- The Story of Matt Lombardi - First preseason game

[Andrew]

Well sure, if it's "Dear Diary" stuff. Perhaps journal would be a term you'd be more comfortable using. That's basically what Phil Jackson's latest book was, a journal of the 2003/2004 season. Likewise, various players (including Eddy Curry) have written a diary for SLAM while in college/high school.

[Laxation]

Ah... Journal... not quite as 'camp'
I might put a few cameo journal entries in every now and then, depends how fun they are to write.

[Jugs]

Nice post draft interview, Hopefully Lombardi MVP of 2015.

[KIG1]

Nice interview, I like how this is going and im definatly going to follow this

[kibaxx7]

Nice job Lax, I will watch this one!

[Laxation]

Thanks for the support everyone, I wont dissapoint

There will be at least one more update within the next 7 hours

[Laxation]

…And with the first pick in the 2006 NBA draft, the Chicago Bulls choose Matt Lombardi…



Off-Season Review

Overall
With Cassell and Hoiberg, Chicago brought in some leadership and veteran skills that will help them in the playoffs. Being knocked out in the first round last season by Detroit after coming 8th in the East was not tolerated by anyone, especially upper management.
Using the first round pick from New York that was handed to the Bulls in a trade involving Eddy Curry, Chicago chose Matt Lombardi, a defensive ‘monster’ who has proven himself at the college level, yet only for one season. Analysts and scouts predicted him to be ready for the NBA, yet he still has some major problems to iron out in his game.
With two roster spots left, and $5.24m left to spend on the salary cap, Chicago has set themselves up to sign some players if need be during the season, as well as have some allowances for trades.

Losses
There were no huge losses to speak of the Chicago Bulls this offseason, nor were there any trades to speak of. Chicago did lose quite a few players, however, including both their rookies (Schenscher and Basden) and five other players, in Allen, Harrington, Livingston, Pargo and Piatkowski. None of these players were major contributors in the 05-06 season, all were coming off the bench and playing limited minutes, if at all.

Gains
Chicago had possibly one of the best offseasons out of the entire league. Using their number one pick in the draft, they chose Matt Lombardi, a defensive minded player who could possibly start for the team straight away. They also chose a 7’0” centre in Darvin Slater, who whilst lacks body muscle and weight, he knows how to use his strength and is extremely athletic. NBA scouts compared him to the likes of Samuel Dalembert, who is an excellent shot blocking presence for the 76ers.
The Bulls offseason did not stop at the draft, they continued onto the free agency where they picked up two veterans in Sam Cassell and Fred Hoiberg, both are players who will excellent contributors off the bench. They also signed sophomore Ryan Gomes, a player who decided to leave Boston after a strong second half of the previous season.

What to look out for
Obviously everyone will be watching the number one pick, Matt Lombardi. He was projected to go somewhere in the top 5, and the Bulls felt he was the right fit for them. Unfortunately for Nocioni and Deng, it now means that the Bulls are loaded at the SF position, however all three players are capable to play other positions. It will be a timeshare for these three players, something that wont make any of them happy, but it will mean that they all have to work for their playing time. Nothing will be taken for granted this season at Chicago.
The pressure is not only on Lombardi to perform and prove to the doubters that he is good enough for the NBA, but also on the two backcourt youngsters, Gordon and Hinrich. The heat is on these players to perform as they have previously done, and should both be excellent contributors to the 2006-07 Chicago Bulls.

[Fresh8]

I'd start Nocioni to start with before Matt proves himself!

btw, i've had number 8 every year and every season i've played except for two seasons... and both of those were when either the number was stolen and the other seaosn was when the jersey was XXXL and i only fit L or M... so yeh, anyways... respect for Number 8!

Whats funny is my team has never come first except once when i had to take 11 cause 8 was too large. in other years my team came 3rd twice and we missed the playoffs by one game in club...

[Laxation]

Matt will start in preseason to see how he goes, time will most likely be split evenly between Nocioni and Lombardi, however because of Lombardi's versatility he can play other positions if need be.


You should take number 11 again, just for one season and see how your team goes Maybe #8 is cursed...
Ive only won 1 out of 4 grand finals, but I guess thats not too cursed, at least we are making it there

[Laxation]

…And with the first pick in the 2006 NBA draft, the Chicago Bulls choose Matt Lombardi…


Chicago 2006-07 Roster



*Let me know if any of the 'Yrs Pro' are wrong.

[Fresh8]

Ive only won 1 out of 4 grand finals, but I guess thats not too cursed, at least we are making it there

- I would love to make a grand final in the future... i hope one comes round this or next season haha My mates have told me to join a more serious team so i might do so...

