Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
The big news in the basketball world today is that former Chicago Bulls coach Doug Collins is headed back to the team he began his head coaching career with.
As soon as Collins completes his broadcasting duties with TNT, he will take over the reins. It has been 20 years since Collins, one of the top basketball minds in the game, coached Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in the early years of their NBA careers, before the duo combined to win six NBA titles under Zenmaster Phil Jackson.
Now the question is, Will Collins and the Bulls select Memphis point guard and Chicago native Derrick Rose with the No. 1 pick in the June 26 NBA Draft?
“It would mean a lot,” Rose told ESPN’s Andy Katz Thursday on ESPNU. “That’s a dream come true if I am No. 1. But if not, I’m just happy to be in the NBA.”
What would Rose bring to the Bulls?
“I would have to bring a little bit more leadership to the team and hopefully win some more games,” he said.
And what if the Bulls pass and take Michael Beasley at No. 1, leaving Miami to take Rose at No. 2?
“I would love playing there. (Dwyane Wade’s) a great player. They got great athletes on the team. A good coach. I would like to play there, too, so I’m in a win-win situation.”
Joey Dorsey of Memphis, a noted jokester, told the world he knows for sure that the Bulls will take Rose with the No. 1 pick. Rose said he wasn’t so sure.
“You know Joey,” he said with a smile. “Hopefully he’s right, but if not i’m just happy to be there.”
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.