Derrick Rose's Growth and Maturity Prove he is the MVP
Who knew the term under the radar was synonymous with "best team in the Eastern Conference."
That's just what the Chicago Bulls are. With five games left in the NBA regular season, the Bulls are sitting first in the east at 57-20, three games ahead of the Boston Celtics and riding a four-game win streak.
Derrick Rose, at 22, has set up a pretty good case to become the youngest MVP in NBA history. His on-the-court sophistication and off-the-floor maturity are both beyond his years. We forget he's only been in the league for three seasons, a testament to how outstanding he has been playing.
Few players three years in have dealt with the kind of adversity Rose has had to overcome. From going the distance in a seven-game thriller with the Celtics in 2008, to a (4-1) series shellacking at the hands of LeBron and the Cavaliers in 2009, and now leading a true championship contender, Rose has grown exponentially each season.
Chicago has had some help when it comes their covert rise, benefiting from the summer's Lebron sweepstakes and months of Melo-Drama, flying under the radar to become one of the league's premier teams .
They don't have the star power of the Heat, the Hall-of-Famers of Boston, or the flash of the Knicks. The Bulls are just twelve guys who play as one. And, they have the best point guard in the NBA.
I know its blasphemy to proclaim anyone other than Rajon Rondo, Chris Paul, or Deron Williams as the league's best point guard, but I just did. So call me Benedict Arnold; I will wear the name proudly.
The Bulls are a cohesive unit, one band with one sound. (Isn't that from the movie Drumline?)
The best way to describe the Chicago Bulls is by comparing them to an NFL team. They are like the Ravens on defense—ferocious and menacing. While on offense they resemble Peyton Manning, who trusts a fifth string receiver to catch a game winning touchdown pass as much as he does Reggie Wayne.
If the Bulls are a band, then Rose is the conductor syncing up his teammates to the collective beat.
Adversity reared its ugly head for the Bulls before the season even started. They acquired all-star forward Carlos Boozer, only to lose him to injury until December. Boozer also missed three games in January due to a sprained ankle.
The Bulls have been able to lean on past experiences and follow the approach of "the next man in line" to remain successful in his absence. It's not easy to matriculate a star player in an offense.
Exhibit A: The Miami Heat.
Naysayers believe Rose is nothing more than a scoring point guard who will go to a dozen All-Star games but never win a ring. However, he has two qualities that distinguish himself from the Allen Iversons and Tracy McGradys of the world.
Rose has humility and work-ethic. He's not putting out rap albums or getting arrested. He's the first one in the gym and the last to leave.
Rose has two goals: To get better everyday and to lead the Bulls to an NBA championship. He has already taken strides to become a better player. This season he has increased his scoring average, rebounds, and assists, while improving his three-point shooting.
Complacent, Rose is not. Content, not a chance.
It's the 20th anniversary of the Bulls first championship. Derrick Rose is ready to carry the torch.
