5 Reasons Chicago Bulls Are Struggling Without Derrick Rose

 Chicago  No Responses »
Dec 072012
 

The start to the 2012-2013 NBA season continues to drag on for the Chicago Bulls, who are trying to remain relevant and patient as their star guard, Derrick Rose, continues on his road to recovery.

Without Rose, the Bulls have fallen from an Eastern Conference powerhouse to a middle-of-the-pack team, desperately trying to maintain its reputation. 

At times, Chicago has looked about as good ever, playing tough defense and winning games. More often, however, we have seen a team that is struggling without its star and being left only to wait for his body to heal.

Let’s take an in-depth look at what exactly the Bulls are struggling with during Derrick Rose’s absence.

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The Return of Derrick Rose: Will it Be Enough to Save the Chicago Bulls? (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

 Chicago  No Responses »
Dec 062012
 

COMMENTARY | There is one adversary which has proven to be formidable against all professional athletes. It is the injury bug, particularly when attacking the knee. On April 28, this unbiased assailant caught Derrick Rose in its cross hairs and ended what many thought would be a promising NBA Playoff run for the Chicago Bulls. However, after surgery to repair his left anterior cruciate ligament just last May, recent reports state that the superstar point guard has already begun sprinting. With the possibility that Rose may return to practice in just a few weeks, there is reason for hope. …

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Bulls News: Latest on Derrick Rose and Richard Hamilton Return Dates and More

 Chicago  No Responses »
Dec 062012
 

Surviving injuries has been the overarching story of the 2012-13 Chicago Bulls‘ season, but the team may soon get a reprieve, with more news leaking by the day about Derrick Rose and Richard Hamilton’s possible return dates.

Though nothing is concrete for either player, positive signs have come out that hope may finally spring in what otherwise has been a mediocre campaign. Nevertheless, it’s not just Rose and Hamilton-related news out there for the Bulls. With the bench and other players struggling to find footing, the media has been working hard to get to the root of the team’s problems this season.

For that reason, here is a look at all the latest news floating around the organization. 

 

Derrick Rose “Just Weeks” Away From Practicing Again?

Though it’s far from a guarantee, there may be an extra Christmas present under the tree this year for Bulls fans. According to the Chicago Sun Times’ Joe Cowley, sources think that Derrick Rose could be just weeks away from returning to the floor with his teammates:

According to an NBA source, while ‘‘The Return’’ to the court for NBA games is still up in the air for Rose, the all-everything point guard could be just weeks away from practicing with the Bulls again after surgery on his left anterior cruciate ligament last May.

Obviously, a return to practice doesn’t suddenly mean Rose is ahead of or behind schedule on his rehabilitation. It does, however, mean that a return should be coming at some point this season.

It’s been a popular trope among the hyperbolic community to say that the Bulls superstar should sit out the 2012-13 season and hope that the team tanks enough to get a high lottery pick. Spoiler alert: That’s not happening, folks. 

 

No Concrete Timetable on Richard Hamilton’s Return

After the Bulls reported that Richard Hamilton had a torn plantar fascia in his foot on Sunday, speculation began running rampant about how long it would take the aging guard to return. The team already has massive deficiencies in the backcourt with Rose still out and both Marco Belinelli and Jimmy Butler best suited for bench roles.

Unfortunately, coach Tom Thibodeau doesn’t have much in terms of answers. Speaking to the Chicago Tribune (subscription required), Thibodeau said it would mostly be up to Hamilton’s pain threshold as to when he returns:

He has some soreness, but he’ll be fine. He’s had a number of different injuries, so he understands what he has to go through to get back. It could be a week. It could be two weeks. It could be longer. Once he feels good enough to play, he’ll be back.

Plantar fascia injuries are notoriously tricky, so it’s tough to pinpoint when Hamilton will suit up again. That’s likely why the team has been linked to both Marko Jaric and Maurice Evans in the days since Hamilton’s injury.

With a roster spot available, don’t be shocked if the team brings one of those two guys in on a non-guaranteed contract.

 

Taj Gibon Feels the Pressure of New Contract

A recent recipient of a shiny new four-year, $39 million contract, the 2012-13 season hasn’t gone as planned for Taj Gibson. He’s averaging just 6.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and shooting 41.7 percent from the field, all of which are career lows.

In a recent interview with ESPN’s Nick Friedell, Gibson admitted that the pressure of the new contract has gotten to him: 

Of course I think about that. But then that’s too much … I can’t put too much pressure on myself. I have to just go out there and just do my job. There’s already added pressure wearing a Bulls jersey, but just thinking about all the other stuff that’s going to pull you down, you just have to go out there and just play and have fun.

