Rose’s Pre-Game Comments Add Sting to Chicago Bulls Loss

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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

Although Derrick Rose didn’t monumentally screw-up this time around, there is a definite problem with how he answered the questions in the interview. Rose’s problem is that his competitive self never shows up in these interviews. His comments imply that he doesn’t truly care; he will go out there if he feels 100% but if he can’t it really isn’t that big of a deal. Rose needs to understand that many of his teammates are playing with serious injuries right now. It is a Utopian mindset to believe that he has the luxury to wait until he is 100% before he can play again. Virtually no player goes through the playoffs without suffering from some sort of ailment or at the very least significant soreness. If Rose refuses to return this season, it would be a slap in the face to all of his teammates that every played injured.

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The Bulls need Derrick Rose to win but they don’t necessarily need him at an absolutely 100% level in order to win a championship. There is enough talent on this team to compensate for Derrick Rose failing to perform at an absolutely optimal level. This fact further erases the logic of Rose returning only when he is completely ready to do so.

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