Jake Fine - Inside the Mind of Fine

Best Case Scenario

May 20th, 2008 Posted in NBA Insight

I was simply going to wait until tomorrow to express my thoughts on the joyous turn of events that allowed our beloved Chicago Bulls to not only cheat death but they walk away Wednesday night with the top pick in next month’s draft.  It simply bottles the mind (please excuse the lame Blades of Glory reference) just to imagine how less than two weeks ago it would have been simple to settle with someone like a Kevin Love with the 9^th overall pick, and hope to fight for the final playoff spot in the Eastern conference, which would give you a top-20 finish in the league if you’re lucky.  But now everything changes.

This will mark the first time the Bulls will pick first in the draft since 1999 when they snagged former Duke product, Elton Brand.  If they had to return to the top spot this isn’t a bad year to get it as GM John Paxson has two very promising freshman prospects to look at in Kansas State forward Michael Beasley and Memphis guard Derrek Rose.  If the pick was made based around all-around hype then Beasley (26.2 ppg, 12.4 rpg, 1.6 blg) would be the consensus choice especially after watching him dominate the Big 12 conference last season.  In fact all season I have been guilty of dreaming about the slim possibility of watching Beasley play in a Bulls uniform.  Although now that the opportunity is right there in front of me I have to admit that it is an option that has to be passed on.

When you look at how the NBA has evolved over the past few years there is one position that links to immediate success, point guard.  It’s evident looking at the impacts had by the Nets after acquiring Jason Kidd, the Suns after signing Steve Nash, and the Hornets getting Chris Paul.  If there is strength at that position it can make everyone around him better.  I mean seriously, have we ever mentioned anything ever about Tyson Chandler’s productivity on offense?  I didn’t think so.  Though you will have to factor in some time for growth but I truly feel Derrek Rose can take his hometown team to the next level.  Though he doesn’t have the greatest jump-shot it was clear to witness the impact he had on a Memphis team and could have lead them to a title, had it not been for a few missed free-throws.  Regardless of who the Bulls plan to take it is obvious that Paxson will have do his homework the next few weeks to ensure that the best decision is made with the team in mind.

Also what the prescience of a top-pick, it could make everything else go towards the Bulls’ favor this off-season.  Even though the team is still without a coach, this makes the job more attractive with the possibility to work with a player like Rose or Beasley and that could stick out to an Avery Johnson or Mark Jackson.  And it becomes more enticing for other possible free agents.  Who knows maybe this news could force Luol Deng to think twice about leaving.  Bottom line, all of a sudden the Chicago Bulls have once again entered the garden of relevance, and signs could be looking up.  But until next time, keep your mind on the fine side.