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Chicago Sun Times
Leery Paxson has seen enough of the preps
March 6, 2004
BY ROMAN MODROWSKI Staff Reporter
Bulls operations chief John Paxson didn't reveal whom he will draft this summer, but he stopped just short of saying whom he won't pick.
Paxson all but stated Friday he won't draft someone directly out of high school, and three of the top four prospects are prep seniors. The Bulls (18-43) own the second-worst record in the league, so Paxson will have plenty of prep talent to consider. If Paxson lands the top pick, Connecticut's Emeka Okafor is a lock.
"There is talent and potential in all of those [prep] kids,'' Paxson said. "But for franchises trying to get better in a hurry, those are risky propositions.''
Former Bulls general manager Jerry Krause took a huge risk in becoming the first GM in NBA history to invest his team's future in two 18-year-olds out of high school when he traded for Tyson Chandler and drafted Eddy Curry with the fourth pick in 2001. Those youngsters are chasing their potential in their third seasons while the Bulls are rebuilding.
"It's scary,'' Paxson said. "The guys we're counting on are so young -- I can't say never -- but it would be tough to throw somebody [right of high school] in the mix.''
Paxson is hoping his biggest move this summer will be improving the conditioning of his young nucleus. Jalen Rose and Donyell Marshall admitted to not being able to keep up with their Toronto teammates after being traded from the Bulls on Dec. 1, which seemed to validate Scott Skiles' criticism of the Bulls' conditioning.
"I said two weeks ago that we were finally in good enough shape to have a legitimate practice, let alone a game,'' Skiles said. "We were way behind from a conditioning standpoint.
"The guys worked really hard to get in the position to where we could have a very good, spirited practice for 75 minutes. We're not out here for 2-1/2 hours. I don't see the blatant fatigue I saw in the guys early on. It's not a great commentary that we have a quarter of the season left and we're just now getting in NBA-type shape.''
Jamal Crawford confirmed practices are much more difficult, and his teammates are in better condition. But Crawford said it's up to the players to stay in shape during the offseason. Crawford plans to keep in touch with his teammates to make sure guys are staying fit.
Whoever doesn't report to training camp in top shape knows he'll hear about it from Skiles, who isn't afraid to call out a player to the media.
Paxson encourages and practices that level of candor.
"I don't know how you tip-toe around these issues,'' Paxson said. "I respect that Scott doesn't pull any punches.
"But I have faith our players will do the right thing this summer.''
NOTE: Toronto waived point guard Jannero Pargo on Friday, and the Bulls may be interested.
The Bulls brought Pargo in for a workout before he signed with the Raptors. If they pick him up, the Bulls may release Rick Brunson or Marcus Fizer.
Leery Paxson has seen enough of the preps
March 6, 2004
BY ROMAN MODROWSKI Staff Reporter
Bulls operations chief John Paxson didn't reveal whom he will draft this summer, but he stopped just short of saying whom he won't pick.
Paxson all but stated Friday he won't draft someone directly out of high school, and three of the top four prospects are prep seniors. The Bulls (18-43) own the second-worst record in the league, so Paxson will have plenty of prep talent to consider. If Paxson lands the top pick, Connecticut's Emeka Okafor is a lock.
"There is talent and potential in all of those [prep] kids,'' Paxson said. "But for franchises trying to get better in a hurry, those are risky propositions.''
Former Bulls general manager Jerry Krause took a huge risk in becoming the first GM in NBA history to invest his team's future in two 18-year-olds out of high school when he traded for Tyson Chandler and drafted Eddy Curry with the fourth pick in 2001. Those youngsters are chasing their potential in their third seasons while the Bulls are rebuilding.
"It's scary,'' Paxson said. "The guys we're counting on are so young -- I can't say never -- but it would be tough to throw somebody [right of high school] in the mix.''
Paxson is hoping his biggest move this summer will be improving the conditioning of his young nucleus. Jalen Rose and Donyell Marshall admitted to not being able to keep up with their Toronto teammates after being traded from the Bulls on Dec. 1, which seemed to validate Scott Skiles' criticism of the Bulls' conditioning.
"I said two weeks ago that we were finally in good enough shape to have a legitimate practice, let alone a game,'' Skiles said. "We were way behind from a conditioning standpoint.
"The guys worked really hard to get in the position to where we could have a very good, spirited practice for 75 minutes. We're not out here for 2-1/2 hours. I don't see the blatant fatigue I saw in the guys early on. It's not a great commentary that we have a quarter of the season left and we're just now getting in NBA-type shape.''
Jamal Crawford confirmed practices are much more difficult, and his teammates are in better condition. But Crawford said it's up to the players to stay in shape during the offseason. Crawford plans to keep in touch with his teammates to make sure guys are staying fit.
Whoever doesn't report to training camp in top shape knows he'll hear about it from Skiles, who isn't afraid to call out a player to the media.
Paxson encourages and practices that level of candor.
"I don't know how you tip-toe around these issues,'' Paxson said. "I respect that Scott doesn't pull any punches.
"But I have faith our players will do the right thing this summer.''
NOTE: Toronto waived point guard Jannero Pargo on Friday, and the Bulls may be interested.
The Bulls brought Pargo in for a workout before he signed with the Raptors. If they pick him up, the Bulls may release Rick Brunson or Marcus Fizer.
