John Paxson

Sam Smith

It was early in a season of resolve that was beginning to show cracks. The Bulls were stumbling along falling close to the NBA's Maginot Line of despair, 10 games under .500 near Christmas. Once passing that, there isn't much defense.

So the Bulls decided to hire Arturas Karnisovas as Executive Vice-President of Basketball Operations.

It became official Monday with the announcement by Bulls President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Reinsdorf during a media conference call. The new chief basketball executive didn't have a name back then. But he had a job, which was restoring order and excellence at a time Michael Reinsdorf called a potential turning point in franchise history.

Michael is confident the Bulls acquired the right general for the battles. And he conceded it began with an altruistic transfer of power from Karnisovas' predecessor, John Paxson.

"Did we get the No. 1 person out there? I believe we did," said Michael.

"John Paxson came to me and my dad back — I think it was around December — and we started talking and he felt that we needed, the organization needed, to make a change and an upgrade," said Michael Reinsdorf. "He felt that we were too set in our ways. And when you look at it, our basketball department had long been one of the smallest departments in the league and it hadn't really grown with the times. In John's words, we needed to make changes in terms of the leadership and structure that would set up the Bulls for the next 10 to 15 years.

"During these conversations with John — and there were multiple conversations — John also made it clear to us that he would change his role or step down if that's what was best for the Chicago Bulls," Michael continued. "Because at the end of the day he's a Chicago Bull and that's what he cares most about. At the same time, I was kind of struggling, too, as most of you know, with trying and wanting to get the Bulls back on track. It was difficult because even though we made the decision to rebuild, we knew it was going to be hard in terms of losing. I looked at our draft record. We actually had some good drafts with Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter and Coby White. And then I look at a lot of our injuries and I saw what was going on and obviously that clearly affected our record. But at the end of the day, what John is really good at is simplifying the issue. When he said the next 10 to 15 years comment to me, that really, really stuck with me."

And so Michael Reinsdorf set out on the lonely path of responsibility.

While Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf remains "the boss," as Michael reiterated Monday, it was another significant leg in the race to succeed. This time Michael was getting the baton. His father remained back in Arizona. Paxson slowed from a sprint. Michael took off running.

"I started to spend a lot of time talking to a lot of people and really trying to understand other team's organizational structures," Michael said. "I wanted to understand what other teams were doing differently than us. I learned that there's no one way of building a strong and sustainable operation or team. But the two keys to success are having the right people and the right processes in place.

"During this time, John and I were talking and meeting on a regular basis. I started to share with him what I was learning," said Michael. "John continued to share with me what he was thinking. And it was kind of at this point that John indicated to my dad and me that he was no longer the right person to lead the Chicago Bulls. That's really the kind of person John is. I've always said when the time came to make a change, John would be the one to let us know. And that is indeed what ended up happening. I was really excited because it made the next steps clearer for me. We not only needed to grow our basketball operations department, but one of the most important steps I had to take was to find the right person to lead our organization. I believe — this is my view of the role ownership should play in sports, and certainly in terms of basketball —the ownership is responsible for hiring the right person to lead the basketball team and then should step to the side and allow the basketball people to do their work. If we pick the wrong person it can take years to recover. So we needed to get this right."

This wasn't about waiting for Godot, who never did arrive. It was getting out on the road. Perhaps not in search of Paradise, but something of finding an alchemist who might be able to turn the vibrant raw materials of the Bulls into franchise gold.

"We identified needs and areas of importance in our basketball operations person," said Michael. "I loved the idea of bringing in someone from the outside to lead the organization. That's worked incredibly well on the business side (Michael's primary responsibility in recent years). Bringing people in who have new ideas and new ways of doing things different than the way we do it, I think, is terrific. So I kind of led the search. I spoke with other owners, former GMs, agents. I spoke to even the media, people at the league. I spoke to former NBA players, people that were in our organization. Anyone who I thought could help me. I wanted to know who was out there that was ready to take the next step in their careers and move into the lead role.

"The name that kept coming up at the time was Arturas'," said Michael. "Arturas' name came up as well as other really good candidates. One thing I definitely learned during this process, the Chicago Bulls are indeed an iconic franchise. And we are one that deserves a proven leader of our basketball operations department.

"So I was looking for someone with a wide range of experience, but, of course, someone who's passionate, hard working and really smart. That's kind of our mantra when we're hiring people at the Bulls," said Michael. "We also needed someone who had experience in helping to build a successful basketball organization, a person who strongly believed in the benefits of great player development. The talent internationally continues to grow and the ability to navigate international basketball is more important than ever. We wanted someone that would bring their own ideas and concepts and have a strong presence, a leader who will be process oriented in trying to build a winning team, someone who works collaboratively with others and surrounds himself with really smart people and develops talent in the basketball operations department. This job isn't just a one-person job. Building a winning team, as we all know, it's players first. But we need to have an organization that is strong up and down. And we wanted someone who is passionate about being part of the Chicago Bulls family."

