Derrick Rose Receives Support from LeBron James About Potentially Missing Season

Last week Derrick Rose revealed that he's going to be patient with regard to his return, and now LeBron James is commending him for it.

In an article by Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com:

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Rose said he isn't sure when he'll return to the floor.

"I really don't know," he said. "I'm feeling good, but like I said, if it's where it's taking me a long time and I'm still not feeling right, I don't mind missing this year."

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And this past weekend James stated, according to Zach Harper of CBS Sports:

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Derrick Rose basically said "If I'm not ready and I don't feel like I'm ready to play then I don't mind sitting out the whole season." He shouldn't be rushed back by nobody. 

Derrick Rose is his own man. This is Derrick Rose's career we're talking about. Nobody else's. If Derrick Rose comes back and gets injured again, Derrick Rose is the only person that has to deal with it. He's an unbelievable talent and one of the best players we've seen in this game.

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Classic, sportsman move here by James, because injuries ending careers too soon is never a good thing.

The best of competition is what brings out the best from every superstar in the association, because it's driven by the marquee athletes. And Rose is definitely part of the elite.

Regardless of sport or level of competition, fans and coaches always want to see the most potential out of every player, especially superstars. Rose is unquestionably the Chicago Bulls' biggest star since Michael Jordan, and his immediate impact on the team has created championship expectations.

Obviously it's asking a lot from Rose to echo exactly what Air Jordan accomplished, but the Bulls with Rose made four straight postseason appearances in his first four years. The Windy City saw just three playoff berths from 1998-99 through 2007-08.

Given that the Bulls currently hold a record of 30-22 and are fifth in the Eastern Conference, it's clear that talent and depth still resides on the roster when you exclude Rose. Now, when we include a fully healthy Rose, Chicago will quickly find another level of success.

The only thing the NBA and its fans can currently do is patiently await his return.