Derrick Rose's Chicago Bulls Are LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers
Derrick Rose is a phenomenal player. The year he has put together for the Chicago Bulls has been spectacular.
Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel described Rose after Game 1 of their first-round matchup as having Allen Iverson's speed, Chauncey Billups' shot, Jason Kidd's vision and Michael Jordan's athleticism.
What a comment from an opposing coach!
The Chicago Bulls are the favorite for most in the Eastern Conference, and rightfully so. With great coaching, defense and a superstar player, the Bulls deserve the attention.
Nevertheless, I think many Bulls fans will be disappointed in the result for their team in the playoffs.
I call it Cavalier syndrome.
It's the rush to judgement that regular season success transfers to the playoffs. We have watched the pain and heartache of bad assumptions the last two years with LeBron James' Cleveland Cavalier teams. The best regular-season record the last two years only got the Cavs early exits from the playoffs.
The Chicago Bulls are built exactly like that Cleveland team. Hard-nosed defense, great team chemistry and one superstar are the shared characteristics of both teams.
Derrick Rose is LeBron James from last year.
He takes over games at will, finds the open teammate and makes every highlight reel. This formula is perfect for the regular season. In the playoffs, this will not work. No championship team in the last 20 years has procured a title without at least two All-Star players.
Derrick Rose will be playing by himself in the playoffs' crucial moments. When the Bulls meet great defensive teams like Miami or Boston in the later rounds, Rose will be less effective and the Bulls will suffer.
Luol Deng will become Mo Williams, Joakim Noah will become Anderson Varejao and Carlos Boozer will do his best Antawn Jamison impersonation. It all equates to an early playoff exit.
One man can't win a title, and Derrick Rose will not escape that precedent. He will suffer as James suffered. Boozer, Deng and Noah are great regular-season players, but they will not show up in the playoffs.
For proof, reference Game 1 of their first-round matchup with the Pacers.
Sorry, Bulls fans, The Chicago Bulls will not make the finals.
