In a downsized, miniaturized world gone mad, the NBA finally, inevitably, has come to the party.
Forgoing an ages-old mantra that you can't teach size, the Chicago Bulls, barring any late theatrics, appear poised to select University of Memphis freshman point guard Derrick Rose -- all 6 feet, 2 1/2 inches of him -- first overall in Thursday night's draft.
It's a selection that would both contradict decades of NBA draft history and illustrate the influence of young point guards such as New Orleans' Chris Paul and Utah's Deron Williams in a changing game where, because of NBA rules changes and interpretations, a little man now can reign.
Only one guard -- Allen Iverson in 1996 -- has been selected No. 1 overall since the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979 took Magic Johnson, and he was a 6-9 point guard.
Time and again, size has trumped all on draft night.
Sometimes, history will show, it's for good reason.
Sometimes, not: Andrew Bogut and Marvin Williams over Deron Williams and Paul in 2005. Michael Olowokandi over Mike Bibby in 1998. Glenn Robinson over Jason Kidd in 1994. Derrick Coleman over Gary Payton in 1990. Mark Aguirre over Isiah Thomas in 1981.
"Bigs,"
Timberwolves Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale said, describing the league's historical draft preferences. "And biggers."
Little becomes big
Phoenix point guard Steve Nash won his second consecutive league MVP award in 2006, the same year Miami guard Dwyane Wade led his team to the championship by reaching the free-throw line for 97 attempts in six NBA Finals games, including 25 alone in a single game.
The Hornets won 18 games in 2004-05, the season before Paul was drafted. Behind Paul's dribbling and playmaking last season, New Orleans won 56 games and earned the Western Conference's No. 2 seed, losing in the second round of the playoffs in seven games to San Antonio.
