Humble Superstar: Derrick Rose Earns MVP Honor

Derrick Rose is not the best player in the NBA. Nor is he the most irreplaceable. In drafting a team for a playoff run this year, he might not even go in the Top 3.

But on Tuesday, the NBA is expected to announce what many have been saying for months during this season: The Chicago Bulls’ point guard is the most valuable player in the league. An Associated Press story has reported it as fact before a formal statement.

Later reports have confirmed that he will be presented with the trophy at Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Hawks at the United Center.

Rose probably won’t make a big deal out of this. It seems like the only individual award he cares about is beating out Chicago Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews for the title of most humble Chicago superstar.

Yet for everyone else this award would be something to celebrate, a symbol of what Rose has done in bringing the Chicago Bulls back to relevance. Four years ago, Rose took Simeon Career Technical Academy on the city's South Side to its second straight state championship.

At only 22, Rose will be the youngest player to ever win the MVP award. Michael Jordan was 25 during the 1987-88 season when he captured his first of five overall honors.

Down the road Rose’s MVP award may be ridiculed in the same way that many people look at Steve Nash’s MVP seasons with the Phoenix Suns. How could they vote for Rose when he wasn’t even the best player in his own conference?

But those that have watched and followed this NBA season know the reason why so many people have reached a consensus. Rose has been the best player on the league’s best–and most consistent–team. Period.

Despite significant injuries to his supporting cast, Rose led the Bulls to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. While the Boston Celtics faded down the stretch, the Bulls pulled away and clinched home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, having finished with the best regular season record. Chicago had the biggest increase in winning percentage of any team compared to a year ago and never lost more than two games in a row.

Yes, the improvements had to do with the presence of Carlos Boozer and the re-emergence of Luol Deng. One should not forget Tom Thibodeau, who was named the NBA Coach of the Year on May 1. But Rose’s growth has had the greatest influence.

One clause explains how valuable Rose has been to Chicago this year: “since 1997-98.” The Bulls’ season was littered with feats and records that hadn’t been achieved since Jordan retired for the second time. Most wins… since 1997-98. Best home record… since 1997-98. First All-Star starter… since 1997-98. Least points per game allowed… since 1997-98.

Rose will have better seasons. The Bulls will have better seasons. But this was supposed to be an adjustment year with Rose and Joakim Noah getting used to playing alongside Boozer. According to most experts–and even the Bulls executives--their championship window was scheduled to open in 2012. But Rose had other plans. He’s taking this team through the front door. He’s brought a swagger back to the Bulls.

Some people will say Rose won because of the story, and it definitely is a great one. A hometown kid raising his team out of the ashes left from the debacle between Jordan and general manager Jerry Krause that tore apart the Bulls.

In the NBA, wins are the ultimate judge of success. And in that category, Rose has indeed been the most valuable.