Bulls Uncertain on Derrick Rose’s Return

David Banks-US PRESSWIRE

I don’t want to alarm you (though I will), but Derrick Rose could miss the entire season.

The Chicago Bulls All-Star sat down with NBA TV on Wednesday and admitted that his 2012-13 season could be in jeopardy, following his serious knee injury during the team’s first playoff game last year against the Philadelphia 76ers.

While he is still on the road to recovery, there have been signs that suggest a mid-season return for Rose might not be so likely.  Rose had a chance to sound off on the ACL tear and how his injury is progressing during the Bulls media day.

Via ESPN Chicago, “Probably when I start cutting again (I’ll feel I’m back), because right now cutting is the hardest thing in the world right now to do,” Rose said Monday.  “I’m scared of it.  And right when I think I get that out of my system I think I’ll be pretty close, where I have to prove to them that I’m ready to play.  Hopefully it (doesn’t) take the whole year.”

Unfortunately, the Bulls 2012-13 season hinges on Rose’s quick recovery from his offseason surgery.  He is now five months into his rehab process and was expected to return within the 8-to-12 month window that doctors set out for him.  Though past evaluations showed that his return could be pushed forward, that doesn’t seem to be the case now.

It wouldn’t be wise for Chicago to bring Rose back before he is ready.  The 24-year-old point guard is the face of the franchise and has a tremendous career in front of him.  Jeopardizing his long-term future for the benefit of this year’s team could dramatically alter the franchise’s complexion for the worse in the next few years.  Besides, the Bulls should still be in the playoff hunt, even without their All-Star producer putting up big numbers on a night-to-night basis.  In fact, the team is a productive 18-9 without him.

Kirk Hinrich will likely start in Rose’s absence.  The veteran point guard averaged 6.6 points and 2.8 assists per game as a backup.  Hinrich’s teammates feel that, if he can stay healthy, the Bulls have a smart and savvy veteran to take control of the team.

“Kirk knows how to play,” Bulls guard Rip Hamilton said.  “He really, really makes my job easy.  When I run up the floor he tries to get me the ball early so I can try to make a play for myself or one of my teammates.  He’s smart, man.  He’s one of them guys that really knows how to play and makes my job easy.”