Game #69, Sat, 03/20 Bulls @ Sixers

Sure, there’s the numbers for Derrick Rose in Saturday’s Bulls 98-84 win—yes, finally after 10 consecutive losses—with a game high 23 points and a career best four three pointers in six attempts.

But the impact of the return of Rose, and to a lesser extent Joakim Noah in just nine minutes, lies well beyond the simple numbers.

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So there was Rose and now the defense, when the 76ers are captivated enough to offer some, was following Rose, Dalembert sliding off the screen to double.

Sure, you are supposed to get rotation and back side help, but it’s not easy. Brad Miller edged toward the basket, scored and was fouled for a three point play, the Bulls off to a 43-28 lead and leading by at least double digits the rest of the way.

It’s what you cannot measure in basketball. Sure, statistics and the new basketball indicators of player efficiency and trends are nice supplements. But the key to the game is to get great talent on the floor.

Which is why the Bulls’—and several other teams’--plans for free agency is so crucial. The effect of a star is vital in any sport. But it so changes the game in basketball, which was why the Bulls could look so bad for weeks, and then look so much better Saturday.

Because now Miller, who had 16 points, six rebounds and six assists, gets the lane and can drive as the defense drops off him. The defense cannot pressure on the perimeter as much, like when Rose felt the pressure of an overplay on top and released and went to the basket for a layup and 50-38 lead on a Kirk Hinrich pass.