The Bulls’ bench as a whole is struggling to come together as a cohesive unit, so it’s hard to blame Gibson alone. Nevertheless, with Omer Asik excelling in Houston, it’s not hard to wonder whether the team chose to keep the wrong big man.

 

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Ranking the Chicago Bulls’ 10 Best Highlights of the 2012-13 Season to Date

 Chicago  No Responses »
Dec 062012
 

Even though the exciting Derrick Rose hasn’t played a game yet this season (ACL injury), the Chicago Bulls have still come up with a ton of “can’t-miss” highlights thus far. 

Chicago’s roster consists of several players who possess the ability to bring the United Center to their feet.

Whether it’s a tip-in dunk, an alley-oop or a skillful post move, the Bulls know how to get it done.

Here are the team’s top 10 highlights of the young 2012-13 campaign.

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How Derrick Rose’s Early Return Would Impact the Chicago Bulls’ Long-Term Plans

 Chicago  No Responses »
Dec 042012
 

Derrick Rose is apparently running and ahead of schedule after undergoing knee surgery last May.

Real shocker.

Rose would probably rehab his knee 25 hours a day if it were possible.

An early return to the lineup would mean a few things for Chicago.

For one, they might have the second coming of the Terminator in their backcourt. And two, they believe that they can win immediately once Rose is inserted into the lineup.

If they didn’t, you’d think the Bulls would shut him down in order to avoid any setbacks and get him back fully healthy for next year.

Chicago is currently 8-7, with losses to New Orleans, Milwaukee, Boston and Oklahoma City all at home. While they can stay competitive, it would be fair to conclude that without a healthy Derrick Rose, this team isn’t a contender.

If Rose does come back, it wouldn’t be for a few more months. Add some time to that in order for him to build confidence in his knee and get into game-shape, and we’re talking an end of the season impact if everything goes great.

Is the likelihood of reward worth the potential risk? I guess that depends on if you think Rose can get back to 100 percent by this year’s playoffs.

If Chicago is comfortable with their star returning early, than they must be committed to this roster and a win-now attitude.

They could play it safe, rule out Rose, let him take the full recommended year for a torn ACL and play for pride and draft picks. This essentially guarantees a healthy Rose for the start of next year, and potentially gives the team a chance at filling the shooting guard hole without spending a dime.

The Bulls are financially committed to Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah over the next few years, and there are some pretty good shooting guard prospects out there in Shabazz Muhammad, Ben McLemore, Archie Goodwin and Jamaal Franklin.

They could also use a pick to package with Luol Deng’s contract on draft night, which expires after the 2014 season.

But if Chicago is looking to get back Rose as soon as humanly possible, than you can bet Tom Thibodeau has no interest in the draft. And he probably has no reason to. The Bulls were the top seed in the East last year entering the playoffs, and reached the Eastern Conference Finals the year before.

When fully healthy, this is a team than can compete for a championship.

But it does make you think.

If Rose comes back this year, we’ll all be holding our breathe every time he hits the floor. And Rose hits the floor a lot.

It sounds like a stressful risk for such a long shot, that long shot being a title run. And nobody likes stress. It leads to acne and insomnia.

Then again, bringing back Derrick Rose right before the playoffs is a pretty tempting option, especially when you consider how good they were a year ago.

It’s weighing risk versus reward, now versus later.

I prefer now, but only when nothing goes wrong.

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Derrick Rose, according to one source, could be a few weeks away from practicing. This might not be great news for Bulls fans (Ball Don’t Lie)

 Chicago  No Responses »
Dec 042012
 

You can see this grain of salt from miles away. From wherever you pick up the Damen bus, number 50, in order to shuffle your way to the United Center. Some lone “NBA source” — a single person — is speculating that some members of the Chicago Bulls think star guard Derrick Rose “could” be a few weeks away from practicing. Which would then push Rose’s return to live action closer to late-December, ticking closer to the “eight” in the “eight to 12 months” diagnosis he was given after tearing his left ACL in a playoff game on A
Someone’s playing doctor, and the Chicago Sun-Times’ Joe Cowley is reporting it . And because we’ve just as much insight as we guess from afar — like the source, like Cowley, like the players who might be watching Derrick cut and spin in individual drills every day but have no idea as to Rose’s eventual return — we’re going to play doctor as well.
And point out that the sooner the Chicago Bulls push Derrick Rose into the lineup, the more worried you should be. Because the team doesn’t have the greatest history of acting like the grown-ups in this situation.
First, Cowley’s report , which starts with the discussion that Derrick “could be just weeks away from practicing” with the team:
”That’s the belief that a couple of [the Bulls'] players are under,” the source said.
Rose has been expected to be able to play in games by February, but that has been inferred more than actually stated. Even if the Bulls receive the ultimate Christmas present of getting him back on the practice court just before Dec. 25, it doesn’t mean he’s necessarily ahead of that February schedule — or behind it.

