Chicago Bulls Star Derrick Rose Back to Form

It has been more than two years since Derrick Rose tore an ACL in his left knee in a playoff game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Fast forward one year later. After a year’s absence, Rose finds himself back in the lineup for the beginning of the 2013-14 season only to be sidelined yet again 10 games into the season after tearing a meniscus in his right knee.

At this point, many people thought Rose’s playing career was on the brink of ending prematurely. Even ESPN’s very own Stephen A. Smith chimed in back in November of 2013 following Rose’s season-ending injury declaring Rose’s career “finished.”

However, there was one person in particular who thought otherwise. That person is Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Coach Thibs has done a bang-up job managing Rose’s minutes so far this season and making sure Rose slowly gets back in the swing of things playing-wise. Sure Rose has missed eight games this season due to hamstring and ankle injuries. However, if there were any doubts that his career would ever be the same, those doubts were definitely laid to rest Friday night in Chicago’s 115-106 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Without center Joakim Noah in the lineup with an ankle sprain, Rose had perhaps one of his best, if not his best performance on the court since 2012 when he tore his ACL. He scored 31 points, with 13 of those coming on drives to the basket. This alone proves that the quickness of Rose is still there and his performance last night mirrors the 2011 league MVP Derrick Rose before the knee injuries.

To further solidify that Rose is playing at a high level, the Bulls are now 10-4 with Rose in the lineup and 4-4 when he was inactive. This goes to show the added spark and momentum that is added to Chicago when he is on the court.

Rose may not possess the same explosiveness and flashiness he had prior to 2012. But then again, who would after two knee surgeries in two years? The only thing that matters is that the guy gets it done and he will be paramount to the success of the Bulls this season if they are to dominate the Eastern Conference.