By Warren Blatt Jun 20, 2007, 16:00 GMT
- The Chicago Bulls are an up-and-coming team. They finished 49-33 during the 2006-07 campaign and advanced to the East semis for the first time since 1998.
The top-seeded Detroit Pistons eliminated the Bulls, who had been knocked out in the first round the previous two playoffs, in six games in the postseason. However, it was a big step for the young and talented Bulls.
Ben Gordon and Luol Deng are rising stars, while Ben Wallace is the intimidating inside presence and Kirk Hinrich provides steady play at the point. Gordon led the Bulls in scoring (21.4 ppg) during the regular season, Wallace grabbed a team-best 10.7 boards and Hinrich handed out a club-high 6.3 assists per game.
Deng, who averaged 18.8 points and 7.1 rebounds, and Gordon were the only Bulls to play in all 82 regular-season games. Forwards Tyrus Thomas, Andres Nocioni, Thabo Sefolosha and guard Chris Duhon give the Bulls depth and athleticism.
The Bulls have the opportunity to add another talented player through the draft, as they own the No. 9 pick, which originally belonged to New York, but the Bulls had the right to exchange first-round selections with the Knicks as part of the Eddy Curry trade.
It would not be a surprise if the Bulls dealt the ninth overall pick in a trade to acquire a veteran who can make an immediate impact. After all, Chicago is now a contender and is looking to win now.
Chicago could decide to go the foreign route at No. 9. Brazil's Tiago Splitter and Marc Gasol of Spain could be intriguing to the Bulls. Both players are projects, but they have upside as rebounders and low-post scorers. Julian Wright of Kansas and Spencer Hawes of Washington would be safer picks.
Key Player(s): P.J. Brown (Forward), Luol Deng (Forward), Chris Duhon (Guard), Ben Gordon (Guard), Kirk Hinrich (Guard), Andres Nocioni (Forward), Thabo Sefolosha (Forward), Tyrus Thomas (Forward), Ben Wallace (Center).
Team Needs: Power forward, rebounding help for Wallace and scoring.
Draft picks: 1st round (9th overall), 2nd round (49th overall), 2nd round (51st overall).
© 2007 The Sports Network
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