2017 NBA Draft: 5 worst Chicago Bulls draft picks in franchise history
Marquis Teague — 2012, 29th overall pick
This pick is one that probably best describes the contentious relationship then head coach Tom Thibodeau had with executive vice president John Paxson and general manager Gar Forman (aka GarPax). At the time of the pick, defensive stalwarts Jae Crowder and Draymond Green were also
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available.
Thibodeau really liked Green. He wanted to have him on the Bulls roster. GarPax felt they understood the roster better, though, and thought Teague would fit better.
Not exactly.
Perhaps because of that decision, Thibodeau rode Teague hard. He criticized Teague at every point, be it for his lack of defensive effort or his decision-making as a point guard. At one point, the Bulls ended up sending Teague down to the D-League so he could build up his confidence. That in and of itself was another hit on him — Thibodeau is tough on all his players, so if you cannot take it you won’t have his trust.
Teague is the younger brother of then-Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague, an all-star. Marquis just did not have the same game or mindset to succeed like his brother. In his season and a half with the Bulls, he averaged a paltry 2.1 points and 1.4 assists per game and 33 percent shooting from the field.
The problem with the drafting of Teague is that GarPax, who really like drafting older players to begin with, will now stick to the plan of drafting upperclassmen. Since Teague, the Bulls drafted no player considered a “one and done” in college. They are missing out on a lot of talent doing that.
Perhaps the wrong guy left in 2015?