The Great Debate: Beasley or Rose?

For the first time in months, I bought a lottery ticket Tuesday night. I figured if the Chicago Bulls could win the NBA draft lottery with 17 out of 1,000 ping pong balls; why can’t I win the lottery in the state of Connecticut—population: 3,504,809?

So, it appears there is no “Curse of Jordan” after all. It also appears that general manager John Paxson can’t screw this up—or at least, I don’t think he can.

The Bulls will definitely add one great player this offseason, but they’d better not stop there. Its current roster is a leading candidate for a new television show—Extreme Makeover: NBA Edition.

Between now and June 26—the night of the 2008 NBA Draft—there will be more mock drafts and debates over whom the Bulls should select than arguments between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

No matter which player Paxson decides is the right pick, it’s impossible to be upset. Both are phenomenal young talents and will most likely hold a permanent spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star team for years to come.

Derrick Rose, the local product from Simeon high school, is drawing comparisons to Chris Paul and Deron Williams after a NCAA Tournament run that nearly resulted in a national championship for Memphis. At 6-3, 205 pounds, Rose has all the physical tools to dominate a game. He showed an above average jump shot, terrific poise and elite playmaking ability.

Meanwhile the 6-10, 235 pound Michael Beasley was the clear choice for much of the 2007-08 season. Beasley was absolutely dominant at Kansas State, averaging 26 points and 12 rebounds while bringing a losing program into the national spotlight.

No doubt it’s an extremely difficult decision. However, with the way the Bulls roster is currently constructed, Beasley is the right pick.

Over the last three seasons, the Bulls have lacked a dominant post presence and pure scorer. Not only can he play with his back to the basket and score in the post, he can go outside and get to the rim.

Beasley causes all sorts of match up problems for opponents. He can abuse a quick small forward in the post, but he can also torch a bigger power forward outside. A presence like Beasley will create open space for perimeter-oriented players like Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich to get better looks on their jump shots; while opening up bigger lanes for slashers Larry Hughes and Luol Deng.

If they draft Rose, the team still lacks a dominant scorer and the lane will still clog up like it currently does for every player on the current roster.

Yet, that’s only the tip of the iceberg and Beasley is only the correct choice if the roster is the same in 34 days. In the meantime, Paxson must be active in his efforts to secure another star before the draft. Any and all of the following players must be made available in a package for the right return: Gordon, Hinrich, Deng, Hughes, Joakim Noah, Drew Gooden, Tyrus Thomas and Andres Nocioni.

The possibilities are endless; so let’s have some fun with this.

First and foremost, Paxson should be on the phone with Pat Riley offering him two different scenarios.

Behind door #1: Paxson offers three or four of the above players for the 2nd pick of the draft. Riley comes away with young, talented players to compliment Dwyane Wade and Shawn Marion, which should allow them to compete for the playoffs next season. In return, Chicago can draft both Rose and Beasley thus having two potentially great players to build around

Behind door #2: Paxson gets really bold (highly unlikely) and offers the top pick for Wade. The Heat will be in full rebuilding mode but have the same situation described above, while the Bulls get the superstar they’ve coveted since 1999.

Assuming neither scenario with Miami works, Paxson must add another great player via trade or free agency that addresses the need for a big man or at guard.

Maybe the Clippers would deal Elton Brand for a package of players. With a strong post presence in place, the Bulls would be free to draft Rose. Another intriguing option would be sending a package to the Denver Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony. Depending on which players are sent to Denver, the Bulls could then draft either player and instantly have two superstars in the starting lineup.

Should the trade market not yield decent return, Paxson could turn to the free agent pool and make a play for Antawn Jamison or Monta Ellis.

If you want to get really silly, look two years into the future. LeBron James becomes a free agent and there is a strong chance he’ll want out of Cleveland. Would the $30 million clause in his Nike contract plus the potential to play with the draft pick and another talented young player be enough to entice James into coming to the “Windy City?”

Sure, Rose or Beasley might not meet expectations. The statistics for Rose may be inflated by playing inferior competition in Conference USA. Meanwhile, Beasley’s attitude and work ethic have come into question leaving many to draw comparisons to Derrick Coleman.

Paxson has been given a second chance. After failing to land Pau Gasol or Kevin Garnett, he can redeem himself by not standing pat and merely settling for one outstanding addition courtesy of lucking into the No. 1 pick.

Somehow, Paxson must find a way to make this a 2-for-1 situation.

Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge made bold moves last offseason to give the C’s a great chance at a championship this season and next.

An easy choice at the top of the draft coupled with one bold move by Paxson should put the Bulls in championship contention for the next 5-10 years.

Last week, the Bulls were in the worst possible position for an NBA franchise: no shot at winning a championship, yet not bad enough to land an impact player to turn things around.

Sometimes, it’s better to be lucky than good.