The sky is the limit for Derrick Rose. His recent play has shown why he was the number 1 pick in the NBA Draft.

You know it when you see it. There isn’t one specific thing that stands out when you are watching it. You just know. There are certain athletes that stand out from the first time you watch them. There are those precious few who make you stop what you’re doing to tune in when they play. You arrange plans around their games, you show up early when you get to see them live, or you might even cancel plans with the lady just to watch them. These certain few are worth the hype. We have reached that point with Derrick Rose. It’s not just a matter of whether or not he will live up to the billing of being the number 1 pick, but whether or not he will become a Hall of Fame player. That’s how good I think he is. Those drooling at the feet of John Wall (which basketball “experts” aren’t?!) –I’ll stick with Rose as the best point guard prospect on the planet. Rose has re-energized the Bulls at a level close to Jordan did in the 80′s. There is still some of the stink left from John Paxson’s failed “good guys from big programs” plan, but with Rose in the fold…..the Bulls have one of the best future’s in the NBA.

It’s easier for fans to recognize basketball players compared to other athletes because of the proximity of the court to where you may be sitting. Unless, of course ,you are sitting in the Madhouse on Madison 300 level at the United Center. For the first time since Michael Jordan left town in June of ’98, we have a must- see performer. Derrick Rose is becoming the best athlete in town. A player with more talent than ego. A coachable player who genuinely wants to win. That’s Derrick Rose. He isn’t concerned about money, celebrity, cars, bling, his status as the Alfa Dog of the team, or the better- than -you ego that surrounds many number 1 draft picks. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Derrick Rose is taking control of a franchise that needs leadership more than the Bears need new ownership. He is Tony taking control of the Soprano family. The thing I love about how Rose is taking command is how he has done it without feeling the need to tell people he wants the role. There isn’t a power struggle like the Vikings went through with Brad Childress and Brett Favre. This is the D Rose show. Ben Gordon talked about wanting to be a star player, but when a team has “The One”, you just know it. Bulls fans went through 11 years of misery before being given the gift of a blooming Rose. All great NBA players have their breakout season. For many, it comes in their 2nd season. We are seeing Rose make that leap. Jordan did it in the ’86-’87 season averaging 37.1 points per game, Kobe did in the Lakers ’99-’00 season, Kevin Garnett in the ’98 season, Allen Iverson in ’98, Dwyane Wade as a rookie in the playoffs, Kevin Durant this season and even Stacey King in the ’90-’91 season. I’m kidding, of course, about King.

When watching Derrick Rose early in the season, you may have thought he was in a sophomore slump or that the league saw enough of him in the greatest playoff series ever played (I’m being extremely sarcastic), but the fact is, he wasn’t healthy. With an ankle injury that was more serious than reported, Rose struggled and all of the haters came out of the wood work. Suddenly, the Bulls 2nd best player of all-time was now not in the same league as Chris Paul and Deron Williams. Don’t you love the talking heads on the radio? The talent was still there, but Rose was playing hurt and not telling anyone just how injured he was. Much like the 2nd half of his lone season at Memphis, Rose is becoming the unquestioned leader of his team. Rose deferred to his older teammates at Memphis until they realized “Hey, this guys is better than us. We better give him the ball and get out of the way”. The same thing is happening now with the Bulls unless your name is Tyrus “I’m a star” Thomas. This is Rose’s team,and even Vinny Del Negro has loosened the grips on Rose while, also, not drawing up anymore end of game plays for Brad Miller.

Derrick Rose has become one of the 3 best point guards in the NBA with Chris Paul and Deron Williams.

It has become apparent during the Bulls’ recent 4 game road winning streak that we are watching a superstar in training. Rose’s play the last 4 games has been outstanding. He is shooting 59% from the field, and averaging 26 points per game. The numbers are great, but what has stood out to me has been how pretty his jumper has looked. Rose worked diligently over the summer in L.A. on his shot and it’s paying off. He has better arc on his shot, and is shooting with the confidence of a seasoned pro. The way he stepped into a 3 the other night vs the Spurs was as impressive as his dunk over Goran Dragic. I don’t think there is a limit to how good Rose will be. It’s not just because of his athleticism (or if you’re Charles Barkley it’s atha-leticism), but because he is driven to be the best point guard to ever play the game. He has said it and aside from Magic Johnson, I’m not doubting him. He’s the most physically gifted point guard to come into the league since Baron Davis. Even pre-knee injury Baron didn’t have the vertical Rose possesses. Rose’s speed is like that of a young Randy Moss. I can’t remember a point guard with his combination of speed and quickness. Gary Payton, Kevin Johnson, and Chris Paul come to mind, but Rose tops them all. Did I mention the dunk of the season???….

