Should Derrick Rose Had Done More to Recruit LeBron James to Chicago?

For now, Chicago Bulls fans, put the biases and LeBron anger aside. Just for now.

Earlier in the offseason, some didn’t (want to) believe that LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade would work well together because their games didn’t complement each others, or because the spotlight isn’t meant for three guys who crave attention.

But oh my, how fast time flies.

It’s already August, but it feels like yesterday when “The Decision” was made.

Scary. October will be here before people know it, so start thinking of Halloween costume ideas.

But what's even scarier than Shaquille O'Neal looking like the Hulk in a Celtics uniform?

The Miami Heat.

The Three My Egos in South Beach didn’t seem that scary before, because the entire team was just them with no depth. But even if the Heat didn’t add much depth to their team relative to that of the Bulls, they still have the potential to rule the Eastern Conference.

Any sports person can only speculate how well they’ll play together, but no one knows exactly how well the season will go for them.

Besides the Olympics, where the competition and atmosphere isn't like the NBA's, no one has seen them play together.

Without a doubt, the Heat are a way better team now, especially with two MVP players and Bosh.

But the Bulls are a better team, too.

Rose was on the Waddle and Silvy Show this morning on ESPN Chicago, speaking after he balled with President Barack Obama.

After listening to the show, I agree with Tom Waddle—the Bulls would be a way better team with LeBron.

Check the math:

LeBron James > Carlos Boozer + Kyle Korver + Ronnie Brewer + C.J. Watson

The truth of this statement is arguable.

Would the Bulls take James over any of the other free agents they got?

Wouldn't he have improved the team infinitely, especially with Rose, Noah, Gibson, and Tom Thibodeau, a coach fresh off an NBA finals experience? 

Yes, the Bulls still had Rose to build around—unlike the New York Knicks or Heat. But maybe not hitting it big was a win-win situation for the Bulls.

Still, as much as it says about Derrick Rose’s character for not calling up LeBron, according to Waddle, aggressively recruiting LeBron would’ve been best for the Bulls, and he’s right.

LeBron would’ve taken away Rose’s development, and Rose knew that. It might be why he limited his contact with LeBron to only text messages earlier in the offseason.

“I want to be that guy," Rose said late July in an interview with ESPNChicago.com. “I want to be the reason why the Bulls are back to what they were [during the Michael Jordan era].”

Considering how much Rose shares the ball and even the media's microphones, he’s allowed to be a little selfish. But LeBron has both the size and rare skill in the game that, mixed with the right team pieces, can lift a team to an NBA title.

So why did Rose pass up the opportunity for the Bulls?

Did he want to be the new face of the Bulls instead of LeBron?

Maybe.

But after listening to the kid talk on ESPN this morning, he sounded genuinely focused on the present while teams were courting LeBron.

That’s a true basketball spirit. While teams were lined up for the LeBron sweepstakes and Wade was having business dinners with his buddies, Rose was in LA putting on a sweat, working on improving his shot.

He was worrying about improving his game, and he said he was focused not on what the Bulls could get, but what the team already had.

By not calling up LeBron, Rose displayed his maturity, and he’s only 21. How old are Wade and Bosh?

Rose showed that he’s a pure basketball player, letting “management take care of that.” By remaining outside the business bubble, he also understands that LeBron is “his own man,” and LeBron's decision was his own. Rose didn't want to be manipulative.

Anyway, Rose thought it was a “no-brainer” for LeBron to come to Chicago. Comparative to the other suitors, the Bulls clearly had the best supporting cast and much more to offer for LeBron—not just one ring, but countless. 

What logic.

Well, maybe LeBron should’ve gotten at least one year of a college education.

However, things might be different when it’s Rose’s turn to discuss contracts. The business aspect of the NBA might eventually get to him, and he might see himself in the same shoes that LeBron, Wade, and Bosh were in some day.

And if Rose was open about Tracy McGrady coming to the Bulls, then why didn’t he pool his efforts into recruiting LeBron, or even Wade, and Bosh?

OK, maybe Bosh and Rose don’t have a texting relationship.

Yet, there’s only so much people can demand from Rose. The least he can ask from the team and fans around, is to trust him.

 

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