Derrick Rose Injury: Bulls Don't Need to Rush Star Point Guard Back on Court

The Chicago Bulls have been without Derrick Rose for nearly a month now.

This is the third time this season he's missed extended action, but Chicago has managed to go 15-7 without him. The Bulls still hold a 2.5-game lead over the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference for the No. 1 seed.

Granted, they've lost four of seven games in the reigning MVP's latest trip to the sideline, but the Bulls are finding out exactly what type of depth they have at the guard position behind him.

More specifically, they're finding out just how much they can lean on John Lucas III off the bench and what they can get out of C.J. Watson as a starter. In Rose's stead, JLIII has averaged 10.8 points and three assists per game while Watson has scored 11.1 points and 3.8 assists per game.

Together they combine to fall just short of Rose's production this season: 22.8 points and eight assists per game.

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune is reporting that Rose is likely to return on Easter Sunday against the Knicks—the same team he last played against.

His return is a long time coming, but the Bulls don't have a dire need for him to return if he's not ready.

Earning the No. 1 overall seed would be nice, but having their best player and arguably the league's top point guard back healthy is far more important.

A No. 1 or No. 2 seed should not make much difference to Finals-caliber ball club.

The Bulls only have 10 games remaining in the regular season. Soon enough, the playoffs will be on their doorstep.

Rose needs to be one hundred percent before the postseason arrives.