Derrick Rose says he has a consistent 3 point show now. That's a scary thought for NBA defenses. It's also the most important development of the Bulls off-season.

The summer of 2010 may not have ended up the way Bulls fans would have hoped, but there is no arguing the fact the team improved itself in a major way. No, they didn’t come away with the two big fish (MeBron or the spy-Dwyane Wade), but with the additions of Carlos Boozer, Ronnie Brewer, and Kyle Kutcher, err I mean Korver, the Bulls have vaulted into the top 3-4 teams in the East. This isn’t a championship team yet, but with the continued development of Derrick Rose, they just might become that team in the near future. The off-season is not yet complete, but let’s look at the moves they made and rank them in order of importance. You know I’m all about my team’s winning championships. I don’t care about being a playoff team or a 2nd round out. It’s all or nothing for me. This Bulls team is still one big move away (Luol Deng trade) from contending with the Lakers and Miami Cheats. You never know who will become available at next season’s trade deadline (Carmelo Anthony), and the Bulls have picks and flexibility to make such a move. They didn’t instantly become a title team, but they are a hell of a lot better than they were when they were eliminated by the team that used to play in Cleveland.

I know the Cavs are still in Cleveland, but you won’t know it once the season starts. Yes, LeDiva ended basketball in Cleveland as we know it.

Let’s rate the Bulls off-season moves as they try and move closer to a championship.

1. Derrick Rose’s continued development: The 21 year old phenom was too busy working on his game to get involved in the LeBron recruiting, aka ,kiss The Kings ass tour. LeBron apparently didn’t feel welcomed enough by Rose during the free agent process. Unlike Dwyane Wade, who basically made out with LeDiva at any opportunity, Rose wouldn’t lower himself to bow to “The King.” Good for D Rose. If LeBron needs to be stroked that badly then that shows just how brittle James’ ego really is. It’s also a great thing for Bulls fans that Rose sees himself as the Bulls alpha dog. He views it as his team and wants players who support him, not overshadow him. I’ve been calling him the best point guard in the league, and if his 3 point shot is as improved as he says it is, lookout world. He’s been working out between the Berto Center and L.A. all summer three times a day and getting up 400 shots per workout. If he starts banging down 3’s with regularity, he’s going to be impossible to guard. With the addition of Carlos Boozer, we’ll finally be able to see Rose’s great passing ability. That part of his game hasn’t been shown off yet because he’s played with brick shooting bums, and no quality big men who can score the ball. That’s now changed with Captain Clank Kirk Hinrich gone, Korver in the fold, and Boozer to dump it down low to. This is the season this kid becomes a legitimate MVP candidate and one of the future faces of the league. I’m thrilled as a Bulls fan that he views himself as “Thee Guy” to lead them to a title. Time will tell if that comes to pass, but there’s no denying this kids will. Unlike the three divas on South Beach, Rose and the other future face of the league (Kevin Durant) are too busy improving their craft. That’s why these two young guns are my favorite players in the league. Them and that Kobe guy. Have you heard of him? I don’t know if Rose can be the best player on a championship team, but if his jumper keeps improving, the sky is the limit for the Bulls 2nd best player of all-time.

Side Note: The aforementioned Mr. Wade said this about his Miami Cheats….. “We’re going to be wearing a bullseye. But that’s what you play for,” Wade said. “We enjoy the bullseye. Plus, there’s going to be times when we lose 2-3 games in a row, and it seems like the world has crashed down. You all are going to make it seem like the World Trade is coming down again, but it’s not going to be nothing but a couple basketball games.” How does he even mention the WTC to his band of ass-bags? He’s a fool. This Miami circus will not end well (by well, I mean championships). I’m telling you now that those 3 will feel more pressure than they ever have in their lives and will fold because of it. Kudos to Kevin Durant for calling out guys for teaming up and has- been veterans tying to latch onto the Lakers and Heat. I Love Durant more and more. Michael Jordan weighed in on the Little 3. He said he would never think of teaming up with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. He wanted to beat them. At least Jordan’s competitive spirit lives on in Rose and Durant.

2. Trading Kirk Hinrich to the Wizards: This move seemed to imply that the Bulls knew they were getting LeBron, Wade, or Bosh. They knew they had to clear more space to attract a 2nd major free agent to join James. When The Queen felt unloved by Rose, the Bulls fell out of the race for the 3 DB’igos. It was still a good move to trade Hinrich’s salary. It allowed the Bulls flexibility to fill out their roster (which they are still doing). You can’t have a 6th man making $9 million for you. I know the Bulls valued “Kurt”, but the deal makes sense because you can always find a backup point guard. Will you miss Hinrich when Krover is reigning 3’s and Ronnie Brewer is running the break with Rose? Of course you won’t. It was a huge step for the Bulls front office. They showed the balls to know they have to make the big moves to make this a championship roster. They may not have landed Wade or James, but they showed they aren’t in love with their players anymore. That’s a big step from Pax’s crew.

A Carlos Boozer-Joakim Noah front line will give any team problems. Yes, even the Miami Cheats.

