Predicting Derrick Rose's Second-Half Statistics and Accomplishments

Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls have met expectations this season despite him facing injury issues for the second consecutive season.

Rose's injury has been key for this team, missing 10 of the 36 games the Bulls have played this season, including five of the last eight games. During that stretch, the Bulls survived, going 7-3 without the 2011 NBA MVP, further proving that this is a significantly deep team.

With a win over the New Orleans Hornets to kick off the second half of the season, Rose was able to hit the go-ahead bucket to put the Bulls up for good, 99-95. Yet the fun has only started, as Rose will only look to up his production in the coming weeks.

Here are the projections for Derrick Rose's statistics and accomplishments heading into part two of the 2011-2012 NBA season.

Defensive Statistics

First Half Stats: 0.7 blocks, 0.8 steals, 3.5 rebounds per game

Second Half Stat Predictions: 1.0 blocks, 1.5 steals, 4.2 rebounds per game

Derrick Rose is not just one of the better point guards in basketball when he has the ball in his hands. He is also a defensive machine, using his athleticism to cover a plethora of ground and out-muscle opposing players.

Despite not putting up some of the stronger numbers defensively, Rose is a capable defender that has as much athleticism as a coach could ask for at the PG position.

Against top-notch talent John Wall, Rose was able to hold the Wizards PG to just 4-of-13 shooting and forced four turnovers.

Although he's no Rajon Rondo or Deron Williams defensively, there is no doubt that a healthy second half of the season will lead to improved production from Rose.

Scoring Average

First Half Stats: 22.2 points per game, 46.1 FG%, 31.5% three-point range

Second Half Stat Predictions: 25.0 points per game, 45 FG%, 35% three-point range

In the second half of the season, a healthier Derrick Rose will be able to score the basketball more often and get the points he's accustomed to getting at the rim.

His shooting percentage is likely to take a slight drop, as he will be taking more shots from the field, trying to compete for the No. 1 seed in the east.

Rose is arguably the best scorer at the PG position that the NBA has to offer, and there will certainly be improvements in his numbers in the second half of the season.

Assists Average

First Half Stats: 7.7 assists, 2.9 TOs

Second Half Stat Predictions: 6.5 assists, 3.2 TOs

As the Bulls will have to compete to stay in the No. 2 spot in the east and possibly make a run at the Miami Heat for the top seed, Derrick Rose will play with a sense or urgency.

As Rose makes more plays to get his points average up and create offense for this team, his turnover numbers will likely go up, and his assist numbers will only slightly drop.

Rose is known as a solid passer, yet there is no doubt it is his scoring ability that makes him the standout player he is.

Awards

Last season: 2010-2011 NBA MVP

This season prediction: No awards

As great of a talent as Derrick Rose is on the basketball court, there is no question that Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant and Miami Heat phenom LeBron James have the edge in the MVP race this season.

MVP is the one award that Rose will always find himself in the running for, but there is no question that there are several other players having just a bit more success than Rose in 2012.

Surely, Derrick Rose will make the All-NBA team in the 2011-2012 season, but individually, he will come up just short of any honors this year.

Bulls Playoff Success

Last season: Chicago Bulls lost to Miami Heat 4-1 in the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals.

This season: Chicago Bulls will lose to Miami Heat 4-3 in the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals.

The Chicago Bulls have the one thing that the Miami Heat would have trouble with: a stellar defensive unit that forces tough passes and contested jumpers.

Yet, the Miami Heat have been rolling this season and have seemed to "figure it out," if you will.

MVP front-runner LeBron James will work with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to make a promising postseason run, finding themselves in the NBA Finals.