Chicago Bulls pick Derrick Rose with first pick in NBA draft

By K.C. Johnson | Tribune reporter

12:29 AM CDT, June 27, 2008

Derrick Rose likes to attract attention as much as he likes committing turnovers, so a seersucker suit and bow tie definitely weren't part of his equation Thursday night.

Nevertheless, Rose is all dressed up with somewhere to go after the Bulls used the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft on the speedy, sturdy point guard who grew up in the Englewood neighborhood on the city's Southwest Side.

Unlike Joakim Noah's brash and outlandish outfit when he was the team's first-round pick last year, Rose blended in with a classic gray suit, blue shirt and tie. However, as the Bulls' first No. 1 overall pick since Elton Brand in 1999, Rose won't be blending in much anymore.

Fans merely will want Rose to block out any distractions inherent in playing in his hometown and become the dominant floor leader the Bulls have lacked for years.

"Of course it's going to be pressure," Rose said via conference call from New York. "But I'm used to playing in Chicago, so I don't think that will matter.

"It means a lot to play at home. They had great players like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman. … Just knowing that I can be a part of that history, it's amazing. Playing there for the Bulls, I just can't wait."

Rose will be introduced at an 11 a.m. news conference Monday at the United Center and surely will elicit raucous cheers when he throws out the first pitch at Friday's Cubs- White Sox game at U.S. Cellular Field.

In the second round, they picked Sonny Weems, a 6-6 guard from Arkansas, and dealt his rights in a three-way deal with the Nuggets and Blazers to acquire the rights to Omer Asik, a 7-footer from Turkey who will stay overseas as a project.

The Bulls selected Rose over Kansas State power forward Michael Beasley, a player they liked so much sources confirmed they made trade overtures to the Heat for the second overall selection. Those were rebuffed, and the Bulls, who also received intriguing offers for the top pick, agreed on Rose.

"He's a special talent," general manager John Paxson said. "The point guard position is really tough to come by. He has a strength and speed component that a lot of point guards in this league don't have.

"But this isn't going to be Derrick coming in the first day and everything being great. It's going to take time. We have guys who can play with him who will allow him to grow. We feel for the next 10-12 years, we have a position covered that is really important."

Despite Paxson's pleas for patience, expectations will be high for the local kid who led Simeon to back-to-back state championships and Memphis to a runner-up finish in the NCAA tournament during his one season of college play.

Victories have defined Paxson's draft history as Rose joins Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Chris Duhon, Luol Deng, Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah as players who have participated in NCAA Final Fours.

"When he's ready, I'll put him out there, and he'll run the show," new coach Vinny Del Negro said.

Rose's arrival adds to a crowded backcourt. But Paxson insists no moves will be made until the restricted free agent status of Deng and Gordon is finalized—if then.

"Everybody is saying we have to change our backcourt, but we're not going to rush into that," Paxson said. "I think Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon can play very effectively with Derrick Rose. I think Thabo [Sefolosha] can. We have Larry Hughes as well.

"Because of Derrick's age, we are going to be careful with how we go about this. We're not going to rush into giving up players thinking that will solve all our problems."

Rose will sign a contract worth a guaranteed $10,007,280 for two seasons and a team option at $5,546,160 for a third season. Such numbers, along with his No. 1 draft status, attract plenty of attention, which is coming whether Rose likes it or not.

kcjohnson@tribune.com

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