MIAMI — Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley will be forever linked. That's an inevitability for players who get chosen No. 1 and No. 2 in an NBA draft.
So on some level, it's fitting their first pro game - one that won't have fans, won't count in standings and will likely be long forgotten in a few days - will pit them against one another. Rose's Chicago Bulls face Beasley's Miami Heat on Monday, one of three games that will open the Orlando summer league's weeklong schedule.
For a meaningless matchup, there's an abundance of big-game hype.
And it almost seems like neither 19-year-old can truly understand why.
"I didn't even know we're playing Miami first," Rose said. "I'm not going to be checking him."
"If you want to make it a Mike Beasley and Derrick Rose show, go ahead," Beasley said. "But that's not how it's going to be."
Fair enough.
Beasley, Rose set for first meeting as professionals....
Monday, July 7, 2008
Beasley, Rose set for first meeting as professionals
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Bulls take Rose with No. 1 pick in NBA draft
By BRIAN MAHONEY – 2 hours ago
NEW YORK (AP) — The Chicago Bulls selected Derrick Rose with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft Thursday night, choosing the Memphis guard over Kansas State forward Michael Beasley.
Rose, a Chicago native, led the Tigers to the national championship game in his lone college season. The Bulls opted for the point guard's playmaking ability over the scoring and rebounding of Beasley, who ranked in the top three in the nation in both categories as a freshman.
Rose is the Bulls' first No. 1 overall selection since they grabbed Elton Brand in 1999. He's the second straight freshman taken with the top pick, following Portland's Greg Oden last year.
The 6-foot-3 guard put on a red Bulls cap, hugged some supporters, including Memphis coach John Calipari, and shook hands with Beasley, seated at a nearby table, before walking onto the stage to meet NBA commissioner David Stern.
Bulls take Rose with No. 1 pick in NBA draft....
As NBA draft looms, Bulls' eye keenly focused on Rose
By Mike Dodd, USA TODAY
CHICAGO — The last time Derrick Rose played on the United Center court, he electrified the crowd with one of the more brilliant performances of his high-school career.
In a span of 20 seconds, the junior guard twice stole the ball and scored on spectacular dunks, leading Simeon Career Academy to the Chicago Public League 2006 championship.
"It was a big stage. I love the big stage," Rose recalled last week.
As NBA draft looms, Bulls' eye keenly focused on Rose....
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Beasley or Rose? Chicago Bulls can't go wrong
By DICK JERARDI
Philadelphia Daily News
MICHAEL BEASLEY or Derrick Rose? The power forward with all-court skills or the point guard with the ability to control games? That is the question for the Chicago Bulls. It is also a question for all of us.
Really, who is better? Is there any difference? Are they such dissimilar players that it really does not make any difference?
Steve Rosenberry has an opinion with a caveat. Rosenberry, a longtime Philadelphia-based NBA scout for the Sonics, recently took a scouting job with the Hawks.
"I know exactly who Beasley is as a player," Rosenberry said. "I'm closer to Beasley's talent because I know him better because I worked him out for a month. This would be a better conversation if I either worked out both or had worked out neither."
Beasley or Rose? Chicago Bulls can't go wrong....
