Chicago Bulls Must Monitor Derrick Rose and Other Injured Players

After sitting out five straight games with back spasms, Derrick Rose made his return for the Chicago Bulls on Monday afternoon against the Atlanta Hawks.

Much has been made in Chicago recently with the handling of Rose’s health.

Many have been concerned coach Tom Thibodeau has been playing Rose too many minutes late in games when the Bulls have commanding leads, and believe that has contributed to his injuries this season.

The Bulls have been smarter about how they have handled Rose’s injuries this season. It has been a collective effort by Rose, Thibodeau, management and the medical staff to keep Rose from playing too soon before healing.

On Monday, Rose returned and seemed to have not missed a beat.

Rose finished with 23 points and six assists as the Bulls cruised past the Hawks, 90-79.

After receiving a loud, thunderous ovation from the United Center crowd, Rose took command of the game early.

He was running out on the break, driving the lane and hitting jump shots.

The biggest thing for Rose was the fact that he consistently attacked the rim, took some shots and fell to the floor a few times. Every time he went down, he got up and did not seem to aggravate his back injury.

Going forward, the Bulls must monitor Rose’s back and make sure he is not doing more damage to it.

Everyone around this team knows the Bulls will only go as far as Rose takes them. He cannot be banged up heading into the playoffs.

The biggest goal for the Bulls is to make sure Rose is fully healthy when the playoffs start—not seeding.

It will be difficult for Thibodeau to take his foot off the gas pedal, but he must know there are more important goals that can only be achieved with Rose healthy.

It does the Bulls no good to get the highest seed possible if the health of Rose is sacrificed.

In the shortened season, with so many games in so few days, keeping players fresh for the long run is the main goal.

Chicago has been banged up for much of this season.

Fellow All-Star Luol Deng has been playing with a torn ligament in his left wrist. Rip Hamilton has missed 23 games with groin and thigh injuries. CJ Watson is currently out with a head injury.

The Bulls are one of, if not the, deepest team in the NBA. The reason they have been able to withstand the injuries they have suffered is because they have capable backup players who can step up and pick up the pace.

When the playoffs start and rotations shorten, the Bulls will need their full complement of weapons to make a run at a championship.

Games in February and March are meaningless to the long-term goals of the season.

Hamilton will likely be out a few more weeks. It is imperative the Bulls get him back fully healthy. He cannot come back for a couple games and go out again and miss 10.

Finding time to rest injured players will be a difficult task for Thibodeau as there are so many games.

With the All-Star break approaching this weekend in Orlando, it will be a perfect time for Bulls players to have some time off to relax.

Although, Rose, Deng and Thibodeau will be plenty busy as all three are participating in the All-Star game.

Hopefully Thibodeau does not play Rose and Deng the customary 40 minutes they are used to playing in games.