When people think of Derrick Rose, they think of all of the injuries that he has recently suffered which have not allowed him to dominate the NBA like he once did. Rose came into training camp healthy and ready to return back to his old, MVP form but has already suffered another injury. Rose was reportedly elbowed in the face and suffered a fractured orbital bone, which will require surgery. Although Rose will be undergoing surgery, there is optimism that he could return for the Chicago Bulls opening night game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.
Rose is scheduled to undergo surgery on Wednesday and a timetable will be clearer after the surgery is complete, but these injuries usually keep a player out about 4-6 weeks. If Rose were to somehow make it back in four weeks that would get him back for the season opener on Oct. 27. Players that have suffered this injury in the past have missed anywhere from five to 28 games, so how fast Rose will return is a question mark. Rose will likely have to wear a mask upon his return until the injury fully heals, but many players have done that in the past.
The more likely scenario is that Rose will miss around six weeks and at least a few games for the Bulls, and that is a bad sign for them. The Bulls will be fine record wise without Rose early on, more than likely, but the fact that Rose is missing valuable training camp time while the team is learning a new offense under head coach Fred Hoiberg is of concern.
Rose is the player on the Bulls that can take them over the top and turn them into a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference if he's at his best. This injury is just another setback to a player that has only played in 100 games over the past four seasons due to a myriad of injuries. Now Bulls fans will just have to wait and see when Rose will be able to return, and when he does, if he will be able to gel with his teammates quickly in the new offense. Not a great first day of training camp for Hoiberg and the Chicago Bulls.
