SBNation NBA Mock Draft, Pick #16: Chicago Bulls

by Scott Schroeder on Jun 20, 2009 3:30 PM EDT

With the sixteenth pick in the 2009 SBNation Mock Draft, the Chicago Bulls, represented by your friendly BullsBlogger over at BlogABull, select... (Drum Roll please)

The Bulls may not look like a team that needs role players out of this draft, but I do expect them to consolidate their young talent one of these years for a major upgrade either at PF or the wing. Tyler Hansbrough is a high-floor selection, to where he'd either be useful for filler in a trade or someone left over to take the minutes of those who depart in such a large deal.

Hansbrough's measurements put away a lot of the doubt as to whether he'll be at least some kind of contributor as a pro, even if it's for not many minutes. He'll rebound, hustle, know where he needs to be on the floor, practice hard, bleed a bit, make dumb game-faces...and not need to be coached or developed (which isn't the Bulls strong suit anyway) before being able to contribute.

And between Hansbrough and Joakim Noah, the Bulls will have cornered the market on annoying college stars.

The 2009 SB Nation Mock Draft thus far:

1. Los Angeles Clippers - Clips Nation: Blake Griffin

2. Memphis Grizzlies - 3 Shades of Blue: Ricky Rubio

3. Oklahoma City Thunder - Welcome to Loud City: James Harden

4. Sacramento Kings - Sactown Royalty: Tyreke Evans

5. Washington Wizards - Bullets Forever: Hasheem Thabeet

6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Canis Hoopus: Stephen Curry

7. Golden State Warriors - Golden State of Mind: Brandon Jennings

8. New York Knicks - Posting and Toasting: Jrue Holiday

9. Toronto Raptors - Holly MacKenzie: DeMar DeRozan

10. Milwaukee Bucks - BrewHoop: Jordan Hill

11. New Jersey Nets - Aisander "IcemanCometh" Duda: Jonny Flynn

12. Charlotte Bobcats - Rufus On Fure: Gerald Henderson

13. Indiana Pacers - Indy Cornrows: DeJuan Blair

14. Phoenix Suns - Bright Side of the Sun: Ty Lawson

15. Detroit Pistons - Motown String Music: Earl Clark

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Comments

I hate this....

mainly because I hate his game. So ugly. And seriously, he has 16th pick value? Even in this draft? I know it’s weak (whatever that means), but come on? Hanstravel?

by Aisander D on Jun 20, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions

Who else is out there that helps Chicago?

BJ Mullens, the guy who couldn’t even impress in the Big 10 going to a team that hasn’t aided in the development of a big man’s offensive game since Horace Grant.

The only other player that might make some sense here is Terrence Williams. However, Bulls desperately need frontcourt depth, and despite all hatred of Psycho T he will be an average, effective player in the NBA.

Personally, Hansbrough doesn’t need to be taken this early, he will be available at #26. Hopefully Blair’s knees drop him down to the 16th pick.

That Steve Nash is exactly the same as Kirk Hinrich, but worse.
by NBA Observer on Apr 8, 2009 12:23 PM CDT

by Ozzie Montana on Jun 20, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I would have felt better about T Will. here than anyone else....

James Johnson is still on the board….anytakers? He could play the 3-4. Seems to have much more upside and a reliable jumpshot.

by Aisander D on Jun 20, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I prefer Johnson. His upside is a player like Travis Outlaw, Gerald Wallace or ideally Rashard Lewis/Danny Granger.

Hansbrough’s upside is, um, Kevin Love? And more realistically he is the next coming of Darius Songaila or Eduardo Najera with a bit more skill and hustle but less bulk.

by Norsktroll on Jun 20, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions

You vastly underrate Kevin Love.

Najera is/was a good complementary player. If the Bulls trade Thomas and Noah for say… Bosh, I’d rather have Najera getting the backup minutes than Robert Swift.

People should remember that while they have the right to their opinion, they are not entitled to be taken seriously. --Bruce Bartlett

by tyger1147 on Jun 20, 2009 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Eh...

but why do you take solid instead of upside at #16. He’s definitely not BPA in this mock draft.

by Aisander D on Jun 20, 2009 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Because if the Bulls decide

they want to “win now”… upside doesn’t help as much as “solid, but ready now”

True Blue Jazz
Bucco Ball
I'm on Twitter
RIP Nick Adenhart. 4/9/09

by UtesFan89 on Jun 20, 2009 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Tell me the last Bulls player with upside that developed on the Bulls

-I was wrong about Pau Gasol. I have been shamed. :(

by Prevenge on Jun 21, 2009 4:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Derek Rose

by Aisander D on Jun 21, 2009 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Great, the most talented player to put on a Bulls uniform in a decade

As long as BJ Mullens or James Johnson has the work ethic and singular desire to dominate like Rose, we’ll be fine.

That Steve Nash is exactly the same as Kirk Hinrich, but worse.
by NBA Observer on Apr 8, 2009 12:23 PM CDT

by Ozzie Montana on Jun 21, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Bingo

by Aisander D on Jun 21, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Sadly

I’m reading as high as #11 (NJ) for him.

Actually, that’s not sad.
Anything that gets him taken before the Jazz pick is a good thing.

True Blue Jazz
Bucco Ball
I'm on Twitter
RIP Nick Adenhart. 4/9/09

by UtesFan89 on Jun 20, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Haha.....you are doing everything possible to avoid watching Hanstravel next year....

I feel sorry for you here. One bad workout and he’s going back to #20, ouch.

by Aisander D on Jun 20, 2009 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm worried

I think the chances of him falling past #20 are 0%… lower if j-slow has a say.
My hopes are that the chances that he falls past #19 are about the same.

Then we just have to worry about them going after a no-D wing (again!) like Chase Budinger or someone.

True Blue Jazz
Bucco Ball
I'm on Twitter
RIP Nick Adenhart. 4/9/09

by UtesFan89 on Jun 20, 2009 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe after two years of Robert Swiftness.....

you couple trade Hansbrough’s dead body for Budinger.

by Aisander D on Jun 20, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Swift?

The Jazz?
We don’t need any more centers.
We need a PF (well, we will when either ’Sap or Booze leave). (Along with a back-up PG, and potentially another wing player)

True Blue Jazz
Bucco Ball
I'm on Twitter
RIP Nick Adenhart. 4/9/09

by UtesFan89 on Jun 20, 2009 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions

No I meant Hansbrough resembling Swift.

or perhaps a bow-legged, cross-eyed English Bulldog.

by Aisander D on Jun 20, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah.

I’d rather avoid him, no matter who he looks like.

True Blue Jazz
Bucco Ball
I'm on Twitter
RIP Nick Adenhart. 4/9/09

by UtesFan89 on Jun 20, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Speaking of the Jazz,

I hope the mock gets to #20 tonight, or later Monday or Tuesday. That way I can add some input. The top 2 guys on my board (Thabeet, Flynn) are gone, but 3 of the next 4 (Lawson’s gone) are still available right now.

True Blue Jazz
Bucco Ball
I'm on Twitter
RIP Nick Adenhart. 4/9/09

by UtesFan89 on Jun 20, 2009 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions