It's going to look like I'm just saying this because of one game. In tonight's preseason opener, Taj Gibson put up 19 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, hustling on the offensive glass, finishing around the rim, and hitting jumpshots from 10, 13 and 18 feet. Since this was our first taste of Bulls basketball in several months, and we're starved enough to eat our own faces (not faeces), we're going to be prone to overreaction at the slightest little thing.
But I'm really not basing it on just one game. I was going to write this about a month ago, actually, before being distracted by some shiny metal objects. After tonight's performance, though, what I was going to say holds doubly true; Taj Gibson can play.
I didn't want the Bulls to draft Taj Gibson. I don't think many people did, either. Drafting a 24 year old with a solid but unspectacular college career in the first round is rarely a good idea, especially when the most obvious candidate that fits our needs (DeJuan Blair) has flukishly slipped down the draft after reports of the state of his knees began to surface. I wanted Blair. Quite badly, in fact. I would also have been happy with Sam Young (great forehead and pump-fake combo), Wayne Ellington (the next Voshon Lenard) or Danny Green (the next kind of poor Shane Battier). But not Taj.
So yes, I sulked.
Nevertheless, after a week or two of gentle sobbing, I decided to start liking the Taj pick. I went back and watched all the USC games I had on file, and it didn't take long to come around on Taj, because the man I had foolishly labelled as a one dimensional shot blocker demonstrated facets to his game that I hadn't previously acknowledged.
Taj was an inexplicably bad defensive rebounder in college (often the case with shot blockers), and he didn't provide a great deal on offense either. He couldn't post up with much success, shot poorly from the free throw line, demonstrated no perimeter abilities, could be outmuscled for position, and turned it over too much. But while these remain valid concerns, they also don't tell the whole story; as demonstrated tonight, Gibson has a solid mid range jumpshot which he's not afraid to use, and he's also a decent finisher in the paint.
More importantly, while his defensive rebounding is sub standard, his offensive rebounding is highly potent. He can pass out of the post or into it, and his athleticism facilitates not only his shot blocking but his offense, getting him some looks around the rim and enabling him to draw foul shots. His age stunts his potential, but it also makes him fairly poised; while he still fouls quite a bit (occupational hazard for a shot blocker) and turns it over too much (his offense is not exactly fluid), Taj also doesn't make a huge amount of mistakes, knowing where to be and what shots to take, as demonstrated by his terrific efficiency (boasting a 62% true shooting percentage in his senior season).
He may not have upside, and people in the first round should have upside. But he can play, and he can contribute. With the 26th pick in a weak draft, that's a result.
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Tags: chicago bulls, Sorry About That, Taj Gibson
I almost cried when we drafted him. We passed on soo much talent but now im confused. I dont know if its the lack of basketball or what. But I feel as though if he played as poised as he did tonite, he could replace TT in a trade or even next year if we decide not to keep him. Not saying I dont want TT but saying I thought Taj was that good.
Taj is almost certainly lever going to be a starting calibre power forward in the NBA. But the more we look at it, the more we see a rotation-calibre player. Considering how low our colelctive opinions of him were, that's quite the improvement.
My feeling on it was that, after last night, I'm completely supportive of him being on the team and picking up some minutes. If he plays like this in a few more games, I'll start wanting him to get regular rotation minutes this year. He was much better than I ever would have expected last night, but it was also preseason game #1 and against the mighty Pacers. That's not to take anything away from him making the most of his opportunity last night, just that I'm no more ready to crown him the steal of the draft after that one game than I am to write off JJ after that one game.
young PJ Brown.
I didn't see the game, live in San Diego, so I can only go by the press reports.
However, I was on record before the draft as listing Gibson as my choice at 26 if we didn't go for a guard. However, I must admit that I made that pick on the assumption that Blair would be gone before 26, maybe even to the Bulls at 16. Had the 2 been on the board at the same time it would have been hard to pass on Blair.
I see Taj as a Joe Smith type player, which coming from the 26th pick would not be a bad thing at all. Obviously, the first preseason game means virtually nothing, but he was still playing against NBA competition, it is more meaningfull than summer league.
There are always a couple of guys from the late first round and even the second round that surprise and become real players, so maybe we will luck out and Taj will turn out to be one of them.
Taj Gibson does not have an upside?? I disagree! His age and experience may be his key to his good performance. He did not look like a rookie. Hopefully Johnson can pick it up too. Both of the rookies can push Deng and Thomas!!! It was nice to Deng working hard.
Hey, how did you like No-Shot Noah's jumper, his shots are always provide every one with some laughs! Maybe Joakim can ask Taj for shooting tips!!
Joakim looks so much more powerful with his extra 5-6 pounds, yeah right.
IF Thomas had Noah's intagibles(motor, BB IQ) or maybe even Gibson's he would be Amare, however, it appears virtually impossible to teach or acquire intagibles once you have reached the NBA, that is why so few potential guys ever make it in any sport.
"Taj was an inexplicably bad defensive rebounder in college (often the case with shot blockers), and he didn't provide a great deal on offense either. He couldn't post up with much success, shot poorly from the free throw line, demonstrated no perimeter abilities, could be outmuscled for position, and turned it over too much."
