First impression: Rose and Beasley or Beasley and Rose?

DALLAS — Some misguided souls actually believed Chicago would challenge the top teams in the Eastern Conference this past season.

Now that we've acknowledged one of the lowest moments in my career of NBA prognostication, let's move on.

What is it people say, if you can't be good, be lucky? The Bulls took that to heart in 2007-08. What appeared to be an up-and-coming team descended into a dysfunctional morass. Chicago got its coach fired, underachieved to a non-descript level yet vaulted past worse lottery teams to win the first pick of Thursday's draft.

It will be tough for the Bulls to blow that.

Derrick Rose is the most talented point guard in the draft. Michael Beasley is a power forward with explosive offensive skills. Either athlete is worthy of the No. 1 pick.

The Bulls are on the clock.

Why Derrick Rose

Rose doesn't believe he's the best player in this draft. He will tell you that Beasley is "way better than me."

It's not an act. Rose doesn't believe he's arrived. He searches for ways to make those around him better. He embraces the team concept and his role as a leader.

Memphis coach John Calipari has said his point guard could have averaged 30 points a game last season and the team would have been pretty good, but Rose understood they had a chance to win every game with him averaging 14 points.

"I'm an unselfish guard that's willing to do anything to win," Rose told reporters in Chicago last week. "I mean anything."

Rose commands respect. He leads by example. That shone through at Simeon Career Academy when Rose led his high school team to back-to-back state titles.

Simeon is located on the South Side of Chicago.

"I thought LeBron James was the luckiest guy in the world playing for his home state," Rose said. "Now I get that chance.

"I hope the Bulls pick me."

Why Michael Beasley

No one questions Beasley's talent.

But he did attend seven schools in five years as a teenager. He was asked not to return to Oak Hill Academy after he and a friend bet to see which one could sign their name in black marker on the most objects at the school.

In the psychological test the Bulls administered to Beasley in his visit last week, the young forward was asked if he considered himself crazy.

"I left that one unanswered," Beasley said.

Good answer.

Don't get the wrong idea. Beasley's transgressions seem more silly than destructive. As he said, "I just turned 19 in January. How mature do you want me to be?"

Beasley is driven to be the best. He said second best is no fun. He turns everything into a competition.

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