Chicago Bulls: 3 lessons learned from the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery
2. Good teams build through the draft, champions develop their talent
A good subtitle for this point would be: Tanking isn’t the answer. Ask the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers how they’re feeling after the lottery. Teams that rely on ping pong balls to build rosters often see themselves in the lottery time and time again.
There’s a reason we see the same teams in the lottery every spring. To be fair, the Bulls were hoping to not be in the lottery this year after their misguided attempt at filling cap space with Jabari Parker. However, injuries and inconsistency landed them in the land of Hail Marys and ping pong balls once again.
Good teams develop the talent they have on hand, and not all stars are high lottery picks. For example, in the 2011 NBA Draft, Kemba Walker was selected ninth overall, Klay Thompson 11th, Kawhi Leonard 15th and Jimmy Butler 30th.
If teams do their homework before the draft, emphasize scouting and develop their young players post-draft, they’re much more likely to find success.
“We are confident we will get a player we can add. This is about building a team. I am always confident we’re going to find value where we draft.” - EVP of Basketball Operations, John Paxson
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) May 15, 2019
Of course, building a championship-level roster requires a bit of luck. A coin flip sent Magic Johnson to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979, instead of the Chicago Bulls, who had the second pick that year. If that coin lands differently, the history of the league is forever altered.
For the Chicago Bulls, they should find value with this selection. But it’s time they start focusing on establishing a winning culture in the Windy City again. Talent alone won’t win games in today’s game, especially with the new draft lottery odds being flattened. Chemistry, culture, and stability are all integral parts of a championship franchise.