Paxson's hints point to Rose

Perhaps this won't come as a shock, considering the Bulls are about to choose between a pair of 19-year-olds with the top pick of the NBA draft and just hired a bench leader who has contributed less to the coaching world than Shaquille O'Neal has accomplished as a freestyle rapper.

But, yes, general manager John Paxson is looking a few mile markers up the road while trying to rebuild the Bulls. A quick fix for last season's embarrassing 33-win season is not in the game plan.

"When you're in this position, you have to look long term," Paxson said during a predraft discussion Tuesday at the Berto Center. "You have to ask yourself, 'How does this player help you two, three, four years down the road?'"

Paxson would not reveal whether the Bulls will select Memphis point guard Derrick Rose or Kansas State power forward Michael Beasley on Thursday. No surprise there.

The suspicion is the Bulls were leaning toward Rose after winning the lottery on May 20 and haven't shifted in the time since. Rose's size (6-feet-3), athleticism and knack for winning big could turn the Bulls into one of the league's most exciting teams.

Paxson may have provided fans with a few clues about his draft plans, however, and the long-range emphasis was one. Paxson also predicted that Beasley is likely to progress faster as an NBA rookie than Rose.

"We're really talking about two totally different types of players," Paxson said. "One guy, Beasley, there's no doubt he's going to become a leading scorer. And Derrick Rose is a kid who may not start out as fast as Beasley.

"It obviously gives you some healthy discussion among the staff. We've had that."

Paxson also pointed out that his first-time coach, Vinny Del Negro, prefers to play at a faster pace, which would seem to favor Rose.

Then Paxson, a former point guard himself, talked about how the abolition of hand-checking has helped open the floor for electrifying guards such as New Orleans' Chris Paul and Utah's Deron Williams.

"I think ever since the league changed the rule with the contact on the perimeter - you can't put a forearm on a guy and ride him - you see the success of those guys and the difference they've made between winning and losing," Paxson said.

Even though Rose appears to be the odds-on favorite, the debate will continue inside the Bulls' board room. Paxson suggested trade talk involving the No. 1 pick has been minimal but could always heat up in the 48 hours before the draft.

A few more topics were discussed. Paxson doesn't consider either player to be in the instant-superstar category with, say, LeBron James. Rose being a Chicago native will not affect the decision, and Paxson said he feels Beasley's alleged character issues are a nonissue. Both prospects spent 48 hours in Deerfield last week.

"The things that people have said about Michael Beasley, character stuff ... he's a good kid," Paxson said. "I felt both of them were really terrific when they were in here.

"People said (Rose) was really, really quiet. But he talked a lot with us, had a nice way about him. Michael was an engaging personality. He's funny. He carried himself very well."

Asked how he has enjoyed the great draft debate over the past month, Paxson joked that he's too uptight to have much fun with it.

"Thursday night, we'll be comfortable with the name that's called," Paxson vowed. "From that moment on, we're going to move forward and not back and try to get better."