I Love Watching Derrick Rose Play...Well, I Used To Anyway

by Tom Lewis on Apr 27, 2009 11:30 PM EDT in Indiana Pacers News

Rookie point guard, Derrick Rose has been a pleasure to watch all season for the Chicago Bulls. Not only did Rose earn his Rookie of the Year honor, he announced his presence as a future star poised to carry the NBA through another generation.

Just as intriguing as his stellar play is the way Rose goes about his business. He's a silent assassin, combining an unassuming body language with a calm, quiet voice, which makes his burst of speed with the ball or his finishes high above the rim simply breathtaking.

So now Rose goes into his first playoff series against the defending champs and ho hums himself into an epic battle with Celtics' PG Rajon Rondo. His game hasn't been flawless but for a 20 year old rookie point guard, the volume of incredible plays and Rose's impact on the series has been monstrous.

Last night, though, something changed for me.

After absorbing the enthralling double-OT win by the Bulls along with the Cleveland Cavaliers mopping up the remains the Detroit Pistons, I realized I had to come to grips with a new era among the Indiana Pacers' Central Division rivals.

The old Pistons that we all know and loathe are officially done after the Cavs made them look like crash test dummies. Detroit could turn things around quickly and have the assets to do so, but they will likely be a team in transition next year as they use their cap space and young talent to re-tool.

But the Bulls? Well, they're set thanks to Derrick Rose, which is what hit me like a Quisy 3-ball attempt last night. I might as well start working up a lather of disdain for this kid now because he's going to be a problem for the next 10-15 years.

It's obvious that Rose has the goods, so any roster moves the Bulls make from this day forward will take into account how the player fits with Rose. The Bulls will continually tweak their roster in their quest for a championship, but the one constant will always be number one running the show.

Rose will be the type of player that makes his teammates better and lures veteran free agents to join him for less money. Yeah, this is going to be a problem.

At this point, I can only hope that Rose's great play will fool the Bulls' brass into keeping Coach Chachi around to run out strange playing rotations, use up timeouts and drive Bulls' fans crazy. Although, in reality, I'm resigned to the fact that the Derrick Rose Era will be too overwhelming for any one coach to derail.

Nope, the time is now to start game planning to account for Rose. Oh, and GO CELTICS!

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Let's hope so

Get him legit low post threat and a coach that knows how to guard a pick and get rid of one of the one-on-one twins (BG/Salmons) and he’ll rule the East

My greatest enemy is my inner me

by TheCool1 on Apr 28, 2009 12:12 AM EDT reply actions

And there's nothing wrong with that

Just because Rose is a beast doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy his antics… when he’s not playing Indy. ;-)

by Ryne Nelson on Apr 28, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah this is a problem

The kid is unbelievably good. And as unassuming as his demeanor may be, his play is the exact opposite. He really attacks the rim well for a PG of his size. And since he’s from Chicago, it seems unlikely that he’ll ever play for another team. This makes it even more important that we get a defensive upgrade at PG.

On a related note, there were rumors a couple years ago that Rose and Eric Gordon were going to be a package deal and go to school together. Once Gordon switched over to IU, Rose definitely had some interest and some believe it was down to either Memphis or IU. I can’t even imagine what would have happened with those Hoosiers if Rose was on the team….. (which reminds me that Josh Smith was actually committed to IU before going pro……)

"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."

by psvirsky on Apr 28, 2009 7:47 AM EDT reply actions

Of course...

Local recruiting should’ve gotten Oden and Conley in the Crimson and Cream, but a lot of ifs ands or buts, hopefully ones we won’t have to worry about with elite level in-state recruits in the future. Haha. But yeah, the 07-08 Hoosiers with Rose, Gordon, and White? That would’ve helped come March when the entire team quit except for White, Tabar, and Gordon (even though he was struggling tremendously).

As for Rose, this kid is going to be something special. We’re going to have to field some all-time Pacers teams to even stand a chance of winning the Central in the coming years with LeBron and Rose.

by Nathan S. on Apr 28, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

I feel your pain on Rose

I have the same potential issue’s as a Kings fan with Kobe in the same division. And he’s 29.

I do have something of different note though: Whose idea was it to change the logo? I like the new logo, but there was something pretty interesting about the old one. Either way, I liked it.

Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

by pookeyguru on Apr 28, 2009 4:07 PM EDT reply actions

Rondo has flat out outplayed rose in the series, and rose still gets more “exposure”
rondo has been the best player in the series, but it has been quite the duel.

Oh, and yes rose is 20, rondos 23, has a ring and imo still has as much upside

by PaintItBlack on Apr 28, 2009 11:08 PM EDT reply actions

Rondo does deserve his due

He’s been the best point guard in the playoffs, bar none. He was dumped on the past two years as a guy who was “all right, we think,” but “was going to hold the team back” and he’s carrying the team on his shoulders, which is going to be very good for Boston when this big three goes.

On the other side, Rondo is outplaying Rose, yes, but Rondo has playoff experience and a much much better team around him. Rose is three years younger, a rookie to boot, and has to deal with Salmons and Gordon doing their own thing in the midst of games. I think the exposure on Rose is fair and quite justified, but I love what Rondo is doing.

by Nathan S. on Apr 29, 2009 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions