It remains to be seen whether Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau can parlay an MVP-caliber player such as Derrick Rose into an NBA title, but it already has been established that he gets more than most out of supporting-cast members.

It’s no coincidence that Nate Robinson — one of the oddest fits of any player in the NBA as a defensively challenged 5-9 shooting guard — won the only conference player of the week award of his career this season. That’s Thibodeau at his best.