Bulls First-Round Draft Picks

 

Arturas Karnisovas surprised many observers this week when he made Florida State forward Patrick Williams the first draft pick of his tenure as the Bulls' president of basketball operations. 

How does a player who did not start in college end up going fourth overall in the NBA draft? Well, Karnisovas had an answer for that. ‘‘I just think that the more study you do on Patrick,’’ Karnisovas said, ‘‘the more you realize that this is what the NBA is today. We need players in our league that can play multiple positions. He’s an elite athlete. He showed that in college. He wasn’t as consistent, but he was at such a young age and started to pick up at the end of the season.’’

The six-foot-eight, 225-pound Williams was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshman team and was also the conference's Sixth Man of the Year. 

    

MICHAEL JORDAN

 

It seems safe to say that Williams won't go down as the greatest draft pick in Bulls history, because that honor is reserved for a man who wore number 23 and led the Bulls to six world championships. That man, Michael Jordan, is to date the only Hall of Famer among the 63 first-round picks that preceded Williams. Scottie Pippen, another Hall of Famer, was selected by the Seattle Supersonics with the fifth overall pick and traded to the Bulls the same day in 1987. Elton Brand (1999) and Derrick Rose (2008) are the only players selected by the Bulls with the first overall pick in the NBA draft.

Below is the complete list of Bulls first-round draft choices over the years. Each player's overall draft position is in parentheses, and an asterisk indicates a Hall of Famer.

 

1966 - Dave Schellhase, Purdue (10)
1967 - Clem Haskins, Western Kentucky (3)
1968 - Tom Boerwinkle, Tennessee (4)
1969 - Larry Cannon, LaSalle (5)

 

1970 - Jimmy Collins, New Mexico State (11)

1971 - Kennedy McIntosh, Eastern Michigan (15)

1972 - Ralph Simpson, Michigan State (11)

1973 - Kevin Kunnert, Iowa (12)

1974 - Maurice Lucas, Marquette (14)

1974 - Cliff Pondexter, California State - Long Beach (16)

1975 - none 

1976 - Scott May, Indiana (2)

1977 - Tate Armstrong, Duke (13)

1978 - Reggie Theus, UNLV (9)

1979 - David Greenwood, UCLA (2)

 

1980 - Kelvin Ransey, Ohio State (4)

1981 - Orlando Woolridge, Notre Dame (6)

1982 - Quintin Dailey, San Francisco (7)

1983 - Sidney Green, UNLV (5)

1984 - Michael Jordan, North Carolina (3)*

1985 - Keith Lee, Memphis State (11)

1986 - Brad Sellers, Ohio State (9)

1987 - Olden Polynice, Virginia (8)

1987 - Horace Grant, Clemson (10)

1988 - Will Perdue, Vanderbilt (11)

1989 - Stacey King, Oklahoma (6)
1989 - B.J. Armstrong, Iowa (18) 

1989 - Jeff Sanders, Georgia Southern (20)

 

1990 - none

1991 - Mark Randall, Kansas (26)

1992 - Byron Houston, Oklahoma State (27)

1993 - Corie Blount, Cincinnati (25)

1994 - Dickey Simpkins, Providence (21)

1995 - Jason Caffey, Alabama (20)

1996 - Travis Knight, Connecticut (29)

1997 - Keith Booth, Maryland (28)

1998 - Corey Benjamin, Oregon State (28) 

1999 - Elton Brand, Duke (1)
1999 - Ron Artest, St. John's (16)

 

2000 - Marcus Fizer, Iowa State (4)
2000 - Chris Mihm, Texas (7)
2000 - Dalibor Bagaric, Benston Zagreb - Croatia (24)
2001 - Eddy Curry, Thornwood High School, Illinois (4)
2002 - Jay Williams, Duke (2)
2003 - Kirk Hinrich, Kansas (7)
2004 - Ben Gordon, Connecticut (3)

2005 - none
2006 - LaMarcus Aldridge, Texas (2)
2006 - Rodney Carney, Memphis (16)
2007 - Joakim Noah, Florida (9)
2008 - Derrick Rose, Memphis (1)

2009 - James Johnson, Wake Forest (16)

2009 - Taj Gibson, USC (26)

 

2010 - Kevin Seraphin, Cholet Basket - France (17)

2011 - Norris Cole, Cleveland State (28)

2011 - Jimmy Butler, Marquette (30)

2012 - Marquis Teague, Kentucky (29)

2013 - Tony Snell, New Mexico (20)

2014 - Jusuf Nurkic, Cedevita Zagreb - Croatia (16)

2014 - Gary Harris, Michigan State (19)

2015 - Bobby Portis, Arkansas (22)

2016 - Denzel Valentine, Michigan State (14)

2017 - Justin Patton, Creighton (16)

2018 - Wendell Carter Jr., Duke (7)

2018 - Chandler Hutchison, Boise State (22)

2019 - Coby White, North Carolina (7)

 

2020 - Patrick Williams, Florida State (4)

Check out our book Heydays: Great Stories in Chicago Sports on Amazon. 

