Thompson: No LeBron, Leads To Super Rose
By Brad Thompson--
When LeBron James spurned Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls in the offseason and decided to take his talents to a star-studded team in Miami, Bulls fans were bummed. It seemed like Chicago missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to welcome the reigning two-time MVP to pair up with All-Star Derrick Rose.
In hindsight, this was the best thing that could have happened for Derrick Rose.
Feelings of anger, hurt and envy surfaced as LeBron joined Chris Bosh and former Chicagoan Dwyane Wade to form the Big 3. Why wouldn't LeBron want to come to Chicago? It's a major market, with a passionate fan base and an up-and-coming team featuring the ultra-athletic Rose.
It didn't seem like it at the time, but for Rose and, in effect the Bulls, things couldn't have worked out better. On Sunday night Chicago completed a season sweep of the Heat. The Bulls proved for the third time this season they are a better team than the Heat.
The reason Chicago is now second in the Eastern Conference is mostly due to the spectacular play of Derrick Rose. He is averaging 24.6 points, 8.1 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game this season, all career highs. Rose is also averaging career highs in three-point field goal percentage, free throw percentage, blocks and steals.
Rose has elevated his game so significantly this year that he's challenging LeBron for MVP and is probably the leading candidate right now.
Rose credits his improved jump shot and perimeter game to hard work this offseason with trainer Rob McClanaghan. LeBron's decision to join Wade and Bosh may have provided added motivation for Rose's strict offseason workouts.
Also contributing to Rose's development is first-year Head Coach Tom Thibodeau. He has helped Rose with decision-making when driving to the basket and has improved Rose's defense.
The players Chicago did bring this offseason have been key factors to Rose's success as well. The additions of Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Keith Bogans, Ronnie Brewer and C.J. Watson have transformed the roster and given Rose more weapons to work with.
Would all of this been possible if LeBron would've signed with Chicago last summer?
LeBron's personality and game have taken over Miami's franchise. It's not Wade's team anymore. LeBron takes all the big shots. The same situation would have happened here. If LeBron's larger-than-life persona would have come to Chicago, Rose's development wouldn't have been as substantial.
Rose's assists wouldn't have improved by more than two a game this season with LeBron, who dominates the ball and facilitates an offense as much as scores. The killer mentality that the humble Rose has shown this year wouldn't have had room to breathe. Rose would've deferred to LeBron, just like Wade has this season, and we'd be seeing LeBron taking all of the clutch shots for the Bulls instead of Rose.
Rose has proven he's one of the premier players in the league, but he's also demonstrating tremendous leadership ability. His tireless work ethic and humility, a trait rarely found among superstars in the NBA, makes him the perfect leader for a team-oriented squad like Chicago. Rose is the unquestionable leader of the Bulls and from what's been happening in Miami I would much rather have him leading a team than LeBron.
Having LeBron play in Chicago would have been fun to watch. Who knows how many wins the Bulls would accumulated if he and Rose had joined forces, but LeBron might have stunted Rose's growth. From what I've seen out of Rose and the Bulls this season I wouldn't want things any other way.
Do you agree with Brad? Post your comments below.
Brad M. Thompson, a former college football player and coach, made his return to the Midwest in 2009 after fighting wildfires out West. He earned his master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and covers the Big Ten Conference and Chicago sports. Follow him on Twitter at @Brad_M_Thompson. Find more of Brad's blogs here.
