Derrick Rose: Is the Chicago Bulls Point Guard the Best Player in the NBA?
When it comes to the NBA, we all know of common household names like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and LeBron James.
What some NBA fans may not realize, though, is the magnitude and potential of something special happening in the city of Chicago. Something that hasn't happened in the Windy City since the days of Michael Jordan.
Not only are the Chicago Bulls (38-16) heading into All-Star Weekend as the third-best team in the Eastern Conference, they have what could be the NBA's best player in point guard Derrick Rose.
Rose, at just 22 years old, has already racked up some of the NBA's best accolades, which include being named a two-time NBA All-Star and the 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year. This Sunday, the former Memphis star will also enter into more stardom, becoming the first Chicago Bulls player since Michael Jordan to start in an NBA All-Star Game.
In yesterday's game against the first place Western Conference San Antonio Spurs, Rose arguably played the best game in his young NBA career, scoring a career-high 42 points in 39 minutes and leading Chicago to a 109-99 victory—the Bulls' 10th win in their last 12 games. Not only that, Rose put up 13 points in the fourth quarter and scored the last 10 Chicago points in the game to upset the Spurs.
The former Memphis star is averaging career highs in points (24.9), rebounds (4.4), assists (8.2), free throw percentage (83 percent) and three-point percentage (35 percent) so far this season, leading a discussion for possibly becoming the NBA's MVP at season's end.
Judging by these stats, what fans wouldn't be chanting "MVP" to the Bulls superstar?
Of course, Michael Jordan is the greatest player to ever put on a Bulls uniform, but Rose, in just his third year in the league, may in fact give the Hall of Famer and six-time NBA Champion a run for his money when it's all said and done.
This in itself will come down to exactly that: championships. The Bulls have a great core of young and talented players that may give Chicago another run at a dynasty, something they have a realistic chance at starting this year.
Regardless of how many NBA championships the Bulls may win with their hometown hero Derrick Rose, it wouldn't surprise me if one day, his No. 1 jersey number is hanging in the rafters of the United Center next to No. 23.