Great players with effective organizations win championships.

"But there was still one thing left and that was my dad," said Michael, who also commended the Nuggets for their cooperation and exceptional organization. "At the end of the day, my dad, Jerry, is still the boss. So we had to have that final interview with my dad. We did that over video. And it was clear after that meeting that we had our new head of basketball operations.

"My dad said to me after the meeting, 'I never thought you would find anyone as great as Arturas.' So I knew we were done," said Michael. "That night we were able to negotiate a deal with Arturas. It took a few minutes and we were ready to move. This organization is at a crossroads and we're fortunate enough not only to find someone who can lead this organization, but someone who's as qualified as Arturas. At the end of the day, what matters most to me is we ended up getting the right person."

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Michael Reinsdorf finds the right leader in Karnisovas

Bulls.com

The Chicago Bulls announced today that John Paxson, who has served in various roles for more than three decades, is moving into a new role as Senior Advisor of Basketball Operations.

JERRY REINSDORF: "John has an invaluable perspective on our organization and where we want to be, and he played an instrumental role in this change by bringing forward the idea of a restructure and reorganization. I have always held his knowledge and basketball insight in the highest regard, and he has earned my respect as well as that of his peers. His decision to take on a new role reflects what I've always known about John – that he is forever a willing teammate on and off of the court and always does what he believes is in the best interest of the Chicago Bulls."

JOHN PAXSON: "When I came here in 1985, I never imagined what the Chicago Bulls would mean to me more than 35 years later. While I'm in a new role and a new phase in my life, what won't ever change is my commitment to the Bulls and appreciation to Jerry and Michael for the incredible opportunities I've been afforded. I've had the rare opportunity to see this team as a player, broadcaster and executive, and at every turn I've been fortunate to experience what makes this organization so special - people who give their best every day and work together as a team, as well as our incredible fans who support us. I've always tried to do what was best for our organization and put our team in position to succeed, and ultimately compete. I know Arturas will do the same. He brings the kind of talent, experience and commitment to collaboration that will allow him to succeed in his new role. I truly believe this is a great opportunity for the Bulls organization and that there are bright days ahead."

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Chicago Bulls statement on John Paxson

childukich

The Bulls stood firm with their roster by the Thursday NBA Trade Deadline as injuries have made it difficult to evaluate the potential of core players.

The winds of change blew through the NBA with the Thursday trade deadline. Former All-Stars, top draft picks and pivotal role players like Andrew Wiggins, Andre Drummond, Marcus Morris, Glenn Robinson III, Andre Iguodala, D'Angelo Russell, Justice Winslow, Jabari Parker, Evan Turner and Isaiah Thomas changed teams.

The Bulls then hosted the New Orleans Pelicans and star rookie Zion Williamson without any changes. Bulls Executive Vice-President of Basketball Operations John Paxson told reporters Thursday before the game the Bulls weren't seeking to be major players in the trade market because of the ongoing priority to evaluate the core of players, many of whom are injured.

"We weren't going to be buyers, per se," Paxson said. "Just given the fact the roster and the way we have it right now and the fact we've had kind of a disjointed year with the injuries, we weren't going to trade Zach (LaVine), Lauri (Markkanen), Wendell (Carter Jr.), Coby (White) because we don't know what we have yet. We need to see. We've known that all year long.

"(General manager) Gar (Forman) was on the phone a lot with teams," Paxson said. "We made a deal last trade deadline we were hopeful would help us. Obviously, Otto (Porter Jr.) has had a lot of injuries since he's been here. The way we are looking at right now, we anticipate that Lauri, Otto and Wendell are going to be back by the end of this month and they can get back on the floor and we can get them playing together a little bit and see where we're at. "I said it earlier this year that we haven't played as well as we all hoped we would," Paxson acknowledged. "And that was when outside of Otto we still had a fairly healthy roster. Now the injuries have really hit us. We need to get those guys back and play. Relevancy will depend on the growth of those guys, in particular Lauri, Wendell, Coby, Chandler (Hutchison). We're still in that position. There's no quick solution to it when you're trying to develop players. And that's what we're trying to do."

Both Thad Young and Denzel Valentine, the latter out Thursday with a sore hamstring, were most rumored for possible deals. It seems nothing was close. Both said they look forward to moving on with the team.

"Obviously you sit by the TV and see everything that is going on; you see all the crazy stuff that happened like Drummond going to Cleveland," Young said with a laugh. "You see how D-Lo goes to Minnesota to switch with Wigs. You just sit back and watch everything and whatever happens happens. For me personally, like I've always said, it's all about going out there hooping and just playing. It's all about what they (management) want to do as far as how they make their moves. For me, whatever team I'm on at the time it's just to go out and play."

Young said his agent told him there were myriad inquiries. The rumors were the Clippers were interested, but they traded for the Knicks Marcus Morris.