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Derrick Rose’s Return Will Show NBA Fans What They’ve Been Missing

 Chicago  No Responses »
Dec 042012
 

Derrick Rose‘s rehabilitation is nearing completion, thus ensuring that the NBA is inching closer to one of the most anticipated returns in recent memory.

According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Bulls‘ star point guard and former league MVP is just weeks away from returning to practice:

According to an NBA source, while ‘‘The Return’’ to the court for NBA games is still up in the air for Rose, the all-everything point guard could be just weeks away from practicing with the Bulls again after surgery on his left anterior cruciate ligament last May.

When Rose tore his ACL and was forced to begin a grueling path back to the hardwood, he took Chicago’s championship aspirations with him.

Sure, the Bulls were 18-9 without their fearless leader during the 2011-12 campaign, but this was different. No light was at the end of this caliginous tunnel; Chicago would be forced to operate without one of the most indispensable players in the Association for as much as a year.

Yet even in the darkest of months, Rose has never wavered as a symbol of hope. He has remained relentless and humble as he navigates the waters of restoration, and he’s provided us with a bird’s eye view of his journey every step of the way.

The diligence he has displayed in the weight room, the pain that comes with complex rehabilitation and the emotion he has put into his this entire process—we have seen it all.

We have seen the work he’s put in. We have seen the physical and emotional pain he willingly puts himself through on a daily basis. We have bore witness to one of the most determined athletes to ever grace the court.

Why?

Because he didn’t want us to forget. Not forget about him, but forget how much the game, how much his team and how much the fans mean to him. He wanted us to remember that he would not fade quietly off into oblivion, that this injury would serve as a defining moment of his character, not a premonition of his ultimate downfall.

This is exactly what the NBA has been missing without Rose—heart.

There isn’t a single player in the league who is more devoted to his team, to his fans and to his city than Rose. His on-court stylings are mesmerizing, yes, but they’re merely a vessel that help convey how dedicated an athlete, how committed a person he truly is.

No, this isn’t to say that there isn’t a single player with an unrelenting will to win for his team and his fans, but Rose is the poster-athlete for genuine zest.

Praying for my city man… #TheReturn

— Derrick Rose (@drose) September 5, 2012

Right now, no one cares that the Bulls—who are barely playing .500 basketball without Rose—are atop the Central Division. No one cares that there is still no definitive timetable on when the point guard will make his regular-season debut.

All anyone cares about is that, once again, a sidelined Rose has made his inspirational presence felt; all that matters now is Rose’s return, and how very close it suddenly seems.

And yes, this is cause for excitement.

Rose is sprinting again. Not just cutting or slashing behind the scenes, but running in plain sight.

This is the same Rose that averaged 21.8 points and 7.9 assists while posting a 23.10 PER in the midst of an injury-riddled campaign last year. This is the Rose who has proved to be the difference between title contention and mediocrity for the Bulls.

This is the Rose who showed no hesitation in admitting that he would die on the court, that he would do anything for his fans and his teammates.

“I would die on that court.” – Derrick Rose bit.ly/WW4lo5

— Dime Magazine (@DimeMag) December 1, 2012

Who says that anymore? Better yet, who says it and actually means it anymore?

No one, not in the same altruistic context as Rose does, anyway.

Chicago has attempted to create a formidable stopgap since his injury last May; it has tried to persevere through his absence, but it has failed. The Bulls need added explosiveness, additional high-flying accolades and a silent but powerful will to win.

They need Derrick Rose.

Upon his inevitable return, Chicago suddenly becomes a viable contender. His presence immediately turns a 21st-ranked offense into a point-totaling machine. He alone provides answers to a Bulls team that is attempting to get by at the expense of Luol Deng and Joakim Noah’s stamina.

And yet, it’s not just the Bulls that need him, but the entire league. He is the embodiment of everything the NBA wants to stand for. He is one of the adorning faces that only brightens the future outlook of the Association.

He is someone who injects not only sheer athleticism, but life into the game of basketball.

