Derrick Rose as Jordanesque as Can Be, Leads Bulls Past Hawks in Game 3
When Michael Jordan left Chicago and enjoyed a temporary retirement from the game he dominated, the Bulls became an afterthought.
They entered a period of futility, failing to reach the playoffs for five straight seasons. Then they returned to relevancy, heading back to the postseason and maintaining success until rejoining the rest of the lottery teams after a dreadful 2007-2008 season.
They were missing a lot, but first and foremost a leader, someone who could fill seats as Jordan did.
They had only a 1.7 percent chance of getting the top pick in that offseason’s NBA draft, but they ended up holding the franchise altering selection and hoped Chicago native Derrick Rose could be that guy. The point guard out of the University of Memphis was and continues to be much more.
Forty-four points in Game 3 of their second-round playoff series against the Hawks just added to his legend.
Truthful MVP chants were loud and clear as he explosively drove in for layups, drained three-pointers and pulled up in front of mesmerized defenses for mid-range jumpers. He was being praised loudly, and the game wasn’t even in Chicago.
His point total was a career-high. Flawless basketball was played by the 21-year-old, and he was as explosive as ever, shrugging off an ankle injury suffered in Round 1.
“I think we’re done talking about the ankle,” he said afterward to the Chicago Tribune.
He’s as tough as they come, with the mindset of a 10-year veteran. And though this quote may come across as self-aggrandizing, it shouldn’t; he has a humble and unselfish attitude carried by far too few in the league. He’s all about the team, but he knows victories are compiled in large part due to his efforts.
He’s not about to say as much, though, which is rare in a sports world consumed with ego.
The amazing performance wasn’t all that surprising. That’s how good he has become. He’s always been one of the more difficult players to guard, and the Hawks backcourt had no chance. Of his 16 made field goals, 10 were jumpers. And, it’s worth noting, his jump shot is thought to be a weakness.
He has no holes, but he’s not Michael Jordan. No one is MJ but MJ himself.
The similarities are there, including the mentality, the ability to torch any defense and even the same motion on reverse layups. There’s the same excitement over him as was Jordan, meaning he wows the crowd as the greatest ever to play did. And now, he can also be counted on to deliver when it matters most.
Leading his team down the stretch is just another day at the office.
I was too young to fully respect Jordan, but it’s hard not the laugh in disbelief watching his highlights. A few times I have watched the same mix over and over with my friend, shaking my head and chuckling during every sitting.
It’s the same moves, but they continuously captivating, warranting a "how did he do that?" response. More and more, Rose has this quality.
“When (Rose) is not dancing with the ball and he’s attacking, he’s impossible to stop,” head coach Tom Thibodeau said, as documented by the Tribune.
Added small forward Luol Deng, “It was one of those things where you just give Derrick the ball and get out of the way. He was unbelievable.”
It’s safe to assume the third-year, 6’3″ guard will continue his quest to bring a championship back to Chicago.
(Photo: Keith Allison/Flickr) 
