Derrick Rose Could Return In 4-To-6 Weeks

Perhaps we were too quick to declare Derrick Rose down and out. In the words of Lloyd Christmas in Dumb And Dumber: “So you’re telling me there’s a chance?”

According to Chicago Bulls general manager Gar Forman, Rose underwent successful surgery on the medial meniscus in his right knee Friday. His recovery time is an estimated 4-to-6 weeks, which would give him enough time to return for the end of the regular season.

Rose’s teammates had already expressed their hope that Rose would return at some point this season, and Foreman echoed those same sentiments in the first bit of positive Derrick Rose injury news we’ve had in quite awhile.

Compared to Rose’s other knee injuries over the last few years, this one seems to be less of a concern. Three knee surgeries is nothing to feel comfortable about, of course, but unlike his prior injuries that required months of rehabilitation, Rose will be able to take to the court again soon.

The damaged part of Rose’s meniscus was removed, a decision we’ve seen Dwyane Wade and Eric Bledsoe make in the past in order to reduce recovery time and get back out on the court as soon as possible.

However, the decision to repair the damaged part of the meniscus typically leads to knee problems later on down the road, as we’ve already seen with Wade. That bone-on-bone action is the same thing that prematurely ended the career of Brandon Roy as well.

Rose’s decision to remove that damaged part of the meniscus doesn’t sound like a wise choice for a guy who once said he was worried about his long-term health after his playing days are over, but it indicates that he’s starting to realize his own fragility and wants to make a run at a ring or two while he still can.

The Bulls have put more talent around Rose this season than he’s ever had in his career. The addition of Pau Gasol has given Chicago a consistent threat on offense, Jimmy Butler has grown into an All-Star and the bench is as good as it’s ever been.

At 36-22, the Bulls are sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference standings, 0.5 games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers after LeBron James and company downed the Golden State Warriors Thursday night. The Cavs and Atlanta Hawks look like the class of the East right now, but the Bulls have as good a chance as anyone to come out of the East when Rose is in peak form.

Whether he gets back to that level remains to be seen. He may have to adjust his game upon his return and for the majority of the 2014-15 season, it’s looked like he’s no longer capable of leading a title contender as “the man.”

If Rose can work on his efficiency, cut back on this three-point attempts and focus on penetrating and finding open teammates, it’d go a long way in making the Bulls a threat come playoff time. But first, he’s got to get healthy again.

Chicago has a difficult stretch in March coming up that they’ll have to traverse without their former MVP. This month, the Bulls face the Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, Oklahoma City Thunder (twice), San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors (twice).

If the Bulls can survive this upcoming stretch and remain in the hunt for a top-four playoff seed, they could be as dangerous as anyone to come out of the East — provided Derrick Rose can come back fully healthy, that is.

If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that that last part might be a tricky proposition. But at the very least, the latest news is more optimistic that The Return Part 3 might actually work out.

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