Rose has established a connection between him and the fans that is near unmatchable and unlikely to ever be exceeded. He has made a name for himself both on and off the court, as a humanitarian who doesn’t need to have a ball in his hands to positively influence the masses.

As such, his return is not merely a simple re-entry into the basketball sphere. It serves as something more. Something much more.

It’s a symbol of hope and an emblem of heart.

For the entire league.

 

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All stats in this article are accurate as of December 3rd, 2012.

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Derrick Rose: Losing Star Point Guard Wouldn’t Be Terrible for Bulls

 Chicago  No Responses »
Nov 302012
 

It’s always difficult or even impossible to see the silver lining in losing a star player for an entire season, but in the Chicago Bulls‘ case, it wouldn’t be the end of the world if they lost Derrick Rose for the 2012-13 season.

Rose is currently recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in the NBA playoffs last season, and there is a good chance he doesn’t return for this one.

The important thing for the Bulls is to not rush Rose back. The star point guard is only 24 years old and still has a whole career ahead of him. There is no sense in taking a chance on his injured knee in the hope he can come back in time to save Chicago’s season.

The Bulls have gotten off to a solid start considering they are without Rose.

Chicago currently holds a 7-7 record without its top player, but that record is a bit misleading. Only one of those seven wins have come against a team with a winning record, and that was against the Milwaukee Bucks, who are 7-6 coming into Friday.

Chicago has greatly benefited from a weak schedule to start the season, but that schedule will become drastically tougher as the 2012-13 campaign moves along. With that being said, the Bulls will find that wins will be tougher to come by, and that will leave them out of the playoff race.

If Rose were to come back at some point in the second half, Chicago might be able to squeak into the playoffs with a low seed, but that won’t bode well for its chances of advancing far into the playoffs. Most likely, the Bulls will be faced with an early exit and a not-so-desirable draft pick.

However, if Rose sits out the entire season, Chicago will have a great chance to pick up a top selection in next year’s draft. If that were the case, the Bulls could land themselves a young, top-flight player who can complement Rose for years to come.

The biggest problem in the Rose era has been finding another player to take some of the pressure off the star point guard. While they have tried to find such an important piece to the puzzle in free agency, it hasn’t worked out exactly as planned (see: Carlos Boozer).

So, with that in mind, it’s reasonable to think the Bulls can once again score themselves a big-time player in next year’s draft. It has happened before (Rose), so it can certainly happen again.

And to put the Bulls in an even better position should they land that top pick, they don’t need to depend on whoever it is they draft right away. Chicago has plenty of solid pieces as it is, and that will give their potential rookie plenty of time to get his feet under him for his first couple of seasons.

With Rose on the floor for an entire season, Chicago will once again be a powerhouse in the NBA like in years past. But the question will remain if this roster as-is can win an NBA title against some of the other top teams in the league.

But if the Bulls can add that second player through the draft to go alongside Rose, this team will be an NBA title favorite for the next decade, and that will make losing Rose for one season well worth it.

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Derrick Rose: Dynamic PG Rehabbing Away from Team Best Thing for All Involved

 Chicago  No Responses »
Nov 302012
 

Derrick Rose continues to do his thing in Los Angeles, putting in the work necessary for him to return to the court at some point during the 2012-13 regular season for the Chicago Bulls.

Some have called for Chicago’s dynamic point guard to spend more time in Chicago, making himself visible to fans and accessible to teammates during home games at the United Center.

The belief here, from what I can tell, is that his teammates would feed off him being around and become motivated, as if Rose was using some sort of pseudo-guilt trip to trick his teammates into raising the level of their games so as not to disappoint the leader of their team.

Let’s be honest, if the current Bulls roster needs to see Derrick Rose more often in order to play at a high level on a consistent basis, the problems in Chicago run far deeper than simply being without the All-Star point guard.

Now, would seeing Rose sitting on or behind the Bulls bench get the crowd fired up? Would his teammates be happy to see him?

The answer to those questions, of course, is a resounding yes.

However, Derrick Rose needs to remain focused on one thing and one thing only—rehabbing his knee.

Right now, neither he nor the Bulls need any distractions, and there would be plenty of those were Rose to be around the team more often.

Current players would be dealing with constant questions about Rose’s status rather than focusing on improving their own games.

More importantly, Rose would be peppered with questions about when he was going to return, and the last thing anyone needs is for Rose to feel rushed—to push his rehab to a point where he suffers a setback.

It’s simply a risk not worth taking.

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