No. 1 pick by media this time

Even before he dazzled the country last weekend with a 36-point, 11-assist effort in his first postseason game, Derrick Rose had numerous spectacular performances during the regular season.

But you might -- or might not, based on his history -- be surprised to learn that the moment he deemed the highlight of his rookie season wasn't one of his individual feats.

''It was the game where [Ben Gordon] scored the four-point play to help us come back against the Clippers,'' Rose said. ''That showed me that a game is never over in the NBA. I thought the game was over.''

After trailing much of the game, including nearly all of the fourth quarter, the Bulls rallied to force overtime when Gordon was fouled while hitting a three-pointer and added the free throw with 20.5 seconds left in regulation.

Rose didn't mention that he had a key three-point play in overtime to help the Bulls to a 117-109 victory on Dec. 17. That's not surprising because Rose has been all about the team during his rookie season.

But the focus was squarely on his personal accomplishments Wednesday as Rose was presented with the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy after being named the NBA rookie of the year.

After downplaying the importance of winning the award all season, Rose finally admitted it was always a goal.

''When I first came into the season, my big thing was to get this award,'' he said at a news conference at a Northbrook hotel.

''I told you all that I didn't care, but when you're coming in, you really do want this award. It shows how much work you put into [the season]. There's a lot of talent out there.''

Rose received 111 of the 120 votes cast in a poll of writers and broadcasters. Voters were asked to name their top three choices, and Rose was named on every ballot, receiving five second-place and four third-place votes for a total of 574 points.

O.J. Mayo of the Memphis Grizzlies was second with five first-place votes and 246 points. Brook Lopez of the New Jersey Nets finished third with 127 points.

Rose said being selected with the No. 1 draft pick last June played a role in his desire for the award.

''When you're the No. 1 pick, there's a lot of pressure on you,'' he said, ''especially when you're playing in your hometown and everybody's looking at you.''

While Mayo led all rookies in scoring with 18.5 points per game, Rose had an all-around solid season, averaging 16.8 points and 6.3 assists (tops among rookies). Despite playing the difficult position of point guard, Rose was a standout from the first day of training camp and was named Eastern Conference rookie of the month three times.

He is the third Bulls player to win the award, along with Michael Jordan (1984-85) and Elton Brand (1999-2000).

Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro has been campaigning for Rose since before the midpoint of the season.

''I said back in January that he was rookie of the year just based on what type of person he was,'' Del Negro said. ''I'm most pleased with Derrick Rose the person because I know the basketball stuff will come.''

Although he said he was honored, Rose gave away the hardware almost as soon as he received it.

''My mom's going to get the award right now,'' he said. ''She deserves it.''

Rose also credited teammates and fellow point guards Kirk Hinrich and Lindsey Hunter for helping his development.

''Kirk texted me when he was out [after thumb surgery], giving me advice,'' Rose said. ''He's done a lot for me.

''Lindsey, he's just like a father, yelling at you, grabbing you, whatever. I'm happy the Bulls organization agreed to bring him over because he really helped me.''

Hunter, whom the Bulls signed early in the season after Hinrich's injury, said he is most impressed with Rose's poise.

''Nothing fazes him,'' Hunter said. ''It was indicative of that first playoff game. It was like another day in the park for him. The moment wasn't too big for him.''

NBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR VOTING

Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote received:

Player, Team 1st 2nd 3rd Pts

Derrick Rose, BULLS 111 5 4 574

O.J. Mayo, Memphis 5 64 29 246

Brook Lopez, New Jersey 2 28 33 127

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City 2 13 24 73

Eric Gordon, L.A. Clippers - 4 10 22

Kevin Love, Minnesota - 2 10 16

Michael Beasley, Miami - 2 1 7

Marc Gasol, Memphis - 1 1 4

Robin Lopez, Phoenix - 1 - 3

Rudy Fernandez, Portland - - 3 3

Mario Chalmers, Miami - - 2 2

Courtney Lee, Orlando - - 2 2

Nicolas Batum, Portland - - 1 1

BULLS ROOKIES OF YEAR

Michael Jordan

1984-85

Averaged 28.2 ppg on 51.5 percent shooting.

Elton Brand

1999-2000

Averaged 20.1 points, shared award with Steve Francis.

Derrick Rose

2008-09

Led all rookies with 6.3 assists per game.

HIGH FIVE

Derrick Rose's top five games in his rookie-of-the-year regular season:

1. March 6: Bulls 117, Bucks 102 Ties season high with 27 points as Bulls take over eighth place in Eastern Conference.

2. Jan. 14: Bulls 102, Raptors 98 Scores 17 of his 25 in fourth quarter and adds 10 assists as Bulls get a road win.

3. Jan. 31: Bulls 122, Suns 111 Scores 26 as Bulls win third straight on the road a day after chairman Jerry Reinsdorf labeled the season a ''disaster.''

4. Nov. 30: Bulls 103, 76ers 92 Tallies 18 points and 10 assists and causes Andre Miller to fall down with a sick crossover move.

5. April 13: Bulls 91, Pistons 88 Makes several key baskets in fourth quarter as Bulls rally late to ensure they won't finish eighth and face Cleveland in first round.

Photo: Al Podgorski, Sun-Times / Bulls guard Derrick Rose, flanked by brother Reggie (left), mom Brenda and brother Dwayne, proudly displays the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy after being named NBA rookie of the year. ; Photo: Derrick Rose Photo: Michael Jordan Photo: Elton Brand ;