Beasley or Rose?
With the fourth pick in the 2001 NBA Draft the Chicago Bulls select Marcus Fizer from Iowa State. Stupid pick right? Actually Marcus Fizer averaged close to 23 ppg, 7.7 rebounds, and 58% from the field (36% from the three point line). Chicago had Elton Brand, but they were convinced that Fizer was too good to pass up, and they believed he could play small forward in the league. Beasley grabbed more rebounds than Fizer (and Beasley was a freshman), but other than that you could make a close stastical comparision (Fizer had a better FG percentage). I actually saw Fizer play for the Bulls, and I once watched a game while he was injured as well. Jay Williams looked very promising that game, and his good buddy Marcus Fizer took some shots before the game. Fizer clearly didn’t have NBA three point range as he chucked several air balls at the basket.
Clearly Fizer was a low post power forward who didn’t have the speed to play the small forward position. Playing out of position (chasing faster guys) likely put Fizer at a greater risk of injury as well. The Bulls had Elton Brand, so they should have passed on Fizer. This time the Bulls need exactly what Michael Beasley brings, and Beasley is clearly the best available. However, it appears Paxson is leaning towards taking Rose. The funny thing is Beasley could likely play either forward position, because he is more athletic than Fizer. Certainly you would think the Bulls would have this in mind when they make their first selection. I believe they will pick Rose, but maybe they will prove me wrong and make the right choice.
As for Fizer, he was one of the best 6th men in the league in the 01-02 season. At 29 years old Marcus Fizer still has a lot of game left if he can stay healthy. When watching ESPN the other day I noticed him on their list of draft busts. Sometimes I just have to laugh at how these GMs and analysts think. These experts clearly aren’t the geniuses they like to think they are.
I’ve watched some tape of Marcus Fizer overseas and he is no 6-8 260 anymore. This guy’s arms look more like Shaq’s than anyone else I can think of. Fizer drew double teams in the NBA at times, and I think his low post game would bring a lot to an NBA team. Could Marcus Fizer turn into the comeback player of the year for 2008/2009? Possibly, if some team offers him a decent contract to leave Europe.
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