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. I know people have been calling you out to quit the FIBA World Cup and rest those knees. Take my advice and STAY WITH TEAM USA!
I guess Chicago Bulls fans all over the world had their collective hearts jump into their throats when reports surfaced that Derrick Rose sat out of two practices because of sore knees.
Don’t lie, be honest. Some of you went into panic when Derrick Rose was a late scratch from Wednesday’s exhibition game against the Dominican Republic.
Derrick Rose is slated to play in the final exhibition game in Washington D.C. before the FIBA World Cup begins. He did practice on Thursday with no reported problems so I see no reason why he shouldn’t be in the starting lineup.
So everyone…RELAX!
With all of the players that have effectively dropped from the USA squad over the last few weeks, I have a 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 rigors of a long NBA season and hopeful deep postseason that starts in a matter of weeks? Or should he continue to play on through the FIBA World Cup?
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 on the subject.
So I decided to lay out both sides in a two-part series and let the Pippen Peoples debate it out. That’s what we do here at Pippen Ain’t Easy. Part one of this series went into detail in my opinion why Derrick Rose needs to shut it down and rest those knees. Now part two will detail why Derrick Rose should stay.
Due to the reported knee soreness or physical fatigue that Derrick Rose suffered (depends on who you believe) it’s easy for everyone to give in to the fear that the two most famous knees in Chicago since President Obama left for the Nation’s capital should be rested. I have this to say about that way of thinking…
Sorry, won’t work. Derrick Rose has to keep playing.
Putting Rose on the shelf will not get his rhythm back after losing the better part of two years with two serious knee injuries. There have been evidence of the explosion to the basket in the two exhibition games he played. No doubt about it, but there has been issues with turnovers in the half court. Some of the problem is definitely because the offense is in transition with the departure of Kevin Durant, but some of it is not. Derrick Rose has to deal with the turnover issues. The only way that is going to happen is through game action, not solo drills.
Putting Rose on the shelf is not going to help his body get ready for the long NBA season after being away for so long. Everyone loves to debate about the physical part of the equation. What about the mental and emotional part? Obviously emotions were running high on Saturday night in Chicago. If you thought that was something, think about the frenzy in his first four or five games of the regular season. This season with all of the championship aspirations in Chicago, Derrick Rose will be in the center of the most polarizing season since Michael Jordan and crew left Chicago. He’s getting ready for those back to back games and four games in five nights against the best players in the world.
I going to use a quote from Dr. Jason Daniels, an expert in emergency medicine from Michael Wilbon’s piece…Is International play best for Rose? This is very telling point that inspired this discussion in the first place.
Dr. Jason Daniels
"“It’s necessary. It’s smart. It’s something you cannot shy away from.”“The first step is building up strength. The second step is playing at the entry-level. The third step is taking it up a level and I see the international competition of this tournament and the practices and exhibition leading up to it as the perfect step up. The fourth step will be going against real NBA players in preseason.”“These guys need to be brought back incrementally. It’s extremely important. Right now, he’ll be facing mostly guys who aren’t fast enough to possibly stay in front of him, but that’s part of the natural progression.”"
In layman’s terms, Derrick Rose is in a glorified final phase of his rehab. Derrick Rose couldn’t be in a better position. He’s definitely in a better position than the first two tries when he was more isolated in his rehab process. Plus, look at the personnel around him.
He has the USA Chairman, Jerry Colangelo who is one of the greatest basketball men in the world right now heading up a program that will allow not only Derrick Rose but all players, even if they were cut to become better basketball players.
He has Coach Mike Krzyzewski who is the extension of Colangelo and has done a great job of executing the vision of USA basketball. He has great admiration of Rose and will do what he can to make sure that he will be monitored in a proper way.
He has Tom Thibodeau who will be watching in the wings for obvious reasons. Rose’s health is obviously important to him so he has a watchful eye as well.
The main point here is this…all parties are on the same page.
Check out what Coach K says about minutes concerning Derrick Rose…
"” If you keep honoring his minutes [limit], you put a lid on him,” he said. “You’ve got to see if he can play tired.”"
If that doesn’t convince anyone that Derrick Rose is in good hands, nothing will. This is the perfect scenario that will lead to a successful comeback that is well planned and executed with people who know the game of basketball.
Chicago Bulls fans…be excited.
There you have it Pippen Peoples. This concludes the series. Part one of the series is already on the website Pippen Ain’t Easy. If you have not read it, log on and check it out. Compare both articles and decide for yourselves. Leave your comments and make your voices heard. The more voices engaged in conversation, the better for all fans involved. As always like us on Facebook: Pippen Ain’t Easy and follow us on Twitter: @BullsBeatBlog.
Aug 20, 2014; New York, NY, USA; United States guard Derrick Rose (6) reacts as fans chant his name during the second half of a game against the Dominican Republic at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports