The Bulls record is 26-16 and they’re first in the central division. And to top that off, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah are going to the NBA All-Star Games in February. Just those three facts alone are enough to say the unspeakable and that is that the Bulls could do okay without Derrick Rose. I’m not saying that this is an absolutely perfect team. There are many parts of this team that need to be worked on. But instead of breaking out that list of what’s wrong why don’t we look at the positive.

Could you imagine top teams like the Heat or the Celtics without James or Garnett? Let’s be honest they would have a hard time. Rose has been gone for most of the season and with no definite return date in sight the Bulls have managed to hold their own and stay in first place. This is not an awful team, they’re doing their best with that they have and what they have is not as bad as everyone once thought. And just imagine what the team could be like if Rose did come back. With what little we have heard he is getting stronger and stronger every day. Now put this team and that Rose together, we could have a championship in no time.

The Bulls still have a lot to prove with the rest of the season still firmly ahead of them. They will face stronger teams, better players and all while trying to stay in first place. But if what they have done so far is any evidence of what is to come, don’t count them out just yet.

While the Bulls have managed a good season this year, many fans feel it would be better with the return of their star Derrick Rose. Unfortunately for the Bulls, his comeback from an ACL tear is not going to be anytime soon, in fact no date has even been set for him to start practicing with the team. Rose made his first public appearance with the Bulls at a holiday party for 100 Chicago kids at the Berto Center yesterday.

Rose has not been on the sidelines or has made any appearances since last year, but he says he is starting to like what he sees on the court from his team. “They’re playing good basketball. They’re learning how to close out games towards the end,” Rose said. “They’re making smart plays, playing with each other and moving the ball. That’s something we’ve been doing great.”

A report last week said that he was weeks away from returning to practice with the team but Rose’s statement to reporters yesterday contradicts that. “I’m feeling good right now. Rehab is going good. I’m working out six times a week and I’m trying to get on the court as soon as possible but being patient and taking my time,” he said. “And everything’s going pretty good.”

Rose said he was happy to go to the holiday party yesterday for the kids. While he was there he signed autographs, took pictures and handed out gifts to the kids whose parent(s) are deployed, overseas or lost a love one, and kids from CHA (Chicago Housing Authority). “Just seeing the kids, letting them know we’re people, too,” Rose said. “We’re just down-to-earth people.”