The teams head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who is also the ring leader of Duke’s basketball program, said Rose performed well in exhibition games against the rest of the players trying out for the team. Coach K told this to Bulls.com about Rose’s performance.

“His ability to move the ball down the court and penetrate, he had eight assists, was very, very good,” Kryzewski said. “Defensively, he took it up a notch this week. Derrick really pressured the ball very, very well.”

This is great for all parties involved.

Team USA wins because they have one of the premier point guards in the NBA. They’re two point guards I think are better than Rose: Chris Paul and Deron Williams. Other than those two, I think Rose can take anybody else. Rose will prove Coach K made a great decision by putting him on the team.

The Bulls win because of the free marketing Rose and the USA Team are doing for them. Chicago fans and die hard NBA fans know if there is a listing of a Bulls game on the cable box, then turn it on to watch Rose play. Other people might not know this. International sports have a different audience, an audience the Bulls would like to advertise their best player in.

Rose wins because he has the chance to add to his resume as a basketball player. This isn’t the Olympics, but it is an international competition in which the world gives more than a round of applause to the champions. Who doesn’t want a gold medal sitting next to a rookie of the year award?

Rose’s teammates on the 2010 USA World Championship team will be:

• Chauncey Billups-Denver Nuggets
• Tyson Chandler-Dallas Mavericks
• Stephen Curry-Golden State Warriors
• Kevin Durant-Thunder
• Rudy Gay-Grizzlies
• Eric Gordon-Clippers
• Danny Granger-Pacers
• Jeff Green-Thunder
• Andre Iguodala-76ers
• Brook Lopez-Nets
• Kevin Love-Timberwolves
• Lamar Odom-Lakers
• Rajon Rondo-Celtics
• Russell Westbrook-Thunder

Besides Rajon Rondo being younger and faster than Derek Fisher, the Lakers had the advantage at every other position.  The argument can be made with Paul Pierce being better than Ron Artest.  Pierce had better stats, but Artest’s defensive pressure was a defying element of the Lakers taking the championship.  Pierce is also the Celitcs first option, while Artest is fourth or fifth behind Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom.

Now to the reason I’m writing this.

With each Laker’s championship, there is always comparisons between Kobe and Chicago Bull’s great Michael Jordan.  As a Bull’s fan growing up in the 90′s, Jordan is my all time favorite player; he is the greatest.  On the other hand,  Kobe has been my favorite since MJ retired and on an all time NBA team,  Kobe is MJ’s backup as a two guard.  When it comes down to it,  Jordan was a better player.

The awards and championships alone favor Jordan.

Bryant now has five championships, tying him for the most rings of any player to ever wear a Laker’s jersey.  Hall of Famers, Magic Johnson and Kareem  Abdul-Jabbar also have five.  Since the beginning of the NBA, the Lakers have won 16 championships.

Jordan won six championships the Bulls have in two separate three-peat; these are the only championships in the Bull’s history.  MJ won five regular season Most Valuable Player awards in a era before the NBA became watered down because of more teams and concentration to athletic ability instead of basketball fundamentals.  Kobe has one, and as age is catching up to his legs and Lebron continues to put up great numbers, he may not win another.

Jordan went to six champions, won all six and walked away the finals MVP of each of them.  The Bulls are in the history books as the team to win the most championships without losing a final, all with Jordan.  Also, they never had to play a game seven.

Kobe has won his five championships in seven tries.  He has been the finals MVP twice, the last two seasons.  During the Lakers thre-peat from 2000-to-2003,  Shaquille O’Neal was the finals MVP.  Jordan never had to share, because he was the best player on his team.

If Jordan was the best player on his team every year and Kobe wasn’t, how is he in the conversation to be as good as Jordan?

Forgetting points,  Jordan was a better defender as well.  He won the defensive player of the year award in 1988 and was on the all-defensive first team nine times. Kobe has been on the team eight times, but has never won the award.

Stats, Jordan is the winner again.  Jordan’s career average is 30 ppg to Kobe’s 25.  Jordan’s career high is 37 ppg, Kobe’s is 35 ppg.  Jordan averaged 5.3 assists a game to Kobe’s 4.7.  Jordan grabbed 6.2 rebounds a game to Kobe’s 5.3.  I could keep going.

Kobe’s numbers are great.  He is a fantastic player.  Kobe Bryant is simply not Michael Jordan.