 

Worth a Thousand Words: Theo Epstein

From 1908 on, generations of Cubs fans came and went, each of them hoping, wishing, and praying to see their favorite ballclub win another world championship. After a very long wait, the blessed event finally came to pass. In the photograph below, the man who did more than anyone else to make it happen — Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein — holds the 2016 World Series Championship trophy.

 

THEO EPSTEIN

 

     Epstein announced this afternoon that he was leaving the Cubs after nine years and handing the reins to longtime general manager Jed Hoyer, whom Epstein hired two days after he himself was hired by owner Tom Ricketts in 2011. 

     Where or when Epstein resurfaces is anyone's guess at this point — but no doubt his intelligence, talent, professionalism, and class will make him welcome in any number of possible roles.

     Prior to today’s press conference, Epstein released a written statement in which he shared some of his parting thoughts. Here is a brief excerpt that shows how well he understands the significance of what he and the Cubs accomplished during his tenure:

     "I keep remembering that feeling from the carefree and expectant days just as we started to turn the corner on the rebuild, walking home after games inconspicuously amongst the fans — all in the jerseys of their new favorite players — hearing them talk excitedly about the upstart young team, feeling their confidence surging. And we’ll never forget the generations of families celebrating together at the parade, nor the images of Cubs pennants and hats draped on gravestones for family members who did not quite live to see the day."

 

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Fantastic Finishes: Mike Brown and the 2001 Bears

The 2001 Bears lost their season opener to the Baltimore Ravens, defending Super Bowl champions, and then reeled off four straight wins. Their winning streak was in danger on October 28 when the Bears spotted the San Francisco 49ers two touchdowns in the first quarter and lost quarterback Jim Miller with a hip injury in the second. Halfway through the third quarter, 49ers safety Zack Bronson intercepted a pass from Miller’s backup, Shane Matthews, and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown. The Bears trailed 28-9.

Rookie running back Anthony Thomas rambled 19 yards for a Bears touchdown late in the quarter, and Paul Edinger’s extra point made it 28-16. San Francisco’s first possession of the fourth quarter resulted in a field goal, and, more importantly, took seven and a half minutes off the clock. The 49ers now led 31-16. Matthews engineered a drive that culminated in a 13-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver David Terrell. Edinger’s kick made it 31-23 with 4:08 left to play. Now the Bears were within striking distance, and their defense rose to the occasion, forcing a three-and-out on the 49ers’ next possession.

After San Francisco punted, the Bears started from their own 33-yard line with 2:46 remaining. Again, Matthews coolly drove his team downfield. Another touchdown pass to Terrell made the score 31-29 with 26 seconds left. Matthews had completed 25 of 31 attempts for 166 yards and three touchdowns, while Thomas had rushed 27 times for 127 yards—but it would be all for naught unless the Bears made the two-point conversion.

They did, on a straight-ahead plunge by Thomas, and the game was tied 31-31.

 

MIKE BROWN

The overtime period lasted only 16 seconds. The 49ers won the coin flip and received the kickoff. On the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Jeff Garcia dropped back, saw Terrell Owens slanting across the middle, and let fly. The pass bounced off Owens and popped right into the arms of Bears safety Mike Brown. “I couldn’t believe it,” Garcia said. Neither could Brown believe his good fortune. He tucked the ball away and scurried 33 yards for a touchdown. The Bears won 37-31. “We are a pretty opportunistic team,” said linebacker Brian Urlacher.

The next Sunday, the Bears took on the Cleveland Browns, also at Soldier Field. Again they dug themselves a hole, trailing 21-7 after three quarters. They were still behind 21-7 when they took possession of the ball at their own 20-yard line with 1:52 remaining in the game. Matthews completed six consecutive passes as the Bears advanced and the clock ticked down. On the eighth play of the drive, Matthews connected with Marty Booker for a touchdown from nine yards out. Edinger’s extra point made it 21-14, but there were only 28 seconds left.

