Chicago Bulls: Is It Time For Derrick Rose To Just Play?

By Allana Tachauer | Mar 18, 2016

Jan 31, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) looks on from the court against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose has missed 12 games this season, so is it time for him to finally put it all on the line again, and just play?

This season has been full of excuses for the Chicago Bulls.

From blaming their inconsistent play on adjusting to the new coaching style at hand, to pardoning losses due to player injuries and beyond, it seems as though this year has been filled with nothing but drama for this organization.

Former head coach Tom Thibodeau was fired (and in a classless manner to boot). Derrick Rose decided to publicly prioritize his next big pay day. Big man Joakim Noah was benched. Jimmy Butler spoke out against new head coach Fred Hoiberg. Very little action took place on the trade deadline. Butler injured and then re-injured his knee. You get the idea.

But one story that has constantly stayed relevant is Rose’s apparent lack of dedication to the team.

As of Wednesday, the Bulls are eighth in the Eastern Conference, with a record of 32-32. In other words, for now, they are making the playoff push.

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So one would assume that Chicago in its entirety would be giving one hundred percent, day in and day out, right?

Butler seems to be doing so. In fact, he may be going too hard. Guys like Doug McDermott, who have struggled thus far, are stepping up. Even newly acquired Justin Holiday is trying to prove his worth.

And then you have Rose. Rose who has missed 12 games so far this season. Rose who is “listening to his body.”

When asked of his latest groin injury, Rose said:

"“Frustrating? I wouldn’t say it’s frustrating. I’m controlling all I can control. Try my hardest to be out there, but like I said the reality of it is stuff like this happens…Yeah, just listening to my body. I think that nobody knows my body but me, so just trying to listen to it.’’"

Rose also listened to his body two weeks ago, when he tweaked his hamstring.

"“[I] just don’t want to take any risks. Just reading my body and trying not to risk all of it by going out there and playing crazy.”"

There is definitely something to be said about not wearing yourself down. Pushing your body beyond its capabilities, just to accomplish a short-term goal like winning a few games for a better record, is certainly not worth it. However, when your team is fighting to make the postseason, you show up. Or you should, anyway.

But Rose does not seem to have that mindset. Rose would rather only play if he is at 100 percent.

When the guard was asked if he would change his stance if it would make the difference between the Bulls sitting in the eighth or ninth seed, he answered:

"“[I would] just keep doing what I’m doing. I don’t answer if questions. Ifs never happen.’’"

Well then.

While no one wants to see Rose hurt ever again, fans and media alike are getting frustrated with his lack of contribution — especially given how banged up the rest of the team has been this year. And for a guy who was the face of the franchise by a long shot, his current behavior is confusing at best.

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Is Rose worried that he will endure another season-ending injury? Is he simply sticking it to the organization? Or perhaps to Hoiberg himself? Or is this just the new Rose, 2.0…more concerned with conserving his physicality, than winning games?

Seemingly, only time will tell.

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