Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose had a major ACL surgery on May 12, 2012. After the operation the Bull’s announced that there would be an 8-12 month time line until Rose could take to the court again. So, from the very beginning, the possibility that Rose might miss the entire season was always on the table.
Derrick Rose is in his fourth year in the NBA out of the University of Memphis. He is 6’3” tall and weighs in at 190 pounds. Rose was born in Chicago and was drafted by the Bulls in the first round, first pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. He is a 3 times NBA All-Star.
Speculation abounded all season that Rose’s comeback was imminent but he told the press that he would not play again until he was good and ready. More specifically when he could dunk off that repaired knee. Still, the rumors of his comeback kept coming.
Now, the Bulls have made the playoffs and Rose is still on the bench. He has caught a good bit of criticism about that but, he has also received a lot of support. Especially from his fellow basketball players. Carmelo Anthony admonished the press to “stop rushing Derrick back.” “What’s two more months going to do? I don’t think he should come back (this season), and that’s just my opinion.”
Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau said, “Derrick has put a ton into his rehab. He really has. He gives you maximum effort every day. There’s nothing more he could really do. Once he feels ready, he’ll go.” (ESPN News)
Rose was cleared for full scrimmaging back in mid-February and he has practiced well. However, he has shown no inclination to take the court during a game as yet. Thibodeau still refuses to set a definite date for Rose’s return leaving hope open for Bulls fans that he may in fact come back in time for the NBA playoffs in late April.
The Bulls, with a healthy Rose might have had a chance of challenging Miami in the East. They are still pretty good without him. Remember, it was the Bulls that put an end to the Heat’s 27 game winning streak there in Chicago.
However, hope is waning and most fans are resigned to look ahead to a complete Bulls team featuring Derrick Rose… next season. The last thing that anyone wants is for Rose to try to come back before he is completely ready and perhaps reinjuring the knee and further postponing his eventual comeback.
