Chicago Bulls First Pick 2008
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The Chicago Bulls stumbled upon some luck winning the 2008 NBA Draft Lottery considering the talent on their roster already surpasses most #1 pick teams. The poor record was indicative of a defensive letdown, and a lot of these players having a down year like Luol Deng and especially Kirk Hinrich. With the #1 pick in the 2008 NCAA NBA Draft they can have Derrick Rose of Memphis or Michael Beasley of Kansas State. It is unlikely they would trade that pick, but you never know what other teams will have and stranger things have happened during or before NBA Drafts.
Maybe the biggest question for these Bulls is who is going to lead them now as a Head Coach? Scott Skiles was a defensive coach and his approach began to wear on the veterans as they eventually tuned him out and Skiles was fired. Generally you hear from Chicago that they are looking for a different type of coach, with a fresh offensive mind and relaxed with the players but one who does not neglect defense. Mike D'Antoni would have been the perfect fit save for the eye on defense, but just imagine what he could do with Derrick Rose running the point? The Chicago Bulls dragged their feet in the process, and Mike D'Antoni bolted for the love and money he was getting from the New York Knicks. Regardless you would have to think that the coach of the future would want to have some opinion on this vital choice for the franchise.
With the Chicago Bulls lacking a quality interior scoring presence, most had them pegged taking Michael Beasley after the 2008 NBA Draft Lottery concluded. After a few days the view is changing and especially the public in Chicago seem to be rooting for hometown favorite Derrick Rose to be the pick as the floor leading Point Guard of the future in Chicago.
Whoever the Bulls select, they will have to clear a logjam that they built up from that Cleveland Cavalier trade in the middle of the 2007-2008 regular season. If they select Derrick Rose, they will likely have to consider ditching Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Larry Hughes, or at least Chris Duhon. There would not be enough minutes to go around. Likewise if they drafted Michael Beasley, the Bulls would be admitting failure with Tyrus Thomas, at least as their go to player in the post. Drew Gooden is another undersized power forward so minutes would be at a premium for one of these players.
This is why you are likely to see some trades made by the Chicago Bulls but probably not involving the #1 pick in the draft. Instead the Bulls will have to map out what they want to do with their embarrassment of mediocre riches at PG / SG and PF, and trade the odd men out for better fits.