I know the comparisons will not stop.  As writers, we love to put an opinion of who is better than who, whose the greatest and etc.  I wish we could just let Kobe play his game without him thinking he is in Jordan’s shadow.

It will never happen.  Kobe will remain there forever.  He will be known as the second best shooting guard to ever play in the NBA, behind Michael Jordan.

Chicago has six players on the books for next season: Luol Deng, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Kirk Hinrich and James Johnson.  They are allowed to have 15, so there is room for nine more players.

The NBA projects next year’s salary cap to be $56.1 million.  Chicago only has $33.6 million spent, meaning they have $22.5 mill to go shopping with.

Fortunately for the Bulls, they have plenty of money to replace at least one of these empty roster spots with an elite NBA athlete and add a few strong counter parts to the young and talented nucleus all ready on the team.

Let’s start by getting rid of the free agents that have no chance of coming to Chicago.

Paul Pierce has the early termination option in his contract.  The Boston Celtics are a serious threat to win the championship this year.  He has been in Boston his entire career and is loved there.  They looked old all season, but now, look like they’re in their early 20′s come playoff time. Rajon Rondo is a superstar and will be the new face of the Celtics, but Pierce is going to stay to pass the torch.  Plus, Doc Rivers doesn’t want to disband the big three: Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.

Manu Ginobili already signed an extension with the San Antonio Spurs.  There was no reason for him to leave.  San Antonio is his city and he proved he can still play and lead them to victory when healthy.

Tracy McGrady is washed up.  He had his spot as an NBA superstar taken away by injuries.  In 13 seasons, he has only played in 70 or more games five times.  He can’t stay healthy and he can’t play at the elite level he thinks he can.

Shaquille O’Neal is at the end of his career.  He is still a legitimate 12 points and 7 rebounds a game kind of guy.  This isn’t bad for a center in the NBA these days.  Shaq’s size is also a positive for a low post presence on offense and defense.  He is just too slow and will not fit in with the Bull’s offense.  Chicago likes to push the ball.

Jermaine O’Neal is at the end of his career as well.  He didn’t do anything to help Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat in the playoffs, he would be a waste of money.

Yao Ming has health injuries just as bad as his ex-teammate McGrady.  Ming is a scoring and defensive presence, but his ankles, feet and knees can’t hold up.

Josh Howard is too much baggage.  He can play, but he is inconsistent and has let off the court situations interfere with his NBA career.

Michael Redd would be a great piece to add because of his shooting.  He is one of the best pure shooters in the league but he can’t stay on the court.  In the last two seasons he has only played 51 games.  I would like to add him to the “get” list, but I don’t know how he’s going to bounce back from his injuries.

Tyson Chandler is all ready on the Bulls, Joakim Noah.  They play a similar style, except, Noah is younger, plays with more energy and can score further from the basket than Chandler.  If the Bulls get a big man, they need a scorer, not defense and rebounding.

Anybody not mentioned is up for grabs in the next 10 posts, come back tomorrow to find out who number ten is.

EAST

Cleveland Cavaliers VS Chicago Bulls- Cavs in 5

I would love for the Bulls to win more than one game or even take the series, but it will not happen.  Lebron James is just too much for the Bulls to handle.  The Bulls played a great game, but still lost game 2.  Enough said,  I’m going to pout in silence…..

Boston Celtics VS Miami Heat (three old men VS a young superstar)- Boston Celtics (old men) 4-3

This is going to be a great series.  Dwayne Wade is a superstar and will win one or two games by himself.  If he gets any help at all they will win one more and could possibly take the series.  Kevin Garnett is not the same KG we know and love, plus he is out for game two because of his elbow.  The Boston Celtics have a champion swagger.  Paul Pierce will not give up for anybody and Rajon Rondo has become a great basketball player.  I think the Celtics have too much for Wade to win the series.

Atlanta Hawks VS Milwaukee Bucks- Hawks sweep

Atlanta has a balanced scoring attack.  They have perimeter shooters in Mike Bibby and Jamal Crawford.  They have physical players who will take it inside Josh Smith and Marvin Williams.  Plus,  they have the most underrated player in the NBA, Joe Johnson.  He can shoot, defend, rebound and is a good teammate.  Andrew Bogut is out for the Bucks.  With him in the lineup the Bucks could have won a few games, but not without him.  John Salmons and Brandon Jennings won’t give the team enough to get them past the Hawks.

