Come To Think Of It: As Derrick Rose Goes, So Go The Bulls

It's a lot to put on a 20-year-old kid. But it's true. Derrick Rose needs to step it up in this pivotal game four against the Boston Celtics if the Chicago Bulls are to have any chance at getting back in this series.

In game one, Rose was brilliant, torching the Celtics for 36 points. On defense, of course, he was less than brilliant, but we can live with his defensive shortcomings  when he is driving the lane and scoring like he did in game one.

Offensively, he took charge, playing pick and roll and taking advantage of the missing Kevin Garnett in the middle.

In other words, he asserted himself.

But it's not just his offense that makes the Bulls go. As the point guard, he has to understand how to most effectively distribute the rock in order to take advantage of match ups while recognizing the hot hand.

Credit the Celtics for making adjustments in subsequent games, not allowing the Bulls' pick-and-roll sets to shred their defense.

One player that Rose can learn from is Rajon Rondo. He's still learning how to run the show in Boston, yet he has been terrific all series, even playing on a bad ankle.

Rondo prevented Rose from driving the paint, and he delivered the ball to the right teammates at the right time.

Oh yeah, and he scored 19 points and had five steals in game two.

Rondo has the one thing that Rose needs more of.

"I'm just telling you, Rajon is real cocky," said center Kendrick Perkins. "He's got swagger. The good kind."

It's understandable that the very young and inexperienced Rose is still finding himself, and learning the pro game.

It's a lot to put on a young man's shoulders so early in his career.

But the Bulls needs him to grow up real fast, come to think of it.