Bleacher Report - Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose Can't Be Too Happy About What Bradley Beal Had to Say

Jesse Dorsey — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:01:55 -0400

Everybody has an opinion on the season that wasn't for Derrick Rose. But it seems like whenever a basketball player talks to a local radio station, he's asked to offer his opinion, which is what happened with Bradley Beal.

This has been one of the most unusual situations surrounding an injury that we've seen in a while. Rose was medically cleared to play, but he never felt confident enough to return to the court, leading to a constant back-and-forth about whether or not he would end up playing.

The Chicago Bulls' season ended after the Miami Heat knocked them out of the playoffs. That was the end of the speculation, but it was hardly the end of the interest in everything that's gone on with Rose.

Beal appeared on a Washington-based radio show and was asked his opinion on Rose not playing this season. Per Sarah Kogod of the Washington Post, he said:

That’s hard, because I’ve never experienced that injury. And I know what type of injury that is, it’s possible it’s gonna happen again. Knock on wood. But at the same time, you might have to give it a go. If you’re practicing for two months and everybody in practice is saying you’re practicing well, I figure you gotta give it a shot in a game.

But it’s his decision. I can’t really have a say so in it. If he doesn’t feel he’s mentally confident to be able to go out there and help the team, I guess I can’t really blame him for it.

Beal was then asked whether or not he would lose respect for a player who sat out despite being medically cleared to play:

A little bit. Yeah, I would. The type of player he is, and the mentality and competitiveness that he has, I think he would have gave it a go. I don’t know what was holding him back. I think he’s scared it’s probably going to happen again and he won’t be the same. But you’re never the same after an injury. But you just have to fight through it and do something else to be able to impact the game. I’m not sure what it is he has to do. I really can’t speak for him.

So, was Beal right to call Rose scared?

There had to be more than doubt in Rose's mind that kept him from getting back on the court after doctors told him that he was good to go.

This seems like one of those situations where we're never truly going to know what Rose's mentality was throughout the season, so the conversation will continue until we hear something from Rose himself.

Read more Derrick Rose news on BleacherReport.com

Derrick Rose Needs Low-Key Offseason While Pushing to Be 110 Percent

Ethan Grant — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:13:50 -0400

For the final two months of the 2012-13 NBA regular season and through the entirety of the Chicago Bulls' ill-fated two-round NBA playoff stint, the talk of Chicago was Derrick Rose.

Now that the talk has died down, Rose needs to retire to the shadows like Gotham's biggest defender until he's officially ready to grace the Bulls' starting lineup again.

The "will he, won't he" speculation among media members, fans, Bulls coaches and players finally ended as Chicago's season did, a conclusion that prompted some to proclaim that Rose would have returned for Game 6 had the Bulls sent the series against the Miami Heat back to Chicago.

Rose somewhat infamously stated in February before he was cleared to play in March that he was going to have to be 110 percent before returning. Cleared the next month, he then wanted to dunk confidently on his left foot—the leg in which the ACL injury occurred.

Game after game, Chicago fans wished Rose was be wearing something other than a suit at the end of the Bulls bench. Rose is, after all, an NBA MVP, a player who has the ability to change a game with his quick first step, improving jump shot and fearlessness when attacking the rim.

Yet, "The Return" never came.

And Adidas, the Bulls and the city of Chicago wept.

Opinions on both sides of the tracks have kept Rose's return—or lack thereof—in the news. On one hand, impassioned reporters and fans have made public outcries regarding the situation. Those fans fearing that their star was fading under the pressure of having to carry the team and the fanbase so soon after his injury felt that Rose crumbled despite the Bulls giving him every opportunity to reclaim his spot in the lineup.

One day after the Bulls' elimination from the playoffs, CBS Sports' Gregg Doyel posed a question that many are wondering across the league: Can Rose's reputation ever recover? Comparing Rose to former Bull Scottie Pippen and the infamous 1994 playoff sit-out, Doyel wonders if we will ever forget about Rose's reluctance this season to lace them up.

Rich Mayor of the Chicago Tribune took a simpler approach, telling Rose "you owed us more" in the first sentence of his Friday column.

On the other side of the issue, compassionate viewers, coaches, teammates and others will defend Rose's decision to the death. They trust that the front office, coaches and training staff did their best to assess Rose, his mental and physical health and held him out for the right reasons—not wanting to risk his long-term health or the stability of the franchise moving forward.

The debate will not end until Rose is in the Bulls' starting lineup in a 2013-14 regular season game.

Hopefully, Rose's intense training schedule won't end, either.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau has been one of Rose's biggest supporters during this process (he's also been one of his biggest catalysts over the indecisiveness about playing, but that's a story for another day), and as any good coach knows, he will continue to monitor and push his star player in the offseason.