"At the end of the day it's just interest," said Young. "Feelers and stuff like that. I didn't think about it. When it's over the good thing is it's over and you can move on with the season and continue to try to get better and stay the course. Continue to try to win games and seeing if we can potentially get to the eighth spot and other than that see if we can get better with this group and try to help this group get better as a young team."

Similarly, Valentine said he's looking forward to the rest of the season.

"I thought there was a chance (of a trade), but you just can't control that stuff," Valentine said. "You don't know what is going to happen. So try not to think about it too much. I'm so grateful to be a Chicago Bull. This franchise is legendary, historic. I'm in the NBA. I'm excited to be here. I have great teammates. So we'll see what happens at the end of the year. But for now I'm just going to try to get back playing again and then get back to doing what I do."

"Like I said, I got drafted here, 14th pick; I was very excited to be a Chicago Bull," Valentine said. "Still am. And I'm here to be a Bull for the rest of the year. I'm gong to come out and keep working hard and whatever happens happens. That's not in my control. I can control what I can do, which is working hard and being a good teammate and coming to work and being positive every day."

With the injured players due back after the All-Star break, the Bulls hold out the hope for the playoffs as well as, especially said Paxson, determining the status of their young players. Particularly Lauri Markkanen.

"Lauri, we believe in at a high level and we view him as a cornerstone player," said Paxson. "It's our responsibility to help him become the type of player we believe he can be. We've had direct communication with him, with his agent. I've spoke to (his agent) in the last couple hours because of things that are out there (speculation about Markkanen unhappiness). We've never been told Lauri doesn't want to be here. It's obvious he's not had the type of year in terms of shot attempts that he's had in the past. We communicate that. Jim (coach Boylen) and I talk about it. We've addressed it with Lauri and his rep. Our responsibility is to put our players in a position to succeed and get better. We believe in Lauri Markkanen; we'd never waver from that.

"I know Zach has been frustrated; all of them have," Paxson said about the disappointing season. "Thad gets frustrated as a vet. We have to keep long term in mind in term of our young guys in how they get better and how they develop; that's going to be the key to our future.

"Teams are always trying to chase (trades) a little bit and see if they can get something that they value for nothing or very little." Paxson said. "We've seen it for years. We never would've entertained (it). It would've had to have been something that truly improved our future, and teams weren't going to help us out in that regard. There were discussions. Like Denzel's name came up, but Denzel is still a restricted free agent this offseason as is Kris Dunn. So we still value them. We've had so many injuries that we really need to get everybody healthy and see who fits and who doesn't.

"Our expectation is the way these guys are working right now is that Lauri, Otto and Wendell will be back sometime around the end of the month, the first of March," said Paxson. "And if we can do that, then you've got 20, 22 games that they can play and see where we are. We're going to focus again on the rest of this year. We'll get into the draft and all those type of things when the season ends. You can position yourself for anything, but you never know what the reality is going to be . I don't think we've ever said we're banking on anything in that. What we have said is that we've been trying to put together a very competitive team that you would hope players would want to come play for. Right now we're not where we want to be in that regard and that's an honest answer."

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Bulls have quiet Trade Deadline day

The following statement is from John Paxson, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, on behalf of the Bulls:

"The Chicago Bulls organization is terribly saddened about the sudden passing of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and the other passengers in today's horrific helicopter crash in California. While he leaves us far too soon, his legacy and persona will forever be remembered. One of the best to have ever played the game of basketball, we extend our deepest sympathies to the Bryant family and the other families affected."

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Statement from John Paxson on the passing of Kobe Bryant

This time the Bulls are saying it's time.

"Our goals for the season are to make the playoffs," Bulls coach Jim Boylen offered firmly at the annual media day training camp opening Monday in the Advocate Center. "That's our goal for the season, to make the playoffs. And every day to prepare like we're a playoff team. Every day to work like we're a playoff bound team. I'm excited for that. I think that's the only way to do it. There's no way that we were going to stand up here and say, ‘Hey, I hope we can win 10 more games or we hope we can be better.' We want to get to the mountain top."

Sure, there was that picture everyone saw recently of the line to get to the top of Everest.

And coming off 27 and 22-win seasons, it would seem the Bulls would be at the back of the line.

But unlike the past few years with various short term personnel additions and debates about whether it was smart or correct to even win games, the Bulls feel like they are at least back in the climb.

Perhaps eighth place is like base camp, but management knows it's time to start admiring the view from above.

2019-20 Bulls Media Day: Gar Forman, John Paxson, and Jim Boylen

"We have revamped this roster in a big way, and a way in that we can look at this team and we see real talent," insisted Bulls Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson. "We see a versatile roster, we see some depth on this roster, we see some leadership on this roster which we haven't had, and because of that our goals this year are really simple. We want to compete at a high, high level. We think we can compete. And when you compete at a high level, you have an ability to be a playoff caliber team. We set that as a goal. Jim talks about it, he's not afraid of it, and our guys through their work have shown us that they want to make that commitment. So we feel good about that. Because of that, when we look at our roster we know we have a lot of players who are going to have to sacrifice in order for us to be the type of team we want to be, and we're going to need certain guys to step up to be the type of team we want to be.

