Bulls Get #1 Pick in 2008 NBA Draft
With just a 1.7% chance, the Chicago Bulls won the NBA Draft Lottery and will get the #1 pick in the June draft. This is good news for a franchise that needs some good news after last season's disappointment. According to the AP, "Chicago will almost certainly choose between [Michael] Beasley, the Kansas State forward who averaged 26.2 points and an NCAA-best 12.4 rebounds, or [Derrick] Rose, the point guard who carried Memphis within minutes of the national title."
Both good players for sure (though not as good as last year's #1 and #2, Greg Oden and Kevin Durant), but this is an easy decision in my mind. The Bulls should choose Beasley.
This will be a very difficult choice for the Bulls.Rose may end up being a very good NBA point guard, but Beasley is taller, stronger, and shoots better. The Bulls have guards. They need someone who can score in the post.On the one hand, Chicago has needed a low-post scorer for a long time, and Beasley fits the bill. He's also a top-notch rebounder, which would fulfill another need for the Bulls.
However, Rose, a Chicago native, would be a major upgrade over Kirk Hinrich. His strength and athleticism could really ignite the Bulls' offense.
For the moment, we're putting Beasley here because he's the best fit.
Cool Post
http://markinchicago.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/05/bulls-get-1-lot.html
My thoughts, what are yours?
Bulls Take Rose
So the Bulls didn't take my advice. I hope they know what they're doing adding another guard to the mix when they need post players.
Rose
Strictly speaking, I agree with you on Beasley. But I have to admit, all of the Rose hype has worn me down on this point. Everyone seems to have wanted him here so badly, I don't think Paxson had much of a choice. Even if he wanted to take Beasley, I just don't think he has the political credibility to pull it off. It's probably not good when your GM is in that situation, but that's another story.
And let's face it, an upgrade from Hinrich isn't the worst thing in the world. It's not their greatest need, but I'm skeptical that a team with Hinrich at PG can win a championship.
RE: Rose
I'm skeptical that a team with Hinrich at PG can win a championship
I can understand that skepticism. (Though the Celtics just won with Rajon Rondo! And the Lakers have won with Derek Fisher. The 90s Bulls won without a point guard. Of course, each of those teams had superstars that the Bulls simply don't have.)
Rose may end up being very good. The way he turned it on in the second half of the NCAA championship game was highly impressive. And I do think he can be an upgrade over Hinrich (and Chris Duhon and Larry Hughes). I just prefer point guards who can shoot and make free throws.