Chicago Bulls
Feb 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Miami Heat forward James Johnson (16) loses control of the ball while shooting against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bulls have had some solid picks in the NBA Draft. However, they are a few selections that most fans would like to forget. Here is a look at a few of them.
Like every other team that will not win the championship this year, the Chicago Bulls are hoping to improve their roster somewhat through the upcoming 2017 NBA Draft.
Following a season in which they barely made it to the playoffs and were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in six games, it has become painfully obvious that the Bulls have needs in several areas. The list includes a serviceable backup point guard, athleticism and a player or two that can fill it up from three-point range.
Considering they are picking in the middle of the pack, the chances of them getting an impact player is 50-50 at this point. Although the Bulls have had some success in regards to the NBA Draft, there are certain selections that the front office, as well as the fan base, would like to forget.
So without further ado, we will take a stroll down memory lane and revisit some of those picks.
Sixth Man of the Year
Apr 5, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Miami Heat forward James Johnson (16) celebrates a three point basket in the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. The Heat won 112-99. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
No. 5: James Johnson (2009)
Coming off a season that ended with a seven-game loss to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, the Bulls selected James Johnson from Wake Forest with the 16th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.
Johnson's stint in the Windy City would prove to be a short one. In fact, he donned the red and black for just two seasons. During that less-than-impressive stretch, he averaged just 3.8 points and 1.9 rebounds per contest.
Johnson has since played for the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies and most recently, the Miami Heat. While his many stops bring the term "journeyman" to mind, Johnson finally reached his potential in 2016-17 — a season that saw him post averages 12.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.
If Johnson had played this well early on in his career, his stint with the team would have lasted longer than it did.
Jan 30, 2016; Lawrence, KS, USA; ESPN commentators Jay Williams and Seth Greenberg (left to right) talk before the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and Kentucky Wildcats at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
No. 4: Jay Williams (2002)
The Bulls landed the No. 2 pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. And with that selection, they chose Jay Williams from Duke University.
On paper, this couldn't have been a better pick. Williams was coming off a collegiate career that included an NCAA title; a national college player of the year award and two First Team All-American selections.
Simply put, the guy was considered a winner.
During his rookie season with the Bulls, Williams averaged a respectable 9.5 points and 4.7 assists per game. Additionally, Williams was also named to the All-Rookie Second Team.
Unfortunately, that would prove to be Williams' first and last season with the Bulls. In the summer of 2003, Williams crashed his motorcycle into a light pole and was not wearing a helmet. As a result of the multiple injuries he sustained, his career was over after just one season.
Williams would later admit that the fast-paced lifestyle kind of went to his head once he entered the league.
These days, Williams works as a college basketball analyst for ESPN. But even though he is still around the game he loves, it's more than safe to presume that he wonders every now and then about what could have been.
No. 3: Brad Sellers (1986)
Brad Sellers had a solid collegiate career during his two-year stints with both Wisconsin and Ohio State. In fact, his averages included 16.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per contest on 50 percent shooting from the field. This includes a senior season (at OSU) in which he posted averages of 19.8 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per outing.
Based on that production, the Bulls felt they were making a good choice when they selected Sellers with the ninth overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. Ironically, word around town was Michael Jordan wanted the Bulls to select Johnny Dawkins from Duke — a sentiment that was shared by Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski.
"There wouldn't be a more athletic backcourt in the NBA," Krzyzewski told the Chicago Tribune. "I would think the stadium would be full every night just to see what would happen. You`ll be amazed at how high Johnny jumps."
The front office ignored Jordan's wishes, which proved to be the wrong choice.
Despite standing at 7'0″, Sellers never became the dominant scorer and rebounder the Bulls were hoping for. During his three seasons in the Windy City, Sellers averaged just 8.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per contest — a far cry from the numbers he put up in college.
As you can imagine, after three unproductive years, the Bulls traded Sellers to the Seattle SuperSonics for the 18th overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft. That selection turned out to be B.J. Armstrong — one of several key role players on the Bulls teams that won titles from 1991-93.
No. 2: Quintin Dailey (1982)
The Bulls selected Daley with the seventh overall pick in the 1982 NBA Draft. This move was somewhat surprising considering the controversy that surrounded Dailey at the time.
You see, Dailey was accused of raping a student nurse at the University of San Francisco, and would eventually plead guilty to a lesser charge of aggravated assault. And for some reason, the Bulls felt like he was a good pick just four days after his plea.
Unfortunately for the Bulls, this was a preview of things to come. Not only was the selection met with protests by women's groups, but building owners even refused to have him as a tenant. On top of that, Dailey violated the NBA's drug policy on two separate occasions.
Furthermore, in a March game back in 1985, he had a ball boy bring him food as the third quarter was coming to a close. The meal included a slice of pizza, nachos, popcorn and a beverage.
These factors, along with Dailey often missing games — some due to psychiatric care, eventually led to his departure from the Bulls. Despite his off-the-court issues, he did put up decent numbers when he was able to play.
During his four years in Chicago, Dailey posted averages of 16.4 points, 2.9 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game on 47 percent shooting from the field and he was named to the NBA All-Rookie team during his first season in the league.
Dailey would later go on to play for the Los Angeles Clippers and the SuperSonics before retiring in 1992.
No. 1: Jimmy Collins (1970)
To say that Jimmy Collins had a successful collegiate career would be an understatement. During his three years at New Mexico State, Collins averaged 19.5 points per game and 24.6 points per outing during his senior season.
Needless to say, this was a big reason why the Aggies finished 27-3 en route to a Final Four appearance. On the heels of an impressive senior campaign, the Bulls selected Collins with the 11th overall pick in the 1970 NBA Draft.
Sadly, Collins didn't come close to duplicating his production from his college days. In fact, Collins played in 55 games in his first season and just 19 games in his second season before departing for the ABA.
No, that is not a misprint. Collins' career with the Bulls lasted a total of 74 games.
During that brief stint, Collins averaged just 3.8 points per contest on 41 percent shooting from the field. While Collins did go on to have a decent coaching career at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign — guiding his teams to a 218-208 record in 14 seasons — old-school Bulls fans will always remember his selection as being a wasted draft pick.
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