NBA All-Star Game: Derrick Rose on Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan and More

The 60th edition of the NBA All-Star Game is officially in the books, with the West coming out on top in an exciting 148-143 finish against the East, thanks in large part to Kobe Bryant's MVP-worthy 37-point, 14-rebound performance.

The contest was replete with stand-out performances, from LeBron James' triple double–only the second in the history of the All-Star Game–to Kevin Durant's 34-point eruption to help the West fend off the hard-charging Eastern Conference squad.

Regular-season MVP leader Derrick Rose had a solid contest as well, contributing 11 points and five assists to help narrow the Western Conference team's sizable margin in the fourth quarter.

I had a chance to catch up with the Chicago Bulls' budding superstar at the Westfield Culver City Mall, where the man known to some as "Pooh" unveiled his new shoe, the AdiZero Rose 1.5, which he debuted during the second half of the All-Star Game.

Read on to see what Derrick had to say about his new "kicks," playing in Michael Jordan's shadow and catching up with his high-school teammates.

Derrick Rose on The AdiZero Rose 1.5

Tell me about your new shoe. 

Derrick: "My new shoe is a hot shoe. I like everything about it, love it."

Break it down for me. 

Derrick: "You already know the red is for the engine inside jets, they have a red thing going through the engines of jets. All these are great shoes because they’re great-looking shoes. Kids that can’t afford a basketball shoe and a walk-around shoe can use this as both. I think it’s a nice-looking shoe. Adidas did a great job designing it, letting me know about it. There are three panels on the side for my three brothers." 

So when are you going to be wearing those on the court? 

Derrick: "Hopefully tonight, during the second half, so you’ll be seeing it. I think the first half will be my yellow shoes that I have now, the Rose shoes, and I think this will be the second half."

D-Rose on Becoming a Superstar

What’s been the difference between your game the past two years and this year, now that you’ve earned a spot as the All-Star starter for the East? 

Derrick: "Confidence. I think the confidence, I think my teammates have been a big part of that, trusting in me and having confidence in me to go out there and play hard, especially on the court and it’s been great. The coaching staff has been great. All of us are just working together, trying to get better."

Where would you rank yourself among the best point guards in the league?

Derrick: "Hopefully, I’m up there. Just put me in the conversation. Top three, top five, whatever it is. Throw me in the conversation and I’m fine with that."

Rose on Living Up To Michael Jordan

Vincent Laforet/Getty Images

25 May, 1998: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles as Reggie Miller #31 of the Indianapolis Pacers guards during the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the Bulls 96-94. Mand

What’s it been like for you as both a native of Chicago and as the Bulls’ first bona fide superstar since Michael Jordan? Has there been any extra pressure on you to perform? 

Derrick: "Of course there’s going to be pressure, but it makes you play harder. It’s been great, the city’s been great, our fans have been great. We’re just trying to soak it up right now. We’re having an alright season and we’re just trying to keep it going."

Derrick on The Bulls in The Second Half Of The Season

What are your expectations for the second half? 

Derrick: "Just keep winning, make it as far as possible. There’s no point in playing this game if you’re not trying to win it all and be the best, so that’s what we’re trying to do." 

Would you put the Bulls among the league’s elite?

Derrick: "Yeah, I think that we’ve played those teams fine. We’ve beaten some of those teams, if not all of them. We’re up there."

D-Rose on The All-Star Game

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 20: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls and the Eastern Conference goes up for a shot past Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets and the Western Conference in the 2011 NBA All-Star Game at Staples Center on February 20, 20

Can we expect anything different or interesting from you at the All-Star Game? 

Derrick: "No, you know me, I keep it basic. Usually, the way that I play is kind of exciting anyway, just me playing regularly, but tonight I’m just trying to keep it basic."

Derrick Rose on UCLA Guard Lazeric Jones

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

LAWRENCE, KS - DECEMBER 02: Lazeric Jones #11 of the UCLA Bruins in action during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on December 2, 2010 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Your old high-school teammate Lazeric Jones is at UCLA right now. Have you talked to him at all or given him any pointers about his game? 

Derrick: "I really haven’t talked to him, I really haven’t watched a whole game of his yet, to be honest, but I keep in touch with him. I just tell him to stay focused and stay humble, but I really haven’t talked to him about his game yet."