E’Twaun Moore grew up a Chicago Bulls fan.
Today he joined the team.
The 6-4, 191 pound guard hails from East Chicago, Indiana, so this is literally “living the dream.” Moore worked out at the Berto Center (the Bulls’ practice facility in Deerfield, IL) right before the NBA Draft, and The Sports Bank asked him then what kind of feedback the Bulls gave him.
“Told me to be myself and try to get as strong as I can,” Moore said.
He said the feedback was similar to what he had heard from other franchises at the time. He ended up a second-round pick by the Boston Celtics and eventually settled in with the Orlando Magic. Last he averaged 6.3 points and 1.4 assists in 19.1 minutes per game. Today GM Gar Forman did his best Britney Spears impersonation saying “gimme gimme Moore, gimme Moore” with a deal that is reportedly for two years; first year containing a 50 percent guarantee.
E’twaun Moore will back up Derrick Rose and Aaron Brooks at the point; and/or Jimmy Butler and Tony Snell at the two guard. His main job will be to knock down threes as he shot 35.3% last year from distance.
Obviously, perimeter scoring is an area where the Bulls could use some help.
Working out at the Berto Center in 2011, and seeing the six championship banners inspired E’Twaun.
“I saw all that memorabilia…exciting to be in the same place with all that greatness. Definitely gives me motivation.”
Now he has his opportunity of a lifetime. E’Twaun Moore gets a chance to establish himself in the league following a very storied collegiate career. He led the Purdue Boilermakers in scoring in each of his first three seasons on the West Lafayette campus, the first member of the Boilermakers to do so since Troy Lewis in ’86-’88.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partners with Fox Sports and Yahoo. Read his features stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks) His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN2.