Draft NY '08
Sports Commentary
By: Joseph Russell
Issue date: 7/10/08 Section: Sports
Before the NCAA tournament began, many experts thought Rose would be taken second behind Beasley. Then Rose blossomed, averaging 20.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game - good enough to earn him a spot on the NCAA Tournament All-Final Four Team.
The Bulls made the right choice. While, yes, Beasley brings size down low and can score from anywhere, Rose brings a floor presence that most of us could only dream of having. He can score if he needs to, he can set his teammates up in a position to score, and he made more incredible plays in a single season than some players make in a career.
A player like Rose only comes around a few times in a lifetime, so you take him if you get the chance.
Once Rose had shaken hands with NBA commissioner David Stern, I knew I had some time to wait before the next Tiger would be taken. I didn't know I'd be waiting so long.
As the first round wore on, I heard familiar names called - D.J. Augustin from Texas went ninth to Charlotte, Brandon Rush from Kansas at 13 to Portland and Roy Hibbert from Georgetown was chosen at 17 by Toronto.
Then there were some not-so-familiar names called - Alexis Ajinca, a 7-1 power forward who averaged just 5 points per game in France, was selected at 20 by Charlotte. Courtney Lee, a 6-5 shooting guard from Western Kentucky, was picked by Orlando at 22.
Since most mock-drafts had CDR going anywhere in the second half of the first round, I knew I had to stay tuned because he could be taken at any moment. As the draft continued into the second round, I started to worry. I heard reports that Douglas-Roberts didn't fare well in individual workouts leading up to the draft, but I didn't know how much they could realistically affect a player's draft stock.
When Dorsey was selected at 33rd overall before CDR, I was stunned. While Joey had been the anchor of the Tigers' defense for the past four years, I never thought he would be taken in front of the team's most dynamic scorer.
The Bulls made the right choice. While, yes, Beasley brings size down low and can score from anywhere, Rose brings a floor presence that most of us could only dream of having. He can score if he needs to, he can set his teammates up in a position to score, and he made more incredible plays in a single season than some players make in a career.
A player like Rose only comes around a few times in a lifetime, so you take him if you get the chance.
Once Rose had shaken hands with NBA commissioner David Stern, I knew I had some time to wait before the next Tiger would be taken. I didn't know I'd be waiting so long.
As the first round wore on, I heard familiar names called - D.J. Augustin from Texas went ninth to Charlotte, Brandon Rush from Kansas at 13 to Portland and Roy Hibbert from Georgetown was chosen at 17 by Toronto.
Then there were some not-so-familiar names called - Alexis Ajinca, a 7-1 power forward who averaged just 5 points per game in France, was selected at 20 by Charlotte. Courtney Lee, a 6-5 shooting guard from Western Kentucky, was picked by Orlando at 22.
Since most mock-drafts had CDR going anywhere in the second half of the first round, I knew I had to stay tuned because he could be taken at any moment. As the draft continued into the second round, I started to worry. I heard reports that Douglas-Roberts didn't fare well in individual workouts leading up to the draft, but I didn't know how much they could realistically affect a player's draft stock.
When Dorsey was selected at 33rd overall before CDR, I was stunned. While Joey had been the anchor of the Tigers' defense for the past four years, I never thought he would be taken in front of the team's most dynamic scorer.