"This has been a very good summer for us as an organization," Paxson added. "I think it really started last year when we made the coaching change and put Jim in charge. He's found his footing with this team and his ability to lead. His leadership this summer has been really, really good. The commitment our guys made this last month to be here when they don't have to be, to get together, to form some camaraderie has something that has been a powerful thing around this building. We know as well as anyone that we have not done anything. But we like our talent level and we like what we have in this building."

Of course, that's not unlike the script at 29 other NBA training camp media days: Everyone's working hard, everyone is in great shape, can't wait to get going, this is the year.

Though it hasn't been like that the last two uneasy years when it seemed like the compass the Bulls were using was pointing south. And east and west, though rarely up.

But with the acquisition of dependable and reputable veterans like Otto Porter Jr. last February and Thaddeus Young and Tomas Satoransky last summer so they won't have to rely on rookies like Coby White and Daniel Gafford, the return to health of Wendell Carter Jr. and Denzel Valentine and the promise of potential stars like Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen, the Bulls again appear to have a roster capable of competing with the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

The bar is not that high since everyone was talking about just competing for the playoffs, which is not that great an honor in the NBA since 16 of the 30 teams qualify. But perhaps for teams other than the 76ers and maybe the Bucks as long as Giannis Antetokounmpo remains healthy, the Eastern Conference may be as weak as its been since the mid-1990s and open for new faces.

The Bulls are one among many, like the Hawks, Magic, Heat, Pistons, Nets, Pacers and Celtics. But at least they appear back in the picture.

The opening day revelations and comments suggested why:

"Otto had a great summer in the weight room. He's bigger and stronger, and he's in better condition. Zach is starting to get his man body. His athleticism, speed and quickness, his ankles are healthy. His attitude is unbelievable. He was here the whole month. He's taken it to a whole other level athletically, which is hard to believe. But he has. Wendell Carter is 273 pounds; he's six percent body fat. That tells you he's put some work in. Lauri Markkanen is always in shape, he always works, and he's ready to take his leadership role and play winning basketball. I would be remiss if I didn't mention Thad Young and his ability to talk to our guys in a way that helps them grow and learn. We've added ballers to this team. Coby White, whether he's a one, a two, he's a baller. Shaq's (Harrison) a baller. (Ryan) Archie's a baller. Archie started 12 games at two for us last year. His true position is probably point guard, but he's a baller. Thad Young's a baller. He can play three, four or five. He's a matchup nightmare. That's what this roster is.

"We'd like to play faster, we'd like to get even better with a multi handler system. The thing we've been working on is when a guy brings it up other guys have to run, be in condition to run for 48 minutes; we want to be a solid, good defensive team. One thing we did poorly last year was our deep drive decisions. We have to honor our spacing night in and night out. We have to do a better job of playing point-5 basketball, which is you catch it and either drive it, shoot it or pass it (within a half second). That's what we've been working on."

"We have some guys who are at a time in their careers where they have to step up. That's Zach, that's Lauri, that's Otto. We know we have young guys that know it's their time to step up. We also talked about the fact that they're mature young guys. Wendell can be thrown in that mix, too. He's a very mature 20-year-old young man. That's the reality of this thing. They need to step up, but we have people around them, complements to this team that will help this team a lot."

On health, Paxson did add: "Chandler (Hutchison) is going to be out for a little bit; he had a hamstring injury. We are going to bring him along slowly. Luke Kornet has a little turf toe; he's probably going to be out. Denzel (Valentine) and Wendell are ready to go."

"I knew Chicago was in (the free agent) game. I was really excited that I wanted to end up here and I was so excited about this new team from conversations with coach, with new pieces like Thad as a veteran and a leader. I was all in and fortunately it ended up that way. I came from places where I was taught to play the game the right way and always compete for every game and for every play, and that's not going to change here. I think that's all we want, to compete every game and put ourselves at the end of the game in a position to win the game. I'm new in the NBA only for four seasons, but I've been playing professionally for 12 years and I'm not as vocal as Thad in the locker room, but I hope I can lead by example."

