Will Derrick Rose’s return save the Bulls this season?
Dec 11, 2011; Deerfield, IL, USA; Bulls point guard Derrick Rose and head coach Tom Thibodeau pose for a photo during media day at the Berto Center. (Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports)
Fans around the world have been anticipating Derrick Rose’s return. We witnessed his greatness on the court from attacking the rim, to shooting from three-point range. But just when Rose was in the pivotal point of his career, on the verge of a championship run, we too witness his fall from grace.
Now with Rose coming back stronger than ever, completing surgery successfully, rehabilitating and even sprinting, can Rose essentially save the Bulls from having a terrible season?
Yahoo! Sports contributor Acamea Deadwiler writes that the situation is actually more complex than we may want to admit and that fans should still be concerned in the wake of the return. In her article titled. “The Return of Derrick Rose: Will it Be Enough to Save the Chicago Bulls?” Deadwiler writes that while Rose is as important of a role player on his team as Kobe Bryant is to the Lakers and Kevin Durant to the Thunder, the team is playing good, just above the .500 percentage mark but they are not on the same caliber as they were last year even with Derrick Rose. That perhaps a piece of the puzzle is missing besides Rose’s absence.
On this, I can say that I agree with Deadwiller. Despite Rose sitting out most games last year along with Richard Hamilton, the Bulls still had a strong backcourt last year mostly due to CJ Watson, Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer, Yes, the old bench mob.
Statistically, last year, Watson put up 10 points per game when given the chance also assisting 4 times per game. Korver was also a strong component averaging .435 percentage from three-point land and Brewer was able to get the boards averaging 4 rebounds per game and providing his fierce defense. Those three players were key players for the Bulls having a successful season last year. If Rose returns stronger than ever with the same explosiveness as he had before and if Hamilton can manage to stay healthy, the backcourt could be as efficient as it was last year, but it’s doubtable.
It will take Rose time to get back to where he used to be. To sync in the same rhythm as last year. In her article, Deadwiller writes how an injury so severe can be hard to conquer, comparing Rose to the likes of Brandon Roy among others.
While it may be easy to compare both players, they’re at the same time different. When Roy collapsed, he went down hard. Although he came back to the NBA, his injury was in terms worse than Rose’s because Roy simply lost cartilage between his knees and that’s just irreplaceable. Although he came back to the NBA, Roy now also needs to undergo further surgery.
Rose as we know didn’t lose any cartilage. Although a serious injury, his knee can return to its further state with patience and hard work. It’s certainty fortunate that Rose didn’t lose any cartilage that would of perhaps kept him out as long as Roy was and is.
To be fair though, David West of the Indiana Pacers is the best candidate to compare Rose to. Before tearing his ACL while a Hornet, West was averaging 18 points per game. Last year he came back averaging 13 points per game and now, with the new season underway he’s averaging 17 points per game.
Rose, although constantly injured,averaged 22 points per game, only playing 39 games. It will take time for Rose to get into rhythm but he will come back stronger just as David West did.
Fans, although anxious to see Rose on the court once again, have to be patient. The best things come to those who wait. Patience is a virtue, as the old proverb goes.
When all is said and done, would Rose end up saving Chicago? Saving the Bulls? Perhaps. But the team is good as they are, and I agree with Deadwiler that the Bulls no doubt will make the playoffs, but it may take a while for Rose to get back to his old athletic self. It’s all a matter of time.