With the basketball world -and more specifically the City of Chicago- speculating about the health (or lack there of) of Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, the 2008 number one overall draft pick stepped back onto the court on Wednesday evening after missing the last two games. Many had questioned how effective Rose would be this season for many reasons…
Back-to-back season-ending knee injuries/surgeries (and subsequent rehabilitations), his lackluster performances at the FIBA World Cup in Spain over the summer, sitting out a handful of practices during training camp, and his minutes being limited during preseason play.
After scoring 33 total points in the Bulls first two games, the 2011 NBA Most Valuable Player sprained both of his ankles in the fourth quarter in last Friday’s home loss (their only one of the season) to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The next night the Bulls traveled to Minnesota and that’s where things got interesting.
Rose participated in the teams shootaround earlier that day, but was ultimately held out of the Bulls 106-105 win over the Timberwolves that night. Then on Monday, the Bulls distributed an e-mail to the media stating that “D-Rose” was “probable” for the next night’s game against Orlando.
When said evening came, Rose had participated in pre-game warm-ups. But just before tip-off, the decision was made to keep Rose out as the Bulls went on to defeat the Magic 98-90. Then on Wednesday night, speculation ran wild as to whether or not Rose would play in Milwaukee.
Fueling the wonder was an e-mail sent out by the Bulls earlier in the day listing the 26-year-old guard as “questionable”. By this time everyone from fans, to the media, and even general observers were questioning Rose’s toughness.
Then 20 minutes before tip-off the team said Rose would play. So as the Bulls defeated the Bucks 95-86, Rose scored 13 points, grabbed two rebounds, handed out seven assists, shot 4-of-10 from the field, and hit 2-of-5 from the three-point line in 31 minutes of play.
It wasn’t one of Rose’s best nights….. Especially since he was still visibly limping on some plays, lacked explosiveness at times, and didn’t always showcase his bursts of speed. But his performance was efficient, especially since the other four Bulls starters -Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, Mike Dunleavy, and Pau Gasol- all scored in double figures.
In the end Rose wasn’t great, but he was good enough to silence his critics for at least one night. His next opportunity to do so will be Friday night in Philadelphia against the 76ers. Hopefully he’ll seize the moment.
