Jerry Colangelo was once asked the difference between the Los Angeles Lakers and his Phoenix Suns. Colangelo's answer was, "21 Feet." 21 feet represents the combined height of the of the Lakers 2 previous centers at the time, Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, as well as the then current , Shaquille O'neal. The point was that to be successful in the NBA, you must have a low post threat. What do Dallas, Golden State, Minnesota, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Sacramento all have in common? Right! No man in the middle. These aren't the only ones, but you get the point. Where was Atlanta before Horford? Do you think the Lakers would be playing in the Western Conference Finals without Gasol? I'd say their success grew exponentially by another 7 feet.
Tuesday's draft lottery has created a complex chess match between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat. With the prospect of acquiring Memphis' point guard Derrick Rose or Kansas' forward Michael Beasley, both teams look to improve significantly. For these 2 teams, I say either would be a mistake. No point guard is going to turn around a franchise unless the pieces around him, are already in place. Rose will be a fine player in the league. Mike D'Antoni called him Jason Kidd with a jumpshot. But the Heat are not a point guard away from playoff contention. Who is he suppose to dish to? Beasley could very well be a 20-10 guy, but with the Heat, what would it accomplish? They will be a lottery team again next year, with the Rookie of the Year. Does Kevin Durrant sound familiar? Chicago would be somewhat better off with Beasley, but not as much as you might think. Drew Gooden is still the closest thing to a low post threat. They were a playoff team last year and could return in the East, but the results would be the same--a sub .500 record, and an early exit from the playoffs.
In 1995 the Golden State Warriors used the number 1 pick in the draft to take Maryland's Joe Smith, leaving on the board Kevin Garnett, and Rasheed Wallace. Golden State is watching the playoffs on ESPN and has been looking for a big man every since. Does "small ball" ring a bell?
This brings me to the point of this blog. The impact player of the 2008 NBA draft is Stanfords' Brook Lopez. Now before you call the men in the white jackets, check him out. Lopez is a legitimate 7 feet. He averages 19 and 8. A good shot blocker. Good mid-range jumper. Moves well around the basket. Plays hard and smart. Probably would compare favorably to Chris Kaman. In Miami with Haslem and Marion, Lopez immediately shores up your non-existent front line. Miami would have a low post presence that makes life a lot easier for D Wade. I would go as far as saying Lopez combined with Drew Gooden completely changes Chicago's whole game on both ends of the floor. Now, none of what I have to say is going to influence Paxon or Riley, and they're going ahead with their plan. Lopez will team up with Kevin Durrant in Seattle and write history. I'll be here writing blogs free, instead of being paid the big bucks to make these decisions. That's alright though, I have the personal satisfaction of being right. Riley and Paxon won't be able to say that.
If your basketball IQ is above single digits, let me know what you think. As always, I appreciate your stopping by.
Jarah Mariano
Danica Patrck
Did You See That?
NFL's Quadruple Threats
Comments (30) Add A Comment
I think Chicago would make a huge mistake by drafting Derrick Rose...the Bulls are guard rich that wasn't there problem at all last year. I think the Bulls are in an incredibly difficult position because there really isn't that game changing center that they can take number one overall and be able to justify having to pay that guy like a number one player. I think a guy like Brook Lopez is going to be a great player in the NBA it's just that the times I watched Stanford with he and his brother they both seemed to find themselves in foul trouble a lot. I think Brook needs to work on that to really be successful in the NBA. Good blog
badgerfan07
Whitewater , WI
Total Comments (1601)
The Bulls should take Rose
Then the Heat have Beasley
Lopez is good- but not that good-
and the Bulls have massive trade value right now.
Kirk can go in a package for a vet C - say w/ Deng for Elton Brand?
You want to play a…
Princeton , LA
Total Comments (29266)
Rose is a great PG that would be hard to pass up,as he should become a great one.Hinrich is not a true PG in my opinion and this would give them an excellent PG with Hinrich to move to his natural shootingt guard position.Deng and Gordon are question marks to be considered as they are both unrestricted free agents.Beasly is one of those prospects you lable as can't miss with all the talent and versatility he posesses.But he wouldn't provide the big man necesarrily that Chicago needs,which Lopez can fill.I think he needs to work on extending his range,other than that he has an outstanding skill set.Anyone of these three could be chosen by the Bulls.They are set.
(Cincy)
Jamestown, OH
Total Comments (11295)
Hllywd,
I can't agree with you here...there have been may 7 foot stiffs in the league over the years, and I don't see Lopez being much more than a serviceable big man.
If he's so good, why is his twin brother no where near the top half of the mock draft? Twins man.
Odenator...I'll be…
Total Comments (1017)
2 words Michael Olawakondi, see dont know how to spell it cause he BLEW, Cant miss 7 footers dont go unnoticed, if he was legit hed be mentioned as a top pick prospect, ur argument abotu kg and rasheed is invalid as they were actually considered top prospects and joe smith was a scoring machine in college, and if u watched any bulls games this year he still can score when given the chance, the cavs are fools for not using him more in the playoffs, plus that draft was 13 years ago and neither sheed or kg are with their current teams nor did they lead their original teams to the finals, look deeply into the mirror and check ur basketball iq, bulls pick rose, heat trade out of spot, thats what i see happening
Hoosierboy3423
Highland , IN
Total Comments (11)
I won't be like another fannation pronosticator who shall remain nameless, if I'm wrong. We'll have this discussion again. With Drew Gooden as the closest thing the Bulls have to a low post threat, Lopez can't miss in Chicago. It's been just 3 years that they went out and got Ben Wallace for the same reason.
Hllywd: Old…
Columbus , OH
Total Comments (4237)
Great blog but if Miami takes Rose, who will he dish to????
UM, Wade and Marion ring a bell???
djroxalot
Total Comments (15229)
Beasley is going to Chi-town if they are smart......They need low post scoring and can slide Gooden to center in the East.....
FYI: Rose might turn out to be a good player but he isnt Jason Kidd at all......He wont be the rebounder Kidd is.......
djroxalot
Total Comments (15229)
If Rose goes to Chicago, watch Hinrich get traded and Chicago not to resign Gordon
djroxalot
Total Comments (15229)
As usual Hollywood, great blog......U and Hova are 2 of the better ones here
djroxalot
Total Comments (15229)
Thank you. We seem to disagree a lot, but I appreciate your insight. It wouldn't be much fun if we all saw eye to eye.
Hllywd: Old…
Columbus , OH
Total Comments (4237)
This is why Oden was so important last year, even though he spent the whole year hurt. A Big Man - With skills - is key to winning in the NBA.
However, I'm not really sold on Lopez. I don't know what it is ... lack of imagination or something... seems like he plays to mechanically. With coaching, he could turn into something, but I doubt he will have an impact for at least a few years.
Thugmeister
State Of Jefferson, CA
Total Comments (2575)
I'll be intersted to see how Brook fairs without the double threat of his twin.
JkShaz82
Total Comments (465)
Hllywd, what happened to the late, great El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz? Anyways, I like the idea, but I just wouldn't pass up on Rose or Beasley. Remember the '84 draft? Portland's still pinching themselves for not selecting MJ. Chicago, I think is in a position to trade some of the talent they have for another top-ten pick. Roy Hibbert will be available.
arejaydub
Total Comments (5195)
arejaydub
Monday was his birthday, I was trying to recognize. He'll be back.
Hllywd: Old…
Columbus , OH
Total Comments (4237)
What did the Kings ever do before or after getting a passing big man in the middle(Vlade Divac)? Zip zero zilch.
Great blog.
Cassidy's Pumpkins 4…
Whatsittoya, NO
Total Comments (14045)
i think the bulls will take rose for one big reason: marketability. think about it, they can sell him to the public as a high profile player born and raised in chicago, who takes his team to championships, which jerry reinsdorf will love...im not saying that you cant sell beasley, but i think the idea of taking a local product that leads teams to championships is too good to pass up on...if they take beasley, which i believe they should, rose can go to miami and have a dual chicago threat to dominate the back court in miami...i like rose and i like beasley, but i think that beasley would be better for chicago despite his personality issues (six high schools in five different states)...a very good philsophy in this blog
sox18
Total Comments (1)
As a Bulls fan either player (Rose,-Beasley)would fill a big need for the team. The choice simple. The super-star, the one who will be a super-star is who the Bulls should pick. The only problem is, which one is that? While Beasley is the 'safer' pick I think his ceiling is only so high. Rose could be the top PG in the league at worst a great defender and general.
Pimpston23
Dublin , OH
Total Comments (70)
To those with a difference of opinion, think about something. Name a team in the history of the league that won a championship without a center. Neither Chicago or Miami have one.. Just a thought.
Hllywd: Old…
Columbus , OH
Total Comments (4237)
Chicago won 6 NBA championships not to long ago without a great center
CyrilNoelke
Chicago , IL
Total Comments (37)
Comment
Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.