He said as much in the team's exit interviews, as chronicled by the Chicago Bull's Twitter account:

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune provided a fuller perspective as Thibodeau expanded on the question of Rose's offseason activities:

He has to keep working...We feel good about where he is. He has the whole summer to build more confidence. That’s the important thing. As we said when he first had the surgery, we weren’t going to rush him back. And we held to that.

Per Johnson's report, Rose will travel to California to continue his training, rehab and preparation for next season, a ritual he has continued throughout his NBA career.

In doing so, let's hope Rose stays off the NBA map for the next couple of months.

Like it or not, the expectations for greatness will be there once again when Rose returns. He's an MVP, for goodness sakes, and the Bulls made it to the second round of the playoffs and won a game against the Heat without him.

In the minds of the Bulls' faithful, a Rose return will surely vault Chicago back to the top of the Eastern Conference, no?

Not if Rose isn't "110 percent."

We've heard for the last few months that Rose was not ready to play, both physically (through the quotes from he and his camp) and mentally (because of the events that transpired—injuries, a shot at the Heat) this season in Chicago.

As Jon Greenberg of ESPN Chicago points out, the Rose return was a hoax, maybe bigger than the Al Capone vault, if you're into American gangster conspiracy theories.

What's not a hoax is that Rose must use this offseason to figure out whatever lack of confidence, steadfast resolve or fear he had in returning and vanquish it for good.

It will have been a year and over seven months since the injury that Rose officially returns to the NBA hardwood in late October or early November (depending on the 2013-14 schedule). In the summer months that will soon follow, I, for one, am among the members of the media who don't want to see Rose's rehab update, offseason activities or anything other than a nice note about seeing him at a Jamba Juice in the news.

The 2012-13 NBA season was dominated with the "Rose return."

This offseason needs to be about nothing more than laying low, working on his training and getting in tip-top shape to reach the pinnacle that he outlined to reporters when he was so "close" to rejoining Chicago for the stretch run and the postseason.

Anything less might let those on the fence write him off for good.

Follow Ethan Grant on Twitter:

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Read more Derrick Rose news on BleacherReport.com

What's Next for Derrick Rose After Lost 2012-13 Season?

Zach Buckley — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:31:39 -0400

Derrick Rose's 2012-13 campaign was over before it ever got started, yet still had to feel like the longest of his five seasons in the league.

The torn ACL he suffered in the closing minutes of the first game of the Chicago Bulls' opening-round series with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2012 was going to limit his activity this season. As to how far-reaching those limitations would be, it was anyone's guess.

Optimistic outlooks tabbed the All-Star Game as a likely return, a shade less than eight months removed from his crippling injury. But the weekend came and went with no sign of him. As the season wore on, more speculative return dates entered the conversation but none ever came to fruition.

Short of an ill-fated Adidas commercial campaign, Rose's basketball activities were restricted to Chicago's practice floor and a smattering of pregame warm-up sightings. Come game time he was either a no-show or a sideline presence draped in his Sunday best suit and tie.

Now that the Bulls' tumultuous season has finally come to a close thanks to a five-game series win by the defending champion Miami Heat, it's time to look ahead and determine what's next for the Windy City's finest.

2012-13 By The Numbers

Clearly, no number carries more weight for Rose and his teammates than zero. That would be the number of games (or minutes, or even seconds) that he played all season.

But that's not the only defining digit jumping off the pages of Chicago's annual review.

Perhaps an even more surprising statistic (certainly a far more enjoyable one) would be the number 45. Tom Thibodeau's team waged war 82 times without their MVP leader and emerged victorious on 45 occasions.

Take a moment and let that one sink in. This was a team missing a star presence that they'd spent the past two seasons leaning harder on than nearly every other player in the league.

In 2011-12, a season in which Rose appeared in just 39 games, he finished with seventh-highest usage rate in the NBA, 30.45 (via Basketball-Reference.com). The previous year his 32.18 usage rate trailed only Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant's 35.08.

What could Rose have meant to the Bulls had he been able to log significant minutes? Well, in 2010-11 his play brought Chicago an additional 13 wins according to his win shares.

Now, that number was destined to decrease this time around, because some lost time to rehab was anticipated. Let's assume that he was limited to half of Chicago's games (using the Adrian Peterson path to recovery). That would've given the Bulls an additional six victories (seven if you'd like to round up), which would have meant a third seed instead of a fifth and a potential Eastern Conference Finals matchup with Miami as opposed to a second-round meeting.

Before moving on, there's one more notable number to toss out: 20. Chicago had 20 games left on the regular-season schedule when reports leaked that Rose was given medical clearance to play (h/t Melissa Isaacson of ESPNChicago.com). Coincidentally or not, the Bulls lost four of their next five games after that report surfaced.

