Debate:Should Beasley go #1

[UGA Hayes]

Michael Beasley seems to be the consensus number 1 pick in next year's draft. He is a fantastic offensive player , clearly the best in the country, flashing the ability to post up inside and shoot from the outside, and do many things in between. He is also a very good rebounder.

So what is the debate, of course he should go #1, right. I'm not so sure. Here's why. I really wonder how much of a positive effect he is going to have on a team's winning percentage playing defense at the four. Its not all about effeort either. Despite being a little short for a PF he doesn't have the world's best lateral movement. He also doesn't strike me as a shotblocker on the next level. As much as he bullies people with strength on the offensive end he doesn't seem to great at holding position on the defensive end.

I've always had trepidation about poor defensive players in the frontcourt. Basically it seems one has to be otherwordly offensively like a Boozer to offset that weakness. I can't say there are a lot of other prospects that have a better claim for number one, by I can't help but feel if I were Gm I may gamble on a little less polished player that seems more likely to defend his position better.

[revprodeji]

(*waits for the Beasley babymomma's to make great arguments)

[Cammo101]

Yes, he should. Unless you need a PG, then Rose should. /end discussion

[Worm Guts]

Michael Beasley seems to be the consensus number 1 pick in next year's draft. He is a fantastic offensive player , clearly the best in the country, flashing the ability to post up inside and shoot from the outside, and do many things in between. He is also a very good rebounder.

So what is the debate, of course he should go #1, right. I'm not so sure. Here's why. I really wonder how much of a positive effect he is going to have on a team's winning percentage playing defense at the four. Its not all about effeort either. Despite being a little short for a PF he doesn't have the world's best lateral movement. He also doesn't strike me as a shotblocker on the next level. As much as he bullies people with strength on the offensive end he doesn't seem to great at holding position on the defensive end.

I've always had trepidation about poor defensive players in the frontcourt. Basically it seems one has to be otherwordly offensively like a Boozer to offset that weakness. I can't say there are a lot of other prospects that have a better claim for number one, by I can't help but feel if I were Gm I may gamble on a little less polished player that seems more likely to defend his position better.

I don't necessarily disagree but which players are worth the gamble over Beasley? Rose and then who? I don't see anyone else.

[Ruzious]

He's gott a be number 1 - barring the unforeseen. You just don't see many 19 year olds that are ready to play from day 1 in the NBA at a reasonably high level, and I think he will. His combo of talent, production, and age make him an almost sure #1 choice.

[UGA Hayes]

-= original quote snipped =-



I don't necessarily disagree but which players are worth the gamble over Beasley? Rose and then who? I don't see anyone else.

Can't argue that. The only guy I can think of is Galinari and I haven't really seen him play and you could probably level the same criticism at him as you can at Beasley. Honestly I would really consider trading the pick if I had it. I think the relative success of the freshmen this year has obscured that this isn't the world's greatest draft class-kind of short, lots of tweener types, low on international prospects. Looking at Dftexp 2009 mock, I find the prospects there more appealing than the ones on the 2008 mock.

[MaxRider]

for lottery team in the next 3 years should go for the best player instead of position need
if the west #9 or 10 team end up with the top pick
i believe they will trade the pick for need

[MalReyn]

Yes, he should. Unless you need a PG, then Rose should. /end discussion

Y'know, for all his size, athleticism, and ability, Rose has yet to impress me enough on the basketball court for me to seriously consider him a #1 pick.

That's strange considering he's playing for (arguably) the best team in the country, but it's true. Unless he steps up his play a notch I don't think he could unseat Beasley in the #1 slot.

[Nolan]

He probly will go #1 but his lack of size for a PF and poor defense makes me nervous.

[WheyMan7]

Basically comes down to team need. If both positions are a need...I'd personally go with Rose. It's much easier to find a capable wing player who can score than it is to find a big, athletic playmaker with scoring ability. Just look at the Hornets and Jazz. Those two are set with their young stud PGs. It's hard to pass up that kind of potential at the PG spot.

That said, I'm a Wolves fan and would rather have Beasley on our team given our situation.

[Ruzious]

Basically comes down to team need. If both positions are a need...I'd personally go with Rose. It's much easier to find a capable wing player who can score than it is to find a big, athletic playmaker with scoring ability. Just look at the Hornets and Jazz. Those two are set with their young stud PGs. It's hard to pass up that kind of potential at the PG spot.

That said, I'm a Wolves fan and would rather have Beasley on our team given our situation.

If the TPups get the 1st pick, they should trade down for Thabeet. He'd be an excellent Jeffersonian complement.

[WheyMan7]

-= original quote snipped =-


If the TPups get the 1st pick, they should trade down for Thabeet. He'd be an excellent Jeffersonian complement.

I agree with Thabeet being the perfect complement, especially after seeing how well Theo and Al worked together early in the season. However, I would not trade down to grab Thabeet if the Wolves get a top 2 pick. I'd much rather make a trade that doesn't involve the high pick in order to receive a mid first rounder to take him. Beasley or Rose would be just too good to pass up.

[A.J.]

you always go with best player availible with the #1 pick in the nba and beasley is certainly the best player in the draft

[_BBIB_]

Beasley has hinted at staying in school.

He says he's not ready for the NBA and that money is not an issue for him.


He's actually a lot more humble kid than people give him credit for because the way he carries himself just seems arrogant but he's really as humble as you can expect a talented kid like that to be.

[_BBIB_]

He probly will go #1 but his lack of size for a PF and poor defense makes me nervous.

I wouldn't be too worried about his size:

Michael Beasley
6'9 w/ shoes
235 pounds
7'0 wing span
9'1 reach



In this day and age, you can get away with playing PF in a SF's body. See Josh Smith.

Or even guys who come into the league at PF/C aren't that big.

Look at Amare coming into the league:

Amare
6'8.5 w/o shoes
6'10 w/ shoes
233 pounds
7'1.75" wing span
9'0.5" reach


Just an inch taller than Beasley with a shorter reach. And who knows, Beasley may get to 6'10.

[Turisas]

I agree, people are too worried about his size. Doesn't Beasley have the same standing reach as Bosh?

[Klomp]

He probly will go #1 but his lack of size for a PF and poor defense makes me nervous.

I wouldn't be too worried about his size:

Michael Beasley
6'9 w/ shoes
235 pounds
7'0 wing span
9'1 reach



In this day and age, you can get away with playing PF in a SF's body. See Josh Smith.

Or even guys who come into the league at PF/C aren't that big.

Look at Amare coming into the league:

Amare
6'8.5 w/o shoes
6'10 w/ shoes
233 pounds
7'1.75" wing span
9'0.5" reach


Just an inch taller than Beasley with a shorter reach. And who knows, Beasley may get to 6'10.

If you can play good defense, that is. Beasley is subpar defensively.

[Blame Rasho]

He probly will go #1 but his lack of size for a PF and poor defense makes me nervous.

You know players like him have been drafted before number 1... Coleman and LJ. We can only hope that he has a much better work ethic and doesn't have his career shorten due to gimpyness.

Right now there isn't another player who is making a good case for the number 1 pick and he is having a better year numberwise than Carmelo did back when he was at Cuse.

[Sinistar6]

Beasley better go number 1 or whoever is the GM with the number 1 pick should be fired.

I see Beasley as a perennial all-star+MVP candidate.

If Beasley was in the draft last year, I would put him right up there with Oden and Durant.

[BBen]

Maybe the better question is: would Beasley be a #1 in prior draft classes. My answer is: recently no (Bargnani being the exception because he's the worst 1st pick since Kwame).