Orlando Magic VS Charlotte Bobcats- Magic sweep

Dwight Howard is a beast.  Charlotte’s Tyson Chandler is not going to contain Howard.  The Magic are the best three point shooting team in the history of the NBA. Enough said.

WEST

LA Lakers VS Oklahoma City Thunder- Lakers in 6

Kobe or Ron Artest against Kevin Durant is the best one-on-one match-up in the first round.  Kobe is a solid defender and Artest is one of the best in the game.  Durant is the best scorer in the game.  This should be fun to watch.  The Lakers are just too good.  They have a great veteran team who are going to teach the young Thunder lessons.  The Thunder are a good team and will find enough scoring to get a couple games, but Kobe and company will win the series.

Denver Nuggets VS Utah Jazz- Nuggets in 6

The Jazz are banged up.  The Nuggets have something to prove.  They were at one time the number two seed in the west but fell to fourth after a bad stretch of loses.  Kenyon Martin is back to add physical inside play.  The Nuggets will miss George Karl but they will find a way to win the series in six games.

Phoenix Suns VS Portland Trailblazers- Suns in 6

I wanted to give the series to Portland, but, I can’t do it with Brandon Roy on the IR.  Roy is the difference maker.  Portland has a good team, but I think Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash will take care of business.

Dallas Mavericks VS San Antonio Spurs- Dallas in 5

The boring Spurs are done.  They can’t stay healthy and Tim Duncan is not even a shell of his former self.  Dallas is rolling.  Dirk is playing at an MVP level and Jason Kidd is playing like he is 24 instead of 37.  Kidd is still the best passer in the game and can add 15-to-20 points any given night.  Plus, Caron Butler and Brendan Hayword have come from Washington and added key pieces the Mavericks were missing.

In his 2nd year in the NBA, Rose is the first Chicago Bull to be named to the team since Michael Jordan in 1998.  In case you can not do math,  it has been 12 YEARS.

Rose came into the league last year as the number one draft pick and showed he was worth it.  At the end of the year, he won the Rookie of the Year award.  He also helped his team push the Boston Celtics to a tough competitive 7 game series in the playoffs.

This year, Rose picked up from exactly where he left off.  Contributing 20 points a game, Rose is a scoring point guard but is contributes to the team in every aspect of the game.  He plays defense and averages 6 assists a game.  His jump shot is developing and it seems his court vision is hitting x-ray level.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/01/derrick-roses-all-star-highlights.html

Having Rose named to the All Star team should be exhilarating for all Bulls fans.  This means the team is getting recognized.  Also,  the selection means the Bulls have a key piece to building a champion.

Boston’s Rajon Rondo, Atlanta Hawk’s Al Horford and the Charlotte Bobcat’s Gerald Wallace join Rose as first year selections to the East All Star team.  Atlanta’s Joe Johnson, Boston’s Paul Pierce and Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh complete the Eastern Conference’s roster.

Dallas Maverick’s Dirk Nowitzki will be the hometown hero of the game since it is in Dallas.  Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant, Memphis Grizzlies Zach Randolph and Utah Jazz’s point guard Deron Williams are the first year participants for the Western Conference.  Los Angeles Laker Pau Gasol, New Orleans Hornet Chris Paul and Portland Trailblazer Brandon Roy were selected as well.

This year, a few people got on the starting lineup because fans are focused on past careers. This means other players who have performed like a starter on the All Star roster are either at home or picked up by coaches to be off the bench. We will find out who they pick on Thursday. Lets look at who was picked and who should have been in some of their places.

I personally voted 10 times on NBA.com for the starters of the game. I will tell who got picked and then I’ll say if I agreed (voted for) or someone else should have been picked.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Steve Nash

Nash is playing awesome for a 35 year old point guard whose game is based around running up and down the court.  He is shooting the ball remarkable well.  His field goal percentage is 53%, three pointers are at 43% and is leading the league in free throw percentage at 94%.  Nash has the 5th most double doubles in the NBA with 27, averaging 18 points per game (ppg) and is 2nd in the league with 11 assists a game.  AGREE, but Chris Paul is right there.