What They're Saying

To his credit, and the hoop world's dismay, he kept a pretty tight-lipped approach throughout the year. He hasn't posted anything on his Twitter account since March 7 and tweeted just eight times during the entire season.

But he didn't go completely silent. Prior to Chicago's Game 7 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in their first-round series, he spoke with reporters on the challenges of not being able to help his club and what it would have taken for him to return to action.

And while he largely kept quiet, his coaches and teammates often did most of the talking for him. And none expressed even a hint of bitterness or anger toward their fallen star.

Thibodeau defended Rose and the team's decision to hold him out for the entire season, saying they didn't want any short-sighted thoughts to cloud their superstar's long-term potential (via ESPN.com's Michael Wallace):

Joakim Noah, Chicago's fiery All-Star who manned the leadership roles in Rose's absence, admitted to some selfish desires of having his point guard on the floor but understood the reasons behind Rose's cautious approach (via Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today):

Stock Watch

In the court of public opinion, Rose's stock was battered and bruised throughout the season. Conspiracy theorists abound saw his refusal to put a definitive postponement on his return as a way for the franchise's cash registers ringing.

As far as the basketball world was concerned, though, a lost season did nothing to diminish his status as one of the sport's elites.

He was the youngest player even to win the MVP award, taking the home hardware at the age of 22. He's never earned a player efficiency rating under the league average 15.0, and managed a 23.0-plus rating in each of his last two seasons played which would have kept him among this year's top 12 in the category (via ESPN.com).

He's had three straight seasons of 20-plus points and six-plus assists, something only four players accomplished this year (LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry).

And his unwavering commitment at both ends of the floor puts him in an even more exclusive category. Chicago can't wait to see him return to action, and there's 29 other teams that would be more than happy to pry away its native son.

Contract Situation

Injury aside, it's a great time to be Derrick Rose.

According to Sports Illustrated's "Fortunate 50", a ranking of the top money-makers in professional sports, he's the seventh-highest paid athlete set to rake in over $33 million this year. He was the third-highest NBA player among the group, trailing only James (second, $56 million) and Bryant (fourth, $46 million).

And he's likely headed even further up that list. This season marked the first of his five-year, $95 million contract extension with Chicago. Barring any unforeseen, shocking developments he'll be a part of his team at least through the 2016-17 season (h/t HoopsHype.com).

He'll still be on the right side of 30 when his current deal expires, meaning there's a great chance he's looking at another jackpot payday in his future.

The Bulls' patient handling of his rehab and recovery suggests they have no interest in letting him slip out of their grasp anytime soon.

Projected 2013-14 Stat Line

22.7 PPG / 8.3 APG / 3.8 RPG / 46.2 FG% / 31.5 3PT%

A year without Rose meant new-found offensive responsibility for his teammates, and several responded with career years. Sophomore wing Jimmy Butler set career highs across the board, while first-time All-Star Joakim Noah had his highest scoring season (11.9) and shattered his previous best assist average (4.0).

That means Rose might be joining an even stronger team than the one he left behind, a remarkable development considering Chicago paced the Eastern Conference in each of the two previous seasons.

But that's not necessarily a detriment to his future numbers.

Thibodeau rides his favorite players harder than any coach in the league (Luol Deng led the league with 38.7 minutes per game) and won't have any problem giving Rose as many as offensive chances as he can handle.

The Bulls might be searching for another floor spacer if Marco Belinelli (career 38.7 three-point percentage) bolts in free agency, but Kirk Hinrich (39.0 three-point percentage) and Butler (38.1) will help keep defenses honest.

Rose is a gifted scorer, capable of finding buckets at any speed and from either direction. But he's a willing passer and understands how much harder he is to contain when he's masterfully striking a balance between scoring and distributing duty.

A slightly lesser scoring load (he averaged 25.0 in his MVP year) should mean better shot selection, so his field-goal percentage may creep back toward the success rate of his first few seasons. And with these added offensive weapons, he should be well armed for career-best assist numbers.

The Crystal Ball Says...

This was a championship-caliber club with a healthy Rose and it proved to be a tough playoff without him.

Frankly there's nothing holding Chicago back from returning to the ranks of the elites.

Whatever feeling-out period both sides need to experience should be taken care of in training camp and the preseason. They should hit the ground running when the regular season tips off.

The championship path still runs through South Beach, and the Bulls know that fact better than any other team. Miami has handed Chicago two of its last three playoff exits, and James' Cleveland Cavaliers played the role of executioner in 2009-10.

But Rose's return coupled with the further development of Noah and Butler means its only a matter of time before the Larry O'Brien Trophy returns to Chicago.

