NBA Draft: Who’s Going #1?

This years draft may not be the deepest in years but what it lacks in overall depth it makes up for in drama and out of this world talent at the top. 

Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose and OJ Mayo are all considered immediate impact players in the NBA and all have proven it in college.  Derrick Rose took his team to the National Championship Game, Michael Beasley dominated college basketball leading the NCAA in points and rebounds and OJ Mayo single handily resurrected a failed USC basketball program and Tim Floyd’s career.

The top 3 picks this year have been set by the Draft Lottery with the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves wrapping up the top 3 in those respective positions.  Question is who will go #1?  Right now it looks like Rose in Chicago but Miami could trade up for the dymanic guard or trade Beasely down for Mayo and a player.  It’s impossible to say we know what player a team is going to pick as the teams themselves don’t know yet.

Sports Illustrated provides some help as we sort through the impending madness.  SI has broken down the draft into 3 different categories: Top big men, Top guards and Top International prospects.  Outside of the Big 3 above, guys like Kevin Love and Jarryd Bayless add to the depth of the draft but a lot of the NBA’s up and coming talent has been developed abroad. 

Just look at the make up of some of today’s most successful NBA teams, like the Lakers and the Spurs, their  rosters read like the cast of Gladiator.  Tony Parker, Pau Gasol, Ginobli, Duncan, etc etc.

ESPN says Chicago might be trading their pick down.  I don’t see the team that drafted Jordan passing up on talent like this but weirder things have happened.

Madness picks Rose #1 to Chicago.