At this point however, the non believers have a lot more ammunition than the Bulls faithful.
To this point of the season, Derrick Rose has played in 5 games (including last night where he missed the second half with a hamstring pull) and his Bulls sit 3rd overall in the Eastern Conference at an underwhelming 9-6.
Despite his unimpressive stat line from last night’s 114-109 loss to the Nuggets, Rose is averaging respectable numbers of 15.4 ppg and 5 assists which is likely part of the reason why Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau was quoted as saying this week, “Derrick just needs to get out there and play”.
The off season was littered with reporters and fan speculation stating, ‘If Rose is healthy – the Bulls will win the East’. Now the narrative has changed to ‘Will Rose ever be healthy?’
Stories have been written about Rose wanting to be safe, and thinking about life-after-basketball where he wants to be happy and healthy and not worry about having aches and pains in retirement.
I may be wrong, but that sounds like a man who has his eye on hangin em up, more than he does on lacing em up.
One thing is certain, even with the emergence of Jimmy Butler as a premier scorer, and the addition of Pau Gasol (who has been playing like he is suddenly 5 years younger), the Bulls need Rose to win.
