Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose's Status Uncertain Against the Heat

It’s been a busy past few days for Chicago Bulls superstar Derrick Rose.

He received the first fine of his career for criticizing the officiating of the Bulls’ most recent outing against the New York Knicks, was involved in a minor traffic accident and is now a game-time decision for Chicago’s rematch against the Miami Heat.

According to K.C. Johnson over at ChicagoTribune.com, Rose tweaked his groin during Monday’s Knicks game and hasn’t practiced since then.

If Rose sits out, it will leave Chicago without their starting and reserve point guards, allotting the duties of helming the offense to the now thrice-signed Mike James and John Lucas III.

Luol Deng has a good chance of returning after sitting for another brief stint to rest his left wrist that remains constantly sore due to a torn ligament.

The Bulls have been no stranger to winning while short-handed this season. However, it will be in the team’s best long-term interests to sit both Rose and Deng for this contest.

Understandably, there’s a lot of pride at stake in this game.

The Bulls lost a close one in Miami earlier this year and this homestand rematch would’ve been the perfect opportunity to even the score.

Still, when considering the amount of energy both teams will have to expend, including Rose needing to be explosive on offense and Deng needing to be physical on defense, it makes no sense to risk further harm to the already ailing stars in a game that will ultimately mean very little once the playoffs arrive.

If Chicago is looking to make a statement, they have two more chances later this season.

The running lesson of this hectic lockout season is that health is a premium; there is little rest in between a lot of these games, causing injuries to linger instead of healing.

This rematch with Miami is bound to be a physical game, thus increasing the risk of Rose and/or Deng coming out more banged up than when they went in.

A loss would still leave the Bulls with a 1.5-game lead over Miami in the conference standings, diminishing any urgency that anyone would want to add to this contest.

The Bulls roster is full of players who are always willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win.

Thibodeau trusts his guys to be ready to go when they say they are ready. However, this game is a great opportunity to demonstrate a little delayed gratification.

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