In Full Bloom: How Derrick Rose (And Others) Brought The Bulls Back

"Why can't I be MVP?" The question the started the Bulls' magical season. Derrick Rose asked why he can't win MVP. With all of the talk about LeBron James and his "Decision" and Kevin Durant emerging as one of the new faces of US basketball, Derrick Rose asked why he can't be MVP. The Bulls were not supposed to be number 1 in the league. Tom Thibodeau was supposed to show why he was only an assistant never the head. Derrick Rose was supposed to swallow his words. Then amazing happened.

In the offseason, the Bulls were the favorites to win LeBron James, and though Derrick Rose was reluctant to add someone who could break the chemistry of the team, he asked James about his interest in Chicago. James was rather interested in joining Chicago after meeting with the team. But long before the Decision ever came out, most people knew that he would take his talents to South Beach. But the question everyone was asking was why? James would have joined a great team with a good bench, a good center, and an amazing point guard. But the Bulls instead added Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer, Keith Bogans, Kurt Thomas, C.J. Watson, Omer Asik, and of course, Brian Scalabrine. So with 8 new players, a rookie head coach, and a brand new defensive system, it seemed as if the Bulls were going to limp into the playoffs yet again.

But there was something different about this story. Rather than taking a long time to get accustomed to the system, the Bulls bought into it, primarily because of Derrick Rose. The main storyline was on Rajon Rondo and his work with the Celtics, the San Antonio Spurs and their success, and the Miami Heat and their lack thereof. Chicago went under the radar until the All-Star break when Derrick Rose was named starting point guard, first Chicago starter since Michael Jordan. And though Derrick Rose was talked about as an MVP candidate, he was always behind perennial favorites like LeBron James, Dwight Howard, and Kobe Bryant. Then, after the All-Star break, the Bulls went on a complete tear.The Chicago Bulls complete demolished teams down the stretch, using strong defense to win games. They won games against every single team in the league. They kept battling for first until Miami and Boston hit slides. The Bulls never felt a slide like that, never losing more than 3 in a row. They finished strong to gather the number 1 overall seed.

They were clearly the surprise of the season. They had two starters, Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer, miss significant amounts of time, forcing them to start another seasoned veteran in Kurt Thomas. They had a new system, after the overly simplistic system under Vinny Del Negro disappeared. They had a rookie coach. But they did it. They did it with the best defense in the league, anchored by their "glue" Luol Deng and Ronnie Brewer. They did it with the best defensive rotations in the league (which are Asik, Brewer, Watson, Deng and Gibson followed by Asik, Brewer, Rose, Deng, and Gibson). They did it with a new perimeter game (led by Derrick Rose, who could take home Most Improved Player after his renaissance in the offseason, and Ashton Kutcher Kyle Korver). They did it under the leadership of 22-year-old Derrick Rose, who at one point in his career seemed too meek to talk for interviews. Stacey King is right to say that Derrick Rose is too strong, too fast, too good. But the same goes with the Bulls. They have played well and they have won. That is why Derrick Rose is MVP. That is why the Bulls are number 1. That is why the Bulls are championship contenders. That is why the Bulls are back.