The talk around town the last couple days has been the performance of Derrick Rose.  Sure, the Noah bandwagon has been big news, but a lot of people are starting to wonder: What’s wrong with Rose? After winning Rookie of the Year honors last year while posting 16.8 points, 6.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds, Rose has returned to earth it seemed.  His numbers across the board are down this season, and many people are understandably asking questions.

The problem isn’t the questions, the problem is the complete ignorance of the obvious answer.  He’s still nursing the tendon injury in his right ankle he suffered before the season began.  If you think otherwise you haven’t been watching the games (I’m looking at you, every single Bulls beat writer in Chicago).  The injury is apparent statistically and visually.  He is playing about 5 less minutes per game, as Vinny is trying to keep him healthy as he comes back from the injury.  On the court, you can tell he is not attacking the basket with the same speed and ferocity that he did last season.  To think that a guy like Rose who exploded in that crucial Celtics playoff series would all of a sudden become timid is a bit ridiculous.  Clearly he either doesn’t trust his speed is all back yet, or else he is trying to pick his spots because he doesn’t want to injure it further.

So what does this all mean?  Well let’s just hope the team doctors know what they are doing.  If a week off would get him back to 100%, then they NEED to do that as opposed to risking the future of the franchise’s health.  Either way, when he gets healthy there is no reason to think he won’t return to the level of play he was at last season.

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Tags: Derrick Rose, Injury, Rookoie of the Year