Why Injury Bug Will Derail Derrick Rose's NBA Title Hopes

Everything has been going well for the Chicago Bulls' 2012 season.

They lead the Eastern Conference with a 39-10 record, and also hold the best mark in the league. All signs point to the Bulls returning to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1998—they've fought through all the injuries, yet have prevailed to this point.

Yet if the reigning league MVP Derrick Rose can't stay healthy, the Bulls chances at a championship could be derailed in a hurry.

Rose has missed the last five games with a groin injury (four Bulls wins) and has missed 15 of Chicago's 49 games on the season.

While that's fine for now because the Bulls keep winning, they simply can't get by without his talent in the postseason. Not only will it be hard to replace over 22 points and 8 assists per game, but his overall leadership is the team's cornerstone.

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau can afford to allow Rose to heal now, but there's no guarantee that the nagging injuries that have bothered him all season won't re-emerge when the playoffs begin.

His body takes a beating on a nightly basis and his fearless, rim attacking style leads to hard contact. No player in the NBA since Allen Iverson was in his prime takes the physical beating that Rose does.

Right now, if you're a Bulls fan, you have to hope his body can hold up for the duration of the postseason, but being healthy for the end of the regular season is just as important. Miami sits only three games behind the Bulls in the Eastern conference, and home court is vital in the east.

The Bulls are still in good shape, but the health of Rose going forward will determine what type of shape they will be in for the stretch run. They have very little chance of winning a title without him completely healthy.