3. Signing Carlos Boozer: The Bulls had “Booz” rated ahead of Bosh on their free agent list. They pursued Bosh first because he’s stuck in James and Wade’s colon. It was the right move to make. Try and lock up Bosh and Wade or James will follow. The plan was right, and the Bulls didn’t fail. Boozer is a nice addition to a team that has lacked a post up presence since Eddy Curry’s corpse was playing well towards the end of the ‘04-’05 season. Boozer will help Rose’s assist numbers as well as help Joakim Noah get more cheap buckets/dunks underneath. There is injury risk with Boozer, but he has raised his game in the playoffs 20 ppg & 12 reb compared to 17 ppg & 10 in the regular season. New coach, Tom Thibodeau, said it right, this isn’t a consolation prize. Added Noah….”We got Booz now and we’ll be able to fight.” The Bulls front line is going to be one of the best in the East with Boozer, Noah, and…..

4. Signing Omer Asik: The quick response from casual fans will be to say that Asik is the next Dragan Tarlac or Dalibor Bagaric. I don’t know for sure, but when a team gives up 3 second round picks to move up and draft a player, that team must think a guy can play. I am looking forward to seeing Asik play in The World Championships later this summer. At 7′ 250 pounds, he adds another big to the Bulls formidable frontline. A league executive told the Tribune’s K.C. Johnson that Asik “should be an impact player.” Had he come out in the ‘09 or ‘10 draft, he would have been a lottery pick. I doubt he’ll be Pau Gasol, but he is said to be athletic for his size. He can run the floor, and isn’t your typical white, dopey, 7′ stiff. Keep your eye on the 24 year old Turkish big man. The Bulls may have something here.

5. Signing Ronnie Brewer: Back before the ‘06 draft, I wanted the Bulls to use to 3th pick to take Brewer. They traded down and ended up with Thabo Sefolosha. Yes, the Thabo-Tyrus draft still gives me anxiety. Brewer fills a need for the Bulls. He’s a 6′ 7” guard who runs the floor, finishes at the rim, defends perimeter players like a beast, and can also run some point to spell Rose. With all of the horrendous deals being given out this summer (See Darko Milicic), the Bulls got a steal (3 years $12.5 million) in Brewer. We know Thibodeau will have this team defending the hell out of teams, and Brewer will be a huge piece to that puzzle. He can make the 15-17 foot jumper, but the Bulls will need an improvement over the 20% he shoots from 3.

6. Signing Kyle Kutcher: Korver comes to the Bulls a season after breaking Steve Kerr’s team and NBA record for 3 point field goal percentage for a season 53.6%. He is a carrer 41% 3 point shooter and with Rose and Boozer, he will be closer to the 53% mark for the Bulls. I go back to the Celtics-Bulls game from April when Hinrich had one of his few games where he actually hit open shots like undersized white players in the NBA should. The space he created for Rose that night (39 points and did whatever the hell he wanted vs the Eastern Conference champs) showed just how dangerous Rose can be with shooters on the floor. Korver will be that kind of player for the Bulls. He’s not spectacular, but he will be a threat with Rose and Boozer.

7. Acquiring CJ Watson from the Warriors for a 2nd round pick: The Bulls have been searching for a backup point guard since the Hinrich trade. When I first heard they were looking at bringing back Chris Duhon as a backup, I freaked out. I saw enough of that no talent, late to practice, and too drunk fool when he was a Bull the first time around. Thankfully, the kings of the luxury tax (Orlando Magic) snatched up Drink-hon at the start of free agency. Watson is a good get for the Bulls. A 2 year $6.5 million dollar deal is nothing for a player who can hit open 3’s, run the point, and can drop 40 on you if you aren’t careful. Major props to GarPax for this deal. The 2nd most famous Watson (Randy Watson is of course 1st) will prove to a valuable player for the Bulls. He can play off Rose at times, and gives the team another shooter to spread the floor. In 28 minutes per game last year, Watson averaged 10.3 ppg and 1.6 steals per game. He adds more depth to what is becoming the deepest team in the conference. I like this move because all the Bulls gave up was a 2nd round pick. How many 2nd round picks can be a productive combo player like Watson? Not many, that’s for damn certain.

This may not have been the quick turnaround summer the Bulls and their fans hoped for but, nonetheless ,the team improved. With multiple draft picks in their pocket, and tradeable assets (Taj Gibson & Luol Deng if he stays healthy) the Bulls can make the last piece trade to get them over the hump. I know “experts” look at Deng’s deal and say he’s un-tradeable, but please. There have been worse contracts traded in the NBA than a guy who averages 17 & 7 for you. I’ve been throwing out the name Carmelo Anthony as the guy to keep your eye on. He hasn’t yet signed the 3 year $65 million dollar extension the Nuggets offered, which makes you wonder where his head’s at. Some have assumed he’s headed for New York, but nobody wants to play there. Amare Stoudemire only went there because they were the only team who didn’t want minutes played & games played clauses in his contract. If Melo sees his Olympic teammates in Miami teaming up and Kobe ruling the West, the Bulls offer a good team where he can win titles. I doubt he wants to stay in oblivion out in Denver. Stay tuned….

Until a big trade is made, this Bulls team is all about Derrick Rose. He is a top 8 player in the league right now, and will take the Bulls further than they have at any point since ‘98. There may eventually need to be another move made to beat the Cheats down in Miami, but know that the Bulls have their superstar. And that kid who’s becoming a man wants the burden of being a team’s go-to guy. Unlike those two pussies who joined Wade in Miami. The Bulls are the D Rose show, and he wouldn’t have it any other way……