Too Late for D-Rose

I know I'm late to the party, but since I won't be as busy with my job, I will now have time to follow my teams the way that I like and the way that they deserve to be followed.

Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals is coming up for the Bulls on Monday at the United Center, a.k.a. the "Madhouse on Madison" (inspired the re-naming of this here blog) and "The House that Michael Jordan Built."

I find it funny how the Bulls were like the Heat back in their second three-peat from 1995-96 through 1997-98. Growing up 60 miles from Chicago, I loved that version of the big three - Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman. Of course I am biased, but that trio seemed a lot more likeable. Rodman added a splash of color to an otherwise business-like team that I'm sure fans of opposing teams hated, but as time passes I hope people come to appreciate his tenacity, outstanding effort on the boards, and innate ability to get into the head of the opponent's best player.

Since we live in a "what have you done for me lately" world, the 2012-13 edition of the Chicago Bulls has put together a pretty solid playoff run - defeating the Brooklyn Nets in seven games and giving the Heat a dog fight - despite being marred by injuries and the media whirlwind around those afflictions.

Point guard Derrick Rose has had one heck of a time recovering from an ACL injury in Game 1 of the 2011-12 playoffs. He tried to rush back too early and re-aggravated the injury so that's why I have opted to join the minority of the opinion that he shouldn't come back this season.

Long-term productivity has to outweigh the prospect of short-term success in this situation. Would you rather have five or six more MVP seasons from Rose and many more playoff runs OR a chance to win two or three games against the Heat? The Bulls are under-manned regardless with Luol Deng begin racked up in the hospital with a nasty flu. How successful can you expect them to be?

Even when Rose comes back, it's not like it's going to be an instant championships. It will take Rose at least a few games to work off the rust of being laid up for so long - there's only so much you can do in practice to simulate NBA playoff action - and he'll also have to jive with his teammates. It's a lot more complicated than Rose is being soft. Maybe he is, but a lot of fans fail to acknowledge these variables and a lot of people are over-reacting. That is why they call them fans (fanatics), I guess.

Anyway, Go Bulls! #seered