Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has been plagued by gruesome injuries since he brought home the award in 2011. He tore both his ACL and meniscus in a two-year span.
Rose sat on the sideline for two years as Chicago struggled to advance in the playoffs. Twitter made thousands of jokes at his expense, and many people wondered if he was even going to return to form.
After two years of being the center of ridicule, Rose has returned, and is hungry for a championship. Rose is attacking the basket with the same ferocity that we saw from him a few years ago. He explodes on fast breaks with speed that makes one question if he ever had surgery at all. His individual play has been great, and the team around him has made his recovery easier.
This Chicago team is not the same as it was in 2010, but they do have multiple stars that can carry the load if Rose is having an off game. Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol have both played at elite levels for the Bulls, and the emergence of Butler has taken a lot of pressure off of Rose. This roster doesn’t require Rose to score 30 points and play 40-plus minutes every game. This has also taken away some of the fan pressure put on Rose.
Rose has relished this role. His confidence grows every time he steps on the court. He attacks the basket and makes gravity-defying dunks that remind fans of the 2010 season. He is one of the most exciting players in the league, and is almost impossible to guard. He added a more consistent jump shot in his time off that makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Rose is the glue that holds Chicago together. A healthy Rose makes this team a championship contender. If he keeps up his recent form, Chicago could finally bring home their first title since Michael Jordan. Rose is eager to solidify himself as a Chicago legend, and the fans definitely support him.
