Rose’s Health Crucial to Chicago’s Title Odds | IXGAMES
Anybody with a firm grasp of how the 2014-2015 NBA season might play out has the answer to the Derrick Rose question. If the Chicago Bulls point guard can pick up where he left off at the end of the 2010-2011 season, the Bulls could become title favorites. They’re 11/2 to win the NBA Championship as we go to press. If Rose comes up limping once again, as he’s done after his previous comeback attempts, then the squad will look considerably more mortal, and Chicago will be among the favorites in the Eastern Conference but relatively toothless compared to a team like Cleveland. The reason is simple. Without Rose, the Bulls are a well-rounded and formidable defensive threat. With him, and especially with the 25 and 8 MVP version of him, the team’s a well-oiled machine capable of contending for the title. Rose managed to survive his summer obligations with Team USA despite looking sore and banged up on occasion. However, the guard has started to regain some of his superstar form. A healthy Rose may not guarantee Chicago’s championship parade, but it could be the difference between the Bulls serving as noble underdogs and the Bulls being a legitimate championship favorite.