While the familiar Bulls met with the media at the Advocate Center on Monday, the organization brought in three players to round out their training camp roster. It's unlikely most of these additions will make the final cut, but at least Fred Hoiberg can keep his options open. Jordan Crawford was one of them, which is no surprise considering he already signed a non-guaranteed deal a week-and-a-half ago. In the meantime, meet the two others who have a shot.
Marcus Simmons played with Fort Wayne of the D-League last year. Over 41 games, the USC product averaged four points, 2.7 rebounds and 16.7 minutes per game. The season before that, he was in the Japan BJ League with Yokohama BC. He achieved averages of 12 points, five rebounds, and 1.20 steals over 24.9 minutes.
Justin Anderson, not to be confused with the Mavericks rookie, spent his first three college seasons at Northern Illinois before joining Hoiberg at Iowa State for his final season. In 119 games, he posted the following averages: 13.1 points, six rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.18 steals and 30.7 minutes. That he knows Hoiberg's strategy has to give him an advantage over the other guys trying to break camp. Of course, it takes more than that to make an NBA roster.
I always admire players who might not make the team or even get to the NBA. Their journeys never end because they're always on somebody's radar this time of year. After that, if they're cut, they're left to ponder where their lives will go next. It would be nice to see one of these players earn one more season of getting to do what they love more than anything.
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