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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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Mar 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) before the game against the Toronto Raptors at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) before the game against the Toronto Raptors at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

He gets Mirotic going again

Nikola Mirotic, a former first-round pick in the 2011 draft, offers Chicago something that Cleveland recently lost. As a reliable stretch 4 that has come up huge during the season, he’s yet to reacquire the same stroke during the playoffs.  His points per game are cut in half and he’s failing to shoot 30 percent from the floor in nine games.

However dropping 12 points in Game 3 showed a glimpse of Chicago getting back their Croatian sensation. His play is fueled by sinking shots from anywhere on the court and currently is a non-factor on both sides of the floor. A pick and pop candidate during the regular season, Rose has to get the big man featured and in prime positions to score.

Cleveland doesn’t have their big men venture out of the paint regularly on defense. Getting Thompson outside of the cylinder is a plus for the Bulls on the boards. Mirotic has to attempt uncontested looks from the perimeter before taking ill-advised attempts just to see the ball go through the hoop.

He’s not rugged and burly like teammate Taj Gibson so getting clean releases without contact or a hand in his face would be ideal for the Bulls. Having James slide onto Mirotic at the 4 opens up the paint for guys like Rose and Butler.

The various problems he can cause only come to fruition if Rose targets the rookie consistently in the half court sets.

Next: Serve as On-Court Leader and Floor General

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