Losing had strange effects on men who aren't used to it. They don't like it and don't ever want to feel that way. Maybe that's why Derrick Rose felt comfortable switching positions on Dwight Howard coming to the Chicago Bulls.
LeBron James may have inflamed talk of Howard-Rose union to Chicago Bulls
The best way to topple a kingdom is beating them at their own game. LeBron James knew this after years of frustration trying to topple the Boston Celtics, a team built through three superstars joining forces. LeBron couldn't conquer them alone, so he copied them instead, creating his own Big Three with the Miami Heat. What he probably didn't plan on was laying the foundation for his own overthrow. James has made life miserable for the Chicago Bulls since the Eastern Conference Finals, and there's no player he tortures more than Derrick Rose. He even went so far as to say Rose wasn't good enough to beat him alone in the playoffs, claiming he was one player away from getting to the Finals. Clearly James expected Chicago to ignore this hint.
Now after another tight defeat, Rose may have had enough of the King and his South Beach Empire. The reigning MVP did something he hasn't done before, softening his stance on the status of his team by stating anybody would be stupid to not want to play with Dwight Howard. What makes the line so incredible is its timing, coming not 24 hours after Howard went on record saying if God wanted him to play in Chicago he would. This comes from the top NBA center that did not include the Bulls on his wish list of trade destinations during the off-season. Suddenly both players are open to a union? It may just be coincidence, or a rallying cry between two young stars recognizing their priorities.
Kobe Bryant proved championship teams need at least two NBA stars
Take it from a man who's won five titles. Future Hall of Fame guard Kobe Bryant didn't win them all by himself. He had help; first in fellow Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Neal and then All-Star big man Pau Gasol. Bryant stated that to win titles, a team needed a consistent presence in the paint, something Derrick Rose doesn't have. Now ever since Gasol suddenly attained the label of playing soft, the Los Angeles Lakers haven't had the same aura they did winning back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. Howard represents everything the Chicago Bulls don't have: offensive production in the paint. For all the good players like Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer do, they are not Dwight Howard. Pairing the Orlando Magic stud with a lightning fast slasher and shooter like Rose oozes championship contention from every pore. LeBron has to know this, which is likely why he silently sits at home laughing that Howard prefers New Jersey or New York for his new homes.
What has held back many Chicago Bulls fans on the Howard trade is what the team might give up to get him. Very likely it would involve draft picks, Noah, Luol Deng and probably one or two of their top bench players. So here's why Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are nervous about such a deal happening. Rose is 23. Howard in 26. Each is already considered the best in basketball at their respective positions. Is it possible for a deal to make too much sense? Perhaps Derrick and Dwight have found the answer.
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