[Malfa]

nocioni captain? what?

[Laxation]

…And with the first pick in the 2006 NBA draft, the Chicago Bulls choose Matt Lombardi…


Top 5 Draftees

These four players are Matt Lombardi's main competition for the coveted Rookie of the Year trophy.
In what was a draft dominated by international players, three of the top five players all came from other countries. Lombardi from Australia, Bergevin from the Netherlands and Fujita from Singapore.
The success of international players such as Ginobilli and Bogut has most likely rubbed off on NBA scouts, prompting them to venture across the ocean to eyeball future stars.

Pick #2, Washington Wizards

Strenghts: Dunking, hes powerful and knows when to dunk ... Blocking shots, layups and dunks ... Massive vertical leap ... Extremely strong despite small body ... Plays bigger than his height

Weaknesses: Rebounding needs work ... Basketball IQ is low on both ends of the court ... Stamina, speed and quickness are all issues

Pick #3, New Orleans Hornets

Strenghts: Shooting is excellent from the floor ... Catch and shoot is near perfect ... Can trouble defender into turnovers ... Offensive IQ is great ... Athletics such as jumping and stamina all well above par

Weaknesses: Defensive IQ is low, needs to concentrate less on stealing and more on keeping defender in front ... Rebounding is below average, even for a guard ... Free throw shooting is oddly bad, considering how good an in-game shooter he is ... Has trouble finished around the basket

Pick #4, Orlando Magic

Strenghts: Shoots very well for someone his age ... Stealing is good on defence ... Can see the court well, results in lots of assists ... Huge vertical leap, won the dunk contest at his college ... Good dribbler of the ball ... Strong

Weaknesses: Poor decision making in college resulted in him not being able to run the point ... Too slow to defend other point guards ... Doesnt have quick hands ... Basketball IQ is low on both ends of the court

Pick #5, Milwaukee Bucks

Strenghts: Can score from anywhere a few feet from the basket ... Excellent rebounder, plays like someone closer to 7' ... Great shot blocker ... Powerful dunker ... Extremely strong, can back down opponents well ... Plays 110% night in, night out

Weaknesses: Shooting is horrendous, can only score around the basket ... Offensive range is very limited ... Possibly to slow for his position ... Not a great leaper ... Bad offensive decisions leads to bad passes

[Laxation]

nocioni captain? what?

He showed great leadership not only during the 05-06 season, but also during the off-season.
It was a toss-up between Nocioni and Sweetney, however Sweetney was told to work more on developing his relationship with Lombardi and mentoring him more personally, so the job went to Nocioni.

[Jing]

man those weird asians are everywhere.
damn asians.

[Laxation]

man those weird asians are everywhere.
damn asians.

I think the scouts stumbled upon him when looking for the next Yao

[Immali]

Nice idea Lax...if i understand correctly you're going to play with the player lock on?? Or am i wrong??

[Jugs]

Nice roster and top 5 draftees scouting

I'd play Lombardi at PF, he seems to be more of a PF.

[Laxation]

Nice roster and top 5 draftees scouting

I'd play Lombardi at PF, he seems to be more of a PF.

I'm planning to play him at whatever opposition position is more of a threat. Eg. If we play Cavs, i'll play him on James, if we play Dallas i'll put him on Dirk.

Nice idea Lax...if i understand correctly you're going to play with the player lock on?? Or am i wrong??

Ive never played with player lock, so I'm not sure yet. I was thinking about it, but I will probably just run the offence as a team (I love the icon pass), and then only use Lombardi on defence.

[Immali]

Ok good luck!!!
Only a thing i'd like to ask...how can a boy that, in his early years had muscle and bone problems jump through the roof!!! Maybe this means that he's really the chosen one!!!

[Laxation]

Missing all this time forced Matt into slowing his athletic growth considerably, as jumping and running could cause too much pain and damage to his legs.
As the years past, he grew out of his problems and was able to concentrate on training and working out to further establish his foothold in the door that would be his NBA career.

He's 23, so hes had 6-7 years to work out

[Immali]

Definetly the chosen one!!!!
And i'll follow his moves....

[KIG1]

Starting a SF seems like it could work

[Laxation]

Starting a SF seems like it could work

Hopefully

Definetly the chosen one!!!!
And i'll follow his moves....

The chosen one? He only had one good year in college

What part of Italy are you from?

[Immali]

What part of Italy are you from?

I live in Treviso, the home of the Benetton Basket
It's near Venice...

BTW, why do you ask???