This year’s debate on who deserves the 2010-11 NBA MVP award is expected to come to a close on Wednesday night when Chicago Bulls point guard Derek Rose will take home the hardware.
After having a breakout season that included averaging 25 PPG, 7.7 APG and 4.1 RPG, Rose will end LeBron James’ two-year MVP streak. Recently, James told the media Rose should receive the award.
Rose led his Bulls to a 62-20 record this season, a mark that placed the Chicago Bulls at the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference going into this year’s playoffs. At 22 years old, Rose will become the youngest player to take home the award.
A game-changer, Rose has rejuvenated a team that saw icon Michael Jordan take home the MVP five times throughout his career (1988, ’91, ’92, ’96 and ’98).
After being drafted No. 1 overall in the 2008 NBA Draft, Rose was named the Rookie of the Year and has improved steadily becoming a member of the East All-Star squad this season.
This won’t be the first award dished out to the Bulls this season. Head coach Tom Thibodeau was named the NBA Coach of the Year earlier this week.
Although the NBA has not officially announced Rose as the winner, sources told ESPN that the award will be presented prior to the Bulls’ Game 2 against the No. 5 seed Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
That series started in the Windy City on Monday night with the Hawks pulling an upset on the road, 103-95. In that game Rose ended with 24 points after shooting 11-of-27 from the field. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Rose stepped on the foot of Hawks guard Jamal Crawford and twisted his ankle, limping off the court.
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Jay Donetelli is a Tampa-based freelance sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax. With an opinion sharper than an Ovechkin skate blade with the sting of an Ali jab, Donetelli has a loyal cult of readers who have found a way to love him.
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