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Derrick Rose: Team USA, injuries and his unexpected journey

By Bryce Olin

Jul 30, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Team USA guard Derrick Rose fields questions from reporters following a team practice at Mendenhall Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 30, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Team USA guard Derrick Rose fields questions from reporters following a team practice at Mendenhall Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 22, 2013; Portland, OR, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (1) walks out of the Moda Center on crutches after being injured in the game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers won the game 98-95. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2013; Portland, OR, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose (1) walks out of the Moda Center on crutches after being injured in the game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers won the game 98-95. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

The injuries and backlash

After the lockout, the 2011-12 season was shortened to 66 games. During that season, Rose only played in 39 games because of nagging injuries. Even with Rose in a limited role, the Bulls were able to clinch the top seed in the East for the second year in a row. Then, in the first game of the playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers, Rose tore his ACL in his left knee.

After surgery and rehab, it was reported Rose was medically cleared to play in March. Rose, however, decided to  sit out the entire 2012-13 season because he wasn’t ready. His decision drew wide-spread criticism from fans and members of the media alike. That’s actually an understatement. Rose was slammed over and over again for not be tough enough, stealing money from the organization, and letting his teammates down.

When he returned in 2013-14, Rose looked a little rusty and uncomfortable through the preseason, but it was clear he was making progress and getting back to normal. Then, ten games into the regular season, Rose tore his meniscus in his other knee, his right knee, in a game against the Trail Blazers in Portland. He missed the rest of the season.

In the last three seasons, Rose only played in 49 games.

It’s impossible to mention Rose’s road back to the NBA without mentioning all the criticism he took for, apparently, taking too long to recover from his first injury. While injuries were difficult to overcome and shook Rose’s confidence, the criticism Rose took for not playing after he was medically cleared to play was probably worse than the injuries for Rose’s mental strength. The guy was 23 at the time he tore his ACL in the playoffs against the 76ers. Rose is only 25 now. It’s a lot to deal with at such a young age.

It’s a joke to consider Rose owed anyone anything while he was sitting out, injured. Only Rose knew how he felt at the time. If he wasn’t mentally and physically ready to play, then he wasn’t ready to play. That’s it, that’s all. God forbid, someone takes a normal amount of time to return to form after a serious injury. At least, it proves Rose wasn’t using PEDs.

Rushing back from knee injuries has derailed so many careers in the NBA; Penny Hardaway, Brandon Roy, to name a few. What’s the cost of coming back before a player is fully ready to come back? If he got hurt again, it could have cost him millions and millions of dollars down the road. Remember, this was only a 24-year-old who has his whole life after basketball ahead of him. Another knee injury could have ruined his livelihood completely.

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