Derrick Rose: Take Some Advice…QUIT THE USA SQUAD!

Aug 15, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; USA guard Derrick Rose (right) talks with assistant coach Tom Thibodeau during practice at Quest MultiSport Complex. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Derrick Rose! Do yourself a favor. Take my advice and QUIT THE USA SQUAD!

Before anyone gets mad. I have a question. Would you rather see Derrick Rose sitting next to Tom Thibodeau in a basketball uniform of any kind or a suit like the last two years?

Sounds strong, doesn’t it Pippen Peoples? Well since Saturday’s seemingly average game against Brazil that Leandro Barbosa actually used to get his name in free agent talk, rumors surfaced about SURPRISE…Rose’s knees.

First, the word around the campfire was that Derrick Rose, who sat out two practices had sore knees.

Then, it was a given that Derrick Rose would not start in Wednesday’s game against the Dominican Republic. Not because of the knee soreness but because USA Chairman Jerry Colangelo has a strict policy about not practicing and playing.

Then Derrick Rose suited up and sat down for the entire game when he was scratched just before game time.

Coach K said afterwards he was evaluating the other players that was on the bubble. Chicago Bulls head coach and USA assistant coach Tom Thibodeau says Rose is fine. Derrick Rose stated that his knees weren’t the issue, just body fatigue.

Derrick Rose is slated to play Friday in Washington D.C. in an exhibition final before the FIBA World Cup begins. He did practice on Thursday and everyone seemed happy.

With all of the players that have effectively dropped from the USA squad over the last few weeks, I have one question for all NBA fans that want to see this man succeed in his comeback.

Should Derrick Rose quit and rest those knees for the NBA season that starts in approximately five weeks?

I read two articles debating both sides and both writers, Rick Telander of the Chicago Sun-Times and Michael Wilbon of ESPN.com got me thinking deep on the subject.

So I decided to lay out both sides in a two-part series and let the Pippen Peoples decide. Part one of this series will go into detail in my opinion, why Derrick Rose needs to shut it down and rest those knees not just for the regular season, but most importantly a run in the postseason.

Okay Derrick Rose you have made your point. You have returned to the court and which shows you have not just been sitting on your behind avoiding Carmelo Anthony all summer. You look great on the court and I have to say that I, along with not only Bulls fans, but NBA fans are excited to see you on the court this season.

You know I don’t believe the “body fatigue” thing right?

If there’s smoke, there’s fire. It’s your knees. They hurt. They’re overworked and for what, to prove to the so-called “haters” out there that you are back and better than ever?

There’s two things here Pippen Peoples that you have to consider while reading this column.

There’s working hard and working smart. I’m assuming all parties involved wants Derrick Rose to work smart considering the Bulls are one of the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference to challenge for the NBA title right?

Quit the team, D-Rose. Shut it down. Ice up the knees and relax until training camp.

It’s time to get ready for a long NBA season that hopefully won’t end in the first round which is exactly what will happen if you go down with an injury to  those knees…again.

Sure, I know you miss basketball and want to be out there to hear those MVP chants again. I respect that, you’re a great player so that’s natural. But you have bigger commitments than the FIBA World Cup.

At least that’s what the Chicago Bulls and Adidas seem to think according to Telander in his column…

"“…when the regular season starts, and that’s all we care about.”“That’s what the Bulls are paying you $100 million to do after all. That’s what Adidas is paying $200 million to do.”"

If we are talking financial reasons, and this is America, a country that lives by the almighty dollar, D-Rose…QUIT!

Kevin Love left. Why? Because of that alleged five-year $120 million dollar deal that is in the works just as soon as he is traded from Minnesota to Cleveland.

Kevin  Durant left. Why? Mental fatigue. Yeah, I would be tired too from counting the  $265-285 million dollars floating around in the bidding war that Under Armour and Nike are engaged in for Durant’s services. Have you seen the Nike  commercials lately?

At last check, the USA  is paying you…let’s put it this way. Close your eyes. What do you see? Nothing? That’s what the USA is paying you!

It’s time for thinking like a brand which you said you were trying to do back in Las Vegas. Your knees are now your lifeline to getting back on the court and helping the team that has invested a ton of money and patience while you worked on your knee issues. Good grief! Think about this everyone. Derrick Rose scored only seven points in the United Center, turned the ball over a number of times and missed a dunk. He shakes a backup Brazilian point guard and got more press than Anthony Davis who was the best player on the floor and the story of the game. That’s how badly Bulls fans want Derrick Rose back.

Finally please stop it with the Derrick Rose play with team USA catapulted him to a MVP year stuff. I’m sure it did, when he had two good knees. That was four years ago.

Does anyone want arthritis to come into play here? How about inflammation and swelling? How about those “Oh my knees hurt after four games in five nights?” Especially playing under the “Thibby” 40 minutes a game plan that puts the Chicago labor force to shame.

Derrick Rose right at this point needs to slow down and think about what is more important, a gold medal in FIBA World Cup or a NBA championship run that ends with the Larry O’Brien trophy being  held up in the air.

I haven’t been down with Pippen Ain’t Easy long, but I’m going out on a limb and say the Bulls fans care a little more about the NBA championship. I’m saying this  needs to be taken care of before LeBron James builds a super team in Cleveland to hide behind when things get tough and before people realize that Pat Riley has a plan post LeBron and that Chris Bosh has post moves in Miami.

There you have it Pippen Peoples. Should Derrick Rose shut it down and wait for training camp. Leave your comments and make your voices heard. As always like us on Facebook: Pippen Ain’t Easy and follow us on Twitter: @BullsBeatBlog.

Part two of this series breaks down why Derrick Rose should stay with team USA.