Chicago Bulls: What the NBA Lockout Means for Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls

With the NBA lockout potentially taking out the entire 2011-12 NBA season, the reigning MVP and the Chicago Bulls will be out of luck to play for a championship.

The Chicago Bulls made huge strides last year, and they were in position to make another run this season.

The lockout, though, potentially throws a few roadblocks into the Bulls' way.

Of course, many teams will be facing the same issues, but it will need to be seen how the Bulls bounce back after only being this squad for one season.

Loss of Momentum

The Chicago Bulls are coming off of many aspects that would have given them momentum going into next season.

Derrick Rose was the league's MVP.

The Bulls had the best record in the NBA, following a .500 season in 2009-2010. And they made it to the Conference Championship Game.

If the NBA is locked out, the Bulls could potentially lose everything they gained from the 2010-2011 season.

Team Chemistry

The Chicago Bulls of last year were not the same team from the year before.

They had a new coach in Tom Thibodeau.

The team also consisted of many new faces. The Bulls added Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, CJ Watson, Ronnie Brewer, Omer Asik, Keith Bogans and Brian Scalabrine.

With so many new faces, eight if you include Coach Thibs, this team has not had the amount of time to bond like so many other teams.

Reigning NBA GM of the Year Gar Foreman can only hope that things will work out for his team.

Luckily for Bulls fans, the players have gone on to say that they will be practicing together out in California if the team is locked out.

Hopefully, they will mentally stay in game shape and keep what they had going.

Father Time

Even though they technically won't be playing, everyone on this team is going to get a little older.

Sure, it is just one year, but Father Time doesn't pay attention to your career.

Carlos Boozer is currently 29, Kyle Korver is 30 and Keith Bogans is 31. Not as old, but Loul Deng, Ronnie Brewer, CJ Watson, and Joakim Noah are all 26. The 26-year-old crew is not so much an issue when it comes to age, but players like Deng and Noah, who had injuries over the year, still should worry the Bulls.

This is one aspect that is out of the Bulls' control. The only thing they can hope is if the players get the extended rest, they won't "lose the mileage" they would have had the season happened.

Carlos Boozer and His Health

I have no problem with players going overseas. They should be allowed to do what they want.

That being said, they need to consider their NBA squad and understand that, even though they are locked out, they need to be thinking about their real career first.

Carlos Boozer, who has shown interest in going overseas, should not go play overseas. Boozer has a history of injuries, most recently this season where he could not even play to his full potential throughout the Bulls' playoff run.

Some would almost point the finger at Boozer for the Bulls' loss to Miami.

Boozer would be wise to stay home this year. He has plenty of money from the huge contracts he has signed, so he is best to just relax and not risk injury.

Technically, the Bulls organization can't speak to him, so they should consider sending anonymous letters making sure he makes the right decision.

Joakim Noah and His Health

Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah is currently playing overseas.

Is this good? Sure, since he definitely needs to work on developing his offensive skills.

I just don't think this was the best way of doing so. I would have rather seen Noah play back here in the states with the Bulls players and other NBA players. This is because Noah has a notorious case of planters fasciitis.

Noah should be taking it as easy as he can on his foot. He just signed a huge extension with the Bulls, and it is the least he could do for them. Noah is a pretty hard guy to convince, though, and since he is already there, it is too late to make a change.

The only thing the Bulls can hope is that his foot problems don't flare up and that he won't get injured overseas.

This cornerstone piece to the Chicago Bulls front court is risking everything his team has been building towards for years to come. Hopefully he doesn't blow it.