D ROSE IS BACK

The Chicago Bulls  will open the 2012-2013 campaign without Derrick Rose. The 2011 Most Valuable Player, who is recovering from offseason surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, will likely be out until sometime after the All-Star Break.
Coach Tom Thibodeau has already proven that he can lead the Bulls to regular-season success without his three-time All-Star. Last season, Chicago played 27 of its 66 games sans Rose and still managed to finish the regular season with the NBA's best record. In fact, the Bulls won 18 of the 27 games that he missed.Rose will be lucky if he suits up for 27 games this season. But Thibodeau will have a full training camp to get his team prepared to compete without its All-Star point guard. Most of that preparation will be focused on the defensive end of the floor where the Bulls have absolutely flourished under the tutelage of Thibodeau.
No matter who is in the lineup, defense will be the constant in Chicago. And it will be defense, along with solid veteran leadership from guys like Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah as well as continued improved play from Taj Gibson that will carry the Bulls to their fifth consecutive playoff appearance.

BY:YUSUF H. JAMA