Derrick Rose: FIBA World Cup showed he’s ready for 2014-15

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has everything in the world going for him as he heads into the 2014-2015 NBA season. He’s coming back to a team that was, as usual, a dominant defensive team a year ago. He’s coming back to a coach that has his full support and, not to mention, is one of the best coaches in all of basketball. Rose is coming back to a team that is much improved from a year ago with the additions of rookies Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic, as well as veteran big man Pau Gasol.

Lastly, the former MVP is coming back after having the experience of a lifetime.

After nearly two full seasons out of basketball, Rose is a gold medalist — not a bad way to come back to the game. Rose was nowhere near the MVP of Team USA this summer, but he sure proved he deserved a spot on the squad. On a team missing big names like LeBron James and Kevin Durant, Rose was looked at as a guy who could be a leader. What was most impressive is how he affected the game without even having to put the ball in the hoop.

“I can control the game without scoring,” he said after winning gold, first reported by ESPN. “I think I’m that good. Just going out there, I had some turnovers but that came from trying to get guys the ball.”

Rose seems to know exactly what he will have to do in the upcoming season. After adding a guy like Gasol, the offense will be much easier to facilitate. Already having another big man who can help facilitate offensively in Joakim Noah, Gasol will take a lot of pressure off of Rose in terms of needing to score. The type of player Rose will need to be is exactly the kind of player he was in the FIBA World Cup.

As for what the man himself thinks about his health and readiness going into training camp, he seems to think he is just fine.

“I’m going to transfer this onto next season with the Bulls,” he said. “It’s really helped me with my recovery. Being off the floor, taking care of my body, eating right. I was feeling good every time I stepped on the floor, stretching every time, I think it’s going to help me with the Bulls season.

“This has gotten my body accustomed. I haven’t been playing in a long time. I still have to get my rhythm back. But as far as I’m concerned, I think I performed well. Making this team was enough for me. The championship was the cherry on top, just coming here, performing in front of this great crowd. Just coming here. Now, sad to say, I have to put this behind me and concentrate on playing for the Bulls.”

“Nobody in the world is getting this kind of competition” – Derrick Rose

Rose may have gotten plenty of criticism over the last two years from people questioning his heart, toughness or motives, but his World Cup play proves that he made the smart decision staying off the court for as long as he did. The important aspect of all of this, is that his confidence is sky high. Throughout the tournament, he said over and over again how his confidence had been at an all-time high, which is incredible news for Bulls fans.

What fans should be looking forward to is seeing a fast, explosive Rose just as they were used to seeing in past years. But, this time, instead of scoring as much as he did, he will be required only to be more of a pure point guard. He can use his quickness off the pick-and-roll much more than he uses it to split double-teams and race to the basket. With another added dimension like Gasol, the double-teams should subside in comparison to past years.

Rose will be able to focus more on being a great defender as well, with some of the extra energy he will have. He showed the ability to lock down his opponents in fantastic fashion this summer, which will prove one of his most valuable assets heading into the NBA season. I think in 2014-2015 we will see a much more rounded player in Rose, and this will be seen especially on defense.

As the Bulls prepare for training camp and the preseason — which is right around the corner, folks — fans can rest assured that their beloved superstar point guard is healthy, strong and confident. Is the league ready for an even better Derrick Rose this year?

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