2008 NBA Draft First Pick
June 17, 2008
The 2008 NBA draft will be taking place in New York on June 26th and we are continuing our coverage on who is going to end up where. This year is a little different because it seems that not everyone is on the same page as far as who is going to end up on which team. Most pundits do agree though that the race for no. 1 is between two star freshman, Memphis point guard Derrick Rose and Kansas State power forward Michael Beasley.
NBA Draft Betting Odds & Lines
Derrick Rose’s first NBA game will be for what team?
Chicago Bulls
-150
Miami Heat
+110
Michael Beasley’s first NBA game will be played on what team?
Chicago Bulls -
Even
Miami Heat
-140
Odds to be selected no. 1 in the 2008 NBA Draft:
Brook Lopez
+4500
Derrick Rose
-150
Kevin Love
+20000
Michael Beasley
EV
OJ Mayo
+4500
Field
+4500
The odds makers are favoring the Bulls to pick Rose with the first pick, but they have been scrutinized for not having a scoring threat in the low post. If Chicago wants to satisfy that need, then they should opt for Beasley, who put up 26.2 ppg and 12.4 rpg for Kansas State last year while dominating the Big 12. The problem will Beasley is that he is a little small for NBA standards at the power forward position. He is listed at 6′10″ and 235 pounds, but most scouts agree he is under 6′9″. He knows this might e a little small and has even put the word out that he thinks he can play small forward. That wouldn’t fill the Bulls need, and he will most likely struggle defensively against other NBA big men.
When looking at the Bulls and their chances of taking Rose, you have to realize that if Chicago has depth anywhere it’s at the guard position, but they are lacking a floor leader. Derrick Rose has those kind of skills as he is tough, unselfish, plays defense, can shoot the rock, and proved at Memphis that he knows how to run an offense. Rose is a complete player who is tough and stays healthy. He has the size to be able to defend taller shooting guards, so Ben Gordon wouldn’t be such a liability when he’s out there.
The key to the Bulls going with Rose though might be how well Chris Paul did with the Hornets this season, turning the team completely around. General managers from around the league are taking note of how the point guard is the cornerstone of the team, and we think that’s where the priority is going to be in this year’s draft. Rose is the perfect match to continue that trend.
After the Bulls take Rose, Chicago will most likely send off Kirk Hinrich. A talented guard who doesn’t really have a solid role with the team, but he’s valueable enough that Chicago can hope for a decent low post threat in return. They do need their last two draft picks in Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah to develop into better players than they have displayed so far in their short careers.