The Bandwagon.

 It's official. I am hopping on the Derrick Rose bandwagon. Yes, I know I didn't want to give him the ROY trophy, but D-Rose might be the only guy who reads this blog. He had a stellar performance yesterday against the defending champs (albeit without Kevin Garnett), and cemented himself in the history books as being the only rookie to score at least 35 points and dish out 10 assists in their playoff debut (make sure to look that one up). He was composed from the tipoff, and not once looked like he didn't belong. This game epitomized why NBA analysts have crowned him as the 2008-2009 Rookie of the Year; He plays like a seasoned veteran.

 There were a few blemishes on his stat sheet: 5 turnovers, and 6 personal fouls. He fouled out in OT, when his team needed him the most. But what do you expect from a 20 year old (he's only 8 days older than I am) rookie point guard who gave you 36 points, 11 assists and 4 rebounds in 50 minutes of play? 

 The Bulls may ultimately lose this series, since they have no one who can really stop P-Double, and no one who can stop Jesus Shuttlesworth, if he happens to find his game before the series concludes. Still, if you believe in moral victories, the final score of Game 1 counted for more than a 1-0 series lead. Derrick Rose is not the point guard of the future, he's the point guard of the present. And that scares me.

 P.S. - What really surprised me? The play of Joakim Noah and Kirk Hinrich. I've been hard on the both of them since they entered the L in the 2007 and 2003 drafts, respectively. They both played amazing defense against a veteran team, and were close to perfect (Noah's foul on Paul Pierce with almost no time left was the only real flaw). 

 P.P.S. - J.J., I knew you had it in you.

 P.P.P.S. - Oh, and thank you Paul, for being oh so clutch.