I disagree with Skip Bayless’ March 7 assessment of Elton Brand as a player who shapes up as a “second- or third-best player on a playoff team” and Ron Artest as a “tempo-changing sixth or seventh man.”
Michael Jordan and Mike Smrek aside, Brand and Artest are by far the best two players the Bulls have ever landed in one draft, including the Scottie Pippen-Horace Grant draft of 1987. Both players are 20 years old and should be in their junior year of college. Brand has shown that he can physically hold his own against any power forward in the league and dominate most. He is an extremely competitive player who plays to win and frequently ends up with impressive statistics as a result. His approach is the opposite of many NBA “stars.”
Artest is an excellent defensive player for a rookie, often drawing the toughest defensive assignments. He has variety in his offensive repertoire and his offense will improve. His offensive game complements Brand’s nicely.
Artest and Brand haven’t whined about being on a losing team. They don’t lose their composure on the court and they don’t spend time in court. I look at these two and see 40 percent of the starting lineup of a future championship team.
