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Change of plans Loss of Jay Williams caused Bulls to shift gears at draftPosted: Friday June 27, 2003 10:36 AM
DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Kirk Hinrich was one of dozens of players the Chicago Bulls worked out before the NBA draft, one they didn't see themselves taking with the seventh pick. "Not at that time," general manager John Paxson said. "But you never know." A few days later, Jay Williams was lost for the season -- possibly longer -- and the Bulls had a hole to fill in their roster. With Williams' NBA future in doubt, the Bulls took Hinrich in Thursday's draft. The pick said as much about Hinrich as it did about the uncertainly surrounding Williams. The Bulls scrapped plans to take a small forward or make a trade when Williams was injured in a motorcycle accident last week. The Bulls lost Williams for at least next season when he crashed his new motorbike last week, fracturing his pelvis, breaking his leg and damaging ligaments in his left knee. "Obviously, a week ago that decision would have been a little different," Paxson said. "With Jay's injury, in a lot of ways we're put back a year in terms of that position. "When we look back on it, Kirk's going to be in this league a long time. He's going to be as solid as they come. It was the right direction for the future of our franchise." It wasn't long ago the Bulls felt the same way about Williams. There are other similarities. Both Williams and Hinrich had long, successful college careers at big-time programs. And Hinrich, like Williams did, is expected to contribute right away. "He's a winner. He's won at every level," Paxson said. "He's a guy that's not afraid. He'll stick his nose in there; that's what you like about him. He's not going to back down from any challenge." Hinrich led the Jayhawks to consecutive Final Fours the past two seasons and averaged 17.3 points and 3.5 assists as a senior. The 6-3 guard finished his career third in school history in assists, and he gives Chicago an outside shooter and tough defender. The Bulls need both with Williams' future in doubt. "He's a solid point guard. He's a very good shooter, and he will fit in very well with our offense," coach Bill Cartwright said. "This guy, he's a gritty kid. We like him, he's tough and he'll fit in with us nicely." The Bulls had three picks in the second round, trading one for a second-round pick next year. Chicago took Mississippi State forward Mario Austin, Florida forward Matt Bonner and Arizona State forward Tommy Smith, then traded Bonner to Toronto. Hinrich has the ability to play either guard position for the Bulls. He was a point guard early on at Kansas but switched to shooting guard later in his career to make room for Aaron Miles. Hinrich averaged 42.4 percent from 3-point range last season. When asked whether he would be willing to play shooting guard, Hinrich indicated he would. It's not his preference, though. "I can do that, but I am a point guard," he said. "I was born a point guard. That's what I think of as my best position. I have the versatility to slide over as needed." A third-team All-American and first-team All-Big 12 player, adjusting to the long road trips and the grind of the NBA life shouldn't give Hinrich must trouble. He's the son of a high school basketball coach and missed just one game in four years at Kansas, starting in 118 of 141 games. "I like the team. They're young. They've got a good mix of young guys and veterans. I think they're on the rise," Hinrich said. |
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