Last year's league MVP LeBron James has endorsed Derrick Rose as his choice for this year's MVP.

"What he's done for that team, with all the injuries they have and them being first in the Eastern Conference. They're playing some really good basketball," James said. "He's playing some unbelievable basketball."

James doesn't think the Heat has a serious candidate for MVP because he and Dwyane Wade have canceled each other out.

Dirk Nowitzki was James' choice until the Dallas power forward was injured.

"You've got some guys here that have done their job also," James said. "But Derrick Rose definitely has gotten a lot of the exposure and a lot of the media attention because of the work he's done. He's playing some unbelievable basketball."

As a freshman point guard at Memphis in 2007, coach John Calipari would shout out Derrick Rose's errors.

"If it was a play in practice and I wasn't aggressive, he'd stop practice, curse me out, then start practice up again," Rose said. "You get tired of it."

As exhausting as Calipari's derision was, Rose said being held to such high standards made him a better player, one who many believe will win the NBA's most valuable player award.

"He always wanted me to be great," Rose said. "When I was going to college, I wasn't aggressive. In (Simeon) high school, I probably averaged 14-16 points. He just makes you aggressive the whole time. He makes you play hard the whole time.

"With his offense, you need a great point guard and the last couple of years that's what he has been doing," Rose said. "Everyone thought because they were young (this season) they weren't going to make it. They stuck together. He always puts it in your head, 'It's us against the world.'"

Carlos Boozer's offensive production has declined monthly since he made his debut with the Bulls.

Opposing teams have used size to force Boozer away from the basket, creating more pick-and-pop attempts rather than pick-and-roll looks for the Bulls.

"I'm not worried about that," Boozer said. "That's part of the game. I'm more concerned with our defense. The offense will take care of itself."

Boozer shot 55.1 percent in December, 53.9 percent in January, 50.3 percent in February and is at 45.1 percent this month. His scoring average has dropped from 20.6 points in December to 19 points in January to 16.5 points in February down to 12.7 points this month.

"We have got to run the floor a little better," Tom Thibodeau said when asked how to jump start Boozer. "We have to find him deeper in the post. We have to search him out better. In looking at the film, he made some really good plays in the first quarter. We went to the re-post and missed a couple of shots. But we have to give him that second look and he has to get some easier scores. He'll be fine.

"He has faced (defensive length) throughout his career. We looked at the previous game against Philadelphia where he had 31 and he scored in a variety of ways. (Monday night's 97-85 loss) was a different sort of game. When he's at his best, he scores in pick-and-roll, post-up, catch-and-shoot, running the floor. We have to get him back to doing that."

Derrick Rose was the first pick in the 2008 draft after playing for a year under coach John Calipari at Memphis. Rose has gone on to be an All-Star, play on Team USA and is the leading candidate for MVP.

John Wall was the first pick in the 2010 draft after playing for a year under Calipari at Kentucky. His goal is to have a similar story as Rose's.

Both Rose and Wall had erratic jump shots when they left college, but since entering the league, Rose has improved his shot dramatically.

“My goal is to get to his level and get better,’’ Wall said about wanting to improve his game similar to the way Rose has. “It took time for him to progress. That’s something I’m trying to do."

While Derrick Rose's offense has been excellent, he believes Chicago's defense is what makes the team a title contender.

“If you want to win, to separate yourself from all other teams in the NBA, you’ll do it,’’ Rose said. “We just try to come in and work hard every day, especially on the defensive side.’’

Before Monday’s games, the Bulls ranked first in opponents’ field-goal shooting (42.8 percent), opponents’ three-point shooting (32.7 percent) and second in points allowed (91.1 a game) and rebounds per game (44.4) and fifth in blocks per game (5.72).

“The commitment was made early on in September, with guys coming in early to be in great shape,’’ coach Tom Thibodeau said. “The challenge for us was to see how quickly we could get everyone on the same page and tie it together. The fact that we were able to add some guys who had done it before helped move us along quickly.’’

Chicago's defense resembles the one Thibodeau helped create while an assistant with the Celtics.

“It’s definitely weird,’’ Rose said. “He’ll say something about them, how good they are. We’re kind of the same team. We both over-help on the defensive side. Usually people do that in college. That’s not normal NBA defense. Most NBA teams leave you out on an island. We help everywhere, and we depend on each other.’’

Jimmer Fredette has captured the attention of everyone from league executives to NBA players.

Fredette, who spent the summer working out with NBA players at the USA Basketball camp, has drawn high praise from stars like Kevin Durant and Deron Williams. The latest to chime in is MVP candidate Derrick Rose.

“He has not surprised me at all with what he is doing this year,” Rose said. “I love watching him play. The way he played in the USA thing, he was great; he played with a lot of confidence. He is not intimidated by anyone. You could tell he wanted to be there and I am happy for him.”

Rose believes Fredette’s shooting ability will translate well to the next level.

The Chicago Bulls signed John Lucas and Jannero Pargo on Sunday.

The pair are expected to provide injury insurance and depth in practices.

Lucas signed with the Bulls on Nov. 26 after being cut in training camp, then was waived Jan. 4 before his contract became guaranteed for the rest of the season.

Pargo is a Chicago native who played 63 games for the Bulls last season.

Though no contract has been signed, ESPN's Marc Stein reports that the Bulls are taking a serious look at signing Jannero Pargo for backcourt depth.

Pargo previously played for the Bulls from 2003 to 2006, and for 63 games last season.

After Deron Williams’ wrist took another jarring blow Friday night, coach Avery Johnson said the team is going to have to re-evaluate its position on his status.

Williams admitted part of the reason he has been insistent on playing despite the pain in the wrist is the fact that the Nets were in the hunt for a playoff spot.

But with the loss Friday night to the Bucks, and with Indiana beating the Bulls in OT tonight, the Nets find themselves seven games out of the final playoff spot in the East, with 15 games to play.

And given the odds of actually making it to the playoffs, Williams seemed resigned to accepting that shutting things down for the season may be the best move for him now.

The "MVP" chants occur in every arena now, including the Prudential Center as the Bulls beat the Nets 84-73. If they actually become a reality, Derrick Rose will supplant Wes Unseld as the youngest MVP in NBA history.

All along, Rose has downplayed talk of the award, even shrugging off Jordan's endorsement. Rose said he's focused on winning and growing as a leader.

"I feel more comfortable," Rose said. "I'm able to talk to my guys no matter what it's about. If it's on the court, they know if I yell at them it's nothing serious. We're just trying to win. I'm fortunate to have this bunch of guys who don't complain about anything. They just want to hoop."