Should it be Rose or Beasley? 2008 NBA Mock Draft

The Bulls never thought they would get the top pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. They only had a slim 1.7% chance in the lottery due to their 33-49 W-L record but they managed to beat the odds. Now comes the hard part. Who will they choose for the number one spot? Memphis mercurial guard Derrick Rose or the high-scoring Michael Beasley of Kansas State? Black or White? Pork or Beef? It's a great dilemma for a franchise who before the season started was pegged as a playoff contender but mysteriously sputtered along the way. They were spurned in the offseason by coach Mike D'Antoni who chose the Knicks' job instead of handling a young core of Kirk Hinrich, Loul Deng, Ben Gordon, Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas. Now, they have a chance to get better. This year's draft is not one of the most talented in recent years but has two players - Rose and Beasley - who have a chance to be "special".

Rose led Memphis to the NCAA finals showing Chris Paul-like vision and skills. At 6'3", he has the size to overpower most guards. His quickness and athletic ability is a sight to behold. But what he does best - making teammates better and a winning attitude - is what sets him apart from the competition. If you've been able to see the impact of New Orleans' Chris Paul and the Utah Jazz's Deron Williams to their respective teams, you'll know what a great point guard can do to your team.

Months before Derrick Rose and Memphis marched to the NCAA finals, Kansas State's Michael Beasley was already lording it over the field with his ridiculous offensive outbursts. He finished third in the nation in scoring (26.2 ppg) on 53.2% shooting from the field (including 38% shooting from the 3-point region) aside from pacing the tourney in rebounds (13.5 rpg). He is what you want on your team when you need some scoring. Beasley is an inside-outside threat and will score on you when he wants it and where he wants it.

It's tough to pick between the two but if I'm one of the braintrusts of the Chicago Bulls I will pick Derrick Rose. Why? Don't the Bulls already have a glut at guards such as Gordon, Hinrich and Chris Duhon? Yes, but if you have a chance to get better wouldn't you do it? Hinrich has received flak from the team because of his lack of leadership skills so he may be on the way out if the team decides to draft Rose. Duhon could be dangled as a trade chip in the offseason to teams who direly need a point guard.

How do the rest of the lotto teams stack up, below is my mock draft for the 2008 NBA Draft:

1. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose (6'3" 190 lbs.) Memphis - Derrick Rose, being a Chicago native, is a sentimental pick here not merely because of his hometown roots but because today's game is dominated by great guards like Baron Davis (last year), Deron Williams (two years in a row), Chris Paul, Steve Nash (two seasons ago). The Bulls would be a fool to passed up on Rose. He will create a great impact on the team and make All-Stars out of Tyrus Thomas, Loul Deng and Joakim Noah. Beasley fills a need but Rose will make the Bulls playoff contenders in no time.

2. Miami Heat - Michael Beasley (6'9" 235 lbs.), Kansas State - The Heat came into the lottery expecting to get the top prize after they deliberately tanked the season. They lost out to the Bulls for the top spot, but it shouldn't be cause of disappointment. Beasley gives them a solid go-to scorer in the paint and on the perimeter. Imagine this: Udonis Haslem, Shawn Marion (I don't think he opts out), Beasley, and Dwayne Wade in your starting lineup and you have a case for a return trip to the playoffs. They could also opt to package the pick with Marion to get back a certified All-Star like Elton Brand, Michael Redd, Richard Jefferson or a Gilbert Arenas.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves - Jerryd Bayless (6'3", 199 lbs.) Arizona - For all those saying that Brook Lopez should be the perfect pick for the Wolves, I'm just one of the minority who says they should go for the best talent available and worry about the team's needs later. Bayless is a definite upgrade over Randy Foye. After dominating the summer league 2 years ago, Foye has not been able to deliver scintillating numbers that would cry out All-Star caliber. Bayless is a combo guard whom I've seen dominate games with his magnificent touch and awesome penetrations (ala Parker). Another option could be UCLA's OJ Mayo. The freshman guard had been hyped years ago as the next Lebron James but he has struggled in college and it is only lately that he has been able to redeem himself to get a shot back into the top 5. Lopez is big and strong but he could be at best a Chris Kaman and Brad Miller-type - two solid guys who are solid but unspectacular. The Wolves have not been so lucky in the draft since they drafted Kevin Garnett 13 years ago.

4. Seattle Supersonics - OJ Mayo (6'5", 195 lbs.) UCLA - The Sonics will not exercise their draft rights on a center this time, after doing so for 3 consecutive years (Robert Swift, Johan Petro, Saer Sene). They need firepower in the backcourt - a glaring hole since Ray Allen left for the Celtics last year - and figure that either OJ Mayo or Jerryd Bayless could be available when their turn comes. Mayo hopes to rekindle the touch that made him the top high school player in the country last year. He has a variety of moves and can score.

