Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
The 2012-13 season was a long one for the Chicago Bulls and their fans. Not only did they see their banged up team go through a roller coaster season of ups and downs, but former MVP Derrick Rose missed the entire season despite being medically cleared to play.
Although doctors gave Rose the okay to step back onto the court and compete with his team, Rose chose to sit out for an entire season as he felt as though he was not ready to return. Rose’s decision did not sit well with many Bulls fans as they watched players like Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, and Taj Gibson complete while they were all well under 100 percent, as Rose watched from the sideline. However, it seems as if the Bulls’ leader is finally ready for his highly anticipated return.
In a recent interview with CNN, Rose was asked who the best player in the NBA was and he answered “Derrick Rose.” Although there were many people who were expecting him to say LeBron James, Rose declaring himself as the best player in the league is exactly what Bulls fans have been waiting to hear.
It has been made very clear over the past several months that the only hurdle standing in the way of Rose’s return has been his confidence in himself, or lack thereof. However, Rose proclaiming that he believes to be the best player in the NBA shows that he has finally cleared that hurdle and is ready to continue his league wide dominance.
Rose finally regaining his confidence is great news for the Bulls as they prepare to play the role of party crasher in the Eastern Conference this season. Just three seasons removed from a trip to the Eastern Conference finals, the Bulls have flown well under the radar this offseason with Eastern Conference teams like the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat getting a majority of the attention from the media. However, with a healthy and confident Rose there is no reason as to why the Bulls will not be a serious contender for the NBA title this season.
With Rose finally at 100 percent both physically and mentally, expect big things out of Chicago this upcoming season. The Bulls were one of the best defensive teams in the league last season allowing the third fewest points per game. This allowed for them to secure the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference last season despite struggling on the offensive side of the ball. With the return of their leader and best offensive player in Rose, the Bulls will prove to be a serious contender for the NBA championship in 2014.
