JSM
Clublakers Site Manager
Joined: 28 Apr 2003
Posts: 70472
Location: Atlanta
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 Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 10:07 pm Post subject: Chad Ford: Rose still looks like the 1 |
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ESPN: The Chicago Bulls had Michael Beasley in the gym on Tuesday and Derrick Rose on Thursday as they continue figuring out who they should take No. 1.
According to a source close to the situation, both players were "excellent" in the workouts. Beasley hit shots, hustled and showed his all-around skill set. Rose was a beast athletically and shot the ball well.
In interviews, Rose came off as humble and quietly determined. Beasley was louder, but professional. Their press conferences after the fact obviously highlighted the differences, with Beasley cracking jokes and Rose intensely focused on finding a way to go to his hometown team.
So the big question is, were the workouts enough to put the "Who's No. 1" question to rest? Apparently not.
Bulls GM John Paxson, along with new head coach Vinny Del Negro, were both careful to praise both players equally. At this point, they're not giving away anything.
Paxson said that the team hasn't made any decisions and that they'll spend the next week poring over data, looking at their team and trying to find the best fit.
From what I can gather, Paxson's position is an honest one. The Bulls haven't decided who they're taking. The implications of their indecision are actually fairly profound.
It means that they clearly aren't as concerned with Beasley's bouts with immaturity as the Heat appear to be. It also means that Rose's hometown advantage isn't holding sway either.
We've had Rose atop our last four mock drafts. Could Beasley hear his name first on draft night? Obviously it's possible, but from all the info I can gather it seems like at the end of the day, the Bulls will opt for Rose.
The scenario the Bulls face is eerily reminiscent of the 1994 draft. That year the Bucks selected Glenn Robinson with the No. 1 pick, an amazing scorer who just averaged 30 points and 10 rebounds per game in his second year at Purdue. Robinson was seen as a can't-miss prospect. Like Beasley, Robinson was a guy who could score anywhere on the floor.
The Bucks' other option was Cal's big point guard Jason Kidd. Kidd averaged 16.7 points and 9.1 assists his sophomore year -- numbers that best Rose. But he shot 33 percent from 3-point range and had question marks about his ability to hit big shots in the pros.
Kidd went on to win co-Rookie of the Year honors and played in nine All-Star games and two NBA Finals. Robinson averaged 20 ppg for his career and was a two-time All-Star.
Everyone likes scorers and rebounders which is why Beasley is so appealing. Statistically, as John Hollinger shows, he's one of the best college prospects ever.
However, Paxson is in more desperate need of a leader who's willing to sacrifice for the team -- a guy who's value doesn't always show up in the box score, just the win column. He had to be grinning from ear to ear when Rose said, "I'm an unselfish guard that's willing to do anything to win ... I mean anything."
The Bulls really don't have a guy like that on their roster. They have scorers like Ben Gordon and Luol Deng. But they don't have that guy that will do anything to win.
That's Rose and that's why I think, at the end of the day, that he's going No. 1. |
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