Rose really could be difference for Bulls ... in recruiting

Derrick Rose might want to reconsider declining to help the Bulls recruit players like Dwight Howard.

Rose believes the elements here — the organization, city of Chicago, passionate fans — sell his team and town.

However, history indicates otherwise.

Rose sounds as smug about the Bulls as Jerry Krause was a decade ago. Fellas, listen, this team hasn’t been a destination for premier players with a choice of places to go.

At the turn of the century Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady chose Orlando over Chicago. Last year LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade chose Miami.

Now Howard lists the Magic, Lakers, Mavericks and Nets as teams he would agree to play for. The Bulls are left back with teams like the Grizzlies, Hornets and Bucks as teams he isn’t interested in.

Let’s ponder what exactly is going on here, starting with the Bulls’ pluses.

ŸPlaying with Rose has to be attractive. Put another great player with him and the Bulls would be favorites to win a title.

ŸChicago is centrally located on the NBA landscape, making travel easier.

ŸAs a marketing mecca, an athlete can enjoy commercial endorsement opportunities here. Just ask the likes of the Fridge, Punky QB, Airness and Worm.

ŸChicago also is a terrific place to live for NBA players who are either single or raising a family.

That’s a compelling package, considering pro athletes generally are motivated by money and championships.

But the package hasn’t been compelling enough to this point. Other than Dennis Rodman — not exactly in demand at the time — the best available players have landed elsewhere.

So, why is that?

ŸYears ago the Bulls had an advantage in facilities over most teams. No longer, though. Opponents have built comparable arenas since the United Center opened in 1994 and better practice complexes since the Berto Center opened in 1992.

ŸNBA players began leaning toward warm-weather locations like Miami, Orlando, Phoenix and Los Angeles rather than snowy, frigid places like Chicago.

ŸA Bulls player can live on the cushy North Shore close to the Berto Center, but then the drive to United Center games during rush hour is tough; he can live downtown near the UC, but then the drive to practice every day is tough.

ŸRose doesn’t understand that it’s an additional negative that he won’t go out of his way to help the Bulls woo recruits who want to feel like they’re wanted.

ŸBulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf’s image around the league still might be that he doesn’t want to win because he has resisted paying the luxury tax for talent upgrades.

ŸNobody associated with the Bulls is charismatic enough to wow big-time players. The Heat has Pat Riley, the Mavericks have Mark Cuban, the Nets have Jay-Z, the Lakers have Jack Nicholson and the Bulls don’t.

ŸIllinois has a state income tax while Florida and Texas don’t, which is the difference of more than a few dollars on a $100 million contract.

ŸMost of today’s players couldn’t care less about those championship banners hanging in the United and Berto centers.

Overall, the minuses outweigh the pluses.

So, Derrick, pick up the freakin’ phone just to see whether you might get Dwight Howard to add the Bulls to his preferred list.

mimrem@dailyherald.com