Rose’s Return a Slam Dunk, But Not Just Yet

March 9, 2013 @ admin → No Comments

The Chicago Bulls had reason to celebrate Friday (March 8). After all, it was Benny the Bull’s birthday bash at their game against the Utah Jazz. And the Bulls beat the Jazz 89-88. And recuperating guard Derrick Rose reportedly has been cleared to play by his doctor.

Model Adrianne Curry is from Joliet and has been known to root for Chicago sports teams. Which means this photo is not gratuitous, right?

OK, so not all of those reasons are of similar impact. It’s not every day that Benny the Bull celebrates a birthday. Or Marco Belinelli hits a game-winning three-point basket with 5.9 second left.

What is curious is why a report regarding Rose would surface. His return apparently is predicated on his ability to dunk off his left foot with authority. That and being totally comfortable mentally with being back on the court.

“He’s been cleared to do everything that there is, but before he makes the final step, everyone has to get together and sign off and that hasn’t happened yet,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said before the game. “As I said, the most important part of this is that we have to trust Derrick and I trust him.”

When the time comes for Rose’s return (some have speculated it could occur March 15 at Golden State), it will not be a one-person call.

“There’s a lot of people that got to sign [off],” Thibodeau said. “Obviously, he’s the most important piece. But from Jerry [Reinsdorf, Bulls owner] on down, everyone has to sign off on it.”

As for the Bulls’ contest vs. the Jazz, it featured 37 percent shooting from the field by the victors and 17-point third and fourth quarters after leading 55-46 at the half. Bellinelli and Carlos Boozer each had 22 points. Belinelli, Boozer and Luol Deng each played more than 40 minutes, as Thibodeau ised only three players off the bench.

The Bulls have won five in a row against Utah for their longest winning streak in series history vs, the Jazz.

A streak of another Chicago franchise ended with the Colorado Avalanche defeating the Blackhawks 6-2, marking the first game this season that the Hawks did not gain a point. They had been 21-0-3 to start the season.

What was interesting about the streak (well, it was to at least one non-hockey type) is that LeBron James taking notice of the Hawks’ success somehow validated things for some Hawks fans. As if the Miami Heat star’s notice brought the Hawks or hockey to a level approaching James’ popularity.

Bulls fans no doubt would settle for Rose’s return bringing the Bulls to a level approaching that of the defending NBA champion Heat.