5. Memphis Grizzlies - Brook Lopez (7'0" 260 lbs) Stanford - the Grizzlies have a lot of holes in the roster and will select the best available talent. Lopez is one of the emerging big men in college basketball and will provide the Grizzlies with terrific low-post play and rebounding presence. Although he has fallen out of the top 10 after a disappointing senior season, Georgetown's 7-2 Roy Hibbert could jump back to the lotto if makes an impression in the workouts and the pre-draft camp. DeAndre Jordan, a 7-foot project out of Texas A&M could be intriguing and has a huge upside but the Grizzlies may want a sure thing. The Grizzlies could also go small with Indiana's Eric Gordon, a 6-4 high-scoring guard who could supplant Juan Carlos Navarro who will be a restricted free agent this offseason.

6. New York Knicks - Danilo Gallinari (6'9" 209 lbs.) Armani Jeans Milano - Let the annual NY Knicks' bashings begin. Coach Mike D'Antoni likes players who play multi-position, like a Boris Diaw, Shawn Marion. With no clear-cut pick for number 6, they could turn around and trade this pick for a proven player. If not, expect them to choose Gallinari, a 6-9 wunderkind, who has a tremendous feel for the game despite his age.

7. LA Clippers - Kevin Love (6'9", 255 lbs.) UCLA - The Clippers may look into dealing Elton Brand in the offseason and his slot may be hard to replace. Love however makes sense here. He is big and wide and can shoot the ball. He is very effective in a pick-and-roll with his size and skills and high basketball IQ.

8. Milwaukee Bucks - Russell Westbrook (6'3" 187 lbs.) UCLA - the Bucks are probably preparing for the departure of Michael Redd. There were rumors that the Bucks have been dangling him to several teams, gauging his value and interest around the league. Russell Westbrook is defensive workhorse who is probably the only guy who can guard Derrick Rose. He has size and game to be a factor at pro level.

9. Charlotte Bobcats - DeAndre Jordan (7'0" 260 lbs.) Texas A&M - I think they will trade this pick. Coach Larry Brown doesn't like youth and Michael Jordan will probably concur. At this pick, it is but essential to draft a player who has tremendous room for improvement. The Lakers were patient with Andrew Bynum and have partially reaped the dividends. Jordan has similar upside. He is mobile for his size and is highly athletic. Someone will like this pick.

10. New Jersey Nets - Marreese Speights (6'10" 245 lbs.) Florida - Speights' draft stock has been rising steadily. He is highly athletic, with great mid-range game and mobility. He could be the second coming of Kenyon Martin for the Nets.

11. Indiana Pacers - D.J. Augustin (5'11" 175 lbs.) Texas - Augustin is a pure point guard who can score and get on the break. He could bury resident guard Jamaal Tinsley deep into the bench.

12. Sacramento Kings - Chase Budinger (6'7" 190 lbs.) Arizona - The Kings are old school and could select Chase Budinger with their pick. Budinger is a two-sport star who played both basketball and volleyball. He has tremendous touch from the perimeter and is a wonder to watch his natural feel and court vision.

13. Portland Trailblazers - Anthony Randolph (6'11" 220 lbs.) LSU - I'm looking for the Trail Blazers to package this pick for a veteran point guard. They need an upgrade over Steve Blake, Jarrett Jack and Sergio Rodriguez and Toronto's Jose Calderon could be a target. With this pick, teams could be looking at a player with great upside. Randolph is probably a good choice here. He has great length and can bring the ball down.

14. Golden State Warriors - Donte Greene (6'10" 220 lbs.) Syracuse - A 6'10" combo who has maddening inside-outside game would interest a lot of teams and the Warriors may not let the opportunity pass up on this one talented big. He can shoot from deep and is a very powerful dunker. Just what the Warriors need.

The rest of the teams:

15. Phoenix Suns (from Atlanta) - Joe Alexander (6'8" 230 lbs.) West Virginia
16. Philadephia 76ers - Darrell Arthur (6'9" 230 lbs.) Kansas
17. Toronto Raptors - Nicolas Batum (6'8" 210 lbs.) France
18. Washington Wizards - JaVale McGee (7'0" 237 lbs.) Nevada
19. Cleveland Cavaliers - Ty Lawson (5'11" 193 lbs.) North Carolina
20. Denver Nuggets - Courtney Lee (6'5" 200 lbs.) Western Kentucky
21. New Jersey Nets (from Dallas) - Roy Hibbert (7'2" 278 lbs) Georgetown
22. Orlando Magic - Kosta Koufos (7'0" 252 lbs.) Ohio State
23. Utah Jazz - Robin Lopez (7'0" 255 lbs.) Stanford
24. Seattle Supersonics (from Phoenix) - Nikola Pekovic (6'11" 243 lbs.) Serbia
25. Houston Rockets - Kyle Weaver (6'5" 201 lbs.) Washington State
26. San Antonio Spurs - Chris Douglas-Roberts (6'7" 200 lbs.)
27. New Orleans Hornets - Brandon Rush (6'6" 210 lbs.) Kansas
28. Memphis (from L.A. Lakers) - Wayne Ellington (6'4" 195 lbs.) North Carolina
29. Detroit Pistons - J.J. Hickson (6'9" 240 lbs.) NC State
30. Boston Celtics - Davon Jefferson (6'8" 210 lbs.) USC

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 22nd, 2008 at 12:03 pm, categorized as NBA. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.