Chicago Bulls Can Manage the Next Few Games Without Derrick Rose
As Derrick Rose continues to handle a toe injury that has kept him off of the court for the past two games, a debate seems to be brewing about just how much longer he should sit.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau is emphasizing that the organization is still treating Rose as day-to-day, and they will not set a definite time frame for his return.
Given the quality of opponents coming up over the next few games, it is easy to conclude that the Bulls can afford to sit Rose for a little longer.
After a two-day break from an exhausting 13-day run that included 11 games, the Bulls played three games without Derrick Rose and pulled out the win in two of them.
The Bulls’ loss against the Memphis Grizzlies was played without their MVP, as well as Richard Hamilton, but marked the return of CJ Watson in the backup capacity. The lack of offensive options outside of Watson, Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer showed, as the Bulls failed to top the 90-point mark.
Chicago’s most recent Rose-less win came this past January 17 against the Phoenix Suns. This game included the return of Hamilton and had CJ Watson in the starting point guard position.
It seemed like Richard Hamilton’s presence made a huge difference. His on-court decisions and solid first-quarter showing helped the Bulls get off to an impressive start. Every Bulls starter scored in double digits, and the bench contributed 25 points including 11 from Omer Asik.
With Watson and Hamilton back in the lineup, the Bulls have a very capable point guard who is familiar with the team’s system and a veteran shooting guard who can score as well as help facilitate. When you take those things into consideration, along with the caliber of opponents in the next few games, it is easy to deduce that there should be no rush to get Rose back onto the floor.
Chicago’s next opponents are the Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Bobcats and New Jersey Nets. These teams have a combined win total of 13 games. The Cavaliers lead this bunch with six wins, but none of them are against any notable teams; two of them come at the hands of the aforementioned Bobcats.
A now solidified backcourt, along with a bench that can significantly contribute both offensively and defensively, should buy Rose more recuperating time for his toe injury.
The only game in the foreseeable future that would carry a high likelihood of a Rose return would be the January 25th divisional contest against the Indiana Pacers. If Chicago can hold out on playing Rose until then, that would give him 11 days of downtime and should work wonders on the effectiveness of his injury treatments.
The Bulls are not trying to repeat the follies of last season. They know they have a championship-caliber team, and the validity of that status is dependent on having a healthy Derrick Rose.
If Thibodeau and company are playing it as smart as they are claiming, they have their eyes on the postseason prize and will let Rose rest more to insure he’s ready to help carry them there.
