And So it Begins: Beasley and Rose Go Head-To-Head

Welcome to day one of the Derrick Rose-Michael Beasley rivalry. Beasley came out on top as his Miami Heat dominated the Bulls, winning 94-70. That said, this was the first of many meaningless (in terms of outcome) summer league games that the teams will play.

If you actually had the privilege to watch the game, probably streaming from NBA.com, you most likely did a double take as it looked like you were watching a Jr. High game (Because I have seen high school games of better quality). With no commentary, one camera which every time it wanted to show you the score had to be turned to the small, Rec-Center type scoreboard that is only used for the 40+ yr old leagues at night.

But with all that said, the story on Monday was the number one and number two picks going head to head for the first time.

 First impressions gave the slight edge to Beasley who scored 28 pts. and had 9 rebs. in only 23 min of action. Even more impressive was that he did that while being guarded by Bull’s potential starters Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah. Now this could very well be attributed to the lackluster defense (and probably effort) by Thomas and Noah just as well but besides what Beasley did on with the basketball his whole demeanor was just as cool as Miles Davis on an October evening. 

Before the game he looked calm and collected like he had done this all his life and on the court he looked exactly the same. So what some may view as cockiness or immaturity I am beginning to a view as confidence. The kid has all the tools to be successful in the NBA and he knows it.

Getting off of the Beasley express the pride of Chicago, Derrick Rose, wasn’t too shabby either. He shot an unimpressive 3-8 from the field and 4-8 from the line but flashed finesse and killer speed at times. Such as when he received a rebound and merely charged up court and laid it in, a sight that many Bull’s fans can’t remember a Point Guard doing (A PG who can take it to the hoop and score?! Unreal I know).  After the game Rose played his usual role of stating how bad he thought he played because his team lost. Hey Derrick here’s a clue IT DOESN’T matter 80% of your teammates for the next few weeks you’ll probably never see again.

Therein lies a conclusion that this game really has no precedent and probably has no representation of how these two young men will play this year or their career. But we have at least gotten a feel for these two player’s personalities, Beasley will be as smooth and cool as Joe Camel and Derrick Rose will be the gym freak who will put his team on his shoulders for better or for worse, always being his biggest critic. But for now let’s just enjoy the journey and rivalry that has started for these two young stars.

Other Notes:

-          It’s good to see Bull’s Coach Vinnie Del Negro coaching his team during the summer league (most coaches sit it out and allow one of their assistants to run the team). It will be good for Vinny to get some experience coaching a team….you know before the season starts.

-          The Oklahoma City NBA experience has begun as the Oklahoma City No-Names lost to the Pacers 95-78. Bigger news 4^thoverall draft pick Russell Westbrook stated that the only thing he knows so far about OKC is that “housing is a lot cheaper than LA.” Ya think?

-          I think we found Derrick Rose’s kryptonite and it’s not Michael Beasley. It’s Beasley’s teammate and Miami second round pick Mario Chalmers. Chalmers’ is now 2-0 against Rose after beating him on Monday and during the national championship.

-          I encourage you all to search summer league rosters. You never know when you might find your favorite collegian player on a team (Best of luck to Brian Randle in Oklahoma City!)