Does Derrick Rose have to return this season?
credit: nba.com

Much has been made recently of whether or not Derrick Rose will return to the Chicago Bulls before the end of the season. He is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season, but has been told that his knee is medically ready for game time. With the playoffs quickly approaching, many are beginning to wonder where Rose’s priorities are.

At this point, you have to start wondering if Derrick Rose will sit out this season and come back at the beginning of next year. He has openly stated that he won’t return until he’s 100%, both mentally and physically.

One of his ex-teammates, Ronnie Brewer, believes that the Bulls made a mistake by making it public news that Rose has been medically cleared to return. Via Real GM:

With Derrick Rose working hard to recover from his torn ACL, Ronnie Brewer believes the Chicago Bulls made a mistake by leaking that his former teammate has been medically cleared to return.

“I felt it was unfortunate the [Bulls] released that Derrick was cleared to play,” Brewer told RealGM on Saturday night. “It’s a process and that’s a dramatic injury. If you’re not 110 percent mentally there and you still have thoughts and regrets about the injury, you’re not going to be playing at a high level. Until you can do that, he’s still not cleared in my opinion.”

Brewer then goes on to say that he believes Rose should be the only one to decide when he can come back.

As far as when Rose will return, Brewer doesn’t think anyone around the Bulls knows, but he was adamant it should come when only Rose is ready.

“I don’t think anybody really knows,” Brewer said. “I don’t think the doctors know. I don’t think any of the players know. Whatever it is, I don’t think he should rush back and not be confident to play, because if you’re not playing with confidence then everything goes out the window.”

Ronnie Brewer is now a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, after beginning the season with the New York Knicks.

We’ll see how this entire situation plays out, as the regular season is quickly winding down. Would Rose consider returning just for the playoffs? The Eastern Conference is awfully vulnerable outside of the Miami Heat.

–Mark Evans, Assistant Manager/Editor of Content

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