"I remember playing these guys and they played us so hard when I was in Indiana, gave us tough games each and every time. I want to be a part of this, I want to be a part of helping them build something great, building a new culture and just being a leader out there for these guys and just showing them how to win and showing them how we can get ourselves to the playoffs. You have teams that were playoff teams, teams that have potential championships and stuff like that looking at me (in free agency) and wanted to have me come in. But at the end of the day, for me, I think it was more about need than anything. I felt like this team needed me in the process. I felt like this team would give me a chance to come and help lead, help build something, help grow something, and build some culture. Which is what we did in Indiana and it puts me in the same potential place to where I was before, where I can come in and help a team get better and potentially make the playoffs. That was one of the biggest things, taking on that challenge and being ready to go out there and do the unexpected. "A lot of people always say that once you get in between these lines it starts, but it doesn't start in between the lines. It starts in the locker room where we're sitting there shooting the bullcrap. We're sitting there talking and playing amongst each other. It starts in there, building that camaraderie, building that brotherhood with one another and then it translates out to the court. If you don't like each other in the locker room then you're not going to like each other on the court. So we have to make sure that it's all together in there before we step out on the court. Because at the end of the day the coaches can't go out there and play for us, front office can't go out there and play for us. We have to go out there and play for ourselves as a team, a unit, and we have to be unified at all costs and that's the only way we're going to win games, being unified, having a structured situation to where we go out there and play. Making sure we're all together at all times, even if we're going to take some L's in the process. "Hold everybody accountable, including myself. Going out there each and every day, and when these guys see a guy who's going into his 13th season going just as hard, taking charges and diving on the floor for loose balls and stuff like that, it makes them want to go out there and do the same thing. It makes them want to play at a high intensity level. So just bring a lot of intangibles to the game, but also respecting the game and making sure that my teammates are being led the right way and make sure I'm helping them grow their games the right way (Young last season was among the league leaders in charges taken, deflections and loose balls retained)."

"I'm at 100 percent now. I feel a lot better than I have been the last five, six years. So I feel like the surgery was definitely a necessity. I feel like the whole league has changed; a lot of stars have been shifted all around the league. So I feel like it gives us a really, really good opportunity – as long as everybody stays healthy – to make it to the playoffs. Expect to see a lot more aggressive Wendell, but smarter at the same time. Someone who's going to go in, know where I can get my shots from, but know where my bread and butter is, and that's on the defensive side and rebounding. I'm going to do whatever I can to help the team on the offensive end that's realistic. But you'll definitely see a more aggressive, confident Wendell on the offensive end."

"I think the mentality of this organization changed since I've come here; just what we want to do here has changed. We've come in early to put in that extra work, to get to know everybody. We got to compete against each other, see who's the best every week (during September games). I think that's something that everybody wanted. But also a time to build that team bonding and team chemistry.

I think Zach (won) the most games, but it was like a tournament. So four different players won.

We want to do something special here and I think it starts by coming together, being around each other and then working together on and off the court, new team, new teammate, new mindset. I think playoffs is definitely an achievement that we want to accomplish. We know it's not going to be easy."

"I want to be able to play all 82 and even more into the playoffs. We (with Markkanen) want to be known as a great combo. We want to take our team to the playoffs. I don't think it's pressure. We expect to be there. On the (All-Star game) dunk contest, it's in the back of my mind. I've had that stage to where I played on Saturday. Obviously, I want to play on Sunday. We both want to play on Sunday. If my legs are at the right way, I feel like maybe I'll do it. (Markkanen smiles and says: "I'm not saying anything that he's doing it or anything like that, I've just seen the stuff he does."). We both played extremely well at times last year. I can speak for myself. I had an All-Star-caliber season, but I didn't take it as that because we didn't win. You're at the All-Star break and have 14 wins. I think everything comes with winning, and I want that to be more important. Because if we're in that position to where we're winning and we're playing the right way and we can make the playoffs, that's going to be enough validation for us being into that (All-Star) game. Let's be realistic, we're the main scouting report on the other team. That's respect from other teams. I draw double teams. He draws double teams. I want to be in that elite group conversation. I think I've put a footprint and took the right step last year, but I was trying to tell people, that's just the floor. Everything comes with winning. I think I'm on the right path."

"Just like Zach, my goal is to play all 82 games and be available every night. I'm trying to become a two-way player, work on my defense because I think that's the key to success – have multiple guys who do it on both ends. One thing we always talk about is the availability. I think the goal for all three of us – obviously Otto was just with us to the end of the year – is to play all 82. For me and Zach, obviously, they talk about becoming more on the defensive end. Just work on that and becoming two-way players. I think that's a big step we can take. Like he said, everything comes from winning. (He's) going into what, sixth year? I'm going into my third year. We haven't made it to the playoffs, haven't won a whole lot of games. That's one thing that I know really pisses both of us off. So we want to get to that winning record first. Obviously, that comes from us playing well and the whole team playing well together. It all starts with winning."

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Bulls talk playoff hopes at Media Day

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The Bulls are excited about what Coby White &amp; Daniel Gafford will bring to the table next year, but preached patience from fans to allow the rookies to develop their games at the NBA level.

We have a pretty good idea about Bulls second round draft pick Daniel Gafford, even if hardly anyone had heard of him before last Thursday. He's an athletic, dunking 6-11 center who, in his own words, "runs like a deer" and in NBA language is another version of Clint Capella, DeAndre Jordan and Nerlens Noel.

