Was Derrick Rose's Absence A Good Thing For The Chicago Bulls?

Since the end of last season there have been a plethora of story lines in the NBA atmosphere. Beginning with the coronation of Lebron James as king of the basketball world after his MVP, Finals championship, and Olympic gold medal. Then it was the Lakers winning the off season with acquisitions of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash. Next you had the Thunder trade Olympian James Harden to Houston for financial concerns. Immediately there after we had James Harden begin his Rockets career doing his best Isiah Thomas impersonation. We had the Knicks and Carmelo's red hot start. Followed by the Honey Nut Cheerios incident. And nothing has been as captivating as the Titanic level of the Lakers failure this year. Yet none of this story lines will be as important to shaping this and future playoffs such as extended absence of Derrick Rose due to a torn ACL.



I know it's a tough to wrap your head how Derrick Rose's injury could be a good thing. I know it sounds silly to agree with addition by subtraction especially when that subtraction is your MVP point guard. Yet this was something from the old adage what doesn't kill you will make you stronger. This extended absence has allowed the rest of the team to take initiative on the offense side of the ball.

Now last year's playoffs came to a screeching halt at the end of game one when Derrick Rose fell to United Center floor writhing in pain. But the year before the Bulls season came to a screeching halt when confronted with the Miami Heats suffocating D in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Heat were able to nullify most of Derrick Rose effectiveness and there was no one else who could meaningfully contribute on the offense side of the ball when the stakes got highest. The end result was the Bulls going home in 5 quick games. Not Carlos Boozer who they brought in from Utah to help ease the offensive burden on Rose's shoulders. Not the two time national champion from Florida, Joakim Noah. Nor Luol Deng who had made great strides  during the regular season but still wasn't ready to carry a team offensively for stretches in the post season. When faced with the intense Miami defense the entire Chicago Bulls roster came up short.



So that's why Derrick Rose's absence has been so important this year. It has forced Boozer, Deng, and Noah to each at times learn how to be comfortable and efficient with being the focal point of a NBA offense. Boozer after a sluggish start this season he has played at an All-Star level the last 2 months averaging 20 and 10 over that time. Deng who achieved his second All-Star appearance this year has made great strides with his shot selection as his threes have gone down from 4 a game last two years to just 2.7 this year. His field goal percentage has risen from .414 last year to .442 this year and scoring over 2 more points per game than last year. This is all a by product of attacking the rim more often than in previous seasons. Yet no one has come further in Rose's absence than Joakim Noah who earned his first All Star appearance. A player who was known for energy, rebounding, and defense coming into this season has blossomed this season. Noah is averaging career highs in points, assists, blocks, steals, ft %, shots attempted, minutes played, and tied for career high in rebounds.



With nothing but positive updates coming from Derrick Rose's rehab and return date sometime after All Star weekend. He will be returning to a team much more formidable than the one he left in pain last playoffs. The emergence of Noah, the return to Utah form of Carlos Boozer, and the more aggressive offense of Deng. The progress of the team as a whole on the offensive side of the ball will lead to a much deadlier attack when the postseason rolls around and not just this year but for years to come.