Chicago Bulls news, draft reports, and analysis

This time last year the Chicago Bulls organization fell into a gift courtesy of the NBA Draft Lottery and was given the #1 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. It came at a very opportune time for this organization. Most everyone knew at that time that the pick would end up being Derrick Rose. The Bulls did their due diligence and looked into Michael Beasley but the vast majority of Bulls fans already knew that getting that gift of the number one pick meant our own Chicago boy, Rose, would be coming. This all happened coming off a very tough season where the team fell back down to earth after some mild playoff success in recent years. The franchise was not in a good place, had a lot of uncertainty, bad contracts and the outlook was not very “Rosey” for the team making the leap back into playoff contention. Had they not gotten the #1 pick and ended up at #9, as was the most likely scenario then, the team was without a doubt due for a lot of personnel changes. It had to because it was obvious the team as constituted was not going anywhere.

Rose changed all that. He gave the team, the organization, and the city the true “star” they had been looking for ever since Jordan left. At least that potential was there. Even the teams that had been in the playoffs previously for the Bulls was always limited because of the lack of a true star on the team. Rose provided the hope that perhaps we finally had one. Make no mistake, you win championships in the NBA with stars (with few exceptions) and Rose at least potentially gave the Bulls their first one to begin building around. He did not disappoint in his rookie year as he immediately became the starting point guard and the on-court leader of the team. He was the easy choice for Rookie of the Year, led the Bulls back into the playoffs in his first year and showed glimpses in the Boston series of how he can lead and take over a basketball team. Sure there are things for him to work on and some consistency to be added to his game. But for the first time the Bulls can tell they have someone who is Top 10 All-NBA caliber talent.

Between this summer in 2009 and the summer of 2010 the Bulls have the opportunity to find the stars to put with Rose. The trade possibilities are more than likely going to be there and in 2010 the free agency class also will be there. If the Bulls play their cards right the 2010-2011 season, which will be year three of Rose era, could have a team that could bring Chicago an NBA championship. You have to think big. You were handed a gift back in 2008 in the form of Rose. What you do with that gift, if you are the Chicago Bulls, is now up to you.

{mos_fb_discuss:5}