Read more Derrick Rose news on BleacherReport.com

Tom Thibodeau and Co. Defend Derrick Rose Decision After Game 5 Defeat

Grant Hughes — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:52:47 -0400

The Chicago Bulls bowed out of postseason play when they fell to the Miami Heat by a final score of 94-91 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Wednesday night, but if anybody thought that elimination would finally put an end to all of the questions Tom Thibodeau and his team have had to answer about Derrick Rose, think again.

In postgame interviews, one of the very first topics of discussion was Rose, whose decision not to return after more than the typical 12 months of rehabilitation on his surgically repaired ACL was a constant distraction throughout the Bulls' postseason run.

Forever prideful, Thibodeau refused to concede that Rose's absence was the reason that the Bulls are now heading home.

To be fair, Thibs did cite "health" as a key to his team's defeat. But with the way Chicago players succumbed to injury and illness during the postseason, he could have been referring to almost anyone on the roster. And even more importantly, he's right—health really did hinder the Bulls.

Now, some of that poor health is probably attributable to the insane minutes Thibodeau required of players like Joakim Noah and Jimmy Butler down the stretch. But the rotten luck that led to a botched spinal tap for Luol Deng and a bout of the flu that floored half of the roster could hardly have been avoided.

So Rose wasn't the only ailing Bull, and although his absence clearly hurt the team, it's hard to imagine he would have been able to carry a roster that was physically destroyed by the time it ran into the Heat.

Later, Thibodeau stuck to the company line on Rose, saying the team had made the right move by letting the point guard recover at his own leisurely pace.

Truthfully, the Bulls coach is making some sense. Rose is easily the most important figure in the franchise, so a mishap or a hasty return would have had a disastrous impact on the team's future. But nothing's promised in the NBA, and there's no guarantee the Bulls will make it as far as they did this season in future years.

The Bulls, more than anyone, know that luck can go bad at any time. So no matter what Thibodeau says, there must be a part of him that wonders whether Rose's decision to hold himself out cost his team the best shot it might ever have.

Next season might see Chicago return to its status as an elite team. But there's no way to be sure.

Noah, who logged major minutes all season long and struggled through an excruciatingly painful bout of plantar fasciitis in the playoffs, was diplomatic about Rose as well.

If anyone were justified in questioning Rose, it'd be Noah. The energetic big man suited up when almost any other player would have sat out. He gave everything he had to his team, and frankly, he did it when he was actually in worse physical condition than the admittedly pain-free Rose.

It's a testament to the team's unity that Noah never once called out his sidelined teammate.

The Bulls' season ended with disappointment. But at the same time, no realist could have honestly expected much more from this bedraggled, shorthanded crew. Things got chippy against the Heat, and the Bulls may not have gone out with as much class as they could have, but they certainly went out fighting.

That's commendable.

As for the future, there's certainly some hope. And, of course, Rose is the guy providing the biggest source of optimism.

If nothing else, at least the Bulls won't have to deal with the constant questions about Rose's readiness next season.

For now, they can simply relax. And nobody deserves a break more than Thibodeau and his team.

Read more Derrick Rose news on BleacherReport.com

Derrick Rose's Failure to Return Handcuffed Bulls Offense in NBA Playoffs

Ryan Rudnansky — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:15:21 -0400

The Chicago Bulls needed all the help they could get against the defending champions in the Eastern Conference semifinals this season.

Unfortunately for them, former MVP Derrick Rose never showed up...literally.

Rose, who tore his ACL in the first round of the playoffs last year, had been cleared by doctors in March, but he elected to be cautious with the injury, failing to return to the hardwood at any point during the season.

The result? The Bulls—who also saw the banged-up Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng miss Game 5—ended up shooting 39 percent for the series as they fell to LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat in five games. They averaged 84.2 points in those five games.

While uplifting players such as Nate Robinson and second-year pro Jimmy Butler rose to meet the challenge against the Heat during the playoffs, Rose was nowhere to be found on the court.

Even Wade, who had a gruesome knee injury, suited up for the Heat on Wednesday, posting 18 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals in the 94-91 victory.

Rose became a punchline throughout the season, and that didn't end after the Game 5 loss.

Eric Stangel, executive producer and writer for Late Show with David Letterman, tweeted after the game:

Marcel Mutoni of SlamOnline.com added:

And Awful Announcing referenced the Heats fan who became a cult sensation after his words following the Heat's loss to the Boston Celtics in the 2012 playoffs:

Rose was sorely needed against a Miami team that held opponents to 44 percent shooting during the regular season and 41 percent shooting in the playoffs before Game 5 on Wednesday. But a man who instantly became one of Chicago's most popular figures during his first four seasons in the league has now become a scapegoat.

