Chicago, You’re on the clock!

With a 1.7% chance of winning the NBA Lottery, the Chicago Bulls now have first pick in the upcoming NBA 2008 draft. But now comes the question, what to do with the first pick? Without a 1980’s Trail Blazer management to pick ahead of them, screw things up and make it easier to find a Jordanesque type of team/franchise changing player, the Bulls will have to do this one all on their own. The last time the Bulls had the first pick, they took Elton Brand. While not a bad pick in any way, it didn’t work out for them. With that said, the two seemingly consensus top picks are Michael Beasley (Kansas State/Forward) and Derrick Rose (Memphis/Point Guard).

NW Hoops musings

I’ve been debating with friends for a while over who will be the better pro of the 3 Oregon Duck Seniors that will get drafted. I hear that Maarty doesn’t have the physical tools, that Bryce is too inconsistent, and that Malik is going to be a force. Almost universally I hear this. I have trouble believing that Maarty won’t find at least a Luke Walton/David Lee niche. (is it terrible that I necessarily lumped him in with 2 other white forwards that aren’t terribly athletic, but do the dirty work that coaches love?) And I think with the reduced pressure of his team NEEDING him to score to succeed, Bryce will open the flood gates and be a nice little Michael Finley-type. I mean, “yes”, obviously Finley was needed to score early in his career… so maybe I should say: Jason Kapono instead.

…and…

Who do the Blazers need in the draft this year? PG? Specifically Darren Collison, Jerryd Bayless, another shocking early pick and Derrick Rose? SF? Danilo Gallinari, Tyler Smith, or Ryan Anderson? …or my personal favorite that might not make sense: Kevin Love?