The Bears, naturally, lined up for an onside kick. It worked to perfection. Edinger’s kick tumbled into a crowd of players from both teams, and the Bears’ Bobbie Howard came away with the ball after a spirited scrum at midfield. “There’s no telling how many times it changed hands,” said Bears head coach Dick Jauron.

Starting from the Cleveland 47-yard line, Matthews completed two short passes to running back James Allen. Now the Bears had 34 yards to go and time enough for one more play. Matthews took the snap, stepped up in the pocket, and flung a Hail Mary pass into the end zone. Of course, a number of players were waiting for the ball to come down. When it did, it ricocheted off a helmet or shoulder and fluttered onto the outstretched fingertips of Allen, who was in a full-out dive. He secured it just inches above the ground for one of the most sensational catches that anyone would ever see. The clock read 0:00. “Can you believe a running back ran all the way down the field to catch that pass?” Browns safety Devin Bush asked incredulously. Edinger’s extra point tied the score, and the game went into overtime.

This time, the extra period lasted almost three minutes—but it ended with déjà vu all over again. After the Bears won the coin toss and failed to move the ball, the Browns took over at their own 28-yard line. On first down, Bears linebacker Rosevelt Colvin sacked Cleveland quarterback Tim Couch. On second down, Couch again went back to pass. Bears defensive end Bryan Robinson tipped the ball, which spun in the air and (wouldn’t you know it?) was caught by Mike Brown, who returned it for his second overtime touchdown in as many weeks. That particular feat had never been done before and is unlikely to be repeated. “When the ball was up in the air,” said Brown, “I was like, ‘I can’t believe it. Here we go again.’” The Bears won 27-21.                           

The Bears had pulled off two of the most miraculous wins in their history in back-to-back games. They won the rest of their regular-season contests except the two against the arch-rival Green Bay Packers, finishing at 13-3 and capturing the NFC Central title. Their playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on January 6, 2002, was the last game ever played at the original Soldier Field.

 

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Abreu Adds to White Sox' Trophy Case

Jose Abreu has become the fourth White Sox player to win the American League Most Valuable Player award and the first player ever to win both Rookie of the Year and MVP in a Sox uniform. (Dick Allen won the American League MVP in 1972 after being National League Rookie of the Year in 1964.) Abreu's trophy case also includes a Most Valuable Player award from Cuba's major league, the Serie Nacional, for 2011. 

     Abreu was a star in Cuba's league for years and also represented that country in international competitions until he defected after the World Baseball Classic in 2013. He made his way to Haiti and then the Dominican Republic before signing with the White Sox for six years at a reported $68 million. After the 2019 season, he re-upped with the Sox for three years at $50 million.

    

JOSE ABREU

At today's prices, the White Sox have gotten their money's worth and then some, both in terms of Abreu's robust offensive production and in terms of his work ethic and leadership qualities. This year, the South Siders made the postseason for the first time since 2008, and--not coincidentally--Abreu had his best season since joining the club. At the relatively advanced age of 33, he played every game and led the league in hits, slugging, total bases, and runs batted in (knocking in 60 runs in 60 games). He also had the first three-homer game of his career, against the Cubs.

     "I'm just glad that he's on our team," said White Sox pitcher Reynaldo Lopez,  "because I can't imagine how difficult it is for the other pitcher to face him."

 

Below are some of the noteworthy honors won by Abreu and other White Sox over the years.

Retired Numbers 
2 - Nellie Fox
3 - Harold Baines
4 - Luke Appling
9 - Minnie Minoso
11 - Luis Aparicio
14 - Paul Konerko
16 - Ted Lyons
19 - Billy Pierce
35 - Frank Thomas
56 - Mark Buehrle
72 - Carlton Fisk

World Championship Managers
1906 - Fielder Jones
1917 - Pants Rowland
2005 - Ozzie Guillen

World Series Most Valuable Player
2005 - Jermaine Dye

American League Most Valuable Player
1959 - Nellie Fox
1972 - Dick Allen
1993 - Frank Thomas
1994 - Frank Thomas
2020 - Jose Abreu

The Sporting News Major League Player of the Year
1959 - Early Wynn
1993 - Frank Thomas
2020 - Jose Abreu

American League Cy Young Award
1959 - Early Wynn
1983 - LaMarr Hoyt
1993 - Jack McDowell