The city is left applauding those who gave their all for the Bulls this season, torn between loving and hating the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft.

Read more Derrick Rose news on BleacherReport.com

A Timeline of Derrick Rose's Non-Season for the Chicago Bulls

Josh Martin — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:44:37 -0400

Derrick Rose has come a long way since tearing his ACL against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 28, 2012.

The superstar guard for the Chicago Bulls has had surgery to repair his left knee (May 2012), consulted with associates of the world-renowned Dr. James Andrews (June 2012), returned to on-court activities (August 2012), started putting his knee to the test (November 2012), joined his teammates on road trips and in full-contact practices (January 2013), and started talking to the media again (February 2013).

Rose has spent many of his days since then participating in practice, watching his Bulls battle through the 2013 NBA playoffs while dressed in street clothes, eating Lifesavers on the bench, and perpetually leaving the door wide open for a postseason return.

One that never came (and won't come) now that the Bulls have been bounced from the postseason by the Miami Heat in five games. At long last, we can all stop wondering where, when, and why Derrick will or won't be back in uniform.

Presumably, those questions will be put to bed as soon as the NBA releases its official schedule for the 2013-14 season, for which Rose figures to be ready after nearly a year-and-a-half out of commission.

Nonetheless, the 2012-13 campaign has been a disappointing one (if not unexpectedly so) for Chicago. A return to title contention should already be in the works among the basketball powers-that-be in the Windy City, especially after stringing the fans along through a fruitless "will he or won't he?" saga that the organization refused to squash until the bitter end.

In preparation for Derrick's re-debut, let's pick up where we left off when we last chronicled his progress in February and get you up to speed on #thereturn.

Feb. 18, 2013

Derrick takes part in his first five-on-five activities (scrimmages, drills, etc.) since tearing his ACL. Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau reiterates to Jon Greenberg of ESPN Chicago that Rose is making steady progress, but that he has a ways to go before he's game-ready:

"It's hard to say. He's made some good steady progress. He's right where he should be. There has to be an understanding that in practice you're trying to get to a game-like intensity and you know you're never going to get there, so there's a whole different level to playing in an NBA game. He's making good, steady progress, he's doing fine, he's got to continue to work on his rehab."

Feb. 21, 2013

Reggie Rose, Derrick's older brother, rips the Bulls for not making any moves at the trade deadline and suggests that Derrick's decision to return could be swayed by the lack of championship-caliber talent on the roster. Scott Powers of ESPN Chicago has the quotes:

"What have you pieced together? Have you made any moves? Have you made any trades to get better? You know all roads to the championship lead through Miami. What pieces have you put together for the physical playoffs?

"Joakim Noah is a great player. Luol Deng is a great player. But you need more than that. You have to put together pieces to your main piece. The players can only do so much. It's up to the organization to make them better."

"It's frustrating to see my brother play his heart and soul out for the team and them not put anything around him."

Reggie goes on to suggest that the Bulls haven't ruled Derrick out for the season as a matter of business, and that Rose isn't going to rush back under any circumstances:

"Everyone is expecting Derrick to come back. If Derrick comes back, they're going to sell more tickets. Is the reason for Derrick to come back to win a championship or make money? Right now, I don't believe a championship. Everything in the NBA is financial."

"We can't give a timetable on it. It's up to Derrick. ... It's a possibility [he could miss the season]. It's about Derrick's career. If he plays in the first game and aggravates the injury, what are they going to say about him coming back too soon?

"This isn't a quick decision. This is a career decision. It's not about just making the playoffs. It's about my little brother's career. He has to be ready physically and mentally. I want him to be in a position not to fail and let everyone down."

Tom Thibodeau brushes off Reggie's criticisms when asked about them:

"Obviously, Reggie and Derrick are very close. We share the same concerns about Derrick's health, so that's not anything new. So it's not a big deal. And Reggie's entitled to his own opinion."

"To me it's not a big deal. We all want the same things. We want Derrick's health...and obviously, we're trying to pursue winning a championship. We share that in common. That's his opinion. He speaks for himself, not a big deal."

Later that day, Derrick releases a brief response of his own through the Bulls to his brother's comments:

“I have always felt that the Bulls organization’s goals have been the same as mine and that is to bring another championship to this city.”

Feb. 24, 2013

Derrick dunks off his right foot while working out prior to the Bulls' game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Chicago winds up losing in OKC, 102-72.

March 8, 2013

Melissa Isaacson of ESPN Chicago reports that Derrick Rose's doctor has cleared him to play, but that he won't return until he can confidently dunk off his left foot. With the physical integrity of his knee intact, Rose need only overcome his psychological aversion to putting pressure on his healed ACL before he steps back into game action.

