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NBA Playoffs: Which superstar has the most to win and lose?

By Luke Dahlgren

May 10, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Cavaliers Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning basket in the second half of game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. The Cavaliers won 86-84. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Cavaliers Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning basket in the second half of game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. The Cavaliers won 86-84. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 10, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) dribbles the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) defends in the second half of game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center. The Cavaliers won 86-84. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) dribbles the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) defends in the second half of game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at the United Center. The Cavaliers won 86-84. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose was ready to be written off as an injury-prone “has been” who no longer deserves star recognition, but he has regained his form in the playoffs. Still his Bulls trail the Cavs 2-3.

How much does Derrick Rose have to win with a Finals victory?

Derrick Rose, the scintillating talent from the south side of Chicago, gets drafted by his hometown team. He immediately becomes a star, first winning Rookie of the Year and then becoming the youngest player to ever win the NBA MVP. Suddenly, fame, recognition and endorsements are pouring in. He guides his team to the Eastern Conference Finals, but loses to the great Miami superteam.

The next season he tries again, but in the playoffs he injures his knee. He becomes a shell of his former self, playing timidly and making mistakes. Some people begin to question his toughness and passion, while others just give him pity. Meanwhile the endorsements dry up, and he spends four long years trying to get back to the promised land deep in the playoffs. He finally returns after a middling year, and in the playoffs he explodes. His NBA career and legacy are redeemed, and he brings the Larry O’Brien trophy back to Chicago for the first time since Jordan.

In that case, I guess he has a lot to win.

How much does Derrick Rose have to lose with an early exit?

In terms of people’s opinions of him, there is not much for Rose to lose. He entered the playoffs with expectations that were heavily qualified with doubts about his explosiveness and the Bulls’ ability to go far into the playoffs. Even with the injuries to the Cavs, the Bulls were supposed to lose this series. Anything better than this will be a victory in terms of expectations, so personally Rose has little to lose.

However, this Bulls team may not be together much longer. Head coach Tom Thibodeau may be out the door, and they could be losing a great deal of their veteran presence, particularly in the frontcourt. This might be Rose’s best chance at an NBA championship.

Next: John Wall