It hasn’t been the best start to the 2015-16 season for Derrick Rose. But, despite the facial surgery on Wednesday, there’s real optimism for his return before the regular season kicks off late next month.
To recap Derrick Rose’s frantic start to 2015-16, he spoke about his pending free agency (which doesn’t kick in until after next season) and took an inadvertent elbow to the face during the first practice of the season for the Chicago Bulls.
More from Bulls News
- The dream starting 5 for the Chicago Bulls 5 years from now
- Bulls’ Ayo Dosunmu inspires the future with new school program
- Chicago Bulls NBA 2K24 full roster ratings, risers, and fallers
- Bulls sign a pair of promising guards to Exhibit 10 contracts
- When does NBA Training Camp start? Dates Bulls fans need to know
As controversial as the former was for Rose, the latter is what Bulls fans have been eyeballing since news broke on Tuesday evening that Rose was slated for facial surgery after fracturing his orbital bone.
But, new Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg provided a positive update about Rose after successful surgery on Wednesday in Chicago.
Hoiberg said Opening Night hasn't been ruled out for Rose. No structural damage so once bone is healed, should be good to go.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) September 30, 2015
That’s some good news for Bulls fans, as there still is no set timetable for Rose’s return. The fact that playing in the season opener on Oct. 27 against Cleveland is in play for Rose is a fantastic sign that this won’t be a long-term issue. Hoiberg also spoke with Rose after the successful surgery and mentioned that Rose is in high spirits.
The only real concern is for Rose to potentially having to get used to playing with a mask as his face heals after surgery. Thanks to @_MarcusD_, we’ve got a realistic glimpse at what Rose could look like for Opening Night potentially:
#MaskedRose. RUN. http://t.co/yHZEFEoCAO (h/t to the gawd, @_MarcusD_)
— Michael Whitlow (@couldbelikemike) September 30, 2015
OH IT’S LIT.
Other Bulls practice notes:
- Pau Gasol had one heck of a summer with Spain in their EuroBasket tourney victory. Also during the summer, Gasol has surgery to clear his sinuses.
- Taj Gibson was a full participant in the second practice of the year.
Taj Gibson practiced fully this morning but probably won't do contact tonight, Fred Hoiberg said. He'll condition this afternoon.
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) September 30, 2015
- Gibson also thought it might have been him that injured Rose on the play where Rose fractured his orbital bone and led to the surgery.
Derrick Rose has orbital fracture and will have surgery tomorrow; Taj Gibson quotes on how he thinks it happened: http://t.co/X7HClwXlHs
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) September 29, 2015
- You can’t make this stuff up, folks. Unreal.
Noah - Rose injury happened on the first play of practice.
— Mark Carman (@thecarm) September 30, 2015
UPDATED: Per reports, Derrick Rose will resume basketball activities in two weeks
Bulls estimate that Derrick Rose will be able to resume basketball activities in two weeks after today's surgery.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) September 30, 2015
Two weeks from Wednesday is Oct. 14, which puts the Bulls at 13 days until the season opener. Will Rose be ready? We’ll have to wait and see.
Next: Derrick Rose to have facial surgery after inadvertent elbow in practice
More from Pippen Ain't Easy
- The dream starting 5 for the Chicago Bulls 5 years from now
- Bulls’ Ayo Dosunmu inspires the future with new school program
- Chicago Bulls NBA 2K24 full roster ratings, risers, and fallers
- Bulls sign a pair of promising guards to Exhibit 10 contracts
- When does NBA Training Camp start? Dates Bulls fans need to know