By Craig Fields
The NBA for Derrick Rose has been filled with ups and down. Drastic ones to say the least. He has experienced postseason success and MVP honors. Those valleys however include a season ending operation to repair a torn ACL in May 2012, as well as the surgery this year in November to repair a torn medial meniscus.
With the latest surgery, Rose will be out for the rest of the season. With that development, Rose will have only played 50 games in the past three seasons. Not much production for a guy who is in the middle of a five year 94 million dollar deal.
However, the Bulls have had some success during Rose’s absence. Coach Tom Thibodeau has remained the main constant during this span. Basically making a team full of role players a hard nosed, rough and tumble, defensive type team that will play hard and bring it every night.
They obviously made it to the playoffs last year without him, so how much does the 2011 MVP really mean to his team? That had been a lingering question for some the Bulls fans.
Well I do hope that this season answers such a ridiculous question. Derrick Rose is not only the floor general at the point guard position for the Bulls, but he is their leader in points, assists, field goals, field goal attempts, and controls such a large percentage of what they do both offensively and defensively.
The Chicago Bulls were considered an automatic contender in the East with Derrick Rose at the helm upon his return at the beginning of the season. With him gone now, this team looks no better than a rag tag team of misfits. I know that may sound a bit harsh, but it is true.
With the current Bulls record, it can be down right disheartening to even the most die hard of fans, to watch this team as they struggle to put consecutive scoring possessions together. The effort and heart is always there. But there comes a point in time when production is really all that matters. This team has the same stigma that has plagued them since acquiring Rose in 2008. No Offense.
In order to stay relevant, even in the weakened Eastern Conference, this team might need to make moves before the trade deadline in order to not lose the season. Thus far the result of this season is proof of what happens when a team completely revolves around one star player.
There is no doubt in my mind that Derrick Rose will rehab his way back to full strength and come out guns blazing next season. He should. He has plenty of production to make up for because of his unfortunate accidents. But, his productivity, and the Bulls chances as a whole, will only increase and get better with front office moves that cease to make Derrick Rose the focal point of their team.
He is a young stud superstar, but while his mind is strong and game are strong, his body has proven to be fragile. This league is filled with players that have had plenty of talent, but were saddled with injuries causing them to ultimately fall victim to them. This may very well be a lost season, but the career of Derrick Rose does not have to become a tragic one.
