Bulls had their eye on Khryapa

[KirkHinrich12]

Viktor Khryapa isn't merely trying to make a name for himself in the league. He needs to make one for his teammates, too.

"It's 'Kree-apa' with a 'K,' right?" Ben Gordon asked.

Wrong. The Ukraine native's name is pronounced "Veek-tor Ha-RAP-ah," although you don't need to remind coach Scott Skiles and general manager John Paxson.

The third-year forward has been on their radar screen since New Jersey selected him with the 22nd pick in the 2004 NBA draft and promptly traded his draft rights to Portland.

After one injury-marred season and one solid one with the Trail Blazers, the Bulls acquired him on this year's draft day in the swap of draft rights for LaMarcus Aldridge and Tyrus Thomas.

Now Khryapa, at 6 feet 9 inches and 218 pounds, will be battling Thomas?and others?for playing time in a crowded frontcourt picture.

"We thought he should've gotten picked higher than he did [in '04]," Skiles said. "Since then, he has added weight. He was really, really skinny then. He's a very good all-around player.

"He's a good post passer, a good ball-handler and an above-average shooter. He's a very good position defender. He has length, runs well. He has steal potential. He can block shots. He does a little of everything."

Khryapa suffered a left foot injury during summer-league play that required surgery before his rookie season. He averaged 4.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 32 games with Portland.

Last season, he started 58 games for a poor Portland team and improved his averages to 5.8 points and 4.4 rebounds. He shot 45.5 percent from the field, including 34 percent on three-pointers.

"I was kind of surprised I got traded because I did a pretty good job last season," Khryapa said. "It looked like I would stay for awhile. But this team is better in the rankings, so it's good for me."

Early indications are that Khryapa is a solid fit for Chicago?and not just because, from his days in the Ukraine, he prefers snow to the incessant rains of the Pacific Northwest.

His strong practice habits and ability to disrupt passing lanes on defense are why Paxson and Skiles knew he would have little adjustment.

"I know this is a young team and plays hard all the time," Khryapa said. "I play hard. So it wasn't a problem for me to come here and practice. They just told me it's a young defensive team so I could help them."

Khryapa admitted the foot injury affected him both mentally and physically during his rookie season. But now that he's fully recovered, he's comfortable with the lessons he learned.

"I can't jump as well as I used to, so I need to play smarter," Khryapa said. "I think I'm a better all-around player now."

If that's true, perhaps his teammates will learn how to pronounce his name soon.

"Did anybody else get it right?" Gordon asked.

Skiles and Paxson did.[/b]

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