Pricking Rose

There's one Bull that causes us to see red. That would be, Derrick Rose, who in our bloodshot eyes is the NBA's most overrated player. Rose managed to take the title away from Brandon Roy, adding insult to injury for the Portland player, but at least the award has passed from one point guard to another. It's quite an honor, though not the accolade many in the media are bestowing upon you, mentioning you in the MVP discussion at mid-season, which is preposterous.

Rose isn't even a top-five player at his position. He just receives more press than his superior peers by virtue of being in the third-largest market in the country. The adidas ad campaign has worked wonders (who wouldn't want a lady pyramid?). Rose has pulled a "fast" one on media members, who are easily convinced that they need to pick a new PG to praise endlessly each year. Previously, it's been Roy, Deron Williams, and Chris Paul that hoops journalists have fallen for, but the collective crush on Rose is entering stalker territory. Paul and Williams are better defenders and passers. Tony Parker is better at driving the lane. Rajon Rondo and Jason Kidd are better rebounders. Chauncey Billups is smarter. Raymond Felton is having a better season. John Wall has more raw talent and is more selfless. Russell Westbrook has a higher ceiling. Rose barely cracks the top ten. He's far from number one at the one.

Last week, Rose revealed he has two ulcers. What makes our stomachs turn is when we hear media figures declare him the front-runner for MVP. He's not even the player at his position who is the most responsible for his team's success (that would be Tony Parker). Nobody wants to laud LeBron anymore -- partially due to "The Decision" and partially because he's earned the MVP in each of the past two seasons -- but he should be in the lead again, with the duo of dominant big men, Howard and Stoudemire, trailing closely. Or maybe basketball writers have forgotten about LeBron because he hasn't had a new sneaker commercial lately. The point being, those most bullish on Rose are mostly full of bull (see: Wilbon, Michael and Reilly, Rick).

If what Brett Michaels sang is true, that "every rose has its thorn," (and we generally take men in bandannas at their word) then we are the thorn in Derrick Rose's side. Perhaps we're what's actually causing him stomach pains. At any rate, we're definitely not seeing the MVP race through Rose-colored glasses.