The Bulls with 6-10 Wendell Carter Jr. slated to start at center next season and free agent Robin Lopez unlikely to return, the bouncy 38th pick in the NBA draft seems like a comfortable and welcome fit for the Bulls.

"I'm mainly a center," the first Arkansas player to be drafted since Bobby Portis told reporters Monday at an introductory media session. "Sometimes, I try to be a forward, but I get ahead of myself a little bit. The Clint Capela comparison, I've been having that comparison ever since freshman year. I've watched his game a lot. I see similar aspects of our game. He does pick-and-roll situations, finishes around the basket, finishes through contact or at least tries to. He runs the floor like a deer. And he has built his game defense first and offense second. Some of those aspects are similarities."

Though the larger question for the Bulls coming off what they said was a successful draft night is just who is Coby White, the No. 7 overall selection from North Carolina, a flashy 6-5 guard who one day could be driving an exciting Bulls backcourt alongside Zach LaVine.

"I guess Coby White," the genial White said as he sat alongside new teammate Gafford, Bulls executive John Paxson and coach Jim Boylen.

Family members, friends and business partners filled the low slung bleachers along the side of the basketball court in the Bulls Advocate Center as White and Gafford met reporters, posed for pictures and began to get accustomed to the practice facility where they'll spend perhaps more time than sleeping these next few years.

Gafford, equally congenial and approachable and excited to be throwing out the first pitch at a Chicago White Sox game later this week, was expected by many to be a late first round selection last year. That he fell somewhat to No. 38, he admitted, was a bit of a disappointment. But in an encouraging sign of his maturity, he admitted he wasn't emotionally ready for NBA life last year, decided to return to school and has no regrets. You'd hope more youngsters maintained his perspective.

Paxson was quick to point out once you are in the NBA, you can excel no matter your draft position. Recent second rounders emphasize the point, like Draymond Green, Nikola Jokic, Patrick Beverley, Marc Gasol, Malcolm Brogdon and the aforementioned DeAndre Jordan.

Gafford, who turns 21 before the start of the season, appears to fill a role immediately for the Bulls as an athletic, defensive oriented center to support Carter. Gafford won't score much and never even attempted a three-point shot in two years at Arkansas. Though he set school records shooting 66 percent. He's very good from three inches away.

His models have become important players in the new spaced out, three-point shooting NBA in which a guard and big man run a high pick and roll. The center screens and then rolls, presumably taking with him a defensive player for a lob dunk if there is a switch or perhaps for a guard to pass for a corner three.

Which could be White, who may be the very important enigma for the Bulls.

White is a tall point guard — Boylen repeated several times about how vital his "positional size" is to the Bulls — who is fast and a competent shooter whom some talent evaluators ranked second among point guards in this draft to the highly regarded Ja Morant. Point guard Darius Garland from Vanderbilt, a more skilled facilitator but smaller, was selected No. 5 by Cleveland. Some believed White would be selected No. 6. So for all the disappointment of dropping to No. 7 in the May draft lottery, the Bulls believed they got a measure of providence with White being available at No. 7.

The Bulls were bubbling with enthusiasm, especially since Paxson said general manager Gar Forman was lighting up Paxson's phone after watching White blitz Texas for 33 points and seven threes in November.

"All I can tell you is Gar saw Coby play out in Las Vegas early in the year and my phone was blowing up with texts from Gar," Paxson said. "That was the moment he was on the radar for sure."

But just who is this kid as a basketball player?

White was one of the TV stars of the draft with his Bulls baseball cap sitting atop his expansive hairstyle like a small boat in the ocean. But especially for his passionate and animated response to hearing his teammate, Cam Johnson, also was a lottery pick. This sure looked and sounded like a great teammate. Plus, earlier in the week in the Players Tribune web site White wrote a touching dedicatory piece about his late father.

"He has a soul and a spirit, which I think is important, and he's been just awesome to deal with," Boylen said about White. "By the grace of God he fell to seven. I don't know how, but he did, and we're thankful for that. Moving onto Daniel, there's an art in the world of kind of knowing who you are, and he has a great feel for who he is as a player. He adds to our vertical spacing, he adds to our athleticism, our length, our competitiveness, and again (like White), he looks you in the eye when you talk to him. He has a great spirit, and so we've got two high-character guys that we targeted, and wanted, and got. So it's a great day for us."

Paxson was quick to attempt to lower expectations, and he was correct to do so. Especially regarding White, a 19-year-old who was a long shot to even be drafted this year coming into North Carolina last fall.

"I'll say this too about this process leading up to training camp," said Paxson. "These two young men, this is going to be their first experience with the NBA in any setting. We've had guys over the years who have been juniors and seniors in college who come in and Summer League can be difficult. You can struggle with the newness of the game and all that is thrown at you. Our goal is to put them in the best position to succeed."

