Derrick Rose is proving the Chicago Bulls can turn to him for just about anything on the court. Thirty-six points in his first postseason game against the defending world champions, clutch free throws in one of the loudest arenas in the league, blocked shots against the reigning NBA Finals MVP -- the Bulls ask for it, he’s got it.

But there is one thing Rose’s teammates have that he cannot offer. That’s why the rookie is turning to Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich for their postseason experience.

“They’re the ones that hold this team together,” Rose said. “They’re always talking, just being leaders, always knocking down big shots, and playing great defense.”

As Rose makes his way through his first playoff series, Gordon and Hinrich have been here before. The guards, who have been teammates the past five years, had a taste of the postseason early on in their careers. Getting bounced from the first round in their first two attempts taught them a valuable lesson.

“I’ve learned so much playing in the postseason,” said Hinrich. “Every possession counts. The intensity raises and you’ve got to raise yours or you’re going to get beat.”

By 2007, the Bulls had learned enough. They swept the defending champion Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Gordon averaged 25.5 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.3 rebounds during the series. Both he and Hinrich have deemed Game 4 from that series as their favorite playoff moment.

“We know what to expect,” said Gordon. “We’ve played in multiple playoff series and we know what we’ve got to do. So I think when things aren’t going particularly well, we’re able to bring a calm to our teammates and just try to give them whatever advice we have from our past experiences to help them.”

Rose has tried to soak up as much advice as possible in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. He was all ears when Gordon and Hinrich addressed the team prior to Game 2 against the Celtics.

“They help me a lot,” said Rose. “Before we came down here, we had a meeting and they said this game was going to be totally different. You’ve got to play aggressive like every little thing counts. It could be the way you cut, the defense you play, you’ve got to really know your assignments and play aggressive throughout the whole game.”

The words off the court are as helpful as the support on the court. Hinrich had been the Bulls starting point guard for the past five seasons. He stepped aside last summer so that Rose could run the team.

“Kirk has been a starter since I’ve been here,” said Gordon. “With Derrick coming in, obviously the organization wanted to build around him so Kirk had to take that in stride and kind of become the back up PG. But he’s handled it very well. He’s handled it the same way he handled the starting role so there’s no difference in his approach to the game. That can be tough for guys sometimes, but it just shows what kind of professional Kirk is by the way he’s continued to do his job and be the leader he’s been.”

Hinrich’s transition to the bench has given the Bulls extra weapons in the backcourt. Luol Deng, who has been teammates with Hinrich and Gordon since 2004, noticed an improvement in the depth of their second unit since last season.

“Teams focus so much on Derrick that they set up their whole defense around him,” Deng said. “So when Kirk comes in with the second unit, we don’t really miss a beat. Kirk comes in and he’s been a starter for many years, he’s capable of carrying a team, and there are some games our second unit has been really strong and carried us. Kirk really has been doing a good job of just coming in and keeping the tempo the same.”

Perhaps no one appreciates Hinrich’s sacrifice more than the player who took his job.

“It gives me so much relief,” said Rose. “Kirk comes in and he’s a great shooter, great teammate, great leader. He pushes the ball just like I do and he’s a great defender.”

With Hinrich behind him on the bench, Rose can rely on Gordon on the court. Rose and Gordon combined for 56 points in Game 1 before Gordon shot lights out for 42 points in Game 2.

“He has no conscience,” Rose said. “That really helps in his game. It’s a mental game and he doesn’t care if he misses three or four or five shots in a row. And when he does hit one, I feel sorry for the next team.”

Gordon’s sharpshooting alleviates the offensive burden on Rose, who was held to 10 points after his 36-point spectacle. 

“I think one thing that has been consistent with Ben all season is that we can rely on his scoring,” Deng said. “Sometimes Ben bails us out a lot. I think there’s times that teams scout the play, they know what’s coming, but Ben is such a good scorer that a lot of times he’ll get the ball and he’ll make something happen, especially in a crucial moment.”

The spotlight may have been on Gordon after Game 2, but whether or not Rose scores 10 points or 100, he will continue to be at the center of attention on the Bulls.

“There’s going to be a little bit more attention to me on the court but that’s what you want as a player,” Rose said, “that attention so that I can get my teammates shots.”

It’s a small token of appreciation the rookie can pay to his veteran teammates.