Thibodeau, though, hints that whatever clearance Rose received is not, in fact, the final obstacle to be hurdled before he returns to the court:

"He's been cleared to do everything that there is, but before he makes the final step, everyone has to get together and sign off and that hasn't happened yet," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said before the game. "As I said, the most important part of this is that we have to trust Derrick and I trust him."

Still, the Bulls are confident that Rose will return before season's end, with mid-March marked as an ideal time frame.

March 26, 2013

The day before the Bulls are slated to take on the Miami Heat and their historic 27-game winning streak, a video surfaces of Derrick going one-on-one against his teammates in practice, sparking another wave of "Will he? Won't he? And, if so, when?" debate around the Association.

Later that day, famed rapper Waka Flocka Flame tweets that Rose is coming back:

March 27, 2013

When asked about Waka Flocka Flame's tweet, Rose tells Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times:

“I really don’t know man,’’ Rose said. “Like I said, it’s in God’s hands. Every day I’m just waking up to try and be the best player, try and produce every time I step on the court, just try and get better as a player, and who knows when?

“This is the first time hearing about [the rapper’s tweet]. I guess he’s a fan of mine. That’s the only thing I heard about it. I’m happy he’s a fan of mine. I heard a lot of his music, too.’’

Rose also continues to demonstrate supreme restraint when discussing his recovery, particularly in relation to watching his teammates try to end Miami's historic winning streak without him:

“It’s not hard at all. When you have surgery you’ve got to grow patience. I’ve been patient for the last eight or nine months. I’ve been good.’’

Would he be worried about the health of his knee in 2013-14 if he doesn't end up playing at all this season?

“Not at all. I know the confidence I have in myself in what type of player I am, so when I step on the court I’m going to be better, I know I’m going to be better, so I’m not worried about that.’’

“When I step on the court I’m going to ball. I’m not going to think about it, I’m just going to be out there reacting, so right now, just taking my time and dealing with the whole situation.

“It’s still the same … still the same.’’

For the umpteenth time, Thibodeau tells all who will listen that the Bulls aren't pushing Derrick to come back on any timetable other than his own:

“The most important thing for him and us is we want him to be completely healthy. We have to continue to show patience, let him work his way through it, he’s done a great job with his part. He’s got a power game built on speed, agility, change of direction, stop and go, so it’s unique. We have to make sure he’s comfortable being out there. He’s close, but he’s not quite there.’’

April 20, 2013

After his Bulls secure the fifth seed in the East and a first-round date with the Brooklyn Nets, Tom Thibodeau indicates that Derrick probably won't return for the playoffs...but doesn't go so far as to rule it out. Luke Stuckmeyer of CSN Chicago has Thibodeau saying the following:

"Most likely out, but you never know. The playoffs are stretched out too, so you have to factor that in too. So, who knows another week from now where he is so, you always want to have that possibility open."

May 6, 2013

Derrick doesn't feature at all for the Bulls against the Nets, but Chicago manages to advance in seven games without him. Still, Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press reports Rose insists that he hasn't ruled out returning in time for the Bulls' second-round series against the Miami Heat (via Yahoo! News):

"Still in the air. I might have a chance."

"My spirits are up," Rose said. "Just happy to be here. My family is here. My teammates are here. Just everybody that we need."

"I haven't had any pressure from anyone — not in the organization, not from my teammates. They know I'm putting everything I have into trying to come back as fast as possible. But just trying to be smart with the whole situation and just take my time."

May 7, 2013

Joakim Noah, who's been battling plantar fasciitis since the regular season, insists that he and the Bulls don't resent Derrick's slow recovery, but, rather, support their injury-stricken teammate. According to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, Noah said:

"Derrick is a brother. To see him go through his injury is tough. At the end of the day, it's really funny how quick people are to judge. People do not know what it's like to lead a team, especially after you tear your ACL."

Noah lashes out to an even more vociferous degree in response to TNT analyst and former Bulls player Steve Kerr's assertion that Rose owes it to his teammates to play:

"Everybody who hasn't been in that situation before should really shut up," Noah said. "It's unfair to him and his team. We're fighting. It's crazy to me. He's tough as nails. He doesn't let anything affect him."

May 10, 2013

The Bulls rule Rose out for Game 3 of their series against the Heat in Chicago. General manager Gar Forman tells "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN Chicago 1000 (via ESPN.com):

"Our stance has been really consistent since the first day with Derrick. What we've said and what Derrick has said has been, first of all we're going to be very conservative with his rehab. And second of all, in being conservative, when he's ready to play basketball, 100 percent ready to play basketball, that he would play. We're not at that point yet. He continues to make progress and he continues to do well."

