Chicago Bulls: 4 Former NBA Point Guards from Whom Derrick Rose Could Learn

Isiah Thomas is one of the greatest scoring and passing point guards of all time. He was characterized by being one of the top scorers on his team while also being one of the best passers in the league.

That is what Rose can improve on: balancing his scoring and passing.

Rose has already established himself as a major scoring threat in the NBA, but he still needs to establish his passing game to be one of the elite. If he can learn to balance his passing and scoring games, he will become one of the best players in the NBA.

Gary Payton

Gary Payton's nickname was "The Glove," and that is for good reason. Payton was known for being a lock-down defender. He was named to nine All-Defensive First Teams, and won a Defensive Player of the Year award.

If Derrick Rose can turn himself into one of the top point guards in the NBA, there is nothing keeping him from being one of the most elite point guards in NBA history.

I believe that he has both the physical abilities and the drive to become one of the best, it's just up to him to do it. And imagine what adding a perennial All-Defensive-Team player would do to an already elite NBA defense.

Jason Kidd

Yes, I realize that Jason Kidd is not a former NBA point guard quite yet, but the best days of his career are behind him. I don't think anyone would deny that. And since he is in the twilight of his career, Rose could learn a few things from him.

When Jason Kidd came into the league, he was known as an explosive player on the fastbreak, similar to Rose. However, Kidd's shortcomings came when he was forced to contribute in the half-court offense.

The way that Jason Kidd improved his overall effectiveness was not by dominating the ball more, but actually by learning to contribute off the ball.

Kidd's three-point percentage in his first year was a dreadful 27 percent. However, after working on his catch-and-shoot trey, his percentage has risen over 40 percent two out of the last three years.

If D-Rose can develop a consistent catch-and-shoot jump shot, he can make the game easier not only for himself, but also for his teammates.

Magic Johnson

There is no point guard in NBA history at this point who has been better than Magic Johnson.

Magic reinvented the point guard position from being a supporting role to being a leader. He was one of the most creative passers and dynamic players that we have ever seen, no matter the position.

If Derrick Rose could develop Magic Johnson-like passing instincts, he would easily be one of the greatest players of all time. Not just one of the best point guards—players. Rose struggled this season when the defense would key in on him, and limited himself.

How great would Rose be if he could put the ball exactly where he wanted when he was crowded? That would force the defense to back off of him, and give him even MORE room to work with.

How could you stop that?