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Chicago Bulls: It’s Time For Their New Stars To Hit The Limelight

By Tom West

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For years Derrick Rose has been the face of the Chicago Bulls, but it’s time their new set of stars step into the limelight

Even though Derrick Rose reminded basketball fans he still has some of that 2010-MVP spirit left in him with a 31 point performance against the Portland Trail Blazers, it’s time that other members of this loaded Chicago Bulls team are regarded as the face of the franchise. As much as everyone should be hoping that Rose can stay healthy, and put his ankle problems to rest among other lingering injuries, the risk of him getting injured again is always going to be looming in the back of fans’ minds.

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Whilst they begin to hit their stride and adjust to their new roster, a 14-8 record and fourth place start in the Eastern Conference is perfectly reasonable for a Bulls team that has made so many moves since the end of last season.

Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng left, as Pau Gasol, Aaron Brooks, and rookies Nikola Mirotic and Doug McDermott arrived. Clearly there’s been a lot of movement in the locker room, but in the long term it’s set up the Chicago Bulls with the depth to make a run at the NBA Finals for years to come.

By no means am I going to say that the Bulls are better without Derrick Rose leading the way on offense; even at 50 percent he’s more athletic than most players in the NBA. However, the Bulls aren’t exactly bad without their superstar point guard, either.

The 6’3″ highlight-reel missed 72 games last year, and the Chicago Bulls still managed to record 45 wins to finish fifth in the East. They may have fallen horribly short against the Washington Wizards in the playoffs, but it would have taken Rose at his very best to give his team a chance in that series with the dominance of Washington’s entire team, and their overpowering frontcourt.

Dec 12, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) during the second half at United Center. The Chicago Bulls defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 115-106. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

This Bulls team is far better than a year ago, even when Rose isn’t on the floor. Joakim Noah emerged as the best center in the league last year, and became the Defensive Player of the Year and the 1st team All-NBA center for the first time in his career. He put his team on his back as a triple-double threat every night, and set the defensive, tough-as-nails mindset that the Bulls are famous for.

“I just feel great. My body is healthy. My mind is good. My spirit is good.” Derrick Rose

With Pau Gasol (19.0 points, 11.9 rebounds) playing out of his mind through 20 games and Jimmy Butler being the top candidate for Most Improved Player of the Year, it’s time that people stop pinning the future of the Chicago Bulls on whether or not Rose stays healthy. No longer is he the face of the franchise and the single key to their future. No matter what he can bring on offense, the question of health is always a nagging thought, even if he is still putting up 17 points a game.

Dec 12, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez (42) during the second half at United Center. The Chicago Bulls defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 115-106. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

As disappointing as it is to admit, the issue of Rose not being dependable every night (even if the Bulls are just saving his minutes for the playoffs) can’t be ignored any longer, especially as health only becomes harder to maintain when your game relies on athleticism.

So, with all that being said, it is the new stars of Chicago that gives the Bulls their best and most reliable chance at future success.

Leading the way right now is none other than the ‘youthful’ Pau Gasol, and the electrifying energy of Jimmy Butler.

Gasol has long been considered one of the top power forwards in the game, and just as people expected that to decline, Gasol has gone and proved them wrong. At 34 years of age Gasol is posting 19.0 points, 11.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. Seriously, did anyone expect Pau to be a 20 and 12 guy this year? Probably not.

Nov 30, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls power forward Pau Gasol (16) dribbles the ball against Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Noah may have missed the Bulls’ last two games due to a sprained right ankle, which has allowed Paul to take center stage, but all season long there is no doubt that the Spaniard has been the best member of the Bulls’ All-Star frontcourt.

Prior to last night’s game against the Heat, Gasol had recorded eight straight double-doubles, totaling to 14 double-doubles in 20 games with the Bulls. Gasol’s 19.0 points per game is the best scoring output he’s had in 10 years, he’s become a top-tier rim protector to lock down the paint next to Noah and, despite his age, is rebounding better than ever. He’s having a career year in his mid-30’s, which is a statement that can rarely be made in the NBA.

Alongside Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan, Gasol looks like one of the most ageless big men of 2014. Maybe people should stop over-hyping Marc Gasol and the Memphis Grizzlies and look to see what his big brother is doing in Chicago, because other than his ball distribution Pau’s numbers are better across the board.

Nov 25, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Now onto Jimmy Butler. Not a name you’d have expected to hear so much this year, and probably not a player you’d have expected to be a top candidate to take home the Most Improved Player award.

Butler has simply excelled so far this season, and the incredible leap he’s taken from a year ago is a rare sight at the highest level of any professional sport. He’s obviously not as good as Anthony Davis, but the way Butler has elevated his game is definitely comparable to the way Davis continues to climb the NBA’s superstar ladder.

Now playing 39.9 minutes per game, Butler is leading the league in minutes, and he’s making every one of them count. He’s always been regarded as an elite defender since entering the NBA three years ago, but it’s his major offensive impact that is turning heads.

Nov 17, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) attempts a shot during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 105-89. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Butler has increased his assist (3 .3), rebounding (5.7) numbers and, most impressively, he’s scoring eight more points per game than last season. Utlizing his speed and agility to attack the basket (which equates to him ranking 4th in free throw attempts) has always come naturally to Butler, but this year his mid range jumper has become a deadly weapon in his offensive arsenal.

Butler’s shooting percentage from 10-16 feet is 10 percent higher from last year, and it’s not just the one position where he’s converting with killer accuracy. His overall field goal shooting is up from 39 to 48 percent. That kind of development in less than a year is remarkable, and Butler is making his opponents pay with his 21-point scoring average and All-Star caliber performance at both ends of the floor.

Regardless of all Butler’s buckets, Rose is obviously still the poster boy of the Chicago Bulls. Yet, the uncertainty which hovers over his ability to remain healthy and a reliable option for this team longterm is a worry, even with him asserting more explosiveness now. In no way should the Bulls look to trade Rose because his talent and athleticism is just too rare to let slip away, although maybe it’s an option they should consider if the situation arrises.

Nov 13, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) and center Joakim Noah (13) block Toronto Raptors forward Amir Johnson (15) during the third quarter at Air Canada Centre. Chicago won 100 – 93. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

A lot of teams have an elite point guard now, but even more still want one. And Rose has that kind of value.

With their young players like Butler making lightning quick progress towards the levels of NBA stardom, a new big man who provides another scoring dimension in the post in the form of Gasol, and rookies like McDermott, and especially Mirotic, who have shown signs of real potential, the Chicago Bulls could easily continue as a contender in the Eastern Conference. No longer are the days where the Bulls’ hopes of scoring lie in the hands of Rose or the streakier hands of the now departed Nate Robinson, the new faces of the franchise have arrived.

The opportunity to trade Rose is unlikely, so if he stays healthy the Bulls can still put more emphasis on unleashing their new stars like Butler and Gasol to maintain Rose for the long haul. However, the NBA is always unpredictable. Who knows if the New York Knicks will want to dump Carmelo Anthony for Rose at some point, they need to change something to try and win.

Regardless of how Chicago’s future turns out though, it’s time to let their new stars step into the limelight.

Next: NBA Power Rankings: The Warriors Have a Golden Opportunity