NBA Mock Draft: My First Impressions (Picks #1 through #7 preview included)

As the draft lottery has come and gone, once again, the worst team doesn’t have the first selection. A team that was in the playoff race for a decent majority of last season has the first overall pick. That doesn’t make much sense, but the lottery is another topic.

I am here to give my take on who I think the teams of concern should select with their draft pick. Obviously, it is still very early to say for certain what the safe and risky, smart and stupid, sleeper and can’t-miss picks are, but I’m going to fire up the simulator anyway.

#1 Overall Selection (Chicago Bulls) :

Derrick Rose-PG-Memphis

To me, this is a no-brainer. To the Bulls, it may not be that easy. Michael Beasley is going to get a long look, as the Bulls haven’t had a post-presence in some time. Rose is the guy here, however. He is an up-tempo player, who can create his own opportunities with his quickness and explosion, as well as create for his teammates by drawing attention.

Tyson Chandler was the beneficiary of a bevy of alley-oops via Chris Paul last season. A Derrick Rose-Tyrus Thomas combination could be just as deadly with Rose’s vision and Thomas’ ups on the same court. All Tyrus Thomas would have to do is run the floor on the break, play good defense to create those break opportunities, and get his hands ready to catch and slam.  That would be a legitimate source of solid production from the four and five positions. 

That’s two issues solved for the Bulls in one draft pick. Another reason for why I think Rose should go over Beasley is Aaron Gray, a nice young center out of Pittsburgh that most people aren’t aware of. He could develop into a solid post player on both ends of the floor.

That affirms my belief that point guard is the biggest need for the Bulls, and Derrick Rose is also the best player in this draft. That’s two drafting methods killed with one stone. Rose is Jason Kidd with a jumpshot, a classification used by UCLA coach Ben Howland during last season's NCAA Tournament. You know what, he isn’t too far off. Beasley IS close, but in the end I think Rose is the choice here.

#2 Overall Selection (Miami Heat) :

Michael Beasley-PF-Kansas State

I know Pat Riley is a big fan of Udonis Haslem, and Udonis Haslem currently plays power forward for the Miami Heat. So something has to give, right? What gives is the overall talent level of Michael Beasley. He is a freakishly good athlete, who is big, fast, quick, with good height (not as good as once thought, but hey!) that can hold his own on the perimeter and battle down low with the big boys.

I think of Beasley as a VERY (and I mean VERY) rich man’s Antawn Jamison. Beas(t)ley can score in any way you can think of, and will be an effective player on the defensive end as well. Beasley is the whole package, and as far as his impact on the game, he will be a match-up nightmare for every team that has to guard him.

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