Rose deserves to become the Bulls’ first All-Star since Jordan won the MVP at Madison Square Garden in the ’98 All-Star game. Allen Iverson was voted by too many dumb NBA fans who must not watch games or think it’s 2001. With Dwyane Wade and Joe Johnson locks for the squad, Rose should be one of the other two guards along with Boston’s Rajon Rondo. Seeing Rose in the skills competition, the rookie-sophomore game, and the main event on Sunday would be great recognition for Chicago’s number 1.

Rose put on a show in Phoenix on Friday night while giving us the dunk of the season. He also torched Steve Nash, and proved Nash isn't in his league anymore.

Maybe the best news for the Bulls future is the blooming Rose becoming one of the NBA’s best players. With all of the 2010 free agents taking notice, Rose’s play has definitely turned some heads. Why wouldn’t LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, or Chris Bosh want to play with a stud point guard who isn’t close to entering his prime?! If winning is as important as the big 3 say it is, then Chicago really does have everything they could want going forward…..

Big Market…..Check- (Chicago isn’t nearly as congested as New York, and isn’t occupied like L.A-Kobe). Remember who the highest grossing athlete in the history of sports is, and where he played.

Young Talent…..Check- With Rose and the NBA’s most improved player Joakim Noah, the Bulls possess a bright future. With solid bench players like Taj Gibson and James Johnson to go along with Luol Deng, the Bulls could be instant title contenders with the addition of James or Wade. If James does decide to leave Cleveland, there isn’t a better option than joining Rose in Chicago. Could you imagine those fast breaks????!!! Rose ,and the biggest freak in sports, on a run-out with defenders running to the closest seat on the bench would be the modern version of the Showtime Lakers. James would instantly make the Bulls the best team in the Eastern Conference. There may be no place like home, but there’s no global icon status for LeBron if he goes to the putrid Knicks. Titles matter the most to one’s legacy, and if LeBron wants to surpass MJ and Kobe, then he should look long and hard at the city of broad shoulders. I’ve been critical of James’ behavior because of how he has left the Cavs organization hanging, but there is no denying his talent. The same can be said for Wade, who already has tasted championship success. Wade loves the warm weather of South Beach, but will he pass up a chance to form the best backcourt in the league just to stay in Miami? If winning is as important as he says it is, then he will say adios to the D-leaguers he’s playing with and come home. The beauty of Rose is he doesn’t care if he plays the Scottie Pippen second star role. Rose would gladly welcome LeBron, Wade, or Joe Johnson to the Bulls because it would mean more wins.

Watching Derrick Rose is becoming must -watch television. For the casual Bulls fan, it’s time you stopped worrying about why the Bears can’t find coordinators, and tune into the future. As long as you get the G.T.L. part of your day done before 7 p.m. it’s all good. The Bulls 3 road wins in a row over Phoenix, Houston, and San Antonio have been because of Rose and his All-Star level play. His dunk over Dragic in Phoenix on Friday night was a “Check my phone because I’m about to get a ton of texts” moments. I jumped out of bed like a bomb had gone off. For me, the athletes that have given me the “must watch” label have been Jordan in his prime (anytime not in a Wizards uniform), Rice and Montana in the 80′s, Steve Young at his peak, 2003 Mark Prior, Kobe, Ryno in his prime, ’98-’01 Sosa, ’06 D Wade, and pre-injury/cancer Mario Lemieux. Derrick Rose is entering that group, and the fact he is only 21 years old makes it all the more special. I love knowing that we haven’t seen the best from Rose. There will be more of those “must watch” moments. They will most likely occur in big playoff games because Rose is a winner who will have the Bulls in the Playoffs every year. Now if you add LeBron, Wade, or Johnson to the mix……..Get the parade route ready.