Derrick Rose: 20 Reasons He Can Take Home His Second MVP Next Season
LeBron James won back to back MVP awards. Rose won his at a younger age than The King. Steve Nash repeated as the leagues' holder of the pinnacle of individual excellence and he plays point guard.
So what does that say about Derrick Rose's chances of winning the award again in 2011-2012. Well I take a look at these and other factors. Here are 20 reasons Chicago's Favorite Son can take home his second MVP award.
20. Bulls Fans
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When the Bulls are good, the stars have a huge impact on the league. The Bulls franchise is a favorite of the major networks. The fan base is loyal and consistent.
This has proven to be true as the run of consecutive sell outs for home games in the United Center ran long after the glory days of Jordan and company.
A lot of what produces an MVP run, besides the stellar play of course, is hype and campaigning. The Chicago media loves Rose and the Bulls growing fan base will happily sing his praises.
Do you doubt Rose and the Bulls’ league wide appeal? Take a listen to the introductions and free throw line chants for Rose when the Bulls are on the road.
It sounds like a small United Center crowd. Wait a minute….that doesn’t exist.
19. His Demeanor
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One of the reasons Rose is so beloved is his demeanor. He embodies everything most of the country wants from its athletes.
He is non-threatening, modest, unassuming, short (by NBA standards) and plays and exciting brand of basketball.
The more common, an uncommonly gifted athlete is, the more people feel they can relate to them. This connection creates a fan base and devoted followers.
Derrick Rose is on pace to be the games’ most popular player. If the Bulls win the championship this year, he will claim that spot.
18. The Free Throw Line
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The key stat involved in garnering MVP consideration is of course, scoring. Only three times in the last 50 years, has the MVP of the league averaged less than 22 points per game.
Steve Nash’s back to back honors in 2005 and 2006 and Bill Walton in 1978.
Usually, the path to a 22+points per game scoring average is through the lane and to the free throw line.
Rose understands that and much of his game is predicated on getting to the cup. With his body control and speed, he will be put to the line often.
Rose shot about seven free throws per game, this is consistent with high scoring players. Of all the MVP award winners in the past 50 years, only six of them, haven't averaged at least six foul shots per contest.
17. Unselfish Style of Play
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Though he is a dynamic scorer, Rose is also a willing passer. Some would argue this point, especially in the Atlanta series.
There is no questioning that Rose went through periods during that series where he was guilty of trying to do too much.
There is also no questioning the fact that, even during these times, his teammates never questioned his decision making.
Why? Because Rose has proven throughout his three years in the league that he is willing to find the open man.
Rose is his teams' primary scorer, point guard or not. The makeup of the team doesn't allow him to play like Chris Paul, nor should he.
The ability to score and create for others is what makes him special. The seven plus assist per game he averages show that Rose is definitely not a ball-hog and most importantly, his teammates know it.
16. Chicago Is a Major Market City
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In the NBA, there is almost nothing like having a premier star in the city of Chicago. It is one of a few cities that when the basketball worlds' attention is focused there, the league prospers.
Being the face of one of the four most popular franchises in the sport helps a great deal with overall appeal.
15. The Eastern Conference Is Low on Power Teams
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Beyond the emerging Knicks, the aging Celtics and the unbalanced Miami Heat, the Bulls shouldn't be challenged much for Eastern Conference supremacy.
At least not until another team pulls a blockbuster deal to land a big time talent to pair with their existing star. Thing is, it is unlikely any of those stars will shine brighter than Rose will.
The Heat experience this season is also proving, that forming basketball Voltron offers no guarantees of dominance.
14. The Other MVP Candidates Are Not in Favorable Situations
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When you examine the situations of the leagues' other top flight players, none of them is in the favorable situation Rose is in, in Chicago.
Mileage - 14 years in the league. No player has ever won MVP this late in their career.
Injuries - Multiple ankle, hand and knee ailments make the Black Mamba an unlikely challenger to Rose and a repeat MVP performance.
LeBron James
Great Teammate - Playing with Dwyane Wade may take some pressure off of LeBron, but it also takes MVP votes from him as well.
Dwyane Wade
See LeBron James
Horrible Supporting Cast - Being the unquestioned leader and best player on your team is generally good for MVP candidacy. Your team does need to be good enough to compete though.
The Magic have regressed to the point of being, Dwight and a bunch of guys. They are no better than a four or five seed in the East.
Possibly worse, if the Knicks continue to improve. Players on teams seeded this low in the postseason generally won't win the award.
Uncertain Future - Howard's future isn't likely to be decided during the off-season. As Orlando will probably try to convince him to stay as long as they can.
If they are unsuccessful, then he'll be moved during the season. A mid-season acquisition has never won the MVP.
Amare Stoudemire - Amare wants the ball and so does Melo. Unless the Knicks can grab a point guard, that is healthy enough to orchestrate Mike D'Antoni's offense, I see a conflict on the horizon.
If they can grab that type of player, wouldn't that make the unnamed point guard the most valuable on the team. Then you'd have another scenario of player's taking votes from each other.
Dirk Nowitzki
What Will The Mavs Do? - If the Mavericks don't win an NBA championship it will likely be time to blow this aging core up. Jason Kidd is 675 years old.
