Crown Le-Wade with Championship; Story Already Written?

As the Bulls and Heat prepare to tipoff the Eastern Conference Finals, some in Chicago think about what could have been. An article on ESPN Chicago talks about how Dwayne Wade and LeBron James both thought they'd be Bulls at one point during free agency (story). Apparently they didn't think about it too long, because they chose to team-up with Chris "Don't Call me Soft" Bosh, in a threesome that isn't nearly as world-beating as would have been the case with Wade, James and Derrick Rose.

But ... everything happens for a reason, right?

I believe that if James and Wade had taken "their services" to the Windy City, Rose wouldn't be the MVP, wouldn't have showed his unstoppable thirst for greatness - which won't be quenched until he receives a different trophy from Commissioner David Stern - the Championship Trophy.

The addition of Carlos Boozer instead of "Le-Wade" has created more of a team mentality, an "us against the world" approach that the Heat like to talk about. But the Bulls have it. They are the underdogs. The Bulls have the working-man's MVP. Despite wearing the Red, White and Black, the Bulls are a Blue Collar team. Rose has been the perfect role model - hard working, devoted, loyal and always positive about his teammates, yet demanding of himself. A world of difference from "The Decision" and the rally the Heat had before any of the Three Stooges had stepped on a court together wearing Miami jerseys.

Say what you want. History may show that the Heat win more championships with James, Wade and Bosh, but I'll take Derrick Rose and the elevation we've witnessed this season. We'll see if all of that work - both mentally and physically - will result in a 7th World Championship for the Bulls.

Jock Strap? Check. Other Support? Missing.

Could someone please put out an APB on Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver … quickly! Derrick Rose and the Bulls were spanked on Sunday night in Atlanta, as the Hawks evened their best-of-seven series at 2-games apiece. Rose, whose only support came from his athletic gear, was forced – and I don't use that word lightly – forced to take 30+ shots on a night when he didn't have his jumper.

Rose may be the meat in the Bulls sandwich (forgive the analogy, but it's lunchtime and I'm hungry!), but Luol Deng and Joakim Noah are the bread that keeps this team going – the intensity, the energy the Bulls so desperately need if they're going to revive their playoff lives and make it to the Eastern Conference Finals. Deng and Noah have to provide the spark - Deng by slashing to the bucket and creating space, and Noah by banging the boards and being a general nuisance.

And don't get me started on Korver! If you're a "shooter" - but you're missing your shots – and you don't play much defense – what's the point? Exactly! It's the lack of points that’s killing this team.

Atlanta has new confidence after a beat-down on Friday night. Josh Smith has discovered that if you don't heave-up bad shot after bad shot, and instead attack the rim, you will have success – and he did against the Bulls on Sunday. The Bulls are a couple of Jamal Crawford hot-streaks from going home and wondering how the hell they blew a shot at the Conference Finals to the Atlanta Hawks!

Who will rise to the occasion and wear the green shorts and pantyhose?

To reach and win the NBA Finals, a team can't just have one guy. Michael Jordan was title-less until Scottie Pippen arrived. Is it plausible to think the Bulls can win a championship with Derrick Rose as Superman? I don't see it happening unless one of these guys comes up HUGE!

Who do you think is most critical to the Bulls' success? Luol Deng? Carlos Boozer? Kyle Korver? Keith Bogans?

Mark Schanowski on Comcast just said Bogans is the X-factor. When he scores 6 or more points, the Bulls have almost a perfect record. Interesting.

Or does it matter one way or the other? Do the Bulls not have what it takes - or does Derrick drive the bus and the Bulls win it all?

PACERS KEEP HITTING HIM - ROSE DOESN'T WILT

HEIR APPARENT?

ATHLETICISM

Bulls: First off, it's been said a million times this season, but DAMN! Derrick Rose is a MAN among boys. The kid – and I say that with the most affection possible – has the killer instinct, the drive to come out on top and the fearlessness of a warrior. OK, I may be exaggerating on the warrior front – but c'mon! When asked after the game by Comcast SportsNet Chicago's sideline reporter if the hard fouls were getting to be too much, Rose responded matter-of-factly, "It's only gonna get worse!" He went on to say that he's prepared for this – and this kind of punishment in the paint is what drives him to keep his body strong and continue lifting weights.

Pacers head coach Frank Vogel, clearly frustrated after a Game 2 loss to the Bulls, had some lofty praise for #1, saying he has ...

"Allen Iverson's quickness, Jason Kidd's vision, Chauncey Billups' shooting touch and Micheal Jordan's athleticism." 

