The Chicago Bulls second-year big man has been a steadying force in the middle. But it was a player Chicago passed on that has the NBA buzzing.
When the Chicago Bulls went on the clock in the 2019 NBA Draft, many in See Red Nation wanted them to take a chance on Michael Porter Jr. The forward out of Missouri’s blend of size, ball-handling, and scoring had him receiving loft comparisons. But he only lasted three games before being shut down with a back injury.
The Bulls went with Wendell Carter Jr. instead. While Porter missed all of last season, Carter was able to engrain himself to the Chicago faithful; though he also missed time. His blue-collar game plays well in the city that still celebrates Joakim Noah whenever he returns.
Reports of further complications in Porter’s recovery this summer seemed to further remove any second thoughts about the pick.
Carter has been the Bulls’ most consistent player this season. He’s the third-leading scorer on the team, barely edging out Coby White with 11.7 points per game to White’s 11.5.
Scoring is one of many statistical improvements Carter has made this season. He’s raised his field goal percentage, improved on the boards, and (most importantly) been available for all 35 games this season. That’s just nine off his total from all of 2018.
Wendell Carter Jr. (18 points, 13 rebounds) on playing Rudy Gobert (17 points, 12 rebounds) tough tonight: "I just look at this situation like yeah, Rudy is a great big, but I think I'm one of the great bigs in this league too. Now I'm just able to show the whole world."''
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) January 3, 2020
Carter has seen some regression in his assists, blocks and free-throw shooting.
The assists are excusable. First, the dip is slight. But with multiple ball handlers on the floor at the same time, it suppresses everyone’s totals. The regression in blocks and from the free-throw line is a bit more concerning on the surface. But the drop in BPG is slight and he isn’t the only Bulls player underperforming from the charity stripe.
Porter’s season (as with his career) hasn’t been so steady. It was well-known he likely would miss last season. But reports of drop foot over the summer made every team seem justified in passing over him.
Michael Porter Jr. is ballin. He’s young but blends seasoned skill, size and speed. Playing with confidence too taking and making complex shots. Scores from all over. Helps the Nuggets now and if he blossoms he’ll raise Denver’s ceiling for years to come. pic.twitter.com/wcVZdVcLLJ
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) January 3, 2020
Of course, it was never a question of talent.
And that is where the difficulty lies in choosing ‘safe’ over ‘ceiling’ during the draft process. There isn’t necessarily a wrong answer. Rather, the right answer depends on what your team is missing. Some teams are that one solidifying piece away from completion. Others are still in search if foundational pieces.
The Bulls fall well within the parameters of the latter group. Similar to their middling nature during the pre-Derrick Rose years, Chicago (both franchise and city) have fallen into the lull of NBA hell. There is nothing worse in fandom than the void that is NBA (or any sport’s) hell.
That’s why Porter’s display Thursday carries a little extra sting with it. A team and city desperate for a superstar might have had one in their midst and let him pass after being scared off by medicals. They clearly haven’t learned from the Philadelphia 76ers who turned taking injury-prone studs into “The Process”.
"He can be that type of Al Horford type of player. He has all the tools" Thad Young gives high praise to Wendell Carter Jr. and what he thinks Wendell can be #NBA #Bulls #BullsNation #NBATwitter
— Anthony (Tony) Gill (@thetonygill) January 3, 2020
Again, this is in no way meant to be a dig at Carter or what he brings to the team. Those pre-draft comparisons to Al Horford have proven to be some of the most accurate in quite some time. Carter, like Horford, is capable and even good at many things. But there isn’t really one thing where one might say he can hang his hat.
He can score and attack the glass. He can defend, sometimes even in space. They don’t ask him to do it much, but he has shown the ability to stretch the defense with the deep-ball.
Porter hasn’t exactly been lighting it up all year either. He’s averaging just six points and 2.9 boards in 25 games. It’s not just the 25-point outburst, either. He had 19 points two games prior and 11 points the night before that. His four double-digit scoring games came in games where he saw 18-plus minutes. Though his minutes have fluctuated, he’s still slashing .534/.390/.733 shooting splits.
Carter has the early edge on track record. But we got a glimpse of the difference between his steady performances and what it is that Porter brings to the table. Natural ability. The buzz he generated. Those are areas where the Bulls big man simply can’t compare.
It’s very likely the Bulls are pleased with Carter for years to come. But there is also the strong possibility that they will regret passing on a Porter. Ceiling over safety. Hindsight really is 2020.