He's For Real

My love of Derrick Rose has been clear since the day that I started this blog. But there is no bias when I say that he has reached the Superstar status.

He's carrying his team and looking good doing it.

Last night against the Rockets, Rose hit a three at the buzzer to put the game into overtime before scoring 5 points in the extra frame to propel his Bulls to the victory. Willing a team to victory is something that only the top tier players can do, Rose is now a part of that group.

As of right now Rose is posting 25.7 PPG and 8.1 APG, making him the only player in the league putting up 25 & 8 in any category.

At the moment the Bulls sit at 10-8 after already going through the toughest part of their schedule with the next three games being all against good teams including the Thunder and the Lakers. After the game against the Lakers, the rest of December could provide one long winning streak. And if the Bulls end the season at at least the fifth seed, Rose is going to be in the conversation for MVP.

Who deserves it ahead of him?

Dwyane Wade and LeBron James ruled themselves out the day they joined forces. Kevin Durant deserves it as well but the emergence of Russell Westbrook will hurt his cause because people will say that his team could continue to be successful without him. Kobe Bryant is the best closer in the game, but right now he might not be the best player on his team.

For the Bulls, if Rose doesn't do it- it doesn't get done.

For the last two years people have been saying that Rose was on the road to becoming a superstar, he's there. And the scariest thing is, he's still getting better.

NBA Regular Season 11-9-10

Pacers vs Nuggets (Slo's pick: Nuggets)

The Nuggets are coming off a tough loss last night in Chicago. Despite being on the road for the second half of back to back games I expect them to win in Indiana.

Nets vs Cavaliers (Slo's pick: Nets)

Brook Lopez is going to punish the Cavs down low and the Nets are going to get their third win of the season.

Heat vs Jazz (Slo's pick: Heat)

The Heat have much more talent and they're at home. No logical reason to go against them in this game.

Hornets vs Clippers (Slo's pick: Hornets)

The Hornets are coming off a monumental victory against the Heat, I expect them to keep it going tonight against a far inferior Clippers team.

Bucks vs Knicks (Slo's pick: Bucks)

The Bucks are going to get it going eventually. With Boozer injured in Chicago the Bucks need to try and get a lead in the Central division because once he comes back the Bulls are going to be a serious force in the league.

Trailblazers vs Pistons (Slo's pick: Trailblazers)

This equation is simple. The Blazers are good, the Pistons aren't.

Lakers vs Timberwolves (Slo's pick: Lakers)

The Lakers are going to destroy the T'Wolves tonight. Minnesota should consider it a moral victory if they can keep it under 10.

Slo's record last night: 6-0

Slo's record on the season: 42-16 (72%)

NBA Regular Season 11-8-10

Bulls vs Nuggets (Slo's pick: Bulls)

This is a tough game to pick. The Nuggets bench is much better than the Bulls' but with Nene and Chris Anderson sidelined the Bulls should dominate the glass with Noah and Gibson. Because the Bulls are at home they get the pick. It will be interesting to see the reaction Carmelo Anthony gets when introduced after all of the Melo-to-Chicago trade rumors surfaced.

Mavericks vs Celtics (Slo's pick: Mavericks)

The Celtics are without question the better team but playing the second half of back to back road games is never easy. It will be close but I think the Mavs will fight out a win at home.

Magic vs Hawks (Slo's pick: Magic)

Both teams have only one loss going into tonight's game. With the home floor the Magic should get the win. This is going to be a high scoring game and I'm sure we're going to be seeing plenty of highlights of it.

Raptors vs Warriors (Slo's pick: Warriors)

Despite being on the road the Warriors are a much better team. There is no excuse for them to lose this game.

Bobcats vs Spurs (Slo's pick: Spurs)

This is a really hard game to pick. The Bobcats are due for a win but the Spurs are far and away the better team. When in doubt you just have to go with who has more talent, and that is the Spurs.

Grizzlies vs Suns (Slo's pick: Grizzlies)

The Grizzlies lost to the Suns in overtime a couple of days ago. Tonight I expect them Grizzlies to avenge themselves with a victory.

Slo's record on November 5th: 7-5

Slo's record on the season: 36-16 (69%)

NBA Regular Season 11-5-10

Celtics vs Bulls (Slo's pick: Celtics)

The Bulls are coming off an extremely frustrating game last night against the Knicks. Every time the Bulls were knocking on the door to come back and take the lead, the Knicks would hit a three, they had 16 of them on the night. Playing the second half of back to backs is never a good thing but playing in Boston after a home loss spells disaster for the Bulls. It's possible that they will play with a chip on their shoulder and grind out a win but it's very unlikely.

