Anyone find the Rose situation weird?

[LarBrd33]

I haven't been following it too closely, but in briefly browsing a Bulls Forum, they seem to be hinting at some bizarre stuff behind the scenes. 

Apparently Rose has been medically cleared for a while now... he's been practicing with the team for a few weeks... and yet he's got no immediate plans to return.  Says it's in god's hands.

People are speculating that he's afraid... that it's a mental hurdle.  But others seem to be suggesting that he's got beef with the front office and is mad they didn't make moves at the deadline to improve the team and is intentionally planning on missing the entire season regardless of his health.

Thoughts?  Is he just saving his return for the playoffs?  The Bulls are already pretty solid without him.  With him, they were the best team in the league.  I believe they currently have the league's 3rd best defense and the league's worse offense... a healthy Rose makes them a contender.  If the rumors about him being upset with the roster are true... that doesn't make any freakin sense.

[CelticConcourse]

With Rose, they are in NO way the "best team in the league" anymore, so that's not as relevant this year

I've been hearing he's waiting until he can dunk confidently off his left leg, which he can't. He's already out for tonight... But I think it'll be fine if he just sits the rest of the year. I don't believe he can just come back for the playoffs. Different game and too big a shock. There's still twelve games in the regular season though.

It's all in his hands, not "god's". That part is definitely mental. If he comes back, I hope we don't play them.

[gpap]

I haven't been following it too closely, but in briefly browsing a Bulls Forum, they seem to be hinting at some bizarre stuff behind the scenes. 

Apparently Rose has been medically cleared for a while now... he's been practicing with the team for a few weeks... and yet he's got no immediate plans to return.  Says it's in god's hands.

People are speculating that he's afraid... that it's a mental hurdle.  But others seem to be suggesting that he's got beef with the front office and is mad they didn't make moves at the deadline to improve the team and is intentionally planning on missing the entire season regardless of his health.

Thoughts?  Is he just saving his return for the playoffs?  The Bulls are already pretty solid without him.  With him, they were the best team in the league.  I believe they currently have the league's 3rd best defense and the league's worse offense... a healthy Rose makes them a contender.  If the rumors about him being upset with the roster are true... that doesn't make any freakin sense.

Yup, VERY weird. I know if I were cleared to play again after being out for almost a year, I'd be aching to get back on the court.

BUT on the other hand, like you mentioned, he's got nothing to complain about. They've got the best defensive coach in Tips and a very good roster with Noah, Boozer, Deng and Gibson.

So, either way you look at it, there is something more than meets the eye. You would think if he came back the Bulls would be on par with Miami.

[hpantazo]

I think Bulls fans are just getting anxious because they see another year slipping by if he misses the playoffs, but I think the Bulls are doing the right thing by taking their time to bring him back, and if he misses this year, the most important thing for the Bulls and for Rose is that he returns to full health for the long term. He's a former league MVP and extremely young and getting better.

It would be really tough to bring him back for the playoffs if he doesn't get up to speed before then, as someone else said the game is too different in the playoffs to just jump into it cold. It could hurt Rose and the team as well.

[CelticsFan9]

He's smart.  When it comes to ACLs, you're better off waiting a full year, unless you're Adrian Peterson.

Plus, I don't think him coming back helps Chicago out that much in terms of a playoff push.  If anything, it'll mess up the solid chemistry they have going.

[makaveli]

I think Nate The Great forced himself into a starting role, and they will deal Rose for picks

[fairweatherfan]

I think Bulls fans are just getting anxious because they see another year slipping by if he misses the playoffs, but I think the Bulls are doing the right thing by taking their time to bring him back, and if he misses this year, the most important thing for the Bulls and for Rose is that he returns to full health for the long term. He's a former league MVP and extremely young and getting better.

The Bulls cleared Rose a few weeks ago.  The impression I've gotten is that it's only Rose holding Rose out right now.

[hpantazo]

I think Bulls fans are just getting anxious because they see another year slipping by if he misses the playoffs, but I think the Bulls are doing the right thing by taking their time to bring him back, and if he misses this year, the most important thing for the Bulls and for Rose is that he returns to full health for the long term. He's a former league MVP and extremely young and getting better.

The Bulls cleared Rose a few weeks ago.  The impression I've gotten is that it's only Rose holding Rose out right now.

medically cleared is one thing, deciding with the player, coaching staff, and team doctors that you are ready for legit NBA games is another thing.

From this article today, it sounds like he talks with Thibs all the time, fully supports the team, and works hard every day to return, but will not return until he feels fully ready, and  he's ok with missing the playoffs.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/story/_/id/9104473/derrick-rose-chicago-bulls-face-miami-heat-unsure-return

Smart choice for both him and the team. Players know when their body feels ready or not, and there is no sense in running out there at less than 100% and look like a shell of yourself while the team is competing for a title.

[LarBrd33]

With Rose, they are in NO way the "best team in the league" anymore, so that's not as relevant this year

I've been hearing he's waiting until he can dunk confidently off his left leg, which he can't. He's already out for tonight... But I think it'll be fine if he just sits the rest of the year. I don't believe he can just come back for the playoffs. Different game and too big a shock. There's still twelve games in the regular season though.

It's all in his hands, not "god's". That part is definitely mental. If he comes back, I hope we don't play them.

You don't believe the Bulls were the best team in the league with a healthy Rose?  I dunno man... they were the most dominant defensive team in the league, lead the league in wins and were being picked by most people to win the title.  They were basically the new Celtics once Thibs took over.  I still say a healthy Bulls team is the only team capable in the East of knocking off Miami.

[NocturnalRebel]

Not at all. Tha man wants to be at full strength when he comes back. He said he wants to wait until he can comfortably dunk off of his left leg. I see no issue with that. Yes he is cleared to play, but I support his decision in wanting to be at full strength before he returns.

Would it be weird if Rondo was cleared to play but wanted to wait until he felt he was fully ready, comfortable, and 100% healthy before stepping on tha court?

[CelticSooner]

With Rose, they are in NO way the "best team in the league" anymore, so that's not as relevant this year

I've been hearing he's waiting until he can dunk confidently off his left leg, which he can't. He's already out for tonight... But I think it'll be fine if he just sits the rest of the year. I don't believe he can just come back for the playoffs. Different game and too big a shock. There's still twelve games in the regular season though.

It's all in his hands, not "god's". That part is definitely mental. If he comes back, I hope we don't play them.

You don't believe the Bulls were the best team in the league with a healthy Rose?  I dunno man... they were the most dominant defensive team in the league, lead the league in wins and were being picked by most people to win the title.  They were basically the new Celtics once Thibs took over.  I still say a healthy Bulls team is the only team capable in the East of knocking off Miami.

Nope. They was bounced pretty easily two years ago against a Miami team that was gelling all season. Bulls have a consistent defense but not enough offense. Comparing them to the C's is just wrong. Deng and Noah will never be as good as a KG and Pierce were even 5 years ago.

Rose should sit out the year. Barring a massive letdown Miami is going back-to-back.

[bdm860]

But others seem to be suggesting that he's got beef with the front office and is mad they didn't make moves at the deadline to improve the team and is intentionally planning on missing the entire season regardless of his health.

How much beef could he have?  What moves were there to make?  Boozer for Bargnani?  Can't imagine he'd be that upset about that move not going through, or some other possible Boozer trade, unless there's some behind the scenes beef going on.

I mean going into February, the Bulls were 28-17 and the Heat were 29-13, so they were right there with them without their best player all season. (Of course by the trade deadline, the Heat were up to 37-14 thanks to being 8 games into their current 27 game winning streak), while the Bulls were 31-22)

The last 2 seasons, the Bulls won the equivalent of 60+ games with same core intact, and I would think Rose has been waiting for a rematch with the Heat since 2011.  I don't follow the Bulls, but they don't seem like a team that needed to make moves. With a healthy Rose, no reason to think they couldn't give the Heat a run for their money.  I would like to hear some more about this theory, because right now it doesn't make sense to me.

[bdm860]

With Rose, they are in NO way the "best team in the league" anymore, so that's not as relevant this year

I've been hearing he's waiting until he can dunk confidently off his left leg, which he can't. He's already out for tonight... But I think it'll be fine if he just sits the rest of the year. I don't believe he can just come back for the playoffs. Different game and too big a shock. There's still twelve games in the regular season though.

It's all in his hands, not "god's". That part is definitely mental. If he comes back, I hope we don't play them.

You don't believe the Bulls were the best team in the league with a healthy Rose?  I dunno man... they were the most dominant defensive team in the league, lead the league in wins and were being picked by most people to win the title.  They were basically the new Celtics once Thibs took over.  I still say a healthy Bulls team is the only team capable in the East of knocking off Miami.

Nope. They was bounced pretty easily two years ago against a Miami team that was gelling all season. Bulls have a consistent defense but not enough offense. Comparing them to the C's is just wrong. Deng and Noah will never be as good as a KG and Pierce were even 5 years ago.

Rose should sit out the year. Barring a massive letdown Miami is going back-to-back.

Because in 2011, a 22 year old Rose, and a 25 year old Noah and Deng lost to the Heat 4-1, so they have no chance in 2013?  They went 2-2 with the Heat in 2012, and Noah and Deng have both become All-Stars since then.  Hey I was one of the people who really thought the C's had no chance against the Heat in 2012, after all they looked dead against the Heat in 2011 playoffs losing 4-1, and the majority of the C's core was in serious decline.  That same Heat team didn't look to good against the Mavs in 2011 either.  A season or two makes a big difference.  I wouldn't judge the Bulls by their 2011 ECF performance.


I'm not saying the Heat's not the better team, but I wouldn't at all be surprised if the Bulls were able to beat them in a 7 game series (with a healthy Rose).  Definitely a match up I'd like to see.

[Celtics18]

With Rose, they are in NO way the "best team in the league" anymore, so that's not as relevant this year

I've been hearing he's waiting until he can dunk confidently off his left leg, which he can't. He's already out for tonight... But I think it'll be fine if he just sits the rest of the year. I don't believe he can just come back for the playoffs. Different game and too big a shock. There's still twelve games in the regular season though.

It's all in his hands, not "god's". That part is definitely mental. If he comes back, I hope we don't play them.

You don't believe the Bulls were the best team in the league with a healthy Rose?  I dunno man... they were the most dominant defensive team in the league, lead the league in wins and were being picked by most people to win the title.  They were basically the new Celtics once Thibs took over.  I still say a healthy Bulls team is the only team capable in the East of knocking off Miami.

I'd say probably them as well as a healthy Celtics team.  It's too bad that the two best point guards in the East aren't playing for their respective teams.  I still believe that Rose will be back for the playoffs.  If he isn't, then I really will think that the situation is weird. 

[BballTim]

Not at all. Tha man wants to be at full strength when he comes back. He said he wants to wait until he can comfortably dunk off of his left leg. I see no issue with that. Yes he is cleared to play, but I support his decision in wanting to be at full strength before he returns.

Would it be weird if Rondo was cleared to play but wanted to wait until he felt he was fully ready, comfortable, and 100% healthy before stepping on tha court?

  The same Rondo who finished out a playoff series with an arm that he couldn't bend? It would be fairly weird.