May 11, 2013

On the one-year anniversary of Rose's knee surgery, Aggrey Sam of CSN Chicago reports that Derrick won't feature at all in the Bulls' series against the Heat, and, moreover, that he'd considered returning in time but eventually opted not to do so.

Says Tom Thibodeau of Rose's situation:

“That’s the way we approached it from the beginning of the year. I think from the outside, we knew it would be a big story. But from the inside, the way we view it is, we knew from the beginning of the season that there was a good chance that he would miss a big chunk of the season and the possibility of him missing the entire season. He knew that from the beginning and the way we approached it — and it hasn’t changed one bit from the beginning — is the players that are available, concentrate on your daily improvement and the next improvement that we’re playing, get ready for the game. Let Derrick handle his rehab and then, hopefully at some point — whether it’s next week, next year — he’ll rejoin us. But for the guys who are here, we’ve got to get it done with what we have, and we have more than enough to win.”

May 15, 2013

The Bulls rule out Rose for Game 5 against the Heat in Miami. Chicago goes on to lose, 94-91, thereby ending the Bulls' season and, along with it, any prospect of Derrick Rose suiting up before October 2013.

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A Look Inside Derrick Rose's Fake Gmail Inbox

Dan Favale — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:33:32 -0400

Derrick Rose has mail. Lots of mail, actually. More than Tom Hanks, even.

And if you've ever wondered what lies inside that treasure chest of an inbox of his, look no further.

Beyond the Buzzer tweeted a totally fake, but equally believable picture of what the Chicago Bulls superstar's inbox looks like.

Almost needless to say, this is absolutely amazing—just hysterical. It seems Rose has a deluge of well-known correspondents, so let's run through them, shall we?

Coach Tom Thibodeau appears to he hassling Rose on a daily basis, asking him the same question we've all been asking him since March.

Then there's Robert Griffin III, broadcasting how well his recovery is going. He was nice enough ask Rose how he was faring as well, even though we all know there haven't been any real updates for quite some time.

Joakim Noah provides Rose with a nice change of pace, shifting the topic of discussion from the point guard's injury to the "doping" policies the league has in place. Hopefully, David Stern and the NBA don't see that one before Game 5, or the Bulls might be down another player.

Unlike Noah, Nate Robinson didn't want to talk about illegal substances. And unlike most of Chicago, he was kind enough to thank Rose for his absence.

We all probably wouldn't be watching as much of Lil' Nate had Rose opted to play. No word yet on whether he CC'ed Kirk Hinrich on that same email, though.

Bulls team physician Dr. Brian Cole makes a cameo as well, sending out an "Are you there?" type plea.

Rose doesn't appear to have acknowledged any of his previous ones. You know, the messages he's sent since March, telling Rose he's cleared to play.

Just like Dr. Cole doesn't like to be avoided, neither do the fans of Chicago. All Rose needs to do is ask Jay Cutler. Well, he actually doesn't have to. Cutler got to him first and recommended that he play up his injury. Perhaps it's time Rose went back to sporting crutches?

No Rose inbox would be complete, however, without an email from LeBron James, who reminds him that even if he played, the Miami Heat would still win. That's highly insulting, albeit slightly reassuring.

Why play if you're going to lose anyway? Thanks, LeBron.

For those who still blame Coach Thibs for leaving Rose in the game too long last April when he tore his left ACL, you definitely want to turn your attention to the email from Adidas. Rose's injury may have been inevitable, because from what we can see, their shoes cause "serious injury." And here Rose has a lifetime contract with them. Yikes.

Michael Jordan didn't help things. He dropped Rose a not-so-kind line to let him know he sucks and that His Airness is the best.

I'm assuming he's referring to Jordan the player and not Jordan the owner. Charlotte Bobcats fans would have a great deal to say about that last one.

Marco Belinelli also hit Rose up. Not to ask him to play or discuss the ongoing severity of his recovery, but instead to discuss the nature of his enormous, er, marbles.

That one was bound to make Rose laugh. And let's face it, he could use a good chuckle.

Or maybe a pizza. He has to be exhausted from all that ~~sitting~~ rehabbing he's been doing. Papa John's was kind enough to remind Rose that "the bench" is not a suitable address, though.

Worry not, Derrick. Chicago's season will likely be over soon, and you can scarf down all the pizza you want.

Just remember that "the couch" isn't a befitting address either.

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Derrick Rose Is 2013's 7th Highest-Paid Athelete Despite Not Playing All Season

Mick Akers — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:16:22 -0400

Sports Illustrated has released its list of 2013's 50 highest paid American athletes and coming in at No. 7 (per SI.com) despite not playing a single minute is Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose, who earns $33.4 million.

The former MVP has sat out the entire 2013 season up to this point while recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in Game 1 of the 2012 NBA Playoffs.

