Derrick Rose: Why Chicago Bulls Point Guard Will Win Back-to-Back MVPs

Derrick Rose got off to an early start in his quest for back-to-back MVP titles during the NBA's Christmas Day coming out party.

The Chicago Bulls clawed their way to victory on Sunday night at the Staples Center thanks to their 22-year-old superstar point guard. Rose effortlessly dropped in a tear shot from the middle of the lane as he hung in midair avoiding the Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol.

Chicago will be one of the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference in the abbreviated NBA season. Derrick Rose and his pursuit for a second MVP title is the main reason why.

Shorter Schedule Pt.1

The NBA lockout has created a jam packed schedule for teams throughout the league. Every team will be playing four to five games a week and sometimes six games a week.

There will be two types of teams that will benefit from the rigors of such a compact schedule. First, a team with a lot of youth who will have fresher legs for a longer period of time than travel-ridden vets. Second, a team that has a collective core that have played with each other for multiple seasons.

Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls fall into both of those categories. Rose is still in his early 20's and will be able to use his speed in transition to torch opposing defenses.

Rose's ability to drive to the hole and take on defenders was exceptional during a regular season with proper rest between games. Now, he'll get to face teams coming off of two or three games in as many days and use his legs alone to beat defenders to the basket.

Shorter Schedule Pt.2

The other benefit of a compact schedule for not only Derrick Rose, but a handful of teams throughout the league is that they have played together for a couple of years.

The core of a team that already knows how to play off of one another can not only survive limited practice time but thrive off of it. Rose and the Chicago Bulls contingent have been together for a few years now.

Rose does not need to practice an exorbitant amount of time with his teammates to know where they will be if he crashes the lane or where they like the ball if they're spotted up for an open jumper.

Chicago's continuity will allow Rose to play freely and with a small bit of reckless abandon.

Having Joakim Noah, Loul Deng and others around him should provide a sense of stability and comfort for Chicago's blossoming superstar.

He Can Only Get Better

Ponder this for a second: Derrick Rose isn't in his prime yet. That one little fact has to have accounted for several sleepless and restless night for several players, coaches and GMs throughout the NBA.

Typically, in any sport a player's prime years begin roughly around the age of 24. Derrick Rose is 22 and already has an MVP trophy on his mantle. Yet, he still has two years to improve before he's actually the finished product.

How scary is that?

He can only continue to improve. At his current rate, he could be adding multiple MVP trophies to the mantle, which could include trophies from the All-Star Game, Western Conference Finals or the NBA Finals.

Rose's biggest learning curve will be his mental development at his position in the NBA. He'll garner a talisman-like approach to his position. He'll continue to get stronger and develop his arsenal of tricks.

Playing so many games in a short period of time will only help accelerate his progression into super stardom. If he builds on his performance from a season ago, he'll be bringing home another trophy.

Supporting Cast

Last season the Chicago Bulls were swept into the postseason by hanging onto the coattails of Derrick Rose's MVP season. This became increasingly evident as they progressed through the playoffs.

The Bulls were co-dependent on their superstar and they couldn't deny it.

This season provides a clean slate for Rose's supporting cast. Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah should be able to lend a hand this season.

Rose's point total increased due to his teammates' inability to take over games. However, if Boozer, Deng, Noah and Co. can produce it will allow Rose to round out the rest of his game.

Increasing his assist totals will allow Rose to play at a maximum level in his point guard role.

Minimal Competition

Derrick Rose will not have the fiercest competition for an MVP repeat. Rose will have to beat out two main competitors: LeBron James and Chris Paul.

Cut out all the angst and contempt for LeBron James last season, and you will quickly realize James had an MVP-esque season. The media's villain persona portrayed onto James hurt his bid for the title.

This season is a different story. The villain label has since worn off for LeBron James and has been reassigned to the NBA commissioner David Stern.

James and the Miami Heat will only continue to improve as they develop continuity within their system.

Rose's other main competition is the reason for David Stern's villain tag, Chris Paul. Paul's arrival in Los Angeles did not exactly go along as originally planned.

Paul may not be paired with Kobe Bryant but he's with the slam dunk machine Blake Griffin.

Rose has two players to beat out during the 2011-2012 NBA season. Those are pretty good odds if you ask me.