Rose says that he has been pleasantly surprised with the Bulls' potential.

March 15, 2002

A 6-8, 217-pound guard/forward, Jalen Rose came to the Bulls on Feb. 20 and was immediately labeled as Bill Cartwright's go-to guy. Without a single practice with his new team under his belt, the new addition led Chicago to victory over the New York Knicks with 36 points and 6 assists.

The Bulls went on to win two more consecutive games under Rose, assembling their first three-game win streak since early 2000. Jalen recently took a time-out to fill Bulls.com in on his experience in Chicago so far and more in Part II (click here to read Part I) of this exclusive interview:

Bulls.com:
Who has had the most influence over you in your basketball career?

Rose:
If not my mother, who is probably my number one fan and the person who always took me to practice, and if it wasn't Perry Watson, who was my high school guidance counselor and coach, it's been just about every coach and every teammate I've ever had. You are only as strong as your weakest link and those are the people who formulate your basketball skills--win, lose or draw--and shape your attitude.

Coach Watson [who was also an assistant at Michigan and currently coaches at the University of Detroit Mercy] was more than just a high school coach for me--he would go the extra mile for me almost every day. He would guide us about life situations and then drive us home from practice at 6 or 7 at night. Most coaches might not have taken the time or energy to do that. That says a lot about his character and also told us how much he really cared about the players and our well being.

Bulls.com:
What has surprised you the most about your time with the Bulls since the trade?

Rose:
Probably the potential on this team. When you are on the outside looking in, you never notice potential because you're never looking for it. Whether you're playing a team in first place or last, you just want to come in, win and get out of there. I've noticed that we have some young guys here who really want to get better; guys who have untapped potential who are going to need some time to grow, obviously. With this opportunity, I think it can be a good winning situation.

Bulls.com:

After his playing career is over, you may see Rose as a general manager, coach or maybe even a deejay?

If you weren't playing hoops, what would you be doing?

Rose:
I'd either own a team--general managing it and putting it together--or broadcast and do commentary for games. I'd want to be doing something where I'd have influence on the game, even being a coach.

Bulls.com:
What is in your CD player right now?

Rose:
Music is my thing. I'm a deejay--that's my other hobby--two turn tables and a mic! I listen to everybody. I like Alicia Keys; I like Nas, Jay-Z. I saw Nas in concert the other night [in Chicago at the House of Blues]. I like so many different people I don't want to keep naming them and leave somebody out. But I'm into spinning records--that's my hobby.

Bulls.com:
The Bulls boast a lot of young talent with guys like Chandler, Curry, Robinson and Crawford. Where do you envision this team a few years from now?

Rose:
The vision I have is one in which we're improving. We've got to do what it takes to add on to the pieces we've got now as a franchise--through free agents and through the draft--not only to improve our product out on the floor but to give the young guys a cushion for growth.

A lot of times when you are a young player you come into a situation where you are needed to perform every night and there are going to be inconsistencies. When you have some older players to rely on and the younger guys aren't bringing in on a given night, you can bring in those other guys in to fill those positions and still find a way to win the game.

Read Part I of this interview in which Rose discusses what he likes about the city of Chicago, the Bulls' fans and the meaning behind some of his tattoos.

- Adam Fluck, Bulls.com