Derrick Rose: Is the League's Youngest MVP a True Leader?

People question almost everything about Derrick Rose. His intelligence (not just basketball IQ), decision-making on and off the court, demeanor and instincts for his position.

It is true, being a leader of a basketball team is about more than just physical brilliance, which he undoubtedly has an abundance of. It is about intangibles primarily. Does the young Bulls star have what it takes?

Many will reference the SAT scandal from Memphis and power their suspicions of a lack of "intelligence" from his alleged actions in that situation. I mock the use of the word intelligence for this reason. There are many different forms of intelligence.

People tend to pigeon-hole the term into a specific type of person. One who is knowledgeable, well-spoken, etc. When in actuality, intelligence manifests itself in many different ways, even through physical and interpersonal brilliance.

Many will also look at the nature in which Rose speaks and question his ability to communicate effectively. Well, if anyone remembers Magic Johnson as a color commentator, you can recall how bad he was. But no one will question his ability to lead a basketball team or his business acumen.

Certainly, his decision-making has been center stage for a few events: the gang sign picture from college and most recently being a passenger in a car with a friend who was arrested for a DUI. 

The decision to be a part of both of these unfortunate incidents was just that, unfortunate. But it would seem to reason that the young man (who just turned 23 about three weeks ago) can and will mature.

Critics who come down overly harsh on Rose for these events should ask themselves what they were doing at 18 or 23. Or, for that matter, what they did last night.

Athletic brilliance shouldn't have to equal moral perfection anymore that it should equal moral indecency. In short, give it and him a break.

Rose certainly needs to have it stressed to him just what this most recent incident could have meant for him. A horrible accident could have left him or someone else injured or worse. He was not the driver, but he is and should always be in control of himself.

Rose is so very quiet by nature, at least in public. This trait causes some to question his assertiveness with teammates. This, I can actually see as a problem. As a leader, sometimes it isn't enough to just show you're capable of excelling. Others on your team need to be inspired, and some are not inspired by those that lead by example.

The remedy for this could be confidence, age or empowerment. Isn't it too early to say whether Rose will develop in these areas?

One of the most common criticisms for Rose is that he isn't a true point guard. I feel that is not altogether true. Rose is not a traditional point guard, that is a more accurate statement.

It is almost like saying, Mike Vick is not a true QB. Vick had to learn certain nuances to the position, like scrambling while still looking downfield, but running will always be a part of his game.

The same as scoring will almost always be apart of Rose's game. He'll never play like John Stockton. The explosive scoring is what makes him unique. Believe me, Stockton would have struggled to duplicate the Bulls success this year with the same cast Rose had.

Why? Because he wouldn't have had Karl Malone. At the end of the day, you have to put the ball in the hole to win. When you don't have players capable of taking over offensively, the most talented player must do what the others cannot. That generally means taking and making tough shots.

Rose's instincts for the PG position cannot be completely evaluated until he gets another scorer, one that is capable of getting his own shot.

Now, here is a thought, does he even need to be a leader? Or, better yet, the main leader? His personality doesn't seem to naturally lend itself to that role. It may be a more natural flow to have another player whose personality better fits the bill in that role.

It isn't going to be Tom Thibodeau; head coaches aren't really the leaders in the NBA. This isn't football. The formula for winning in the NBA is to find a coach with a effective system. Find a star player to run it, who also buys into it and have him convey it to the rest of the team.

A coach is only as effective as his star player in the NBA. Many may hate that, that is the case, but it is true.

Effective leadership is situational. Michael Jordan for all his brilliance had to find the right talented wing man, with the right temperament, to play second fiddle.

The Bulls needed a coach who could mold those personalities together (Phil Jackson), and he had assistants who were masters in the X's and O's.

All of those factors created a situation perfect for Jordan to succeed.

Rose can be a leader. though he may never be one in the traditional sense, much like he'll never be that pass-first point guard. But, if the right followers and support are in place, he'll lead the Bulls to a championship.