reflections
May 21st, 2008 Heat Land Second Overall Pick


By: Dustin Chapman

The Miami Heat began the night of May 20’s 2008 NBA Draft lottery with the best odds to come away with the rights to the first overall selection, and even though they ended in a lower position, Pat Riley and company are still able sleep soundly. Due to the Chicago Bulls pulling out the impossible with their 1.7% chances by being rewarded with the first pick, Miami inevitably dropped. Luckily, they dropped just one slot, and ended the night with the second overall selection in 2008’s top-heavy NBA Draft.

This year’s consensus top two selections are a pair of freshman sensations with extremely differentiating games. On one hand, you’ve got Kansas State forward Michael Beasley, who put up even better numbers (26.2 PPG, 12.4 RPG) than Kevin Durant did in his highlighted freshman season at Texas in 2006-2007. Beasley is a versatile combo forward who possesses the ability to score in a wide variety of ways both inside and out on the perimeter. Physically, he is also much further along with Durant and is not afraid to initiate contact in the painted area. His talent level is astounding, and despite his defensive struggles thus far, he is one of the most talented frontcourt players to come along since the loaded 2003 draft that featured LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Bosh.

On the other hand, you’ve got Memphis’ Derrick Rose, who may is destined for greatness at the point guard position. He’s got a unique blend of athleticism, explosiveness, size, basketball IQ, and balance. If you want him to successfully run an offense, he’s your man. If you want an explosive scoring option, he’s your man. If you need a clutch shot, he’s your man, and has the experience of doing so in the 2007 National Championship game. If you need a defensive stop, he can get that done as well. Derrick Rose can star on the court at the same time as making his teammates better, and that is not something you see every day from a point guard prospect. Rose has so much upside at the point guard position that many “experts,” including Jay Bilas, suggest that he is worth taking over Beasley for Chicago, despite their lack of a frontcourt scoring option.

Chicago’s decision will not be officially made until draft night on June 26, but regardless of who falls into Miami’s lap, Heat fans finally have something to be excited about.

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