Fresh off the NBA Draft, John Paxson went on 670 the Score to discuss his selection of Derrick Rose with the first overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, Omer Asik, and the restricted free agency situation.

From the start, Paxson saw this as a two player draft with there being no question that Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley would be the top two picks. Ultimately, Paxson chose Rose over Beasley because he felt that the position of point guard is so hard to fill for the long term, so when you have the opportunity to take a player of Derrick’s caliber, you cannot pass that up. Paxson does not think that there are any other point guards in the league who possess Derrick’s physical gifts of strength and speed.

Paxson feels that the point guard is at a premium because of the rule changes that the NBA made a few years ago. The NBA changed the rules to allow less contact on the perimeter. Paxson feels these rules make it so that really good guards who can penetrate with speed and quickness have a huge advantage in the NBA. He thinks that Derrick will be able to get to any spot on the court that he wants to.

He feels that Derrick will be a great fit with the other young players already on the team. He thinks a natural way to lead is by making the guys around you better. Paxson feels that Derrick will be able to take advantage of Tyrus Thomas’ and Joakim Noah’s youth, athleticism, and ability to run the court. In addition, he sees Rose making Luol Deng better by setting him up for easier shots in transition.

Paxson’s hope is for Rose to take to take over the team from day one and run with it, but he preaches patience because Derrick is only 19 years old. Paxson is confident that if Rose doesn’t take over the team from day one, that he will take it over very soon.

With their 2nd round pick, the Chicago Bulls selected Sonny Weems who they dealt shortly after for Omer Asik, a 7 foot, Turkish center. Paxson sees Asik as a futures play. Paxson did not want to add any more players to the roster out of the draft other than Derrick. Paxson said that Omer Asik will be able to come over in 2010.

The Bulls plan to start talks with Luol Deng and Ben Gordon at the beginning of free agency. The Bulls have been in constant contact with both Deng and Gordon, and Jerry Reinsdorf has talked to both players. They want to sit down face to face with both guys right away. While Paxson hopes to get things done early on, he knows that you never know what’s going to happen in free agency.

This interview can be listened to at 670theScore.com

While talking to reporters on his jet, Barack Obama gave his thoughts on who the Bulls should take with the first overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Obama had this to say, “Beasley probably gives them more immediate help, but I think Rose is the better prospect long term. That guy’s like Jason Kidd with a jumpshot, he can be really good.”

We will have to forgive Barack Obama for not being able to watch much of Derrick Rose, we know he has been busy campaigning. If he spent a little more time watching Derrick Rose play, he would realize that Derrick Rose has a very shaky jumpshot.

Derrick Rose previously made it clear that Barack Obama is his choice for president in 2008.

Mully and Hanley got Michael Beasley in for an interview following his pre-draft workout with the Bulls. They talked to him about his thoughts on the draft, his goals, and his thoughts on Vinny Del Negro and John Paxson.

Michael Beasley said that the draft process has been a little nerve racking, but he just wants to be laid back throughout the entire process. He doesn’t want to let the process live his life, or make it out to be anything more than it is.

They told him that the thought that the lottery was to determine who gets to take Michael Beasley. They ask him what he thinks about it now being a two man race. He first says no, that he didn’t tink it was a lottery to take Michael Beasley and then quickly changes his answer to yes. Beasley thinks that the two man race is good because it makes the process more competitive. He also thinks that a two man race is better for the fans.

Beasley thought that Vinny and Paxson were really cool guys. He said they have a couple of stories and jokes up their sleeves and that they were a lot of fun at dinner.

Beasley feels that he makes the other players around him better, especially guards. He thinks he can be a great low post presence that draws double teams, freeing up the guards for open looks.

Michael Beasley wants to be no one other than Michael Beasley. He just wants to be himself. Beasley intends to be the greatest player to ever playing the game, but as Beasley says, “With no disrespect to the greats that passed through this league and are still in it.”

The interview can be listened to at 670theScore.com