Let's talk about these UCLA kids for a minute. No, I'm not talking about Lonzo Ball and his younger brothers, who've both already committed to the Bruins. Unless the Bulls front office pulls a shocking move and trades Jimmy Butler for a lottery pick, the eldest Ball brother will be long gone by the time Chicago's on the clock with the 16th pick of the 2017 draft. And I'm more than okay with that. Honestly, I get hives just thinking about LaVar Ball parading around Chicago with his big stupid mouth like he suddenly owned our town. Please, just shut up already.
No, I'm talking about two guys who helped Lonzo turn UCLA's basketball program around this season. They don't get nearly as much attention as their teammate (or his father), but they are projected to be first round selections for good reason. Depending how the lottery picks pan out, either or them could be there for the Bulls at 16.
For all of the praise heaped on Lonzo in his one season with the Bruins, power forward T.J. Leaf actually scored more points (16.3) and grabbed more rebounds (8.2) per game. He also led the team in field goal percentage (61.7%) and three point percentage (46.6%) while chipping in 2.4 assists and 1.1 blocks. This kid can do it all.
Leaf would be a phenomenal fit in coach Fred Hoiberg's system. UCLA's offense this season very closely resembled the "pace and space" style that the Mayor ran at Iowa State and is trying to run with the Bulls. At 6'10 with sharpshooting ability, T.J. is the ideal stretch four for today's NBA and Hoiberg's roster. You know, the role Nikola Mirotic and/or Bobby Portis were supposed to play this season?
As long as we're comparing Leaf to those two, he already appears to have a more versatile offensive game. Not only can he crash the glass with impeccable timing, but he has good hands (something that sadly cannot be said about Niko or Bobby.) T.J. can score from the block by posting and facing up his defenders. Portis still can't do much from that spot. The UCLA freshman also has excellent court vision and passing ability for a guy his size. How many times did we shake our heads at an errant and inexplicable pass from Niko this season?
Speaking of those passing skills, Leaf uses them beautifully in transition. He's confident enough as a ballhandler to start the fastbreak on the dribble, and is capable of making long outlet passes or cross-court passes through traffic. Just as impressive is his willingness to get out and run in transition, sprinting ahead of the ball carrier to receive passes for full-steam attacks on the rim. Hoiberg's offense needs bigs who can run the floor and finish in a variety of ways, including from range. Leaf offers all of that.
Defensively, he's got some work to do. His lateral quickness isn't great, and he struggled with pick and roll situations. Physically, he isn't strong enough to defend the NBA's larger power forwards or centers on the block. But he can provide decent rim protection with his height and reach. The defensive footwork and muscle should come along over time.
To watch T.J. Leaf's scouting video from DraftExpress, click here.
Now let's take a look at the UCLA kid who could become a defensive monster in the NBA.
When I said kid, I really meant it. Ike Anigbogu won't turn 19 until late October when his first NBA season is beginning. Despite his youth, he played a vital role off the bench for the Bruins as a freshman. Ike's stats weren't dazzling (4.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks) but impressive for just 13 minutes per contest behind junior center Thomas Welsh.
The physical tools are undoubtedly there. Anigbogu not only has great length (6'10, 7'3 wingspan) but is a muscular 250 pounds with a strong lower body. His combination of strength and agility allows him to be an absolute terror on the offensive glass. He has a very quick second jump, which he uses for multiple effort plays. It's incredibly valuable on both ends of the floor, providing extra possessions on offense and consecutive blocks on defense. Think peak Joakim Noah or Dennis Rodman.
Like his fellow Bruin big man Leaf, Ike runs the floor very well for his size. He has long and powerful strides, which he uses to outrun his man in transition and fastbreak situations. If Anigbogu gets a full head of steam, rims beware. In addition to the full court game, he moves very well in halfcourt sets either creating space for the ballhandler or running to the rim for lobs.
Ike's greatest NBA upside is on the defensive end. Yes, he's a prime candidate for block parties. Beyond that, he can cover ground quickly with his length and recovers well if he's beaten off the dribble. His timing when contesting shots is impressive. Perhaps his most useful defensive trait is the ability to handle a variety of pick and roll situations. The kid can switch and contest around the perimeter or drop back to cut off a driving lane. With his thick frame, defending larger post-up forwards isn't a problem. Anigbogu holds his ground.
Given his brief collegiate experience and young age, Anigbogu is definitely a project in need of coaching and development. The flaws are ones you'd expect from someone so raw. His zealous defense leads to bad fouls and he can find himself out of position by not communicating with his teammates. Offensively, he isn't comfortable shooting from anywhere outside the paint. But those are all things he can improve upon over time.
To watch Ike Anigbogu's scouting video from DraftExpress, click here.
These two Southern California kids don't fit the typical mold of Gar Forman and John Paxson draft picks. They both have just one year of college experience coming into the draft. But if Denzel Valentine (a four-year player at Michigan State) couldn't crack the rotation, it might serve them well to ease up on that philosophy. Given the current state of the roster, power forward and center aren't the team's biggest needs. But remember, Mirotic might leave in free agency and so might Cristiano Felicio. If both of them bolt, suddenly the Bulls frontcourt looks anemic behind Robin Lopez and Portis.
Leaf perfectly fits the mold of the modern NBA's stretch four. Anigbogu has the potential to be a defensive stud and a terror on the offensive glass. They both love to run the floor in transition and come from a UCLA team that played an offense very similar to Hoiberg's. If either player is still available when the time comes, GarPax would be wise to draft him.
