Phil Jackson hails the emergence of Derrick Rose; Praises
Tom Thibodeau – NBA Update
NBA coaching icon Phil Jackson has admitted that he was very impressed by the meteoric rise of Chicago Bulls super star Derrick Rose.
The legendary coach though called on the Chicago Bulls to provide the young playmaker with more support in order to realize his true potential.
Jackson is one of the most celebrated figures in NBA history having won 11 NBA World Championships as a coach. 6 of those came in Chicago, when he guided Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen to utter domination.
Since that time though, the Bulls have been languishing in mediocrity, never able to re-attain the heights they once achieved. But, that changed last season with the emergence of Rose as a truly elite player. The point guard won
the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award - the youngest ever to do so - and led Chicago into the Eastern Conference Finals.
Even Jackson took notice.
While talking in The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000, Jackson, who retired this year after winning five titles with the Los Angeles Lakers said.
"He shows himself to be unstoppable, and that's a real tremendous year he had last year,"
He also praised coach Tom Thibodeau for Rose’s development. "And the way [coach Tom Thibodeau] used him magnified that and made him such a difficult player to contest and contend with.”
Thibodeau and Rose made a killer duo last season. It was the first season of Tom as a head coach in the NBA and he introduced a defence first mentality into the Bulls locker room. When Rose bought into it, and the others followed
suit, the results were tremendous.
However, make no mistake about it; they need more from the rest of the roster to maintain their level.
"But they still have to have some pieces around them." Jackson said.
He pointed out that with not many other players performing, at least on the offensive end, Chicago have a tendency to become bogged down. It happened in the Conference Finals and cost them dearly, and Phil knows the only way to
avoid it again is by improving the support cast.
"They just can't be one-dimensional in that regard. They have to have those complementary pieces to assist Rose in his game."
The fan base in Chicago is abuzz with excitement for next season. They have been yearning for a new super star since Michael Jordan retired, and Derrick is the only one who has given them any reason for joy.
Even Jordan though, needed Scottie Pippen by his side. He also needed players like Horace Grant and Dennis Rodman. Phil knows this, he coached that team. He is just hoping that the current powers in Chicago also realize it in time
so that the franchise can truly cash in on the talent of their super star point guard.
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