The Chicago Bulls defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 87-86 in a nail-biter at the United Center.

Jodie Meeks tied the game at 86 with 29.7 seconds left with a three. The Bulls took the one point lead as Jannero Pargo split a pair of free throws. James Johnson missed two free throws with 14.1 seconds left, which would have given the Bulls a solid 3 point lead, fortunately the Bucks missed on all of their shots in an attempt to win the game.

Joakim Noah was the Bull of the day, scoring 20 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. In the first game of the pre-season, Noah was trying some new little moves to score the ball, with little success. Tonight he had great success on the moves he has been working on all summer. His work on the boards was dominating.

Taj Gibson also played well scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds. His midrange jumpshot is impressive, and he is all over the court energy wise. Gibson has now played well in all four of the Bulls’ preseason games. Dejuan Blair might end up as the better player, but Gibson has yet to disappoint.

Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson are providing a path for the Bulls to be a winning team this year. Everyone has talked about how Derrick Rose, John Salmons, Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, etc. will replace what Ben Gordon brought. That’s not going to happen. Where the Bulls can make up for what Gordon brought is in the front court. The Bulls could hold steady or even improve on last year if their big men play better basketball than last year. Last year, the Bulls were one of the worst team’s in the league at both big men positions. If the Bulls could get in the top half of the league in production at both big spots this year, they should be able to have at least a .500 season.

Luol Deng and John Salmons had poor games. Deng finished with 9 points on 3-10 shooting and John Salmons had 6 points on 2-8 shooting. I will excuse John Salmons a little leeway here, as his wife is about to give birth, and that is likely weighing heavily on his mind.

Through four preseason games, Luol Deng is averaging 12 points on 49.96 TS%. He is scoring at a low volume on a poor efficiency. The problem with Deng this preseason, as seen in this game, is that he is having difficulty hitting the jumpshot. If Luol Deng is not hitting his jumpshot, he is not an efficient scorer, and is a hindrance to the offense as a result.

James Johnson had 11 points on 4-5 shooting, but was only 2-6 from the free throw line. Johnson scored 10 of his points in the fourth quarter, and was quiet for the rest of the game. He kind of reminds you of Tyrus Thomas, in that at times he can be a big time difference maker, but at other times, he just coasts through the game.

Kirk Hinrich struggled tonight, scoring 13 points on 5-14 shooting. I think he will look better in a reduced role with Derrick Rose back in the lineup.

Brandon Jennings finished with 10 points and 12 assists. Jennings is an interesting prospect. He isn’t much of a scorer, as his jumpshot is broken, as seen by his 2-13 shooting tonight. However, he can pass. He seems to make the pass just at the right time, giving the guy he passes the ball a good chance to score.

Hakim Warrick led all players in scoring with 25 points for the Bucks. Ersan Ilyasova chipped in 14 points. Michael Redd also had 11 points in 14 minutes.

With the win, the Bulls improved to 3-1 in preseason play.

Chicago Bulls general manager, Gar Forman and head coach, Vinny Del Negro fielded questions from the media following the Bulls’ first round selections in the 2009 NBA Draft. Here is a recap of what each said.

Gar Forman

• They targeted James Johnson during the season.
• It was a consensus among their staff that James was a top 5-7 player in the draft.
• They love his versatility.  He can play the 3 and the 4.  He can play inside and outside.  At his size, 6′8″ 250 pounds, he can put the ball on the floor, rebound, push it out in transition, and penetrate.  He’s a very good passer for a big man and can make plays for both himself and teammates off the dribble.
• They got to see him for three straight days at a tournament in Anaheim, in which he showed an effective post game.
• They had talks with teams the last week about moving up in the draft, and James was the guy who they were targeting to move up and get.  They were really excited that he was there at 16.
• Taj Gibson is also a versatile guy.  He has great length.  He’s 6′10″ with a 7′4″ wingspan.  He runs the floor, which is important for the Bulls’ bigs to do with Derrick.  USC ran a lot of their offense through him.  He can make a 15 footer.  He plays extremely hard.  They were surprised that he was there at 26, as they heard he might be taken in the late teens or early twenties.
• It was a funny draft.  If certain guys went at certain spots, the whole order could be different.  The first 6-7, maybe 8 picks were set in stone.  After that, the same guy that went 9th could go 20th.
• James and Tyrus are nice complements.  James, in certain matchups, could guard inside and out.

(more…)

The Chicago Bulls selected Taj Gibson, a 6′10″ 214 pound, power forward from USC.

Gibson was listed on some mock draft sites as the Bulls pick at 26.  The Bulls passed on Dejuan Blair, who has been falling down the draft board, to select Gibson.

Gibson averaged 14.3 points, 9 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks as a junior last year at USC.

This is not a very good pick, in my opinion.  I thought the Bulls should have taken DeMarre Carroll, or Dejuan Blair here when he began slipping.  I don’t think Gibson will amount to anything in the NBA.

1. Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffin (Oklahoma, Sophomore)

The Clippers have a history of making lackluster draft selections, but they’re not going to mess this one up.  Right?

2. Memphis Grizzlies - Ricky Rubio (Joventut)

If Yi Jianlian’s threats didn’t stop the Bucks from drafting him, then the Grizzlies shouldn’t cave to the demands of Rubio.  The flashy guard is a perfect fit for Memphis’ high tempo offense.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder - James Harden (Arizona State, Sophomore)

While Harden only measured 6′5″ in shoes, his great weight should help him to be a good defensive force if he puts his mind to it.  Harden will give the Thunder some added scoring, and Harden will step in for Thabo Sefolosha, who was never a longterm solution at shooting guard for the Thunder.

