Bulls' Rose is 'SportsCenter' of attention as a rookie
ROSE'S RISE | East's rookie of month remains humble
The ESPN highlights of the Bulls' victory Sunday over the Philadelphia 76ers consisted of three plays:
• • Derrick Rose running down Andre Miller to block what appeared to be a breakaway layup as a stunned Miller looked back in wonderment.
(AP)
The story line: After getting embarrassed on their home court Sunday, the 76ers will be looking to spoil the Bulls' return to the United Center after a stretch of seven consecutive road games.
John Jackson
• • Rose inflicting a killer crossover dribble near the top of the circle that caused Miller's ankles to buckle as he helplessly crumbled to the court. Rose headed to the hoop and was credited with a basket after a goaltending call.
• • A one-hand alley-oop dunk by Rose off a fast-break feed from Ben Gordon.
Of course, there were other key plays, but you couldn't beat those three for entertainment value -- and for proof of the impact Rose has made in his first month in the NBA.
To no one's surprise, Rose was named Eastern Conference rookie of the month for November on Monday. He's ranked first among conference rookies in points (18.4), assists (six) and minutes (38) per game. He has scored in double figures in all but one game and quickly has established himself as the Bulls' best player.
Even the tough Philadelphia fans took a brief break from booing the home team to ooh, aah and cheer after each of Rose's highlight plays. But when asked if he caught the highlights package on ''SportsCenter,'' Rose killed that story angle.
''I don't even watch 'SportsCenter,''' he said. ''I stopped watching it when we played Tennessee in college [at Memphis] because you can't believe that hype.''
The praise Rose is receiving isn't mere hype because of his production on the court, but the former Simeon star remains the same down-to-earth 20-year-old who reported to training camp two months ago.
When asked for his thoughts on being the latest great point guard from Chicago, Rose stayed ever humble and modest.
''I wouldn't say that, but I'm learning from everybody in the NBA,'' he said. ''I'm watching a lot of video and trying to take some of the things they do, like lead a team and run an offense, and try to build that into my game.''
The players he watches most are Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd and Deron Williams. After watching Rose during the first month of his career, there's little doubt he could be considered the equal of those players someday.
The biggest thing Rose said he learns from watching those players is leadership. He wants to lead, and his teammates seem willing to follow. Gordon, who leads the Bulls in scoring, didn't hesitate when asked if a rookie can be the Bulls' leader.
''Yeah, why not?'' Gordon said. ''He definitely has all the tools. It's a matter of learning and getting more experience. He's a point guard, so he has to run the team, he has to step up and he's definitely capable.''
While Rose downplayed his personal highlights package, he had to get some joy out of watching Miller -- a very good veteran point guard -- go down on the crossover move, right?
''Yeah, I did a simple move, and he fell,'' Rose said. ''I did that before, but it was the first time in a game. I thought it was a regular play. It just naturally happened. I wanted to score, and I put myself in a situation where I could get to the basket.''