Even five months later, Michael Beasley isn't afraid to admit how he felt to be Derrick Rose's bridesmaid.
"Upset," Beasley said. "Not surprised. I was disappointed. But he's the hometown kid, a great player at that." Rose and Beasley faced off in a regular season game Friday for the first time since the Bulls chose Rose over Beasley as the top pick in June's NBA draft. Beasley said he enjoyed the draft process.
"I love the Bulls organization, what they stand for, what they believe in -- winning, working hard," Beasley said. "But I'm a Heat, and it's fun."
Just as in their summer league matchup in July in Orlando, Beasley had the better game statistically. Rose struggled through a nightmare game with 11 missed shots and five turnovers. Beasley scored 14 points.
Yet the rookie forward admitted his transition has been difficult.
"Some of the other rookies don't look like they're having a problem adjusting," he said. "It's a different situation for me. It's a new offense. I'm trying to get my game to stay within the team.
"The transition has been a little harder than I thought. But I'm young, just 19. I have a long time to go. I'm not worried about it."
Beasley, for his part, is admiring Rose, and he colorfully alluded to Rose's crossover dribble Nov. 30 that deked Andre Miller in Philadelphia.
"He's hard to miss, especially when you're playing so good and making veterans fall on TV," Beasley said. "But I'm not caught up in the rookie competition. I'm trying to get my game together."
Big number
664
Three-pointers Scottie Pippen made, a franchise record, in his 856 games with the Bulls. Ben Gordon, in just 345 games, needs one more to tie Pippen's record.