VISION

TOUCH

QUICKNESS

I don't know if Rose is up to any of those levels – but he's certainly climbing the latter pretty quickly. His humility, hard work, dedication, team-play and leadership are all great – but it's his killer instinct, the "eye of the tiger" if you will – or maybe it's tiger blood – that makes him so dangerous. He doesn't get frazzled. There's no worry on his face. Just that look of "I'm gonna get you, sucka!" And there's nothing anyone in the NBA has been able to do about it this year.

Blackhawks: How about that Corey Crawford! After getting shelled in the first 3 games versus Vancouver, the Hawks offense has provided 12 goals in 2 games, and Crawford has been stellar. Crawford stopped all 36 shots he faced in Game 5, and allowed only 2 lamp-lighters in Game 4, when he had 21 saves. The Hawks will try and even the series on Sunday at the United Center. Given up for dead just a couple of days ago, it's good to see the Hawks showing some life – and pride – as they attempt to defend their Stanley Cup Championship short-handed.

White Sox: Congratulations to fans of the White Sox, as the Southside Hitmen got off the schneid – snapping a 7-game losing streak with a 9-2 win over the Rays. As much as folks wanna talk about youth and how that's the ticket to winning. It wasn't last night for the Sox, as Omar Vizquel, A.J. Pierzynski, Carlos Quentin and Paul Konerko had 2 RBI's apiece – an average age of 35 years old – with Omar on the high end at 43 and Quentin at 28. Doing it "old school."

Bears: The NFL draft is creeping upon us – maybe. What are your thoughts on the Bears draft? Should they go offensive line? Wide receiver? Defensive back? Take a peak at a recent post about the Bears 2011 Draft and what direction they might go - http://bit.ly/faXx6n

BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS – WE ALWAYS WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY! 

Why Wake a Sleeping Giant?

There were 3 minutes and 48 seconds remaining in an amazingly boring playoff game. The #8th seeded Pacers have just extended a lead they've held since the opening tip to 95-88. The advantage was stretched to 7 on a face-up jumper from the left side by Tyler Hansbrough over Carlos Boozer - who should have been playing much tighter defense!

That was the story for the Bulls most of the afternoon, trading buckets with a significantly less talented Indiana squad - and playing uninterested on the defensive end. Seriously, how the hell does this Indiana squad shoot over 50% for most of the game? Danny Granger (24 points) and Hansbrough (22 points) were killing the Bulls - often times with open shots!

But at 3:48 remaining, Hansbrough hit that jumper over Boozer and turned into a bird, flapping his arms like a parrot - bumping chests with teammates and mocking the crowd. Hansbrough was also mocking Luol Deng, who just a few minutes prior waved his hands to get the crowd moving, following an emotional play in which Derrick Rose was hacked - again.

It was almost as if the Bulls weren't awake - that this Noon start didn't give them enough time to shake the cowbwebs. But once things got emotional - with Deng leading the way, and then Hansbrough fanning the flames - the Bulls were back to looking like the team that won 62 regular season games.

Following Hansbrough's jumper - the Bulls went on a 16-1 run, including 10-0 to close the game! I never understand why - on the road - you'd give the home squad and their fans ANYTHING to get excited about. Wait until the game's over. It reminds me of Reggie Bush taunting Brian Urlacher in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field in January 2007 (http://bit.ly/gPDFVk).

Derrick Rose - unquestionably the league's best player this year - led all scorers with 39, scoring at will. He added 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks and a steal. Deng had 18, Kyle Korver 13 and Boozer 12.

If the Bulls want to avoid being only the second #1 seed to lose to an 8-seed, they'd better bottle up some of that emotion and BRING IT for the rest of this postseason.

Derrick Rose Named MVP !!!

For awhile there, Derrick Rose was everyone's pick for Most Valuable Player. Then the media - and some players - started to shift towards LeBron James and Dwight Howard. Cases can be made for all of them, granted, but I'm not sure anyone can move Rose from the top spot.

His numbers are ridiculous. He's a great leader. He demands respect. He schools defenders regularly. His scoring and shooting have improved by leaps and bounds. And, if that weren't enough, he's led the Bulls to 60 wins - the first time that's happened post-Jordan.

ESPN.com gave out their awards today - and #1 from the Bulls is #1 in MVP voting. Do you agree? Does Rose add MVP to his Rookie of the Year? Does LBJ repeat? Or someone else?

Vote in the poll (to the left) and then comment below!

ESPN Article: http://es.pn/fijb8D