Will We Ever See The Baby Bulls Grow Up?

There is something that all Chicago sports fans need to realize and finally come to grips with.  The glory days of Jordan, Pippen and six world championships are over.

I'll give you a minute to digest the news for those who've been living in denial the last 12 years.

It has been one rebuilding affair after the next since the Bulls won their last world championship in 1998. The following season was short lived due to a lockout but Toni Kukoc did his best Michael Jordan impression, leading the team in points, rebounds and assists. The organization could not hold on to elite talent by trading future all-stars Elton Brand, Ron Artest, and Brad Miller and gave up on the twin towers of Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler.

And I haven't forgotten about Marcus Fizer and Eddie Robinson, but I know everyone else has.

The crash heard around the world of Jay Williams set the team back but the following years brought a glimmer of hope. The Bulls found a point guard in Kirk Hinrich, drafted Ben Gordon and Luol Deng the following year and reached the playoffs three straight seasons.

Gordon eventually left, the Bulls drafted Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah and we're back to rebuilding.

But there is hope.  Again.

Derrick Rose.

Rose is not the prototypical baby bull; that's because he's mature beyond his years. Since starting this season slow with a leg injury.  Rose has come on strong averaging nearly 21 points per game in December and January. Joakim Noah is showing that he's not one-dimensional averaging a double-double on the year and the team is starting to finally wins some games that has kept Del Negro his job as of late.

And as far as the Baby Bulls finally growing up.  They've advanced from babies to toddlers. They'll need a bit more maturing before they're ready to challenge the NBA's best and since NBA years work similar to dog years.

That might only be a few more weeks away.