Taj Gibson a work in progress

Taj Gibson has made many transformations, from a furniture mover in Brooklyn while playing street basketball to a non-physical skinny forward to a first-round NBA draft pick.

[deputydawg]

I thought is was a reach with Wayne Ellington a polished shooter with height would have replaced Gordon real nice, might have even played some defense. The Bulls must be certain they will re-sign Gordon unfortunately. I still think Gordon is a liability as a NBA 2 guard and you don't pay a 6th man 10 million dollars. They already screwed the pooch on the Deng deal now they went from a abundance of guards to a lot of skinny tall guys who can't score. I see nothing has changed.

[CentrILMark]

Taj Gibson has post skills. He scored 14 ppg in 60% shooting. He has superb lateral quickness defensively. He's NOT another Tyrus Thomas. He's an offensively skilled player with a terrific personality and attitude. He's going to be a solid player for the Bulls. Eventually, he's going to be a rotation guy you could have on a top flight NBA team. I'm glad the Buslls got him. James Johnson has the potential to be a star, or at minimum a very good player who can score. This was the best Bulls draft(Rose was sheer luck and a no-brainer) in a long, long time. Well done Gar Forman.

[Mgray]

While other teams are bring in Vets with a proven track record, the Bulls are doing NOTHING 2 improve a .500 team.

[TJS]

This is the kind of young man you want to pull for; hard worker and good leader. I wish him well.

[Republican]

I used to live in LA and followed Taj pretty closely. He is a good player with length. A decent offensive player who might need 1-2 years to really blossom. I like the Johnson pick a lot and was hoping they would get him.

[DAVEEED]

I've said it before, I'll say it again: bad pick.

No offense to Taj, who looks like a good pick at 26. But he is not what the Bulls need.

The first poster was right on about Ellington. If the Bulls cannot re-sign Gordon (and they'll have to pay through the nose even if they can) then they'll be left with Rose, Hinrich, and a giant hole remaining on the roster at guard. Ellington was a phenomenal value at the 26th pick, and nearly a perfect fit for the Bulls.

If the Bulls were going to take a forward, why not DeJuan Blair? Yeah, I know he's short and his knees are a problem. But almost every player in the draft has significant questions, so take a player who has a chance to be truly special. Blair is strong, tough, is a premier defender and rebounder and can score in the paint. And would kick Tyrus's backside everyday in practice.

That said- Taj, welcome to Chicago. We WILL be cheering for you!

[DAVEEED]

One last thing- in my last post I said that almost every player has significant questions. The obvious exception is Blake Griffin.

The other person without question is James Johnson. He will be a star who pretty much goes as far as he wants to. I really believe that Rose and Johnson could be like Stockton and Malone for the next 10 years.

[Zara Thustra]

I wonder if VDN is thinking of starting Salmons at the 2, along with Deng? So a line-up of Rose, Salmons, Deng, Thomas and either Miller or Noah. Salmons played the 2 at Sacramento when Martin went down. Johnson would back-up Deng, and Hinrich could back-up either Salmons or Rose.

Might work...

[Rod from Tennessee]

Hopefully the kid works out; however, i just don't understand the pick. The Bulls have not had much luck with their project players, and let's face it, Gibson is a project at best. I just think with DeJuan Blair available at that pick, you grab him and have a player that's ready to get in there physically, and rumble from the start.

I can't help but wonder if Reinsdorf ordered another player to be drafted, which he knew would most likely not make the team, knowing he wouldn't be responsible for another guaranteed contract for the next three years. I don't care what anyone says, it's all about money with Reinsdorf, to the point where it would stand in the way of championships, and that's one thing that drives me crazy about being a Bulls fan, having an owner like that.

[bobby the g]

w---t---f kind of names are these?!

[Joe C]

He's 24, he's too old to be a work in progress.

[Deeeeee Jay]

Rod from Tennessee wrote:

I can't help but wonder if Reinsdorf ordered another player to be drafted, which he knew would most likely not make the team, knowing he wouldn't be responsible for another guaranteed contract for the next three years. I don't care what anyone says, it's all about money with Reinsdorf, to the point where it would stand in the way of championships, and that's one thing that drives me crazy about being a Bulls fan, having an owner like that.

