Looking back at the Chicago Bulls’ biggest NBA Draft misses since the franchise won their last NBA Championship, in 1998
Over the last two decades, the Chicago Bulls have struggled to remain relevant. And when it finally felt that the Bulls had gotten things right, via the NBA Draft, by hitting on Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler, a number of key injuries to each of those players (and eventually traded both of them) derailed that hope.
As the Bulls sit at 3-9 destined for a high lottery pick, again, we take a look back a few of the biggest NBA Draft misses since their last NBA Championship.
1999 NBA Draft
Drafted:
1. Elton Brand, Duke
Brand was a pretty good pick by the Bulls. The Co-Rookie of the Year averaged over 20 points a game in his two seasons with the Bulls before a terrible trade for Tyson Chandler and Brian Skinner sent him to the Los Angeles Clippers.
16. Ron Artest, St. John’s
The defensive-minded Ron Artest was a solid player for the Bulls, but he was no Manu Ginobili. He averaged 11-15 points in each of his three seasons with the Bulls.
32. Michael Ruffin, Tulsa
Michael Ruffin averaged two points a game in both of his seasons with the Bulls.
49. Lari Ketner, UMass
Lari Ketner averaged 1.7 points in his six games with the Bulls. Can you believe he was drafted eight picks before Manu Ginobili?
Passed up:
7. Richard Hamilton, UConn
Richard Hamilton became a three-time All-Star who helped lead the Detroit Pistons to the 2004 NBA championship.
8. Shawn Marion, UNLV
Shawn Marion was a solid NBA player who averaged 17-21 points a game seven out of his first eight seasons.
57. Manu Ginobili, Argentina
Manu Ginobili is likely a future Hall of Famer who helped lead the San Antonio Spurs to four NBA championships. Oh yeah, he is the reason why the Euro Step is so popular in the NBA. Enough said!