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Chicago Needs Derrick Rose to Play Significant Minutes in Playoffs

By Paul Steeno

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Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau told the media on Friday that the minute restrictions that have been placed on Derrick Rose since his return from a meniscus injury will be removed when the playoffs begin tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks. In order to be successful this postseason, Rose needs to be able to handle a large number of minutes and produce up to pre-injury standards in the time he gets to play.

Apr 15, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) moves against Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

When asked by reporters how many minutes he expects Rose and Joakim Noah (hamstring issue) to play in the playoffs, Thibodeau sounded optimistic that his two stars could handle their normal workload. However, later in the conversation he provided the caveat that Rose and Noah would only see elevated minutes if they are producing on the court up to his standards.

"“[Rose and Noah will] roughly be around where they were. At this point of the season, it’s not as much about minutes. It’s performing well while you’re out there. If you’re playing well and you feel good, you’ll play more. If you’re not, then you’ll play less.”"

On Feb. 27, Rose underwent surgery on his right knee to remove the damaged portion of his meniscus. He was given a four to six week timetable to return. Rose returned Wednesday April 8 against the Orlando Magic, two days before the six-week deadline expired.

After returning on April 8, Rose was placed under strict minute restrictions for the remainder of the regular season. In the five regular season games that he played after sustaining the injury, Rose averaged exactly 20 minutes per game, topping out against the Philadelphia 76ers when he played 28 minutes in that contest.

Apr 13, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) advances the ball during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

In Wednesday’s regular season finale against the Atlanta Hawks, Derrick only played ten minutes because of soreness in his left knee. Rose tore his left ACL in the 2012 playoffs, but his two most recent meniscus injuries were both on his right knee. Apparently, Rose is still feeling the after-effects of the ACL injury he sustained three years ago. Regardless, the PG was unconcerned about the left knee soreness that sidelined him for much of the season finale.

"I feel good. I’m not worried about it coming up again or anything.It’s going to take some work to get my mental game ready because the playoffs are a totally different game. I think I’m ready for it."

In order for the Chicago Bulls to be successful during the playoffs this season, Rose is going to need to play significant minutes, but he doesn’t necessarily need to reach his career average of 35 minutes per game. The Bulls have quality depth at the point guard position, eliminating the necessity for Rose to overexert himself and risk further injury to his knees. For Rose, the mantra of the playoffs should be quality over quantity. If he only plays 30 minutes per game, but he is averaging 20+ points and eliminates the unnecessary 3-pointers, that is something that the Bulls can live with. In the playoffs, especially in closely contested games, Rose may need to play extra minutes. But, if Thibodeau can rest him on nights when the Bulls are up big, this could afford him the rest he needs to be productive in the games where he is expected to play more.

Apr 9, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) dribbles the ball against the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

So what does Derrick Rose need to do for the Chicago Bulls to be successful this postseason? It is quite simple actually.

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1. Be Agressive: The Bulls are a better team when Rose is attacking the basket because he commands so much attention from the defense when he is doing this. This opens up open shots for his teammates and helps space the floor.

2. Limit The 3-Pointers: Rose is shooting 28% from behind the arc this season. When he is shooting the 3, he is bailing out the defense and not spreading the floor for his teammates.

3. Play Within Himself: The big thing here is eliminating the turnovers. The Milwaukee Bucks, the Bulls’ first round opponent, lead the league in opponent turnovers per game at 16.6. Rose needs to take care of the ball, and this comes down to playing aggressive while still playing within himself. It is a fine line and a difficult thing to find an adequate balance for. Ultimately, however, Rose’s ability to take care of the ball may go a long way towards determining how successful the Bulls are in this playoffs series.

Derrick Rose needs to embrace his expanded role now that the playoffs are about to begin. Soreness and even minor injuries aren’t good excuses to sit out in the playoffs, because virtually every team is playing through their share of ailments. The 2015 playoffs offer Rose an opportunity to exorcise the demons of his past. Let’s get it.

Next: Roundtable Picks for NBA Playoffs

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