Early Takeaways from Derrick Rose's Preseason with Chicago Bulls
Derrick Rose’s second comeback started with the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and continues with the NBA preseason. The former MVP used his international stint to get a head start on knocking off some game rust, and it has yielded dividends.
That’s not saying that Rose is his old self again. He’s missed nearly two full seasons due to traumatic knee injuries, so the road back is still being traversed.
A lot of variables are affecting his game. It should not be ignored that his extended absence and the team’s roster overhaul have put everyone in a position of having to learn to play together again.
An evaluation of his preseason body of work needs to consider those factors in order to avoid an unfair assessment based on Rose’s pre-ACL injury dominance.
From a health standpoint, all signs are optimistic. His overall performance does reveal a need for improvement, but there are some promising flashes.
The Good
It would be easy to point out that all of Rose’s physical attributes are accounted for. He can still run the floor quickly on a fast break. His explosive leaping ability is present. He can blow by his defender at will.
All of those are great to see, but none of the feats would even be possible if his health were not truly intact. This is the biggest positive of his preseason run so far.
The Chicago Bulls started off their tune-up stretch with back-to-back contests, and Rose played in both games. Two other exhibitions had only one day of rest in between them, but the Chicago native suited up and hit the floor.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau’s time management has been pretty solid, and his star point guard played hard for every minute that he’s been on the court.
After the grind that was the FIBA World Cup, it’s reassuring to know that Rose can continue to play night after night without any adverse effects.
The Bad
Shooting accuracy has been a disappointment. Here is a breakdown of the field goals and free throws made and attempted to date:
Out of a five-game sample, only two outings could be considered solid. There aren’t even any mediocre displays here. It was off most of the time and on some of the time.
It seems like Rose still hasn’t found the range on his outside jumper. Honing his stroke from the perimeter is going to be crucial for two big reasons.
First, it will be needed to establish a reliable inside-out game with Pau Gasol. The 7'0" Spaniard plays very well with his back to the basket, and if Rose has an accurate jumper, then it makes things very hard for an opposing team’s defense.
Second, being able to consistently score from the outside helps reduce the punishment Rose takes when he attacks the lane. His ball handling skills and quickness are still top notch. It would be very easy for him to create the space needed or freeze a defender just long enough for a good look at the basket.
Again, this is just an early sampling of preseason games, but the trend leaves a lot to be desired.
The Analysis
Fans should not read too much into Rose’s shooting inconsistencies and generally erratic play. Competing internationally this past August and September has given him a jump on getting his game legs back, but two years of inactivity make for a lengthy journey back to top form.
Besides, there are a number of positives in which to take delight.
The three-time All-Star has shown that he can still absorb mid-air contact and get off a shot. He can also get to the free-throw line and add to his team’s point total when the jumpers aren’t falling.
His presence alone commands respect, and that’s enough to help the sharpshooters and low-post players get easier opportunities to contribute.
It’s still way too early to be worried about numbers. Rose’s mentality is the true harbinger of how successful his season is going to be.
In an article written by Doug Padilla of ESPNChicago.com, Rose is remaining pretty level-headed about the less than stellar performances his squad has put on. While Thibodeau talks about guys preparing better and stepping up, Rose is taking it in stride.
“As a coach, I think his standards are going to be high, very high, just knowing who he is individually. For the team, all we can do is come in here and get better every day, get the most out of every day and try to get better individually,” he said.
Yes, the coach’s expectations are high, but he’s not alone. This club still has phenomenal player-leaders along with a great sideline general.
Add those elements to the very talented roster that has been assembled, and the championship buzz isn’t so far-fetched.
But all title hopes still rest squarely on Rose’s knees. Injury-riddled past notwithstanding, he has played a lot of basketball in recent months and looked as springy as ever. The patience he’s exercised over the last two years is serving him well as he looks for an offensive rhythm.
It will all come back to him in due time. Once the return realizes its full and true potential, Chicago's quest for title No. 7 will become very intriguing.
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