Flip the switch on the way back machine, coyly adjust your oversized sunglasses with but one finger and set quantum sail for 2011. Oh what a time to be alive, especially if your name happens to be Derrick Rose. The Chicago guard erupted into the league, a dynamically explosive inside-outside threat, dripping with excess athleticism the common, professional athlete secretly prays to Jobu for. Undeniably, Rose was rightfully crowned the NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 2009 and also, albeit under far more scrutiny, elected the league’s MVP in 2011. It was abundantly clear, the NBA had welcomed it’s newest superstar into the fold. It made too much sense, Chicago’s prodigal son had returned, an unrelenting talent, devoid of emotion, capable of striking, not with the potency of a serpent, rather the impact of a runaway locomotive. The league was on notice, the East had another contender and Chicago was back.
Fast forward to the 2012 Playoffs, when the most nefarious of athletic interlopers once again reared it’s grotesque head, when the villlanous ACL injury made it’s perpetually, unwanted presence felt. Derrick Rose fell victim in the first game of the first series against the 76ers and he and the Bulls have never recovered. Derrick Rose would understandably miss the remainder of the Playoffs and, amidst rumors of waning personal confidence, the subsequent season. Rose would return for the 2013-2014 season, unfortunately his court time was to be short lived, tearing a meniscus early in the schedule.
Last season Derrick Rose made his highly anticipated return to the United Center, after what seemed like three years, finally receiving a clean bill of health. Rose began the season looking like a player still trying to find his footing, occasionally flashes of greatness could be witnessed, serving as vivid reminders of potential once possessed. Much to the dismay of the windy city faithful, Rose reinjured his knee and would miss twenty games, returning just in time for the Playoffs where he would be solid but on the wrong side of second round exit. Now we find ourselves in a familiar position, a new season, a new life. An offseason that no doubt was capitalized upon to further the rehabilitation of Derrick Rose’s physical shortcomings, culminating in a successful season of healthy point guard play for the Bulls. Then, as it so longs to do, the shoe dropped. In this case a brand new Adidas Derrick Rose 6, as news emerged that he had suffered a broken orbital bone in practice.
Reportedly, the injury will require surgery and Rose will likely miss 6-8 weeks of the regular season. However, if track records are to be included in the speculative nature of team analysis (they should be), don’t be surprised if Rose’s absence swells to a greater number of missed games. For the sake of irony not being lost, it must be mentioned that Rose recently made note of his desire to procure a future lucrative contract after his current deal (which is overpaying him quite handsomely) expires. Furthermore, Chicago’s terrific shooting guard Jimmy Butler also alerted Bulls decision makers of his availability to expand his duties to include point guard responsibilities. A slightly less than subtle shot at Chicago’s oft injured former superstar.
Chicago has long been the “what if” team of the NBA, in particular the East. If only Rose had been healthy, the Bulls, under the tutelage of defensive mastermind and tireless over worker, Tom Thibodeu, would have assuredly felled the Lebrons du jour and made at least one Finals appearance. It was never to be. The minutes management and coaxing of Rose’s debilitated fortitude now falls squarely on the shoulders of Fred Hoiberg, a rookie coach handed a veteran team but. with the caveat of a transcendent talent aged and injured far beyond his years. Good luck Fred, I’m sure Bulls fans will take it easy on you.
The only certainty in the mess that is the Derrick Rose injury debacle, is that the league is better when he’s healthy and competing. Those first years of his career can’t be a lie, he had the tools to take the league by storm, this can’t be another case of so much talent stolen before it’s expiration date. It can’t be right?
