North: Wade's leadership just what Bulls needed
So far, so good for the Chicago Bulls.
General manager Gar Forman, who I've never been a big fan of his work, and Bulls vice president John Paxson, one of my favorite people in sports, must be pleased with their team's early success.
The ongoing saga and nightmare of Derrick Rose must seem like 100 years ago to them, and they couldn't be happier that he is in New York.
These Bulls are fun to watch, and I saw a tweet from Bulls broadcaster Chuck Swirsky stating that Dwyane Wade has been a leader on and off the court.
I absolutely agree.
Wade has added more confidence to the team and helped to bring a different maturity level to Jimmy Butler.
Rajon Rondo also appears to have settled in comfortably, and it feels to me that Wade, Butler and Rondo have the proverbial chip on their shoulders, making them up their game.
Even though Wade and Rondo have won NBA championships, I believe they were annoyed the media didn't give them much of a chance at the beginning of the season and are out to prove them wrong.
Fine by me if they use it as a motivating factor - because it's working. With a 7-4 record going into Thursday night and 70 games still left after today, it's too early to tell much. If they can continue to improve, though, anything could happen.
Sophomore head coach Fred Hoiberg survived an almost impossible first year. He followed a popular and very good coach in Tom Thibodeau. Like many people, I did not want to him see leave the Bulls.
Let's not forget that Thibs had to deal with a lot, from a multitude of injuries to a clash with the front office. Somehow, he managed to do a tremendous job with a battered team.
But we have to forget about that and move on.
If the Bulls can avoid injury and get to Christmas Day at .500 or above, look out!
I love how the entire team is pitching in, and much of the credit points to Wade again.
Some people might have forgotten this, but Wade was a champion before LeBron James went to Miami. Don't overlook what Wade brings to the table as a champion and a leader, things the Bulls were missing previously.
Wade is a hometown guy who has been there and done that. Not like Rose, a hometown guy who could not deliver after his MVP season.
Rondo is right there with Wade, but while Rondo runs the point on the floor, the offense is Wade. Hoiberg is watching Wade's minutes and that's always tricky, but there is enough talent on this team to ride it out.
Butler is a huge factor, of course, and the Bulls need him to stay healthy, but I think we all agree that we need three horns, not just two on the bull to succeed. And those horns are Wade, Rondo and Butler.
• Follow Mike North on Twitter @north2north. His column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.