Derrick Rose was unwilling to return in a time of need last season for the Chicago Bulls, throughout the season's final month and into the postseason.

Medically cleared to play back in March from his reconstructive ACL surgery, Rose chose not to return to the lineup even though doctors had given him the ok.

Gaining scrutiny arose when other players like Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, Joakim Noah and other did everything in their power to return and play for the Bulls.

Now, when asked by CNN's Pedro Pinto in an interview who the best player in the NBA is right now, Derrick Rose confidently gave the answer of "Derrick Rose".

Now most are probably laughing right now, just as I did when I first read this.  But once the laughter subsides, let's really look at what Rose is saying.

He is discounting the fact that even in his MVP season, he wasn't the best player in the NBA.  He was the most valuable, however, the best player in the league was Lebron James and still is today.  And at that time, Kobe may of had something to say about that argument too.

Next, Rose is saying that even though hundreds of NBA players actually scored baskets and charted NBA minutes last season, that his absence still garners him the right to anoint himself the best in the league.

Finally, even if Rose comes back to his old form, you're telling me that Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, a healthy Kobe, Russell Westbrook and James Harden aren't on your list of must haves over Derrick Rose.

And oh yeah, the simplest explanation to shoot down Rose's insane comment is simply, King James.

With all the lobbying I'm doing to have you see the writing on the wall and that is the simple fact the Derrick Rose needs to show us again.  And if he can't, then I hope he is as vocal about his skill set then as he feels he needs to be now.

** YOU CAN EMAIL JEFF THURN AT JEFFT@ESPN991.COM AND FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @JTESPN991

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