The Chicago Bulls were only hoping they would have to tread water for half a season then their MVP would come back and they could return to the team that made it to the Eastern Conference Finals just two years ago.
So far, they have done that.
They are 31-23, good enough for the fifth seed in the East, and if Derrick Rose came back today (and was at 100 percent), the Bulls would be a tough team to contend with for the rest of the year.
Despite this rather surprising level of success, Rose’s brother Reggie is not happy with the team. He says the Bulls have not done enough to put together a championship level team.
"What have you pieced together? Have you made any moves? Have you made any trades to get better? You know all roads to the championship lead through Miami," Reggie Rose said. "What pieces have you put together for the physical playoffs? Joakim Noah is a great player. Luol Deng is a great player. But you need more than that. You have to put together pieces to your main piece. The players can only do so much. It's up to the organization to make them better… It's frustrating to see my brother play his heart and soul out for the team and them not put anything around him."
According to a statement released by Derrick Rose, he does not necessarily agree with his brother.
"I have always felt that the Bulls organization's goals have been the same as mine and that is to bring another championship to this city," said Rose.
I did not hear the Bulls mentioned in a lot of trade rumors leading up to Thursday’s deadline, but whether they had any ideas or not, the team did not make any moves for this season. They seem pretty content with the guys they have.
Of course, the Bulls are probably assuming that Derrick will be returning this year. It is looking more and more like that might be a toss up. Rose has said he would not be opposed to sitting out the whole year, which probably throws a big wrench in the Bulls' chances of getting past the Heat.
Even with Rose on the floor, putting together a team that’s going to get past Miami is not easy. I understand Reggie’s desire to see his brother win a championship, but it’s not as simple as he makes it sound.
Image: SI.com
