Bulls Nab Johnson, Gibson in Draft

The Bulls ended up keeping both of their first-round picks in last night’s NBA Draft, selecting Wake Forest forward James Johnson with the 16^th overall pick and nabbing USC forward Taj Gibson at 26.  ESPN’s Chad Ford thinks the Bulls had their eye on North Carolina forward Tyler Hansbrough, but were forced to go to Plan B when the former National Player of the Year went 13^th to Indiana.  “I think the Bulls had their hearts set on Tyler Hansbrough and probably were a bit crestfallen when they couldn’t move up and get him,” Ford writes.  ”Like Hansbrough, Johnson brings toughness, but with a bit of an edge that could make the Bulls a little less comfortable.  Gibson is skilled and versatile but, like Johnson, is no sure thing.”

“I think the value of Chicago’s draft will be clearer once we see what happens via free agency with Ben Gordon and potential trades with Kirk Hinrich and Tyrus Thomas,” Ford continues.  ”There’s upside here, but not enough to get excited about at this point.”  Ford gave the Bulls a B- grade for their overall draft.  I understand the Johnson pick, but I am surprised that the team didn’t pounce on Pitt forward DeJuan Blair at 26 despite his knee concerns.

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