Bulls’ Rose: ‘Good Chance’ to Return This Season

March 10, 2015 @ admin → No Comments

Random thoughts (or what we like to think of as such around here) while wondering when Derrick Rose’s rehab will include taking time out not to talk to the media. Or at least figure out not what to say as well as what actually to say:

A photo of April Rose (on the cover of Magic Magazine) over one of Derrick Rose any day.

* Speaking of Rose speaking, the Bulls guard who is recuperating from knee surgery met the media on Monday for the first time since he had the procedure on Feb. 27. Asked whether he would return this season, the former NBA MVP said: “The way that I’m feeling right now, it’s a good chance that I’ll come back. … Whenever I come back, I think I’m going to be ready to play the way I normally play. That’s the smartest thing about being patient with everything that I’m doing, paying attention to my body, paying attention to details every day.” He also might want to pay attention to the calendar. And he also might want to think about dangling the prospect of returning and then not doing so. As if he hasn’t been subjected to enough criticism when the subject is returning from injury in a timely manner.

* Speaking of speaking, Cubs manager Joe Maddon had this to say about second baseman Javier Baez (four strikeouts in eight exhibition game at-bats): “He’s thinking too much. He’s getting a lot of information from all of us, and sometimes I think it’s our fault. I just want to leave him alone and let him play. I’m not concerned. The guy cares so much.” Hey, if the manager isn’t concerned, why should anyone else be? Right? Unless Maddon is concerned but more concerned about the impact of saying so would have on Baez. Because managers have to manage players’ heads as well as their hitting.

* Speaking of the Cubs (who remained winless in five Cactus League contests), starter Edwin Jackson allowed four runs on four hits in two innings in a 6-4 loss to San Diego. On the bright (?) side, the runs were unearned. OK, not so bright. But there was plenty to be pleased about. Because it’s spring training, so you can ignore the bad and focus on the good.

* Speaking of good spring-training efforts, Padres starter Andrew Cashner threw three scoreless, hitless innings. He was part of the deal in which the Cubs obtained first baseman Anthony Rizzo. And, yes, Rizzo is hitless in games that mean nothing. Absolutely nothing. Oh, look. Mike Olt hit his second homer of the exhibition season — about this Cubs fans can get excited.

* Speaking of baseball, closer David Robertson made his White Sox debut by tossing a scoreless inning in a 3-3 tie with Arizona. He did allow a hit. Something says the Sox will settle for such results from him during the regular season. Perfection being overrated and scoreless outings being highly rated.

* Speaking of the Bulls (we were a few paragraphs ago), they almost had the Tony Snell game Monday night against visiting Memphis. Snell had 11 of his team-high 21 points in the fourth quarter, as the Bulls rallied to lead the Grizzlies before falling 101-91, their third loss in a row. Snell also had zero turnovers in a game-high 38 minutes played. Although undermanned because of injuries, the Bulls did find a way to be issued a technical foul in the fourth quarter for having six players on the court. Those NBA refs have no sense of sympathy.

* In the battle of the Gasol brothers, Memphis’ Marc had a game-high 23, including 15 in the third quarter. Pau had 13 points and 11 rebounds for his 43rd double-double this season to tie his career high in that category. So there’s that. For that it’s worth (admittedly not much when your team loses).

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