Bernsie brought this up on B&B
There's always plenty of pressure on the league's top draft selection to have an immediate positive impact on his team's fortunes — so Derrick Rose can't escape the spotlight. He's had 35 games to learn the league, and the league has had 35 games to learn him.
So let's take a close-up look at Rose's performance against the Kings to determine exactly where he is, as well as what his future might be.


Derrick Rose vs. the Kings
Player MIN FG 3FG FT REB A ST TO PTS
Rose 35 7-12 0-1 2-2 3 8 0 2 16

Offense

It's hard to imagine how much a player who scored only 16 points totally controlled his team's offense — but Rose did just that.


He didn't attempt a shot until 6:24 of the first quarter, preferring to distribute the ball and facilitate Chicago's offensive sets. And throughout the game, his passes were always right on the money. Always. How rare for a rookie point guard to make such consistently impeccable decisions!

His first shot was a 3-pointer that bounced off the front rim. The only other jumpers he took were a step-back from 10 feet and a straightaway J from 16-feet — both of which missed. And it's Rose's jump shooting that might be the only blemish in his offensive repertoire — his release is a tad low, and there's too much arm and hand movement as the ball is released.

He did fill the net with several uncontested layups that resulted from high screen/rolls — showing that he's as comfortable and effective with his left hand as he is with his right hand.

A pair of floaters in traffic were soft and accurate. Big-time shots in any league.

In the third quarter, the Kings tried doubling Rose as he approached any proffered high-screen. But Rose stayed calm and found the open man (usually Drew Gooden near the foul line) like a savvy veteran. His court-vision really is extraordinary.
Did he make any mistakes on offense? Of course.


His two turnovers consisted of a phantom palming call and a rip by Francisco Garcia.

Rose often lingered too close to the basket while a teammate drove the lane and looked to score. The mistake here was to overlook the importance of court balance, and since he wasn't attacking the offensive glass any way, Rose would have been better off retreating toward the time-line to forestall any possible fastbreak.

He did force one shot — the 16-foot jumper that he pumped up the first time he touched the ball after sitting on the bench for over six minutes.
And his defense? Ah, there's the rub.


Beno Udrih isn't exactly looking to score, but he did beat Rose into the lane (and to the hoop) on several sequences. And beat Rose quite easily. Fortunately for the Bulls, Udrih missed most of his layups and the majority of his out passes led to misses by his teammates.

Moreover, Rose turned his head and lost touch with Udrih at least three times, but Chicago's cause wasn't hurt since the wide-open Udrih was totally ignored by his teammates.

When playing weak-side defense, Rose frequently lost sight of either the ball or his man — and he must learn to open up so that he can see both.

Rose also often hesitated for a half-beat when he approached a sturdy screen. If he couldn't go under the screen, he usually got nailed by it.

His rotations were also confused and either late or nonexistent.

On the few occasions when the Bulls played zone, Rose was extremely passive.

In other words, he played defense like a rookie.
Aside from his obvious talents, Rose is strong, smooth, unselfish and wise beyond his years. He'll eventually learn how to play at least passable defense. And just the threat of his ultra-quick first step gives him sufficient time and space to freely launch his less-than-perfect jumpers.

So what's the prognosis for this young man?

Inevitable, unadulterated and guaranteed stardom.

For not playing defense and no jumper .....stardom???? What exactly makes you a star in this league?

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I'm going to bounce from the spot for awhile but I will be back at some point to argue with you about this hoops stuff again. Playoffs have been great this season. See ya up the road.

I'm out.

I was at that game Tuesday. The "carry" was right in front of us.

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@audioidkid