Bulls 1-0 Since Rose’s Latest ‘Successful’ Surgery

February 28, 2015 @ admin → No Comments

The Chicago Bulls said Derrick Rose underwent successful surgery on his right knee Friday. Generally meaning the doctor was pleased with his surgical prowess. And the patient lived. And the bill will be paid promptly. A more accurate assessment probably should wait until Rose returns to the basketball court and shows at what level he can play.

Video below of Devin Justine to warm up a Saturday. Or any day.

General manager Gar Forman told media after the surgery the recuparation time for Rose’s procedure (a meniscetomy with the torn or damaged part of the meniscus removed) is 4-6 weeks. Meaning Rose’s return would be before the end of the regular season.

Also meaning there is a precise timeline for Rose to play again. Unless, of course, the timeline changes. But there should be no prolonged process for Rose or anyone in his camp to cling to. Basically the Bulls are saying, “See you in the postseason — if not sooner, Derrick.”

Check back in 4-6 weeks to see if the process plays out like that.

“It was an anthroscopic outpatient surgery, so Derrick at this time is full weight-bearing,” Forman said. “It was a quick procedure. He had it done and he was able to walk out of the hospital.”

And can start rehabbing Saturday.

Not that being able to do so means much. Rose has played 46 games this season and still had not regained the consistency and skill level he once enjoyed as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2011. To expect him to be able to do that after a handful of games late in the regular season is asking a lot. With the postseason being an even greater challenge.

Starting in place of Rose for the second consecutive contest, Aaron Brooks provided a fairly good impression of Rose in the games leading up to his latest injury. OK, maybe good isn’t a good word. Brooks was 2-for-15 from the field (2-for-8 from three-point range, if that makes anyone feel any better) in the Bulls’ 96-89 victory vs. the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Bulls played without Pau Gasol, who was ill. Taking his place in the starting lineup was Taj Gibson, who sprained his left ankle in the first quarter and did not play after that.

Someone must have told Mike Dunleavy and Jimmy Butler to shoot more. Butler had 28 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the field, and Dunleavy 21 on 8-of-18, including 5-of-8 three-pointers. Joakim Noah had 11 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.

“Whoever we have out there, just get the job done,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said.

Which is what the Bulls did. Which is one thing to do against Minnesota and another thing come playoff time against better competition — with or without Rose.

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