Derrick Rose Playing Hurt? Highly "Prob-A-Bull" for Chicago

Okay, it's been three games and if no else is going to say it, I will: Derrick Rose is playing hurt.

Not the Allen Iverson "my back is sore" kind of pain, or the Stephon Marbury "I've gone insane and need help" hurt, or more of the the Luol Deng "I have a serious injury and really can't play" varietal.

Anyone who saw Rose in the layup lines last season knows that he's not 100 percent.

His jumper is off, his speed is limited, and his explosiveness is on sabbatical.

The Bulls' answer? Deny everything and hope for the best.

That's certainly the impression they are giving off, with comments like this from head coach Vinny Del Negro:

"Derrick's just got to get in better shape," Del Negro said after Monday's practice to ESPN. "He's not in condition to play the minutes he's playing and play at the level he needs to play at."

I've heard more convincing arguments at a Tea Party rally.

So what is the Bulls' game plan at the moment? It seems to be nothing more than let Rose play until he hurts himself and he's out until the All-Star Game.

You read it here first: Derrick Rose's ankle injury will cause him a serious chunk of time this season.

Someone with a thimble of common sense needs to recognize that Rose's enthusiasm to play, usually an asset, is detrimental to the future of this team.

What good is Rose injured?

His conditioning has nothing to do with it, Vinny. I'm surprised that you, as the man in charge of this team, refuse to step up and tell Rose to rest until he's ready to play; anything less than that and you're wasting everyone's time.

Are the other players concerned?

You betcha.

Guys like Tyrus "Contract Season" Thomas need a player like Rose to provide some open looks (although Thomas will let it rip from anywhere inside half court, but that's another story). Joakim Noah's game is dependent on transition buckets and alley-oops, both of Rose's specialties.

It's no secret that as Rose goes, so do the Chicago Bulls.

Milwaukee is in town tomorrow night and don't be disappointed if the Brandon Jennings-Derrick Rose matchup doesn't live up to the hype.

Sure, Rose already schooled Jennings on national television when Simeon took down No. 1 Oak Hill on ESPN in 2007, but that was with a healthy ankle and a sensible coach.

When Rose goes down in the near future, don't say I didn't warn you.