The 23-year-old Bulls star talked about the lockout and his training regimen during downtown appearances introducing a new adidas shoe line.

Rose said the NBA lockout, which has wiped out training camp, exhibition games and the early port of the regular 2011-12 season, has been frustrating.

“They (the owners) aren’t thinking about anything that we’re saying,” he said. “They’re not taking into consideration (anything) that we’re trying to give them. We’re just going to have to see how it goes.”

Rose said a partial regular season seemed a likely scenario.

“It is,” he said. “(But) I can’t say nothing about it.”

NBA commissioner David Stern wiped out the season’s first two weeks and has threatened to also cancel the league’s showcase Christmas Day games.

Rose said he continues to work out despite the lack of organized practices that training camp would provide.

“I’m working on my post game, sharpening my shooting, dribbling and all that stuff,” he said. “I’m just trying to get better as a player, get smarter. I definitely want my basketball IQ to get better.”

Rose led Chicago to an NBA best 62 regular season victories last season. The Bulls were eliminated by Miami in five games in the Eastern Conference finals. He averaged 25 points per game on the way to league MVP honors.

“We had a great year last year and for us not to have a season this year or taking so long to come up with a deal I think that is wrong,” he said.

Rose is not only endorsing, the new adidas adiZero Rose2 line, he’s using the footwear.

“I work out in these every day,” he said. “I will be playing him them.”

He made Saturday appearances at a Michigan Ave. shoe store, then greeted several hundred fans at a State St. Footlocker outlet where some fans reportedly camped out overnight to meet the Chicago native.

Rose was later scheduled to play some basketball with selected youths at the James Jordan Boys and Girls Club on the city’s West Side.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

In the eyes of most major media, Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose(notes) was the toughest little dude in the NBA last year. Forced to single-handedly raise his team’s terrible offense from out of the ranks of the league’s worst and into the realm of the above average, he was constantly charged with breaking down opposing defenses with one-on-one moves that seemingly could not be stopped. Couple that image with the league’s best defense and eventually the league’s best record, and Rose became the youngest MVP in NBA history in 2010-11.

Amongst those that pay attention to advanced statistics, though, Rose was hardly the picture of perfection. Sure, better offensive players on different teams had helpers to take the pressure off, but just about any stat you could throw out painted Rose as a step or two below the offensive best. His Bulls team was certainly no worse (and probably much better, offensively) than the Cleveland Cavalier messes LeBron James(notes) put up significantly better stats on years ago, but any number easily found online (points per game, shooting efficiency, PER, Offensive Win Shares, you name it) listed several players ahead of Rose at the end of the court he worked best.

But if you want to respect Rose above all else, check out Basketball-Reference.com’s statistical rankings featuring those of whom that did the best work against the toughest defenses.

This isn’t some list of who had the highest points per game against Boston, Chicago, et al. Rather, this is a fully vetted statistical breakdown featuring all the angles that most NBA followers, scribes and TV talking heads tend to ignore because … well, I don’t know why they ignore those angles, because they’re fun to look up and think about. That’s a post for another day.

Neil Paine has Rose listed first amongst players who work against above-average defenses. Dirk Nowitzki(notes) was second, and Deron Williams(notes) third. As for the final results, I’ll quote Neil:

On the other hand, kudos go out to James, Derrick Rose, who ranked in the top 5 vs. each type of defense (including #1 vs. above-average Ds), and Dirk Nowitzki, who actually ranked higher vs. above-average defenses (#2) than below-average ones (#18). And last but not least, LaMarcus Aldridge(notes), Kevin Durant(notes), Devin Harris(notes), & Ramon Sessions(notes) deserve a mention for playing at an equally high level vs. each type of defense.

Ah, LeBron. Nobody likes him, but he comes out of this smelling like a rose, working his magic equally well against both great and terrible defenses. As for Kobe? Well, read the column. Then do your usual thing, Laker fans.

And as for Rose? It’s hard for a dumbbell like me to understand how Chicago’s exclusion from the list of above-average teams either helped or hurt his status on this list, but this is a strong compliment. For him to play superior ball to guys like James, Kevin Durant, Bryant and Dwyane Wade(notes) against the league’s best defenses says quite a bit about this little bugger — and the MVP year he had.

Related: Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Deron Williams, Devin Harris, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Chicago Bulls, NBA lockout, International hoops

By Shawn Muller–

CHICAGO (CBS0) I have had a hard time getting myself to watch the NBA Finals.

Ever since the Miami Heat eliminated the Chicago Bulls in that joke of a series known as the Eastern Conference finals last month, I felt like I could literally get sick at the thought of the Miami Heat hoisting up the Larry O’ Brien Trophy.

It takes a lot for me to despise teams, but the Miami Heat have managed to find themselves on equal footing with the Los Angeles Lakers, the New York Yankees, and the Dallas Cowboys in my “teams I would rather listen to Yanni while dining with the devil than see win a championship” category.