"We're not going to judge anything on what happens in the next week or couple of weeks through Summer League," Paxson said. "We just want them to learn and grow. We had Ben Gordon. He struggled in Summer League (Paxson didn't add, but so did Derrick Rose). We've had guys like that. We all hope they go and light it up. But this is part of the process of getting them ingrained in the league and this organization and what we're about. We'll provide them with the support and resources."

But No. 7 get scrutiny, especially after a 22-win season, especially a point guard in this NBA era in which the point guard is the most important player, the center of the 1960s and 1970s. The previous four league MVPs have been point guards with Giannis Antetokounmpo winning this year, and he does the majority of the Bucks ball handling.

The teenager joins a team on which the incumbent point guard, Kris Dunn, who was a former No. 5 overall pick in the draft, is on shaky footing after two injury-plagued seasons. Can White win the job? Should he even be asked to given his age and experience? Sometimes success can come too fast for the long term benefit.

"I'm just coming in ready to compete," White said. "My whole life, I've competed for everything, I've earned everything I've got. When I came into Carolina, there were questions, 'Would I start?' I competed for that spot and I earned it, so it's not new to me."

The possibilities of a 6-5 flash like White playing with a super athlete like the 6-6 LaVine are tantalizing. Which with the 6-8 Otto Porter Jr., the seven foot Lauri Markkanen and the 6-10 Carter sets up that so called positional size Boylen talks about. Which, in theory, translates to improved defense.

But is it fair or even realistic to begin thinking about White in that regard?

The scouting reports have seen him more as a shooting guard trying to become more of a point guard. That doesn't translate often in the NBA. Though that's more of an antiquated description in the NBA. Guards primarily are scorers now with playmakers also at forward and center, often in setups teams consider "positionless."

White did acknowledge in college he played primarily at one speed—fast.

Which sounds entertaining, though most NBA offense comes out of half court play because NBA teams are too good at getting back in transition.

"At Carolina, coaches kind of wanted me to really just go one speed and that's fast all the time," White acknowledged. "I think coming into the league, I can use my change of speed and change of pace better. I've been trying to work on that a lot. Those two things are really key for me."

Though Boylen wasn't diminishing what a player with White's speed and abilities could do for the Bulls sometimes sluggish offense.

"The most important thing for us is when the ball is in his hands, we have to run with him," Boylen said. "We want to play faster. We want to play smart, but we want to play faster when it's appropriate. He's a guy that can make decisions on the move. We've got to get the rest of our team to run with him. That's going to be our job, and I'm excited for that. That was part of our meeting we had on how do we use his strengths of being able to push the ball and get the ball over the timeline as fast as anybody, I think, in the league right now. We're not going to put him in this box where he just has to play this way. We're going to use what he does well and we're also going to add to what we think he can do."

Which means probably patience, exploration, hope and anticipation.

Does this mean the Bulls have their starting five? Dunn still will have a say in that. Coby White has the size and speed. He figures to produce superlatives. Will it lead to success? And if so when? Or how much?

Paxson knows the Bulls hardly are a finished product despite the possibilities. And the anticipated free agency period which begins this weekend should lead to several veteran additions to the roster.

"We're in the process right now of evaluating the talent that's out there," said Paxson. "There's a lot of money out on the market this summer (for free agents) and a lot of teams are going to be out there spending. They'll be a tier that goes and then there will be some fallbacks. We have a very good idea of what we want. But we're going to have to wait until the 30th to go at it. We know we need to add some veterans. With that said, we also have Otto Porter and Zach. Lauri is entering his third year now. Through experience, there's some leadership that goes on through that. But definitely we're looking for a couple of veteran guys that fit well with this young group, be pros, show these guys every day what it means to be a professional. Most guys that last a long time in this league, they last because they've been pros. They take care of themselves, they've played well, they've done all the right things. And that's always best example for young players."

Paxson said he's seen some glimpses of that already from White.

The precocious point started the season uneasily, averaging 11 points against teams like St. Francis, Elon and Wofford. Then came the breakout game against Texas, but then a wakeup in the ACC with nine points and six turnovers on three of 14 shooting his first game at Duke.

"As we watched Coby and we talked a little about it when he was here, the first time he played at Duke, he kind of struggled," Paxson noted. "He talked about it when we did our background that he wasn't going to have that happen again and the next two times he played Duke, he had really good games and learned from it."

White had 21 points and four three pointers the next game against Duke. That was just after 34 points against Syracuse and 28 against Clemson to close out the regular season. But White then showed his age in the NCAA tournament, shooting 35 percent and 27 percent on threes.

"They're young men who have yet to experience the NBA," Paxson noted. "They're going to take some lumps along the way. But if they keep working and persevere---they're both very talented---we believe that combination of talent and ability to persevere and that heart and desire you're going to be a success that way. What that means, that's up to them. They're going to be as good as they want to be."

And so the work begins. The Bulls will have a closed mini-camp next week and then Summer League starting July 5 in Las Vegas.

