Is the Eastern Conference Really about LeBron and Derrick?
By Lamar Battle
Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA Team Blue guard Derrick Rose (41) shoots the ball during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
It looks like it’s time to ready ourselves for a possible repeat of the eastern conference battles of the 80’s.
Who can forget all that combined blood-letting between the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76’ers, the Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons and NY Knicks.
With the exception of a brief run by some guys named Jordan and Pippen the eastern conference has suffered mightily through the years, however, a number of factors have set the stage for what could be a return to glory for the east.
Most notably is the return to the Cleveland Cavaliers by all universe player LeBron James and Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls who is returning to a much improved team after nearly two years away.
The basketball gods have also produced one of the deepest drafts in years thus allowing significant improvement in teams like Milwaukee, Atlanta, Philadelphia and New York. Milwaukee and Philadelphia have multiple high quality players who given the right personnel moves should return them to prominence in say three to four years.
Now I would be remiss in not acknowledging the key match up.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls are destined for years of cage fighting and we all will be the better for it.
The Cavaliers have added perennial all-star Kevin Love, Shawn Marion and Mike Miller to an already capable cast featuring Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao. This high-octane attack will be fueled in part by the capable coaching of David Blatt and the most rabid basketball fans outside of Oklahoma City.
The Chicago Bulls have managed to hold the ship together while waiting for the return of superstar Derrick Rose from injury. Well it seems that patience is indeed a virtue ( a little luck never hurt either) because the Bulls have fashioned a team like the San Antonio Spurs. They have acquired or retained players that are smart, unselfish and coached effectively during their developmental stages.
The Bulls have kept their defensive core and identity intact while adding size, a blend of youth, experience and shooting. Defensive stalwarts Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler remain and welcome additions Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic, rookie shooting sensation Doug McDermott, Cameron Bairstow and Aaron Brooks.
It appears that one team (the Cavaliers) will rely on speed and versatility while the other ( the Bulls) will have a decided size advantage and a very deep bench.
The chambers are loaded and the hatches have been battened down but at the end of the day it was always about LeBron James and Derrick Rose. Wasn’t it ?
Oct 29, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (1) drives to the basket as Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) defends during the first quarter at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Since 2008 when Derrick joined the NBA and LeBron was at the Olympics making career plans with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh there was really only one real peer, one real challenger and LeBron knew it.
This is sheer lunacy you say ? No, actually, that thing that separates LeBron and Derrick from everyone else is the same thing that separated the Wilt vs Russ, Bird vs Magic, Sampras vs Agassi and the Ali vs Frazier rivalries. I know what you’re thinking, but, Kareem and Micheal never really had peers during their peak years.
The separator in question? Mental toughness and mental toughness at the level of an all time great. If not for injuries and the “Decision” the story between Derrick and LeBron could be quite different right about now. Consider that through the sheer force of his personality Derrick completely altered the culture of the Chicago Bulls for the better.
Consider also that Derrick is currently the only superstar who refuses to give an inch on or off the floor to LeBron. Derrick Rose understands the nuances of competition and leadership and for this reason he deserves his place at the top of the heap.
Isn’t it interesting how with his return to Cleveland LeBron has re-tooled seemingly on the fly just in time to match and possibly surpass what may be Derrick’s best chance at a title.
People can say a lot of things about LeBron James but they can never say that he lacks vision, smarts, timing and an ability at calculation that may be unsurpassed. Any doubts ? Just try asking Heat president Pat Riley what the in the world just happened.
It seems like just yesterday during a game during the 2010 season that Miami won when Derrick missed a last second shot. LeBron James and Dwayne stood under the basket, looked at each other and shook their heads as if to say that through sheer will this kid almost beat the three of them and with a minimum of real help could probably do it again.
Kevin Durant is a future Hall-Of-Famer but he is not on that level occupied by only two people.
And they know who they are.