Pippen Ain't Easy
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Derrick Rose Continues to Frustrate Fans With Comments

By Paul Steeno

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Bulls point guard Derrick Rose isn’t doing himself any favors by continuing to be noncommittal about returning this season, despite indications that he is on schedule to make a return within the next week.

Mar 28, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) warms up prior to a game against the New York Knicks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

On Feb. 27, 2015, Rose underwent surgery in his right knee to remove the damaged portion of his medial meniscus. The Bulls organization, in collaboration with medical professionals, created a four-to-six week timetable for return. This timetable expires on April 10. If he returns by then, he would be able to play in three regular season games before the playoffs begin.

All indications point to Rose returning on time. On Monday, Derrick participated in a full team practice. On Tuesday, and the days since, Rose has participated in full contact scrimmages with the rest of his teammates. Coach Tom Thibodeau said that conditioning is the biggest thing holding him back at this point in his rehab.

"He was a little winded, but we expected that. Overall, I thought it was good. He said he feels good physically. The big thing is going to be the wind and conditioning. He’s been out a long time.”"

This isn’t a completely positive report but it does indicate that Rose should make his highly anticipated return on time. I have said in previous editorials that soreness, non-substantial pain or “lack of conditioning” shouldn’t prevent him from returning given the importance of this season. Rose began practice on Monday, giving him 10 full days to work out the kinks and fix the conditioning issues. The reports coming out of Chicago this week should therefore breed optimism among Bulls fans, right?

On Wednesday, Rose dropped a bomb on hopes that he will return by the specified date. When he was asked by reporters whether he would return before the regular season ended, Rose had this to say.

"Who knows? As far as playing a game or trying to come back full strength and all that, that’s going to come."

I can almost hear the collective sighs of Bulls fans everywhere after hearing these comments. The problem is we have heard this before. Rose has developed a reputation for being overtly cautious with his injuries, insisting that everything must be completely right before he returns to the court. He is a perfectionist to a fault. The nature of an NBA season virtually eliminates a player from entering the playoffs 100% healthy.

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Rose needs to convey a more positive public attitude regarding his injuries. Would it kill him to tell the media that he really wants to return on time, and, barring a major setback, he will make this a reality? My biggest issue with Derrick Rose is how he handles his media sessions. He has commitment issues; he was given the deadline and refuses to take accountability publicly for his own return five weeks in.

Rose is considered to be a leader on this team. It is a leader’s job to breed optimism among fans. Rose continues to ignore this duty, instead frustrating fans with his unwillingness to publicly commit to a return date

Mar 28, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (in street clothes) during a time out in the second half against the New York Knicks at the United Center. Chicago won 111-80. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Rose’s recent comments are dangerously similar to some of the stuff that he said following the ACL tear. This makes me wonder if a return is going to happen this year. Hopefully, Rose’s public comments are masquerading the real circumstances. Perhaps, he privately knows that he will return on time but for some reason doesn’t want to reveal this publicly.

Feb 21, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard

Jimmy Butler

(21), center

Joakim Noah

(13), and guard Derrick Rose (1) during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at the United Center. The Bulls won 112-107. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Obviously, a return this season (even if it is late) will eliminate all the questions and potentially worthless speculation. If Rose returns, then we will forget all the comments he has made over the last five weeks. They become irrelevant.

Until that return happens, Rose needs to be more optimistic in his interviews.

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