (with an amnestied
Carlos Boozer) to acquire whatever star-level play can takeover Derrick’s role
as alpha scorer.
Remember, Derrick can’t be the guy who knifes through four
bodies as much. Too much wear and tear.
Maybe this works as a backward disclaimer for me: I don’t believe
this helps the Bulls championship trajectory, but I like the pick, if they’re
crossing their fingers for a healthy Rose in the next season.
I don’t believe the basketball fortunes of the Bulls are as
bleak in the East as many. Miami, rightfully, claimed its championship with one
of the best players ever in his playing prime. But its secondary star (Dwyane
Wade) is sinking fast. They’re hamstrung by the cap and still don’t have a big
or point guard they can trust.
I’m more fearful of the Oklahoma City Thunder because they
still have three of the league’s top 20 players and they’re all younger than
23.
Back to Teague
It was strange to see the Bulls grab a player who had clear
value to them at the spot they picked. He’s got some of those water bug
qualities you see in Conley and Brandon Jennings.
Nevertheless, he doesn’t play with the athleticism that some
of the elite points (with similar measurable) do. I noticed he likes to beat
his man and then take difficult pull up jump shots and his decision-making
leaves something to be desired.
The Bulls will say a lot of stupid things before he takes
the court: “He’s not the starter, he’ll have to work his way in.”
But he’s the de-facto starter and he’s an interesting prospect
at 19. What else could you ask for when you’re drafting at 29?
Contact Mike Mitchell
at michaelkennethmitchell@Gmail.com.
2 comments:
I'd be more excited about this pick if the bulls were contenders next season. But given the circumstances our enthusiasm is obviously tempered. GarPax should have broken up the core. By not doing so they're basically expecting Noah and Deng to play to the same level in 2013-2014. While both are young it smacks of typical GarPax over confidence in a limited but hardworking core that simply doesn't have the talent to get the job done. This is a perfect time to move some pieces around and experiment in preparation for the next season that really matters: 2013-2014.
They've regressed and the league got better.
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