Age - Dirk will be 33 years old and in his 13th season. Only Karl Malone and Michael Jordan ever won MVP's this late in their careers.
Chris Paul
Lack Of Motivation - Paul didn't look like himself this year until the Hornets reached the playoffs. I believe he wants out and players' in his situation don't win MVP awards.
Kevin Durant, this is Rose biggest threat
Internal Defense - The best defender against Kevin Durant has proven to be Russell Westbrook. The young two guard trapped in a point guard situation wants to take over.
Never mind the fact that he has the two-time scoring champion at the small forward.
The Thunder need a point guard in the mold of Chanucey Billups to bring some order and put Durant in the position to have those MVP moments, without stealing his thunder.
Derrick Rose has the autonomy to do whatever it takes to win a game. He has no chemistry issues, no coaching issues and no internal competition. He is setup for success better than any other elite player.
13. His Position
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Rose is the quarterback with the freedom to become the running back if he ever wants to call his own number.
Dynamic and unselfish point guards have a leg up on other positions because of the freedom their talent and position afford them.
12. His Improving Jump Shot
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The game plan for most teams when facing Chicago is to keep Rose out of the lane. He is one of the games' best finishers.
His improving jump shot is creating a beast that every other NBA team will have a difficult time dealing with. When his jump shot is falling, he is unguardable and that shot is getting better and better.
11. Work Ethic
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One reason Rose's jump shot is steadily improving is because he shoots a reported 1000 shots per day. The drastic improvement from year one to now would suggest this has to be true.
This is a testament to his tremendous work ethic. Rose wants to be great and he never seems to be satisfied with his success.
10. His Coaching Staff
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These are starting to flow together nicely now. The Bulls coaching staff, mainly, Tom Thibodeau, is constantly pushing Rose.
They recognize the talent level and also that Rose is still very coach-able.
Rarely do you see a perfect match of coaching style and star player. The Bulls are fortunate to find both components, but to find it so early in both the coach and player's career is truly hitting the jackpot.
9. Resisting the Super-Friends Approach
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The Bulls definitely tried to assemble Voltron when they went for James, Bosh and Wade to join with Rose. As we all know, it didn't work out.
Needless to say, if it had, Rose wouldn't have won the MVP this year or any year.
The Bulls are not likely to take this approach any time soon, unless they completely fall apart over the next four or five games in the series with Miami.
Just losing the series wouldn't likely be enough to make any ultimate alliance moves, outside of acquiring Dwight Howard.
8. Team Chemistry
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The Bulls have great chemistry. I have eluded to this factor in previous reasons. Teammates have to allow their star to win the MVP. (See Kevin Durant)
Without teammate cooperation, there is no MVP. The other 11 must defer and be OK with doing so.
The chemistry starts with Thibs and trickles right down to the rarely dressed for action John Lucas III.
7. Improved Defensive Performance
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Rose is not a lock down defender yet. He does show flashes and the willingness to become one. He understands the value of being a complete player.
As he takes a look at the other great players in the league, past and present. To ascend to the heights of players like Kobe, Michael, even LeBron and Wade, he must improve his defense on and away from the ball.
He definitely has the coach to push him in that direction.
6. Age
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Rose is only 22 years old.
The youngest MVP in NBA history, (even though Spencer Haywood won the ABA's version of the award at 20 in 1970) Michael didn't win his first MVP until he was 24. Magic was 27, Bird 27, LeBron 24 and Kobe was 29.
As good as he already is, Rose still has so much great basketball ahead of him.
5. Toughness
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The Chicago kid is tough. He knows that the hard fouls are coming.
Bum ankle, bum wrist, doesn't matter, he keeps coming.
He inspires his teammates, endears himself to the fans and media while grabbing the respect of his opponents.
4. Athleticism
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Nothing spreads popularity in the Youtube generation like a highlight reel play. Rose is capable of a flash bulb popping exhibition every night.
Rose is blessed with a sick vertical, meshed with a playground handle and blazing speed. This makes him one of the most exciting players in the league.
3. Good in the Clutch
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Rose is not one of those exciting players that does the bulk of his damage in the first 36 minutes of the game.
In the fourth quarter is where he has done his best work.
The outstanding basketball statistic website 82games.com defines clutch as follows: In the 4th quarter or overtime, with less than 5 minutes left, neither team ahead by more than 5 points.
During these situations only Kobe Bryant has a higher production per 48 minutes.
Whats more impressive is that the whole building knows he's coming and he still comes through. These are the moments that win MVP votes.
2. His Robin
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The Robin to this Batman is Luol Deng. Judging by the salaries, it should probably be Carlos Boozer, but Deng has been more consistent.
Deng is a capable scorer, but his biggest contribution is on the defensive end.
So, while it contributes to the success of the team a great deal, it will never garner the attention that Rose and his knifing drives to the basket receives.
The best thing about this pairing is that Deng wouldn't have it any other way.
1. Team Success
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The Bulls will be good for a good while. I believe the front office probably targeted the 2011-2012 season as the year they would seriously be able to challenge for a title.
This year has been a pleasant surprise. Winning is the prerequisite for MVP consideration.
The Bulls 62-20 record played as big a part in this years' MVP as anything.
Now think about this, The Bulls and Rose should be even better next year.