The Bulls could also choose to take a wing or guard to help this range-thirsty squad, and there are plenty of talented players at those positions too. I'd be fine with that. But please, gentlemen. Whatever you do, keep LaVar Ball the hell away from Chicago.
T.J. Leaf - PF
For all of the praise heaped on Lonzo in his one season with the Bruins, power forward T.J. Leaf actually scored more points (16.3) and grabbed more rebounds (8.2) per game. He also led the team in field goal percentage (61.7%) and three point percentage (46.6%) while chipping in 2.4 assists and 1.1 blocks. This kid can do it all.
Leaf would be a phenomenal fit in coach Fred Hoiberg's system. UCLA's offense this season very closely resembled the "pace and space" style that the Mayor ran at Iowa State and is trying to run with the Bulls. At 6'10 with sharpshooting ability, T.J. is the ideal stretch four for today's NBA and Hoiberg's roster. You know, the role Nikola Mirotic and/or Bobby Portis were supposed to play this season?
As long as we're comparing Leaf to those two, he already appears to have a more versatile offensive game. Not only can he crash the glass with impeccable timing, but he has good hands (something that sadly cannot be said about Niko or Bobby.) T.J. can score from the block by posting and facing up his defenders. Portis still can't do much from that spot. The UCLA freshman also has excellent court vision and passing ability for a guy his size. How many times did we shake our heads at an errant and inexplicable pass from Niko this season?
Speaking of those passing skills, Leaf uses them beautifully in transition. He's confident enough as a ballhandler to start the fastbreak on the dribble, and is capable of making long outlet passes or cross-court passes through traffic. Just as impressive is his willingness to get out and run in transition, sprinting ahead of the ball carrier to receive passes for full-steam attacks on the rim. Hoiberg's offense needs bigs who can run the floor and finish in a variety of ways, including from range. Leaf offers all of that.
Defensively, he's got some work to do. His lateral quickness isn't great, and he struggled with pick and roll situations. Physically, he isn't strong enough to defend the NBA's larger power forwards or centers on the block. But he can provide decent rim protection with his height and reach. The defensive footwork and muscle should come along over time.
To watch T.J. Leaf's scouting video from DraftExpress, click here.
Now let's take a look at the UCLA kid who could become a defensive monster in the NBA.
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Ike Anigbogu - C
When I said kid, I really meant it. Ike Anigbogu won't turn 19 until late October when his first NBA season is beginning. Despite his youth, he played a vital role off the bench for the Bruins as a freshman. Ike's stats weren't dazzling (4.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks) but impressive for just 13 minutes per contest behind junior center Thomas Welsh.
The physical tools are undoubtedly there. Anigbogu not only has great length (6'10, 7'3 wingspan) but is a muscular 250 pounds with a strong lower body. His combination of strength and agility allows him to be an absolute terror on the offensive glass. He has a very quick second jump, which he uses for multiple effort plays. It's incredibly valuable on both ends of the floor, providing extra possessions on offense and consecutive blocks on defense. Think peak Joakim Noah or Dennis Rodman.
Like his fellow Bruin big man Leaf, Ike runs the floor very well for his size. He has long and powerful strides, which he uses to outrun his man in transition and fastbreak situations. If Anigbogu gets a full head of steam, rims beware. In addition to the full court game, he moves very well in halfcourt sets either creating space for the ballhandler or running to the rim for lobs.
Ike's greatest NBA upside is on the defensive end. Yes, he's a prime candidate for block parties. Beyond that, he can cover ground quickly with his length and recovers well if he's beaten off the dribble. His timing when contesting shots is impressive. Perhaps his most useful defensive trait is the ability to handle a variety of pick and roll situations. The kid can switch and contest around the perimeter or drop back to cut off a driving lane. With his thick frame, defending larger post-up forwards isn't a problem. Anigbogu holds his ground.
Given his brief collegiate experience and young age, Anigbogu is definitely a project in need of coaching and development. The flaws are ones you'd expect from someone so raw. His zealous defense leads to bad fouls and he can find himself out of position by not communicating with his teammates. Offensively, he isn't comfortable shooting from anywhere outside the paint. But those are all things he can improve upon over time.
To watch Ike Anigbogu's scouting video from DraftExpress, click here.
These two Southern California kids don't fit the typical mold of Gar Forman and John Paxson draft picks. They both have just one year of college experience coming into the draft. But if Denzel Valentine (a four-year player at Michigan State) couldn't crack the rotation, it might serve them well to ease up on that philosophy. Given the current state of the roster, power forward and center aren't the team's biggest needs. But remember, Mirotic might leave in free agency and so might Cristiano Felicio. If both of them bolt, suddenly the Bulls frontcourt looks anemic behind Robin Lopez and Portis.
Leaf perfectly fits the mold of the modern NBA's stretch four. Anigbogu has the potential to be a defensive stud and a terror on the offensive glass. They both love to run the floor in transition and come from a UCLA team that played an offense very similar to Hoiberg's. If either player is still available when the time comes, GarPax would be wise to draft him.
The Bulls could also choose to take a wing or guard to help this range-thirsty squad, and there are plenty of talented players at those positions too. I'd be fine with that. But please, gentlemen. Whatever you do, keep LaVar Ball the hell away from Chicago.Comments
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