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NBA Free Agency: Derrick Rose Doesn’t See Big Picture
Feb 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (1) during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
On the eve of the most important NBA free agency in recent Chicago memory, star point guard Derrick Rose once again can’t see his value to the process.
Chicago Bulls star hasn’t learned lesson from LeBron James fiasco
No one is saying Derrick Rose is not smart. Players don’t win MVP trophies in the NBA by being dumb. However, history has shown they also don’t win championship rings by being stubborn. Four years ago the Chicago Bulls seemed poised for a title run if they could just get one more piece added to their roster next to Rose. The prize of NBA free agency was LeBron James. The Bulls had plenty of money to offer him, as well as other key names like Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. However, the one thing Chicago didn’t have was their best player as a recruiting agent. Rose said that he would not join in the process because he felt the Bulls didn’t need anybody else and wouldn’t go out of his way to bring them in. As a result, James joined forces with Wade and Bosh in Miami and ended up reaching the next four-straight Finals. Rose watched his team lose two playoff series to them, often from the bench as his knees began to show the wear and tear of being the only credible offensive threat Chicago has.
Joakim Noah and Tom Thibodeau see value of Carmelo Anthony
Fast forward to the present and Rose hasn’t changed. He elaborated somewhat on his stance, saying he feels players should want to join the Chicago Bulls of their own accord, not because he wants them to. Like with James in 2010, the team is in hot pursuit of a new prize this time in All-Star Carmelo Anthony. While Rose remains dispatched from the whole thing, teammate Joakim Noah and head coach Tom Thibodeau have taken the opposite route. Noah has repeatedly urged Anthony to come to Chicago since the All-Star break last season. Thibodeau has been in regular contact with coaches and people close to Anthony, asking what makes the 30-year old go. It demonstrates their clear understanding of what Melo can bring to the table for a team that is one proven scorer away from contention. It’s how NBA free agency works.
The unfortunate thing about Derrick Rose is he’s a product of his upbringing. Coming out of Chicago he had to fight and scrap his way up the ladder, most of the time without the help of anybody else. In that way it’s easy to understand why he won’t beg others to do his job, which is help the Bulls win a championship. On the surface it seems admirable, but in a team sport it clearly hasn’t worked.