With the Chicago Bulls’ media day and first official practice in the books, the 2014-15 regular season will soon be upon us and Derrick Rose seems as confident as ever.

Rose Has High Expectations

Speaking inside the Bulls’ shiny new practice facility, a healthy Rose addressed the media on Monday and made his expectations regarding the Chicago Bulls future very clear. Now surrounded with arguably the most talented roster since being drafted first overall in 2008, Rose stated he knows the Bulls will win a championship soon.

“I try my hardest to stay away from the predictions, ” Rose said. “But we know we have an opportunity ahead of us. It may not be this year, it may not be the next year or whatever, but I know that we have one in us. I know I’m going to win a championship soon so I’m not worried about that.”

Of course, perhaps more than anyone else, Rose knows that regardless of any roster moves the team has already made or plans to make in the future, the Bulls’ title chances begin and end with himself, a three-time All-Star and 2011 league MVP.

Remain Positive Amongst the Skepticism

It goes without saying, that despite his optimism and lack of worry in regards to delivering his hometown a seventh NBA championship, everyone not named Derrick Rose is still not so silently concerned with his ability to stay healthy. The reality of Rose’s situation is that given the unfortunate turn his career has taken in the past two years, any skepticism regarding the state of his knees moving forward is not only expected, it is warranted.

However, it’s pretty obvious that Rose has no other choice than to remain positive and work towards once again being the All-Star caliber player that stole Chicago’s collective heart quicker than one of his famous first steps to the rim.

Shaking Off the Rust

When asked about the inevitable layer of rust he worked to shake off during team USA’s recent gold medal run in the FIBA World Cup, it seems Rose has the right mindset regarding how to approach the next stage of his career.

“I try to take every negative aspect of my life and try to make it a positive … I tried to go out there every night and shoot it. It just didn’t go down. That’s part of basketball.”

It’s sometimes hard to believe that Rose is still only 25-years-old and has plenty of basketball ahead of him. Sure his character was in question in regards to the first version of “The Return” (or rather lack thereof) when it was decided he would not return for a playoff run in 2012-13; but his work ethic in the gym has never been questioned. Simply put, Rose works his ass off — and while it’s true his shots were not falling in Spain, the silver lining that should be most exciting were the continual flashes of his trademark explosiveness. Signs that two years of rehab have finally paid off.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

A message to the skeptics: consistency will come in time, for God’s sake give the guy a break.

In an age where the media is driven by infectious negativity, Rose seems impervious to the disease. His positivity should get Chicago excited. If his recent play in Spain tells us anything, it’s that the knees are healthy and with the best supporting cast of his career he should be able to ease back into his former role comfortably.

Take a deep breath Chicago…The future is now and if it’s up to Derrick Rose, new jewelry is involved.