Even though he was medically cleared to play back in March (per ESPN.com), Rose has said his mental state is not where it needs to be for him to take the court, so Bulls fans have played the waiting game all year.

The Bulls' season will likely reach its end on Wednesday without Rose seeing any game action, as Chicago is in Miami for Game 5 of their second-round playoff series with the Heat. The Bulls are down 3-1 in the series and are ripe to be beaten again tonight.

With fans and media questioning Rose's character due to a return that never happened in the 2012-13 season, the news of Rose's earnings is sure to damage Rose's reputation even further.

Throughout the playoffs, the Bulls have fought tooth-and-nail each game, leaving everything they have on the court. From fighting through injury to battling sickness, the Bulls have become a media darling for how hard they have played with a limited cast this postseason.

As the Bulls showed incredible will and played their hearts out each and every game, an increasingly negative light was put on Rose as he sat on the bench in street clothes.

Does Rose deserve the money he made in 2013? Sure. His play up until the injury earned him the big contract and he deserves every penny.

Even though his reputation took a hit in 2013, his pocket book didn't and that will have Rose laughing all the way to the bank.

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Did Derrick Rose Ever Really Want to Return to the Chicago Bulls This Season?

Michael Fitzpatrick — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:07:49 -0400

Rarely, if ever, do things work out well for an athlete who returns too quickly from a serious injury.

There is a fine line between an athlete being fully ready to return versus an athlete who is champing at the bit to get back into the game before physically being able to do so.

However, it is also incredibly rare for an athlete to take longer than needed to return from an injury.

It has now been more than a year since Derrick Rose tore his ACL in Game 1 of the 2012 playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Needless to say, Rose is certainly not the first athlete to suffer a torn ACL.

Adrian Peterson was back on the football field eight months after tearing his ACL and managed to win the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award the very next season.
Tom Brady tore his ACL during the 2008 NFL season and was back on the field for the start of the 2009 season.
Tiger Woods tore his ACL and broke two bones in his left leg and was back on the golf course seven months later. He managed to win six PGA Tour events that season.
Robert Griffin III tore his ACL in early January and will more than likely be back on the football field for the start of the 2013 season.
Iman Shumpert of the New York Knicks tore his ACL on the exact same day as Rose and has been back on the court since late January, although Shumpert now appears to be suffering from a sore knee during the Knicks' playoff series with the Indiana Pacers, which will surely have many ardent Rose supporters saying “See, I told you so.”

The point is that the recovery time for ACL tears for world class athletes tends to be six-to-nine months. In many cases, athletes can come back and perform just as good, if not better, within that time frame.

So why is Rose still sitting on the sidelines more than a year after he tore his ACL?

The answer to that may be as much mental as it is physical.

Perhaps Rose is simply in no rush to get back onto the court and into the glaring spotlight that he has never been fully comfortable with in Chicago.

During a 2012 interview with GQ Magazine, Rose said:

Sometimes it's too much. Chicago isn't used to stardom. Back when Michael [Jordan] was here, everyone was used to actors and singers and people being at the games. But there's been a drought since then, and even celebrities, they'll stop here to film a movie and then pop right back out. They don't know how to act toward celebrity. So I always have someone with me. I can have a hat on, glasses on, whatever. People still notice me. If I go outside without a hat on, I feel like I'm naked. This life doesn’t fit my personality.

Rose added in the GQ article:

It seems like the better I play, the more attention I get. And I can't get away from it. You play great, you get attention. But I hate attention. It is weird. I'm in a bind. The more you win, the more they come.

Obviously, an injury is never a good thing for an athlete, but perhaps deep down, Rose has seen this time away from the game as more of a blessing than a curse.

Rose has clearly never been comfortable with all of the attention that comes with being arguably the best point guard in the NBA. The question then becomes, if Rose is uncomfortable with all of the fame that comes with his on-court success, would he really be in any big rush to get back onto the court?

Perhaps Rose is still struggling to gain strength back into his left knee or Rose is simply not yet in good enough basketball shape to compete at the game’s highest level and feels as if he would hurt his team more than he could help the Bulls at this time.

Then again, it could be a case of Rose just being overly cautious with his multi-million dollar left knee.

One way or another, Rose has been on the Chicago sidelines for nearly 13 months and counting, which has more than a few observers asking whether there is more behind Rose’s extended hiatus from the game.

It is clear that Rose will not be returning to the Bulls this season. It will be at least another five months before he is thrust back into the spotlight.

Normally, another five months away from the game would be a form of torture for an NBA superstar, but for a player like Rose who seems to be more comfortable away from the game than he does on the basketball court, another five months in the shadows may not be such a bad thing.

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