Derrick Rose and Co. Are For Real, But Do They Have What It Takes to Win It All?

In July, much was made over the malicious wrong doing of LeBron James and his departure from Cleveland to the sunny shores of South Florida. Much was made of Amar'e Stoudemire taking the "Big Apple" by storm. Much was made of the premature proclamation of the Miami Heat as the "team to beat" in the 2010-2011 NBA campaign.

But, little was made of the signings of Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Keith Bogans, Ronnie Brewer, and even Kurt Thomas by the Chicago Bulls.

Throughout the summer, they kept a low-profile, taking the lead of their then unknown MVP candidate Derrick Rose and rookie head coach Tom Thibodeau. Rose knew it all along; his Bulls were a force to be reckoned with and he was ready to become a superstar.

In August, ESPN Chicago, interviewed Rose and asked him his personal goal for the season. He looked right at the camera, and without a blink or stutter, he replied, "To try and be the best player in the NBA."

This confidence, this swagger, hasn't been seen in Chicago since the days of Michael Jordan.

Rose knew what was in store for his Bulls this season. Every championship team needs a leader, one that can be relied on to take and make the big shot. And Rose has shown every indication that he plans on being "the guy" in Chicago for years to come.

The Bulls sit atop the Central Division by 10.5 games and have posted wins over the Mavericks, Lakers, Thunder, Celtics, and Heat.

This all comes after they were pronounced as a mediocre team after they failed to sign LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, or Amar'e Stoudemire during the free agent frenzy that was the summer of 2010.

There is no doubting the individual talent of these players, but would they have been able to accentuate the strengths of Rose's game like Korver, Boozer, and co. do game after game?

The impeccable mannerism that Rose posses as his ability to lead, have steadied a young team with high aspirations. He is not like Kevin Garnett barking up and down the court; he leads through example.

It is remarkable what the Bulls have been able to accomplish without their young and exciting center Joakim Noah for half the year, and their biggest free agent, Carlos Boozer, out for the other half.

It is clear that Rose has elevated his play this season by the clear notion that he does not always need to be supported by veterans and other stars. He has come into his own and is able to lead his team without the help of Noah or Boozer.

The rest of the league better take notice because Rose's Bulls are here to stay, and contend for years to come.