College basketball officially ended for the season on Monday
night.
In a thriller of a game, Kansas somehow came up on top –
despite being down by nine with two minutes to go in regulation. A late game meltdown
by Memphis
allowed Kansas
to force overtime and eventually win the National Championship.
While Memphis
will have another shot at the national title next year, they will probably have
to do it without freshman sensation, Derrick Rose. The 6-3, do-it-all guard from
the Chi will more than likely enter the NBA Draft, where he will be a guaranteed
Top Three pick.
You can bet Pat Riley, Donnie Walsh and any NBA team GM with
a potential Top Five pick were among the 10 million or so fans that tuned in to
watch the final game. Those GM’s know that Rose has the kind of game that can
turn around their franchises.
Even though his team lost and he struggled at the time, you
can see that Rose is special. Like Dwyane Wade, he is a powerful guard who can
take the ball strong to the hole and finish with contact. He’s got that Chicago game where he can
break you down off the dribble and can change gears faster than a Porche.
Derrick’s got incredible point guard skills. He is extremely
unselfish on the court and sees the floor as well as anybody in the college game.
Although his jump shot is a little inconsistent (he shot 35 percent from the
three), he has good mechanics and will keep getting better. He plays hard on D,
and his solid 200 pound frame will make it hard for NBA guards to push him
around.
For the season, Rose averaged a very-balanced 14.8 points,
4.6 assists and 4.5 boards per game on a Top 3 team. He can play both guard
spots and can step in and contribute right away.
But just as important as his game, is his character.
Teammates love him, and he is so humble when you see him talk. Despite being
raised in an environment as tough as the Englewood
section of the South Chi, he had a great support system with his protective
brothers.
Right now, Miami,
Seattle, Minnesota,
Memphis and New York, have the best
chances statistically to land Derrick. And you know they are all intrigued with
the possibilities of seeing Rose in their uniform.
Imagine a Miami
backcourt of Wade and Rose? Or picture Rose throwing lobs to Kevin Durant out
in Seattle (or Oklahoma City). Or what
about Derrick playing in the Garden in a Knicks uniform? It would be a perfect
start to the post-Isaiah era – if Walsh has any sense to finally fire Isaiah,
that is.
Although Rose would be my pick if I were the one picking
first in the draft, a lot of people would go with Michael Beasley, the other
super frosh out of Kansas
State. MB is a beast out
there that’s got that inside/outside game like Carmelo – but possible more
athletic.
The Heat are the odds on favorite to get the number one
pick. Who would you take, Rose or Beasley? Sound off here and let me know what’s
on your mind!
