Oct 31, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls vice president of basketball operations John Paxson (left) and general manager Gar Forman (right) chat prior to a game against the Sacramento Kings at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Pippen Peoples, NBA fans, little children, dogs and cats. Are you confused about what your Chicago Bulls are going to do in this year’s draft? Do you know what the Chicago Bulls really need? Does John Paxson and Gar Forman really know what they are doing? Will Jerry Reinsdorf pay for all of this? Well everybody, we’re here to fill in the gap. Pippen Ain’t Easy is TAKING OVER the draft selections from the Chicago Bulls front office and making our own picks. We are going make the selections that we think the Bulls should make on Thursday. This is Pippen Ain’t Easy’s NBA Mock Draft 2014! Enjoy!
Well Pippen Peoples, the clock is ticking. It’s getting closer and closer to what we are all waiting for. The 2014 NBA Draft is tomorrow. The NBA Draft will be at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn starting at 7:00 pm. If you can’t make it inside, you can always check out the events live on ESPN. But they are not the only source you can use Pippen Peoples. Pippen Ain’t Easy will be covering the NBA Draft live on Twitter, Our Social Media extraordinaire, Ashley Wijangco will be tweeting live during the NBA Draft. The rest of the staff will be behind the scenes monitoring and preparing information to pass along throughout the night. Pippen Ain’t Easy will be up close and personal providing the alternative, in your face, keeping it real kind of analysis that you have grown to love…or hate.
It is important for everyone to realize right now is that all of this coverage leading up to Thursday is speculation and very fluid at this time. There are a lot of things going on in the Chicago Bulls front office and no one knows what might happen going into draft night. As of right now, the Chicago Bulls have two first round picks (16 and 19) and a second round pick (49). As we all know, the Bulls are trying to land either a huge free agent (Carmelo Anthony and/or Kevin Love) or a veteran scorer (Arron Afflalo.) If the Bulls do make a trade, understand that one or two of the first round picks will be gone to make it happen. This column is based on IF the Chicago Bulls have these picks on draft night.
For this concept, this works out to perfection. The Chicago Bulls have two executives. Pippen Ain’t Easy happens to have two staff members collaborating. We’ll let Michael Rosenfeld play the role of Gar Forman. I’ll play the role of John Paxson.
Let’s get started Pippen Peoples. Pippen Ain’t Easy will present a wish list for players at the number 19 slot.
Michael Rosenfeld playing Gar Forman.
Number 19 selection.
PJ Hairston- While some are concerned about Hairston’s suspension (and eventual dismissal) from North Carolina. Well having access to a rental car for free is not a great concern of mine. Hairston can shoot, and has a NBA ready body and game after playing in the D-League last season.
At 6’5, 230 pounds with a 6’9 wingspan, Hairston has the physical tools needed to survive on the court and contribute amongst the physical players in the NBA. His 36% three-point shooting percentage and 87% free throw percentage shows he’s a good shooter with solid mechanics. As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, you can never have too many shooters.
Many prospects selected in this draft are chosen based on possible future potential. PJ Hairston is a player ready to come in and contribute immediately. With depth issues the Chicago Bulls have faced in the last two years, this team is in need of players that can play. That’s what the Bulls will get in PJ Hairston.
PJ Hairston can do many things to get the Bulls going in the right direction on the offensive end. He can shoot, he can get out in transition and finish and has the tools to score the ball. When focused and locked in, Hairston has shown the ability to play solid defense as well. He’d better, if he’d like to see the floor past the layup line in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation.
Other players Michael likes at number 19.
Mitch McGary out of Michigan.
James Young out of Kentucky.
Ronald Agers playing John Paxson.
Number 19 selection
I’m going to go with Shabazz Napier out of Connecticut. I don’t care what pick is used to get a point guard, but one of them has to be used in this draft. The Chicago Bulls have no choice but to have a back up plan for Derrick Rose. Having your point guard on the shelf for the better part of two years warrants this pick. D.J. Augustin has played his way into a very nice free agent contract for next year. There is no guarantee that he’s going to be back. The Bulls need to solidify the point guard position.
I like the winning pedigree that Shabazz can bring to the Bulls. Sure he’s small at 6’1, 175 pounds but he’s not scared. He led the Connecticut Huskies to this year’s NCAA title. Napier left UCONN with two national titles. Last year Shabazz Napier averaged 18 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. He’s used to big game situations and that will get him NBA ready much quicker.
Hopefully if the Bulls draft Napier, he will develop to be a good point guard like another UCONN point man, Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets. I remember when the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) drafted him in the lottery. I was a radio correspondent for the Bobcats then. Charlotte liked the confidence and winning attitude that Walker could bring to the franchise. Last I heard, Kemba was doing just fine. If the Bulls draft Shabazz Napier, so will he.
Let’s go into the main reason why like this guy. This dude can shoot. If you have this characteristic, you can apply. Please. The Bulls are dead last in scoring offense. They need scorers. The Bulls need insurance for Derrick Rose. They have it in Shabazz Napier. This pick makes sense.
Other players Ronald likes at 19.
T.J. Warren out of N.C. State.
Adreian Payne out of Michigan State.
Well Pippen Peoples, these are our picks at number 19. Keep it locked to Pippen Ain’t Easy for all of your complete 2014 NBA Draft coverage leading up to Thursday night and beyond.