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Derrick Rose says he’s the best player in NBA

Miami Heat v Chicago Bulls - Game Five
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 26: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat celebrates after the Heat won 83-80 against Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 26, 2011 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers v Chicago Bulls - Game One
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls is examined after suffering an injury against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 28, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the 76ers 103-91. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers v Chicago Bulls - Game One
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls is examined after suffering an injury against the Philadelphia 76ers as teammates (L-R) Kyle Korver #26, Loul Deng #9 and Carlos Boozer #5 watch in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 28, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the 76ers 103-91. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Atlanta Hawks v Chicago Bulls - Game Two
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 04: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls holds the Maurice Podoloff Trophy awarded to the NBA Most Valuable Player before taking on the Atlanta Hawks in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on May 4, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Miami Heat v Chicago Bulls - Game Five
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 26: (L-R) Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls looks on as LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat wipes his face with his jersey in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 26, 2011 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Derrick Rose #1 (L) Talks Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 30: Derrick Rose #1 (L) talks with teammate Joakim Noah #13 of the Chicago BuJoakim NDerrick Rose (R) during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on January 30, 2012 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Jeremy Lin #17 Of The New York Knicks Drives Getty Images
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 12: Jeremy Lin #17 of the New York Knicks drives past Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 12, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Knicks 104-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Derrick Rose #1 Of The Chicago Bulls Goes Getty Images
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 12: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls goes up for a dunk between Baron Davis #85 and Tyson Chandler #6 of the New York Knicks on his way to a game-high 32 points at the United Center on March 12, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Knicks 104-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Derrick Rose #1 Of The Chicago Bulls Goes Up For A Shot Against Louis Williams #23 And Spencer Hawes #00 Of The Getty Images
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls goes up for a shot against Louis Williams #23 and Spencer Hawes #00 of the Philadelphia 76ers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 28, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the 76ers 103-91. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Miami Heat v Chicago Bulls - Game Five
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 26: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls drives for a shot attempt against LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 26, 2011 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Derrick Rose #1 Of The Chicago Bulls Is Getty Images
MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 29: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls is guarded by LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat during a game at American Airlines Arena on January 29, 2012 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Miami Heat v Chicago Bulls
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 12: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls drives past LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat at the United Center on April 12, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Heat 96-86 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
(L-R) Eastern Conference All-Star Starters Derrick Rose #1 Of The Chicago Bulls, LeBron James #6 Of The Miami Heat, Getty Images
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 26: (L-R) Eastern Conference All-Star starters Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls, LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat, Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic, Carmelo Anthony #15 of the New York Knicks and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat are introduced during the 2012 NBA All-Star Game at the Amway Center on February 26, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Derrick Rose #1 Of The Chicago Bulls Drives Getty Images
CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 28: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls drives to the basket past Chris Kaman #35 of the New Orleans Hornets on his way to a game-high 32 points at the United Center on February 28, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Hornets 99-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
New York Knicks v Chicago Bulls
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 12: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls goes up for a dunk between Baron Davis #85 and Tyson Chandler #6 of the New York Knicks on his way to a game-high 32 points at the United Center on March 12, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Knicks 104-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Derrick Rose #1 Of The Chicago Bulls Lets Getty Images
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 12: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls lets out a scream after dunking the ball against the New York Knicks at the United Center on March 12, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Knicks 104-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
Derrick Rose #1 Of The Chicago Bulls Lets Getty Images
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 12: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls lets out a scream after dunking the ball against the New York Knicks at the United Center on March 12, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Knicks 104-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Perhaps if this were July 2011, the statement would actually be true. After all, Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose was coming off a season in which he became the youngest player in NBA history to win league MVP honors. Conversely, LeBron James was coming off a disappointing NBA Finals that saw his Miami Heat lose in six games to the Dallas Mavericks. But it's July 2013. And after winning consecutive league titles, consecutive regular season MVPs (coming up one vote short of winning in unanimous fashion) and an Olympic gold medal, it's James — not Rose — who is clearly the best player not only in the NBA, but on the planet.
Blair Johnson

Mike Miller set to sign with Memphis | Knicks re-signing forward Kenyon Martin | Derrick Rose is back, dunking on lowered rims