The funny thing about my hatred for Miami is that I really didn’t mind them at all prior to the summer of 2010. In fact, I actually enjoyed watching them win the NBA title over the Dallas Mavericks back in 2006. Chicago native, Dwyane Wade had his coming out party in that series, Shaquille O’ Neal–whom I always enjoyed watching play–was still a dominate force in the post, and the L.A. Lakers didn’t win the title (which is always a good thing in my book).

But once LeBron James, Dywane Wade, and Chris Bosh decided to join forces in South Florida–while spurning the Chicago Bulls in the process–my feelings towards the Heat, and many others’ feelings about the Heat, completely changed.

I like to see players create their own legacy in their own cities. I like seeing the star players in the league wanting to blaze their own trail, and create their own legend, instead of following their buddies in the hopes for an easy path to a title.

Basically, I want to see guys like Dirk Nowitzki win championships.

Dirk was also a free agent last summer.

He could have left Dallas in favor of the chasing a championship in other city.

But he didn’t.

He has played his entire career in one city. He chose loyalty to a city and a franchise over bigger dollars and brighter lights. He knew that he always was and always would be a Dallas Maverick…for better and for worse…’til death do them part.

Because of Dirk Nowitzki, if the Dallas Mavericks end up winning the championship, I won’t mind it one bit. Seriously. What’s not to like about the Mavs? They are tough nosed and determined and they don’t step down from a challenge.

No one thought they would beat the L.A. Lakers…but they swept and destroyed them. I picked the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the West, but Dallas disposed of them quite easily. And now, the Mavs and their Jim Carrey clone of a head coach–Rick Carlisle–are just one win away from becoming the champions of the NBA for the first time in franchise history.

I like the way they play and I like the solidarity that they display, and quite frankly, they remind me of our own Chicago Bulls…

Well, other than the whole competing for the NBA championship thing.

Do you agree with Shawn? Post your comments below.

Shawn Muller

Shawn Muller has lived in the great city of Chicago for 7 years. He is a 2002 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and, in October of 2010, Shawn received his certificate in radio broadcasting. In his free time, Shawn enjoys spending time with his wife Melissa and 3 year old daughter Ava, catching any live sporting event, and traveling. Check out his radio show, Grab Some Bench with Muller and Bangser” every Thursday night at 8:30 P.M., at www.blogtalkradio.com/spmuller24. Read more of his blogs here.

CHICAGO (Reuters) – The Miami Heat star players cast off their struggles and staged a furious finish to beat the Chicago Bulls 83-80 on Thursday and advance to the NBA finals.

The soaring comeback from a 77-65 deficit in the last three minutes propelled the Heat to the NBA finals against the Dallas Mavericks, a repeat of the 2006 championship series which Miami won 4-2.

Led by their Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Miami went on a closing 18-3 run to stun the Bulls and complete a 4-1 triumph in the best-of-seven series for the Eastern Conference title.

James, who missed nine shots in a row before catching fire at the end, led the Heat with 28 points as Miami swept the last four games after dropping the opener in Chicago.

Wade, who committed nine turnovers, contributed 21 points including a key four-point play, and Bosh scored 20, supplying some cushion with the last two free-throw points.

League MVP Derrick Rose topped Chicago with 25 points, but his desperate three-point heave as time expired was blocked by James.

“Defense. Staying together,” James told a courtside reporter about how the Heat overtook the Bulls. “Just buckled down defensively and executed.”

The Bulls contributed to their own demise by unraveling in the closing minutes. They turned the ball over, failed to get off decent shots and allowed Miami a four-point play when Rose fouled Wade as he sank a three-point bucket.

“We’ve had several of these games in the playoffs and the regular season where we’ve finished off with our defense on 12-0, 14-0 runs,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

“We’ve been through a lot together. We’ve been through the fire together.”

After James, Wade and Bosh joined forces in Miami by deciding to sign as free agents with the Heat, they became a love-or-hate team in the NBA, even as they went through growing pains in learning how to play together.

They showed they had come of age by charging past the young Bulls, who had beaten them in all three regular season meetings and who had never lost more than two in a row this season.

TIDE TURNED

“It’s disappointing,” Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau said. “We came up short at the end. We have to learn from it.

“They have the ability to make tough shots and they’re hard to guard. We didn’t make shots down the stretch.”

The game was a tight defensive struggle similar to the previous four contests with Chicago leading by four after the first quarter, by seven at the half and by five heading into the fourth.

The Bulls, getting a boost from bench players Kurt Thomas and Ronnie Brewer, charged to 12-point lead and looked like they were sending the series back to Miami for a Game Six.

Then the tide turned.

Wade scored two baskets and James sank a three-pointer to end his nine-shot drought and the lead was cut to 77-72.

Wade, who was MVP of Miami’s last title run in 2006, canned a three-pointer and was fouled by Rose. The free throw completed a four-point play that made it 79-76.

