Derrick Rose Still Key To Bulls Title Hopes

Nov 21, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) drives to the basket against Denver Nuggets guard Nate Robinson (10) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 97-87. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

I have a couple of questions. How many of you Bulls fans have Derrick Rose jerseys? How many of you would like Derrick Rose to wear one? Well with the Bulls making a legitimate title run this year, D-Rose is going to have to start replacing his extensive suit collection with a Chicago Bulls uniform.

This offseason has been an overwhelming success in the windy city. The much needed call for help has been answered by the basketball gods and fans of Chicago basketball have much to look forward to next season, but despite the big additions to the ball club the ultimate success still hinges on the return of the wounded bull; Derrick Rose.

The Bulls have made some serious upgrades in a number of positions and have deepened their squad dramatically. The additions of Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic and Aaron Brooks will provide much needed scoring and in the case of Gasol and Mirotic, will stretch the floor well. This combined with the well-oiled defensive machine that is Coach Thibs’ system – which features defensive stalwarts such as reigning Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson – the Bulls have become a formidable foe for any team.

Enter Derrick Rose.

After a torn ACL and meniscus in consecutive seasons, numerous doubts have surfaced regarding the possibility that the former MVP ever regains the same explosive form of 2010-11 but it’s not that level of play that Chicago needs to succeed. What they do need, however, is for Rose to be a consistent performer and to stay healthy. His ability to get into the lane will be paramount to the Bulls chances next season and the team’s newest signings will be the ones who could benefit mostly from it.

Gasol and Mirotic have the ability to stretch the floor giving Rose space to drive and just how much of that explosiveness he can regain will go a long way towards getting his teammates much needed open shots.

The Bulls strong off season also saw them add sharpshooter Doug McDermott through the draft as well as back-up point guard Aaron Brooks. Both guys will add much needed scoring to the offensively challenged Bulls, but again, especially with McDermott, it will take a healthy Derrick Rose to see them reach their true potential.

The United States national team goes into camp next week and Derrick Rose has been named in the initial 19 man squad which would likely be trimmed to 15 after the camp before being shortened to the final 12 players that will compete in the FIBA world championships.

Rose has a great chance to put the basketball world on notice that he is well and truly back with a good showing during the camp. U.S national coach Mike Krzyzewski is said to be keen on seeing the former MVP get back to his explosive ways.

"“Well, we’d like to see him play like the Derrick of old, one of the best players in the world, an MVP in the NBA. What we’ve heard is he’s in great shape. We’ll see how he’ll do in five-on-five, on the fifth day we’ll do intrasquad. Hopefully he’s going to be in top shape. Derrick’s a great player, a great guy. I know representing his country in Istanbul as one of our starting guards was a great experience for him. Hopefully this will be a launching pad for him to have a great NBA season.”"

Coach K isn’t the only person who would love to see a strong showing from Rose – who played in just 10 regular season games last season before succumbing to his second knee injury in as many seasons – as Chicago Bulls fans worldwide pray for an injury free campaign for their star point guard.

What is to become of Derrick Rose and his NBA career is unknown but one thing is clear, the Chicago Bulls have put together an impressive roster around Rose and should he be able to play at a high level for the entire season the sky is the limit for the Chicago Bulls. Did someone say seventh title?