A month after the 2008 draft, the exhibition games are over, the Summer League's over, and the offseason is coming to an end.
Now we turn our heads back and realize—maybe Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley should have swapped places in the draft. That would have helped both of them gain a more appropriate role, and also helped their teams fill an empty hole that they had been searching for over a long period of time.
Of course, each of them being drafted in this particular order is nothing wrong. It may do both teams some good—but I believe that if they were to switch positions on the draft board, more good may be done.
Derrick Rose, a 6'3", 196-pound point guard from Memphis, is a Chicago boy. His athleticism, potential, and decision-making skills are undeniable. In fact, his game is so versatile it is compared to the likes of future Hall-of-Famer Jason Kidd. His ability to attack the rim is as good as any point guard in the league, if not better. Add in his defensive abilities, and he sounds like a dream PG for any team.
Michael Beasley, on the other hand, is a 6'8", 239-pound forward. After a stellar year with Kansas State, Beasley arrives on the grand stage. He is a reliable post player, good shooter, and a terrific rebounder. His defense may be questioned, but his potential is very high. Size may be a problem, but he is a solid big man. Sounds like a good player to draft for a team that needs a big man.
So the Chicago Bulls, who fought against the slightest chance of winning the first overall pick, goes first, while the rebuilding Miami Heat looks to draft second.
And the Chicago Bulls decided to draft their hometown star.
At first look, it makes sense, right? He's a Chicago native, he's the best player out of the draft pool—what better player could they have asked for?
How about Michael Beasley?
Beasley would have been the best choice for the Bulls, for a number of different reasons.
First of all, he is a legitimate big man, a reliable post player who is willing to clean up the glass as well. When required, he can shoot the outside jump shot to spread the floor for the post players—Joakim Noah, Drew Gooden, and perhaps even Tyrus Thomas.
By taking Beasley, the Bulls would have solved their biggest problem for years—the lack of a solid big man. But instead, with the addition of Rose, not only have the Bulls deepened their roster with star guards, but it also adds a new problem to the organization.
Kirk Hinrich vs Derrick Rose.
Who gets the starting job? Should Hinrich be traded? Should Hinrich play SG? If so, where does Ben Gordon go? Back to the bench, like he did before? Then does Larry Hughes need to go somewhere too?
Would Gordon not re-sign with the Bulls if that happens? If Gordon goes, would Luol Deng go too? If two star players leave, would Kirk Hinrich or Derrick Rose want to go?
On and on and on...
With the addition of Derrick Rose, the Bulls do get a highly prestigious point guard—but what they face now is a list of big problems.
8 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Tyler Jones 11 months ago
I could not agree more. I totalt thought beasley was the better player coming out, and expressed that in an article I wrote around draft time. I guess chicago wanted the home town pick, but it seems rediculous to me. The only reason Rose's stock went up so high was because of the NCAA tourney, where Rose had a team of future leaguers, and Beasley had, well, Kansas State. Much agreed.
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Jack Frost 11 months ago
I think you are living in the twilight zone. Gordon and Deng are stars? Really? Did you happen to see how many games the Bulls actually won last year? Those two "stars" contributed a lot to that mess. Gordon and Deng both have work ethic, defense, and team -player issues. Ask Scott Skiles about that. They are talented players, but not stars by any measure.
Beasley would add another me first, poor defense, player to a Bulls squad that is already choked with them.
And you are wrong- drafting for need, as opposed to talent, is always a bad idea. Remember Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan?
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yungCaucasoid ... 11 months ago
The Chicago Bulls will *make more money* off of drafting Rose, over Beasley, and at some point folk have to realize what the league is about now. If you don't have a championship team and are far from being one ---ala Bulls and Heat!--- you want to position your org to make as much money as possible, in the meantime.
Making a hometown all-world player (in college and high school) your org's pick, as THE FIRST PLAYER chosen in the draft...is priceless
Plus, Beasley has shown some concerns for falling prey to some (-) off the Court challenges. In terms of his commitment and maturity being legitimately questioned. Don't let one year of focus make you all forget about his 3-4 years of uncertainty/immaturity, prior to that. Besides, there are more players in the league similar to Beasley's skill set, that Chicago can rid some of their marquee frontliners, to get. However Rose is in a PG-class, by himself. Considering this is 2008, for Jason Kidd, and not 1998.
Selecting Rose was a no-brainer, for the long run, and for 'the short term revenue advantages' The Bulls will certainly reap ----which wouldn't be there, had Rose gone to The Heat. Beasley may shine moreso, at first, for likely having more offensive opportunity but in the end, I see Rose having the most "playoff success" if you will.
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yungCaucasoid ... 11 months ago
Jack,
back awwwwwwway from the hallucinogens
Please?
...Both Gordon and Deng are rated as $40+ million players. Period. Moreso, Gordon, since he has shown how he can go off in 4th Quarters during crunch time. Just because he wasn't utilized properly ---or didn't have those situations available to shine in--- over the past few seasons, doesn't make that talent disappear. Kirk Heinrich forcing his game, was a big part of depleted opportunities for those two players, as well. Although, I would say that Deng could be a player that the teams are starting to 'figure out' and therefore, may not achieve to the degree we've seen/anticipated in his first few years.
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Jack Frost 11 months ago
yung,
There aren't enough hallucinogens around to make Gordon or Deng look like a superstar after how they performed last year. No one manages to "figure out" Kobe, or Shaq (in his prime), or even many of the lesser stars. Sorry, Gordon and Deng aren't even close to being elite players. Good, yes. Stars? No.
Believe me, if they would make Gordon look like he actually played defense, or Deng look like he wasn't a me first-last- and always player, I'd looove some hallucinogens...
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n s 11 months ago
It's hard to take the commentary of a journalist seriously when he doesn't even spell names correctly. Dwyane, not Dwayne. Check your facts.
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Mark Brown 11 months ago
Miami needed Rose, Chicago needed Beasley.
Sidenote- Heat should have gotten Kristic from Nets via free agency.
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Gabe Mambo 10 months ago
Well, the Bulls should have picked Beasley, but thought about the cash flow over the success of the team. You can make money when you win games too, and make a lot more when you make the playoffs. Michael Beasley would have solved all your problems, but you screwed everything up.
Oh, and to call Gordon and Hinrich not good enough is an insult. Everyone seems to be throwing aside the fact that the coach who made them a solid team was fired in the first half of the season. Scott Skiles was replaced by an interim coach, and thus, the Bulls went 32-50. How can you guys say Gordon and Hinrich are no longer needed on the Bulls when they were forced to play under a guy who was practically a rookie? You can't blame two players for being put under uncontrollable circumstances.
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