2016 NBA Draft: Looking at Prince Ibeh and Petr Cornelie

After watching the Chicago Bulls last season, it’s clear they need shot-blockers and help with perimeter defense. Texas big man Prince Ibeh and France’s Petr Cornelie could be a couple options in the 2016 NBA Draft.

The 2016 NBA Playoffs have so far shown that teams with good perimeter shooting can outlast teams without. On defense, the paint seemingly becomes no man’s land come playoff time. Chances are, only teams built with 2-3 consistent knockdown shooters and driving scorers (plus a shot-blocking impact on D) get a head start over teams that don’t jump out of the gates quickly.

What does all of this bode for the Chicago Bulls retooling for next season?

The best defense in the NBA playoffs as of 2016 is still an overwhelming offense. The deeper the roster of any given team for a grinding shootout, the better chance they have to keep with any opponent and beat them.

Of course, overall defense and defensive rebounding can count as much as an overwhelming offense. Given that the better opponents have tall knockdown shooters and strong shot-blockers anchoring their teams, the baseline for making aggressive changes to make the Hoiball offense click should be what GarPax can see working in the playoffs:

• Win grinding shootouts: If you can’t outshoot teams like Golden State, San Antonio or Cleveland, chances are you lose the series.
• Solid shot-blocking changes a series: Miami came back to win their first-round series in seven. Any team matched with GSW must deal with Andrew Bogut in the paint.
• Teams swarm the opposing best shooter in the playoffs: Bench depth on offense makes or breaks a team. Teams like Boston and Houston relied on relatively one guy to score.

John Paxson‘s preference for a team that can play good defense, should also take into account that the Bulls already have a core of knockdown shooters that they must develop over the course of the 82-game grind to peak just in time for the playoffs.

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In terms of “aggressive measures” during the 2016 NBA Draft, the Bulls should include drafting shot-blockers and risking picks on role player projects more than adding another scoring big who will take away touches from the better scorers on the team.

There are two first-round draft prospects who come with inconsistent production, but come with youth and high-reward.

That may seem like a downer, but their upside on defense, especially with strong shot-blocking in the paint and closing out on opposing three-point shooters, should mark them as the best fit for what the Bulls need to compete.

Prince Ibeh, Texas

Prince Ibeh is a 6’11” center with a 7’5.5″ wingspan and a 9’4.5″ standing reach. Ibeh was a legit shot-blocker in college and ranks second among the Draft Express’ Top-100 prospects for the draft this year. Like Cristiano Felicio, Ibeh weighs around 260 pounds, yet is deceptively athletic and agile as a defender with quick feet and a fast twitch. Texas head coach Shaka Smart assigned Ibeh to play pick-and-roll blitz and roam the paint to block shots and be an active defender.

His length and athleticism is good enough to close out on perimeter shooters and alter or block three-point attempts. Ibeh averaged two blocks a game and tallied a seven-point, seven-rebound, seven-block outing against Kansas; one of the teams in the Elite Eight this season.

If the Bulls took Ibeh with the 14th pick, it may be a huge risk for a project, but the reward might be getting a future DeAndre Jordan who becomes the Bulls anchor for defense in the paint. His ability as a mobile athletic big will work in his favor in the faster-paced Hoiball system. Think of Ibeh as a rawer Taj Gibson, who can grow into his role with guidance from the Bulls coaching staff and someone like Joakim Noah if he stays in Chicago.

Related Story: 2016 NBA Draft: Deyonta Davis

Petr Cornelie, Le Mans

Another high-risk, high-reward prospect that GarPax might want to draft either in the first round or with their second-round pick is Petr Cornelie, a 7’0″ stretch-four type. Unlike Ibeh, Cornelie can defend the perimeter, block shots and gun from long range.

His upside is on defense as a shot-blocker is there and for blitzing ball-handlers in the pick-and-roll, as well as perimeter shooters. Cornelie is only 20 years old and has shown scouts a glimpse of his potential in the 21-and-under Euro tournaments.

Like Ibeh, potentially having guidance from Gibson and potentially Noah (another Frenchman) could be big for his development.

The Bulls must draft an athletic big the type of which both Prince Ibeh and Petr Cornelie are: long and tall freak athletes who can run the floor well and have elite fast twitch reaction times on defense for timing blocks.

Related Story: 2016 NBA Draft: Tyler Ulis

Instead of getting a more polished offensive big whose game is dependent on touches, the Bulls can grab either project and fast-track their development by playing them good minutes with a 10-11 deep rotation to avoid the same injuries that the Bulls vets encountered last season.

I expect the Bulls to get their point guard upgrade via trading Jimmy Butler for extra first-round picks and grabbing the best player available. Getting a defensive specialist with draft picks will also cost less than offering a free agent NBA veteran the moon.

Ibeh is athletic enough to run up and down the court in decent minutes backing up Noah and Felicio and taking over Taj Gibson’s role as defensive stopper.

Cornelie might even develop into the Bulls’ own, less-hyped version of Kristaps Porzingis and be opposing team’s mismatch nightmare.

As we continue to watch this year’s playoffs and learn which team rosters to get ready for going into next year in the East and West, expect GarPax and Fred Hoiberg to choose the best player available for defending against the new generation NBA run-and-gun styled teams.

Next: Film Room: Looking at the Pau Gasol-to-Jimmy Butler lobs from this season

The Bulls drafting shot-blockers should be a priority.