We know the history of the beloved, Chicago’s own Derrick Rose. A one-time MVP that got shut down in the Eastern Conference Finals by LeBron James in the final seconds of game 5. Only to return to the playoffs next year and suffered  season ending injury in the first round of the 2011- 2012 playoffs and would miss the following season. The comeback of Rose was short lived, in the 2013-2014 season Rose tore his meniscus and would miss the entire season and playoffs.

Now to the present.

To get extra reps in with top notch NBA talent, Rose played for team USA this past summer. Rust was expected but this didn’t matter, it was more of an extended preseason.

Derrick Rose makes his triumph return to the NBA misses time due to rest, or spraining both his ankles and now the avalanche of questions start to happen.

Will Derrick Rose ever be healthy?

Will he ever live up or even play his five year, ninety million dollar contract?

Is this just random bad luck or chronic knee injuries?

I tend to think it is bad luck, I am no doctor by any means but as of now we have not heard of any chronic knee problems, no hearing of degenerate knees or arthritic knees.

Many are questioning will Derrick Rose ever get right.  And to be honest we really do not know. It is unprecedented. Rose is still young, not even in his NBA prime yet. Yea, we can useAmare Stoudemire and Dwyane Wade as possible examples for the sake of argument. But Stoudemire received micro fracture surgery and has a playing style that is completely different than Rose. While with Wade you can make the comparisons just due to playing styles. Two explosive guards that have relied on speed to get to the lane. The only difference is where each player is in their career. 

But what we are questiong with Rose is unprecednated, we really don't know and the only we can do on our soap box is gossip whether he will get right. 

Derrick Rose still young, in his sixth year in the league but his fifth year of playing. In order for Derrick Rose to “get right”. He should do what the other NBA greats have done.

Develop a jump shot.

Nonchalantly I discuss that if I was Rose while injured I would just take non-stop jumpers. Which I am not doubting that he is doing that

The development of a jump shot will extended careers, one can extend careers with a go to move like a pump fake, a hint of “old man” game and picking your spots on when to take it to the rim or settle for a jump shot. In other words, become an efficient player, a more intelligent player.

Wade has had this resurgence in his career with the “old man” game. I am not saying Rose needs to develop this but it would not hurt. Remember, Wade is 32 years old, 30 pounds heavier and an inch taller than Rose but we remember the explosiveness Wade had in the early years of his career. Derrick Rose is currently in those “Dwyane Wade years” but already facing the constant health concerns that Wade faces now.

With these questions comes development of a new skill set, a coach to manage his minutes and a second reliable scoring option to carry the load. The Bulls will continue to get stuck in no man’s land in the East. In other words a 4th seed and at best a second round exit if Rose can’t stay healthy. We know the importance of him. Rose is a game changer when healthy, but that was years ago. He has shown spurts but consistency is needed and part of being consistent is being consistently healthy. And as of now Rose is set to be the beloved Bull that we might not be fortunate enough to see finish out his career.