fuckyeahderrickrose:

So, look at the “L-Train” Rose 2.0s.  They dropped exclusively in China last week in preparation for his MVP tour.

(via derrickmartellrose)

“The statistical models that lead some of the voters to make a case that Rose isn’t the MVP too often miss the very things that determine how valuable a player actually is. A player is more valuable when he practices his butt off and it positively affects his teammates, and I haven’t seen a stat yet that can quantify that. It makes a player more valuable if he’s willing to grab a slacking teammate by the collar in the locker room and say, “If you talk back at the coach like that again, I’ll put my fist through your chest.” I haven’t seen a stat that can quantify that, either.

Where’s the number that rewards a player for keeping his cool and not getting technical fouls and checking his ego to remain eligible to help his teammates? Where’s the index on a player’s courage or humility, or performances that don’t just win the game but leave teammates and/or opponents in awe? Show me the statistical analysis in how discouraged an opposing team becomes when Rose goes through the entire defense and dunks over two guys. Rose’s personality, specifically his toughness, is the personality of the Bulls. Rose, Tibbs, Noah — likely in that order — have determined the way the Bulls play and why the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. That, by and large, is reason enough for Rose to be voted the MVP.

Long before it became fashionable to call Rose the MVP, back in early January, Doc Rivers pulled me aside and said, “That kid is going to be the MVP of the league.” I asked Doc whether he meant next season or the one after that, once Rose had acquired some seasoning, and Doc said, “This season. Right now.” - MICHAEL WILBON, ESPN

In case you missed it, there was a great write-up earlier this week by Rick Reilly on Derrick Rose.

After the Bears loss, I was obviously super bummed. Luckily, I’ve had distractions since then. First of all, Derrick Rose. Besides stalking the interwebz for Rose/Bulls updates and celebrating their string of victories, I’ve been working out.  Also, I finally began reading Norwegian Wood  by Murakami. It is SO so SO so good. I mean, Wind up Bird Chronicle  was great in its own way, but this is just excellent. Couldn’t recommend it enough. I finally got out of my reading rut. I just can’t get through Inheritance of Loss, no matter how much I try.

In other news,  I’ve watched True Grit, The Fighter, Life as We Know it, Avatar, Red, and a ton of Modern Family and Big Bang theory this month.  This is what happens when you move and don’t connect your cable in your new bedroom for four months. THis also happens when you live in a place where you get pirated DVD’s only…and they are cheap.

Taking time out to work out and read at least once every couple days has proven a great remedy for bad moods and low energy. On to the freakin’ weekend and a possible beach trip.