Pippen Ain't Easy
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Pippen Ain’t Easy roundtable: The Pre-2017 NBA Draft Edition

By Michael Whitlow

Jan 4, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) defends Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) defends Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Where would Denzel Valentine have landed in the 2017 NBA Draft?
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Denzel Valentine (Michigan State) walks off stage after being selected as the number fourteen overall pick to the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

MW: Watching Kevin Durant not only outplay LeBron James at times in the series, but to win Finals MVP and solidify his place as someone not riding coattails was something to behold. He’s truly the best basketball player not named LeBron in the world.

OK, now that the Finals are in the books, let’s move ahead to the summer for the Bulls specifically. What are your hopes for the Bulls on June 22 in the draft?

DC: It’s hard to imagine feeling any sort of “hope” when it comes to Chicago and the draft. I’d settle for them not trading back in the draft while also giving up more picks and/or assets if you can call any player on this roster outside of Jimmy Butler and Robin Lopez an asset.

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2017 NBA re-Draft: De'Aaron Fox landing spot, Kings selection /

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    • DB: I hope the Bulls front office actually does what they claim they’re doing and draft younger, more athletic players! I know it’s beating a dead horse at this point, but there’s a reason that horse is dead: there’s a problem that needs to be fixed. Or something like that.

    WL: Urgency is the word that keeps coming to mind. This is a team that tried to tell its fans it was urgent in trading (potential All-Stars) Gary Harris and Jusuf Nurkic for Doug McBust. The first rounder needs to be the sixth or seventh guy, where the second-rounder should be a contributor. Also, get some shooters. There are enough rebounders on this team.

    PS: My hope is that the Bulls take a young guy with a high ceiling. I want some one who is a ball of clay that can be shaped into an all-star one day. Give me the bouncy guys, not the unathletic ones who played college ball for four years.

    BF: The Bulls really need to focus on getting young talent they can mold into solid NBA players. Drafting proven college players (Denzel Valentine, Doug McDermott) hasn’t exactly panned out, while athletes like Bobby Portis have shown they can find a place in the league.

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