Chicago Bulls Basketball Player Profile - Derrick Rose

Player Summary

The Chicago Bulls took hometown point guard Derrick Rose with the first pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. Derrick Rose will forever be linked and compared to Michael Beasley, who was the number two pick. I think both will be great players in the NBA, but, when their careers are done, my guess is that Derrick Rose will have had the more successful career. Rose has the intangibles in addition to his talent. His leadership, hustle and competitive drive will set him apart.

Derrick Rose displayed a complete game at Memphis. The Chicago Bulls are hoping that translates to the NBA. Rose scores, distributed, rebounded, defended and led during his freshman season. That kind of all-around game could make him a star in the NBA.

Statistics for '07-'08 Basketball Season (University of Memphis)

Minutes: 29.2
Points: 14.9
Rebounds: 4.5
Assists: 4.7
Steals: 1.2
Blocks: 0.4

Player Strengths

Rose has absolutely incredible athleticism. Yet he plays under control, plays hard, and he's humble. Most importantly, he has a burning desire to win. With all of his talent, Rose is still an unselfish player. That trait will help him become a better point guard and will also endear him to his new teammates on the Chicago Bulls.

Rose may not start off as a star for the Chicago Bulls, but it won't be long before Derrick Rose is the face of the Chicago Bulls. To bring up another example of a hometown kid drafted by the Chicago Bulls, Rose is the anti-Eddy Curry. Rose will make the players around him better.

Player Weaknesses

Derrick Rose does not have many weaknesses. That is a big reason why the Chicago Bulls selected Rose. Rose is still developing his jump shot, and until he does, that will be a glaring weakness in his game. The other weakness that comes to mind is his reputation for being hard on himself. Rose will need to balance the line between constructive self-criticism and beating himself up.

Player Projections

I'm not convinced that Derrick Rose will win the starting point guard job right away. I think the Chicago Bulls will be very careful to ease him into the NBA after the Eddy Curry fiasco. He may play increasing minutes as the year goes on, but he'll probably spend some time learning the ropes behind Kirk Hinrich.

Even if Rose doesn't begin the season as the starter, the Chicago Bulls will very quickly become his team. His talent is undeniable and he showed great leadership at Memphis during their run to the National Title game. When Derrick Rose is in the game, expect the Chicago Bulls to play more up-tempo and increase their scoring output from a year ago. If not this year, then soon you will see why Derrick Rose was picked first in the 2008 NBA Draft.

Projected Statistics for the Chicago Bulls '08-'09 Basketball Season

Minutes: 25.0
Points: 10.4
Rebounds: 3.7
Assists: 6.1
Steals: 1.0
Blocks: 0.2

Sources:
ESPN