Kobe Bryant

“Black Mamba” is the best player in the league.  We can sit here and argue Kobe V.S. Lebron all day,  but my opinion will stay the same.  Kobe is 4th in the league with 28 ppg.  Bryant legs look to be getting tired and his body beat up but he refuses to rest.  This might hurt him in the long run, but right now he is the best to watch.  AGREE

Carmelo Anthony

“Melo” was amazing in the first quarter of the season.  He slowed down do to small injuries, but still put up decent numbers.  Now, he is back to what he was doing before.  Anthony filled out a little more during the off-season and is playing with a bigger chip on his shoulder.  His play was falling short of his superstar popularity.  This can’t be said anymore.  “Melo” is second in the league in scoring with 29.7 ppg which is only .2 behind Lebron James.  AGREE

TIM DUNCAN

Duncan has never been an eye opening player to fans.  However,  on the court, he is one of the best big men to play the game.  His knees are starting to show his 12 years in the league but he still dominates.  Duncan, once again, has put the Spurs on his back, leading them to wins while his teammates sit on the bench with injuries.  He is 10th in the league with 10 rebounds a game and in the top 20 in scoring.  DISAGREE- I voted for Dirk Nowitzki.  I’m one of those fans, who don’t really like Duncan.  Even without the bias,  Dirk is a killer.  He has put his team on his back also.  I like his game better and he can give you more offensively.

AMARE STOUDEMIRE

Stoudemire is playing well for the Suns, even though they are consistently putting him on the trade block.  He is quick for his size but knee injuries seem to make it hard for him to run up and down the court.  He is a forward, but they listed him as a center for the All Star game.  I don’t think this is right.  With that comment………DISAGREE He is not a center and doesn’t play explosive ball like he used to.  I voted for Chris Kaman.  He is a 20 and 9 guy playing solid on both sides of the ball.  The Clippers are not a great team,  but they would be 9 to 10 wins less without him.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

ALLEN IVERSON

AI was one of my favorite players for a real long time.  He will be in the Hall of Fame and go down as one of the best pure scorers to every play.  That was then, this is now.  I wish him the best.  DISAGREE He is not an All Star.  There are plenty of people who should be on this team before him but I’ll only name one.  Rajon Rondo is developing into the best point guard in the Eastern Conference and should be on the team. He is in the top 5 in assists and leads the league in steals.

DWAYNE WADE

“D-Wade” is a beast.  He is in the top 5 in the NBA hands down.  He does so much with so little.  Wade takes a beating every night and keeps coming back for more.  He is 5th in the league in scoring, 7th in steals and tied for 10th in assists.  Dwayne does whatever he needs to do for his team to win.  An NBA highlight real isn’t complete without “D-WADE”.  AGREE

LEBRON JAMES

Lebron is the 2nd best player in the league.  He is putting up video games on a nightly basis.  LBJ can take over a game whenever he wants to whether it be with the ball or defending it.  He leads the league in scoring per game with 30 and is 7th in the league in assists.  Lebron, like Kobe will be on every All Star team until he retires.  AGREE

KEVEIN GARNETT

“KG”  can still play, but this year he hasn’t.  He has been injured or taken out of the game early to rest his aging legs.  Garnett is one of my favorite players, but like AI, doesn’t deserve the honor.  DISAGREE- I picked two different players for power forward.  I voted for Josh Smith and Antawn Jamison.  Both have played the game on a high level and remained healthy.

DWIGHT HOWARD

Howard is the only legitimate center in the Eastern Conference.  This doesn’t really mean much,  because he is a dominating inside presence.  His low post moves are not spectacular but they are better and do not take anything away from his great defense.  Every player in the league is scared to bring it in on the Magic when they see Dwight.  Howard is 1st in the league in blocks and rebounds and 3rd in the league in field goal percentage scoring 17 points a game.  AGREE

Do you agree with these selections,  theirs or mine?  If not, comment and tell us who you believe should be in the ALL Star game.

Last game Rondo fouled Brad Miller in the final seconds with a smack to the face.  He was nowhere near the ball and forced Miller to get stiches. In less than one quarter today, Rondo threw Kirk Hinrich to the ground, for no apparent reason.

In these playoff series I believe that the officiating has been terrible and inconsistent. These games need to be reviewed by a officiating committe and actions need to be taken against these refs. Theses bad calls or no-calls have changed the game and most likely cost the bulls the game the other night in boston which they should have won. Is this all one big conspiracy? Does the NBA want to see Boston advance to the next round without KG. Maybe the Celtics are going in the direction of the New England Patriots: cheating, dirty play and ignorance on Doc Rivers part. Something needs to be done and this bulls#*^ needs to stop..Rondo’s a$$ should be out.