Kobe Bryant pulled Derrick Rose aside at last July's exhibition in the Philippines and offered him some pointers. Improve your post game. Find the areas on the floor where double-teaming is more difficult. Seek championships.

Rose took Bryant's advice to heart and to the court.

"I worked on my post-up game, my isolation game, working at the elbows, trying to get fouled and get into the lane and put pressure on the defense," Rose said. "I'm trying to do better than last year. That was a good season, but it's last year. Only a championship will do."