"It hasn't sunk in yet," White admitted about coming to the NBA. "I'm still in awe. It just feels crazy to me just because of what I've been through and how this wasn't really the plan for me coming into college. So I think overall, it's obviously a blessing. I'm very excited, especially the organization I'm coming to. I still have a lot of stuff to work on. It hasn't really hit me yet. I'm still looking for that moment.

"I don't want to be compared to anyone," said White. "I don't know what else you want me to say. I'm Coby White."

white-gafford-make-strong-impression-on-first-day

White & Gafford Make Strong Impression on First Day

John Paxson feels that the Bulls draft night additions, Coby White &amp; Daniel Gafford, both set the team up well to continue to evolve to the changing pace of the NBA.

The amazing five-year championship run of the run and shoot Golden State Warriors' seems over, at least temporarily, with the injuries to Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson.

Get ready for Golden State East in Chicago?

"If you study our game, it is a quicker-paced more open game," Bulls Executive Vice-President of Basketball Operations John Paxson said late Thursday following the Bulls draft of speedy North Carolina guard Coby White. "He can run, he's fast and can spot up and shoot it. We're trying to build a team to play effectively in today's modern game.

"In today's game," Paxson emphasized, "I don't know how many pure points we really have anymore. Most really good point guards have an effective scoring component to them. You have to play faster in today's game, get the ball up the floor; this man can play an uptempo game.

Watch as the Bulls select Coby White with the 7th pick of the 2019 NBA Draft

See Coby (and Zach and Lauri and Wendell) run; run Coby run.

"Coby can run, he can shoot the ball," said Paxson. "He at North Carolina as a freshman took on a leadership role with older guys. You have to score the ball in this day and age. When we think back to two years ago draft night what we've done, we've added a lot of really good pieces. We feel we've made a significant jump. Now it's up to our players to get better and perform at a high level. These two players (with second round selection center Daniel Gafford) embody that competitiveness (coach) Jim (Boylen) wants to see and have on our basketball team.

And so the Bulls move onto free agency in July with an eye toward supplementing their young roster with perhaps a pair of veteran free agents. Though Paxson reiterated that incumbent point guard Kris Dunn still remains in the team's plans.

"We still value Kris very much," Paxson said. "We have not given up on Kris. He's a good basketball player. But competition is part of this business. The goal is to be deeper, more talented. We respect Kris Dunn. We want him to come in and work. If he comes in and is ready to work he has the chance to earn any spot he wants."

Though the Bulls future with the draft night acquisitions of the offensive oriented White and defensive, shot blocking big man Gafford begin to present a picture of a new style Bulls team, one committed more to a faster pace of play, more scoring and shooting with the likes of Lauri Markkanen at forward with Otto Porter Jr. and the possibilities with two of the fastest and most athletic players in the NBA in Zach LaVine and White.

Paxson was quick to emphasize White is just 19 and that point guard is a difficult and complicated position. Though with a philosophy of various players making plays out of the backcourt with the ball handling abilities of LaVine, Markkanen and Porter and perhaps even Wendell Carter Jr., Paxson was creating a vision for the sort of high powered offensive team unknown to the Bulls franchise. Though popularized throughout the NBA in recent years and almost perfected with the three-time champion Warriors.

The focus of that desire comes with the addition of a player like White.

White falling to the Bulls at No. 7 in the draft was somewhat unexpected. But with trades, Minnesota moved ahead of the Bulls and selected shooting guard Jarrett Culver instead of a point guard, as expected. The Bulls leaped to grab White and then found Gafford in the second round as a lean 6-10 shot blocker who could match up with the taller centers.

White, though, eventually could be the turning point for the Bulls in finally establishing both a transition game and a transition from the play of the past.

"Very excited about them," said Paxson. "Point guard, shooting guard, as you know in our league today, lead guards tend to score and do a lot of different things on the floor. We feel he has the ability to score, handle. He's quick, fast, has positional size at 6-5. And Daniel Gafford is a tough minded young guy who can run the floor and protect the rim.

"He's (White) a 19-year-old young man; we have to keep that in mind," Paxson reminded. "Most of the guys in this draft are not finished products; not even close. Do we believe he will learn and grow? Absolutely. All our background on him is he is the type of young man who will take the challenge. Our job is to develop him and help him develop to be the best player he can be.

Coby White with a special message for all of Bulls Nation

"It's going to be a process, but feel we've added to our talent base and feel confident going into free agency and adding what can be really valuable pieces to this group," said Paxson. "We're still very young. We know this offseason we have to address some veteran players who can fit into the group we have, help us win basketball games. We're real excited about the possibilities, but this league is competitive. We've always understood it's difficult when you are young, but you can't keep using that excuse. We're looking to improve and be a team that competes every night because there are times we haven't competed at the level we need to.

"It's just a start to the offseason for us," said Paxson, "but we feel it's a really good start."

john-paxson-pleased-with-bulls-draft-night-additions

John Paxson Pleased with Bulls' Draft Night Additions

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