Getting to Know Derrick Rose, the Chicago Bulls' Playoff Savior

COMMENTARY | The Chicago Bulls won the first two games of the best-of-seven series with the Indiana Pacers. There were common issues in those victories. One was the Indiana Pacers gave the Bulls all they wanted. Another was the Bulls' Derrick Rose. Who is Derrick Rose?

I offer you "Derrick's Bio" from his website.

Whether you are a Chicago Bulls fan or not, if you're a basketball fan you know who Rose is. We watch these guys play and don't take the time to learn a little more about them as they parade across the national sports stage; let's fix that.

Rose is just 22, born Oct. 4, 1988. I've studied "gifted education." Most people don't take the time to realize that "giftedness" isn't limited to math and science or better-phrased "academics." People are gifted with strong singing voices and, as in Rose's case, the ability to play sports.

Rose also brings a tale of an African-American youth whose basketball savvy, along with older brothers and a caring mother, protected him from south-side Chicago gangs and self-destruction.

Basketball was the focus in Rose's life. Rose was named Illinois Mr. Basketball after his senior year in high school, where he averaged, as his biography says, "25.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 3.4 steals per game."

I have to acknowledge that Rose led his school to back-to-back Illinois Basketball Championships. This had not been done by a Chicago public school.

The next place we find Rose is at Memphis University playing for the Tigers. Rose led the team to the NCAA final game but they lost in OT. During his freshman year, Rose averaged "14.9 points, 4.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals." He decided to turn pro and was drafted by the Bulls.

This year, Rose has played like and probably is the MVP of the NBA. There are a lot of good players in the NBA, but Derrick Rose is playing at a different level.

In the Bulls' two playoff wins, Rose literally put the Bulls on his back, scoring 39 and 36 points in games one and two, respectively.

How about Rose's statistics during the regular season this year? He averaged nearly 24 points per game, 9.2 assists and nearly four rebounds per game; remember that he's a guard.

The Chicago Bulls are going to play this Thursday in Indianapolis against the Pacers.

Who is Derrick Rose? Derrick Rose is the Chicago Bulls' playoff hope.

References:

NBA.com Website, "Derrick Rose Statistics"

ABC News' Website, Jay Cohen AP Sports Writer, "Rose Scores 36 as Bulls Top Pacers 96-90 in Game 2"

Drosehoops.com Website, "Derrick Rose Bio"

Drosehoops.com Website, "Rose's roots: Family, coaches shaped MVP front-runner"