The Chicago Bulls selected Cameron Bairstow with the No. 49 pick in the draft last night, and the reaction consisted of comments in the vain of:
“They drafted another white guy?!”
Well, the former 6’10” power forward of the New Mexico Lobos might actually have a role with the Bulls come next season.
Bairstow started during his junior and senior seasons, including 20.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in his final stint in New Mexico. He also shot the ball efficiently in his senior campaign, knocking down 55% of his shots.
Bulls GM Gar Forman said, right after the draft completed, that the team was actually trying to move up to make sure that they landed Bairstow.
“He’s another guy that fits our culture,” Forman said.
“He’s a strong physical player, with a great skill level- can shoot the mid range jumper. Experience, played in international competition.”
If the Bulls learned one thing after last season’s disappointing finish, it’s that they need to have depth in the playoffs; Tom Thibodeau was basically running out a seven-man rotation during their first-round loss to the Washington Wizards. While the head coach doesn’t like to use rookies much, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to see if Bairstow can handle some minutes in spurts throughout the regular season.
“Great fit for us, addresses some of our needs,” Thibs said of the Bulls draft picks shortly after the draft concluded.
Fans will also be able to see the inside and outside game that Bairstow possesses.
“With 28% of his offense coming from post-ups on 1.08 points per possession, as well as 29.4% of his offense coming from jump shots at an incredible 1.04 points per possession, few had the inside-outside game that Bairstow flashed,” DraftExpress.com stated.
At 252 pounds, the big man can certainly put the ball on the deck against other second units, as well as show a flashy game from outside the paint, shooting 63.8% with shots between 17 feet and the 3-point line (DraftExpress.com) and 33% from behind the arc.
Whether Bairstow ends up being a solid player for the Bulls or not, there’s one thing Bulls fans won’t have to hear from him throughout the season: “Grab dat, Joe!”