Rose's role: run, run, run Bulls' offense
The Bears can't run the ball, so starting Thursday night in the United Center it'll be up to the Bulls to prove at least one Chicago sports team can.
With Derrick Rose on a recovering ankle, you might say the Bulls are aching to run. They want to run into the gym, onto the court, down the court and ultimately off the court with a victory.
If the Bulls have their way, all you'll see of them is a blur with a Rose-colored streak racing through it.
After practice Tuesday, Rose said of what has been a persistent concern, "The ankle isn't really hurting."
If Rose has two sturdy legs to stand on he'll be expected to scamper on them. If he doesn't have them - oh, man, the Bulls don't want to even begin to imagine the horror of that.
For a long time opposing teams came into Chicago and whoever coached the Bulls admiringly raved about the opposing point guard's ability to control the game.
Tony Parker or Chris Paul or Deron Williams or Jason Kidd or Steve Nash or too many others - they all had the ball and outcome in their hands. Now the Bulls have one of those to call their own.
Some point guards provide points. Others specialize in assists, defense, leadership or all of the above. But there's no bigger responsibility than managing tempo.
"It's very important, just having the ball in your hands," Rose said.
As Rose became rookie of the year last season he was mentored by 16-year veteran Lindsey Hunter, six-year veteran Kirk Hinrich and head coach/former NBA guard Vinny Del Negro.
"The thing he's finding out," Hunter said Tuesday, "is how his speed affects the game. When he pushes the ball he has the ability to put pressure on the defense. We have to play at his speed."
That means that after coming back from injuries, Luol Deng must fit in with Rose instead of vice versa. Brad Miller and John Salmons had to after being traded here last winter. Rookies Taj Gibson, James Johnson and everybody else have to.
This was Rose's team to run the day he was drafted No. 1 overall. It's his tempo to impose. That doesn't just happen in the NBA. Few rookies can do it and for some it takes several seasons to learn.
A measure of Rose is that he didn't force the issue. He listened and watched and learned and developed and progressed and grew into the role.
"(Point guard) is an extension of the coach," Del Negro pointed out. "He'll do it better (now) just from experience."
Rose's ankle too often kept him on the bench this preseason, so the process went slowly for a team that wants to go quickly.
But here they are, ready or not, starting off against two very quick point guards - Parker with the Spurs in the United Center and the next night Rajon Rondo with the Celtics in Boston.
Hunter said Rose can play slowdown, too, but "the object is to score and our offense wants to get it up the floor.
"(Derrick) is so unselfish, but if he can get to the basket every time, who's going to tell him not to?"
Certainly not the Bulls, who want to blur through this season at the pace of a speeding Rose.
mimrem@dailyherald.com