American League Rookie of the Year
1956 - Luis Aparicio
1963 - Gary Peters
1966 - Tommie Agee
1983 - Ron Kittle
1985 - Ozzie Guillen
2014 - Jose Abreu 

American League Batting Champions
1936 - Luke Appling
1943 - Luke Appling
1997 - Frank Thomas
2019 - Tim Anderson

American League Home Run Leaders
1971 - Bill Melton
1972 - Dick Allen
1974 - Dick Allen

American League Runs Batted In Leaders
1972 - Dick Allen
2019 - Jose Abreu
2020 - Jose Abreu

American League Leaders in Victories
1907 - Doc White
1908 - Ed Walsh
1917 - Eddie Cicotte
1919 - Eddie Cicotte
1925 - Ted Lyons
1927 - Ted Lyons
1957 - Billy Pierce
1959 - Early Wynn
1964 - Gary Peters
1972 - Wilbur Wood
1973 - Wilbur Wood
1982 - LaMarr Hoyt
1983 - LaMarr Hoyt
1993 - Jack McDowell

American League Leaders in Earned-Run Average
1906 - Doc White
1907 - Ed Walsh
1910 - Ed Walsh
1917 - Eddie Cicotte
1921 - Red Faber
1922 - Red Faber
1941 - Thornton Lee
1942 - Ted Lyons
1947 - Joe Haynes
1955 - Billy Pierce
1960 - Frank Baumann
1963 - Gary Peters
1966 - Gary Peters
1967 - Joel Horlen

American League Leaders in Strikeouts
1908 - Ed Walsh
1909 - Frank Smith
1911 - Ed Walsh
1953 - Billy Pierce
2003 - Esteban Loaiza
2015 - Chris Sale

American League Manager of the Year
1983 - Tony LaRussa
1990 - Jeff Torborg
1993 - Gene Lamont
2000 - Jerry Manuel
2005 - Ozzie Guillen

 

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The Puck Stops Here

 The Blackhawks of the early 1960s were blessed with three outstanding young forwards (Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, and Bill Hay) and two rock-solid veteran defensemen (Pierre Pilote and Elmer “Moose” Vasko). But the glue that held the whole enterprise together was goaltender Glenn Hall, who was so respected around the league that both teammates and opponents called him “Mr. Goalie.”

GLENN HALL

After the Hawks won the 1961 Stanley Cup, they went through the traditional handshake line with the runner-up Detroit Red Wings, received the greatest trophy in team sports, and then paid Hall the ultimate compliment--lifting him to their shoulders and carrying him off the ice. Mr. Goalie had allowed just 12 goals in the last eight games of the playoffs. 

 

     Hall did not win the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player of the Stanley Cup playoffs in 1961 because the award was not introduced until 1965. (He did win it in 1968 as a member of the St. Louis Blues, even though the Blues were swept in the Stanley Cup Final series by the Montreal Canadiens.) He won the Vezina Trophy as outstanding goalie three times, was a first-team All-Star seven times, and finished in the top ten for the Hart Trophy as regular-season MVP eight times. 

      Throughout his career, Hall was entirely fearless in doing whatever it took to stop the puck. He pioneered the “butterfly” style of goaltending, in which the goalie drops to his knees with his shin pads splayed out in either direction. This practice tended to put his face directly in range not only of the puck, which was more or less a given, but of swinging sticks as well. Hall nonetheless disdained the protective masks that other goalies had taken to wearing. 

     A year and a half after leading the Hawks to the Stanley Cup, Hall was forced to leave a game against the Boston Bruins because of a back injury. Denis DeJordy replaced him. It was November 7, 1962, and the date was noteworthy because it marked the first time since the start of the 1955-56 season that Hall had been off the ice during a regular-season or playoff game. He had played—without a mask and without a break—for 552 consecutive games, or more than seven full seasons (the first two were for Detroit, the rest for the Hawks).

“Hall had played the most demanding position in sports,” George Vass wrote in his 1970 history of the Blackhawks, “for 31,195 minutes and 33 seconds. He had played despite severe injuries, despite the constant tension that kept his stomach in turmoil and brought him to the bench on occasion to throw up. He explained his unbelievable tenacity as a case of simply doing his job. ‘Sure, there have been times in the last seven years when perhaps I wasn’t in condition to play,’ Hall said, ‘but making that decision is not my job. My job is to stop the puck.’”

 

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