Rose Responds

Jalen hasn't scored more than 40 for the Bulls. Yet.

March 8, 2002

The start of Jalen Rose's tenure as a member of the Chicago Bulls has gotten off to a good start. Through nine games, Rose is averaging 24.6 points, 5.4 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.44 steals. The Bulls are 4-5 under his leadership and the young players continue to get better under his guidance.

Today, Rose takes a few minutes to answer some of your questions. Check out what he had to say and visit his official website, www.jalenrose5.com, for more on Jalen.

Andrew from Rockford, Illinois:
How hard was it to make the transition from a team where you weren't the main priority to being traded to a team that has you as the number one guy?

Jalen Rose:
"I think things were a little misunderstood--I was the main priority in Indiana. I think that when you talk about moving somebody you look at how you can replace them and their role diminishes. I was that team's captain and leading scorer for three years and one of their top rebounding and assists guys, if not their best player, even though from the exterior that wasn't always acknowledged. So my role as a player and how I view the game doesn't necessarily change; it's more how others view it.

That being said, Chicago does present a greater opportunity for me. It's a bigger market and a bigger challenge. This isn't a team that I helped lead to the NBA Finals two years ago. It's a team that has won less than 20 games the last few seasons and I don't have a veteran running mate like Reggie Miller to be my sidekick. Here I'm kind of the elder statesman along with Oakley."

John from Kastoria, Greece:
Jalen, welcome to the Chicago Bulls! We enjoyed watching you from Greece when you debuted against the Knicks. Does the number 5 on your jersey represent anything?

Rose:
"The number five represents me being the fifth player from the Fab Five to sign [at the University of Michigan]. Kind of like in baseball, I picture myself as the five-tool player--in baseball it's a guy who can hit for percentage, run and steal bases, throw, all that. It's the same in basketball; a five-tool is a guy with versatility."

Editor's note: Jalen Rose wore number 42 when he played at Southwestern HS in Detroit.

Bill from Indianapolis, Indiana:
I am a huge Michigan fan and I was wondering what you think about getting to play along side Jamal Crawford now that he is healthy and what you think of his game?

Rose wears the number 5 for reasons dating back to his college days with the Fab Five.

Rose:
"First, I'm excited that he is back from his injury. A lot of times when guys get hurt in that manner, you wonder how and when they will respond and come back. He's back now and he's got a couple games under his belt. Not only am I excited about playing with him today but I especially will be when he really starts to grow into his game and he becomes the kind of player I believe he can become. I feel like the sky is the limit for Jamal. I love his attitude and I love his work ethic."

Steve from Tucson, Arizona:
Jalen, bringing you and Travis Best here was an OUTSTANDING move by the Bulls management. It looks like you are having more fun here than in the last few years at Indiana. Are you rejuvenated playing in Chicago with such a young and talented team like the Bulls? Does their new run and gun offense suit your game better?

Rose:
"I think that when you get traded, you can look at it two ways: you can be disappointed about it if you aren't traded to a team in first-place or you can embrace the change and I've chosen to embrace the change. It's kind of like being drafted all over again. As long as I'm utilized and getting the opportunity, my game is going to be consistent either way."

Michael from Athens, Georgia:
First of all, I'd like to say how great it is to see such a talented player in a Bulls' uniform. My question for you is about your play. You've come out real strong since your move to the Bulls and have been one of the most productive players for the past couple weeks. What's changed in your role since your move to Chicago that's brought your game up to its current level?

Rose:
"To be honest with you, I was doing the same things at Indiana. It's just that my role became sorely diminished to see if the team could win without me when they knew they wanted to trade me. But you don't become a team's leading scorer without being able to score points. The first game this year I scored 43 points and that's my career-high. And I haven't done that in Chicago. Yet."

- Adam Fluck, Bulls.com