The 2018 NBA Manifesto
Paul Zipser
SF – 6’8, 226lbs - 24 years old – 2 years of experience
Unfortunately for Paul Zipser, all the decent-enough late-season minutes he had as a rookie have gone. He was once the useful fifth-option, opportunity-scoring player alongside a strong interior defensive pairing of Taj Gibson and Robin Lopez, and a capable shooter alongside the ball dominance of Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo and Jimmy Butler. But as those players have left, so has Zipser’s effectiveness.
Jump shots usually get better throughout a player’s career. Zipser’s hasn’t. His three-point stroke stayed the same (33.6% this season, 33.3% last season), while his overall scoring efficiency (which was never good, considering his lack of explosion to the rim and mediocre shooting) nosedived badly. Combined with his general lack of speed, transition, creativity and explosion – during the Bulls’ very turgid offensive start to the season, watching Zipser try to create off the dribble was a particularly low point – it is hard to find a place for Zipser in any offensive unit. It would be OK if he was a particularly excellent rebounder and/or defender who could at least add back the value elsewhere. But he isn’t.
Getting a foot injury that required surgery at season’s end did not help, either. At this point, with the lack of credentials behind him, limited upside, injuries, roster crunch and guaranteed contract against him, it is hard to see Zipser having a future with the Bulls. Maybe a better team who can hide his deficiencies among better teammates could have more luck.
Or maybe he should try and go wherever Rondo goes.
Player Plan: Two years of unguaranteed minimum salary remaining. Keep him for the deep bench if they really do see something worth continuing to invest yet, but this seems unlikely.
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SF – 6’8, 226lbs - 24 years old – 2 years of experience
Unfortunately for Paul Zipser, all the decent-enough late-season minutes he had as a rookie have gone. He was once the useful fifth-option, opportunity-scoring player alongside a strong interior defensive pairing of Taj Gibson and Robin Lopez, and a capable shooter alongside the ball dominance of Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo and Jimmy Butler. But as those players have left, so has Zipser’s effectiveness.
Jump shots usually get better throughout a player’s career. Zipser’s hasn’t. His three-point stroke stayed the same (33.6% this season, 33.3% last season), while his overall scoring efficiency (which was never good, considering his lack of explosion to the rim and mediocre shooting) nosedived badly. Combined with his general lack of speed, transition, creativity and explosion – during the Bulls’ very turgid offensive start to the season, watching Zipser try to create off the dribble was a particularly low point – it is hard to find a place for Zipser in any offensive unit. It would be OK if he was a particularly excellent rebounder and/or defender who could at least add back the value elsewhere. But he isn’t.
Getting a foot injury that required surgery at season’s end did not help, either. At this point, with the lack of credentials behind him, limited upside, injuries, roster crunch and guaranteed contract against him, it is hard to see Zipser having a future with the Bulls. Maybe a better team who can hide his deficiencies among better teammates could have more luck.
Or maybe he should try and go wherever Rondo goes.
Player Plan: Two years of unguaranteed minimum salary remaining. Keep him for the deep bench if they really do see something worth continuing to invest yet, but this seems unlikely.