Ahhh, that made me cringe. Those are some glaring red flags when articulated like that. My bball-enthusiast friend from USC watched a lot of Taj Gibson and echoed some of those same thoughts, albeit with more profane adjectives haha.
That said, tonite's performance looked to be an impressive one by all accounts (wasn't able to watch the game). I would be happy to have a hustle big guy like him to come off the bench. Him being 24 is a nice quality to me as he should be poised enough to come in right away and contribute... and every team needs bench guys like that.
Conclusion: Like some of you imply, I am similarly warming up to Taj Gibson. I'm eager 2 see how the rest of the preseason pans out for him.
I have seen nothing but good things from him. Sometimes you can just tell a guy can play and I think with Taj you can honestly say, he's smart, he has a decent 15 footer and he works the boards. I agree with King he might be a steal.
Oh and the fact that he's 24 bothers people?Whyyyy? Because he stayed in school and developed? I just don't get that. Tyrus Thomas is still trying to figure it out so I like the Taj Gibson pick.
Doug the the Stat man,
No-Shot Noah has his best games against weak teams. Stacey King has pointed that out repeatedly!
Joakim is still a weakling, you will see him being blocked out and neutered against good teams. Again, he is too lazy to muscle up in order to get better. No-Shot's 5-6 pound weight gain is laughable for a guy his size and I don't believe that it is true. His track record for getting in to shape is shameful.
Taj Gibson in his first preseason out performed
Noah and Gibson is an offensive weapon. Noah is a joke!
How many fouls did the Florida fairy get in this game. Is he winded already and too tired to move his feet and get into proper position to play his position.
Not for nothing, but I bet that Noah can out bench Thomas, as well as most of the other Bulls, despite the disadvantage of being a 7 footer.
In fact my money's on Noah besting Thomas and Alex's combined bench press, as well as their combined IQ's
Based on potential Thomas is one of my favorites, unlike No-Shot Noah he has his own trainer and works to get better and lifts to get stronger!!
Thomas better crank it up, if he doesn't Taj Gibson will take his spot. It is do or die for Thomas! Hopefully Johnson was pressing and he will come around and put more heat on Thomas.
Thomas' jump shots were disappointing but not as funny as Joakim's spastic shots.
You know, it's actually somewhat helpful to know that you value potential more than on-court performance. I'll keep that in mind when I read your Joakim-bashing posts.
Yes, players with potential are great! I hope and wish that Gibson and Johnson surpass Thomas !!
What does a player without potential look like in the box score:
2 points from the floor while at the same time being out scored 46-18 in the paint where you were supposed to be the big time defensive center in the deciding playoff game.
Isn't that a joke. In French you call it a Joakim. Throw in the fact that No-Shot Noah does not and will not have any offensive skills and that he gets pushed around as if he were on roller skates.
Noah is lazy, he had plenty of time to bulk up and get stronger and he chose to be the same old fairy from Florida!
Focus on Noah in the paint, he can't get or hold his positiion. If you do that and you will want a rookie in there with potential too.
The NBA catches up to weaklings and guys lacking in skills retty quickly. Noah is a target even with out the Bozo suit!!!!!!!!!!!
I watched the game and was really impressed with Gibson. He played a complete game, no doubt about it!
Doug, I wanted Blair as well, and I was happy as hell to see Blair there when it came time for us to announce our pick.
I admit, I didnt see much of Gibson in college.
He did well last night, so well that I question if we had even won the game had TT not gotten his concussion?
I am eager to see what he does against Utah, a team that has some decent power forwards.
Thomas switched trainers primarily because his previous trainer, the same guy that Noah works with tried to get Thomas to work on his game near the basket, when all Thomas wants to do is jack up jump shots, which by the way is the lazy out of shape mans game.
Obviously No-Shot Noah's trainer could not even spell weights, let alone show Noah the Joakim how to use them.
Thomas is getting moved closer to the dumpster by the mature Gibson. The over paid and over rated Hinrich is already stuck in that dumpster but no one will pay all that money to get him out and on another team.
Alex, how do you feel about Joakim Noah? Do yout hink he's had a good offseason?
Hey Mark, No-Shot Noah spent a lot time in England filling up on bangers and mash and trifle. Joakin said that he gained 5-6 pounds.
The bangers were greasy and that is why he can't
traction and keeps sliding around in the paint.
Focus on this froggie's shooting, hilarious !
Cheers!
Doug the stat man, don't you know that the only important statistic is ones individual scoring average, especially Ben Gordons, rebounds and blocks, especially from the center position are totally insignificant.
For the life of me, I can't understand why that Riley guy once coined the phrase "Rebounds equals Rings", what a moron.
Just incase it doesn't come through in writing, I am dripping in sarcasm at the moment, guess whom might be the target of said sarcasm.
funny thing, but the game that Taj just played sounds earily similar to a Lamarcus Alridge game with more effort and energy on the boards.
I WANTED the Bulls to draft Taj and said it openly. I saw him play out in Cali multiple times. He always had energy, dominated others in the post, very few mistakes and was never afraid. He is the same age as Deng, gives us another look and probably play center when we go small. He will be in the rotation. I still would rather have someone other that JJ, the center from Ohio State comes to mind to start training for the day Miller leaves.
I feel ya brother, I was a Mullens guy at 16, got my fingers crossed on Johnson.