Dressed more like a businessman than a star in a conservative navy suit, former Simeon High star Derrick Rose could have faded into a Manhattan crowd, but his days of blending in might be over.
Top draft picks tend to attract attention. And Rose was the center of it on Thursday, when Bulls took the hometown product over Kansas State’s Michael Beasley with the No. 1 selection. Instead of a high-scoring forward, they went with a businesslike point guard they hope will provide a steadying presence after leading Memphis to the NCAA championship game. "It’s been amazing just waking up in the morning, knowing that today is my day and knowing that I’m going to have a chance to be in the first two picks," Rose said. "Man, it’s been crazy running around, making me feel important. You really don’t want the day to end." That the Bulls went with Rose wasn’t a big surprise. General manager John Paxson had hinted that they were leaning toward the dynamic floor leader who averaged 14.9 points and 4.7 assists while helping Memphis win a record 38 games in his lone season. "I think he’s a special type of talent," Paxson said. "I do feel the point guard position is really tough to come by. I think he had the unique strength component and speed component that a lot of point guards in this league don’t have. He’s 19 years old, and we feel like for the next 10, 12 years, we’ve got a position covered that is really important to have." Not that choosing him over Beasley was easy. Both players probably could have jumped to the NBA from high school if league rules still allowed. Instead, Beasley delivered one of the best seasons ever by a freshman, becoming just the third to lead the nation in rebounds at 12.4 per game while averaging 26.2 points. He had the second-most rebounds and third-most points by a freshman in NCAA history, helping Kansas State to its first NCAA tournament victory in 20 years. He is projected to be a prolific scorer, something the Bulls certainly could use, and Paxson had said he would probably make a bigger impact next season. Yet he saw Rose as a better fit after a disappointing 33-49 season. The Bulls lacked leadership on the court last season, and they are trying to pick up the tempo under new coach Vinny Del Negro without sacrificing much on defenseùareas where Rose could help. They were also thinking long-term with the pick. Although Paxson said the Bulls will try to bring him along slowly, Rose believes he’ll be a quick study. "I think I’ll come in and lead the team," Rose said. "That’s how I feel." Can a 19-year-old rookie do that? "I think I can be a leader on the court and off the court," Rose said. "Age doesn’t really matter. It’s about how effective you are, and I think I’m getting better with my leadership skills." If nothing else, Rose has more conservative clothing tastes than the man the Bulls took in the first round last yearùJoakim Noah. He showed up for the 2007 draft in an outlandish seersucker suit and bow tie. Clothing aside, Rose’s game is anything but low key. "He’s going to make guys better," Del Negro said. "Guys that have his abilityùlength, create, finish with contactùare only going to benefit everybody on the team." Rose is just the second guard taken first since Magic Johnson in 1979, joining Allen Iverson in 1996, and he’s the Bulls’ first No. 1 pick since Elton Brand in 1999. The Bulls went with Arkansas forward Sonny Weems in the second round, taking him with the 39th pick, but Paxson said they agreed to trade him for another player in the draft "who won’t be with us for a couple years." He would not reveal the specifics "until (the deal) goes through." A product of the city’s South Side, Rose had Memphis in position to win the national championship before missing one of two free throws with 10.8 seconds left. Mario Chalmers then hit the tying 3-pointer, and the Jayhawks won in overtime. Even so, Rose made a convincing case that he was one of the top players in the draft. He was particularly good during the NCAA tournament, averaging 20.8 points after a solid regular season, and now he’ll try to help his hometown team pick up the pieces after a brutal season. "Of course there’s pressure," Rose said. "But I’m used to playing in Chicago. I think that will work to my advantage." Rose grew up in the rough Englewood neighborhood and starred at Simeon Career Academy. He’s old enough to remember the end of the championship dynasty but also saw Chicago hit the bottom of the NBA. The Bulls thought they were on the right track after three straight playoff appearances but derailed as individual agendas took hold last season. Luol Deng and Ben Gordon turned down five-year contract extensions, and Kobe Bryant trade rumors surfaced as the season started. Players bickered with each other and their coaches. Scott Skiles got fired in December, interim coach Jim Boylan was let go at the end of the season and the Bulls’ coaching search dragged on about two months before they finally hired Del Negro after high-profile flirtations with Mike D’Antoni and Doug Collins. The team’s luckùand Rose’s career pathùtook a dramatic turn on May 20. Rose signed with agents Arn Tellem and B.J. Armstrong, the former Bulls player and told them he hoped to play for Chicago. That drew laughter, but a few hours later, there were gasps. The Bulls won the draft lottery despite 1.7 percent odds, and a long shot turned into a strong possibility. Chicago still has issues to address, starting with Deng and Gordon. They’re restricted free agents, and even if Gordon leaves, the Bulls would still have a crowd in the backcourt. Kirk Hinrich and Larry Hughes have large contracts, and Thabo Sefolosha made a case for more playing time last season. Now Rose is in the mix. "Everybody’s out there saying the Bulls have to change the backcourt," Paxson said. "We’re not going to rush into that. We’re not going to rush into giving up some of our players thinking that’s going to solve all of our problems. We will be in a position as we go on to make some moves, but this is about adding a player that has unique ability. And he has not, in my opinion, touched the surface of what he’s going to be." (AP) ______ Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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