James drained another three to tie it at 79-79. His step-back jumper amazingly put Miami in the lead with a minute left.

Rose was fouled on a drive to the hoop and missed one of his two free throws to make the score 81-80 before Bosh sank two for the final margin.

The big-game finish by James and Wade, who had proclaimed they were joining forces to win championships, drew grudging respect from the Bulls.

“Give credit where credit is due,” said Chicago center Joakim Noah. “They’re Hollywood as hell, but they’re still a hell of a team.”

Miami have home court advantage in the finals and will host Game One at the American Airlines Arena on Tuesday.

(Writing by Larry Fine in New York, Editing by John O’Brien)

CHICAGO — LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh joined to win a championship. Well, now they have their shot.

James scored 28 points, Wade added 21, and they led a furious rally in the final minutes as the Miami Heat eliminated Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls 83-80 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday.

James and Wade were simply spectacular down the stretch, each scoring eight during a game-ending 18-3 run as Miami wiped out a 12-point deficit to win the series.

Now, the Heat are headed back to the NBA finals for the first time since 2006, and in a fitting twist, they’ll be facing the Mavericks. Back then, with Wade leading the way, Miami beat Dallas to capture the championship. This time, it’ll be James and Dirk Nowitzki going for their first rings.

The Heat will host Game 1 on Tuesday night.

For Miami’s Big Three, this was the plan right from the start. The Heat had their difficulties along the way, but look at them now.

They just knocked off the team that won more games than any other, that boasted the league’s MVP in Rose and sent expectations soaring around Chicago in a way not seen since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were racking up championships.

Rose led Chicago with 25 points but hit just 9 of 29 shots. He fouled Wade on a key four-point play and missed a tying free throw with 26.7 seconds left.

James had 11 rebounds and six assists. Wade’s late surge helped negate his nine turnovers. Bosh added 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Heat pulled out a dramatic win.

The Bulls looked like they were in good shape up 77-65 with about three minutes to go, but Wade started the deciding run with a runner and layup. A 3 by James pulled Miami within 77-72 with 2:07 left. Rose then scored on a spin move in the lane, but fouled Wade as he nailed a 3, resulting in a four-point play.

Then, after a miss by Rose, James tied it at 79 with another 3 with 1:01 remaining, sending a loud groan through the arena.

James buried another jumper to put Miami ahead 81-79 with 29.5 seconds left. Rose immediately got fouled by James, but missed the second free throw after making the first.

Kurt Thomas then tipped the inbounds pass, but the Heat recovered, leading to two free throws for Bosh. The Bulls still had one more chance to tie it, but Kyle Korver got doubled up top and passed to Rose on the wing. His 3-pointer got blocked by James, with Udonis Haslem doubling him as time expired.

Now, James and his gang have their title shot.

He came close with Cleveland, getting all the way to the finals in 2007 but never could win it all. His surge at the end capped a terrific series in which he repeatedly made big shots and helped contain Rose at times.

For Chicago, it was simply a bitter end.

After losing out on their bid to land two of the Big Three in free agency, they built a solid team that leaped to the top of the Eastern Conference with a league-leading 62 wins. That’s probably little consolation after they let this one slip away.

They took the opener 103-82, but the series soured for them after that. They were in every game and led this one for much of the way.

Things were looking good in the early going, with Luol Deng scoring 14 points as they built a 45-38 halftime lead. That included a highlight reel sequence late in the first half, when he stole a pass from James and threw down a vicious one-hander over him on the break, getting fouled in the process.

He missed the free throw, but Rose scored on a layup after a miss by Mike Bibby to put Chicago ahead 16-15. And the Bulls outscored the Heat 15-6 over the final four-plus minutes of the period to take a 25-21 lead.

The lead reached 12 midway through the second after a two-plus minute stretch in which Chicago ran off seven straight and the Heat committed four turnovers — three by Wade. Two of his turnovers led to baskets for Chicago, with C.J. Watson stealing his dribble and feeding Ronnie Brewer for a fast-break layup and Carlos Boozer nailing a jumper to make it a 12-point game midway through the quarter.

Notes: Not since the Houston Rockets dropped Game 1 to Phoenix in the 1995 Western Conference semifinals had a team won a best-of-seven after dropping the opener by more than 20. Twenty-three teams had lost Game 1′s in that situation and gone on to lose the series before the Heat eliminated the Bulls. … Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau had high praise for rookie center Omer Asik, who missed the game with a season-ending broken left fibula. “He wasn’t a typical rookie, in the sense that he had been in a lot of big games (for the Turkish national team) and he had played against a lot of NBA players before. I think he’s got that quiet confidence, he’s very smart, he’s got a great work ethic. And you could see the second time around in the league, how much improvement he’d made, how he studies and prepares himself to play. He’s got a great future. He’s done a terrific job for us.” With Asik out, veteran Brian Scalabrine was active.