Pacers vs Bucks (Slo's pick: Pacers)

As I said in my season preview, the Pacers are no longer a pushover team. With Hibbert down low to battle Bogut I think the Pacers will grab the win in Indiana. Also, don't be surprised when people start pressing the panic button on the Bucks. Fans, and especially writers, love to make a big deal out of slow starts.

Magic vs Nets (Slo's pick: Magic)

At home the Magic should destroy the Nets.

76ers vs Cavaliers (Slo's pick: 76ers)

The harsh reality that LeBron is gone is really beginning to sink in for Cavs fans. It's only going to get worse as they start losing to teams like the Sixers.

Pistons vs Bobcats (Slo's pick: Bobcats)

I'm not confident in this pick because the Pistons are going to win soon and it's probably going to be at home. The reason for picking the Bobcats is because they match up well with the Pistons and because they're much better than they've been showing.

Knicks vs Wizards (Slo's pick: Knicks)

Last night the Knicks shot mind numbingly well in Chicago. I expect that to continue tonight against the Wizards.

Hornets vs Heat (Slo's pick: Heat)

The Heat are going to kill the Hornets, probably with ease. The only teams I would pick against the Heat are the Lakers and Celtics and even then maybe not.

T'Wolves vs Hawks (Slo's pick: Hawks)

The Hawks have been playing well to start the season and I don't think they're going to have much trouble tonight in Minnesota.

Suns vs Grizzlies (Slo's pick: Grizzlies)

The Suns are struggling and the Grizzlies are young and hungry. That equation equals a win for Memphis.

Nuggets vs Clippers (Slo's pick: Nuggets)

Even with trade rumors circulating around their superstar, the Nuggets should still beat the Clippers at home every time. I think it will be a close game but the Nuggets will pull it out in the end.

Warriors vs Jazz (Slo's pick: Warriors)

The Warriors are flying under the radar right now but they're playing well. I don't think they will make the playoffs just because the Western Conference is too tough but they have a good shot at winning this game in Golden State.

Lakers vs Raptors (Slo's pick: Lakers)

The Lakers will beat the Raptors in a blowout.

NBA Regular Season 11-4-10

Bulls vs Knicks (Slo's pick: Bulls)

I'm not sure if it's going to be a blowout or a barn burner but I do know that the Bulls are coming away with the win.

Trailblazers vs Thunder (Slo's pick: Thunder)

The Thunder are looking to break into the hierarchy of the Western Conference and road wins in games like this are the way to get there.

Slo's record on November 2nd: 5-0

Slo's record on the season: 28-10 (73%)

NBA Regular Season 11-2-10

Pistons vs Celtics (Slo's pick: Celtics)

Unless the Celtics take the Pistons extremely lightly, which is possible because the Celtics do that often, then they will win. Rajon Rondo is playing out of his mind right now and I don't expect that to change tonight.

Cavaliers vs Hawks (Slo's pick: Hawks)

Cavaliers fans are used to having their way with the Hawks, not anymore. With no LeBron James the Hawks are going to feast on the Cavs.

Wizards vs 76ers (Slo's pick: Wizards)

The Wizards haven't gotten a win yet and this is a perfect opportunity for them do so. Andre Iguodala is trying to get out of Philly and they're playing with a lot of disfunction. John Wall has been playing well so far and he's going to get his first NBA win tonight.

Heat vs Timberwolves (Slo's pick: Heat)

I can only hope that the Heat grace the T'Wolves with autographs after the game.

Bucks vs Trailblazers (Slo's pick: Trailblazers)

The Blazers were dominated wire to wire last night in Chicago and tonight I think they're going to come out with something to prove. I originally picked the Bucks in this game because the Blazers are going to be playing the second half of back to back games on the road but I think they were embarrassed about last night. To them this game is to show everyone that they're not a middle of the pack team.

Lakers vs Grizzlies (Slo's pick: Lakers)

I'm taking the Lakers basically because I don't have the guts to pick against them in this game but don't be surprised if the Grizzlies upset them.

Slo's record last night: 3-0

Slo's record on the season: 23-10 (70%)

NBA Regular Season 11-1-10

Bulls vs Trailblazers (Slo's pick: Bulls)

With Boozer out of the lineup it has become evident that Rose needs to play at an MVP level for the Bulls to be competitive, so far so good. It will be a struggle but I think the Bulls will pull it out, even if it's not too pretty.

Kings vs Raptors (Slo's pick: Kings)

I think the Raptors will be one of the worst teams in the league this year and the young and hungry Kings will play well at home as most young teams do. The Kings get the win barring any major unforeseen factors such as an injury to Tyreke Evans or something along those lines.

Clippers vs Spurs (Slo's pick: Spurs)

The Clippers will get going sometime soon it's just not going to be tonight. The veteran Spurs will play them close and pull it out in the end.

Slo's record 0n October 29th: 6-6

Slo's record on the season: 20-10 (66%)