NBA Draft: Why Derrick Rose Has Supplanted Michael Beasley as the No. 1 Pick

From January through March, there was no doubt that Michael Beasley would be the number-one draft pick in the 2008 NBA draft. He led the nation in rebounds, was atop the leaderboard in points, and was without a doubt the best player in the nation. 

Beasley's numbers were staggering, as he dominated the always-solid Big XII conference while leading K-State to its first NCAA tournament appearance since 1996.  But then two things happened:

1) The world got exposed to Derrick Rose

After Beasley's Wildcats lost in the first round of the tourney, the nation got to take a long hard look at another freshman phenom—Derrick Rose. The gritty Chicago point guard for the tough Memphis squad led the way as the Tigers answered all the questions about how playing in C-USA would affect their preparations for March. 

A team picked by all the "experts" and "sportsnation" as the first number-one to lose; Memphis, led by Rose's herculian effort, finished just a Mario Chalmers miracle three-pointer away from an NCAA title.

While this drama was playing, out folks realized not only how legit the Memphis team was, but that this Rose kid was a special player. Not a Tyler Hansbrough drooling-magazine, "will exceeds his skill" special—but the Chauncey Billups, Derron Williams, "head and shoulders above everyone else" type of special.

Although this revelation started to build support for Rose as the first pick. the second event is what truly caused him to jump ahead of Beasley.

2) The NBA playoffs

Generally, the NBA playoffs have little bearing on the teams drafting in the lottery. But this year is different, as it has signified a changing of the guard in terms of the most critical element to a successful team. 

Tony Parker, Chauncey Billups, Derron Williams, and Chris Paul have reduced a long running NBA maxim to dust. The idea that big men are the cornerstones of a franchise has been dethroned by the era of the point guard.

Yes, Tim Duncan, Rasheed Wallace, and Carlos Boozer matter—but not nearly as much as Parker, Billups, and Williams. Simply put, when the guards show up their teams win.

This increase in point guards' importance owes many thanks to the no-handchecking rule and the incredible difficulty that this creates for defenders. Strong guards like Williams and Billups beat up opposing guards and bully their way to the bucket, while quick, shifty guards such as Paul and Parker dribble through double teams and get to any sport they want on the floor.

Derrick Rose is all of these guards rolled into one. With the ball in his hand, he's as fast as any point guard not named Chris Paul. And his ability to muscle to his spots and rebound his position make him a threat from the defensive glass to the offensive rim. The kid can flat-out play, and with the draft lottery quickly approaching for many teams Rose is the most coveted prize.

Aside from the Nets, Warriors, Bobcats, Grizzlies, and Bulls, every lottery team needs the top-tier point guard that Rose will become more than the all-pro power forward that will be Michael Beasley. 

Don't confuse this to mean that Beasley's draft stock is falling. He's still, hands down, the best all-around player in the draft. The simple fact of the matter is that Derrick Rose's stock is soaring, as point guards' importance becomes more and more prominently stated during these NBA playoffs. 

With that said, don't be surprised when David Stern reads Rose's name first on June 26th.