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Chicago Bulls’ Doug McDermott is NBA ready

By Andrew Melnick

255Jul 5, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls draft pick Doug McDermott in the dugout prior to a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Seattle Mariners at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
255Jul 5, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls draft pick Doug McDermott in the dugout prior to a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Seattle Mariners at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Bulls have really lacked firepower on offense over the last few years so it is no surprise they traded the 16th and 19th-overall picks to the Denver Nuggets to acquire former Creighton Blue Jays’ forward Doug McDermott. McDermott is one of the greatest offensive players in college basketball history and many believe at the very least, his shooting will translate to the NBA.

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Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders doesn’t believe McDermott will get enough touches to win Rookie of the Year but sees him as one of the most NBA ready rookies.

"Doug McDermott is definitely one of the most NBA-ready rookies in this class, but I’m not sure if he’ll get enough touches to be Rookie of the Year. He’ll definitely win more games than Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker (maybe combined), but as we’ve seen, ROY is all about numbers (just as Michael Carter-Williams). It’s going to be hard for any of the other rookies to put up better numbers than Jabari Parker. He’s an excellent scorer and I think the Bucks will give him every opportunity to succeed right away, starting him and running the offense through him. McDermott should put up solid numbers and he’ll actually be playing for a contender, but Parker will likely put up better stats and take home the award (fair or not). That’s my prediction."

With Derrick Rose returning and Pau Gasol now with the Bulls, Kennedy is right in saying their won’t be enough shots available for McDermott to put up huge number. He still should be able to make a strong contribution providing a scoring lift off of the bench.

McDermott won the Naismith Award as the country’s best player, putting up a career-high 26.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He shot 52.6% from the field, 44.9% from beyond the arc and 86.4% from the free throw line. He measured in at 6’7.75 and 218 lbs. with a wingspan of 6’9.25 He was ranked as the 10th-best prospect in the draft by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league as we get you ready for the start of the 2014-2015 season.

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