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Chicago Bulls: 5 Ways Derrick Rose Can Lead Team To Conference Finals

By Jake Hyman

Feb 7, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) and Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) and forward Pau asol (16) go for a rebound during the first quarter in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) and Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) and forward Pau asol (16) go for a rebound during the first quarter in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Help Defense and Team Rebounding is Essential

Thompson and Mozgov are winning the frontcourt battle in the series over Noah and Taj Gibson despite receiving little help from Cleveland’s reserves. Both are taking and converting high percentage shots as Chicago’s interior defense is getting surprisingly outworked by the usually finesse duo.

Both Thompson and Mozgov are 9-for-14 from the field in the last two games, and Noah offers little rim protection despite the tenacity he consistently displays on the court. The pick and roll with Mozgov has been lethal and the Bulls currently have few answers on how to deal with the gargantuan Russian.

Rose doesn’t have to reside solely in the paint on defense, but aiding guys like Noah, Gibson, and Mirotic down low by doubling the big men could be answer to a big problem. Also his effort on the glass is essential for Chicago to take away boards and free possesions from Thompson, Mozgov and the rest of the Cavs big men.

Thompson, who had the eighth-best offensive rebounding rate in the regular season, has been cleaning the boards on a regular basis. With  the possibility of Gasol missing game five due to an injured left hamstring, Rose has to bring the lost tenacity on the glass.

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