NBA preview packages have come and gone, but here are some bold bonus predictions, based on the first five days of the season:

Barring an injury, Derrick Rose will win rookie of the year easily.

The reasoning here is pretty simple. Not only is Rose an extraordinary talent who seems to make winning his top priority, he is the best player on a team that could challenge for the playoffs. Miami's Michael Beasley and Memphis' O.J. Mayo will produce good numbers, but they are not their team's best player.

Rose's assist average (4.3) is lower than it should be because his teammates have bricked so many jumpers. But that figures to change as the Bulls get used to playing together.

Also, Rose shouldn't be expected to average 10 assists. He's sort of a Chris Paul meets Dwyane Wade type of player. Rose can get to the basket in a flash and set up teammates, but he also has the explosive athleticism that could lend itself to being a high scorer in the pros.

The Bulls will not lead the league in free throws.

They are No. 1 in this category right now, believe it or not, averaging 28.3 made free throws per game. Houston is second in the league at 25.7 per game.

In free-throw attempts, the Bulls are a close second to Boston, but they have shot a better percentage than the Celtics. The Bulls have averaged 34.7 trips to the foul line in three games, compared to an even 36 by the Celtics.

Getting to the foul line has been a team effort for the Bulls. Rose and Tyrus Thomas have hit 15 free throws each, but that's well short of the top 10 in the league.

Rose figured to attack the basket early and often, but the other Bulls have also been aggressive when Rose is out of the game. Is this a fluke or a product of the Vinny Del Negro-Del Harris offense? Time will tell.

There have been plenty of positive signs so far, but it's been tough to judge the Bulls during two wins against inferior opponents, Milwaukee (Scott Skiles needs more time) and Memphis, plus an ugly loss at defending champion Boston.

The next two weeks should be interesting, with road games in Orlando and Cleveland, followed by a challenging five-game homestand (Phoenix, Cleveland, Atlanta, Dallas, Indiana) before they start the circus road trip.

Toronto's Chris Bosh is an MVP candidate.

In his first three games playing alongside Jermaine O'Neal, Bosh has averaged 26 points, 10 rebounds and shot 54 percent. The Raptors are 3-0 with a road win at Philadelphia.

Point guard Jose Calderon is also off to a great start at 18 points and 9.7 assists. The size inside has opened things up for Toronto's outside shooters to hit 24 of 44 attempts from 3-point range.

The Raptors should be a handful as long as O'Neal stays healthy, especially since he appears content to play second fiddle to Bosh and focus on defense. Then again, O'Neal has missed nearly half the season because of injuries in three of the last four years. So Toronto's threat as an Eastern Conference power will always be fragile.

Michael Jordan will not sit alongside the Bobcats bench 41 times this season.

Going out on a limb here, I know. Instead of his occasional spot upstairs in a suite, Jordan grabbed a courtside seat near the Charlotte bench during Saturday's 100-87 victory over Miami.

Jordan sightings have been rare since he became part-owner of the Bobcats, but maybe coach Larry Brown made an MJ presence a condition of employment. More likely, Jordan will increase his visits only if Charlotte plays its home games at a Las Vegas casino or luxury golf course.

mmcgraw@dailyherald.com