NBA Draft 2011: 10 Biggest Draft Steals In Chicago Bulls History
Lets face it, aside from a few obvious bright spots, the Bulls draft history hasn't been all that impressive. This is to be expected from a team that has six championships in its 45-year existence. It's even more believable when you consider the six titles came in an eight-year span.
The Bulls record, aside from the six championship seasons is an abysmal 1492-1673. This is obviously well beneath .500. Basically, the bulk of the Bulls success is crammed into the championship seasons.
Much of this futility can be blamed on poor drafting. I can feel the air going out of the building as we think about the 28th and 30th picks in this years' draft.
There have been a few bright spots here and there for the Bulls in the draft. Here is a list of 10 "steals" if you can call them that:
10. Jack Haley
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The mere mention of Jack's name brings about laughter, but he did play nine seasons in the NBA. Only two-and-a-half of them were with the Bulls, as he was traded during his second season to the New Jersey Nets, but brought back as Dennis Rodman's handler for the 1995-96 season.
Calling Jack Haley a steal is a stretch of Reed Richards proportions, but hey the Bulls haven't given me much to work with here.
9. Trenton Hassell
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During the Tim Floyd years, (I know, the mere mention of those times for Bulls fans is like recalling the time you made a fool of yourself in front of the prettiest girl in school) Trenton Hassell was one of the lone bright spots.
He was a second-round selection out of Austin Peay. He wasn't an all-star by any stretch but he was a contributor on some god-awful teams and I suppose that counts for something.
8. Chris Duhon
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Duhon was a solid backup for Kirk Hinrich during his tenure with the Bulls. Always a good defender and steady ball-handler, Duhon actually started 73 games as a rookie in 2004-05.
He was drafted in the second round with the 38th-overall pick. He spent four seasons in Chicago before getting overpaid by the New York Knicks through free agency before the 2008-09 season.
7. Taj Gibson
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It is still early in Taj Gibson's career but barring injury or a free agent/trade departure, he will be a solid contributor for some time with the Bulls. Gibson just completed his second full season.
He has averaged a solid eight points and almost seven rebounds per game so far in his career. He seems to be turning the corner with his development, leaving the Bulls at a crossroads.
His success has made him valuable, the Bulls must decide if he is to be involved for the long haul. Either way, he has been a steal at the 26th overall pick in the 2009 draft.
6. Clifford Ray
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Ray was a bruising center for the Bulls in the early part of the 1970's. He was taken 40th overall in the third round, he spent only three seasons with the Bulls, despite averaging 11 rebounds per game.
The Bulls reached the Western Conference Finals in 1974, Ray's third season, but lost to the Warriors. He was traded that offseason to the Warriors for Nate Thurmond.
That didn't work out either, as Ray would help Rick Barry lead the Warriors past the Bulls again in the WCF and to an NBA championship. Oh well, he was still a steal in the third round in 1971.
5. Charles Oakley
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Oak Tree was not actually a Bulls draft choice. He was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1985 NBA Draft. He was traded immediately for the Bulls draft pick, Keith Lee from Memphis.
So, we'll just call him a draft steal. Oakley was a defensive and rebounding standout from the moment he got to Chicago.
Oakley averaged almost 12 rebounds per game for three seasons with Chicago, narrowly missing league-leader status in 1986-87 and 1987-88. Oakley also averaged over 12 points per game during that time.
The Bulls traded Oakley to the Knicks before the 1988-89 season. This time trading a young defender and rebounder worked out as they acquired Bill Cartwright. Cartwright was the Bulls "Man In The Middle" for their first three championships.
These benefits reaped from the trade only add to his value to the organization.
4. Horace Grant
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Horace was the reason the Bulls knew they could trade Oakley. The Bulls selected Grant 10th overall in the 1987 NBA Draft. The 10th pick is a pretty high to call a steal, but the Bulls would not have won the first three titles without him.
Also, consider that only three players selected ahead of him would be considered on his level or better (David Robinson, Scottie Pippen & Kevin Johnson).
3. Scottie Pippen
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Like Oakley, Pippen was not a Bulls draft pick, he was acquired on a draft day deal with the Seattle Supersonics for Olden Polynice. To this day, this is one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history.
Like Grant, he was also a lottery pick at No. 7 overall, but there was only one player picked ahead of him on his level (David Robinson).
Pippen went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Bulls, Rockets and Blazers. He was possibly the best Robin to a Batman in the history of the game. Six championships and one of the 50-greatest players is a huge prize for even a mid-level lottery pick.
2. Toni Kukoc
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No, I'm not saying Kukoc was more valuable to the Bulls than Grant or Pippen. I'm calling him a bigger steal because Toni was a big time contributor to the Bulls success and their final three championships after being picked in the second round of the 1990 draft.
Kukoc didn't join the Bulls until the 1993-94 as he was one of the first European players to come to the NBA. When he finally came to the Bulls, Michael Jordan had retired for the first time, though as we know, he would come back.
Kukoc was an invaluable reserve, winning the Sixth Man Of The Year award during the Bulls record setting 72-10 championship team.
1. Michael Jordan
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Jordan a steal? Third pick overall? Damn straight. Mike is the greatest player of all time, anyone picked ahead of him, even Hakeem Olajuwon isn't the right pick with Jordan on the board. Knowing what we know now, any team would want a do-over.
To run down the resume is an insult to any decent basketball fan. Houston and Portland could've had what Bulls fans enjoyed. The statue could've been in front of the Rose Garden or The Toyota Center. Blah!!! I'm nauseated at the thought.
The Bulls got one of the biggest steals in sports history.
