D-Rose on Defense: Why the Bulls star helps on both ends

By: Donnie Kolakowski

Everyone is excited for Derrick Rose's return. As the former MVP averages almost a point per minute in the preseason, no one can resist the thought of the Bulls having a functional offense to go along with the terrific defense the team plays.

And while it is undoubtedly on the offensive end that the Bulls will benefit most from Rose's return, forgetting the defensive value he brings to the team is a big mistake.

For one thing, an upgrade depends on two things: the player coming to the team, and the player he is replacing. With Kirk Hinrich nursing his every injury known to man last season, Nate Robinson was forced to play over 2000 minutes for the second time in his career. The Bulls may have gotten everything they could've hoped for out of Robinson, but he still isn't getting any Defensive Player of the Year votes anytime soon.

Robinson may be given a pass with his height, but that was not the biggest issue on his defensive side of the ball. He had a poor sense of when to help, and gambled at the wrong times. He would often fall asleep while his man cut away from him.

The biggest problem in Robinson's defense is also one of Rose's biggest strengths. Robinson almost always got sucked into a screen on the pick and roll. This is a big problem in today's NBA, as the pick and roll is a vital part of almost every offense. However, it is an even bigger problem for the Bulls.

Unlike a lot of teams' systems, Tom Thibodeau's defensive scheme doesn't call for aggressive showing by the big man on pick and roll. The Bulls bigs typically try to get the ball handler to pick up his dribble around the elbow, and force a low-percentage midrange shot or a turnover. This requires mobile, intelligent bigs (Noah might be the best in the league at this strategy), but it also requires the guard to get through the screen quickly, or the defense can be exposed.

With Robinson on the floor last season, explosive playmakers were able to get the shots they wanted out of the pick and roll. Watch Russell Westbrook in February 24^th blowout of the Bulls, and see how easily he is able to get his shots out of the pick and roll. It is a huge reason why he ended up with 23 points on 10-17 shooting. Noah, an athletic big, can contain these players momentarily, but doesn't have a chance as Robinson fails to get around the pick time and time again.

After a failed attempt to stop the ball handler around the elbow happens, the offense usually gets into the lane and forces Thibodeau's Bulls to reluctantly help. The Bulls hate having to use help from the weak side, but poor pick and roll defense forced them to last season. It played a large role in opponents shooting 2.1% higher from three last season as opposed to 2011-12. When the help has to come from the weak side, it ultimately opens up the three point line.

Luckily for the Bulls, Rose's explosiveness has shown on both ends of the floor this preseason. Although his defensive plays have not been highlight reel material, Rose has been getting around screens with ease (Some of this may be because the screens set in the preseason aren't as great, but other players haven't been as great in the same situation). The defense isn't quite as effective with the statuesque Nazr Mohammed playing in lieu of Noah, but Rose's ability to recover quickly on screens has helped prevent easy looks for the opponent off these plays. If Rose can continue to be effective in his pick and roll defense, the Bulls should be contenders to lead the league in FG% against, like they did in 2011-12.

Another aspect of defense that the Bulls will need Rose to be effective at this season is his help defense. As stated previously, the Bulls do not like to help, but there are certain teams that the Bulls will need to help against to contain a superstar. Namely, any team that has a small forward who is the best player on the planet.

However, the problem with trying to contain LeBron James by sending help is that he is a willing and outstanding passer. If the help is there half a second too long, James will burn the Bulls by hitting one of his shooters or cutters.

This is why Rose has to be a part of the defensive game plan against James. His athletic ability and defensive instincts should allow him help on James and return to his man in time. Seeing as he will spend most of his time on Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole, Rose has to be able to flash by James at the right moments and force him to pick up his dribble or give the ball up to a teammate.

Thibodeau always preaches team defense, and it certainly will take a team effort to slow down the best player on the planet. Luol Deng is one of the best system defenders there is, but he needs help from the entire team. Putting an elite athlete with good instincts back on the floor should help.

So, while it is easy to see that Rose's playmaking abilities are the biggest benefit his team will get from the return, his defense should provide a boost as well. And the Bulls need every bit of improvement they can get if the team wants to be the one that dethrones the Heat.