Blooming Rose

Young Bulls fall in under the wing of new team leader

By Marty Burns, Sports Illustrated

DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Bulls forward Jalen Rose was answering questions at his team's media day last Monday when a breathless TV reporter asked him how he managed so quickly to become the de facto leader of the young Chicago roster. "I paid ‘em off," Rose said with a chuckle. "I paid ‘em well. I guess being the highest paid player, I slipped a couple envelopes in their lockers."

All joking aside, Rose has firmly established himself as the Go-To Guy for the up-and-coming Bulls. After arriving from the Pacers in a midseason trade, the versatile lefty averaged 23.8 points (the most since You Know Who), 4.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists to go with 47-percent shooting. Partly as a result, the Bulls upped their team scoring from 87.6 to 95.9 points over the final two months.

This year Rose will be asked to play shooting guard, a switch he says he doesn’t mind at all. He notes that he already has started at point guard and small forward during his career, and is looking forward to helping tutor youngsters Jamal Crawford and top draft pick Jay Williams in the backcourt.

Though it could leave him vulnerable defensively, he knows the Bulls need to get forwards Eddie Robinson and Donyell Marshall on the court.

Rose’s leadership, so far, has been a pleasant surprise for Bulls management.

While some predicted he would turn bitter with all the losing in Chicago, the 28-year-old former All-Star has for the most part kept a positive outlook. He took youngsters Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry under his wing. He passed the ball. He even got in Dalibor Bagaric’s face after the lumbering 7-footer got discouraged and didn’t bother to run down court in a late-season blowout loss.

"I want it to be my team," says Rose. "Last Feb. 19 when I got traded, driving up the freeway, I told myself I was gonna take the good with the bad. … At this point in my career I wasn’t looking to start over, but I guess that’s what I’ve done. Hopefully now I can help nurture these guys and someday they’ll be able to get me a championship ring."

After all, an NBA title is something that can’t be bought.

Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.

 

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