Don't Forget About the Chicago Bulls

Derrick Rose hasn't played for the Bulls in over a year. His return to the lineup makes them immediate threats to the Miami Heat.

The Chicago Bulls not only made the playoffs, but managed to win a series without their best player and arguably a top-three player in the entire league. And while the team lost to the eventual champion Miami Heat in the second round, last season should be looked at as a success.

Role players and borderline stars such as Luol Deng and Joakim Noah proved to the league, and themselves, that they are capable of great play with out their MVP setting them up. With his return to the lineup, Chicago once again becomes a threat to the Heat in the east, and a threat to keep Miami from the prestigious three-peat.

Derrick Rose was unfairly criticized. Adrian Peterson spoiled sports with his mind-boggling return to the field, coming back better than ever. Peterson changed the perception of sports medicine and recovery time for serious injury. In his own sport, New York Knicks guard Iman Shumpert returned to the court before Rose, even though he suffered a similar injury after.

Medically cleared to play by doctors, Rose was expected to return soon after the All-Star break. That was strictly media speculation however, as the Bulls nor Rose gave any indication to his return. Instead Rose stood by his decision, vowing only to return when he was mentally ready. Anyone who has suffered a knee injury in sports understands that being medically cleared is one thing, but being mentally prepared and believing you can return as the same player, or better, than before is an entirely different issue.

Rose missed the entire 2012-2013 NBA season. He hasn’t played a meaningful game in more than 18 months. It would be expected for Rose to look rusty, out of rhythm and out of game shape. But his early returns in the preseason are just the opposite.

Rose appears quicker and more explosive than ever, showing no immediate limitations from his surgically repaired knee. In the October 23^rd preseason matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Rose dominated the game in all aspects. He compiled 26 points, four rebounds and six assists. His devastating crossover was on full display, as was his ability to attack the rim at will. Improved is his jump shot, knocking down two three-pointers in the final minutes of the game, sealing the win. While it’s only preseason, it has to be exciting for everyone in Chicago to see the heart of their team playing with the same, if not more, confidence than prior to his injury.

It was recently reported that a poll of NBA General Managers selected the Miami Heat to win a third straight NBA title. The point trying to be made in this article is that the Heat are not a lock to make it out of the east.

Paul George and the Indiana Pacers will certainly cause fits for the Heat throughout the regular season and the Brooklyn Nets hope the acquisitions of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry will be enough to contend for supremacy in the conference.

But the Chicago Bulls should be the biggest threat to Miami. Rose is arguably the most important, and most dominant player for his team outside of Lebron James. His teammates have more ability, and more confidence, to bail out the team on nights when Rose struggles. Though those occurrences are few and far between, it will be a vital asset in the playoffs, especially if this team faces the Heat.

Miami is the defending champ and should be treated as such, but the return of Derrick Rose is complete. And he looks like a man on a mission, which is bad news for the rest of the league.