Michael Beasley; The Unanimous #1 Pick?

    Michael Beasley is a one of a kind freshman to come out of the Big 12. He is averaging 26.5 points and 12.5 rebounds a game, all while leading Kansas State to a 20-10 record and high hopes for March Madness. He even looks like the consensus no.1 pick. But what makes him the biggest freshman to come out since last year, when the biggest debate was Greg Oden or Kevin Durant?

                                            Michael Beasley

    Positives: Great athlete with long arms. Deep, deep range on his jump shot. Excellent hands. Amazing rebounder. Will score on you inside and out. Uses power in the post combined with excellent leaping ability. Has an excellent jump shot with NBA 3-point range. Has the versatility to play both the 3 and the 4 on virtually every team in the league.

    Negatives: Character issues are the biggest question marks. Has been accused of being immature. Had some off the court issues as a high school player. As far as basketball goes, there's very little to complain about. He does need to work on his handle. Everything else looks great.

    Summary: On talent, he's the best player in college basketball and a virtual lock for the No. 1 pick in the draft. The one foreseeable problem with Beasley? Behavioral issues. Although he's kept his cool in the NCAA, who knows what he'll be like in the NBA?

    On the other hand, some teams aren't in need of a Power Forward. So if the No.1 Pick happens to fall to anyone other thatn the Miami Heat, who will be the next in line to make the 2008 Great Debate?

                                                       Derrick Rose

    Positives: Pass-first point guard with excellent floor vision and handle. Strong and athletic. A tenacious defender. Great quickness and leaping ability. Excels in taking his man to the basket. Virtually unstoppable one-on-one. Great size for his position. Excellent floor leader.

    Negatives: Needs to work on his jump-shot consistency -- especially from distance. A poor free-throw shooter.

    Summary: The best pure point guard in the draft draws some comparisons to Deron Williams. However, Rose is actually more athletic. Looks like a lock for a Top 5 pick and a potential No. 1 pick if Michael Beasley fails his background checks.

 If the Knicks somehow miraculously land the no.1 pick, Don't be surprised if they skip over mega-talent Michael Beasley for their main need, a point guard that could become a franchise player, like Derrick Rose.

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