He was a first round pick. That means it's a guaranteed contract, so they have to pay him.

Sorry to ruin your conspiracy

[JC in the OC]

As a Chicago transplant now living in the OC, I can tell you that Taj was a great pick. He has the stuff to be a very good player.

Regarding Ben Gordon, the Bulls would be wise NOT to resign him and use that money on Trevor Ariza. Ariza has grown a ton on the offensive side of the ball, and already one of the best defenders in the league. THey could also resign Salmons with the leftovers. Ariza can play SF and SG... Bulls fans would love Ariza. Trust me.

[Maunakea Rick]

When Reinsdorf broke up the Bulls, not only did we lose another two championships, but we lost the coach to mold the players we got through the years into a cohesive unit. I only hope Taj becomes a sort of Tayshaun. Also, something is brewing in the free agent market, just don't know what it is. Chris Bosh comes to mind. And, Tyrus is history IMO.

[deputydawg]

Maunakea Rick wrote:

When Reinsdorf broke up the Bulls, not only did we lose another two championships, but we lost the coach to mold the players we got through the years into a cohesive unit. I only hope Taj becomes a sort of Tayshaun. Also, something is brewing in the free agent market, just don't know what it is. Chris Bosh comes to mind. And, Tyrus is history IMO.

I disagree the Bulls need a scoring threat next to Rose. I hope Gordon opts to sign somewhere else, he is a blackhole when it comes to the ball and a open gate on defense. He wants way too much money for part-time skills. Yes he scored some big baskets but he may not have had to if he would have played defense. Bosh would further complicate the logjam at forward. Just like the Bulls too many guards one yr. too many skinny bigmen this year.

[BillTheThrill]

what about signing turkalu, u know that fool from orlando

[ATLDre]

Zara Thustra wrote:

I wonder if VDN is thinking of starting Salmons at the 2, along with Deng? So a line-up of Rose, Salmons, Deng, Thomas and either Miller or Noah. Salmons played the 2 at Sacramento when Martin went down. Johnson would back-up Deng, and Hinrich could back-up either Salmons or Rose.
Might work...

Moving Salmons to the 2 recreates the void at sf. Once again there will be zero offense from the front line. A "healthy" Deng is still a limited offensive player with a weak mindset. Ellington never had a hand in his face while at Carolina. It will be different in the NBA. On the Bulls team with no low post threat, he wouldn't be very effective.

[ATLDre]

Deeeeee Jay wrote:

<quoted text>
He was a first round pick. That means it's a guaranteed contract, so they have to pay him.
Sorry to ruin your conspiracy

Didn't Jerry also give 71 mil to a scrub?

[ATLDre]

deputydawg wrote:

<quoted text>I disagree the Bulls need a scoring threat next to Rose. I hope Gordon opts to sign somewhere else, he is a blackhole when it comes to the ball and a open gate on defense. He wants way too much money for part-time skills. Yes he scored some big baskets but he may not have had to if he would have played defense. Bosh would further complicate the logjam at forward. Just like the Bulls too many guards one yr. too many skinny bigmen this year.

Can't wait to see who people are going to complain about on defense next season. If you think Gordon is the Bulls only defensive liability, get ready for a wakeup call. How would Bosh complicate the logjam at forward? Since he is light years better than anything we have, logic would dictate he gets the playing time and you keep Thomas or the rookies of the floor??

[ATLDre]

JC in the OC wrote:

As a Chicago transplant now living in the OC, I can tell you that Taj was a great pick. He has the stuff to be a very good player.
Regarding Ben Gordon, the Bulls would be wise NOT to resign him and use that money on Trevor Ariza. Ariza has grown a ton on the offensive side of the ball, and already one of the best defenders in the league. THey could also resign Salmons with the leftovers. Ariza can play SF and SG... Bulls fans would love Ariza. Trust me.

It is amazing how people don't take a current players situation in account before assessing their talents. Ariza hasn't grown "a ton". He had the opportunity to play off Gasol and Kobe. Anyone would "grow" in a situation like that. Derrick Fisher looked great playing with Kobe and Gasol and looked like crap in Golden State. Ariza would be nothing special on the Bulls who are about to lose their only player that draws double teams. If the Bulls do anything, they have to get an ESTABLISHED scoring threat down low.