4. Sacramento Kings -Brandon Jennings (Lottomatica Roma)

The Kings may have something at the shooting guard spot in Kevin Martin, at the power forward spot with Jason Thompson, and at center, with Spencer Hawes.  Therefore, they could choose to pass on a big man, opting for a point guard, a position that has had increased importance placed on it as of late.

5. Washington Wizards - Hasheem Thabeet (Connecticut, Junior)

The Wizards were one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA last season.  Thabeet’s shotblocking prowess should help improve their dreadful defense.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Tyreke Evans (Memphis, Freshman)

Minnesota is set in the frontcourt with Al Jefferson and Keivn Love, so they will look for help in the backcourt.

7. Golden State Warriors - Jordan Hill (Arizona, Junior)

Hill averaged an impressive 18 points and 11 rebounds in his junior season.  He will slip down to seventh because of team needs, and will be a great value pick for the Warriors.

8. New York Knicks - Stephen Curry (Davidson, Junior)

The Knicks have reportedly given a gaurantee to Curry.

9. Toronto Raptors - DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh, Sophomore)

Even if the Raptors decide to keep Chris Bosh, they still will need more toughness up front.

10. Milwaukee Bucks - Ty Lawson (North Carolina, Junior)

Scott Skiles likes winners, and he will be looking for a point guard to help lead his team.

11. New Jersey Nets - Earl Clark (Louisville, Junior)

The Nets will be looking to find a front court mate for Brook Lopez.

12. Charlotte Bobcats - DeMar DeRozen (USC, Freshman)

After trading Jason Richardson, the Bobcats will be in a market for a shooting guard.  They are in need of a star, and DeRozen has some star potential.

13. Indiana Pacers - James Johnson (Wake Forest, Sophomore)

The Pacers seem set in the perimeter positions, so they will look for some big man help.

14. Phoenix Suns - Johnny Flynn (Syracuse, Sophomore)

The Suns begin preparing for life after Steve Nash by drafting his replacement.

15. Detroit Pistons - Omri Casspi (Maccabi Tel Aviv)

With this pick, the Pistons go for a player they can store overseas for a few years while they keep their salary commitment down while they have capspace.  The Pistons have been toying with the idea of trading either Richard Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince, so if he does come over this season, there may be minutes for him.

16. Chicago Bulls - B.J. Mullens (Ohio State, Freshman)

The Bulls have needed front court help for so long, and Mullens is a guy with start potential.  Mullen’s measurements from the pre-draft camp were impressive, measuring in at 7′1″, 258 pounds, with a 9′3″ standing reach.

17. Philadelphia 76ers - Eric Maynor (VCU, Senior)

Even if the 76ers re-sign Andre Miller, he isn’t a longterm solution, as he is getting up there in age.  The 76ers would look for Maynor to be their point guard of the future.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves - Chase Budinger (Arizona, Junior)

With their second pick in the draft, the T’Wolves look for more help out on the perimeter.  Budinger should give Al Jefferson an option to kick the ball out to for three.

19. Atlanta Hawks - Jrue Holiday (UCLA, Freshman)

With Bibby aging and a free agent, the Hawks will need some help at the point guard position.

20. Utah Jazz - Jeff Pendergraph (Arizona State, Senior)

The Jazz will be looking for some front court help as potentially three of their big men, Carlos Boozer, Paul Millsap, and Mehmet Okur will be free agents.

21. New Orleans Hornets -Victor Claver (Pamesa Valencia)

Claver is an international player that the Hornets may be able to store overseas for a few years.  Claver could provide some solid three point shooting that would complement Chris Paul.

22. Dallas Mavericks - Gerald Henderson (Duke, Junior)

The Mavericks take Henderson as a value pick after he slipped in the draft.

23. Sacramento Kings - Slava Kravstov (BC Kyiv)

With their second pick in the draft, the Kings take a center prospect who they can store overseas.

24. Portland Trailblazers - Terrence Williams (Lousville, Senior)

The Blazers take Williams for the defense, as they need help on that side of the game.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Tyler Hansborough (North Carolina, Senior)

The Thunder go for some front court help in a proven winner.

26. Chicago Bulls - DeMarre Carroll (Missouri, Senior)

The Bulls draft Carroll to be a tough, defensive minded energy player to help bolster the Bulls’ weak defense.  Defending Lebron will be a priority going forward, and Carroll may have the tools to slow him down.  Carroll should be a natural fit for the Bulls’ fast paced offense as he is coming from Mike Anderson’s Missouri system, which has a rep as the fastest 40 minutes in basketball.

27. Memhis Grizzlies - Wayne Ellington (North Carolina, Junior)

Ellington could give the Grizzlies some three point shooting, providing a good kick out option for Rubio.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves - Vladimir Dasic (KK Buducnost Podgorica)

With their third pick in the draft, the Timberwolves take a small forward/power forward prospect that they may be able to store overseas.

29. Los Angeles Lakers - Marcus Thornton (LSU, Senior)

Thornton could step in right away to contribute to the Lakers, and provide them with some perimeter scoring.

30. Cleveland Cavaliers - Gene Lawal (Georgia Tech, Senior)

The Cavs need to get some youth on their frontline, as Ilgauskus, Wallace, and Smith are getting up there in age.