Knicks vs. Bulls: Why Is Derrick Rose a Success While Carmelo Anthony Is a Bust?

Derrick Rose and Carmelo Anthony. One is an MVP candidate, the other is an early disappointment.

The New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls are two of the toughest teams to play for, in two of the toughest markets to play in—that much we know. But both Rose and Anthony are superstars, and yet only one continues to thrive while the other attempts to stave off mediocrity.

Rose has led the Bulls to the best record in the NBA, while Anthony has led the Knicks into hell—otherwise known as the race for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot.

And as we watch Rose take Chicago by storm and Anthony decimate the hope of New York, we can't help ponder a simple, yet dangerously significant question: Why?

Familiarity

Derrick Rose is in his fourth season with the Bulls, while Carmelo Anthony has barely spent a year with the Knicks.

Rose's increased time in Chicago does not take away from what he has accomplished by any means, nor is Anthony's premature New York career an excuse for his current struggles. That said, the more familiar you are with your teammates and surroundings, the easier it is to develop a winning rapport.

The Bulls have had their fair share of additions, but Rose has been there for all of it. Anthony was the big addition for the Knicks.

Rose was also drafted into the feeding frenzy that is Chicago, while Anthony spent the better part of a decade in a more secluded, decentralized Denver. Moving to New York has been a rude awakening for the small forward.

More often than not, experience prevails. When it comes to big-market basketball, Rose is a veteran while Anthony is a rookie.

Head Coaching

Tom Thibodeau became the Bulls head coach with the knowledge that Derrick Rose was the man, and everything must run through him.

Mike D'Antoni, on the other hand, was with the Knicks long before Anthony, and even had a heralded superstar to work with. While New York's loyalty would likely lie with Anthony over D'Antoni, this notion is not to be discounted.

Anthony was not the franchise's player when D'Antoni took the Knicks' head coaching position. He wasn't even a thought. And even upon the All-Star forward's acquisition, D'Antoni had a familiar face in Amar'e Stoudemire to be the face of his team.

Thibodeau has spent the better part of the past two years designing a system with Rose as the focal point, but D'Antoni has been attempting to integrate Anthony into an already established system.

That makes a world of difference. 

Compatibility Within Team Concept

As previously noted, the Bulls offense is run through Derrick Rose, but the Knicks are not run through Anthony.

New York often feeds Anthony the ball, but aside from his brief stint as the team's point forward, the ball is simply not in his hands as often as Rose's.

Rose is also encouraged to take his man one-on-one, while Anthony's love for isolation is frowned upon. The Knicks run a fast-paced offense that dictates split-second decisions be made, which finds Anthony out of his comfort zone.

Chicago's offensive system is anything but lackadaisical, but again, it has been built around Rose's strengths—dribble penetration, drive-and-kicks, pick-and-rolls, etc. 

New York has allowed Anthony to return to isolation on more than one occasion, but it hasn't resulted in a winning formula. Consequently, Anthony has taken it upon himself to attempt unwarranted pull-ups, ill-thought fadeaway jumpers and premature moves to the basket.

And that's simply not how he's used to operating.

Anthony has proven—via last year's postseason—that he can thrive in Mike D'Antoni's system, but he hasn't fully committed to it. Rose, though, is allowed to play instinctively—a level of comfort Anthony just hasn't reached in New York.  

Athleticism/Conditioning

Derrick Rose is no stranger to injury, but he remains one of the most well-conditioned, athletic players in the NBA. 

Carmelo Anthony has never drawn praise for his athleticism. He always possessed a level of explosiveness that allowed him to get to the rim, but even that has become less prevalent as of late.

Rose runs the floor with ease, and unless he's facing John Wall, he is the quickest athlete on the hardwood. His agility allows him to play both ends of the floor effectively, instead of preserving himself for one facet of the game.

Anthony has always been considered a world-class athlete, but has never been in that caliber of shape. He's never had to be. The Nuggets implemented a half-court offense, unlike the Knicks, who strive to get in transition.

Once again, we find Anthony out of his element in New York. However, if he was as committed to fitness as Rose is, this would be a different story. 

Defensive Commitment

One of the reasons why Carmelo Anthony has never unanimously been considered to be in the same class of athlete as LeBron James is defense.

Anthony plays tough and efficient defense against the league's elite assignments—specifically James—but he lacks a consistent effort on that end of the floor.

But not Rose. 

Rose will never average an abundance of steals per game, but he hounds his man on defense. He moves his feet well, doesn't fall for ball fakes and rarely allows the opposition to get by him. And he finished eighth in the NBA in defensive win shares with 4.8 last season.

Anthony, on the other hand, is infamously known for his tendency to collapse on defense. His teammates are often forced to abandon their assignment to help Anthony recover on his.

Anthony's defensive shortcomings weren't invisible while with Denver, but since his arrival in New York, they have been scrutinized to no end, thus damaging his value as a complete player.

Leadership

Carmelo Anthony has not yet lost the right to be considered one of the game's best closers, but the same cannot be said of his willingness to assume the role of a leader.

Derrick Rose, like Anthony, is one of the game's best closers. But he brings an additional dynamic to the table as well, the ability to lead.

Rose's effort on the court is never questioned, because it never wavers, and neither does his commitment to winning. But Anthony's does.

Not only is Anthony not as vocal or as much of a mentor as the younger Rose, he has yet to prove to the Knicks that they will win games on consistent basis when he is on the court.

The Bulls boast the NBA's best record, while the Knicks are 2-8 since Anthony returned from a groin injury. It's unfair to put all of New York's struggles on Anthony's shoulders, but as a leader, he himself should.

But he hasn't.

Rose holds himself accountable for what happens on the court and refuses to deflect blame or responsibility onto someone else. Anthony doesn't directly deflect blame, but he never holds himself accountable either.

That's not indicative of leader. At least not a successful one.

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