Chicago Bulls: Why Derrick Rose’s Injury Is No Concern
By Greg Chin
When it was announced that Derrick Rose had suffered an orbital fracture and would have to undergo surgery, the Internet exploded. Memes, jokes, and hot takes on Rose’s injury-filled history surfaced, and many thought that the Chicago Bulls’ title hopes had ended with this piece of news.
Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, those people were wrong.
Rose was diagnosed with an orbital fracture – in layman’s terms, the fracture of the eye socket. The Bulls released a statement that said that Rose was struck in the face by an elbow during their practice and will undergo surgery. It is unknown when he will return, but judging by previous similar injuries, there’s might be a chance that he’ll be healthy by opening night.
Here’s a list of players who have missed games due to an orbital fracture, along with the number of games they’ve missed: Dante Cunningham (one game), Hedo Turkoglu (two games), Lazar Hayward (six games), Jason Terry (five games), Joe Johnson (six games), Tarance Kinsey (18 games), Etan Thomas (28 games).
And more recently, Larry Sanders suffered an orbital fracture in a game against the Houston Rockets. He received an elbow to the eye from James Harden and subsequently missed the next six weeks. But Sanders’ lengthy sideline is likely due to a more extensive break – referred to as a blowout fracture in which greater than 50 percent of the floor of his orbital socket was damaged.
The good news is that orbital fractures are not an uncommon injury for NBA players. Due to the nature of the game, which often includes flailing elbows, a strike to the face is a job hazard. Rose isn’t the first to have suffered this injury, nor will he be the last. It isn’t an indictment on his chequered injury history, and has nothing to do with his previous knee injuries.
Rose’s absence will be a blow to the Bulls, who are presumably beginning their chase for a title. Training camp would have been important for the Bulls and new coach Fred Hoiberg, as it would have been the first time both parties have been able to get to know each other better. Hoiberg’s coaching techniques will be different from former coach Tom Thibodeau’s, and might take a while to get used to. If Rose misses all of training camp, it could set them back.
But for now, those running around screaming “the sky is falling” need to calm down. Rose’s injury has nothing to do with his former injuries, and shouldn’t affect him moving forward. A broken eye socket isn’t anything to scoff at, but other players have had to deal with this injury in the past.
Let’s put away the pitchforks, guys.
Next: NBA Finals History: Ranking The Last 50 Champions
More from Hoops Habit
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers