Will Derrick Rose Ever Be the Same?

It seems that people have finally realized they’ve arrived at a basketball funeral. 

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune says he’s never experienced anything like it; I don’t believe I have either. 

When has such optimism turned to such, well, despair?

A team this young? A superstar this promising?

I won’t delve into the particulars about every concern, but I can remind those who are worried about their basketball world coming to an end: Derrick Rose is very likely going to return to the player he was. This is based on the steady advancements in treating isolated ACL tears, compounded with a determined participant who will abide by a doctor’s every wishes. He’s also 23.

Some people are already suggested he’ll become a below-the-rim player. He’ll be more Rajon Rondo than Russell Westbrook. Sure an ACL tear can do this, and it will probably be true in the first few months he returns to the game. But as his ACL strengthens, he should return to the athletic specimen he once was.

This, of course, doesn’t mean the Bulls will be able to play at a high level in his absence. It was OK, even inspirational, as they held down the fort for the 2012 season, but that was the hope he was coming back on the court.

But there aren’t many moves the Bulls can make that will improve their chances of a title. They’re capped out, two of their starters will be older than 32 and a shell of themselves. Meanwhile, the pipeline is producing players like Taj Gibson and Omer Asik who do have a lot of value around the league.

I am a bit more optimistic about Derrick’s injury than most, but for the Bulls? I don’t think I can ignore the obvious: It’s a roster and offense designed around a single superstar.

Contact mike mitchell at michaelkennethmitchell@gmail.com.