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Fred Hoiberg is taking a page or two from Tom Thibodeau’s book when it comes to answering questions on Derrick Rose’s healthy. After all, Thibodeau did become an expert towards the end of his tenure in Chicago.
“I think the biggest thing is mentally with this injury because there’s nothing structurally wrong with his body. He took a blow to the face and unfortunately broke a bone that you have to have complete inactivity throughout the recovery process. But as soon as that bone is healed — and he’s getting close to that point — he should be able to resume normal activity. Again, that’s the confidence of getting back there and getting back in game shape. It’s amazing how quickly you lose that, from remembering days back as a player. You sprain your ankle, you can ride a bike, you can get [on] a treadmill, but nothing compares to getting out there in between those lines in a game setting with the fans, with the atmosphere. So that’s the thing for Derrick, is getting over that mental hurdle and then getting himself right getting his body back to where it needs to be to play in an NBA game.” – Fred Hoiberg on Derrick Rose
“I hope so. It’s still too early to tell I think, as far as opening night is concerned. I know Derrick wants to be out there, but it’s a long season, it’s an 82-game season. If we don’t feel that he’s quite ready yet, whether it’s mentally, physically, we’ll be cautious with it. But I know that there’s nothing that he would like more than to be out there on opening night.” – Fred Hoiberg on Derrick Rose
Good news for the Bulls is that Rose will be physically ready for the season opener against the Cavaliers. Bad news for the Bulls, this doesn’t guarantee Rose’s return by any means. Once again, Rose is stuck between a rock and a hard spot when it comes to making decisions regarding his own body. On one hand, he’ll return when he’s mentally ready. On the other hand, there’s a good chance he’ll piss off a large audience if he chooses to rest if he’s healthy.
Obviously, missing just a game or two in the regular season shouldn’t be an issue, but in Rose’s case it seems to be much more dramatic than it should be. Rose has continued to show his lack of care towards the fan base’s feelings, but he’ll take another hit if he chooses to rest against the Cavaliers after the doctors have cleared him.
