Look at the Chicago Bulls 2009……….Aaron Gray

Aaron Gray was the Bulls 49th overall draft pick (second round) in the 2007 NBA draft. Gray went to College at the University of Pittsburgh where he named the Associated Press Third Team All-American after leading his team to the sweet 16 in the 2007 NCAA tournament. The Bulls have had a lack of a true center and a presence in the post for a number of years. This was way the Bulls drafted him after he was a force to be reckon with at the College level. The 7 foot 270 pound center has not been able to adapt to the NBA level. Gray is slow and can’t jump very well. The Bulls just re-signed him last week because they needed some depth at center and Gray gives them a true center (the only one of their roster), even though he is a work in progress. Gray has a big body and could be a good low-post option off the bench. He is also a good option for bigger centers the Bulls may face like Dwight Howard and Shaquille O' Neal. The Chicago Bulls already have 4 players between the power forward and center spot so Aaron Gray doesn’t figure to get much playing time unless for injuries or foul trouble. Aaron Gray has shown flashes of being good at times and does several things well for a big man like pass.

Here is a highlight video of Aaron Gray:

Look at the Chicago Bulls 2009……….Center

The Bulls starting center looks to be Joakim Noah. Noah will be entering his third season in the NBA and with the Bulls. Noah is known more as a defensive player only averaging 6.7 PPG so far in his two year career. He does average 1.1 BPG, 0.8 SPG, and 6.6 RPG. He will be backed up by veteran Brad Miller who is in his second stint with the Bulls entering his 12th season in the NBA. Brad Miller is a good shooter and scorer. Miller will be a big part of the Bulls success coming off the bench with the second team. Kirk Hinrich and Brad Miller are the only two veterans coming off the bench and they will need to carry the Bulls offensively while the starters are resting. The third string center is Aaron Gray whom the Bulls just re-signed to a one year deal. He will be entering his third season with the Bulls. Gray is the only true center the Bulls have and has the big body to go against other true centers in the league. He needs to improve a lot to be a factor though.

Bulls Bring Back Gray

Today the Bulls announced they have brought back Aaron Gray. He was a free agent who they were negotiating with to bring back for his third year with the Bulls. Gray was a second round pick of the Bulls a few years ago who hasn't done much in limited action. Gray is the only true center on the Bulls roster and is the only true low post presence they have. He hasn't been able to put his game together yet, and figure out how to use his body to score down low and be a good back-up center. Currently Gray would be third on the depth chart for back-up center. For the baseball fans reading this, Gray would be like David Kelton of the Cubs or Joe Bochard of the White Sox. I am sure "The 'Bright' One" is ecstatic about this move. He was always a big fan like I am of Aaron Gray.

UPDATE by TBO, NOT!!!

A Look at the Chicago Bulls 2009………. Expected Depth Chart

Basketball will be starting soon with the season officially starting towards the end of October. Here is how the Bulls roster is shaping up after the off-season where they added James Johnson, Taj Gibson, Jannero Pargo, and brought back Lindsey Hunter for reasons I will never understand. Aaron Gray is still a free agent, but supposedly they are talking to him and want to bring him back. I guess we will see what happens.
Position Starters Back-up Reserves
Point Guard: Derrick Rose Kirk Hinrich Lindsey Hunter
Shooting Guard: John Salmons Jannero Pargo
Small Forward: Luol Deng James Johnson
Power Forward: Tyrus Thomas Taj Gibson Jerome James
Center: Joakim Noah Brad Miller Aaron Gray (FA)

Now that we have previewed the front office and coaching staff……on to the players! I was debating if I should look at the players by starters and then the bench or go by position. You will have to see what I decide.

Who should be doing opening tipoffs for the Bulls?

Drew Gooden has been doing the opening tipoff for the Bulls. This is because he was starting with Aaron Gray who can’t jump even though he happens to be 7”0. Gooden is out right now and the bulls are starting Noccioni in his spot. Nocioni can’t be the one doing the opening tippoff so their starting Jokaim Noah who is only starting because of the opening tipoff.

My question is where is Tryus Thomas? He just got back from an injury, but even before why wasn’t he doing opening tipoffs? Tryus Thomas is a great athlete and one of the best jumpers in the game, let alone on the bulls. Why hasn’t he been doing opening tipoffs from day one?

Tryus has been coming on strong lately by his two big games on December 13th and 16th where he scored 16 and 22 points respectively with 14 rebounds, 4 steals, and blocks in those two games. Then he was sidelined with a concussion and played five minutes in his first game back. In his last game he looked back to his form before the injury with 16 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. Thomas is very good on defense with rebounds, blocks, and steals; something the rest of the team is weak on so his presence should give the team a big boost.

With Thomas’s good play recently he should be getting the starting nod soon over Noah or Gray and then hopefully the light bulb will go off for Vinny Del Negro, Del Harris, and Bernie Bickerstaff to let him to the opening tip!