Bulls-Bucks: Kirk Hinrich and Derrick Rose Put Chicago Back in Business

Yes, that's right—it was Kirk Hinrich that played a crucial role in delivering Vinny Del Negro his first win as an NBA head coach.

Going into the game, all the hype was about Derrick Rose.  And in his debut, the rookie delivered in a big way.  He barely missed a double-double, but still managed nine assists, 11 points, and just four turnovers.  Throw in his three steals, and the rookie had a superb debut.

Rose wasn't the only youngster to have a big night.  Tyrus Thomas notched a double-double, and was on the receiving end of a few electric plays started by Rose.  Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, and Drew Gooden all made solid contributions as well.  It was a team effort in every sense of the word.  But to me the most encouraging performance of the night came from the captain, Kirk Hinrich.

No one knew how the former starting point guard and highest-paid player on the team would respond to coming off the bench as the sixth or seventh man.  If this game is any indication, Hinrich could be in for a very productive season.  He played 26 very important minutes, just six less than the anointed Rose.  His 15 points and seven assists all seemed to be big.  

But more than anything the team seemed at its best when Hinrich was on the floor. The former Kansas star was able to give Rose a break when he needed it.  When the two were on the floor together, they fed off of each other extremely well.  At the beginning of the fourth quarter, when the game was in the balance it was Hinrich and Ben Gordon that put the finishing touches on the opening-night win.

Derrick Rose was impressive, but it may be the steady play of the old captain that gets the Bulls back into contention this season.  John Paxson kept his core talent together.  It may be that with all the attention focused on Rose, the Bulls' "veterans" can step it up and fulfill their potential.  

Imagine if Deng, Gordon, and Hinrich have big years to go—along with an emerging Tyrus Thomas?  Cay you say "Boston who?"