The Chicago Bulls announced on Tuesday night that point guard Derrick Rose is set to undergo a major knee surgery for the third time in three years. The 2011 MVP will undergo surgery to repair the medial meniscus in his right knee.
A timetable for his return has not been set, although K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune tweeted Tuesday night that a source believes the damage might not be as substantial as the meniscus tear that forced Rose to miss all but 10 games of the 2013-14 season, but the full details will not be known until after Rose undergoes surgery.
Source: Initial belief is that this tear is not as extensive as tear in November 2013. So no official timeline until after surgery.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 25, 2015
Rose initially informed team officials of the pain at practice Tuesday, and subsequently received an exam and MRI shortly afterwards. On Monday night, Rose was just 1-of-13 for eight points in 33 minutes of play in a win against Milwaukee.
The news of the tear is the latest in a string of significant knee injuries for Rose, who was considered one of the league’s elite point guards prior to his injures.
Rose, 26, suffered a tear to the same medial meniscus in his right knee 10 games into the 2013-14 season and missed the remainder of the year. That particular injury came just 18 months after tearing the ACL in his left knee during the first game of the 2011-12 playoffs. He went on to miss the rest of the playoffs as well as the entire 2012-2013 season. Rose, his family, and advisers opted in November of 2013 to have a team physician repair and reattach the torn meniscus, rather than remove it. The result was a longer rehabilitation period, but it also was considered better for long-term success and lack of arthritis after his playing career.
A source said Rose was told after that surgery that a second tear could happen and typically those are treated by cutting or removing the damage. That generally involves a shorter rehabilitation of three to six weeks, which would mean Rose joining the team in the second week of April. The Bulls’ regular season ends on April 15.
Even in spite of solid play this season after returning from last season’s injury, Rose’s play was still a good ways off from his MVP season, when he averaged 25.0 points per game on 44 percent shooting to go along with 7.7 assists per game. Rose is currently averaging 18.4 points per game on just 40 percent shooting, as well as 5.0 assists per game. He has also been plagued by inconsistency this season, but had been displaying much-improved play prior to the All-Star break.
Even in Rose’s absence, the Bulls have always remained competitive in the Eastern Conference, and will no doubt remain the same without him again this season, as they still have the main core of their roster from the last few years — and the unexpected emergence of Jimmy Butler will soften the blow as well. The 36-21 Bulls are currently third in the East, and sit just a half-game above of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Kirk Hinrich and Aaron Brooks will likely split the majority of playing time at point guard, and it remains a possibility that the team could sign another points guard, since they still have an open roster spot.
Fellow point guard Rusell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder expressed his bewilderment following a triple-double performance against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night.
“I was speechless,” Westbrook said on NBA-TV during a post-game interview with Ernie Johnson. “It’s so tough for a guy like that who plays so hard and has to go through it again and again and again.”
Several other players were sure to send their well-wishes to Rose on Tuesday night following the announcement.
https://twitter.com/JohnWall/status/570431447674294272
Man feel bad for D.Rose! Keep your head up homie and stay strong G!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 25, 2015
Feel so bad for Drose. One of the most genuine superstars out there, even better person…
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) February 25, 2015
The news of Rose’s injury will no doubt be met with a growing sentiment among many who follow the league that he may never return to the level of play from his 2011 season, and that the Bulls are hurting themselves by paying so much money to a player that has played a total of 95 games the past three seasons after missing a total of just six in his first three seasons.
Rose is scheduled to make $20 million next season and $21.3 million in 2016-17.
Rose has had a few unpleasant moments with the Bulls this season, most recently when he missed last Wednesday’s practice after the conclusion of the All-Star break, which drew the ire of many. If he is able to return this season, it will definitely better the Bulls’ playoff potential, but perhaps he and the team are better off exploring a way to give him a fresh start when the season is over, freeing him from the high expectations from his previous play while playing with a team that has gotten used to being competitive in his absence.
