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

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

NBA Season Preview: Central Division

What a difference an NBA off-season can make. We all know about how #6 jumped ship and left e-Mo Williams crying at the alter (this song probably sums up how e-Mo feels). That move alone shifted the whole balance of the standings (to quote Kanye, no one man should have all that power). But that wasn't the only significant change in the Central. The Chicago Bulls successfully managed to acquire every relevant Utah Jazz member not named "Deron". Indiana finally landed the point guard they've been needing since, well, ever. Detroit was silly enough to give ol' man river a deal and a shot at playing time (while competing with 8 other guard/forwards. Motivation? Not so much).

But who is the cream on the Central Division crop? Here's my view, weakest to strongest (with Vegas odds of each team's title chances). Remember, gambling is illegal so no blaming us if you get "the man" on your back.

5. Detroit Pistons 100 to 1

The Pistons used to be somebodies. They used to be contenders. Then they did something that made everyone scratch their heads; traded Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson (and we all see how that worked out for them). Now they are experimenting with another 30+ vet with something to prove but also with a history of injuries. If Tracy McGrady can make it through the season and put up a respectable 15+ ppg than the move doesn't look that bad, but T-Mac has to not only stay healthy, he also has to compete with Austin Daye, Richard Hamilton, Ben Gordon and Tayshawn Prince for playing time. Maybe Joe Dumars has lost that magic that got the Pistons to the back to back playoffs appearances. Maybe they should bring back Rasheed Wallace and start another arena brawl. That might be the most exciting thing for Pistons this season.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers 100 to 1

All Mo Williams jokes aside, Cleveland too a very bit hit this summer. The franchise went to perennial title contenders to lottery team virtually overnight. And who's slotted to replace #6 as the starting small forward? The great Jamario Moon and his career 7 ppg ladies and gentlemen! Cavs fans can look forward to one thing this season: cheap tickets and the J.J. Hickson project. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say this isn't quite what Antawn Jamison and Byron Scott signed up for.

3. Indiana Pacers 100 to 1

Raise your hand if you knew the Pacers were only 9 games under .500 last season... Yes, they lost 50 games, but considering their point guards were Earl Watson and the Get Along Gang, that ain't as bad as it looks. Bring in Darren Collison (who put up 18.8/9/3.5 filling in for Chris Paul as a rookie last season) and put him together with Danny Granger and that should be good for a few more W's. Losing Troy Murphy may hurt a tad, but if Roy Hibbert can learn how to rebound as a 7-footer should they should be ok. Watch  out for rookie Paul George (and someone please get Lance Stephenson anger management classes or relationship counseling).

2. Milwaukee Bucks 40 to 1

Quietly, the Bucks had a solid off season by picking up Corey Maggette (who gets more calls than anyone this side of Kobe) swingman Chris Douglas-Roberts from NJ and the human suitcase who goes by Drew Gooden (playing for his seventh team in FOUR YEARS! He should try to play for every team in the world; why settle for just the NBA?) But the Bucks biggest addition may be the return of Andrew Bogut, who was an all-star before that nasty arm injury late last season. If PG Brandon Jennings can improve his shot selection and avoid the sophomore slump the Bucks should contend for a middle playoff seed. But a lack of depth in the paint will keep them from serious contention.

1. Chicago Bulls 18 to 1

Don't look now but the Chicago J... I mean Bulls are back amongst the NBA's elite, led by all-star point Derrick Rose. Even though the Bulls missed on adding #6 in free agency, they were aggressive and added Carlos Boozer, Ronnie Brewer and sharp shooter Kyle Korver from the Jazz's playoff teams to go with Rose, Joakim Noah's pony tail and Luol Deng (who seems to have been on the trading block since birth). The Bulls reluctance to include Noah in a trade for Carmelo Anthony may prove to be a very smart move as they need to size to contend with Boston & Miami for the Eastern crown. I like the Bulls chances, and like Rose and Slim Chin say (that Asian guy that's in all the recent comedies) "Fast Don't Lie" (I have no idea what that means exactly, but it's still funny).

-ALR