The Bulls have had six lottery picks during the current rebuilding era. (Tyson Chandler arrived via trade and doesn’t count.) We rank their effectiveness:
1. Elton Brand, 1999
All the first overall pick did was share rookie-of-the-year honors with Steve Francis and average a double-double in his two full seasons with the Bulls. He also led the league in offensive rebounding in his second season, a skill that still defines his play.
2. Kirk Hinrich, 2003
Too early to be ranked this high? Not when you play the kind of defense Hinrich does. That skill won’t go away. Hinrich also finished in the top 10 in the league in assists for a team with no player shooting over 50 percent.
3. Eddy Curry, 2001
He’d be ranked higher if his third season had matched his press clippings. Still, Curry already has led the league in field-goal percentage once and still possesses the soft hands and athleticism that scream for dominant play.
4. Chris Mihm, 2000
He quickly became Jamal Crawford in a trade with Cleveland. Crawford has shown flashes of ability in his four seasons but has lacked consistency. His Bulls career is at a crossroads as a restricted free agent this summer.
5. Marcus Fizer, 2000
Fizer never found a niche in his four seasons with the Bulls. And now he’s off to a new start with Charlotte–or elsewhere.
6. Jay Williams, 2002
Whether or not he can return from serious injuries in a motorcycle accident, he’ll always have his triple-double against Jason Kidd.
