Video: Derrick Rose Has Hops

Derrick Rose can jump really high, as this video from last night shows...



Rose is 6'3, and he head was parallel to the rim. Us that play below the rim can only dream of such feats. That was damn impressive.

He is an ok basketball player. Rose is currently a leading candidate for the NBA MVP award, which no Chicago Bulls player has come close to winning since the days of some guy named Michael Jordan.

Keep doin' your thing D. Rose. We see you.

-ALR

Chicago Bulls Shooting Guard Search

Rumor has it the Chicago Bulls are in the market for a shooting guard as the New Year approaches. That's no big surprise because after taking a good chunk of the Utah Jazz roster in the off season, the Bulls still have a need to fill at the shooting guard position. Being the matchmaker that I am, I have four suggestions that could be possible suitors. I am not going to get into salary restrictions and things like that, strictly matchmaking.

Monta Ellis
Monta is really just a filler suggestion because I don't think he would compliment Derrick Rose or Carlos Boozer well. If this did work somehow, Monta would add a scoring threat that could give 30pts on any given night, imagine a Monta Ellis/Derrick Rose fast break. He shoots enough to make the point production happen, but the problem would be what happens if he is having an off night and trying to get things going, I don't think an 8-27 game will work in the Chicago system. Defense could also be an issue since he is undersized at the shooting guard position. I like the gambling and play the passing lane style, I just don't think Coach Thibodeau is a supporter. All in all, Monta Ellis is lightening quick and a very versatile scorer, I just don't think the fit is right.

Eric Gordon
I know this match would not happen, but if it did, it could be trouble for the East. Gordon can spread the floor and consistently (which is a very underrated adjective in the NBA) knock down jump shots. The Bulls can have a drive and kick situation with Rose or a shooter if Boozer gets double teamed. Gordon can also finish at the rim and get to the free throw line as well as any top scorer in the NBA. Undersized on ball defense could be a problem here, but he has a good foundation to at least prevent most guards from getting to their favorite spots on the floor. This match is good, but not the match the Bulls need.

Courtney Lee
Courtney Lee may not have the star power, but he could fit well with Bulls and develop into a solid piece of the puzzle. Lee has the ability to score with anyone, he is fearless attacking the basket and his midrange jumper is effective. At 6'5 he can defend and I think he would be willing to learn how to get better defensively under Coach Thibodeu. I think the problem here is consistency. Lee could give the Bulls nice production, I just don't think he can do it night in and night out.

OJ Mayo
OJ Mayo has the potential to be one of the top players in the league. Before the readers yell at me, hear me out. He has unlimited range, can get to the rim and generally makes good decisions with the ball in his hands. He has the ability to make clutch shots, and can at 6'4 he can defend effectively. What OJ needs to improve on is his mindset, thinking within the game and footwork. OJ's mindset is not as aggressive as it should be since he is admittedly confused about his role in Memphis. Thinking within the game is about using counter moves and staying 3 steps ahead of the defense. Developing footwork could help him become a better defender and maybe get smaller guards in the low/high post. He would be a great fit for the Bulls because his skill set, (shooting, scoring, willing passer, marginal defending), is a compliment to what Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer bring to the Bulls already. I think we found our Match people.

Honorable mention to JJ Redick, because most people that know me are aware that I have always said JJ needs a change of scenery or the Magic should move Vince. The Bulls had a chance and the Magic matched the offer. Now that Vince is gone, JJ is shining...

- @lostherod is the Twitter handle if anyone wants to debate... I'm all for it

Kobe Bryant On Passing Torch To Young Stars "I Ain't Passing Sh--"

A lot of people really don't like Kobe Bryant. Maybe it's because of the cocky attitude he displayed during his early years in the NBA. Maybe it's the dismissed rape charges he had to endure back in 2003. Or maybe it's because some blame him for Shaq's exit from the Lakers. But like him or not, you have to respect the man's talent and drive. Kobe is hands down the most competitive player in the NBA and arguably the best basketball player in the league but there is a number of young talent in the NBA that has shown a  lot of promise, including Chicago Bulls PG Derrick Rose, with whom Bryant had a brief conversation with following a Lakers victory last month.

Per this story by Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson, when Kobe was asked if the conversation had some type of passing the torch symbolism to it, Bryant had this to offer regarding the question and regarding the all-star:

"Oh, sure, but I ain't passing (expletive)," Bryant said.

Asked if Rose has to come take the torch from Bryant, the Lakers' superstar smiled.

"He can certainly try," Bryant said.

Otherwise, Bryant lauded Rose's development and noted his developing killer instinct.

"I just told him to stay healthy and continue the job he's doing," Bryant said of their November postgame talk. "I don't think you can develop (a killer instinct). You either have it or you don't. He's had it since he was in high school.

"That quality separates players I think. With players of equal ability, it's about the engine you have inside. It certainly gives him an edge."

You can feel the competitive fire of Bryant in the connotation of the response. You can also see that Kobe has kept an eye on the younger players coming into the league trying to take his "juice". That is the mentality of a true winner; knowing your opponents and doing everything you can to stay at the top of your game.

Bryant is 32 and is currently in his 15th season in the NBA. Some say his skills are on the decline as he has a lot of miles on his body but Bryant is still second in the league in scoring and continues to play at an extremely high level. Declining skills? I don't see it that way.

The Lakers play the Bulls tonight in Chicago and the game will be broadcast on ESPN. Should be fun to watch two of the best go at it on a national scale.

-ALR

Joakim Noah Not "Jerking" Around With Celtics Fans

In tonight's NBA game between the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics, ESPN's cameras caught this money shot (pun intended) from Bulls center Joakim Noah, apparently directed towards some fans behind the Bulls bench:

High comedy. Gotta love players these days. Noah made the gesture after he was subbed out of the game in the middle of the 2nd quarter after a foul committed on Celtics Shaquille O'Neal.

Shout out to AngryBlkManDC for catching the GIF.

-ALR