Richard Hamilton hasn't been on a winning team in a few years. His All-Star berths disappeared with the winning and soon the 33-year-old guard became the subject of trade rumors, buyouts and feuds with coaches. No longer was Hamilton viewed as the mid-range Reggie Miller, he was now a disgruntled holdover from a team that was long overdue for an overhaul.

It was clear a change was needed.

Hamilton knew that he was still capable of playing at a high level. He didn't, however, want to be stuck in a situation where he was playing well for a losing team. Luckily, the Chicago Bulls had a hole that Hamilton fit perfectly.

The marriage has rejuvenated the 12-year veteran and put him back in the type of winning environment he's accustomed to.

"This is exciting," Hamilton said. "Another opportunity to for me to go out and win another ring. This team is awesome. Everyone loves each other and holds each other accountable. We're all here to win and everyone is on the same page. When you have that good things can happen."

The change in culture with the Pistons was tough for Hamilton to deal with. The Pistons enjoyed great success and all the perks that came along with it. The environment for Detroit, however, became toxic when the team that went to five straight conference finals was broken up and eventually sunk to the bottom of the standings. It was a culture shock Hamilton wasn't ready for after being a valued piece of a consistent winner.

"I thought we were always going to be in a position to win in Detroit," Hamilton said. "Then they started to break the team up and everything changed; it was crazy.

"When you're winning so much you think it's the norm. I've won in college and on the professional level, so I never expected not to win. You watch teams not making the playoffs and guys that haven't ever been to the playoffs and I say to myself 'I don't even know what that feels like.' When you go through it you see it's hard and you see that's not what basketball is all about."

With a new opportunity on a contending team, Hamilton intends on making the most of his new opportunity. He's brings a lot to the Bulls, but they've offered him a shot at once again being a piece of a winner and he couldn't be happier.

"I feel awesome; I'm happy," he said. "This is why you play the game of basketball. I feel lucky to be blessed to have an opportunity to be in another situation where I can win."

While the losing took its toll on Hamilton, he hasn't forgotten what it takes to win and intends on showing his new teammates what is necessary to become a championship team.

"Leadership and poise. I can let guys know that when it's good it's really not that good and when it's bad it's really not that bad," Hamilton said. "Show them that you have to have an even keel because the NBA is a roller coaster. It's important that we know that we can't do anything unless we do it together. I can help with those things."

His new teammates are excited about learning from a guy that's been to the top and hungry to get back.

"Rip brings experience to this team," Derrick Rose said. "He's a guy that's been to places we've never been. He's a leader, someone that's always talking and telling guys what he sees on the court. His communication is helping everyone."

Follow Jarrod Rudolph on Twitter: @MisterRudolph