CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Former Bulls legend Michael Jordan believes Derrick Rose is the MVP of the NBA.

"MVP of the season," Jordan said about Rose after the Bulls' 101-84 win over his Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night. "He deserves it. He's playing that well. He deserves it. Without a doubt. And if he doesn't get it, now he'll see how I felt a lot of years."

Rose, who scored 20 points in the Bulls' victory, loved the support from arguably the greatest player of all time.

"That's huge, man," he said with a smile. "When the person that you're playing behind, all you hear about is Mike, especially in Chicago, look up to him. For him to say that, it's unbelievable. It's an honor and I'm speechless right now."

Rose is averaging 25 points, eight assists and four rebounds per game this season.

"It's great that he said that, it's an honor, but we're just trying to keep winning," Rose said. "The award, like I've said, it will come if we keep winning. But we're just trying to play hard, play together, and keep playing aggressive and play with an edge."

Rose said he didn't talk to Jordan, the Bobcats owner, after the game, but hopes to later, when the stakes are higher.

"No, I didn't talk to him," Rose said. "But probably in the playoffs. [I'll] probably have to talk to him about certain things."

Nick Friedell covers the Bulls for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN 1000.