Chicago Bulls: Why Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer Co-Exist So Well on Offense
When Joakim Noah had to go out for eight to 10 weeks, Bulls nation wept. The unique character of the Bulls was epitomized in his energy and abandon. The question became, could Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer keep up without him?
The answer has been a convincing yes, as both players have learned to play together remarkably well in a short period of time. So why is it that the two could form such chemistry so quickly?
First though, let's establish just how well they are playing together. Remember, these two did not have a training camp together because Boozer broke his hand before the preseason even started. They had one practice before Boozer was installed into the starting lineup and the team was blown out by Orlando. It took a couple of games before he begin too find his place in the offense, and he's still finding his legs.
Meanwhile Derrick Rose has been bounced around like Allen Iverson on a routine basis, and is playing through a number of sprains, sores, bumps and bruises. Still, in spite of the combined reasons for both to be faltering, somehow the two have come together and are playing as well as any NBA tandem since Joakim went out.
It's pretty impressive when you look at some of the numbers. Since that time, Derrick is averaging 25 points, nine assists, and seven boards. He's become the top rebounding point guard in the league. Boozer is averaging 27 points and 11 rebounds to go with three assists. Rose has an ORtg of 112 absent Noah, and Boozer's is 109.
Perhaps most impressive is how they've both stepped on the other end of the court though, as both have a DRtg of 94 with Noah out. And if you really want some eye popping numbers to look at, it's what Boozer has been doing defending the center spot, where he's taken up a big part of the load of Noah's absence, yielding only an eight Opponent PER.
Having established that these two are playing at a level comparable with any pair in the league, why are they coming together so quickly? I can think of four reasons I've noticed, but this is by no means an inclusive list.
First, is Carlos Boozer's attitude in coming to Chicago. He didn't come to the Bulls to be the man, he came to the Bulls because he saw that Derrick had the ability to be the man. He is seven years older than Rose, but strikes the perfect balance between leader and follower when it comes to Rose.
He serves almost as an on court coach to Rose, and the steady stream of encouragement and communication, particularly on the defensive end from Boozer is often heard even on the TV. Derrick has even joked about how much Boozer talks. Make no mistake, this is a big help to not only Rose, but the rest of the team as well.
However when it comes to "being the man" and taking over the game, Boozer acquiesces readily to Rose, encouraging his growth an development. He wants Rose to have the ball when the game is on the line. He doesn't selfishly fight to be the man.
Second is Derrick's attitude as a player. There's a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and few have settled so firmly in the middle of that line as Rose. He knows his role as the leader on the team, and its face, and he knows he is the person to have that role. On the other hand he doesn't think he is the team and doesn't extend himself further than he should.
Some have misunderstood when Rose takes a lot of shots, or presses too hard, that he is "trying to do too much." What they fail to understand is that Rose isn't being presumptuous; he's being coached. Tom Thibodeau is encouraging him to do that. He's wanting Rose to test his abilities and extend his limitations. Rose is doing what he should be doing then.
The fact that both Rose and Boozer are deferential to one another makes chemistry easier to come by. They aren't fighting against one another; they are learning from one another, and helping one another. This makes a big difference in being able to come together quickly.
Third, Boozer is used to this role. In Cleveland, he played second fiddle to LeBron James in an offense that revolved around James and his having the ball in his hands. In Utah, Boozer played in an offense that revolved around Williams and his possession of the ball. It's a big part of the reason that the Bulls made him their number one target for a power forward.
He's a back to the basket player that can score with either hand. It's his natural game to allow for someone else to have the ball and work for the pass. It doesn't hurt that he can score with either hand and go either way.
His game is a perfect fit for Rose's game, and Thibodeau's offense, which asks for Rose to challenge the defense, drive the ball, and pass to the open man or score. Boozer makes for a perfect pick and roll compliment to Rose. In fact, since Boozer has come in, Rose has been averaging nearly a full assist more per game than he was earlier this season. On the season Rose's assists are up 40 percent from last year, a full two and a half more per game.
Fourth, there has to be some credit to Tom Thibodeau here. It's not just his offense, but also something about his coaching style that really has the team on board with him. The team has really come together quickly, which is all the more remarkable in that only four of the players were Bulls last year. That team chemistry is certainly visible in the rapidly maturing relationship between Rose and Boozer.
Chicagoland eagerly anticipates the return of Joakim Noah and what that may bring. The team has not yet really had the chance to see how well it will look when all three are playing together fully healthy. Noah was injured before Boozer's return and played hurt for a time. What it will be like when all three are playing at full strength could very well make the Bulls a team that could contend for an Eastern Conference title, and even an NBA Championship.
