NBA Mock Draft Series: Miami Heat

Previous Pick:

1.) Chicago Bulls, Michael Beasley, Kansas State

The NBA Mock Draft Series continues...

Now that the Chicago Bulls are off the board, the Miami Heat are up next.

Disappointment can't be the only word to describe the Miami Heat's season in 2007.  Flat-out ugly is also a phrase that can be used.

And after the Draft Lottery,  they will have the luxury of picking second overall.

Two years removed from a championship, the Heat managed to win only 15 games, which put them dead last in the NBA standings.

Some good news is they now have Shawn Marion (acquired in the Shaq trade), and they also should have a fully-recovered Dwyane Wade next season.

''We need help. We need it now. We've paid the price for it. Can [Rose and Beasley] help a team like ours -- and change it? Can they step in like LeBron [James], Kevin Garnett did at (age) 19 -- and turn a franchise around? That's how they're going to be measured.''--Pat Riley

But they still need to build around around Wade and Marion.

While a few holes need to filled, the point guard position is where they need to go in the draft.

And since Michael Beasley is now off the board, I think you know who's next.

With the second pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, the Miami Heat select Derrick Rose from University of Memphis.

Without a question, Derrick Rose is the best point guard in the draft.  He was outstanding in this year's NCAA Tournament, and has been projected as a top-three pick since.

As vital as the point guard position has been in the NBA of late, Rose's style of play will make an immediate impact alongside Wade and Marion.

At 6'3'', Rose has the size to be physical and beat his man to the rim with his quickness.  Rose is also a great ballhandler with either hand, and his ability to finish will take some pressure off of Wade.

He is also very unselfish and great in transition. If he needs to work on one thing, it's his perimeter shooting.

If Beasley is in fact chosen by Miami, expect Rose to be the next pick.  Can he make an immediate impact? Sure, but he will still be a work in progress.

Michael Whittenberg is one of two NBA Community Leaders for BleacherReport.com