The defending three time champs, Chicago Bulls have the 21st pick in
the Usenet draft.  They are represented by:

   Andy Knipp


who selects:

   Eric Piatkowski, SG, 6-7. Nebraska

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Overview
--------

The World Champion Chicago Bulls (they are still champs until someone
else wins it all) have just completed season 1 AJ (After Jordan).  The
season went well beyond any expectations and shows that major
reconstruction is not required.  However, there are always areas that
can be improved.


Team Needs:
-----------

Help anywhere.

The Bulls will draft for depth.  There are areas that need improvement
but at the 21st player in the draft,  it is not real likely that the 
Bulls will get an immediate starter. 

Here is a breakdown by position:

Center:

Luc Longley has emerged as the starter for next year.  Longley has
played well since coming over from Minnesota and should be around for
a while.  Bill Wennington should be here next year and provide depth
at the center position.  Longley could be traded, if the right offer
comes along.  That is probably not likely.

Center Bill Cartwright is expected to retire.  Will Perdue,  who some
idiot signed to a new contract,  will likely be cut or traded.  A cheap
free agent addition here will be considered.

Power Forward:

Horace Grant must be resigned.  He will be expensive, however, the
teams he wants to go to (Orlando, Miami, & others) will not be able to
pay the 3-5 Mil per year he wants.  Grant sees the money being paid to
Derrick Coleman (Grant is in the same class as Coleman) but could
never command that salary, & will have high expectations.  However, I
think the Bulls will be one of the highest offers he gets.

Scott Williams is also a free agent & is likely gone.  He is talented,
however, he has an attitude problem & may be better off in new
surroundings.  Corey Blount will backup Grant.  Blount is still a
couple of years from being a real NBA power forward.  He needs to lock
himself in the weight room (as Grant did) for a while & then Blount
will be a force.

Small Forward:

Scottie Pippen.  Not much more to say.

Toni Kukoc is having a little trouble trying to adjust to NBA
basketball.  He has some of the best passing skills in the NBA (though
his teammates don't always expect it), and has developed into a
reasonable shooter.  He is still rather slow and weak on defense.

I expect to see more of Scottie & Toni on the floor at the same time
next year.  Kukoc will be one of the Bulls top 5 players and needs to
be on the floor with Pippen.

Shooting Guard:

This is the weakest part of the Bulls. If there is a quality SG
available, expect to see the Bulls pick him.

Pete Meyers is the current SG & will be a valuable player next year.
He is a tough defender & is rather quick.  However, Pete does not
shoot well or often.  Steve Kerr played well this season and has
earned a spot in the NBA next year.

Point Guard:

BJ Armstrong made the All Star game last year & has developed into a 
quality PG.  BJ has always been able to penetrate & play defense. 
He has developed into a solid shooter also.  

Jojo English is the backup and may return.  John Paxson is expected to
retire this year.

Needs:
------

The Bulls will take the best available athlete.  But all things being
equal, they will take a shooting guard.  With the 20th selection in
the draft, they are probably not going to get an immediate impact
player, so they will take the best athlete & go for depth.

My selection:
-------------

Eric Piatkowski, SG, Nebraska

Piatkowski is a big guard & good shooter.  His defense is marginal,
but with Scottie Pippen on the floor at the same time, his defense can
be weak for a while. The Bulls have been scouting him & he is a likely
candidate if available.
 
Others Considered:
------------------

Aaron McKie, SG Temple

McKie is another big guard who could fit well into the Bulls system.  He
is a stronger defender,  but not as good of a shooter as Piatkowski, which
is why Piatkowski got the nod. 

Eddie Jones, SF, Temple

The Bulls do not need another SF, however Jones is very talented &
could be hard to pass up if he is still available.  Since he could
play SG, as can Scottie Pippen & Toni Kukoc, seeing 2 of those three
on the court at once would be likely.  Jones is very similar to
Scottie Pippen when Pippen came out.  He is a tough defender who did a
lot of half court traps in college, which the Bulls like to do.

