Don't look now Bulls fans but after 12 LONG years, we FINALLY have a hometown player to watch in the annual event the NBA calls the All-Star Game. Unlike baseball, basketball teams don't get an automatic player added to the team; they actually have to earn it (shocking, I know). Well, after the joke that was the fans voting which nearly included Tracy McGrady who has only played in 6 NBA games for a total of 46 minutes, they did vote in Allen Iverson who has played only 24 games between Memphis and the 76ers. AI was cut from the mighty (actually, they've been much better recently) Memphis Grizzlies after being not much more than major distraction for 3 games. NO teams showed any interest and he finally signed with his original team - Philadelphia 76ers. His numbers just don't compare to Joe Johnson, Rajon Rondo, or Derrick Rose yet he was inexplicably voted in by the fans ahead of each of these guys.
Each of the guys I mentioned were then voted in by the Eastern Conference coaches which obviously have a more realistic picture of the players. So THAT is how our very own Derrick Rose was voted in and will represent the Chicago Bulls as their first All-Star since Michael Jordan was the game's MVP in 1998. For you math wizards, that's 12 years since one of the most storied franchises in the NBA (6 Bulls championships is 3rd behind the Celtics and Lakers) had an All-Star. That's sad and ridiculous, BUT we're all good now folks as we now have a potential perennial All-Star in Derrick Rose.
When I read the announcement that he made it, I felt like DeNiro's character (Jimmy Conway) in "Good Fellas" when he found out Joe Pesci's character (Tommy) was going to become a mafia made man. Jimmy was very excited as if HE were being made and that's how I felt to hear "my guy" Derrick Rose was going to be an All-Star. Hopefully it ends better for Derrick as Tommy gets whacked. I'm quite sure it will.
But this is more than just one Bulls player getting to play in the All-Star Game. This is a BIG step for the franchise. Why? Because good players want to play with other good players. You've heard a lot of talk that the Knicks are trying to work it so they get 2 of the big free agents. Why? Because good players want to play with other good players and the Knicks don't have any of their own good players so they need to get two. Well, the Bulls have one of their own already AND here's the capper...all the big free agents will be playing in the All-Star Game too and most on the East team so he'll be playing WITH them...LeBron, Wade, Bosh, and Joe Johnson. That means these guys will get a chance to play WITH Derrick rather than just watch film on him. Amare is on the West too. They'll be able to talk to him and socialize with him too.
I hate to put any more pressure on this 21-year old kid, but he needs to perform pretty well in this game and be very social with these other guys. He has that "aw-shucks" attitude who doesn't seem to really believe he's as good as he is so who wouldn't want to play with a guy like that?
How much better could Bosh be with a better PG that draws double teams? He's really my guy. I've pretty much scratched Amare off my list after watching the recent Suns vs. Mavs game the other night. If you just looked at his points for the game which is pretty much all they ever show on SportsCenter, you wouldn't think he had a bad game with 22 points, but look closer. He only had one more rebound than you or me and maybe most telling, he didn't see the court in the 4th quarter; instead he was watching from the bench as his Suns turned a 6-point deficit into a 6-point win against a tough Mavs team. Charles Barkley answered THE question on the post game show - "What do you call a power forward that gets 1 rebound?"; "A small forward".
The Bulls as a team have committed to defense this year and are ranked 5th in field goal percentage against which is probably the most telling defensive stat in my opinion. Trading for a guy that has ZERO intention of playing defense would send the wrong message to the team in general. Now Bosh isn't exactly up for Defensive Player of the Year, but the guy does at least hit the boards as he's averaging 3 boards more than Amare. Can you imagine Bosh playing next to Noah for the next 5+ years along with Luol along with Derrick Rose and WHO CARES playing shooting guard? Now THAT works for me!
Anyway, more trade talk later...GOOD LUCK D-Rose!
Oh ya, I'll actually BE THERE in Dallas to root you on Derrick although you might have trouble picking me out among the record 85,000+ fans in attendance.
GO BULLS!!!
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