Khalid Reeves, PG Arizona

Reeve is a smallish SG.  Since the Bulls have had success with guards
like Steve Kerr, Craig Hodges, & John Paxson (all short 2 guards that
could shoot), Reeves might fit in.  He is a good shooter, who when
teamed up with a play maker, like Scottie Pippen, could work out.
 
Other Moves:
------------

The Bulls must resign Horace Grant.  He cannot leave.  

The deal desk is open & everyone other than Kukoc, Pippen, and 
Armstrong are tradable.  Unfortunately,  Longley is the only one
who might bring a reasonable price.

The Bulls are looking hard for a 2 guard.  They may trade for Rex
Chapman, which would require the Bulls #1 pick. Sarunas Marciulonis is
also reportedly available from GS, however, his injuries make him a
risk.  I doubt the Bulls would trade the #1 for him.

The Bulls also like Sean Elliot who is a RFA from Detroit.  They may
take a stab at signing him & moving him to SG.
====================================================================
Draft Summary:

1.  Milwaukee Bucks
    GM:   Bobby Davis 
    Pick: Glenn Robinson, PF, 6-8.  Purdue University.
2.  Dallas Mavericks
    GM:   Theo Wendt 
    Pick: Jason Kidd, PG, 6-4.  Cal.
3.  Detroit Pistons
    GM:   Eric Iverson 
    Pick: Grant Hill, SF, 6-8. Duke.
4.  Minnesota Timberwolves
    GM's: Kevin Hansen 
          Toni Morgan 
    Pick: Donyell Marshall, SF, 6-9. Connecticut
5.  Washington Bullets
    GM's: Jim Nagle 
          The Crossjammer 
    Pick: Juwan Howard, PF, 6-10. Michigan
6.  Philadelphia 76ers
    GM's: Brent Halliburton 
    Pick: Yinka Dare, C, 7-0. George Washington
7.  Los Angeles Clippers
    GM:   Paul Osmond 
    Pick: Carlos Rogers, PF, 6-11. Tennessee State
8.  Sacramento Kings
    GM's: Don Hearth 
          Daniel W. Huang 
    Pick: Clifford Rozier, PF, 6-9.  Louisville
9.  Boston Celtics
    GM:   Ellie Cutler 
    Pick: Lamond Murray, SF, 6-7.  Cal
10. Los Angeles Lakers
    GM:   Kosh 
    Pick: Jalen Rose, SG, 6-8. Michigan
11. Seattle Sonics
    GM:   Aaron Gill 
    Pick: Wesley Person, SG, 6-6.  Auburn
12. Miami Heat              
    GM:   Rob Clough 
    Pick: Sharone Wright, C, 6-11. Clemson
13. Denver Nuggets
    GM's: Rick Grubin 
          John Exby 
    Pick: B.J. Tyler, PG, 6-1. Texas
14. New Jersey Nets
    GM:   Matthew Mitchell 
    Pick: Dontonio Wingfield, PF, 6-9. Cincinnati
15. Indiana Pacers          
    GM:   Richard Burton 
    Pick: Charlie Ward, PG, 6-0. FSU
16. Golden State Warriors 
    GM:   Mike Moore 
    Pick: Eric Montross, C, 7-0. UNC
17. Portland Trail Blazers  
    GM:   Mike Northam 
    Pick: Jim McIlvane, C, 7-1. Marquette
18. Milwaukee Bucks 
    GM:   Bobby Davis 
    Pick: Brian Grant, PF, 6-8.  Xavier
19. Dallas Mavericks 
    GM:   Theo Wendt 
    Pick: Kendrick Warren, SF, 6-8.  Virginia Commonwealth
20. Philadelphia 76ers
    GM:   Brent Halliburton 
    Pick: Voshon Lenard, SG, 6-4.  Minnesota
21. Chicago Bulls
    GM:   Andy Knipp 
    Pick: Eric Piatkowski, SG, 6-7.  Nebraska

Next up:
22. San Antonio Spurs
    GM:   Varun Singh